Private tour in Kyoto Yoriko O
5.0
(15) reviews
4 hours
1
4 hours
1
Yoriko O.
4.9
Guide rating
178
Reviews
Tours delivered
8 hrs
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Hi! My name is Yoriko. I was born and brought up in Osaka in Japan. Now I have a family with my husband, one son and one daughter. I have an experience to live in New York for 4 years, which gave me a chance to see Japan from outside. I want to give overseas guests correct information on Japanese history and culture with best hospitality, which can be obtained only by a national licensed tour guide. Now I am ready to welcome you to Japan and show you around many of wonderful places in Kansai Area including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. Working 10 years as a tour guide, I have found each person has his/her own interest, pace of the tour, passion for shopping and so on. Some people want to experience the traditional Japan, and others want to see the modern scene of Japan. I am always trying to meet your personal request, so that you can bring wonderful memory of Japan back to your home country. Please come to Japan and enjoy a wonderful day with your tour guide! ・National guide license ・License for teaching English at junior/senior high school
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Yoriko O.
Nijo Castle was originally built by Tokugawa Shogun in 1603. We can enter beautiful palace buildings and walk on the corridors where Samurai were actually walking in ancient days. Each chamber is decorated with gorgeous wall paintings. Garden in front of the buildings is a Japanese landscape garden, where you can enjoy the art of Japanese garden master. Next we move to a traditional Japanese house and learn tea ceremony. First you see elegant manner of tea ceremony performed by the host of the house. Then you can try your own cup of tea by yourself with the help of host in a traditional Japanese-style room with tatami mats. Please experience the tradition just in the center of ancient capital of Japan. Nishi-Honganji Buddhist Temple in this neighbor is one of the most giant religious facilities in Kyoto. Belonging to Jodo-Shin sect of Japanese Buddhism, it welcomes a lot of people in a huge compound. Please feel something sacred in a holy buildings, which can accept 2000 people.
Our tour with Yoriko was fantastic from start to finish. Not only did we see places we would never have discovered or understood without Yoriko, but she also enabled us to immerse ourselves more deeply in Japanese culture. The tea ceremony alone was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to Yoriko's explanations. We would definitely do the tour with Yoriko again and can highly recommend it to anyone interested in culture. Thank you so much, Yoriko!
Our half-day tour in Kyoto with Yoriko remains one of our favorite memories of Kyoto. During our visit to the tea ceremony, temple, and Nijo Castle, her well-measured timing and insightful commentary linked everything together seamlessly. Yoriko has a unique ability to connect what you see with its historical and cultural background in a way that's easy to understand and truly memorable.
Yoriko is so knowledgeable, so lovely, so kind, and every part of the tour was interesting and thoughtful. The tea ceremony was extremely special and very private. We learned so much, and felt very lucky to have Yoriko as our guide. She also happily accomodated our family of five.
Yoriko is a very kind and knowledgeable tour guide. She showed and explained to us about beautiful temples, lovely gardens and brought us to a wonderful experience at a traditional Japanese tea. Our day was complete with seeing cherry blossoms in bloom! It was so nice having a private driver and guide. But be aware, ask the cost of drivers first as they vary greatly from city to city.
We faced two hurdles to a proper Tea Ceremony: inability to sit on the floor and lack of Japanese. Yoriko found folding chairs and translated the Tea Master's words with cultural sensitivity. Later, she came through again by urging the taxi driver to go past a traffic barrier, so we wouldn't have to climb the hill to Kiyomizu-dera. Yoriko's choice of Nishi Hongan-ji temple stands out in my mind. With no tourists, we could sense the peace at the heart of Buddhism. Seek out Yoriko to see traditional Japan.
Yoriko was a wonderful guide. The day included walking around the Imperial Place, a stop at the Nijo Castle and finally, a tea ceremony, which was a very amazing experience. Yoriko was very kind, professional and knowledgeable.
Nijo Castle(1 and half hours) We enter Ninomaru Palace building with our shoes off and walk inside. Garden can be enjoyed by walking, taking pictures and so on. -subway or taxi Tea Ceremony near Nishi Honganji Temple (1 hour) We will spend very special private time enjoying the tea ceremony and trying it by ourselves. -on foot Nishi Honganji Temple(half hour) Entering the compound through a beautiful gate elaborately decorated in a traditional style, enjoy the garden with a huge ginko tree and feel something of Japanese temple sitting on a big hall of Tatami mats, if you like. *Please note that Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesday in July, August, January and February. In this case, some other option is offered. *As for tea ceremony place, substitute would be offered in case this facility is full. *This is a basic plan. I am happy to meet your request as much as possible. Please feel free to contact me.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
We use public transportation, such as subway and bus. We may use a taxi depending on the number of the participants and/or your physical condition.
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4 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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