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Greetings from the heart of Japan!
I'm Kazu Ashida, a dedicated cultural specialist and the author of "Japan Travel Essentials" (available on Amazon). With a background in guiding over 5,000 travelers from 65+ countries, I specialize in transforming a standard trip into a profound cultural journey.
Having grown up in the vibrant energy of Osaka and spent my life exploring the sacred traditions of Kyoto, my roots run deep in the Kansai region. My mission is to act as your cultural bridge—translating the complex rituals, etiquette, and social harmony (Wa) that define Japanese life into actionable insights for the modern traveler.
Why explore with me?
Published Expertise: I don't just show you the sights; I provide the cultural context found in my books to help you understand the "why" behind the traditions.
Cultural Fluency: With extensive experience living and working abroad, I provide high-level English guidance that connects Japanese soul with your perspective.
Beyond Sightseeing: My focus is on "Intentional Travel." Whether we are navigating Osaka’s hidden izakayas or Kyoto’s serene temples, I ensure you leave with more than just photos—you leave with a deeper connection to Japan.
Embark on a journey that goes beyond the guidebooks. Let’s discover the authentic spirit of Japan together.
This was a fantastic tour with Kazu. We’ve been on a lot of free walking tours across the world and years and Kazu really stands out. Not only is he a Kyoto native, he is well spoken (English) and so kind! We learned a lot about many of the pieces of Japanese culture that still alluded us. Thank you to Kazu for sharing his time, knowledge, experience, and kindness with us.
Kazu was incredible. So knowledgeable and friendly. We felt as if we knew him for a very long time. He made us very comfortable while sharing so many details with our family. We even had a wonderful meal with him at a robatayaki restaurant that he knew about….which we would never have found on our own. We gave him a very good tip as well for the care that he showed our family. He did not ask us to do so, but we felt he deserved it. I would recommend reaching out to him if you are coming to Kyoto area.
My family and I loved our guided walking tour with Kazu. He was very informative and spent a lot of time making us laugh and sharing so much history and information. We learned alot, the kids had a blast, would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting!
We enjoyed exploring and learning about Kyoto with our guide Kazu! Definitely recommend for any first time visitors to Kyoto!
