Tour guide in Kyoto Dragoslav T.

I am a Kyoto-based Japanese Garden Specialist holding a Master’s degree in Japanese Garden Design and recognized as a Master of Traditional Japanese Garden Arts. Most guests simply call me Drago. I have been living in Kyoto for over 20 years, combining academic knowledge with long-term hands-on experience in traditional landscapes. My journey began in 1998, when I first came to Japan and participated in the restoration of a traditional Japanese garden pond in Tokyo. That early experience shaped my dedication to Japanese gardens and cultural spaces. Since then, Kyoto has become both my home and the foundation of my professional path. I am a full member of the Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture (JILA), reflecting my continued engagement within Japan’s professional landscape community. Today, I guide private guests and small groups through Kyoto’s temples, shrines, gardens, and historic districts with a calm, structured, and design-informed approach. Rather than simply visiting locations, I help guests understand the aesthetic principles, spatial composition, and cultural meaning behind what they see. Whether exploring Zen temple gardens, Arashiyama’s scenic landscapes, or Kyoto’s traditional quarters, my goal is to create meaningful experiences that balance insight, atmosphere, and thoughtful pacing.