Hi, I’m Toga
Hi, I’m Toga
I’ve lived in Kyoto for 23 years
I speak English, Japanese
I am a Photographer
I grew up in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, and studied abroad in Seattle, USA after graduating from high school. Hi, I’m Toga, your local host in Kyoto! What I love most about this city is its incredible depth of history and culture—every visit feels like a chance to uncover something new. Kyoto is a place where the more you understand its traditions, the more it reveals its beauty and secrets, and I’m excited to share that journey with you. I enjoy visiting favorite spots throughout the seasons, as each one offers a unique atmosphere and charm. From cherry blossoms in spring to the fiery leaves of autumn, Kyoto’s beauty is always changing. I’m also passionate about discovering new food and drink spots. With deep knowledge of neighborhoods like Arashiyama, Higashiyama, Sakyoku, and Nakagyoku, I can take you to less touristy temples, shrines, and hidden local bars. Let’s explore Kyoto’s magic together and create unforgettable experiences!
My knowledge & interests
B.A.
Food
Photography
Culture & customs
Music
Street food
Local cuisine
Food markets
Fine dining
Unique & unusual foods
Cinema
Art galleries & museums
Street art
Parks
Scenic routes
Wildlife
Political history
Social history
Architectural history
Religious history
Street photography
Portrait photography
Modern architecture
Classical architecture
Wine
Gin
Local beers
Artisanal tea
Vintage shops
Street markets
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Rituals & ceremonial customs
Alternative or underground culture
Gourmet food
Traditional drinks
Japanese sake
Folk art
Art history
Second-hand markets
Specialty shops
Music stores
Antique shops
Landscape photography
Wildlife photography
Nature photography
Post-modern architecture
Classical music
Jazz music
Rock music
Blues music
Traditional music
Folk music
Electronic music
Funk music
Reggae
Indie music
Sake
My reviews
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Our guide! Toga was the best. He offered us choices as to what we wanted to do for the evening and catered the experience to what we were up for in that moment. He was also very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the area and I felt like I actually learned something about the places we visited. He also had an affable personality and was very chill and easy going. He even later sent text links to some places we were interested in visiting on our own- which we actually did. He recommended a nice late night gyoza spot we ended up going to that was fantastic. We all really enjoyed our tour with him and would highly recommend him as a tour guide.
April 2025
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Togo was fantastic. Very personable and prompt arrival at our hotel. He has great knowledge of the city particularly the places that we wanted to go. He’s very warm and friendly. We changed things up a little and he was very flexible. He’s also a photographer, so took pictures of us on our phones in the bamboo forest and a couple of other places. Highly highly highly recommend toga.
April 2025
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Going to the Japan Museum and seeing artifacts from many centuries ago. Fabulous!
April 2025
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Toga was right on time and got us going quickly so we could maximize our time. He was very personable and easy to talk to. He shared recommendations for other things we might be interested in as well. I highly recommend him! I just wish we had of booked a longer tour!
April 2025