Kayoko Matsumoto

I have been told that my English conversation and comprehension skills are of a very high level and I am very proud of this. Thanks to this, I am able to skillfully navigate the mysterious island of Shikoku. I am also a very cheerful and friendly person, and was born and raised in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. This love for my hometown Kagawa is reflected in my skills as an interpreter and guide, allowing me to not only introduce tourist spots, but also to delve deeper into the local culture. Being a local will allow me to take you closer to the real undiscovered gems of Shikoku interacting with locals along the way. I like the phrase "Ichigo-Ichie" ("once in a lifetime"). This is a Japanese proverb derived from the tea ceremony. I would like you to experience that through my guided tours.

I was fortunate enough to study and live in Canada and Spain for a while, the connection has lasted for more than five years at a local government tourism office, where I work organizing FAM tours (including accompanying invited tours) from Europe, the US, Australia, and Asia. I have also worked on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea as a tour conductor for Setouchi Triennnale, the official International Art Festival tour in 2019 and as an official tour guide in 2022.

I have been to most of the tourist attractions in Shikoku and can guide you smoothly. I have also lived in Tokyo and Kyoto for a long time, so I can answer specific questions and can also guide you to other major areas, too.

In my current position, I have studied Shikoku pilgrimage for 5 years, visited all 88 temples, and promoted myself as a registered interpreter guide for Shikoku pilgrimage.
I have also played hide-and-seek in Ritsurin Garden, a feudal lord's garden, so I can guide even with my eyes closed.
I am happy to make a variety of suggestions to help you enjoy Shikoku to the fullest, according to your tastes and preferences.

Guide Experience.
Kagawa Prefecture
Ritsurin Garden, Konpira-gu Shrine, Mitoyo, Chichibuga-hama, Naoshima, Teshima, Honjima, Inujima, Shodoshima, Ogijima, Megijima, other islands in the west

Tokushima Prefecture
Iya, Oboke, Wakimachi, Scarecrow Village, Tokushima City

As a Shikoku pilgrimage guide, I also offer pilgrimage walks and orientations on henro-korogoshi (“Henro” means a pilgrim and “korogashi” describes a slope so steep and rough that walkers easily fall down), and create itineraries for pilgrims as a coordinator.