Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0850 Meet at Royal Park Haneda. Decided to head to Asakusa. In the car, talked about a wide range of topics including the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration.
    • There was an inquiry about buses that go around various places, so we also talked about SKY HOP and HATO BUS.
    • Around 1000, arrived in Asakusa. Toured Sensoji Temple thoroughly. Since we would also be going to the Kyoto area in the future, they asked fairly carefully about general information regarding shrines and temples.
    • 1110 Headed toward the Imperial Palace. I had been thinking of the Toei Asakusa Line, but since they seemed interested in the SKYHOP and HATO buses, we headed to Tokyo Station to check the bus information and then go to the Imperial Palace.
    • 1130 At Tokyo Station's Marunouchi South Exit Dome, while I was explaining Gyoko-dori Avenue, the rain became heavy. Amid conversations about switching to guiding through underground passages and underground malls, they strongly expressed a desire to ride a course where they could sit on a bus rather than walk in the rain, so we stopped by the Hato Bus sales office right in front. A one-hour course was just about to depart, and they asked me to ride along and provide explanations. They said they disliked the earphone system, and insisted, so I accompanied them. (Paid by the guest.) As a result, they were greatly pleased.
    • 1300 Returned to Tokyo Station. Since it was still raining and they had gotten wet, they decided to return to the hotel, so I decided to accompany them to Shinagawa Station. We parted at the Keikyu Line ticket gate at Shinagawa Station. (1330)

    Title: What's a Private Asakusa Walking Tour in Tokyo Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report Because there had been various changes, at the meeting point I reconfirmed the destinations and plans. Since the guests had already made a number of reservations for the following days, the main aim for today was to see as much as possible and hear as many stories as they could. Partly for that reason, they had been thinking of taking a bus if it rained. (At first, this was meant to be after the tour.) The guests explored the Asakusa area and the surroundings of Sensoji Temple with great interest. They drew omikuji fortunes and did a bit of shopping as well. Regarding the sightseeing bus, I felt the situation was a little unusual, but since it was raining and it did not seem right to simply end the tour, I decided to accommodate their request. They said they were glad I rode along with them. Thanks to our communication beforehand, the guests already had a good deal of trust in me, so from the very start it was a friendly tour with plenty of discussion along the way. I believe they were very satisfied, including with all the explanations I provided.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHaneda Airport Terminal 3～Asakusa599JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Kanda178JPY
    Section 3TrainKanda～Tokyo146JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo～Shinagawa178JPY
    Total1,101JPY

    Tour Report by MATT

    Hi,I’m Matt.
    Let’s enjoy together and learn a little bit more about Tokyo and Japan.
    I have many experiences in private tour and can be flexible in planning the tour itinerary. To see everything in Tokyo may be difficult in few days. Historical points,seasonal view point,most trendy places,there are so many to choose. Please let me know your interest or whatever you want to see,and I will try my best to fulfill your request.Off course those who do not have a choice is most welcome. I will come up with the most recommended points to visit at the time.
    So,see you soon.

    Request Booking

    Apr 18, 2025
    S3270IProbertj
    MATT is a great guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We were guided the whole day by…

    Mar 25, 2025
    R
    Resort23969735918
    Amazing experience with an amazing guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience. Matt is extremely…

    Oct 15, 2024
    Vacation651871
    Tokyo walking around
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a very interesting and detailed tour wirh…

    Aug 30, 2024
    Peter_G
    Great tour with Matt
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Matt our tour guide was great, very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meeting: 9:00 JR Akabane Station — (JR Takasaki Line, Ginza Subway Line) Asakusa – 10:00~12:00 Senso-ji Temple / Nakamise shopping street tour
    • — (Asakusa Line, JR Sobu Line, Yamanote Line) Harajuku 12:30~13:00 Lunch 13:00~14:10 Meiji Shrine tour
    • — 14:30~15:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko Statue etc. tour 15:20 Disband at Shibuya Station

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting from South America, on a stay in Tokyo. It was the third day of their trip. They wished to see many places, and we took our time to visit at a relaxed pace. They were interested in shrines and temples, and showed great interest in visiting Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine, as well as the differences in how to worship at each. At Nakamise, they enthusiastically enjoyed shopping for souvenirs even amid the crowds. They took many commemorative photos and seemed very satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAkabane Station～Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station360JPY
    Section 2TrainToei Asakusa Station～JR Harajuku Station410JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Harajuku Station～JR Shibuya Station150JPY
    Total920JPY

    Tour Report by Mari

    My name is Mari Ise. I started this job as a guide Interpreter in 2020. I don’t have much experience, but I have been enjoying traveling with visitors from abroad very much since then. Besides this job, I am working as a teacher of English at high schools and am teaching Japanese language to people from foreign countries. I am very interested in traditional cultures, history, nature, art and music of both Japan and foreign countries. So, I would like to introduce and share much information with guests who will visit Japan. It would be my great pleasure if you visitors could enjoy and love travel in Japan.

    Request Booking
  • Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meeting point: Hyatt Place Kyoto
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ①: Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:45 Break: Rest area near the Kinkaku-ji exit
    • 13:15 Lunch: Arashiyama (Japanese restaurant)
    • 14:00 Sightseeing ②: Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge ⇒ Tenryu-ji Temple & Garden ⇒ Bamboo Grove Path)
    • 15:15 Break: Cafe near JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
    • 16:45 Sightseeing ③: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 17:50 Dismissal: JR Kyoto Station

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour with Kids Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Before the tour, I communicated frequently with one of the guests to coordinate the destinations and to plan for the needs of the younger members of the group. The biggest concern beforehand was whether the younger guests could handle an 8-hour walking tour without a private vehicle. At the same time, the group was very enthusiastic about sightseeing and expressed a wish to visit as many places as possible. After several email exchanges, we reached a shared understanding: we would draw up a plan, but prioritize the health and safety of the group above all, making decisions on the spot and staying flexible. As an initial plan, I set five destinations as a guide: Kinkaku-ji, then lunch in Arashiyama, followed by sightseeing in Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji, and the Bamboo Grove), then Fushimi Inari, Gion, and a manga museum. On the day of the tour, the rain that had been falling since the previous day still lingered, which made me anticipate a challenging day ahead. We met at the hotel, reconfirmed the course and our plan to prioritize the situation of the younger guests and respond flexibly, and set off. When I actually met the group, everyone was very cheerful and energetic and reasonably cooperative, which put me a little at ease. We traveled between destinations entirely by public transportation (subway, bus, and JR). Although I had been worried about how this would go, the guests cooperated with one another and the transfers went smoothly. The concern was how much walking the group could endure between stations or bus stops and the destinations. I constantly observed how the group was doing and consulted with them along the way, taking sufficient rest breaks when anyone seemed tired and offering sweets to keep energy up. Because of this, we sometimes far exceeded the planned travel times, but I managed by consulting frequently with the group and canceling some destinations. In the end, we canceled the latter part of the plan (Higashiyama/Gion and the manga museum) and visited three places: Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari. Because the group walked energetically to the very end (covering about 10 kilometers over the whole route!) and the rain stopped and the weather turned around, we were able to finish the tour feeling wonderful. It was a tour in which I was greatly encouraged by the smiles of the guests.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarutamachi～Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi～Kitano-Hakubaicho230JPY
    Section 4TrainKitano-Hakubaicho～Arashiyama250JPY
    Total970JPY

    Tour Report by Nori

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Request Booking

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Osaka: Osaka Port & Doguyasuji

    Osaka: Osaka Port & Doguyasuji

    Osaka Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40 Meet @ Osaka Port
    • 10:00 Depart Osaka Port
    • 10:15-10:50 @ Shitennoji
    • 11:00-11:30 @ Harukas Garden
    • 12:00-12:30 @ Shinsekai
    • 13:00-13:30 @ Sakai Denshokan
    • 14:00-14:40 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 15:05-15:30 @ Doguyasuji
    • 16:05 Disband @ Osaka Port

    What Is a Private Osaka Cruise-Port Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America who arrived at Osaka Port by cruise ship. A travel agency had split a larger group into two and made bookings, and this was one group of seven. Since it had not been possible to communicate directly with the guests beforehand, the itinerary and other details were discussed and confirmed with the group's leader on the day. Initially, the plan was for the two groups to follow the same itinerary but to move separately, however one leader was covering both groups and strongly requested that both groups act together. With the cooperation of the other guide and the drivers, we were able to conduct the tour as requested, and the guests were able to enjoy it.

    Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at JR Himeji Station
    • 11:30 at Himeji Castle
    • 13:30 at Kokoen Garden
    • 14:15 at Nadagiku Sake Brewery
    • 15:00 Disband at Himeji Station Underground Restaurant Street

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests moved smoothly through the day for the most part. Himeji Castle was extremely crowded, partly because a band concert was scheduled for the evening, and entry restrictions were even in place inside the castle grounds. Both guests listened attentively to my explanations and I believe they enjoyed each spot. At Nadagiku Sake Brewery, they enjoyed the tasting and purchased Japanese sake as a souvenir. After the tour ended, the guests wanted to have "okonomiyaki" for lunch, so I guided them to a restaurant and we parted ways after their order was placed. The guests were very pleasant and had a great sense of humor, and it was an enjoyable experience to serve as their guide.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden & Peace Park and Children's Science Museum

    Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden & Peace Park and Children’s Science Museum

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 meet ＠Hiroshima Station
    • 10:05-10:40 Shukkeien Garden
    • 11:00-11:50 Hiroshima Castle
    • 12:00-13:30 Peace Park (Peace Memorial Museum) and Children's Science Museum
    • 13:30-14:00 Travel and tour ends ＠Hiroshima Station

    Title: What's a Private Family Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. At Shukkeien Garden, some of the guests enjoyed feeding the carp, and at Hiroshima Castle they tried on samurai helmets and lifted swords, exploring Hiroshima on foot much like the rest of the group. As it was still hot outside, around 30 degrees in the lingering late-summer heat, and because the indoor play equipment in the free area of the children's science museum along the way was so much fun that some of the group did not want to leave, part of the group stayed behind while the rest of us continued. Some of the guests and I went to Peace Memorial Park and visited the Peace Memorial Museum. We reunited with the rest of the group at the souvenir shop on the first floor of Orizuru Tower. At the souvenir shop, everyone took turns tasting a Japanese-style dashi broth on sample offer and then purchased some, as the group seemed to really like the dashi. At the end of the tour, I received a souvenir from Oceania. The group was delightful, I had a wonderful time, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station～Shukkeien Garden220JPY
    Section 2OtherAtomic Bomb Dome-mae Tram Stop～Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total440JPY

    Tour Report by Tomoyo

    As a Hiroshima government-certified English-speaking guide, I’ve led over 160 heartfelt tours for guests from around the world. I craft each experience with care, blending history, humor, and emotional resonance to help you connect deeply with this beautiful city and its stories. I love sharing insights about Hiroshima and Japan, but I also enjoy chatting with my guests as if we were friends, learning about each other along the way and creating meaningful moments together. Every tour becomes a unique exchange, shaped by the people I meet. I look forward to welcoming you and guiding you in Hiroshima.

    Request Booking

    Sep 24, 2025
    Paige_M
    Lovely and Educational Tour of Hiroshima
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide for this…

    May 8, 2025
    Smatty68
    Tomoyo was a star guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We really enjoyed our…

    Apr 29, 2025
    Josh_H
    Amazing experience and very grateful for my tour guide Tomoyo
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed…

    Apr 29, 2025
    Chloe_O
    The best day in Japan with Tomoyo!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tomoyo was…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Arashio Stable
    • 9:20 Tsukiji
    • 10:20 Hamarikyu
    • 11:50 Lunch @ Ramen Ikkakuya
    • 12:40 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 14:30 Asakusa
    • 15:30 Disband at Ginza Station

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumo, Tsukiji, and Asakusa The tour began with a meeting at a sumo stable. Even before we met, I received an email conveying the excitement of having watched training at the sumo stable. At Tsukiji, I had thought we might buy sushi or sashimi at a market building to eat, but the guests walked right past it. Since there were Shine Muscat grapes available, I recommended trying them, and the guests were amazed by the large size of each grape and the new taste and deliciousness. The guests were pleased with the fresh seafood and showed interest in items such as live hairy crabs. At Hamarikyu, the guests enjoyed matcha and sweets at the teahouse on the island, and were satisfied and relaxed by the scenery as well. As the guests were getting hungry, we had ramen for lunch in Shimbashi, and the guests were delighted, saying it was a flavor they had never tasted in North America. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the guests eagerly took many photos, remarking that the long-finned nishikigoi carp were elegant. As we were running short on time, we saw Asakusa quickly and then parted ways at Ginza Station.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNingyocho～Tsukiji600JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi～Takebashi0JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa～Ginza0JPY
    Total600JPY

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM10:00 Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Meet-up
    • AM10:40 Fushimi Inari Shrine
    • AM12:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • AM14:00 Nishiki Koi Market　Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like on a Busy Weekend? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe with a strong interest in travel, having traveled extensively across Asia and developed a deep appreciation for culture. Because it was a Saturday, the crowds were extremely heavy, and it was understandable that the guests, coming from a country with a relatively small population, found it overwhelming. They mentioned that the dinner they had eaten the previous evening had been expensive, and asked me to recommend places where they could dine at reasonable prices. I introduced two or three casual restaurants around the Kawaramachi area where prices were clearly displayed at a glance. They were the kind of guests who keenly felt how high prices can be at tourist spots by ordinary standards. Indeed, that morning as well, they had skipped breakfast at their accommodation and instead bought donuts and coffee at a convenience store along the way.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShijo～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 3BusTofukuji～Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKiyomizu-michi～Shijo Kawaramachi230JPY
    Total830JPY

    Tour Report by Naoki

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Request Booking

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…

  • Kyoto: Nijo Castle & Higashiyama

    Kyoto: Nijo Castle & Higashiyama

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meeting point: Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokanji
    • 09:20 Sightseeing ①: Nijo Castle
    • 10:20 Sightseeing ②: Kinkaku-ji
    • 11:20 Sightseeing ③: Arashiyama (Bamboo Path ⇒ Tenryu-ji ⇒ Togetsukyo Bridge)
    • 12:00 Lunch: Arashiyama (udon restaurant)
    • 13:20 Sightseeing ④: Fushimi Inari
    • 14:00 Sightseeing ⑤: Higashiyama (Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka)
    • 15:00 Dismissal: Hotel

    What's a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from North America who came to Japan for a trip. During the self-introduction on the day, I learned that the guest was making the most of the visit by enjoying a short trip around Japan. In the pre-tour planning of destinations, the request was, "Since a private car is included, I would like to visit as many sightseeing spots as possible." After several exchanges, we decided to visit four places: Nijo Castle → Kinkaku-ji → Arashiyama (lunch) → Fushimi Inari. Unfortunately, on the day, it was pouring rain from the morning, just as forecast. During the pre-departure briefing, I raised the question, "It will rain all day today. Would you like to change the destinations?" but the guest's wish was, "As long as we have rain gear, we'll be fine, so let's go as planned." In addition, there was a new request: "If there is time, I would like to visit Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka in Higashiyama." Before departure, after consulting with the private car driver as well, we agreed that "we won't push ourselves, but if there is enough time, we'll also go to Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka." Once we actually set off, the rain continued throughout the tour, though its intensity varied. Nijo Castle involved indoor viewing, so there was no difficulty, but at Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama (the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge), and Fushimi Inari, which are mainly outdoors, we ended up sightseeing while getting half wet even though we had umbrellas. Even under such poor conditions, the guest observed everything eagerly, listened to my explanations, and also asked questions. In the end, thanks to saving a little time here and there, including during the lunch break, we had about an hour to spare, so we were able to visit Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, which had been the guest's additional request. The guest expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you for making my request come true," and we looked around with great interest at Yasaka Pagoda, the stone-paved paths, and more. However, at the very end, an unexpected accident occurred. Due to the long hours of rain, the surface of the stone pavement had become extremely slippery, and just as the guest was about to enter a certain shop, the guest slipped and fell, striking the left knee and the middle finger of the left hand hard, sustaining an injury with a little bleeding. Throughout the tour that day, I had been cautioning at each spot, "The surfaces of the stone pavement and steps have become slippery because of the rain, so please be very careful," yet the guest slipped at an unexpected moment, lost balance, and fell. Avoiding the crowd, we moved to the side of the road, and I asked, "Are you all right? How are the wounds and the pain?" The guest replied, "It hurts quite a bit, but I'm okay," and although walking seemed a little difficult, the guest was able to walk back to the car without needing help. In the car, I applied first aid with the sterile tissues, adhesive bandages, and so on that I always keep on hand. I also advised, "If the pain persists, please see a doctor near the Hotel," to which the guest replied, "I'll watch it for an hour or two, and if it swells up I'll go to a doctor, but it will probably be fine." I saw the guest off at the Hotel front desk, explained the situation to the Hotel staff, and asked for the necessary assistance. The "storefront" accident that happened at the very end of the Kyoto sightseeing, which had been enjoyed even under the difficult condition of rain, turned out to be a very unfortunate event. A few days later, I sent an email inquiring about the injury and wishing a speedy recovery, but as of now there has been no reply. I can only pray that the bruised left knee does not get worse.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Nori

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Request Booking

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Nijubashi

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Nijubashi

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 @Meet up (Hotel)
    • 10:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 13:20 Lunch@Amairo
    • 14:30 @Asakusa
    • 16:30 @Nijubashi
    • 17:45 @Disband (Hotel)

    What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Visiting Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji, and Shinjuku Gyoen Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and one of them had previously lived in Asia and sometimes found English difficult to catch, but was a very gentle person, so we were able to enjoy going around together as a group. One of the guests was looking forward to collecting goshuin (shrine and temple seal stamps), and we received goshuin at Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine. I explained that it is proper etiquette to pay your respects first and then receive the goshuin. At Meiji Shrine, in the past you could enter through a separate entrance to receive a goshuin book with almost no waiting, but now everyone has to line up in the same queue, so it took some time. The goshuin at Senso-ji also required lining up, and lunch was crowded and took a while, so we could not keep our usual pace. We also rested for a while on a bench inside Shinjuku Gyoen, and at one point I got separated from some of the guests at Yurakucho Station. Since there were many requested destinations to begin with, the tour ran significantly over time. I was glad I had informed them in advance that an extension fee might apply if we went over the scheduled time. Recently I had been guiding with plenty of time to spare, so I reflected a great deal on the significant overrun, and I would like to review how to adjust the schedule well if delays occur during a tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa～Harajuku180JPY
    Section 2SubwayShinjuku-gyoemmae～Asakusa260JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Sakuradamon210JPY
    Section 4SubwayNijubashi～Hibiya180JPY
    Section 5TrainYurakucho～Shinagawa170JPY
    Total1,000JPY

    Tour Report by Yoko

    I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
    I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
    I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.

    I live with my husband and one teenage son.
    I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Request Booking

    Jun 2, 2026
    ericahT6840AD
    Awesome!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…

    May 20, 2026
    CharKris17
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Walking Tour
    We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…

    May 3, 2026
    jefftK1794VZ
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
    This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…

    Oct 23, 2025
    Y6401BOshaunam
    Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…