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
- 10:20 Meet at Marine Port Kagoshima
- 11:10 Shiroyama Park Observation Deck
- 11:50 Sengan-en
- 12:20 Lunch at Gozensho Oukatei (inside Sengan-en)
- 13:20 Kagoshima Port Sakurajima Ferry Terminal
- 14:10 Yunohira Observatory
- 14:50 Sakurajima Visitor Center
- 15:25 Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal
- 15:50 Tsurumaru Castle Goromon Gate
- 16:00 Statue of Saigo Takamori
- 16:50 AEON Kagoshima Store
- 18:00 Disband at Marine Port Kagoshima
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kagoshima began at 10:20, when the guide met the guests at Marine Port Kagoshima, and finished at 18:00. The day ran to 7 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Gozensho Oukatei (inside Sengan-en) at 12:20.
From there the group visited Shiroyama Park Observation Deck at 11:10, Sengan-en at 11:50, Kagoshima Port Sakurajima Ferry Terminal at 13:20, Yunohira Observatory at 14:10, Sakurajima Visitor Center at 14:50, Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal at 15:25, Tsurumaru Castle Goromon Gate at 15:50, Statue of Saigo Takamori at 16:00 and AEON Kagoshima Store at 16:50.
Title: What's a Private Cruise Port Tour of Kagoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time. They arrived in Kagoshima on a 12-day cruise tour that departed from Yokohama and passed through Hokkaido, Korea, and other destinations. Because the cruise ship carried a very large number of passengers, immigration procedures took some time, and our departure was 20 minutes later than originally scheduled. In the morning, due to unfortunate rain, we were unable to see Sakurajima from the Shiroyama Observatory, but at Sengan-en the guests appeared deeply impressed by the beautiful Iso Goten residence and garden of the Shimazu family. In the afternoon the rain stopped, and the guests fully enjoyed the majestic view of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay from the Yunohira Observatory on Sakurajima. The guests expressed a wish to shop for clothing and other items, so instead of the originally planned visit to the Reimeikan (museum), I guided them to the AEON Kagoshima store. Since I accommodated their request as they wished, I believe they were satisfied. As this tour used a chartered vehicle, there were no advance transportation expenses to be reimbursed.
Click here for more details: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Sep 27, 2026
jonaJ5014ZK
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Higly recommend
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
Sep 8, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
Sep 4, 2026
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We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.