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
-
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
-
Our time with Mariko was great. She is knowledgeable, kind and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed sightseeing with her and highly recommend Mariko!
Oct 2025
-
Mariko was great and very informative! Definitely a great way to get to know the city. Highly recommend.
Oct 2025
-
We had an amazing private group tour with Mariko, and we can’t recommend her highly enough! From the very beginning, her communication was excellent—she reached out in advance to learn about our interests, provided helpful details about the day, and answered all our questions thoroughly and promptly. Mariko was incredibly thoughtful and well-organized throughout the tour. She was upfront about travel times between locations and helped us make the most of our schedule without feeling rushed. We started at the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, then explored the charming Gion district, where she led us to a fantastic lunch spot that we loved. In the afternoon, we visited the stunning Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), and Mariko made sure everything flowed smoothly throughout the day. Though we toured Nijo Castle on our own, Mariko kindly accompanied us there and ensured we had everything we needed before parting ways. She even went above and beyond by recommending a scenic hike in Kurama for our free day, which was a perfect suggestion. Mariko’s professionalism, local knowledge, and genuine warmth made this tour a standout part of our trip to Kyoto. If you’re looking for a guide who is not only knowledgeable but also deeply considerate of your interests and time, Mariko is the one to go with!
Oct 2025