Hi, I’m Tom
Hi, I’m Tom
I’ve lived in Kyoto for 7 years
I speak English, Japanese, German
I am University Faculty Staff
Hey there! I'm Tom, your friendly local host here in Kyoto. Whether it's immersing myself in the diverse events and film festivals at arthouse cinemas, or delving into the captivating history of poets and artists from the Heian era, there's always something new to discover. One of my favorite pastimes is spending a day wandering through the serene mountains and temple trails or finding peace in the tranquility of a temple. You'll often find me exploring Kyoto's foodie wonders, and having heartfelt conversations with locals, especially in the charming neighborhoods of Kamigyo-ku and Kita-ku. With a deep understanding of Kyoto's history and an intimate knowledge of the lesser-known neighborhoods, I'm your go-to for unlocking the secrets of this enchanting city. So, let's embark on a journey together, and uncover the hidden treasures Kyoto has to offer!
My knowledge & interests
History
Culture & customs
Street food
Local cuisine
Desserts
Food markets
Cinema
Parks
Gardens
Scenic routes
Hikes
Political history
Economic history
Social history
Religious history
Cityscape photography
Street photography
Classical architecture
Third wave coffee
Department stores
Street markets
Traditional culture
Popular culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Alternative or underground culture
Traditional art
Contemporary art
Art history
Second-hand markets
Bookstores
Classical music
Pop music
Indie music
My reviews
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We were eager to learn more about Japanese history and Tom was the perfect match for us. He is really knowledgable and engaging. He did a good job of weaving in stories throughout the tour to make everything more entertaining and digestible.
February 2025
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Tom was an excellent guide. So knowledgeable about Kyoto, both from a contemporary perspective and historical. Lots of fun and interesting sights he was able to point out as well. He adjusted the tour to our fitness level and showed us some less touristy parts of Kyoto as well as the tourist spots. Highly recommend Tom for your walking tour of Kyoto.
February 2025
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We spent a delightful day with Tom as he showed around Kyoto surroundings. We experienced shrines and temples as well as gardens and bamboo forests and a monkey park. Tom tailored the tour to our interests and provided a wealth of history and cultural context. We would highly recommend Tom as a guide for a not to be missed experience.
February 2025
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Our day spent with Tom as our guide, seeing many sites around Kyoto, was simply perfect. We visited gorgeous shrines and temples, bamboo forests, the monkey park, beautiful gardens. Throughout Tom shared a wealth of history and cultural context, answering our many questions. He was most patient and informative. We would recommend Tom as a guide to anyone visiting Kyoto.
February 2025