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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.
I joined Kazu's tour and had a good time! Kazu's explanation about the culture and the sites that we visited was clear and interesting. I'm glad to visit kyoto with someone who knows the region so we'll.
Our group of 5 really enjoyed our tour with Kazu, he was knowledgeable, friendly, entertaining and very punctual. This was a great introduction to Geisha culture, the Gion district and we really appreciated being able to visit both a temple and a shrine and learning about the differences between them.
Kazu delivered a wonderful experience for our whole family. His knowledge of Kyoto and surrounding areas is excellent and gave us a real insight into this wonderful region. Thank you Kazu 🙏🏼
Kazu picked out very cool places to go to and did a great job providing historical context! He also gave us time to walk around a bit for some of the stops which was nice:) I would highly recommend!
Very interesting and clear explanation of Kyoto Gion area. Thank you Kazu!
