Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Nijo-jo Castle

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Nijo-jo Castle

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at The Blossom Kyoto
    • 9:15‐10:50 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 11:30‐12:30　Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 13:15‐14:00　Lunch at Ramen Takabashi
    • 14:30‐15:30　Nijo Castle
    • 15:30　Disband at Nijo Castle
    • 14:00-15:00 Nijo-jo Castle

    **Title:** What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Like? A Licensed Guide's Report **Body:** 1. The guests requested the locations above plus the Gion area. At first, due to geographical proximity and time constraints, Fushimi Inari Taisha had been left out, but given the recent heat, I consulted with the guests on the morning of the tour. I proposed replacing the walk from Kiyomizu-dera to Gion with a visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha, and suggested using taxis for the transfers from the hotel to Kiyomizu-dera and from Kiyomizu-dera to Fushimi Inari Taisha. The guests kindly agreed. 2. The group came from Europe and consisted of several members, all of whom listened attentively to my guiding. Some of the guests also actively shared information about conditions in their home region (such as the climate), which I found very educational. 3. At Kiyomizu-dera, after passing the main hall, the group chose to take the shortcut. 4. One of the guests asked me to explain what should not be done at Buddhist temples and shrines, so especially at Fushimi Inari Taisha I explained that one should bow before entering under a torii gate, avoid walking in the center of the torii, and that for offerings a five-yen or fifty-yen coin with a hole is preferable, but if unavailable, an eleven-yen offering is considered good because of the wordplay meaning "good relationships." The guests dutifully followed this, offering eleven yen at each place they visited. The Omokaru-ishi stone was also not crowded, so everyone was able to try it. 5. For lunch, I took the group to Bivi Nijo thinking they would be able to choose from a variety of options, but one of the guests had difficulty finding something to their liking, so it took a while to decide. We eventually settled on a ramen shop, but the ramen that was ordered was mostly left uneaten, which I felt bad about. (I did ask the shop to arrange forks.) When I asked whether the ramen was not to their taste, they explained that they simply had a small appetite. (Indeed, they had ordered a small size.) One of the guests also refrained from drinking the water served at the ramen shop, saying it was not good for their stomach, and instead drank bottled water they had brought along. 6. One of the guests was wearing a baseball cap with a red Mario mark, which I found very charming and memorable. They did indeed seem to be a Mario fan, and had apparently taken a photo the day before next to the large Mario figure at the Nintendo shop in Takashimaya. 7. This tour was a commemorative trip that was presented as a gift by some of the guests. In their home region, this age is said to be considered an entry point into adulthood. 8. Since one of the guests was occasionally taking candid family photos that included me, I offered to take a photo of the whole group together.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainInari～Nijo200JPY
    Section 2TrainNijo～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Total420JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

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    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone-Yumoto & Owakudani

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone-Yumoto & Owakudani

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:30 Shinkansen Odawara Station Ticket Gate
    • 12:20 Hakone-Yumoto
    • 13:00 Moto-Hakone Port
    • 13:15 Hakone Shrine
    • 14:20 Lunch at Kinuhiki no Sato
    • 15:15 Pirate Ship
    • 16:05 Owakudani
    • 18:40 Disband at Hakone-Yumoto Station

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine I guided guests visiting from North America on a private one-day tour of Hakone. Deciding on a meeting point took quite a while, and even once it was settled it was vaguely set as "Odawara Station," with no clarity on how they would arrive. We finally agreed on the Odakyu Line ticket gate, but on the morning of the tour the guests got caught up in a serious situation caused by an accident involving a person on the Odakyu Line. We communicated via a messaging app, and they managed to reach Odawara Station via a Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama after coming from Machida. The tour started an hour late, but I was truly relieved they made it. (At the meeting they looked exhausted, saying that English hadn't gotten through to the station staff and they had no idea what was going on, so it had been very stressful.) To make matters worse, it was the middle of a three-day weekend overlapping with the summer holidays, so waiting times occurred in various places, an unfortunate string of events, but they understood this point. The guests thoroughly enjoyed the mountain ranges of Hakone, the beautiful flow of the Hayakawa River, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine. At Kuzuryu Shrine, they prayed carefully following proper etiquette, and at Hakone Shrine, both of them purchased ema plaques and wrote down their wishes. As always, the Peace Torii had a long line, so we limited ourselves to taking photos from the top of the stairs. Because we were running behind schedule, I suggested buying lunch at a convenience store and eating it on the pirate ship, but they wished to "eat slowly at a restaurant," so we skipped the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which we had planned to visit. Unfortunately the weather forecast was completely off, and it was cloudy all day, so we could not see Mount Fuji. I recommended enjoying the scenery from the deck of the pirate ship, but perhaps because they were tired, they chose the seats below, and the view was hard to see. My explanation of the scenery felt a bit incomplete, and I reflected on whether I could have given a better talk. They did not show much interest in Owakudani, and they found the black eggs a little unsettling, so they did not eat them. They also seemed afraid of the glass-floored observation deck jutting out over the valley, and only one of the guests tried it. On the mountain railway, they were puzzled by the switchbacks, saying, "Wait, what, the direction?" I also helped them make an online reservation for the Romancecar on the way back, and we parted ways at Hakone-Yumoto Station. The guests kept smiling to the very end, and they truly did well through it all. Hoping to broaden my range as a guide, this was my first time guiding in Hakone. Dealing with the guests' transportation trouble and the heavy crowds everywhere was, in a sense, a good experience. In any case, I would love to guide in Hakone again when I get the chance.

    Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara～Hakone6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    Tour Report by Danda

    Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.

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    Apr 21, 2026
    Sabrina_F
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Balade riche en découvertes
    Nous avons passé un super moment avec Danda.…

    Apr 14, 2026
    davidjonesresponseen
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour with Danda in Tokyo
    Excellent walking tour, we followed our…

    Apr 10, 2026
    Anna_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour with great guide
    Excellent tour with a very good guide…

    Mar 25, 2026
    Nahmjee_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour guide and experience.
    Danda was great with my family. He…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple visit

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple visit

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Hotel Meet
    • 7:30-8:20 Travel (Hankyu Railway; Karasuma→Kyoto Kawaramachi, Keihan Railway; Gion-shijo→Fushimi Inari)
    • 8:20-9:10 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit
    • 9:10-9:40 Travel (Keihan Railway; Fushimi Inari→Kiyomizu-Gojo)
    • 9:40-9:55 Travel (Taxi; Kiyomizu-Gojo→Chawanzaka/in front of Kiyomizu-dera Temple)
    • 9:55-11:10 Kiyomizu-dera Temple visit
    • 11:10-11:30 Shopping (Chawanzaka ceramics shop; TozGoro)
    • 11:30-11:45 Travel (Kyoto Bus; Gojozaka→Higashiyama-Shichijo)
    • 11:45-12:30 Sanjusangendo Temple visit
    • 12:30 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Sanjusangendo The guests were a group visiting from Europe. It was their first time in Japan. I took them to Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Sanjusangendo. Originally, at Kiyomizu-dera we had also planned to visit Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, the Yasaka Pagoda, and Koshindo, but after the first visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the guests appeared quite tired due to the heat (35°C) combined with the high humidity, so we limited it to Kiyomizu-dera only, and instead they enjoyed shopping at a ceramics shop. Also, after visiting Sanjusangendo, we had planned to take them to the garden at Chishaku-in, but the guests requested that the tour end after Sanjusangendo, so we concluded the tour a little earlier than scheduled. The guests commented that while they can endure high temperatures, this humid heat and high humidity made for the most demanding tour conditions they had ever experienced, so I paced the tour with as many breaks as possible. The ceramics shop I took them to for a rest seemed to please them very much, and they bought a ceramic cup.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKarasuma～Kyoto Kawaramachi170JPY
    Section 2TrainGion-shijo～Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari～Kiyomizu-Gojo240JPY
    Section 4BusGojozaka／Kyoto Bus～Higashiyama-Shichijo／Kyoto Bus230JPY
    Total880JPY

    Tour Report by Michi

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

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    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Return to hotel

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Return to hotel

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 　Meet at hotel
    • 09:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 10:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Nonomiya Shrine
    • 11:40 Ogura Pond (lotus in bloom) & Kameyama Park
    • 12:20 Oigawa Riverside & Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 13:00 Return to hotel

    What Is a Half-Day Private Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama The guests were a family visiting Japan for the first time from North America. The group had a strong interest in Japan's advanced IT technology and anime culture, represented by Nintendo, and were also very interested in Japan's overall history, culture, and gardens. Even though it was only a half-day tour, they thoroughly enjoyed Kinkaku-ji and its garden, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, the Oi River, and the Togetsukyo Bridge. As arranged in advance at the guests' request, we returned to the Hotel at noon, exchanged smiles and handshakes with everyone, and said our goodbyes (13:00). They were also very pleased with the itinerary guidance for Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari, which were planned for the afternoon, and throughout the guiding they repeatedly commented that everywhere we went was interesting and enjoyable.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike～Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Kitaoji Subway Station)／Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3TrainRanden Saga～Randen Tenjingawa250JPY
    Section 4SubwayUzumasa Tenjingawa～Karasuma Oike260JPY
    Total1,000JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Born, raised and married in Kyoto, I am Masaaki Tanaka started English-speaking licensed guide since 2008, guiding mostly those English-speaking inbound tourists in Kyoto, which is my home base, and in Osaka (where I woked so long time until my retirment) and Nara and in other Kansai areas incl. Kobe, Koyasan, etc. If allowed, I can say I am somewhat experinced in Japanese history (especially in its culture). When young, I lived and worked for some 11 years in the Middle East, which areas, accordingly, I am still quite familiar to . My hobby includes : seeing Noh Play and Kabuki, hearing Musics in general (Beethoven, Beatles, Jazz & Rock’n Rolls as well as Japanese classicals), seeing the paintings/artworks in general, playing the piano (all time at beginner’s level, though), playing the guitar and, when younger, I enjoyed skiing and business golf. Also, I am, since my childhoo, a great fan of Tigers in Japan’s pro-base ball. I love cats (keeping now an old female ‘Chee’ chan) , and certainly my wife Tokuko as well.

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    Jul 30, 2026
    amydJ3030YT
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Kyoto tour with a licensed guide and separate driver…

    Mar 20, 2026
    moisessG5827VE
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaaki Tanaka was the best tour guide ever!
    Masaaki Tanaka was an…

    Jun 16, 2025
    896nataliex
    Amazing Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaaki, was an excellent tour guide and wealth of knowledge…

    Apr 23, 2025
    Simon S
    Enjoyable and informative
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Osaka with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    The service was friendly…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:45 Meet @ Hotel Lobby
    • 2. 09:50 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 10:25 Stay @ Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 4- 11:30 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 12:00 Stay @ Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Outer Market
    • 6. 12:35 Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi Shokudo
    • 7. 13:15 Travel: Subway
    • 8. 13:40 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 9. 15:05 Travel: Subway
    • 10. 15:35 Stay @ Sensoji Temple
    • 11. 16:25 Disband @ Shin-Nakamise Street

    What Is a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. When I arrived at the Hotel, one of the guests was already waiting in the lobby, so we were able to meet up smoothly. Since some of the guests did not have transportation IC cards, we had them purchase the cards at the station before moving on. Prior communication had been mainly through a messaging app. As it was a Thursday, we were able to visit four popular spots. Because one of the guests was not fond of raw fish, we had lunch at a food court in Tsukiji. At the East Gardens, we took breaks at each rest area to cope with the heat, so we ended up staying longer than usual. As the guests wished to continue shopping in Asakusa, after showing them around the area near Senso-ji Temple, I told them where the station was and we parted ways on site.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza～Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 4SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa180JPY
    Total750JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

    Jun 18, 2026
    David_W
    Viator review: Tokyo Tsukiji Food & Culture 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Market Tour
    Great tour. Got to see…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hotel Mystays Premier Hamamatsucho, however everyone gathered at 10:20, which was late. It took time to exchange the Tokyo Metro 24-hour tickets at the station. I learned for the first time that the Toei Subway doesn't work well with the machine.
    • 11:00 Asakusa (Skytree photos), spent a lot of time shopping and taking photos. Took a break at the smoking area
    • 13:05 Akihabara, shopping at Don Quijote took time. Also enjoyed the crane games
    • 14:35 Meiji Jingu, took a break at the smoking area
    • 15:40 Harajuku, shopped at the Nike store
    • 16:15 Shibuya, Scramble Crossing
    • 16:40 Dismiss at Shibuya Parco

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine and Akihabara The weather was pleasant, neither too hot nor rainy, which was fortunate. The tour started after the guests purchased a 24-hour Tokyo Metro pass at the hotel, but at Daimon Station on the Toei line the ticket could not be issued by scanning the barcode, so it took a little extra time. This was the first time I learned that some vending machine models cannot issue these tickets. The tour involved a lot of shopping and smoking breaks, and the guests enjoyed themselves at a slow pace, but we managed to finish only 30 minutes behind schedule. The guests love shopping and spent quite a lot of time at the Don Quijote in Akihabara. They also bought many charms at Meiji Shrine. A tip was received.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainDaimon (Tokyo)～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa～Suehirocho (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3TrainShin-Ochanomizu～Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Section 4TrainMeiji-jingumae～Shibuya180JPY
    Total790JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel "Premium Apart Monday Hamamatsucho Station", head to Hamamatsucho Station on the Yamanote Line, go to Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line via Yurakucho and Hibiya
    • 9:30 Arrive at Nezu Station, visit Nezu Shrine, walk along Hebi-michi (Snake Road), the temple cluster area, Yanaka Cemetery, and Yanaka Ginza, then head to Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line
    • 12:40 Go to Ginza-itchome Station on the Yurakucho Line via Yurakucho, head to "Itoya", disband in front of the store

    What Is a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Yanaka Area Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a 4-hour private tour for a group visiting from North America. The guests had arrived in Japan the previous day, and today was their first day of sightseeing in Japan. As a prior request, they had expressed a wish to "visit Japanese temples, shrines, and old townscapes," so I arranged a 4-hour course showing them the Yanesen area. From their hotel in Hamamatsucho, we headed to Nezu Shrine via Yurakucho and Hibiya. There, I explained Japanese shrine culture, including how to worship, omikuji fortunes, komainu guardian dogs, the foxes of Inari shrines, and torii gates. The guests seemed deeply impressed by the tranquil atmosphere of the shrine and the beauty of its historic architecture. Afterward, we walked through Hebi-michi and an area where many temples of Yanaka are clustered, then headed to Yanaka Cemetery. Because this area was relatively spared from the air raids of the Second World War, old rows of houses and narrow alleys still remain, allowing the guests to see the old townscape of Tokyo. Seeing that cemeteries are situated alongside temples, and visiting the vast Yanaka Cemetery, the guests also seemed to find great interest in the Japanese view of religion and the culture of honoring ancestors. At Yanaka Ginza, they purchased souvenirs such as folding fans and enjoyed the atmosphere of the shopping street. Since we had a little extra time compared to the schedule, some of the guests expressed a wish to visit the specialty stationery store "Itoya" in Ginza, so we took the Yamanote Line and the Yurakucho Line to Ginza. After arriving at the destination, the guests wished to enjoy shopping on their own and then return to their hotel, so although it was slightly earlier than the scheduled end time, we ended the tour there at the guests' request.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHamamatsucho～Yurakucho160JPY
    Section 2SubwayHibiya～Nezu180JPY
    Section 3TrainNippori～Yurakucho210JPY
    Section 4SubwayYurakucho～Ginza-itchome180JPY
    Total730JPY

    Tour Report by Toshi

    Self-Background

    During my university years, I lived in a dormitory for four years and had the opportunity to live with many international students.
    Of course, we spoke English.
    After graduating from university, I started working as an English teacher at a junior high school.
    I was able to have a fun teaching life while interacting with many students. During that time, I continued to study English on my own and obtained the pre-1st grade English proficiency test.
    After that, I worked for the Board of Education as a supervisor in charge of English education, and then managed a school as a vice principal, and later principal.
    After retiring from teaching, I took the TOEIC (L&R) and achieved my highest score of 945.
    I also obtained a license as a national guide-interpreter, and began working as a guide for overseas visitors in English.
    Currently, I guide tourists to several places around the country.
    Many customers have told me that I am a good guide, saying that my guidance is easy to understand and that I have a lot of knowledge about sightseeing spots and history.
    Furthermore, I will continue to improve my skills and make efforts to give you a better experience in Japan, so please come and enjoy your trip in Japan with me.

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  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shopping in Ginza & Shopping in Harajuku

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shopping in Ginza & Shopping in Harajuku

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 13:30 Shopping in Ginza
    • 15:00 Shopping in Harajuku
    • 17:10 End the tour at Shimbashi Station, near the hotel

    What's a Private Shopping Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginza, Harajuku, and Takeshita Street The guest was a visitor from North America. The trip to Japan had been given as a gift to celebrate an upcoming birthday. According to the advance information from the agent, the guest had wished to visit trendy spots and go shopping, but upon meeting, the guest expressed a strong desire to visit a streetwear shop that is hard to find in North America, so we first headed to the store in Ginza. After finishing shopping there, we went to the same brand's store in Harajuku, where the guest continued to enjoy shopping. It seemed like a dream come true for the guest, who felt that such a wonderful place could not be found back home. Finally, we headed to Takeshita Street, where the guest was amazed by Japan's unique pop culture. Rather than a sightseeing tour, it turned into a tour focused entirely on shopping.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShimbashi～Ginza180JPY
    Section 2TrainGinza～Shimbashi180JPY
    Section 3TrainShimbashi～Omotesando180JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku～Shimbashi260JPY
    Total800JPY

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Request Booking

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
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    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

    May 27, 2026
    jackie m
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    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Our guide was really interesting and had…

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    Lindsey_W
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Atsushi, was…
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  • Tokyo: Observe the tuna auction & Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Observe the tuna auction & Tsukiji

    Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet at Building in Block 7 of Toyosu Market
    • 05:00-05:30 Explanation of related information in advance, such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
    • 05:30-06:00 Observe the tuna auction
    • 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-07:15 Move to Tsukiji
    • 07:15-08:00 Stroll around Tsukiji Inner Market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tuna Auction and Sushi Breakfast Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from Oceania. This tuna auction tour had been booked as a surprise, and the person had only learned about the tour the night before. The mutual respect between the guests was evident, and we were able to begin the tour in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. One of the guests showed me photos of bluefin tuna and other large fish caught back home, and mentioned a strong interest in Japan's tuna auctions. The guests were impressed by how organized and systematic the auction was, remarking that it was something uniquely characteristic of Japan. For breakfast at a sushi restaurant, one of the guests enjoyed a full tuna course, savoring how the flavor differed depending on the cut and the way the sushi was prepared. The marinated tuna (zuke) seemed to be a particular favorite. The other guest chose a few pieces according to personal preference. When asked which sushi could only be eaten in Japan, I recommended kinmedai (golden eye snapper) and anago (saltwater eel). There was some initial hesitation about the anago, but the guest decided to trust my recommendation and gave it a try, and the moment it was eaten, they happily said it was far more delicious than imagined. The guests had a reservation at teamLab in Toyosu at 11:00 and planned to stay in Tsukiji afterward to enjoy exploring the area, so I introduced a range of recommended shops before ending the tour.

    Click here for more details: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu Market / Toei Bus～Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Tour Report by Toru

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Request Booking

    July 2, 2026
    David S
    Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Incredible experience at the Markets!
    Toru…

    Jun 6, 2026
    meltemg957
    Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

    Jun 4, 2026
    bluejerky1
    Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

    May 29, 2026
    Eva P
    Fabulous experience with Toru!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Toru was…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace & Hamarikyu Gardens

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace & Hamarikyu Gardens

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:50　Meet @ 2-10-8 Shinkiba, Koto-ku (STREET KART Tokyo)
    • 14:00　Tsukiji Market / Tsukiji Hongwanji
    • 15:10　Imperial Palace
    • 16:30　Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 17:00　Disband @ Shiodome

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Hamarikyu The guest was a person from Oceania visiting Japan for the first time. Before coming to Tokyo, the guest had already visited Okinawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Lake Kawaguchi, and planned to travel to Europe after sightseeing in Tokyo. Since the guest was joining a go-kart tour in the morning, the meeting point was set, at the guest's request, at the go-kart office in Shinkiba. At the Tsukiji Market, the guest showed great interest in the many shops of the outer market. At Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, the guest listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines. At the Imperial Palace, the guest listened attentively to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate, and was also very impressed by the beautiful and expansive Imperial Palace Outer Garden. At Hamarikyu Gardens, although there was not much time due to the closing hour, the guest seemed deeply impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. Since I responded exactly as the guest wished, I believe they were satisfied.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShinkiba 2-chome / Toei Bus～Shinkiba Station (Meiji-dori) / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 2SubwayShinkiba～Shintomicho (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji～Nijubashimae180JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo～Shimbashi160JPY
    Total730JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    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

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    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
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    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
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    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
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