Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: and sightseeing at Senso-ji Temple & Tokyo Tower

    Tokyo in One Day: and sightseeing at Senso-ji Temple & Tokyo Tower

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 8:30-9:15 Visit and sightseeing at Senso-ji Temple
    • 10:00-1030. Sightseeing at the Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge
    • 11:30-12:30. Sightseeing at Tokyo Tower, lunch
    • 12:30-13:15. Traveling, found out an appointment came up on the way, sightseeing at Shibuya Scramble, then disband

    What Does a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of friends visiting from North America. They were energetic and happy to walk a lot, so although I had considered taking a taxi from the Imperial Palace, they walked all the way from Nijubashi Bridge to Kasumigaseki without any trouble. Since it was their first visit to Japan, everything seemed fresh and interesting to them. For the first half, focusing on history, I guided them to Sensoji Temple and showed them Tokyo Tower, following a classic route. Along the way, I learned that they had a matcha reservation in Asakusa at 2:00, so I quickly changed our plan to go to Shinjuku and instead took them to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which they had long wanted to see, before we parted ways. They seemed to really enjoy the Scramble Crossing as well.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAsakusa～Hibiya286JPY
    Section 2TrainKasumigaseki～Kamiyacho178JPY
    Section 3TrainKamiyacho～Shibuya324JPY
    Total788JPY

    Tour Report by Kappa

    Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
    Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2025
    Michael_R
    Customized Hakone tour
    Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Kappa-san, modified the typical Hakone tour…

    May 18, 2025
    Leigh_M
    Kappa, our guide met us…
    Viator review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa, our guide met us at the…

    May 4, 2025
    panderhigs
    Kappa A+ Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa was an amazing guide who created a thorough…

    May 4, 2025
    O9621SBscottp
    Kappa is a wonderful tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I were treated…

  • Tokyo: Yanaka & Kiyosumi Garden

    Tokyo: Yanaka & Kiyosumi Garden

    Tokyo Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:15 meet @ Hotel
    • 10:34 Take the free shuttle bus to Shinagawa Station, then travel from Shinagawa Station to Nippori Station
    • 11:10 @Yanaka (Tennoji – Yanaka Cemetery Sakura Street – around Ueno Sakuragi – police box – SCAI THE BATHHOUSE – former Yoshidaya Liquor Store – Indigo and Silk Gallery Workshop Tokugen – Tsuiji-bei wall)
    • 13:00 Lunch @Shojuan
    • 14:00 @Yanaka (Asakura Museum of Sculpture (exterior) – Yanaka Ginza)
    • 14:40 Break @Guru Guru Gelato Yanaka Ginza branch
    • 15:00 Travel from Nippori Station to Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station
    • 15:30 @Fukagawa Edo Museum
    • 16:30 @ Kiyosumi Garden
    • 17:10 From Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station to Kinshicho Station
    • 17:17 Disband on the platform of the JR Sobu Line Rapid bound for Shinagawa at JR Kinshicho Station

    Title: What's an Off-the-Beaten-Path Private Tour of Tokyo's Yanaka and Kiyosumi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a private tour for guests visiting Tokyo from North America. From the planning stage, the guests had requested many destinations (a stroll in Shibamata was also initially on the list), so I had imagined they could walk fairly well. When we met, however, I learned that one of the guests used a cane and could not walk very quickly. It was their first time in Japan, but since they had joined a tour of major Tokyo attractions such as Senso-ji the previous day, they wanted this day to be off the beaten path, learning about Japanese culture and history. As it was a hot day, I asked them to stay hydrated and to let me know immediately if they felt unwell before we set off. Yanaka had few tourists and many highlights such as temples, Jizo statues, private homes, and old-fashioned shops, and the guests seemed to enjoy it very much. One of the guests liked an indigo-dyeing shop and spent quite a while picking up shawls with various dye patterns, unable to decide. Because it was so hot and walking took time, we ended up having a later lunch than planned. It was a first soba experience using a fork, but I was glad they enjoyed the atmosphere of the traditional shop. One of the guests was also very interested in Japan's education system and many other topics, so it was wonderful to be able to talk about so many things. After cooling off a bit, we headed to Yanaka Ginza after lunch. One of the guests bought a beckoning-cat strap at a bamboo craft shop. Since one of the guests seemed a little tired after lunch, we took a break at a gelato shop that was said to be a favorite. As we were running behind schedule, I consulted with the guests and we decided to skip Nezu Shrine and head to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. The Fukagawa Edo Museum was nicely air-conditioned, and one of the guests rested on a bench for a while. With the other guest, we walked through the row houses and looked at how the people of Fukagawa lived at the end of the Edo period. At one guest's request, we went to Kiyosumi Garden just before closing time. One of the guests rested on a bench after taking photos, while I walked once around the pond with the other guest. The guest loved the quiet, relaxed atmosphere of the garden and was deeply moved. Thinking it would be difficult for the guests to travel from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station all the way back to their hotel in Shinagawa on their own, I saw them off at Kinshicho, put them on a train bound for Shinagawa on the platform, and we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa Station～Nippori Station208JPY
    Section 2TrainNippori Station～Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station355JPY
    Section 3SubwayKiyosumi-shirakawa Station～Kinshicho Station178JPY
    Total741JPY

    Tour Report by Miyuki

    Hello, my name is Miyuki. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter since 2019. I was born in Saitama, 30 km north of Tokyo. I have lived there until today. I like Japanese traditional culture. I love bonsai and work as a guide in the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. I am also learning the tea ceremony. Both bonsai and tea ceremonies make you feel relaxed and refreshed. I used to be a member of a Japanese archery club when I was a university student. Visiting shrines, temples and traditional gardens also makes me happy. You cannot miss eating Japanese food and sweets after visiting there. Let’s enjoy walking around Japan together!

    Hallo, mein Name ist Miyuki. Ich bin nationale anerkannte Reiseleiterin. Ich begleite Sie gerne durch Tokyo. Tokyo hat verschiedene Gesichter, mal traditionelle mal moderne. Da gibt es Shinto-Schreine, buddhistische Tempel, und typische japanische Gärten zu sehen, während man z. B. in Harajuku moderne Kultur und Mode erleben kann. Wollen wir zusammen bummeln und entdecken, was Tokyo ist!
    Ich empfehle Ihnen auch einen Besuch zum Omiya Bonsai Dorf. Da kann man sich allerlei Bonsai Bäume ansehen.
    Ich freue mich schon darauf, Sie zu sehen!

    Request Booking

    Jul 11, 2026
    WolfgangSD
    Tripadvisor review: Omiya Bonsai Village Private Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour
    Miyuki-san was very knowlegdable and friendly, it was…

    Sep 15, 2025
    John B
    Fantastic tour of Bonsai Museum and nurseries with knowledgeable and friendly guide Miyuko
    Tripadvisor review: Private Omiya Bonsai Village Tour…

    Sep 30, 2024
    Resort01967483239
    Great experience, leant heaps
    Tripadvisor review: Private Omiya Bonsai Village Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miyuki was delightful, she was very friendly…

    Sep 20, 2024
    enriquels01
    Great prívate Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Everything was great!
    Miyuki was extremely nice and she…

  • Aomori in Half a Day: the Hirosaki & Aomori

    Aomori in Half a Day: the Hirosaki & Aomori

    Hirosaki Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • ear Michael Clark and Susan Soukoulis
    • Welcome to Aomori !
    • 【Hirosaki Tour】 12th September 2024
    • ～Itinerary ～
    • Aomori city is the capital city of the Aomori prefecture with 280,000
    • population, connecting Tokyo and Aomori by the Shinkansen, or bullet train in 3
    • hours or 1 hour flight.
    • < Proposal Itinerary>
    • 8:30 Meeting at the Toyoko Inn Aomori Ekimae.
    • 9:04 To the Hirosaki by JR express train.
    • 9:38 Hirosaki station arrive. To Saishouin Temple by taxi.
    • 10:00 – 10:40 Saishouin Temple and Five-storied Pagoda.
    • To Hirosaki park by taxi.
    • 10:50 – 11:50 Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle.　
    • （Admission fee: 310 yen/one-person)
    • 11:50 To Hirosaki station by taxi.
    • 12:24 To Aomori by JR train.
    • 13:12 Aomori arrive.

    What Is a Private Guided Tour of Hirosaki Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide KUDO led a private tour of Hirosaki for guests visiting from Oceania in September. The tour covered Saishoin Temple, Hirosaki Castle, and the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village. The guests shared that summer temperatures in their home region can reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius, with 40 degrees being common. After a cruise around Japan, the guests were enjoying a journey using a JR Pass (about 80,000 yen per person for two weeks, valid for non-reserved shinkansen seats, and more expensive than the previous year). Their route ran from Sapporo to Hakodate, Aomori, Morioka, and Aizu-Wakamatsu, before returning home in late September. Why Aomori? "We heard from a friend about the beauty of the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki. We wanted to avoid the crowds and noise of places like Kyoto and Osaka, which are affected by overtourism, and visit a quiet regional city instead." As I walked with a limp, one of the guests kindly asked, "Are you all right?" and shared some encouraging advice from personal experience, suggesting that it can be beneficial to have such procedures done at a younger age. At Saishoin Temple, the guests remarked, "What a peaceful moment this is! We're so glad we came to Aomori." At the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, one of the guests saw a "red octopus neputa" and gave a lecture on the ecology of octopuses, and when we tried Aomori's soul food "igamenchi," went on to explain the ecology of squid — the difference between squid and cuttlefish, and more. I couldn't quite follow all of it, but I was grateful for the fascinating talk. When guiding guests of a similar generation to my own, we tend to get excited over shared topics. The guests said they would love to return during the cherry blossom festival season at Hirosaki Castle.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Ou Line, Aomori Station → Hirosaki Station, Ticket: 680 yen & Limited Express ticket: 520 yen～JR Ou Line, Hirosaki Station → Aomori Station, Ticket: 680 yen & Limited Express ticket: 520 yen2,400JPY
    Total2,400JPY

    Tour Report by Tomohiko

    My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
    I live in Aomori city.
    I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
    After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
    Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
    Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
    Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
    Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
    I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
    If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
    What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.

    Request Booking

    Jun 2, 2025
    413maryannb
    Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…

    Apr 30, 2025
    Jacqueline_F
    Great Guide, great tour
    Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…

    Dec 30, 2024
    Scenic33296385055
    Warm and professional guide
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…

    Aug 3, 2024
    Monika R
    Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We were 3…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Philosopher's Path & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Philosopher’s Path & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hotel Kyoto
    • 11:00 to 11:30 Philosopher's Path
    • 11:30 to 12:30 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:45 to 13:45 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 14:30 to 15:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 15:45 to 16:30 Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda,
    • 16:30 Dismissal　　 Nene-no-Michi

    What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like When Guests Drive Their Own Rental Car? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's tour was originally planned to use public transportation, but just before the tour it was changed to travel by a rental car driven by the guests. Since I felt uneasy about riding in a car driven by overseas guests who were unfamiliar with Japanese road conditions, I offered to travel separately by taxi at my own expense. The guests were displeased with this suggestion, and given that continuing the tour in such an atmosphere would have been difficult, I ultimately rode along with them. I stayed on guard throughout the drive, but felt relieved once we arrived in the Kiyomizu-dera area, where speeds have to be kept low. I am glad the tour ended without any accidents.

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

    Tour Report by Haru

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Request Booking

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00: Hotel – Welcome guests
    • 2. 9:15 Stroll through the front garden of the former Hokkaido Government Office
    • 3. 9:30 Visit Sapporo Clock Tower (admission)
    • 4. 10:00 Visit TV Tower (ascend to observation deck)
    • 5. 11:00 Visit Nijo Market
    • 6. 11:30 Stroll through Odori Park
    • 7. 12:00 Susukino Ramen Yokocho (lunch)
    • 8. 13:00 Hotel – See off guests

    What Is a Private Sapporo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The group leader was a person of Japanese origin. The other guests could communicate in English, and I was able to converse with them directly in English, but their native language was a German dialect, so in the latter half the leader often interpreted into that German dialect for the other guests. At Nijo Market, the guests showed great interest in the rows of shops with a distinctly Japanese atmosphere. In Susukino, they lined up at a ramen shop in Ramen Yokocho and enjoyed the flavors of Sapporo. The weather was fine as well, and I believe the guests comfortably enjoyed the tour.

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

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

    Request Booking

    Feb 7, 2025
    Stay38335184325
    A very frosty day in a very interesting little seaside town
    Tripadvisor review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our…

    Dec 27, 2024
    G
    G5102BEannied
    Sapporo, Hokaido Winter Escapade
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had an experienced tour guide…

    Oct 30, 2024
    Clarice W
    A Day of Joy at Otaru Canal, Half-day Walking Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Katsuko-san…

  • Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour

    Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour

    Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00: Meet at Shimizu Port, tour departure
    • 10:40: Arakurayama Sengen Park. Mt. Fuji not visible at all, and since there was someone in the group who had difficulty climbing the steep stairs, we departed after only a restroom break.
    • 11:15~12:00: Ide Brewery. Guests were very interested in sake tasting. Four people sampled 15 types of sake. They purchased 3 bottles of their favorite brand.
    • 12:15~13:00: Lunch at Gusto. They were delighted that a robot brought the food.
    • 13:15~14:15: Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba. Two women experienced wearing kimono. Two men and one boy experienced wearing samurai armor. Guests were very satisfied.
    • 14:45~15:00: Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. Anything after 15:00 is recorded in the extension report.

    What Is a Private Fuji-Area Day Tour Like When Mt. Fuji Is Hidden? A Licensed Guide's Report Because Mount Fuji did not show itself, I focused the time on experiences (sake tasting, wearing kimono and samurai armor) rather than on enjoying the scenery. The guests seemed delighted with experiences that can only be had in Japan. The guests had wished to extend the tour time from the very beginning. At an early stage, [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) inquired with me about whether an extension was possible, and I replied that it was. Despite my repeated requests to contact the taxi company, the response from [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) came only the day before the tour, stating that arrangements had not been made because there was no request from the guests in the system. By then the guests were already aboard the cruise ship and unable to submit an extension request. In addition, on the morning of the tour, the taxi driver said they had not been informed of any extension.

    Click here for more details: Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Mike

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hiroshima Station
    • 12:30 Miyajima
    • 14:30 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 17:00 Hiroshima Station

    Can You Do a Private Miyajima Tour by Shinkansen? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. I always make it a point to wait on the platform for guests arriving by Shinkansen. This time there was no arrival information until the last minute, which made me a little anxious, but the guests kindly contacted me via a messaging app just before boarding at Shin-Osaka. It was a family trip. Some of the guests live in North America and others live in North America as well. The weather was fine and the tide had gone out, so the sandy beach was exposed even more than usual, and I had the group take a leisurely stroll around the torii gate.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station～Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station～Hiroshima Peace Park220JPY
    Total970JPY

    Tour Report by Yuji

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Request Booking

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

  • Osaka: Nara Park & Nakatanidou

    Osaka: Nara Park & Nakatanidou

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ Sowaka
    • 10:40 Nara Park
    • 10:55 Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
    • 11:40 Nigatsu-do
    • 12:10 Kasuga Taisha
    • 12:40 Manyo Botanical Garden
    • 13:10 Lunch @ Kasuga Nichaya
    • 14:20 Kofuku-ji
    • 15:00 Nakatanidou
    • 17:00 Dismiss @ Shijo Kawaramachi

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Kyoto to Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. As it was the final day of their first trip to Japan, they had been very satisfied with the itinerary up to that point. At Nara Park, the deer were a little aggressive, but the guests enjoyed interacting with them throughout. They were also very interested in the historic buildings and Buddhist statues, asking detailed questions. The tour was a round trip from Kyoto, and on the train back one of the guests said, "I've come to prefer the calm atmosphere of Nara over Kyoto, which is too crowded." Since I forgot to take photos in Nara, I have attached a snapshot taken at Shijo-ohashi Bridge just before we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGion-Shijo～Tambabashi280JPY
    Section 2TrainTambabashi～Kintetsu Nara680JPY
    Section 3BusKintetsu Nara Station～Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall250JPY
    Section 4BusKasuga Taisha Omote-sando～Kintetsu Nara Station250JPY
    Section 5TrainKintetsu Nara～Tambabashi680JPY
    Section 6TrainTambabashi～Gion-Shijo280JPY
    Total2,420JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

    Request Booking

    Jul 13, 2025
    H2enjoy
    Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…

    Jun 20, 2025
    zoranm709
    Kyoto great tour experience.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

    Jun 18, 2025
    Adventurer310309
    Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife…

    May 26, 2025
    SK G
    Excellent tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Hotel – 16:15 Meiji Shrine – 17:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 17:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing – 18:40 Asakusa Sensoji Temple – 19:10 Dinner – 21:00 Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho, disband

    What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Shinjuku The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from South America. Explanations were kindly interpreted within the group so everyone could follow along, since English was not fully understood by everyone. The guests were very curious, quickly asking questions whenever they spotted something unusual, such as passing cars, and were eager to try everything themselves. At Meiji Shrine, the guests purified their hands and mouths at the water basin and purchased several protective charms as souvenirs. By the time we reached Asakusa, dusk had settled in. At a long-established sukiyaki restaurant, the guests enjoyed premium wagyu beef, even ordering seconds and feeling thoroughly satisfied with dinner. The tour concluded at "Omoide Yokocho" in Shinjuku, making for a wonderfully full day.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku-sanchome～Kitasando178JPY
    Section 2BusJingumae 1-chome～Shibuya Station West Exit210JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya～Asakusa252JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa～Shin-okachimachi178JPY
    Section 5SubwayShin-okachimachi～Shinjuku West Exit220JPY
    Total1,038JPY

    Tour Report by Michio

    Welcome to Japan. My name is Michio, your tour guide in Tokyo and Japan. I was born and grown up in Tokyo, and still living in western suburb of Tokyo with my wife, except for 10 years outside of Japan travelling and living in 60 countries. So I might have visited your country and still remember a few words.
    Japan has unique history, nature and culture, and there are plenty of secrets and wonders behind them such as food culture, Zen and Ninja.
    So please explore and discover the hidden and most beautiful part of Japan together. Let’s experience!

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    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking tour was fantastic! Michio…

    Oct 24, 2025
    410trishab
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Outstanding Tour with Michio and Nobuhiko!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from…

    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:15 Hotel meet　8:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove　9:25 Kinkaku-ji　10:50 Nijo Castle　　12:10 Ginkaku-ji　　13:20 Drop off at Gion, tour ends

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji The tour was scheduled to start with a hotel meeting at 7:00, but the guest appeared in the lobby about 15 minutes late, seemingly having overslept due to tiredness. The guest was visiting Japan from Europe. The guest worked for a company trading in markets centered on Japan, Europe, and Asia, and was sightseeing in Kyoto during a break from work. The guest was originally from Europe and used their native language at home with family. The guest seemed to enjoy taking photos of the scenery even more than I did. The guest had apparently gone sightseeing in Osaka the previous day, but mentioned that Kyoto felt like a bigger city than Osaka, perhaps because there was more to see. After visiting Ginkaku-ji, the guest said they wanted to have lunch in Gion, so I saw them off to Gion and the tour ended there. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassGojo～Kyoto1,100JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3TrainRanden Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 4Free PassKitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi0JPY
    Section 5Free PassKinkakuji-michi～Nishioji-Oike0JPY
    Section 6Free PassNishioji-Oike～Nijojo-mae0JPY
    Section 7Free PassNijojo-mae～Sanjo-Keihan0JPY
    Section 8Free PassSanjo-Keihan～Ginkaku-ji0JPY
    Section 9Free PassGinkaku-ji～Gion0JPY
    Total1,590JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    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.

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    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…