Yoshihisa T.

4.97 / 5
(209 reviews)
 

Available Areas

Kyoto (Living), Nara, Osaka, Kobe

 

Languages

Japanese (Native), English

 

Response Time

5 hours on average

 

Availability Updated

4 days ago

 

About Tour Guide Yoshihisa T.

Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.

Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.

One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?

Important

It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.






Tours

My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour

Kyoto
8 hours

This tour is designed for those who would like to visit major scenic sites in Kyoto and off-the-beaten spots as well in a single day. The route is the one that has been favored and admired by many of my guests for the past few years. The itinerary mainly consists of three areas; Kitayama, Arashiyama and Fushimi areas. You will surely have unforgettable memories through the tour with me.

FROM$225/ per group

My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour

Kyoto
8 hours

This tour is designed for those who have finished My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour and would like to make a second-day tour in Kyoto. The tour covers most of the main tourist attractions in the eastern area of Kyoto. It also has a couple of choices according to your needs and wishes. I hope you will have a very pleasant tour with me.

FROM$225/ per group

Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary

Nara
7 hours

Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can

FROM$194/ per group

Izakaya Hopping & Sightseeing in Minami Area, Osaka

Osaka
5 hours

This tour is meant for those who would like to enjoy sightseeing in Minami ( South ) Area, Osaka and eating and drinking at three izakayas ( Japanese-style taverns ) for relatively reasonable prices in a friendly atmosphere.

FROM$170/ per group

Kobe Arima Rokko One-day Tour

Kobe
8 hours

This tour is designed for those who would like to enjoy a variety of experiences in Kobe in a single day. The tour includes a visit to Ijinkan Town ( a former foreign residence area ) in Kobe, hot spring bathing in Arima Onsen, an aerial cableway riding from Arima to Rokko and taking in a splendid view of Osaka Bay from the top of Mt. Rokko.

FROM$273/ per group

Cherry Blossom Viewing Walking Tour

Kyoto
7 hours

The tour starts at JR Kyoto Station at 9 AM. You will go to Demachi Yanagi Station by JR Nara Line and Keihan Line. From there you will begin walking. The main tourist attractions of this tour are Ginkaku-ji Temple ( the Silver Pavilion ), the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine Garden and Maruyama Park. The tour ends at Gion Shijo Station of Keihan Line.

FROM$198/ per group

Reviews

K

Kim and bob C.

5 / 5
Aug 26, 2024

Most amazing, lovely, guide

There cannot possibly be a better, more gracious, helpful guide in Kyoto than Yoshihisa. We had an amazing, busy day, seeing exactly what we wanted to see (we don’t like too many temples but he chose ones we adored) and helped us learn the train and purchase IC cards. Highly recommend. From a family of four Canadians, including two adult children

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Kim. I appreciate your superb comment on my tour today. I had a very pleasant time, guiding and talking with you all. I hope our paths will cross again someday soon during the cherry blossom or autumn foliage season. Would you give my best regards to Richard, please? Best wishes. Yoshie

M

Michael S.

5 / 5
Aug 23, 2024

Wonderful time

As a guide, Yoshie is an excellent and knowledgeable guide, able to handle subject regarding the tour and general Japanese history and culture. As a person, he is extremely personable, allowing us into his daily life that provided us with an intimate view into the real Japanese culture. We could not have had a better day than the one we had today. Arigato gozaimasu!

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Mike. Thank you so much for your excellent review for my tour today. I had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you two. I am glad that you tried to learn Japanese phrases and our culture, including our dishes and ways of having nice time in the evening. I hope you will have a nice time in Japan and return home safely with lots of nice memories of Japan. Ichigo Ichie Yoshie

S

Suresh N.

5 / 5
Aug 21, 2024

A Great Day on Golden Route

We took the tour with Yoshie-san on the Golden Route in Kyoto visiting multiple shrines and temples and the Arashiyama Bamboo forest. I had been communicating with Yoshie-san as soon as our Japan trip was finalized. Even outside of the tour, he has been very communicative and helpful in discussing the logistics of the trip and also in catering to our customization request of the tour. He arrived very promptly at the Kyoto train station and we had no problem in identifying him. After the morning visits we had a sumptuous lunch at a boutique restaurant catering to my vegetarian cuisine request. It was a fun day of travel by multiple trains and walks with an excellent coverage. I highly recommend Yoshie-san for as greqt experience and good coverage. Thank You Yoshie-san and GoWithGuide !!

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Suresh-San. I appreciate your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I also had a great time guiding and talking with you all. I am very pleased to learn that you spent a pleasant time on my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. Be sure to get in touch if you have another chance of visiting Kansai district. Best wishes. Yoshie

G

Gabriela C.

5 / 5
Jul 31, 2024

Our best day in japan

The tour we made with Ioshie was awesome. He is a very kind man, that knows everything about japan’s history and took us to special places, that we will never forget. Besides, he tough us important things about Japanese culture (for instance, how to pray in a budist shrine). Definitely, it was one of our favorite days in this unforgettable trip. Thanks, Ioshie, for being so special and love what you do. Gabi, Marcelo, Vini, Henrique and Enzo

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Gabi. Thank you very much for your heart-warming review for my tour in Kyoto. It was terribly hot but I had a great time guiding and talking with you and your family. I hope you will continue a pleasant trip in Nara, Osaka and Tokyo. With best wishes. Yoshie