Tokie Tanaka knows all you need to know about these cities and the Kansai region. From food markets to the geisha culture. Tokie will gladly put together a customized tour just for you.
Start your day by clapping your hands in a temple (the traditional Japanese way to pray) and from there it’s on to Osaka Castle.
Norwegian as a samurai in front of Osaka Castle.
We walk through a fantastic food market on our way down to Shinsaibashi shopping district in southern Osaka. You will spend most of your day exploring Japan's second largest city on foot before ending up in the lively entertainment districts around Namba.
1-2 people: 6 900 SEK
3-6 people: 7 400 SEK
7-10 people: 8 600 SEK
Together we will visit a Japanese craftsman and his workshop in the central part of Osaka. There you will make your own seal, your “hanko”. All Japanese use their hanko with their names engraved in all kinds of important matters.
Two "craftmen" made their hanko in Osaka.
2-3 hours in total depending on where you live. The workshop will last around 1 hour. It’s possible to extend the day.
1 person: 1 750 SEK
2 people: 2 600 SEK
3 people: 3 300 SEK
4 people: 3 900 SEK
5 people: 4 500 SEK
The progammes include more sites to visit, and there is much more to see and do than described above!
Your guide Tokie is incredibly knowledgable about Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and the Kansai area in general. Ask her about the best places to visit and things to do and she will happily take you there or, if you prefer, give you directions so you can find your own way around.
Via a magnificent temple and an invigorating lunch, you will reach the geisha area of Gion. If you are lucky you will meet a true geisha or a maiko (young geisha).
Then you will head to the Shogun's castle. Whilst there, you should definitely try to sneak silently across the nightingale floor and past Shougun’s guards ..!
1-2 people: 6 900 SEK
3-6 people: 7 900 SEK
7-10 people: 9 200 SEK
For over a thousand years the upper classes would descend on Arashiyama to pursue leisure and pleasure. The nobility chose to leave the hustle and bustle of the city to spend a few days or weeks in the mountains next to a beautiful river. Across that river is a famous bridge only a short walk from a bamboo forest.
One option this day: by boat down the river. Guide Tokie is holding the camera.
We use trams going to Japan's most famous stone garden and the Golden Pavillion.
1-2 people: 6 950 SEK
3-6 people: 7 600 SEK
7-10 people: 8 900 SEK
To be added:
Entrance fees to temples and other historical buildings. Usually JPY 400-1 000 .
Your transportation (trains and taxis).
Lunch, tea, coffee for yourself and your guide Tokie.
Write and tell Tokie what you want to see and do in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe or any other place in the Kansai area (see map below).
Tokie will put together a guided tour just for you.
She will mail you suggestions and at home you will have time to consider the price and the tour content. In the days (even hours) before you arrive, you may come up with new ideas - as far as practically possible, she will adjust your tour accordingly.
I'm Tokie and will be your guide in Kansai. Here in Kansai you find cities like Kyoto and Osaka. I do bespoke tours as well.
Tokie is working not only for us, but also do tours for Japanese travel agencies.
If you want to design your own itinerary, Tokie is happy to put together tours especially for you - just tell her what suits you best. Read more about bespoke tours above.
Tokie is licensed by Japanese organizations as a guide as well as a domestic travel manager (士 訳 案 内 士 and 国内 旅程 管理 主任).
The gray area on the map is the Kansai region and is home to just over 22 million people. Click the image to enlarge.
According to herself, her English is "decent".
She lives in Osaka, close to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. As a guide in these cities, she is worth her weight in gold.
If you also are interested in tours in Tokyo and other places in this region, please read about Kasumi's tours.