Simone

Your Friendly Storyteller

  • I live in Kobe
  • I speak English, Italiano, 日本語
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 5 hours

Hi there! Nice to meet you

Simone

Ciao! I’m Simone – your local guide in Japan! 👋

I'm originally from Italy, but Japan has been my home for years. I fell in love with its language, culture, and beautiful nature—so much so that I decided to stay, and I've never looked back since!

As a tour guide based in Kobe, I specialize in private tours around the Kansai region: mainly Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Kobe. I’ve helped dozens of travelers dive deeper into Japan’s traditions, hidden gems, and authentic experiences—far beyond what guidebooks offer.

My goal is simple: to help you get the most out of your trip and fall in love with Japan just like I did.

Whether you’re planning to experience Kyoto’s enchanting atmosphere, savor Osaka’s street food, discover Nara’s peaceful parks, or explore Kobe’s unique charm, I’ll be there to guide you with passion, insight, and a personal touch.

Let me help you take your trip to the next level—discover the heart of Japan and experience the very best this country has to offer. I'd be honored to be part of your journey.

See you in Japan! 🎌

  • I live in Kobe
  • I speak English, Italiano, 日本語
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 5 hours

Book one of my offers in Kobe

Let's explore Kobe together! As your local guide, I'll show you the best of Kobe on a private & personalized tour for you.

Did you know that I can personalize your experience?

All Withlocals tours are completely customisable to your needs. Just let me know your preferences for a private and personalized experience!

Reviews

Henriette
22 May 2025
Being guided by Simone through the street market was a marvellous experience. He knew what kind of food was local, traditional, authentique or even unique to the market. We had a lovely time tryimg out a variety of food. We appreciated that we could always say, what we would like to try and what not. So it felt very much like a tailored experience to our needs. Moreover Simone not only made sure that our bellies were filled, but our heads also. He patiently answered all our questions we had about Japan and Kyoto. We really enjoyed being able to discuss food and culture with Simone. We would certainly recommend the experience. Very friendly and knowledgeable host
Kai
14 May 2025
We found Simone to be a wonderful guide and excellent company. Even before the trip started, he reached out to make sure we had all the information we needed. The tour was an excellent introduction to Kyoto, Simone provided excellent insights and was very happy to customise to our interests. It was clear Simone is passionate about what he does and we really enjoyed our time with him and he even went to the extra effort of providing us with some further recommendations after the tour. We fully recommend him as an excellent guide.A scholar and a gentleman
Richard
29 March 2025
I could tell Simone was the right person from the very beginning. From the moment we contacted him, he stayed in touch regularly to make sure the tour would be tailored to our preferences. He truly went the extra mile for us: he even helped us book a restaurant we were really hoping to try, which would have been difficult to arrange on our own. His dedication and attention to detail made a huge difference in our experience and really confirmed that investing in a local guide was absolutely worth it. I’ll definitely recommend Simone to anyone looking to make the most of their trip to Japan!The perfect guide for a memorable experience!
Scott
11 March 2025
Simone truly knows his way around Japan! His Japanese skills are outstanding, and thanks to him, we navigated the country effortlessly. His support was truly invaluable, and if we ever return to Japan, I absolutely want him to guide us again!Simone's support was crucial for our trip in Japan!
Rose
28 February 2025
I want to sincerely thank Simone from the bottom of my heart for being the perfect companion to my husband. He patiently answered every single one of my husband’s endless questions with detail, passion, and enthusiasm. I honestly didn’t think there was anyone out there who could keep up with his insatiable curiosity so well! I know my husband will always be grateful for that. We will surely return to Japan, and when we do, we would love for Simone to guide us again and show us all the things we didn’t get around to seeing this time.What a knowledgeable and passionate guide!
Patrick
21 February 2025
We had the absolute pleasure of having Simone as our guide during our trip, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, he was incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and attentive to our interests. Simone worked with us to design a custom itinerary that struck the perfect balance between cultural landmarks, local cuisine, and hidden gems: he absolutely delivered on all fronts. His deep knowledge of Japanese history, culture, and traditions added so much meaning to every site we visited. But what truly sets Simone apart is his warmth, sense of humor, and genuine passion for sharing Japan with others. He’s not your typical cookie-cutter guide. He makes you feel like you're exploring the country with a knowledgeable friend. Thanks to Simone, our time in Japan was not only smooth and stress-free but also rich, memorable, and filled with personal touches. We recommend him to anyone looking to experience Japan in a deeper and more authentic way.Unforgettable tour with a fantastic host
Paul
10 February 2025
Simone is an incredibly kind and professional guide, and his support was essential in making our vacation truly unforgettable. He took us to some fantastic places to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine and, thanks to his excellent language skills, made it possible for us to have some truly engaging conversations with the locals. Simone is also deeply knowledgeable about Japanese history and culture, which gave us a much richer and more meaningful understanding of the country. Thanks to him, we experienced Japan from a truly unique perspective. I’ll definitely be recommending Simone to all my friends!Absolutely recommended!
Jessica
14 January 2025
Simone was professional, friendly, and exceptionally kind. He truly went the extra mile to ensure all our needs were met and that everything ran smoothly. His deep knowledge of Japan, combined with his passion for sharing it, made our experience even more special. We learned so much from him, and I’m certain that without his guidance, we wouldn’t have been able to appreciate this trip in the same way. Should we return to Japan, we will definitely reach out to Simone again, and we won’t hesitate to recommend him to all our friends.A kind, friendly and professional guide!

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