Shirakawago Private Tour Guides

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Popular Shirakawago Tour Guides

Yuriko S.

4.94 / 5
(52 reviews)
Japan

I am Yuriko from Gifu Prefecture. I was an assistant English teacher at junior high school. I started to work as a National Certificate tour guide in 2019. I'm very interested in kimono, tea ceremony and Japanese castles. I sometimes guide in kimono. There are so many nice places to visit in Gifu and Nagoya! I also guide around Takayama, Shirakawago, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kanazawa if you pay my transportation fee from my hometown. Let's enjoy Japan with me!

Yoshie K.

5.00 / 5
(33 reviews)
Japan

Hi, I am Yoshie. I am a national government licensed English speaking Guide. I used to work for multinational companies and served as an interpreter for several years and travelled around Japan with coworkers. I love plants, nature, travelling as well as finding good places to eat! I am also a communicative person. After having lived in Tokyo for some decades, now I live in my hometown, Fukui where you can have a great experience of Zen buddhism in the head temple of the Zen sect, Eiheiji which was founded in 1244. Fukui Dinosaur Museum is very popular regardless of age. It is one of the world's three largest dinosaurs. Echizen is also well known for Japan's handmade crafts including kitchen knives, washi paper, lacquer wares, Tansu chests and pottery. Seeing craftsmen's work right in front of you makes you excited and impressed. I have been travelling Kanazawa since my high school age so I know well about the town to show you around as well as Shirakawago, a day trip from Kanazawa. I am excited to meet you and coordinate what you are really interested in to make you the happiest memories in Japan. I look forward to guiding you soon!

Fujio N.

4.79 / 5
(14 reviews)
Japan

Born and having spent most of my life in Kanazawa, I went into the export business for a major high-speed and automatic loom maker, where I worked for 38 years. When I was a university student in Kyoto, I occasionally worked part time as an English speaking guide. I have guided foreign tourists in Japan especially in my hometown for over 13 years starting soon after my retirement. I joined Kanazawa Good-will Guide Network in 2000 and had been its coordinator for six years from 2002, currently being its senior adviser. Furthermore, I organized Kanazawa Home-visit Association in 2003 that has received over 8,000 visitors from overseas, among whom 1,900 enjoyed experiencing Japanese culture in my own home. In 2012, I established the group for the interpreter guide with my friends and currently I am its coordinator. I am therefore very familiar with historical, cultural and industrial backgrounds of Kanazawa and its surrounding regions. My hobby is golf and my current official golf handicap is 15. Tour Guide Services: Sightseeing tours with explanations of historical and cultural backgrounds of Ishikawa prefecture including Kanazawa city and Noto peninsula, and the surrounding prefectures such as Gifu (with Takayama city and Shirakawa village), Toyama (with Gokayama village) and Fukui (with Eiheiji Zen Temple) Sample Itineraries: Model Plans in Kanazawa: Full-day tour (7~8h) Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District including gold-leaf shops → Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park → 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art → Nagamachi Samurai District → Omicho Market Half -day tour (4~5h) Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District including a gold-leaf shop → Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park → Nagamachi Samurai District Other popular optional spots are also available: Myoryuji (Ninja) Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum, Oyama Shrine, Kaga Yuzen Traditional Industrial (silk kimono) Center, Nishida Family Garden (Gyokusen-en), Kazuemachi Chaya (Geisha) District, Ohi Pottery Museum, Kutani Porcelain Kiln, etc. Home-visit (2 hours) Visit a local home to enjoy talking with the host family over tea and to learn the distinctive Japanese lifestyle firsthand, where you might experience traditional culture such as a tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kimono dressing, calligraphy and paper- folding. Model Plans of one-day round trips by highway bus from Kanazawa 1. Noto peninsula (world agricultural heritage site with Wajima Morning Market, Wajima Lacquerware Center, Wajima Kiriko (gigantic festival lantern) Art Museum, Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Sojiji Zen Temple, Ganmon and Chirihama Beach Driveway), etc. 2. Takayama city (old merchant town), Shirakawa-go and Gokayama villages (world cultural heritage site with thatched-roof farm houses)

Takashi M.

4.71 / 5
(17 reviews)
Japan

I was born and brought up in Kanazawa, and live in Kanazawa. So,I know every corner of this town. I am a national licensed tour guide. I started operating tour guide business in 2004 after retired from the local government office. I enjoyed hobbies when I found my spare time. In my twenties and thirties, I walked along many peaks of Northern Japan Alps during the summer mountain season. I travelled many places domestic and abroad. I also enjoyed skiing while I was in my forties and fifties. I have offered tour guides to over 1,000 tourists since I started tour guiding. I explain local history and culture, religion, traditional arts and crafts, and food, etc. I try my best to have customers' satisfaction, and make your tours enjoyable and memorable.Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains started operating between Tokyo and Kanazawa on March 14, 2015. It takes about 2 and half hours. You will be able to make one-day tour to Kanazawa from Tokyo. I look forward to having your application.

Tetsuji Y.

4.87 / 5
(39 reviews)
Japan

Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens. Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu. I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?

Mika S.

4.96 / 5
(26 reviews)
Japan

My interests include art, architecture, food, sake, wine, and sustainability. In the past, I had the opportunity to visit destinations around the world. My passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures helped me recognize the beauty in my own culture, and inspired me to become a tour guide. I’m a fun, energetic, and passionate guide who’s ready to show you an unforgettable time in Japan, whatever your interests may be! Hida is a beautiful region tucked away in the Northern Alps, and its location helped preserve Takayama’s old town constructed by local master carpenters. On your tour, I’ll give you tips on what you should look for to appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. If you’re a sake lover, Hida is the place for you because the cold climate makes it suitable for brewing quality sake. I’m a licensed Sake Sommelier, and I’d love to take you to the breweries in town and give you some recommendations. I’ve also been trained to host art tours. If you’re interested in contemporary Japanese art, I recommend visiting Kanazawa, where you can find inspirational creativity in every corner! My goal is to help you discover the authentic Japanese way of life while feeling comfortable like a local rather than standing out like a tourist. Please let me know what kind of experience you’re looking for, and I will happily tailor a unique experience just for you. Fun facts about me! I was sponsored to travel around the world twice I was a torch runner in the 1998 Nagano Olympics I grew up in nature, eating wild plants and seeing many wild animals

Yoko T.

5.00 / 5
(17 reviews)
Japan

Hi! I am Yoko, a friendly regional Licensed Guide Interpreter. This area is my home! This is why I've been sharing beauties of this prefecture with my guests from around the world. This area is great fun: local, historical, culturally important, sometimes mysterious and beautiful! If you are already in love with Japan, then let me personalize your experience here. Visit the best places, venues, spots and locations with me. You will enjoy neighborhood full of hidden local treasures. I am a mother of two girls. I'd be happy to welcome families and I can arrange a tour depending on your situation. Please feel free to ask me any. I also translate and teach English. And I am a host of an Internet radio show. I like meeting people and all these experiences allow me to be good at communicating as a guide. I look forward to exploring this beautiful culture with you. Thank you!

Yuichi W.

4.53 / 5
(15 reviews)
Japan

Hello, I'm Yuichi, an English tour guide in Hokuriku region. If you are thinking about traveling to historical places such as Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama, I am willing to offer a tour. I can bring you to those popular destinations from my base, Toyama city. These are the examples of my tour: Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama Takaoka - Gokayama - Shirakawago - Takayama Toyama - Tateyama Kurobe Alipne Route - Omachi (Nagano Pref.) During the tour I like to provide simple explanations about Japanese history, and small tips for using the Japanese language on your request. My interests are food, cooking, sake and wine as well as Japanese novels and movies. It would be possible to add those tastes to our tour including a visit to local wineries, movie scenes, etc... Finally, I will do my best to give you a pleasant stay. Looking forward to seeing you in Hokuriku!

Reviews

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Rachael R.

5 / 5
Sep 30, 2024

Thank you Yoshie!

I reached out to Yoshie to assist our family of 4 get from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station than onto Shin Osaka station. She was not advertising this service on her profile page but as I saw she were doing tours out of Narita I thought I would ask and she kindly accepted. Communication was prompt via email. It was raining, humid and Tokyo station was total kaos but Yoshie was cool, calm and collected. She was waiting at Narita, assisted us with a suitcase delivery service, got us to Tokyo station on Narita express and during this time gave us some tips and advice. She even gave our 2 sons some lovely gifts. There is no way in the world we would of done this ourselves in the time frame we had. Thank you very much Yoshie! If we get to experience Japan again I think we would happily take one of her tours. Best regards to you and your family Rachael, Troy, Hudson and Tully Perth, Western Australia

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Halina G.

5 / 5
Sep 30, 2024

A Day with Takako

Our guide was a most informed and intelligent lady who provided an impressive amount of information, anecdotes, and history about Tokyo . She patiently answered all our questions in a respectful and knowing way. Takako’s manner was warm, friendly and relaxed. We never felt rushed; everything was explained and shown smoothly and knowledgeably. Our lunch was in an amazing underground restaurant whose food was beautifully prepared, and its ambience suited its proximity to the fish market and nearby market laneways. We had a great time.

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Oliver D.

5 / 5
Sep 30, 2024

Wonderful local perspective of Tokyo life

My partner and I had a wonderful tour with Akira. We visited the Imperial Palace gardens, walked through local neighborhoods, and had fresh drip coffee from independent shop Aoyama Coffee Roaster. We had a great local lunch, visited a local ceramics store, and concluded with the freshest fruit from the local market. Akira was a great host - we appreciated sharing his personal perspective on Japanese history, culture, and customs. It was one of the highlights of our trip, and we highly recommend a tour with Akira. Get off the tourist trail, and see more of the real Tokyo. Thanks Akira!

Akira N.

Dear Oliver, Thank you so much for the great review. I am so happy that you enjoyed the tour. Your (and Viviana's) kind, generous, and sincere behavior brought you all the great things that we experienced that day, especially when we exchanged with local people whom I love. I will let them know that you two had a real great time and I am sure that they will be pleased. I tried to add more personal and human touch on this tour as much as I could and I am so happy that it worked and you liked it. Thank you so much for letting me be myself and I am looking forward to another chance to explore my loving city together. Sincerely, Akira

Horst W.

5 / 5
Sep 29, 2024

Ausgezeichnet - Hervorragend

Yukiko ist sehr nett und hilfsbereit . Ein hervorragender und sehr achtsamer Guide. Sie hat ein großes Talent und sehr viel Wissen . Unsere Tour war ganz ausgezeichnet und ein traditionelles Japanisches Restaurant mit köstlichem Essen war auch dabei . Sehr zu empfehlen. Eine super-schöne Tour! 1A Vielen lieben Dank! Yukiko is very nice and helpful. An excellent and very mindful guide. She has a great talent and a lot of knowledge. Our tour was quite excellent and a Traditional Japanese restaurant with delicious food was also there. Highly recommended. A super-beautiful tour! 1A Thank you very much!

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Local Tour Guides in Shirakawago

Our local guides are ready to help you plan, customize and realize your ideal tour in Shirakawago. All GoWithGuide guides are real locals who know the area on a deep and personal level, and they can’t wait to share their knowledge with you. When traveling, everyone wants to get the most bang out of their buck. How to do that? Ask the right person to be your tour guide, of course! As opposed to fixed itineraries that are too formal and geared towards large groups, arranging a trip with the help of a local guide will mean the trip will be about what YOU want to see and do. Go ahead and send a message to one (or several!) of our local guides. They would love to show you their Shirakawago!