This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:30 Meet the customer
- 11:00 Enjoy tempura soba at hand-made soba restaurant "Ebisu"
- 12:00 Watch shamisen and taiko drum performance at rest teahouse "Kikaku"
- 12:50 Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
- 13:30 Take a break at a coffee shop
- 14:30 Return to "Oyado Koto no Yume" by taxi
- 15:00 Help with shopping at a convenience store, then return again to "Oyado Koto no Yume"
What Is a Private Walking Tour of Takayama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Having heard in advance from both the local agent and the guests that the guests could not walk for long periods at a stretch, I made sure to keep a slow walking pace and to include rest breaks along the way. For lunch, the guests requested tempura soba, so I took them to the well-known restaurant "Ebisu." In addition, the guests wished to enjoy a shamisen and taiko performance at "Kikaku," a teahouse of Takayama geisha that had been recommended by the proprietor of their accommodation, so I accompanied them there, used a taxi as requested, and repeatedly arranged places for them to sit down. By responding flexibly in this way, the guests appeared very satisfied.
Click here for more details: Takayama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Since I completely retired from my position at a railway company and started being involved in the tour guide interpreter business, I have experienced almost all types of guiding through FIT, Long Group Tours, Cruises (Shore Excursions), Incentive Tours, Special Interest Tours (Railway Travel, Pilgrimages), Familiarization Tours (Sales Promotion Tours) etc.
However, I noticed that I am not fully satisfied to only be a general guide who just manages a tour itinerary provided by tour agents/clients.
High-end guests have sometimes requested me to answer some enquiries that are actually challenging to answer for Japanese nationals. However, I appreciated those because they provided such a challenge and I felt that they wanted to understand my sense of beauty/values as a guide concerning a new culture for them.
Every time I host my guest I do my best to prepare the most appropriate information based on three travel elements (appetite, logistics, accommodation). Nevertheless, I decided to aim for higher guiding skills after I was motivated by senior guides whose guiding strategies and gestures were particularly impressive.
Aug 7, 2026
D1494MYdanielleg
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
One day walking tour in Tokyo
Yoshi was great!…
Aug 7, 2026
D1494MYdanielleg
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
One day walking tour in Tokyo
Yoshi was great! It is not easy to keep three teens engaged for 6 hours but we all had a great time. We went to the bamboo forest and golden pavilion, followed by lunch and visits to the Sanrio and Pokémon stores!
Aug 6, 2026
dg89
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Private Führung in Kyoto
Die Tour mit Yoshi war…
Aug 6, 2026
dg89
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Private Führung in Kyoto
Die Tour mit Yoshi war super, sowohl die Ziele wie auch die Erläuterungen. Toll war auch das gemeinsame Sushi-Essen bei dem Yoshi uns alles erklärt hat. Viele Dank für den schönen Tag.
Aug 3, 2026
PaulaLondon2017
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A customized tour with guide around Kyoto
We had…
Aug 3, 2026
PaulaLondon2017
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A customized tour with guide around Kyoto
We had a lovely time walking around Kyoto with Yoshi. I told him in advance where I wanted to go and he adapted the itinerary to my needs. Beautiful personality and went the extra-mile to make our experience even better. If you are around Kyoto, book it!
Jul 5, 2026
788amarpals
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Top 7 Sights Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Private tour Guide in Kyoto- Mr Yoshi
Mr.…
Jul 5, 2026
788amarpals
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Top 7 Sights Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Private tour Guide in Kyoto- Mr Yoshi
Mr. Yoshi, our guide was really good. Very attentive and polite. Good English language skills. He also took us to a great Raman place.