Hyogo: Ikuta Shrine & Chinatown — Guide Mizu

April, 2026

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

  • 9:00 Meet
  • 9:20 Ikuta Shrine
  • 10:30 Nunobiki Herb Garden
  • 12:00 Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
  • 13:00 Lunch
  • 14:20 Chinatown
  • 15:00 Tour ends

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 9:00 at Meet and ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 13:00.

Over the course of the day the route took in Ikuta Shrine at 9:20, Nunobiki Herb Garden at 10:30, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum at 12:00 and Chinatown at 14:20.

What Is a Private Day Tour of Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests had visited Japan several times before, but this was their first time in Kobe. I guided them to the four places they had requested in advance. At Ikuta Shrine, we prayed for a safe journey. They were surprised to find a forest so close to the city center. At the herb garden, the azalea flowers seemed unusual to them, and they took many photos. At the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery, they were amazed by the complexity of the sake-making process. They enjoyed a tasting and purchased some yuzu sake. For lunch, we had sushi. They said that Japanese sushi is delicious because the fish is so fresh. As the guests seemed tired, I gave them a brief tour of Chinatown and we parted ways at the port terminal. The driver was also very helpful.

Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Mizu

Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
Every city has a unique charming point.
The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

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