Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tochomae Station & Asakusa Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Tochomae Station & Asakusa Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 9:20 Tochomae Station
    • 9:25 Yoyogi Station
    • 9:30 Harajuku Station
    • 9:35 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:25 Takeshita Street
    • 10:45 Meiji-jingumae Station
    • 11:00 Nijubashimae Station
    • 11:10 Nijubashi
    • 11:45 Lunch @ Hotel Building
    • 13:05 Tokyo Station
    • 13:15 Akihabara Station
    • 13:45 Suehirocho Station
    • 13:55 Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Tourist Center, Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple
    • 15:00 Disband @ near Senso-ji Temple

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Akihabara, and Asakusa The guests were visitors from North America. Due to a flight delay, they had arrived at their hotel late the previous night, so I was concerned about their condition, but they were cheerful throughout and enjoyed the diverse character of Tokyo's many neighborhoods. At Meiji Shrine first thing in the morning, they said they felt a deeply sacred atmosphere and were very pleased. As we had a little time, I then introduced part of Takeshita Street before heading to the station. They had originally hoped to visit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, but as it was a closed day, I introduced Nijubashi Bridge and the outer moat, and guided them to the Otemon Gate so they could visit later, before having lunch in the basement of a hotel. At Tokyo Station, I helped them reserve Shinkansen tickets. Although it was not part of the original itinerary, since we had time to spare, we decided to stop by Akihabara before Asakusa. They were amazed by the completely different streetscape. Afterward, we strolled through Asakusa, and the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTochomae Station~Yoyogi Station180JPY
    Section 2TrainYoyogi Station~Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station~Nijubashimae Station210JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo Station~Akihabara Station150JPY
    Section 5SubwaySuehirocho Station~Asakusa Station180JPY
    Total870JPY

    Hi there! Thank you so much for hitting my page!
    I’m Yuriko, but please call me Lily!
    I’m a qualified guide and interpreter, proud to be awarded as one of the finalists of Japan guide awards 2025.

    I have conducted over 100 tours a year since March 2024, with more than 90% of my clients awarding a five-star rating.

    I love Japanese food(eating and cooking!), cultures such as traditional arts and crafts, and so much more! I’ve always explored places seeking new things and love to share them with you.

    I was born and raised in Tokyo(for over 40 years!) but used to live in the U.S. for a couple of years as a child.
    I am proud to be able to introduce the charms of Japan from multiple perspectives based on my experience of interacting with people from many different nationalities.

    I am happy to tailor an original plan or to arrange your bucket list advancing it to a better option.
    The following is my contact information:
    lilyjapanguide@gmail.com

    I’m looking forward to guiding and sharing the excitement of Japan!!

    Sep 17, 2025
    785hongc
    Wonderful 6 hour Tokyo tour with Lily in September
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a…

    Sep 16, 2025
    H
    Hong_C
    A wonderful day tour of Tokyo in September
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best relaxed educational…

    Jul 18, 2025
    Venture26940872209
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lilly was an excellent guide .. lots of communication before the visit…

    Jul 1, 2025
    michaellG938KC
    Lily is the best. Highly recommended
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lily is an amazing guide and…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel (9:30) ー Sensoji Temple (9:40) ー Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple (10:50) ー Hamarikyu Gardens (11:05) ー Shiosite Lunch (12:00) ー Setagaya Gotokuji Temple (13:45) ー Shibuya (15:05) Shibuya Crossing, PARCO, Miyashita Park (15:30) (Dismissal)

    Title: What Does a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report from Asakusa to Shibuya Because the guests' hotel was very close to Senso-ji Temple, we explored Senso-ji and the surrounding Asakusa area on foot. After that, we stopped by the Asakusa tourist information center before heading to Tsukiji. As it was unseasonably hot, we skipped the planned walk around the Tsukiji outer market. After briefly visiting Tsukiji Honganji Temple, we went to the Hama-rikyu Gardens and enjoyed matcha at the tea house there. We then walked to a top-floor restaurant in the Shiodome Shiosite area and had lunch while enjoying the view of Tokyo Bay. After lunch, we went to Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya. The guests seemed to find the Setagaya Line, which runs through residential neighborhoods, quite unusual and enjoyed it very much. At Gotokuji, in addition to explaining the beckoning cat (maneki-neko), I explained that it is the family temple of the Ii clan, connecting the story to historical events such as the Sakuradamon Incident. In a complete change of pace, I then took the guests to the sixth floor of PARCO in Shibuya, where they thoroughly enjoyed Japanese pop culture.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAsakusa~Tsukiji290JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi~Miyanosaka520JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyanosaka~Shibuya340JPY
    Total1,150JPY

    Name is Sakai Katsuomi, a national certificated interpreter & tour guide. I usually go by Summy. I would like to assist you in making your visit to Japan a wonderful treasure of life.I not only offer tours to famous tourist spots throught Japan but also provide guidance on experiencing traditional Japanese culture. If you interested in Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Judo, Aikido and Kendo, or if you are visiting Japan to train in these disciplines, I can assist you with making apointments at dojyos, interpretating during practice sessions, filming videos and accompany you on your sightseeing adventures in Japan.
    Of course, I can definitely assist you with regular sightseeing. This includes visiting historical and cultural sites, exploring Japanese pop culture and subculture hotospots,and even arranging anime- related activities and character-themed shopping for children. I can customize the initerary according to yourpreferences and requests.

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Sammy was absolutely amazing from start to…

    Jul 5, 2026
    amanda_h
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Well worth it!
    We were lucky enough to have Sammy as our…

    May 28, 2026
    Meredith L
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Sammy was a fabulous local guide!
    What a great…

    May 27, 2026
    Mary_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in a day!
    We enjoyed our tour with Sammy. We had…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0930 Hotel Mimaru
    • 1010- Fushimi Inari Shrine
    • 1100- Kiyomizudera Temple
    • 1300 Lunch at Ramen Muraji
    • 1345- Nishki Market
    • 1440- Kinkakuji Temple
    • 1600- Hotel Mimaru

    What Is a Private Full-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. For the day's plan, they requested an authentic course, which I selected as the guide, but they also mentioned they wanted to see food shops such as fish and bakery stores, so I added Nishiki Market. All of the guests were very enthusiastic about the sightseeing and enjoyed it thoroughly, and they had many conversations with the guide. One of the guests even spoke in Japanese to our driver, Mr. Imanaka. I had planned Kiyomizu-dera as the first destination, but around 9:40, Gojo-dori was already heavily congested with buses and taxis, so we went to Fushimi Inari first. Afterward, for Kiyomizu-dera, we got out of the car near a parking area close to the Yasaka Pagoda and walked there via Sannenzaka. For lunch at Mendokoro Muraji, they had the chicken black ramen and fried chicken, which they seemed to love very much, and everyone finished their meals completely. Since Kiyomizu-dera took some time, I considered ending the tour at Kinkaku-ji, but our driver, Mr. Imanaka, kindly accommodated us, and we were able to return to the Hotel with about 30 minutes over the scheduled time.

    Hello there,
    I’m Harry. This nickname comes from Harry Bosch, a character in American detective novels. I like watching films, listening to music and reading books, especially detective stories. I love meeting people from different countries and would like to help them understand Japanese culture and history. I believe that tourism can connect people all over the world and change the world into something truly peaceful. I was born in Osaka and have lived in Tokyo for more than 35 years. I am very happy to welcome tourists from all over the world. I will do my best to make your days fantastic. I look forward to seeing you soon.

    Oct 8, 2025
    Denise_M
    Great tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Harry was very knowledgeable. We learned…

    Jun 30, 2025
    Iguana74
    Customized Tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our four-hour private tour of Kyoto was excellent.…

    May 12, 2025
    Tonya_G
    Would do it again.
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Our guide, Harry, did an excellent…

    Mar 22, 2025
    Lauren_P
    We had a great time on…
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great time…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 10:10 Meet at Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower
    • ② Travel
    • ③ 11:30 Nijo Castle
    • ④ 12:40 Nishiki Market -Stroll and Lunch-
    • ⑤ 14:10 Arashiyama Heiseiin
    • ⑥ 14:25 Bamboo Grove Stroll
    • ⑦ 15:10 Kameyama Park Stroll
    • ⑧ 15:40 Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • ⑨ Travel
    • ⑩ 17:45 Disband in front of the hotel

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. In the morning, the meeting point hotel was incorrect due to a mistake in the guest's notes. When they did not appear at the agreed time of 9:30, we exchanged emails and I quickly moved from Nihonbashi to a hotel near Yodoyabashi. I covered the fare for this stretch (subway from Shinsaibashi to Yodoyabashi) on their behalf. At the guests' request, we traveled on the outbound journey by non-reserved seats on the Shinkansen. In the first half of the tour, the guests tended to chat among themselves, but as time passed our conversation grew, and by the evening we were talking in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The guests were interested in Japanese history, and when I explained topics such as the relationship between the Emperor and the Shogun, and how the role of the Emperor has changed throughout recorded history and where it stands today, comparing it with places such as Britain, they listened intently and asked many questions. In the end, it was a very enjoyable day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinsaibashi~Yodoyabashi190JPY
    Section 2TrainYodoyabashi~Shin-Osaka240JPY
    Section 3TrainShin-Osaka~Kyoto1,450JPY
    Section 4TrainShiyakusho-mae~Nijo220JPY
    Section 5TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 6TrainArashiyama~Umeda Hankyu410JPY
    Section 7TrainUmeda~Yodoyabashi190JPY
    Total2,900JPY

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Hotel Meet 7:35 Fushimi Inari 9:30 Kinkaku-ji 11:10 Nijo Castle 12:20 Gion Area 13:30 Tour Ends

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. Although this was not a honeymoon trip, they were very close and got along wonderfully. We met at the Hotel at 7:00. Fushimi Inari just after 7:30 was uncrowded, so the guests were able to take photos of just themselves quite freely. At Inari Station, the JR train was delayed by more than 20 minutes, which made the rest of the schedule tight. The bus to Kinkaku-ji was not crowded. Inside Kinkaku-ji, the number of school excursion students was increasing. At Nijo Castle, there was a group of about 30 people led by a guide ahead of us, and since the guide kept stopping to give long explanations, the entire group would come to a halt, causing congestion. Because of our time constraints, I ended up explaining from outside that group. A staff member told us to move to the inside, but that was difficult. Since the group had a guide with a microphone and the guests had earphones, I wished they could have been guided concisely while walking without stopping. The weather had some rain from the morning, but it did not get too bad — in fact, it was pleasantly cool. We took photos in front of the Ninomaru Palace at Nijo Castle.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 3Free PassEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi1,100JPY
    Section 4Free PassKinkakuji-michi~Nishioji-Oike0JPY
    Section 5Free PassNishioji-Oike~Nijojo-mae0JPY
    Section 6Free PassNijojo-mae~Higashiyama0JPY
    Section 7Free PassHigashiyama-Sanjo~Gion0JPY
    Total1,520JPY

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meeting point Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto Lobby
    • 2. 10:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 3. 11:40 Daitoku-ji Main Temple (Sanmon Gate, Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall)
    • 4. 11:50 Obai-in
    • 5. 12:30 Ryogen-in
    • 6. 13:30 Lunch Nishio Yatsuhashi no Sato
    • 7. 14: 40 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 8. 15: 20 Cafe break AG Coffee Cafe
    • 9. 16: 20 Nishiki Market (Takakura-dori Entrance)
    • 10. 17: 10 Gion Tatsumi Bridge・Shinbashi
    • 11. 17: 20 Gion Hanamikoji Nishimura Tobacco Shop (Purchase cigar cutter knife)
    • 12. 17: 30 Gion Kobu・Ichiriki Chaya・Kaburenjo Theater
    • 13. 17:50 Dispersal at Restaurant Hiramatsu Kodaiji (Dinner reservation)

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, and Gion The guests were visitors from Europe. One of them was on a third trip to Japan, having previously visited Kyoto about twenty years ago and being quite familiar with the country, while the other was visiting Japan for the first time, so the experienced guest was in effect introducing Japan to their companion. Both of them took photos frequently and often asked for pictures of the two of them together at various spots. At Ryogen-in, a question was raised: "I have reaffirmed that Japan is a Buddhist country, but the Japanese people I see in films and on TV are not peaceful, humanitarian Buddhists — they come across with a very warlike image. Isn't that contradictory?" Honestly, I struggled to answer. On the way back along Ginkaku-ji-michi, we stopped at a coffee roastery for a break, and then, at the guests' request, we skipped Fushimi Inari and strolled through Nishiki Market instead. Also, after sightseeing in the Gion district, on the way to the restaurant on Ninenzaka in Higashiyama where they had made a dinner reservation, they were able to purchase a cigar cutter they had been looking for at a tobacco shop on Hanamikoji Street in Gion, which delighted them very much. We arrived at the restaurant as scheduled at 17:50, and we parted with smiles and a handshake.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusDaitoku-ji Mae~Kumano Shrine Mae230JPY
    Total230JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car

    Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel 8:00 → Pharmacy → Memorial Museum 10:00-11:50 → Fukushima Reconstruction Memorial Park 11:55-12:05 → Ukedo Elementary School 12:10-13:00 → View from the car・Ukedo Fishing Port・Mt. Ohira → Roadside Station Namie 13:20-14:00 → Futaba Station 14:10-14:30 → Decommissioning Archive Center 15:00-15:30 → Hotel 16:00

    Title: What Is a Private Fukushima Reconstruction Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests showed interest in every facility we visited. In particular, at the memorial museum they were deeply interested in the record of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, at Ukedo Elementary School they were struck by the building left as it was after the tsunami damage from the earthquake, and at the Decommissioning Archive Center they were deeply engaged with the account of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident and the efforts toward decommissioning. At the Fukushima Reconstruction Memorial Park, they said the view from the temporary observation deck was superb. Since it was a location where the Pacific Ocean could be seen, they seemed to like it especially. They appeared to enjoy seeing the reconstruction of the seawall along the coast. I had also wanted to take them to the Tomioka Winery, but there was not enough time. They mentioned that they would like to make a site visit to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

    ‘ve been a guide for 9 years. I’d like to show you around Hamadori, Fukushima prefecture. Fukushima Prefecture is divided into 3 regions, Aizu, Nakadori and Hamadori. Aizu is a historical city, Nakadori is the center of the economy, and Hamadori is on the Pacific coast and is the site of the Fukushima Daiichi and second Nuclear Power Plants in Fukushima prefecture. In winter, it snows a lot in Aizu, but it hardly snows in Hamadori , and there are many sunny days. You can ski in Aizu in winter and enjoy surfing in Hamadori in the evening on the same day. But it’s a little far. I live in Hamadori, Minamisoma city. In Hamadori, I would especially like to recommend fresh fish and friendly people. It faces the Pacific Ocean, so you can enjoy fresh fish. Especially, right-eyed flounders, flounders and arctic surf clam called Joban-mono are delicious. In Soma City, puffer fish and other fish have been caught recently, and it has become possible to enjoy puffer fish dishes in restaurant. Of course, sushi is the best. The local people are very kind and say hello to you when you meet them for the first time. And Hamadori was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. But the national government, prefectures, local governments, volunteers and local residents are making progress in the reconstruction. In the disaster-stricken areas, you can see, hear and feel what happened in 2011, what is happening now and what is going to happen in the future. There are the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster museum, the Tomioka Archive Museum, Robot Test Field a hydrogen plant, new style agriculture , and other earthquake-related facilities. If you like it, you can also enjoy traditional festivals such as the Soma Nomaoi festival and Futaba Daruma Festival. You can also enjoy wearing armor. I will show you around Hamadori.

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone-yumoto Motohakonekou & Parting

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone-yumoto Motohakonekou & Parting

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:53:Meeting at Hakone-yumoto station
    • 10:13~10:55: Hakone-yumoto (Bus) Motohakonekou
    • 11:05~11:30: Narukawa Museum
    • 11:30~12:45: Lunch
    • 12:45~!3:10: Ashinoko Cruising
    • 13:20~14:25: Togendai (Ropeway) Owakudani (Ropeway) Sounzan (Cable Car) Gora (Mountain Railway) Chokokunomori
    • 14:40~15:00: the Hakone Open-air Museum
    • 15:00: Parting

    What Is a Private Hakone Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a tour group from Oceania. From the morning meeting time until around 1:00 PM, the weather was rainy and visibility was extremely poor. Mount Fuji never appeared even for a moment throughout the tour. Despite this, the guests kept smiling throughout and seemed to genuinely enjoy the tour. For lunch, some of the guests had specific dietary preferences, but at a restaurant I had found through advance research, everyone was able to enjoy the meal without any problems. Throughout the tour, the guests enjoyed traveling on a variety of transportation, including a bus, a boat, a ropeway, a cable car, and a mountain railway. When the scheduled six hours had passed at the final destination, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, I explained the return route and then parted ways with the group on the museum grounds. I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassHakone-yumoto~Motohakone Port5,000JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    I have worked in the automotive industry for 44 years including 30 years with sales responsibility for the global car manufacturers. And I have lived in the U.S. for 20 years as permanent resident. I am quite familiar with communication in English with foreigners. I am confident not only to satisfy you but also to exceed your expectation with deep knowledge of Japan, especially for its culture based on the long history. There are many sightseers musts in Japan and I look forward to guiding you for beautiful sights, historic relics, and modern day-to-day life of the people here.

    Sep 28, 2024
    Peta_G
    Efficient and Comfortable way to Tour the Shizuoka Area
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Mike…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet @ Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi
    • 2.10:30 @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 3.12:00 @ Tokyo Tower
    • 4.13:20 @ Asakusa
    • 5.14:00 Disband @ Asakusa

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour of Tsukiji, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time. This trip was a family celebration marking a personal milestone. Some of the guests loved sushi, so we began by enjoying a variety of tuna at a stand-up sushi spot in Tsukiji. We shared candied strawberries, and at the Tsukiji fish market building we bought tuna rolls and Shine Muscat grapes, which we enjoyed at the rest area on the third floor. After that, we took in various views of Tokyo from the main deck of Tokyo Tower, then moved on to Asakusa. In Asakusa, we visited Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and the five-story pagoda. Unfortunately, the omikuji fortune drawn was a "bad luck" one, but I explained that by tying it up, one can leave the bad luck behind. After visiting the main hall, the guests wished to spend more time in Asakusa on their own, so we parted ways there. The weather was fine, and I believe they enjoyed the day. They remarked that everything was very affordable and clean.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOtemachi~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji~Kamiyacho178JPY
    Section 3SubwayAkabanecho~Asakusa220JPY
    Total576JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fumiko is a great tour guide – informative, friendly and very well…

  • Miyagi in Half a Day: Zuiganji Temple & Guided tour inside Sendai

    Miyagi in Half a Day: Zuiganji Temple & Guided tour inside Sendai

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @ Hotel Sendai
    • 9:56 From the nearest station (Aoba-dori Station) take the Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan Station
    • 11:00 Board the Matsushima sightseeing boat
    • 12:00 – 12:20 @ Zuiganji Temple
    • 12:25 – 13:00 @ Entsuin Temple
    • 13:11 From Matsushima-Kaigan Station to Sendai Station (S-PAL)
    • 13:50 Guided tour inside Sendai Station
    • 14:00 Lunch together at Hittsumian (S-PAL underground shopping street) ~ Dismissal

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Matsushima from Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I had the pleasure of guiding a quiet group from Europe. Their top request had been the Matsushima sightseeing cruise, which they had been looking forward to for a long time. On this trip, they had visited Hakodate and Sapporo before arriving in Sendai. Since they had already explored the Sendai Morning Market and the surrounding area the day before, I avoided repeating the same route to the station. We walked behind the Sendai Orthodox Church and headed to Aoba-dori Station, the terminal of the Senseki Line. From the Hotel, this is the nearest station and it is also less crowded, so I aimed for a stress-free journey. We chatted about various things on the way to Matsushima. For the sightseeing cruise, I had checked the website in advance and found that reservations now come with a 100-yen discount (the guide's ticket is often not discounted), so I booked three tickets. It is not a seat reservation, but the aim was to get the discount and avoid congestion at the ticket window. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy, and the cruise boat was nearly full. I managed to find two adjacent seats for the guests and took a seat behind them to guide. During the trip, one of the guests went out onto the deck several times, so I watched over the luggage. After getting off the boat, they wanted to see Zuiganji Temple before lunch, so I took them there, talking along the way about things like the temple approach that had been damaged by the tsunami. They were deeply impressed by the magnificent, ornate rooms of Zuiganji. Recalling the visual aid I am currently preparing (which I could not finish in time), I guided them by comparing events in Europe with the history of Zuiganji. The autumn leaves had only just begun to turn, but the garden of Entsuin was beautiful in the occasional rain. They seemed impressed by the beauty of the rock garden and other features. For lunch, one of the guests liked seafood but another did not, so I made suggestions on the way back toward the station. Nothing seemed to appeal to them, so I said, "There are more options inside Sendai Station," and we took an earlier train. Billing it as a "Sendai Station restaurant tour," we strolled through the SPAL complex, and when their eyes were drawn to a shop serving regional Tohoku cuisine, we decided on that. They enjoyed tonkatsu and katsudon, and said, "We had wanted to eat regional cuisine in Japan, so we're glad it worked out." Beef tongue is not something locals eat that much, and I thought that perhaps this kind of dish is actually more appreciated. The tonkatsu was made with Hakkin pork from Iwate, which is tastier than pork from Miyagi Prefecture. They also seemed to enjoy a local craft beer from Iwate.

    Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
    I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
    I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!

    May 10, 2026
    Nate_K
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun Day in the bay!
    Be ready to walk briskly…

    Apr 30, 2026
    Tanakainmaui
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko-san is the best guide!
    I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…

    Mar 31, 2026
    NHDBuilder
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
    This is our…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    This was a great tour with Riko
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko was…