Hi! I’m Shohei. (Show-hey… like, “Hey! Are you watching my show?” 😄) I’m a professional guitarist, originally from Japan but raised in the US. I moved to Dublin, Ohio when I was four because of my father’s job, and spent most of my childhood there. Later, I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston to study guitar and pursue my dream of becoming an fingerpicking guitar wizard😉 I’ve been living in Kyoto since 2012, and I started guiding in 2019. One of my favorite things about being a guide is meeting curious people from all over the world and sharing the stories behind this fascinating city. I especially love talking about religion, history, and culture. When we visit Buddhist temples, for example, I sometimes point out surprising connections with Christianity. The idea of Amida Buddha saving those who call his name can feel surprisingly familiar to Christians, and the history of Japanese Buddhism also has some interesting parallels with the history of Christianity in Europe. These unexpected connections often lead to some of the best conversations. I also enjoy explaining Japan through comparisons with other countries. Kyoto is a city where school trips are constantly passing through, so I sometimes describe it as something like Washington, D.C. for Americans or Berlin for Germans. Suddenly, things look very familiar! And Kyoto isn’t quite the traditional, old-fashioned city you might imagine. I love its modern side too. It’s a city famous for matcha, traditional cuisine, and beautiful temples, yet it’s also one of Japan’s biggest coffee- and beef-consuming city, plus home of Nintendo! I find these little things fascinating😆 Having grown up in both Japan and the US, I naturally enjoy looking at Japan from both sides. I’m interested in the little cultural differences too — even something as simple as why people in Japan always seem to count “3,2,1!” before taking a photo lol. If you’re the kind of person who likes asking “Why?” rather than just “What is this?”, I think we’ll get along. I love sharing stories, having conversations, and going a little deeper than the usual sightseeing. Most of all, I want my tours to feel less like a lecture and more like spending a day exploring Kyoto with a local friend. One of the things that makes me happiest is when guests stay in touch after their trip. Every now and then, someone even sends me a little gift or local specialty from their hometown. It’s such a small thing, but it reminds me how lucky I am to meet people from all over the world through guiding. Don’t see a tour that suits you? Just send me a message! I’m always happy to create a private, custom tour based on what you’re interested in. I’d love to meet you, hear your story, share some stories of my own, and have a great time exploring Kyoto together! *Please note: I don’t offer food-only tours, cycling tours, car tours, or geisha-focused tours.*