Gold Guide

Noko

Hi, my name is Noriko, but you can call me Noko. As a native of Kyoto, I have always been close to events, landscapes, and everyday scenery of Kyoto.
I spent a year in a small town in Arkansas, U.S.A. as an exchange student. Living there with no one from a similar background gave me a flexible perspective from a young age. Since then, I have been interested in how people communicate with each other from different cultural backgrounds. I joined an international enterprise and learned to work with people from different countries.
I became a National Guide/Interpreter in 2015 to share my love for Japanese art, crafts, food, and nature with my guests. After completing the courses for the City of Kyoto Visitor's Host, I came to believe that it is my mission to re-discover the hidden gems of Kyoto and shed light on them. Why not find out a surprise not written in your guidebook with me?

Hank

Hello! My name is Hiroshi Fujii, a tour guide in English since 2020. Please call me Hank. I got this nickname in United State. I have been five years in Chicago, near O’Hare Airport.
When I was school days, I traveled one year Mexico and South America with backpacking. I love travel. After graduation, I joined machine parts company that I wanted to work at foreign countries. Fortunately, I have been 11 years in Germany, 5 years in USA, and 3 years in Brazil as a business. I had a very warm communication with local people and wonderful experience during my stays in foreign countries. Therefore, I came to want to be a tour guide, so that I would like to assist you to have an unforgettable experience of Japanese culture and interaction with local people during your stays in Japan. I love my job guiding and to interact with you.
As a hobby, I love running. I run every weekend and marathon twice a year. I was born and raised in Nara in the vicinity of Kyoto and Osaka. It is famous for great Buddha and lots of deer. I have two sons; my elder son was born in Germany, and he is just married last year. Now my wife and I live in our hometown Nara.
During our tour, I would like to be a representative of Japanese people for you. You can ask me anything related Japanese culture and life. I can explain you using my own history and experience. If you have a special interest, please let me know. I am confident that you will have a unforgettable experience with me as your guide.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon in Japan!

Sato_san

Hello! I am a tour guide Sato_san. Sato is my last name and sugar is called "sato" in Japanese, so I am your sweet guide! I was born in Hong Kong and raised in Nara, Japan. After living in Japan and the US, I started working as a travel guide in 2016. As a nationally certified English Interpreter Guide and Nara prefecture-certified guide, I can guide you through must-see and hidden spots in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. My guide using original illustrations to tell Japanese history is popular with many foreign guests. For those who are interested in Japanese religion, I explain the religious influence to people in now and the past. In the cultural experience, I focus on conveying the thoughts of the craftsmen who carry on the traditional culture. For kids, I teach origami. Whether you want to learn about Japanese history, religion, and traits; experience Japanese culture; appreciate art; meet artisans; try local cuisine; taste sake; walk in nature; feel local life: find healing spots, etc., please let me know your requests. I am happy to arrange an itinerary to make your day even more special and memorable!

Yuki

Hello! My name is Lee Yukiko. Please call me Yuki.
I was born in Hiroshima Prefecture. I have been living in Hyogo prefecture (next to Osaka) more than thirty years.
I am cheerful and friendly, and I really love meeting people. I had many guests like celebrities, politicians, CEOs, artists and so on. I am capable of guiding whoever you are. You would definately have a wonderful time if you picked me as a guide.
I have a license of Japanese dancing and flower arrangement. I like classical ballet, Kimono, Japanese culture, theater going, like Kabuki.
I like meeting new people and want to help you have a wonderful trip in Japan.
I’m a Kodo (the way of incense) Master.
Kodo is a traditional Japanese culture to appreciate the incense wood of more than 100 years old. It is quite authentic and esthetic culture that Japan can boast.
Though, the number of people who enjoy this interesting culture is decreasing in Japan.
I’d like to introduce this quite a unique culture as many people as possible.
Why don't you try this unique and authentic Japanese culture?

Emi

Hello, I am Emi Matsuda, a professional interpreter and tour guide with 6 years of experience. I am also working as a secretary in Osaka University with over 20 years of experience, which has honed my ability to offer flexible and elegant attention to clients. I have a license of museum curation, which extends my knowledge and expertise in the arts and culture field.
Based in the fashion city of Kobe, I feel privileged to share Japan's rich cultural destinations with travelers from around the globe. Having lived in this beautiful country for years, I have developed a deep passion for the country's rich heritage and customs, making every tour experience I offer more insightful and meaningful.
As a professional tour guide and interpreter, flexibility and adaptability are vital aspects of my job. I've learned to anticipate and respond quickly to different issues that may arise during tours, ensuring that my clients enjoy a worry-free experience. I take pride in creating unforgettable experiences for my clients, each tailored to their preferences and interests.
In Japan, we have many beautiful destinations, from the traditional temples and palaces to breathtaking gardens and festivals. I'm passionate about showcasing all the hidden gems of my country, and my extensive planning and research reflect this. Moreover, I enjoy creating customized tours, combining culture and leisure outings, giving clients the opportunity to witness Japan's breathtaking sites and experiences.
In conclusion, I look forward to welcoming you to Japan and curating an unforgettable tour that showcases the country's history, culture, and beauty. I strive to create unique memories for my clients, and I am confident that you will have a wonderful experience with me as your guide.

KeiKay

Hi, everyone. My name is Kaori Kuzuhara. Call me KK! I live in Nishinomiya city in the vicinity of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji which is called Kansai.
I’m a national government licensed tourist guide 2014- and enjoying taking guests from overseas to the best places in Kansai.
My specialty is the friendliness and has bread knowledge about religion, culture, and behind- the-scenes stories. Let’s have a quality experience with me and go like a local
,which is only possible with a guide who loves the area. I will show you hidden gems in Kansai. Let’s dive into the deep Japan with me together! Your local friend,
KK

Tom Yoshida

Hi there, I am Tom Yoshida, National Certified Tour Guide and Certified Domestic Travel Services Manager.
I have experience guiding a variety of patterns, from individual travelers to groups, from day trips to 3 weeks in duration, and from Tokyo to Hiroshima in site.
For private guiding in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, I have requests from several hotel concierges as well as travel agencies. In addition, I accommodate more than just sightseeing. For example, model shoots for clothing brands and hiking tours.
I live in Kyoto for 30 years, so I can guide travelers to every corner of the city. I also lived in Osaka for 20 years.
I became a businessman and stayed in the U.S. for five years and in Germany for a half year. Because, I traveled backpacking through Europe when I was a student. It was a sightseeing trip and I was not happy with just looking from the outside. After that, I wanted to get into Western society.
Now I would like to push you to enter Japanese culture. For example, in Kyoto, where I live, there are many historical Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. I would like to make Buddhism and Shintoism easier to understand rather than simply show them to you.
My sports are cycling, hiking, skiing and marathon running. My other hobbies are trains and the visiting of ramen restaurants.
After finishing my bachelor's degree in science and engineering, I used to work as a designer and marketer for a manufacturing equipment manufacturer, so I am also very happy to do industrial tours.

Fumi

Hello, I am Fumi. I live in Kyoto and try to provide comfortable tours tailored to the travel style of clients. I do more than 200 tours annually in Western Japan.
I have a passion for travel, both domestically and internationally. As a child, I had numerous opportunities to travel across various parts of Japan with family and my father's business partners. This allowed me to discover the joy of travelling to unfamiliar places, unknown local food, and chance encounters with new people.
I am also interested in ancient Japanese culture. Influenced by my parents and aunt, who were Noh performers, I became interested in Noh and other traditional performing arts.
In school, I had a keen interest in cross-cultural communication and felt the need to learn English. I passed English Proficiency Test Grade 1 with a high score and was invited to an award ceremony for outstanding achievement.
Before becoming a guide, I worked as a teacher at a language school and as a training officer, but a friend working in the tourism industry invited me to work at international events for overseas guests, saying, 'you are suited to work in travel. I eventually qualified as a chief itinerary manager in 2003.
Inspired by my aunt, who was an interpreter-guide in both English and French, I became a licensed interpreter-guide in 2014, making my professional debut a month later. Since 2015, I have been working primarily on luxury tours.
Hobbies: exploring local cuisine, going to the gym, watching stage performances, and strolling through the city.