Category: Uncategorized

  • Hyogo in One Day: Kokoen Garden

    Hyogo in One Day: Kokoen Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 Meet at Himeji Station North Exit
    • 10:10 Arrive at Himeji Castle, sightseeing
    • 13:20 Move to Kokoen Garden
    • 13:30 Lunch at Kassuiken in Kokoen Garden
    • 14:10 Stroll around Kokoen Garden
    • 14:40 Leave Kokoen Garden and head to Himeji Station
    • 15:10 Disband at Himeji Station

    What Is a 6-Hour Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report For this 6-hour tour, I proposed showing several sights including Shosha-zan, but at the guests' request it became a relaxed walking tour centered on Himeji Castle. We began by viewing the city from the deck view at Himeji Station, then walked along Miyuki-dori, a street lined with many banks, so the guests could stop at a bank that accepts international cards, before continuing to the Otemon Gate. After passing through the ticket office of Himeji Castle, I received many questions and was able to guide them slowly through the Hyakken Corridor. After having lunch at Kassuigen, we strolled through the grounds, enjoying the trees and flowing water. Since the guests planned to watch the Daimonji Gozan no Okuribi in Kyoto in the evening, we walked back to Himeji Station after finishing at Koko-en in order to catch the Shinkansen. When we arrived at Himeji Station, it was just about time for the Shinkansen to depart, and we said goodbye at the station ticket gate.

    Hello, I’m your tour guide, Rie Ito. Please call me Rie. I have been living in Himeji for 40 years. I would like to show you around our beautiful city. Himeji is very famous for its several sightseeing places. Especially, as the most recommended place, we boast Himeji Castle, the first World Heritage Site of Japan. When you see this message, please contact me through WhatsApp. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask me before the tour. I am sure you will enjoy this local city of Japan with me! I’m looking forward to seeing you. Thank you.

    Apr 25, 2026
    Alix_M
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Himeji castle
    Fantastic tour of the beautiful Himeji castle!…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    Rie is an excellent guide with a lot of knowledge to share
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed…

    Aug 6, 2025
    OMAR_A
    Excellente visite avec guide dynamique
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour avec une guide compétente et…

    Apr 30, 2025
    JandK14
    A perfect day in Himeji: We saw the cherry blossoms at their peak and had Rie as our guide!
    Tripadvisor review:…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 14:00 Meet at Hotel Shinsaibashi, departure ➡ By subway 14:40 Umeda Sky Building ➡ By subway 16:00 Osaka Castle ➡ By taxi 17:30 Dotonbori ➡ After guiding through Dotonbori, disperse around 18:00

    What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Umeda Sky Building and Dotonbori The guests were a calm group visiting from North America. At the Sky Building, the open-air garden was unfortunately closed due to a thunderstorm forecast, but they enjoyed the view from inside the 40th floor. At Dotonbori, they were excited by the many street foods and restaurants. The guests used Mobile Suica. One of them had not completed the necessary processing when exiting the subway gate, which caused an error afterward, so the required processing had to be done at the subway gate. This sort of thing happens from time to time. I felt I should explain before use that they need to hold the card firmly over the automatic reader at the gate.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinsaibashi~Umeda240JPY
    Section 2SubwayUmeda~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Total480JPY

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Kumamoto in One Day: Kumamoto Castle & Yusuitei

    Kumamoto in One Day: Kumamoto Castle & Yusuitei

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:19 meet @Kumamoto Station Shinkansen Exit (originally scheduled to arrive at 11:41, but they took a later train)
    • 12:50 Sakura no Baba Josaien Eating while walking around the food stalls
    • 13:30 Kumamoto Castle
    • 15:00 Suizenji Jojuen Garden
    • 15:50 Yusuitei
    • 16:20 Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
    • 17:40 Disband @Kumamoto Station Amu Plaza

    What Is a Private Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Garden Tour Like for Cruise Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests had arrived by cruise ship, and because immigration took longer than expected, the tour started at 12:19. The group had great physical stamina and did not mind the many stairs at Kumamoto Castle or the very hot weather, so the tour proceeded quickly and we were able to make up for the 30-minute delay. They were a wonderfully close group and truly lovely people. Some of the guests loved animals and happily fed the carp and turtles at Suizenji Garden. It was the kind of group that made me feel happy just to be with them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKumamoto Station~Sakura no Baba Josaien800JPY
    Section 2Free PassShiyakusho-mae~Suizenji Koen-mae0JPY
    Section 3Free PassSuizenji Koen-mae~Shiyakusho-mae0JPY
    Section 4Free PassKenritsu Bijutsukan Bunkan-mae~Kumamoto Station-mae0JPY
    Total800JPY

    In 2016, I obtained the National Guide Certification and have been guiding mainly tours in Kumamoto City, but also in neighboring areas such as Aso, Takachiho, and Unzen. I have learned a lot from guiding and have had the invaluable experience of interacting with guests from many different countries. I love being a guide and also I think guiding job is physically wonderful because it is based on walking. I am interested in history, especially samurai culture. In Kumamoto, you can see the footprints of the castle lords, the Kato and the Hosokawa families. The Kato family is famous as strong warlords, while the Hosokawa family is famous as intellectuals who developed the culture of the samurai. Also, Kumamoto is one of the few cities in the world where all water is supplied by groundwater. Please enjoy Kumamoto’s history, culture, and water.

    Mar 27, 2025
    AnaBelenGP11
    Wonderful MEIKO!
    Tripadvisor review: Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We have the best time with MIEKO at Kumamoto. She…

    Mar 5, 2025
    lsmilburn2019
    Such a knowledgeable guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mieko was an incredible guide. I feel very…

    Nov 25, 2024
    L
    Lori_T
    Mieko is Ichiban! The best guide for Kumamoto<3<3 Viator review: Kumamoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide Mieko was such a wonderful guide! She took our interests into consideration and showed us a special Shinto temple and let us drink from the "long life" spring. She also explained how to do a Shinto prayer and took us for a walk where the gods lived. We had lunch at the perfect place–we wanted to eat good seafood–the seafood was fresh and the service fast and friendly. The fresh grilled scallops were the best I've tasted. Also, we got to try horse sashimi which is a specialty of Fukuoka I think. It was very good. We also toured Kumamoto Castle and the surrounding areas. We ended the tour at a restaurant that served the Kumamoto Wagyu special beef–from black cows! I'd highly recommend having Mieko guide you!

    Aug 15, 2024
    Kris_F
    Kumamoto with guide Mieko is a must!
    Viator review: Kumamoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My family had the most…

  • Kumamoto in Half a Day: Kumamoto Castle Guide & Town Center Walk

    Kumamoto in Half a Day: Kumamoto Castle Guide & Town Center Walk

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:30 MEET@Suizenji Park Parking
    • Suizenji Joju-en Garden Guide
    • 14:00 Kumamoto Castle Guide
    • 15:20 Josaien
    • 15:40 Town Center Walk
    • 16:30 Farewell

    What Is a Private Cruise Excursion from Yatsushiro Port to Kumamoto City Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of nine arriving on a cruise ship at Yatsushiro Port. Since access to central Kumamoto City is not very convenient, I arranged a jumbo taxi that seats nine people. As I learned on the day, the arrangement allowed us to keep the burden of travel to a minimum for the group. When guiding them through Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Jojuen Garden, I had prepared historical explanations and diagrams drawn with marker in a sketchbook, which were well received as being easy to understand. Since the guests also wanted to explore the downtown area, I kept the tour of Kumamoto Castle brief and set aside time for shopping and other activities.

    I worked for KUMAMOTO Prefecture as a local government officer. Most of my work was tourism promotion in Kumamoto. Now I retired, I love Kumamoto and I wish you also love Kumamoto after the tour.
    I like sports activities, running, trekking, cycling and hiking. If you are interested in such activities, you’ll know another face of Japan.
    Of course, I am good at history and geography in Japan. I can explain why the events were occurred as an interesting story.
    I traveled not only Japan, but many oversea countries. I know what international visitors want and worry. I guarantee your happy trip in Japan. And I hope you’ll like Japan more and more.

    Oct 15, 2024
    betsy_b
    Great guide
    Viator review: Kumamoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Jun was an excellent guide. Very well prepared. Showed us…

    Aug 25, 2024
    Maxine_B
    Phenomenal Tour Guide
    Viator review: Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Jun was very informative. He had…

    Jun 14, 2024
    GylM
    Jun-san was very accommodating and super helpful. Best way to see as much of Kumamoto city as possible in a day.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00  Meet up @ Hotel
    • 10:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko
    • 10:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:50 Imperial Palace
    • 12:40 Lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Zushi Marunouchi Building
    • 14:10 Sensoji Temple
    • 15:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 16:40 Disband @ Hotel

    What Does a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Include? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They planned to continue to Kyoto and Osaka after sightseeing in Tokyo. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which contrasted with Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor and the Meiji Restoration. For lunch, they enjoyed sushi. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between Shinto and Buddhism. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed the beautiful Japanese garden and Japanese tea at Rakuu-tei. I responded according to the guests' wishes, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae600JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Shinjuku-gyoenmae0JPY
    Section 6SubwayShinjuku-sanchome~Shibuya0JPY
    Total920JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Nara Day Trip by Car: Kyoto to Osaka

    Nara Day Trip by Car: Kyoto to Osaka

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet 10:10 Todai-ji Temple 12:00 Lunch (tonkatsu) 13:20 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 14:00 Naramachi/Karakuri Toy Museum  15:00 Depart Nara
    • 16:10 Arrive at Hotel (Due to the heat, the tour was cut short early, arriving at the Hotel to end the tour)

    What Is a Private Nara Day Tour from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America and Europe. The assignment listed 7 Adults, so I was a little confused at first. Some of the guests were visiting Japan for the first time, while others had been to Japan several times but were visiting Nara for the first time. When we arrived at Todai-ji, one of the guests began to feel unwell, so we quickly left Todai-ji and waited outside. Since the members of the group tended to move around separately, it was quite difficult to guide everyone together. Shopping at Todai-ji also took some time, and because one of the guests mistook the exit for the entrance, we had to wait for a while. The guest who felt unwell recovered after drinking some water. It was another hot day in Nara, and afterward we visited a restaurant for lunch, Kasuga Taisha, and Naramachi. If anything, the younger members of the group were full of energy while the others were struggling with the heat. At the "Karakuri Toy Museum," some of the guests played happily, while others rested in front of the air conditioner or on the tatami in a separate room. At the "Karakuri Toy Museum," it was a little disappointing that the shadow-play attraction, which had been popular before, was no longer there. We had planned to go shopping afterward, but the group said they wanted to head to their hotel, so we traveled from Nara to the hotel in Osaka, and the tour ended earlier than scheduled. The photo was taken at the lunch restaurant.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherKyoto Hotel  Ace Hotel~Osaka Hotel Hotel W Osaka0JPY
    Total0JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Hotel, purchase Suica card at Shinjuku Station
    • 09:30 Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street
    • 10:30 Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue Square
    • 11:30 Stroll around Ginza 4-chome Crossing, GINZA SIX Rooftop Garden, and Sapporo Lion
    • 12:30 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 13:20 Tour ends near Shinjuku Station East Exit

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Tour of Tsukiji and Meiji Shrine? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania who were interested in food and culture. Because of this interest, they chose to visit Tsukiji Market rather than Asakusa. At Meiji Shrine, they worshipped in the traditional sense, purchasing an omamori charm and writing a prayer wish. At Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple, they found the interior fascinating, noting that its structure resembled that of a Catholic church. I had assumed the guests would have a meal after we finished the tour at the Tsukiji Outer Market, but it seemed they did not want to eat outdoors in the intense heat, and popular restaurants such as "Sushi Zanmai" also had long lines. As a result, the guests preferred to return to Shinjuku together with the guide. I escorted them to the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, where the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya178JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Ginza209JPY
    Section 4TrainGinza~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 5TrainHigashi-ginza~Shinjuku272JPY
    Total983JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0900 Meet at Mercure Tokyo Ginza (2 min from Ginza-itchome Station)
    • Stroll around Ginza to Ginza 4-chome intersection
    • 0925 Shibuya – After purchasing SUICA and issuing JR tickets, Hachiko statue, Scramble Crossing
    • 1030 Harajuku – Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street
    • 1250 Asakusa – Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center 8F Terrace
    • 1510 Escort to Ginza Station and disband

    What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from Oceania who were traveling in Japan. Since I could only communicate with a travel agency until the very end, I was a little worried until we actually met. The travel agency had issued vouchers for every reservation they could make in advance (I learned for the first time that a 3-day metro free pass can also be issued as a voucher with a QR code). However, I explained that a SUICA card is convenient for traveling in Japan, and they purchased one at the travel concierge counter at Shibuya Station (they also had their JR tickets for Takayama and other destinations issued there). They were surprised that they could immediately buy drinks from vending machines using SUICA. I explained that it can also be used at convenience stores and many ordinary shops. They planned to stay five nights in Tokyo. We had received notice that the Mount Fuji trip booked for the next day was canceled early due to bad weather. Tokyo Disneyland was scheduled for the day after next, so that seemed fine. In case of bad weather the next day, I suggested Roppongi Hills, which is one direct subway ride from Ginza, as well as TeamLab Borderless and Azabudai Hills, since they are indoors. When we arrived in Asakusa, the sky was clear and it was very hot. I set the Kaminarimon gate as the meeting point and gave them free time to shop along Nakamise, but just before the meeting time it suddenly grew dark and there was a torrential downpour. We waited out the rain together, and after about 15 minutes the sky cleared again. Originally, since we had a little time to spare, I had thought about stopping by places like Ueno Ameyoko, but perhaps from drinking too many cold beverages, one of the guests said they were not feeling well in the stomach, so we moved to the 8th-floor terrace of the Culture and Tourism Center (where the restrooms are relatively uncrowded) and waited for things to settle down. Once things had calmed down, we decided to head back to Ginza, but upon entering the Ginza Line concourse they said they needed the restroom again, so we stayed near the restroom around the front car area of platform 2 for a while until they felt better. By the time we arrived in Ginza, they had recovered, and instead of going back to the Hotel they headed to Matsuya.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassGinza~Shibuya600JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Omotesando~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 4Free PassAsakusa~Ginza0JPY
    Total746JPY

    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…

  • Osaka in One Day: @ Osaka Castle & @ Shinsekai

    Osaka in One Day: @ Osaka Castle & @ Shinsekai

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet up @ Voco Osaka Central
    • 09:15 @ Osaka Castle
    • 11:30 @ Dotonbori
    • 12:15 @ Kuromon Market
    • 13:00 @ Shinsekai
    • 14:00 Disband @ Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station

    Title: What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, and Shinsekai The guests were a group visiting Japan, and the tour proceeded smoothly. It did not seem that the guests had a strong interest in each spot; rather, I got the impression that they did not really understand what kind of places they were visiting. However, at Osaka Castle, the guests enjoyed taking photos while wearing kimono and samurai armor. At Kuromon Market, the guests enjoyed sampling various kinds of food. Some of the guests seemed mainly interested in eating something, while others were mostly interested in shopping for souvenirs. At the final spot, Shinsekai, I asked the guests, "Why did you choose this spot?" and they replied that the agency had decided it and they had not been told the details (this is simply the guests' comment). When I asked the guests about their interests, one wanted to buy Japanese-style plates and dishes, while others were interested in character goods, so I recommended the Daimaru department store in Shinsaibashi, and the guests said they would visit there after the tour ended. Note: I received a message from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) today, but I believe this was again a case where the guests did not fully understand the details of the tour. When making contact, I always ask the travel agency to share the guests' email address, but for some reason they tend to be reluctant (I have also been told that all communication must go through the agency). This time as well, I feel that if I had asked about the guests' interests a little earlier, I might have been able to respond, including changing the spots, and I would like to treat this as an issue to work on in the future.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHigobashi~Morinomiya240JPY
    Section 2SubwayMorinomiya~Shinsaibashi240JPY
    Section 3SubwayNipponbashi~Dobutsuen-mae190JPY
    Section 4SubwayDobutsuen-mae~Shinsaibashi240JPY
    Total910JPY

    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
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  • Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path & Sanjusangen-do

    Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path & Sanjusangen-do

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Doubletree By Hilton Kyoto Station
    • 9:40-10:10 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
    • 10:30-11:00 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 11:20-11:50 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:15-13:45 Lunch (Tendan Saiin Branch)
    • 14:30-15:00 Fushimi Inari
    • 15:15-15:45 Sanjusangen-do
    • 16:00 Doubletree By Hilton Kyoto Station

    Title: What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family visiting from North America. The itinerary was as follows: Hotel → the Bamboo Grove Path in Arashiyama → Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple → Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) → lunch (a barbecue restaurant in the Saiin area) → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Sanjusangen-do Temple → Hotel. Originally, Nijo Castle was planned after lunch, but I realized on-site that the Ninomaru Palace is closed on Tuesdays in August, so I added Sanjusangen-do, which had not been in the original plan. The guests seem to often take one of the group abroad as part of their education, but this time the visit came about because that guest, who loves trains, wanted to see and ride the Shinkansen. At each sightseeing spot, the group expressed admiration at the stunning scenery, such as the Bamboo Grove Path appearing at the starting point on the Okochi Sanso side in Arashiyama, the moment the Golden Pavilion came into view, and when the rows of Buddhist statues at Sanjusangen-do came into sight. For lunch, one of the guests could only eat meat and requested "steak or burger," so I introduced and took them to a Japanese-style barbecue (yakiniku) restaurant, which they enjoyed very much. We chatted about many topics, and since we got excited talking about junk food, I introduced my favorite butter-soy-sauce-flavored chips at a convenience store, and they purchased some.

    My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

    Jun 3, 2026
    Nikki G
    Wonderful experience with a great guide!
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    Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
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    Nov 29, 2025
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