Since this was my first trip to Izumo, I wanted to make the most of the opportunity by learning about the history and background of Izumo Taisha before paying my respects, so I decided to use “Katari-be.” In the end, I’m really glad I did. The guide provided a very detailed explanation of Izumo Taisha’s history, mythology, and the stories behind its buildings. What left a particularly strong impression on me was that, rather than simply reciting complex information, the guide chose their words carefully to explain everything in a way that even my elementary school-aged child could understand. By occasionally asking my child questions as the tour progressed, it wasn’t just a matter of listening to an explanation—our whole family was able to enjoy learning about Izumo Taisha together. The guide was also very approachable and answered each of our questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. Not only was the guide’s knowledge extensive, but the tour conveyed a genuine desire to help us “learn a little about Izumo and enjoy the experience,” which left a very positive impression on us. If we had visited on our own, I think we would have simply looked at the buildings, paid our respects, and left. However, learning about the history, mythology, and the significance behind each element completely changed the way we perceived the same scenery. I highly recommend this service, especially for first-time visitors to Izumo Taisha and families traveling with children. This was our first trip to Izumo, and using “Katari-be” right at the start of our journey deepened our interest not only in Izumo Taisha but also in the region of Izumo itself. It became a wonderful memory for our whole family. Thank you so much for the thoughtful and enjoyable tour.

I’m the kind of mom who wouldn’t have understood much just by looking around, but thanks to your thorough explanation, I was able to have a truly meaningful experience. Thank you so much. I’m seriously grateful. I realized that storytellers like Mr. Fujima are essential for preserving our culture and passing it on to future generations. Thank you very much.

Not only was their knowledge of tourism excellent, but their customer service was also impeccable. Thanks to them, I gained a deeper understanding of Shinto, and my child has also become interested in it. I would have liked to learn even more, but the tour was so fulfilling that two hours didn’t feel like enough. I’m grateful that this turned out to be such a wonderful experience. Thank you very much.

The guide explained everything in a fun and thorough way. Thank you very much. My wife also said she was glad we hired the guide! Thank you very much.

It was a very easy-to-understand guide that covered not only specialized knowledge but also topics close to home. My trip to Izumo turned out to be a truly fulfilling and memorable experience. Thank you very much.

Although our flight was delayed and we arrived later than planned, they were kind enough to wait for us. They adjusted their walking pace to match ours, so we were able to enjoy the tour at a leisurely pace. They provided very detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of the history and other topics, and even though it was my first visit to Izumo Taisha, I learned a great deal. Thank you very much.

Mr. Hayakawa gave us a full two-hour guided tour of the power spots as a couple. The tour was a lot of fun—we learned so much information that we never would have discovered on our own, and that isn’t even listed in travel guidebooks—and it left us with wonderful memories of Izumo Taisha.

I can’t thank you enough for adapting so flexibly to the heavy rain from morning through the afternoon. As we toured the site, you provided detailed explanations and taught us the proper etiquette, which allowed us to truly appreciate our visit to Izumo Taisha. I also wanted to see the excavated pillars, so I went back the next morning. It was a truly enlightening trip. Thank you very much.