Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Kiyomizu-dera

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at NOKU Kyoto
    • 9:20 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 10:45 Nijo Castle
    • 12:30 Lunch at Honke Tagoto
    • 2:00 Sanjusangendo
    • 3:10 Yasaka Pagoda ~ Yasaka Koshindo ~ Sannenzaka
    • 3:30 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 4:20 Break at Le Palais Gourmand Sugimoto (Higashiyama Sanjo)
    • 5:20 Disband at Karasuma Oike Station

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera The guests were visitors from North America. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was uncrowded and quiet, so the guests could enjoy it slowly and at a relaxed pace. At Nijo Castle, perhaps because of poor air circulation, the heat and humidity were quite severe even amid this intense heat wave, and the guests began to walk more quickly partway through, so I gave only a brief explanation. The guests very much enjoyed the soba noodles at the restaurant we visited for lunch. At Kiyomizu-dera, the guests appeared tired due to the large crowds and the long day, so they did not go inside, and I gave a short explanation from the front. Afterward, they rested at a café, regained their energy, and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayImadegawa~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae220JPY
    Section 3TrainGion-Shijo~Shichijo170JPY
    Section 4TrainShichijo~Gion-Shijo170JPY
    Section 5BusShijo-Keihan~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Section 6BusGojozaka~Higashiyama Sanjo230JPY
    Section 7SubwayHigashiyama~Karasuma Oike220JPY
    Total1,460JPY

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

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

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour

    Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Koyasan Station Meet up→Bus travel
    • Daimon Gate Sightseeing
    • Nyonin-michi (Women's Pilgrimage Route) Daimon Gate→Short walk→Beside Reihokan Museum→Danjo Garan
    • Danjo Garan Sightseeing→Bus travel
    • Okunoin Path Sightseeing
    • Lunch 
    • Return to Okunoin Path Sightseeing
    • In front of Okunoin→Bus travel
    • Kongobuji Temple Sightseeing
    • Dismissal

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Koyasan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Asia, so I introduced them to the quiet mountain path (the Nyonin-do women's pilgrimage route). I explained the history and Buddhism, and also touched on India's historical background, including the influence of Hinduism. To save time, I minimized the walking distance, stopping at a restaurant partway along the Okunoin path before returning to the trail, so that we walked about two-thirds of it. Since the Okunoin path has many graves of Sengoku-era warlords, I explained while showing a map of Japan on which I had marked their home territories. Because I adjusted the itinerary while checking the timetable, we were able to use all the buses with almost no waiting time (the fact that everything is currently on a special route via Daimon actually turned out to be convenient).

    I grew up in the mountain village. I learned many things from my family, especially my grandmother. I can give you many interesting experiences in the wild nature. We eat wild strawberries or “Sukanpo ” the edible grass, fly ferns or cross a suspension bridge.
    I walked all of Kumano Kodo, Koyasan pilgrimage roads and other ancient highways, total length is more than 600km ( 400 miles).
    I want you to show the interesting spots beyond the guide book. Kii mountain range has old history as well as beautiful land scapes. I’ll take you the excellent places you can do Facebook bragging.
    My experiences for guiding foreigners are, town of Koyasan, pilgrimage road to Koyasan, Kumano Kodo Nakahechi, hot springs, Shingu city and Nachi Katsuura town, Kushimoto area, Shirahama area so on.
    I wish to meet you soon!

    May 12, 2025
    andrewgT8079NS
    Wonderful guide and magical scenery and locations.
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful, interesting…

    Apr 29, 2025
    farmahel
    A truly magnificent journey through the Kumano Kodo with a wonderfully kind Hira
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip…

    Apr 27, 2025
    Sofia_N
    Had a great time. Guide…
    Viator review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    Had a great time.…

    Mar 23, 2025
    G
    GoPlaces681850
    Wonderful time with a local.
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Hira,…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijojo Castle & front of Nishiki Food Market

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijojo Castle & front of Nishiki Food Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 I'l pick you up in the lobby of your hotel "Hilton Kyoto"
    • 10:20 Nijojo Castle
    • 11:10 (take taxi)
    • 11:30 Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 12:20 (take taxi)
    • 13:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • (take taxi)
    • 14:10 in front of Nishiki Food Market

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market 1. The guests were visitors from North America, and I picked them up at a hotel in Kyoto that had opened just one week earlier. 2. It was hot again today, so we took the subway to Nijo Castle first, but after that we traveled by taxi at the guests' request. 3. The guests mentioned that they had visited Osaka Castle the day before, so I introduced Nijo Castle while weaving in stories about the Tokugawa and Toyotomi families. 4. There were many students out today, and when I explained that Japan's school year runs from April to March, the guests shared that in their region it starts in September and ends in July. 5. After the tour, the guests wanted to have lunch, so I took them to the entrance of Nishiki Market, where the tour concluded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayIn front of Kyoto City Hall~In front of Nijojo Castle220JPY
    Total220JPY

    Hello, I’m HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as a famous shogun who unified Japan for the first time in 1590.
    I was born in Kobe, worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce you Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama.
    In Kyoto, I can guide you Nijojo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Tempe (Golden Pavilion), Gion area, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
    In Osaka, I’ll show you Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky biilding. We have locall foods such as Kushikatau, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
    In Kobe, I’ll take you to former foreign residential area, Sannomiya Shopping Street, Chinese Market, and Arima Onsen.
    In Nara, I’ll guide you Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Yakushiji Temple.
    In Wakayama, I take you to Koyasan, the center of Esoteric Buddhism.
    I enjoy guiding foreign tourists.
    I can show you Japanese history, especially samurai period, and Shinto and Buddhism.
    I’ve been looking forward to guiding you !!

    Jun 1, 2026
    Stephan_F
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great overview of the…
    Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with…

    May 28, 2025
    terrym866
    Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with…

    Oct 17, 2024
    katiya2017
    Walking visit in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
    We booked a full day walking…

    Sep 29, 2024
    Roy_M
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a very good private tour with…

  • Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour

    Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0640 Meet at Hotel
    • 0715 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 0900 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 1000 Yasaka Shrine
    • 1030 Disband at Gion

    Title: What Is a Private Family Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They were friendly and very polite throughout the tour. It was a very hot day, and at the guests' request they wanted to use taxis (Uber), so we took the train for the first leg and then traveled by car from Fushimi Inari Taisha to Kiyomizu-dera. We walked from Kiyomizu through the Higashiyama area, taking breaks along the way and enjoying ice cream as we strolled. At the end, the guests boarded a car (Uber) in Gion, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total370JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Oct 10, 2025
    alijohn48
    Just what we were looking for
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Tomy was…

    Aug 8, 2025
    Katherine_G
    Fantastic day touring Kyoto with private tour guide & driver!
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max…

    Jul 22, 2025
    98patrickn
    early morning tour of Kyoto with guide Tomy
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We did an early…

    Jul 20, 2025
    Mark_S
    Great day in Kyoto
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a great…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Kyobashi Meet-up – Tsukiji – Hamarikyu – Asakusa – Meiji Shrine – Harajuku Dismissal

    What Can You See on a Private Walking Tour of Tsukiji and Hamarikyu in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report In addition to the requested locations, I added Tsukiji and Hamarikyu, which the guests were very pleased with. At the soba restaurant, the guests ordered sake and enjoyed a toast together, as well as buying some souvenirs. Also, my previous submission was lost, so this is my second time filling this out, and I have kept it simple. This time I will save it first and then attach a reduced-size photo. This never happened with the earlier version. Going forward, I hope a system can be built that allows submissions to go through in one attempt under any circumstances.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKyobashi~Harajuku600JPY
    Total600JPY

    Hello! I am Kyoko who has been working as a guide since 2017. I was born in Kyoto. So, my name comes from Kyoto which is Japan’s beautiful ancient capital . And “ko” literally means child in Japanese. Thus, my name Kyoko means Kyoto’s child, Kyoko. But some guests call me Kyoto. It’s okay, not a big problem.
    But to say the truth, I feel like this, ” Am I like an ancient person? No way~!!…” I am mainly guiding in and around Tokyo. Tokyo has two faces of well-advanced and old-fashioned. So, you can enjoy both high-tech technology and historical culture plus delicious food and drinks,too. You will surely be inspired in this city with me. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Thank you in advance!

    Sep 9, 2025
    salanicolas
    Superb Tokyo guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoko was great! Super knowledgeable, a lot of fun,…

    Jun 19, 2025
    josephk547
    A definite must-do when visiting Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (Tokyo DEP.)
    Absolutely amazing tour…

    May 24, 2025
    sandrashachar
    Terrific Tokyo Tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a fantastic tour of the Asakusa Shrine,…

    May 22, 2025
    andywP8147WV
    Private Guided Tour in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our wonderful guide Kyoko prepared an excellent…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Kokoen Garden & Himeji Castle

    Hyogo in One Day: Kokoen Garden & Himeji Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ JR Himeji Station
    • 10:45 @ Mount Shosha・Engyoji Temple
    • 13:30 @ Kokoen Garden
    • 14:15 @ Himeji Castle
    • 16:00 Disband @ JR Himeji Station

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Even though today was again unusually hot, they were able to move around smoothly by staying well hydrated frequently. The guests showed genuine interest and curiosity at each spot and asked many questions. One of the guests had knowledge of Japanese history and asked some quite in-depth questions as well. They also shared many rare and truly fascinating stories about their home region in North America, which made the experience very meaningful for me as a guide. After the tour, the guests planned to return to Kyoto, but wanted to have lunch before that, so I introduced some local specialties and a restaurant district before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Himeji Station~Mount Shosha Ropeway Station1,700JPY
    Total1,700JPY

    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

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1000 Meet at Hotel Trusty Tokyo Bayside (5 min from Tokyo Big Sight Station)
    • 1110 Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
    • 1220 Kabukicho Godzilla Road, 3D Cat Display, Lunch at Yoronotaki in Omoide Yokocho
    • 1340 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 1440 Harajuku, overview explanation at Meiji Shrine First Torii, Takeshita Street, Omotesando, decided to skip at the entrance of Cat Street
    • 1540 Shibuya, Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing
    • 1600 Guided to the Ginza Line boarding area and dispersed

    Title: What Can You See on a Half-Day Private Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise Departure? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of three from North America. One of the guests performs on a cruise ship, and since there were only two nights of performances this time, the others joined. Initially, expecting the ship to dock at the Tokyo Cruise Terminal, they had booked a Hotel, and some of the guests arrived at Haneda the previous night. However, since the ship docked at Yokohama Osanbashi Pier, they moved by taxi in the evening to the Hotel. Tonight, after dinner, one of the guests will return to Osanbashi Pier and rejoin the group the next morning at the Hotel. Because they needed to board at Osanbashi Pier by 4:00 PM the next day, they consulted me about sightseeing only in the morning. Given the location, I suggested a round trip by taxi to Sensoji Temple. Since they wanted a kitchen knife, I introduced them to the Kyusuke Hamono Shin-Nakamise branch. Today's itinerary was based on their wish to try traveling by subway. Having heard about a recent trip to Japan from a relative, they also wanted to walk from Harajuku to Cat Street. However, at the entrance to Cat Street, due to the intense heat, one of the guests gave up, and since they still wanted to see Shibuya, we moved there by subway. After this, they will travel to Shimizu, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. They will have time in Osaka, but since the ship's tours were already fully booked and they were considering walking on their own, I suggested they try booking through the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) website.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo Big Sight~Shiodome388JPY
    Section 2SubwayShiodome~Tochomae272JPY
    Section 3SubwayTochomae~Shinjuku-nishiguchi178JPY
    Section 4SubwayShinjuku~Shinjuku-gyoenmae178JPY
    Section 5TrainSendagaya~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 6TrainOmotesando~Shibuya178JPY
    Total1,340JPY

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meeting Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    • 2. 10:30 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple)
    • 3. 12:20 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Harajuku Street)
    • 4. 13:30 Dismissal Omotesando

    What Can You See in a Private Tokyo Day Tour of Asakusa and Harajuku? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania, and it was their second day of a stay in Japan. Some of the guests were already familiar with Tokyo from having lived in Japan before, while others were visiting for the first time. On this day the request was to see Asakusa and Harajuku, so I focused the tour on these two areas. In addition to explaining each location, I gave commentary on Japanese history, culture, and religion, and the guests were pleased, saying they had learned a great deal. It was a hot and humid day that felt like the return of midsummer, but since the guests preferred to travel by taxi, this had no real impact on the tour. I really wish we could be spared such midsummer-like weather when we are already approaching late September…

    Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
    I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
    Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
    Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
    A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
    I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
    Nobu

    Jun 2, 2026
    amandavW9846AW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo day trip!
    We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

    May 25, 2026
    Matthew_C
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobu was an excellent and…
    Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

    May 24, 2026
    Diane D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
    Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

    Apr 28, 2026
    GrandTour57165664797
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome!
    It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…

  • Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour

    Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 12:30 Meet up @Hotel Lutheran
    • 2. 13:30 @Koreatown
    • 3. 14:30 @Minami (Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Namba Yasaka Shrine)
    • 4. 17:00 @Tsutenkaku
    • 5. 18:30 Disband @Namba

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The itinerary had been arranged in advance. On the day of the tour, since the guests had already visited some places on their own, they decided to change the plan on short notice, switching from the Umeda Sky Building to Namba Yasaka Shrine. Looking back, Namba Yasaka Shrine seemed to be the highlight, as the guests happily dedicated ema votive plaques together and took many photos. There was a 30-minute wait at Tsutenkaku Tower, but the guests were delighted with the special observation deck. Since they wanted to have okonomiyaki for dinner, I recommended one of my favorite spots and we parted ways in Namba. I believe the guests had a relaxed and enjoyable time throughout.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Tsuruhashi820JPY
    Total820JPY

    Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!

    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
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  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:30 Meet up @Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
    • 2. 10:15 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 3. 11:10 @Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Station Building)
    • 4. 11:40 @Ginza (Chuo-dori Street, Kabuki-za Theatre)
    • 5. 12:10 @Tsukiji (Food Walking Tour, Sushi Lunch)
    • 6. 13:30 @Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple (Main Hall, Shopping at Cafe Shop)
    • 7. 14:20 @Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Matcha Cafe Break, Sumida Park, Partial Dismissal at Cutlery Shop)
    • 8. 15:40 Dismissal @Ginza Mitsukoshi Cosmetics Section

    # What's a Private Tokyo Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Beyond The guests were a group visiting from North America and the Middle East, though the language they spoke among themselves was Russian, and they were trilingual, also speaking Hebrew and English. It was their first visit to Japan, and after Tokyo they planned to travel to Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Osaka, with some of the guests also visiting Hiroshima. One of the guests did not eat fish, so while the others greatly enjoyed a sushi lunch at Tsukiji, that guest ordered only lemonade, which worried me a little, but afterward the guest happily enjoyed soy sauce rice crackers at Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Later, when we took a break at a tea house, the guest tried a matcha latte and delightedly said it was "the most delicious matcha I have ever tasted in my life." The guests listened attentively to my explanations about transportation such as JR, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway, and asked questions about how some stations keep to the right and others to the left, as well as about the digital countdown displays under traffic signals and the tactile paving blocks on sidewalks. In the end, I guided each part of the group to the shopping spots they were interested in — a specialty knife shop in Asakusa for some of the guests, and a cosmetics brand counter in a department store in Ginza for the others — and we parted ways in two stages.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Shinjuku Station~Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station900JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Yamanote Line Tokyo Station~Yurakucho Station146JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station~Ginza Line Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station~Ginza Station0JPY
    Total1,046JPY

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

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