Hi, I’m Mariko
Hi, I’m Mariko
I’ve lived in Kyoto for 18 years
I speak English, Japanese
I am tour guide
Hi, I'm Mariko! I'm Canadian-Japanese and Kyoto has been my home for the past 19 years. I'm a mom, a traveler, a hiker, and a lover of yummy things! Kyoto is a very special place with so many beautiful, interesting, and delicious areas to explore. With every step in Kyoto, you walk through history - shrines, temples, and hidden gems are everywhere. I know the popular areas like Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama well, but I also enjoy the quieter spots that are just as unique and worthwhile. I love to share this city with visitors, so whether you want peaceful nature, iconic sights, or family-friendly fun, I'm here to help you experience the best of Kyoto!
My knowledge & interests
Desserts
Food markets
Unique & unusual foods
Art galleries & museums
Parks
Scenic routes
Hikes
Political history
Social history
Religious history
High-end fashion boutiques
Department stores
Vintage shops
Street markets
Handicrafts & souvenirs
Traditional culture
Popular culture
Religious customs
Lifestyle culture
Vegetarian food
Vegan food
Performance art
Traditional art
Thrift stores
Second-hand markets
Specialty shops
Bookstores
Music stores
Anime collectibles, Pokemon and Nintendo shops
My reviews
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Mariko was the perfect guide. Very friendly, knowledgeable, flexible with what we wanted to do and a gave us a perfect mix of history, culture and facts. We really loved our day with Mariko.
Oct 2025
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Mariko was a wonderful tour guide. The pace of our tour was relaxed and yet a very full experience. Mariko was very knowledgeable regarding the sites we visited and even gave us an opportunity to rest with coffee and to purchase souvenirs in the Geisha district. We ended our tour in a crowded Nishiki market where she led us to the best vendors with unique foods for us to sample, including mochi, wagyu beef, octopus, chicken and a variety of Sakes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the market. Mariko then very kindly led us directly to our subway train. We highly recommend Mariko as your Kyoto tour guide.
Oct 2025
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Mariko was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable and friendly. We had a great day walking the city and visited temples, geisha district, food market, shops and more. Highly recommend Mariko!
Oct 2025
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Our time with Mariko was great. She is knowledgeable, kind and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed sightseeing with her and highly recommend Mariko!
Oct 2025