Hi, I’m Hiro
Hi, I’m Hiro
I’ve lived in Kyoto for 6 years
I speak English, Japanese
I am a small business owner
Hi, I'm Hiroya, your local host in Kyoto! I’m passionate about the rich history and hidden gems this beautiful city has to offer. What I love most about Kyoto is how every detail in the city has a story, from the design of the streets to the smallest features of its shrines and temples. You’ll often find me wandering through quiet, lesser-known historical sites or enjoying a peaceful moment in a cozy coffee shop. I know the Gion and Nijo Castle areas inside out, and I’m always excited to share my favorite traditional restaurants, especially those offering great drink selections. Let’s explore the city together and uncover the secrets of Kyoto, away from the crowds!
My knowledge & interests
Faculty of Arts, Department of English
Food
History
Culture & customs
Street food
Local cuisine
Desserts
Food markets
Fine dining
Theater
Cinema
Street art
Parks
Gardens
Social history
Religious history
Cityscape photography
Street photography
Modern architecture
Classical architecture
Whiskey
Third wave coffee
Department stores
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Popular culture
Religious customs
Rituals & ceremonial customs
Japanese sake
Traditional art
Wildlife photography
Night photography
Traditional music
Electronic music
Hip-hop
R&B
Reggae
My reviews
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Hope was so informative and helpful. A good tour guide shows you the things you didn't know you oh wanted to see. We went the wrong place and he helped us figure it out and compensated for it.
read full reviewNovember 2024
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My father and I had a 3-hour private tour with Hiro, and while our entire visit to Japan was memorable, this was truly one of the highlights of our trip. Hiro was incredibly knowledgeable and shared several important insights that enhanced each stop of the tour. We visited three locations I had not considered during my planning, including a relaxing cup of tea in a Japanese garden to conclude the tour. My dad referred to our walk with Hiro several times during the rest of the trip and after we left Japan, and I can't thank Hiro enough for his patience and friendliness. Highly recommend.
read full reviewOctober 2024
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Hiro was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. My father and I had such a great time seeing several locations we had not originally planned to visit, including a relaxing cup of tea to conclude the tour in a peaceful Japanese garden. My dad mentioned this experience several times through the remainder of our trip, and even after we left Japan.
read full reviewOctober 2024
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Our afternoon with Hiro was wonderful! Choosing this experience with Hiro as our first activity in Japan was perfect! In addition to helping our family visit two shrines, Hiro also helped us purchase items that we needed and assisted us with understanding the trains. He also suggested several local restaurants for us to sample. We highly recommend this experience and Hiro!
read full reviewOctober 2024