This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:00 Meet at Kurashiki Station
- 10:20 Former Ohashi Family Residence
- 11:10 Enter the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
- 11:20 Kurashiki Monogatarikan
- 11:45 Guide from outside the Ohara Museum of Art, Kojima Torajiro Memorial Hall, etc. (closed on Mondays)
- 12:20 Tourist Information Center
- 12:40 Stroll along the canal. Introduce Ivy Square (former Kurashiki Spinning Mill), the Toy Museum, Denim Street, masking tape shops, pudding shops, etc.
- 13:10 Peach dessert and coffee at a cafe
- 13:50 Guide ends at Kurashiki Station
What's a Private Walking Tour of Kurashiki's Bikan District Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Oceania. The tour started at the former Ohashi Residence. I explained that the family was originally samurai serving under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with the surname Sasaki, but after being attacked by Tokugawa Ieyasu, they survived near the foot of Gojo Bridge and changed their name to "Ohashi." The guests were fascinated by this. I also introduced the episode of how, although they were merchants in Kurashiki, their achievements were recognized, and the Tokugawa shogunate permitted them to build a residence in the samurai style. The guests were deeply moved.
In the Bikan Historical Quarter, since it was a Monday, many facilities such as the Ohara Museum of Art were closed, but the guests said, "We have no plans tomorrow, so please guide us through everything," and we covered the entire standard guiding course. At a cafe we enjoyed Kurashiki's famous "peach dessert," and the guests exclaimed, "This is the most delicious thing I've ever had!!"
Click here for more details: Kurashiki Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
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Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
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A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
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AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.