We stroll in Okayama visiting Okayama castle and Korakuen garden designated as one of three famous gardens in Japan in the morning.
We move to Kurashiki near Okayama.
We do sightseeing Kurashiki historical quarter rich in old Japanese style houses and visit either Ohara museum of art or Sake brewery there where Japanese alcohol is made.
At the hotel you stay in
Okayama (Okayama castle, Korakuen garden)
Kurashiki(Kurashiki historical quarter, either Ohara museum of art or Sake brewery )
At the hotel you stay in
You can enjoy Japanese old atmosphere.
You can see unique tradition and culture created during 215-national-isolation lasting from 17th to 19th century.
guide fee, my transfer fee from Okayama to Kurashiki)
transportation fee in Okayama city and a round ticket from Okayama to Kurashiki, lunch, entrance fee at Okayama castle, Korakuen garden, either Ohara museum of art or Sake brewery
I'm available all year round except for Wednesdays.
I can guide you in Kyoto and Ehime if you pay my transportation fee.
except for every Monday
1. Meeting point : Okayama station or your hotel
2. Transfer from Okayama to Kurashiki : Local train ( If you would like use a taxi, it's also OK.)
3. Okayama's local food always includes fish. If you have allergies or something you don't like, please let me know.
Keiji was a very consistent communicator before the touring day and met me at my train exactly like he said he would. He had my name on the sign. He knows all the spots and the train/tram system and how to beat the lines at the Peace Museum. He was patient, informative and very pleasant to be with. We toured a garden (Shukkeien Garden) by the museum, took trams, fantastic local sushi spot for lunch, A-Bomb, Peace Museum and then to Miyajima Island on the ferry. Fantastic day and a very nice man. He has a good vocabulary in English. Things to note so as not to be surprised ~ It is custom to pay for the guides meals and treats and entrance fee/bus far etc. You will also pay about $5000 yen for his train ticket home again. So plan on spending extra money. The Ropeway on the island has the last up car around 3:15 or so (even though the hours say 4PM) so plan on leaving enough time for that. Keiji is a retired middle school teacher, a father and a husband. A very nice and positive person and he knows his way around. The Peace Museum and the A-Bomb site is very *hard* - so also going to the island where there are deer roaming and lots of food treats and a beautiful shrine is a good balance. The ferry ride is also lovely. And if you stay on the island til the evening you will see that gate all illuminated. ***** = five star review!
Dear Suzie, Thank you for your wonderful review. I also appreciate your enjoying the trip in Hiroshima. I will use today's experience in my next guide. Tomorrow's Naoshima is very famous as an island of nature, architecture and art, with the Chichu Art Museum and the Art House Project and so on. There is also a public bath called "I Love Yu", which is decorated with art inside and outside, so please enjoy it if you have the opportunity to go there. Thank you very much for today. Best Keiji
Keiji collected us from the train station as we arrived from Kyoto by train. Keji was very flexible and allowed us to change the itinerary. We visited the Atomic bomb dome and Peace memorial museum. Keiji had purchased the tickets online for us so we did not need to wait in the que . It was very busy as there was a flower festival. He took us for lunch to a Okonomiyaki restaurant which catered for the members of our party who were vegetarian. It was a very nice experience. We then took the ferry to Itsukushima shrine in Miyajima island. It was very nice experience even though it was very crowded. We did not have time to visit the castel but saw it in the distance.
Dear Smita, Thank you very much for good reputation. I enjoyed our tour with you too. I also thank you for your cooperation to our tour. I hope someday I have a tour with you. Best regards, Keiji
Keiji was excellent and very knowledgeable about the history of Japan. The temple experience was enlightening and a highlight of the trip.
Dear Sheila, Thank you for your evaluating me highly. That really encourages me. I'll continue my job with experiences through our tour. Keiji
What a fantastic day we have had. The itinerary was absolutely perfect, 10 out of 10. Lunch was simply amazing. We covered everything that we wanted to see and more. Keiji is a gentleman and cannot do enough for his clients. He just wants to ensure that you have an amazing time. Highly recommend.
Dear Mark, Thank you very much for the great admiration. I had just done what I had to do as a tour guide. I'm very pleased to know you enjoyed our tour. Thank you again. Keiji