A Member of Kansai Interpreter and Guide Association
"Erico at 8 years old"
illustrated by Katsura Ohta
I live in Kyoto at the foot of east mountains, near Ginkakuji Temple, along the Philospher's Walk for more than 30 years.
I was born in Hyogo prefecture and spent my schooldays in Nishinomiya and Kobe cities.
My major at university was psychology.
I worked for a journal of physics at Kyoto University for 37 years.
During the time I performed editorial work and proof reading of the articles by domestic physicists and those from abroad.
It was one of the happiest memories that my former boss obtained Nobel Prize in Physics and we celebrated his award, while working.
After resigning the job, I became a tour guide,
because I enjoyed from time to time visiting here and there with my friends from abroad.
My hobby is cooking, baking, gardening, reading, listening music, and playing the piano, though my performance is not so good.
Christmas Fruitcake, which my family
has continued to bake these 50 years.
As I like walking and always take a stroll seeking for the seasonal beauty and elegance of Kyoto on foot,
I can guide around almost all parts of Kyoto city.
In particular, east part of Kyoto is my home ground,
and I am willing to introduce you my favorite places, restaurants and shops, for sweets, ceramics, lacquer wares, etc.
In addition to the 3 great festivals in Kyoto such as Aoi-Matsuri, Gion-Matsuri and Jidai-Matsuri,
local small festivals such as Mitarashi-Matsuri and Setsubun Festival are worth enjoying.
Daimonji-Fire festival is incredible!
It is also my great pleasure to guide you in Kobe, where I spent my sweet junior high and high school days.
In Nara, I love Horyuji temple. It is my great honor if I can guide you to this absolutely magnificent temple!
Why don't you have a nice experience something more than usual sightseeing with me?
Wonderful treats await you!
My Suggestions of the Tour
The following is just examples of my suggestios. I am willing to make your special tour in the light of your request!
Kyoto
Cherry blossoms at Nanzenji Villas
Along East Mountains in Kyoto:
Ginkakuji Temple → Philosopher's Walk → Nanzenji Temple
The culture of Japan can be said to be originated from Ginkakuji Temple. Let's enjoy the world of Japanese rusty elegance (Wabi, Sabi)
created by Ashikaga Yoshimasa (founder of Ginkakuji). Then we walk along the Tetsugakunomichi (Philosopher's Walk) to Nanzenji.
On the way the beauty of the cherry blossoms at the Nanzenji Villas cannot be expressed by words! I visit this place quite often every season.
In the early morning and in the evening when no other person is there, you would feel as if you were in the paradise!
At Nanzenji you can touch with the soul of Zen. Shall we enjoy the splendid view all over Kyoto from the top of the great gate
of the temple and eat Yudofu (boiled Tofu)?
Rakuhoku Walk (North Suburbs of Kyoto):
Shisendo Temple→ Manshuin Temple → Sekisan-zenin Temple → Hinokitouge point → Yase
In the north suburbs of Kyoto, there is Shisendo Temple, which is very quiet like a mountain retreat.
From there we can enjoy a light hiking to Manshuin Temple, whose main building is constructed like a boat floating in the ocean.
If you have legs strong enough, we can walk to Sekisan-zenin Temple, passing by the Shugakuin Villa and Hinokitouge point,
and finally get to Yase. Sekisan-zenin and Yase are very famous for the beauty of red- and yellow-tinted leaves in autumn.
Kyoto Walk within the Neat Grid of StreetsCherry and Plum blossoms at Otoyo shrine
Kyoto has a neat grid of streets in the center. There are countless stores and restaurants which have been keeping tradition
in the long history and loved by people. Visiting these, let me introduce my favorite places like small museums which have nice gardens
or temples with beautiful flowers of the season.... We can enjoy seasonal Japanese sweets which Kyoto people love very much.
I am sure you can find your favorite places!
Festivals in Kyoto
In Kyoto we have three great festivals such as Aoi-Matsuri (May 15), Gion-Matsuri (Parade is held on July 17 and 24.
It is nice to stroll the center of the city among the floats on the streets in the evening on July 13-16) and Festival of the Ages
(Jidai-Matsuri, late October).
It is also a fun to enjoy local small festivals, such as Mitarashi-Matsuri at Shimogamo Shrine (late July) and Setsubun Festival (Febuary 2, 3) at Yoshida Shrine, and so on.
Daimonji-Fire festival (August 16) is terrific! Let us enjoy it from my secret view-point where we can see all of the five Fires on the mountains
surrounding Kyoto city.
Funaboko float
Famous Tourist Places
Besides the above it is my great pleasure to guide you to world famous sightseeing places, such as Kinkakuji Temple,
Nijojo Castle, Sanjyusangendo Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and others.
Kobe
Kobe Kitano Walk and China Town Walk
Kobe is an international exotic town of a high fashion. Let's stroll among the Western buildings in old days at Kitano and lively China town.
Shall we enjoy window-shopping at Tor-Road street dropping by my favorite millinery and delicatessen?
It is great if we can taste Chinese cuisine or Kobe Beef together!
Nara
Deer Park in Nara
Horyuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, Kasugataisha Shrine and others
Nara has longer history than Kyoto and I am always amazed at the greatness of the temples and shrines there.
Among them I love Horyuji very much. As it is a huge temple, it takes time to see all.
Let's have a time travel into the world of 1400 years ago!
My request:
When you contact me, please let me know the date, number of the people, male or female, where you are from,
your requests concerning the visiting places, your hobby, your interest...
In case I give you the suggestions about restaurants, please inform me, your request, tastes, about allergy and forbidden foods.
I will try my best to suit your covenience.
My Suggestions of the Tour
Kyoto
My request:
Please contact me: