Immersive Osaka & Kyoto Tours with a Local Touch
🎌 Explore Osaka and Kyoto with a Local Guide ⛩️
Welcome to a personalized journey through Osaka and Kyoto!
I’m Paren, a tour guide with over 10 years of experience living in Japan.
I offer a unique perspective as both a local and a foreigner, with deep insights into Japanese culture and history.
I’m Paren, a tour guide with over 10 years of experience living in Japan.
I offer a unique perspective as both a local and a foreigner, with deep insights into Japanese culture and history.
Whether you're exploring Osaka's vibrant cityscape, uncovering Kyoto's ancient temples and shrines, or enjoying a customized off-the-beaten-path experience, I’ll help you make the most of your visit.
🏯 Customizable Tours to Match Your Interests 🍣
🐙Osaka: Dotonbori’s neon lights, historical Osaka Castle, and local secret spots!
🍵Kyoto: Zen gardens, famous temples, the elegant Gion district, and hidden gems!
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly & Special Requests 🍽️
I guide guests of all ages, adjusting the pace and activities to suit your needs.
Let me know if you have any special requests, and I’ll tailor the tour to make it enjoyable for everyone!
Let me know if you have any special requests, and I’ll tailor the tour to make it enjoyable for everyone!
🤔 Why Choose Me? ✨
➤Fluent in English & Japanese 🗣️: Communication made easy!
➤10+ Years in Japan 🇯🇵: Lived in Fukuoka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka.
➤Experienced Guide 🌍: I have completed 50+ tours, guiding ~200 guests
from diverse backgrounds and ages.
from diverse backgrounds and ages.
➤Cultural & Unique Insight 👀: I can share Japan through the eyes of a long-term foreign resident,
combining deep knowledge of history with discoveries of hidden gems.
combining deep knowledge of history with discoveries of hidden gems.
My Popular Walking Tour Packages:
⛩️ 6-Hour Kyoto Highlights Walking Tour (13:00–19:00) – From ¥50,000 per private group (max. 2 adults)
A perfect one-day introduction to Kyoto’s most iconic sights — ideal for first-time visitors!
A perfect one-day introduction to Kyoto’s most iconic sights — ideal for first-time visitors!
➤Fushimi Inari Shrine
Walk through the famous 10,000 red torii gates at this iconic mountain shrine
Walk through the famous 10,000 red torii gates at this iconic mountain shrine
➤Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Wander through the scenic bamboo grove and explore the surrounding temple gardens
Wander through the scenic bamboo grove and explore the surrounding temple gardens
➤Gion Geisha District
Stroll along Kyoto’s historic geisha district
Stroll along Kyoto’s historic geisha district
Note:
🍱 Lunch/Dinner is not included in this plan.
🚆 By default, the tour starts near Kyoto Station and ends at Gion Station when using public transportation
(Guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs.)
🚆 By default, the tour starts near Kyoto Station and ends at Gion Station when using public transportation
(Guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs.)
🌙 4-Hour Kyoto Evening Walking Tour Plan (16:00–20:00) – From ¥35,000 per private group (max. 2 adults)
Especially recommended in summer, as it avoids the daytime heat and lets you experience Kyoto’s magical charm after sunset.
Especially recommended in summer, as it avoids the daytime heat and lets you experience Kyoto’s magical charm after sunset.
➤Fushimi Inari Shrine
Stroll through the iconic red torii gates in the cooler late afternoon
Stroll through the iconic red torii gates in the cooler late afternoon
➤Gion District & Hanamikoji Street
Explore Kyoto’s famous and historic geisha neighborhood
Explore Kyoto’s famous and historic geisha neighborhood
➤Yasaka Shrine
A historic and beautifully illuminated shrine after dark
A historic and beautifully illuminated shrine after dark
➤Downtown Gion Shopping Street
A lively area filled with restaurants and shops — perfect for dinner and browsing
A lively area filled with restaurants and shops — perfect for dinner and browsing
Note:
🚆 The tour starts near Kyoto Station and ends in Gion, using public transportation
(Guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs.)
🍱 Dinner is not included, but I’ll be happy to drop you off at a restaurant that matches your food preferences.
(Guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs.)
🍱 Dinner is not included, but I’ll be happy to drop you off at a restaurant that matches your food preferences.
🏯 6-Hour Osaka Highlights Walking Tour (10:00–16:00) – From ¥50,000 per private group (max. 2 adults)
Discover Osaka’s vibrant culture and iconic landmarks on this immersive day tour!
Discover Osaka’s vibrant culture and iconic landmarks on this immersive day tour!
➤Osaka Castle
Explore the historic castle grounds and learn about its fascinating history
Explore the historic castle grounds and learn about its fascinating history
➤Den Den Town (Electric Town)
Dive into Osaka’s anime and electronics district, great for kids and adults who love manga, gaming, and pop culture
Dive into Osaka’s anime and electronics district, great for kids and adults who love manga, gaming, and pop culture
➤Amerikamura (America Village)
Shop and explore one of Osaka’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its youth culture, street fashion, and unique shops
Shop and explore one of Osaka’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for its youth culture, street fashion, and unique shops
➤Dotonbori
Experience the lively atmosphere of Dotonbori’s famous canal-side area with neon lights and street food
Experience the lively atmosphere of Dotonbori’s famous canal-side area with neon lights and street food
Note:
🚆 The tour starts near Osaka Station and ends in Dotonbori, using public transportation
(Guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs.)
🍱 Lunch is at a local restaurant tailored to your food preferences (guests are kindly requested to pay for their meal).
(Guests are responsible for covering their own transportation costs.)
🍱 Lunch is at a local restaurant tailored to your food preferences (guests are kindly requested to pay for their meal).
My Popular Biking Tour:
🚴 6-Hour Kyoto Highlights Bike Tour (11:00-17:00) – From ¥60,000 per private group (max. 2 adults)
Discover Kyoto’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems on two wheels! This guided cycling tour offers a perfect blend of culture, scenic paths, and historic districts, providing a full-day experience without rushing.
➤ Higashi Honganji Temple
Begin at one of the world’s largest wooden structures, a serene introduction to Kyoto’s spiritual side.
➤Nijo Castle (exterior)
Cycle past the impressive fortress walls and gates of the shogun’s former residence.
➤Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens
Pedal through the expansive palace grounds, shaded by centuries-old trees and seasonal blossoms.
➤Philosopher’s Path
Enjoy a tranquil canal-side ride lined with cherry trees, small temples, and artisan shops.
➤Hidden Gem Temple
Visit a quiet, off-the-beaten-path temple featuring a beautiful Zen garden, perfect for reflection and photography.
➤Nanzen-ji Temple
Explore this Zen temple complex, with its iconic Sanmon Gate and red-brick aqueduct.
➤Gion District
Cycle through Kyoto’s historic geisha district, with traditional teahouses and atmospheric streets.
➤End near Kyoto Station
Return to the starting point, completing a full scenic loop through the heart of Kyoto.
Note:
🚲 Bicycle rental is included in the tour price.
📍 The tour begins and ends at a bicycle shop near Kyoto Station.
🍱 Lunch is at a local restaurant tailored to your food preferences (guests are kindly requested to pay for their meal).
📍 The tour begins and ends at a bicycle shop near Kyoto Station.
🍱 Lunch is at a local restaurant tailored to your food preferences (guests are kindly requested to pay for their meal).
Note: I also offer longer tours and can customize itineraries to suit your interests.
Whether you’re traveling with kids and want to visit spots like the Pokémon Center, enjoy exploring popular thrift shopping districts, or seek spiritual experiences such as meditation in tatami rooms, I’m happy to create a personalized tour just for you!
Whether you’re traveling with kids and want to visit spots like the Pokémon Center, enjoy exploring popular thrift shopping districts, or seek spiritual experiences such as meditation in tatami rooms, I’m happy to create a personalized tour just for you!
➤For tour bookings, kindly reach out via the Booking Section.
➤Pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis to best suit your needs, so let’s make your Japan trip unforgettable!
➤Pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis to best suit your needs, so let’s make your Japan trip unforgettable!
Testimonials
M.C・Australia
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This was our 1st tour in Japan and we were so lucky to have Paren as our guide. We played local for a day. We had yummy Okonomiyaki for lunch, learned how to get our train tickets and identify platforms! Best of all, Paren is a good photographer so our Kyoto in a day was captured well. We are planning to see Osaka next time and hoping we end up with Paren as our guide as well.
J.H・U.S.A
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We had a great time visiting the Kyoto sites with Paren on a rainy afternoon! The tour was casual, informative, and flexible enough to give everyone in the family a little bit of what they like to experience in a tour. Thanks, Paren!
J.P・Germany
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Dear Paren, thank you very much once again for the interesting day, which we could spend with you! We enjoyed it very much! Thank you also so much for the wonderful photos!
All the best!
All the best!
C.R・U.S.A
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Talk about an amazing tour. We covered so much ground and we took a lot of photos, spent time at several stops off the bike. We even hit a sweets shop and talk about one of the best tours ever!! Do not miss this tour if you are in Kyoto
S.G・U.S.A
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We had Paren as our guide for a private tour guide and it was a really great time! He reached out to us days before to confirm and give us all the information, and he included some spots we wanted to visit in the tour. The tour itself was wonderful and Paren explained all the places we visited very well. Just a heads up that novice bikers might want to be extra careful because at some points we were biking with traffic, but it was so beautiful seeing various parts of Kyoto. You get to see so much on a bike tour. Thank you so much again for the lovely tour!!