Hi, I’m Taiga
Hi, I’m Taiga
I’ve lived in Kobe for 23 years
I speak English, Mandarin, Japanese
I am Private business owner
Hi, I’m Taiga, your friendly guide to the vibrant city of Kobe! What I love most about Kobe is its fascinating blend of history, nature, and modern charm. From the historical hillside spots to breathtaking waterfalls, zoos, and aquariums, there’s always something new to explore. The harborfront is a personal favorite—there’s nothing like enjoying a glass of wine while feeling the sea breeze and watching a street performance. I’m a huge fan of food and love introducing visitors to Kobe’s world-class eateries, sake breweries, and the lush herb gardens. I also know the surrounding areas like Himeji, Sanda, Ashiya, Nishinomiya, and Akashi like the back of my hand. I can’t resist sharing my passion for udon noodles and fresh seafood. Kobe has my heart, and I’d love to share its incredible history, delicious cuisine, and warm culture with you!
My knowledge & interests
Food
Drinks
Nature / outdoors
History
Culture & customs
Street food
Local cuisine
Desserts
Food markets
Art galleries & museums
Street art
Gardens
Scenic routes
Hikes
Political history
Economic history
Social history
Architectural history
Religious history
Cityscape photography
Street photography
Portrait photography
Modern architecture
Classical architecture
Whiskey
Third wave coffee
Artisanal tea
High-end fashion boutiques
Vintage shops
Street markets
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Popular culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Rituals & ceremonial customs
Post-modern architecture
Sake
Music
Instagrammable
My reviews
-
Taiga was our tour guide. He took all 8 of us through the trains and recommended the bullet train from Kobe port to Kyoto. He was wonderful, knowledgeable and spoke great English. He was in tune with our family and took the time to teach our kids and us about Japanese culture. while at the shrine he used it as a teaching opportunity to teach our kids about Zen and how one must be flexible in body and mind. I loved that he took time to get to know us. We even had a great at the revolving sushi bar. Kyoto was beautiful and he helped take photos of our family throughout. Thank you Taiga San for the wonderful day!!!
Jul 2025
-
Kobe is not a bustling city when compared to others in the area like Osaka and Kyoto. Having a host that explores Kobe with you is really special. Lovely to go to the herb gardens to see the city from the top, go onto the longest suspension bridge in the world, eat magnificent local sushi, see the earthquake memorial site and even play pachinko! A wonderful day out.
May 2025
-
It was a delightful day. We started at the herb gardens. Once we sat down to share a drink and talk, it felt like a day out with a friend. By lunchtime, when we popped into a fantastic sushi place and drank local saki, it definitely felt like it. And our guide assisted with making a dinner booking at a Kobe beef restaurant. The day was just perfect, ending with him showing us how to play pachinko. Fun, insightful and all round a great experience.
May 2025
-
Tiago was an excellent guide. very knowledgeable and an excellent communicator. Did a good job of showing historic and cultural sites.
Apr 2025