Hi, I’m Alvin
Hi, I’m Alvin
I’ve lived in Kyoto for 4 years
I speak English, Indonesian and some Japanese
I am Graduate Student
Hey there! I'm Alvin, your enthusiastic local host in Kyoto. My heart lights up when I take leisurely strolls around the neighborhoods, turning ordinary roads into captivating art through my creative lens. Kyoto's charm is my inspiration, and I can't wait to share it with you. During my free time, you'll find me at my favorite cozy restaurant, savoring a delightful meal before embarking on adventures through the city's hidden gems. As a Kyoto expert, I know the ins and outs of the Arashiyama area with its enchanting Bamboo forest and the vibrant Kawaramachi area, the central commercial district of the city. I'm well-versed in the city's popular tourist spots and their intriguing histories, but I go beyond that! With a passion for sharing Kyoto's wonders, let's embark on a journey filled with creativity, culture, and exploration!
My knowledge & interests
Engineering in Department of Urban Management
Arts
Culture & customs
Street food
Local cuisine
Desserts
Food markets
Art galleries & museums
Parks
Gardens
Scenic routes
Social history
Architectural history
Religious history
Cityscape photography
Street photography
Modern architecture
Third wave coffee
Vintage shops
Street markets
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Popular culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Rituals & ceremonial customs
Local speciality drinks
Traditional art
Digital art
Thrift stores
Specialty shops
Video game stores
Landscape photography
Night photography
Classical music
Pop music
Rock music
Pop culture
My reviews
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We had an amazing time with our guide Alvin. The itinerary he came up with was perfectly timed, and he had so much knowledge about the history and lore/legends. He talked anime and video games with my husband, which was nice. It really felt like we were being shown around by a friend. Also, I am sure he could have walked circles around us but he was very intuitive when it came to setting the pace. I never felt like he was walking too fast or had issues keeping up, and I am not what anyone would call athletic. Also, he took GREAT photos of us.
January 2025
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Alvin went above and beyond with photos and accommodating food allergies in our party. He created the perfect itinerary for us and made sure we were comfortable at all times.
December 2024
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Alvin is a talented guide. He listened closely to our pre-tour brief and thoughtfully arranged a custom itinerary based on our requests. His deep local knowledge and passion for sharing Japanese history are apparent. We enjoyed the perspective of a non-Japanese expert, as he neutrally observes the culture and clearly translates it to visitors. He also takes the time to take well-composed and interesting photos, which is much appreciated (not all guides are keen photographers). Spend the time and money to create a custom, private tour of Kyoto - you won't regret it! We had a lovely day, learned a lot, and had fun!
November 2024
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Alvin is a talented guide. We found that he listened closely to our pre-tour brief and thoughtfully arranged a day based on what we requested. His deep local knowledge and passion for sharing Japanese history are apparent. We enjoyed the perspective of a non-Japanese expert as he observes the culture differently than a local and can translate it to visitors with a more neutral observation. He also takes great photos which is much appreciated. We had a lovely day, learned a lot, and had fun!
December 2024