Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Meet up @ Blossom Hibiya
    • 2.8:30 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 3.10:00 @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 4.11:30 @ Asakusa
    • 5.12:30 Lunch @ Kura Sushi Asakusa ROX
    • 6.13:40 @ Ginza
    • 7.14:00 Disband @ Ginza

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from North America, some visiting for the first time and others returning after several years. There was some concern about rain, but the morning was cloudy with only light showers, and at Meiji Shrine we were able to see a wedding ceremony taking place. The guests were interested in history and listened attentively to the explanations at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. In Asakusa it began to rain and the area was crowded, but the guests enjoyed the atmosphere of Nakamise Street and Shin-Nakamise Street. They were also very interested in discussions about religion and listened closely. As we had made a reservation at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, we were able to enter right away, and the guests seemed amazed by the system in which the sushi is delivered by conveyor belt. They enjoyed the sushi and desserts. Afterward, we went to Ginza, and after a brief introduction, the guests decided to explore Ginza Street on their own, so the tour came to an end. Umbrellas were necessary for the latter half of the day, but I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShimbashi～Harajuku208JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Otemachi209JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi～Asakusa286JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Ginza209JPY
    Total912JPY

    Tour Report by FUMIKO

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

    Request Booking

    Sep 29, 2026
    W9834MZdavidn
    First Visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had an absolutely wonderful day…

    Sep 12, 2026
    Don_G
    Tokyo 6 hour Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had a great time on…

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 09:30-10:30 Visit Meiji Shrine
    • 10:45-11:45. Sightseeing at the Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge, Takeshita Street
    • 12:20-13:10. Lunch and sightseeing in Akihabara
    • 13:20-14:30. Sightseeing and shopping at Kappabashi, then to Sensoji Temple, disband after sightseeing

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The group was passing through Japan on their way to Asia to visit family. Thanks to a family connection, they spoke a little Japanese. As they walked at a quick pace, the tour finished earlier than scheduled. What surprised me was that although they seemed interested in Akihabara and I took them there, they were not that impressed; instead, they seemed to like Kappabashi that followed. (One of the guests apparently enjoys cooking.) Since they had requested ramen for lunch, I took them to a ramen shop, but as it turned out to be surprisingly oily, part of it was left uneaten. (I, the guide, finished mine completely.)

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae209JPY
    Section 3TrainHibiya～Akihabara178JPY
    Section 4TrainSuehirocho～Tawaramachi178JPY
    Total711JPY

    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…

  • Ishikawa in Half a Day: Seisonkaku

    Ishikawa in Half a Day: Seisonkaku

    Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel
    • 10:00 Higashi Chaya District & Shima Admission
    • 11:00 Seisonkaku
    • 12:30 Nagamachi Area & Nomura Family Residence Admission
    • 13:00 Nomura Family Residence Dismissal

    What Is a Private Guided Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kenrokuen and Seisonkaku The guests were retired visitors from North America. One of them had studied the shakuhachi under a Japanese master for many years and was very familiar with Japan. Their smartphone even had Mobile Suica installed. They were especially knowledgeable about Japanese musical instruments, more so than many Japanese people. At Shima they admired many things and thoroughly enjoyed matcha. At Seisonkaku, they carefully walked through each room and the garden and seemed very pleased. At every facility — Shima, Seisonkaku, and the Nomura Family Residence — shoes had to be removed, and they mentioned that taking off shoes is something they were not used to when it comes to Japan. The following day, the group planned to tour Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen on their own. I was glad they seemed to enjoy the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusMinamicho～Hashibacho210JPY
    Section 2BusHashibacho～Dewamachi210JPY
    Section 3BusNational Crafts Museum～Korinbo100JPY
    Total520JPY

    Tour Report by Jasmine

    Hi, everyone! My name is Toshiko and my nick name is Jasmine. I was born and raised in Yokohama city, Kanagawa prefecture and now live in Toyama city. I also lived in ancient capital Kyoto city. Living near Nijo castle in Kyoto inspired me to become a tour guide. I spent nearly two years working as a tour guide in Kyoto. After that, I moved to Toyama City to continue my career here. I’m happy to show you around Kanazawa, Toyama, Kamakura and my home town Yokohama. I’d love to hear your vision for the perfect tour and make your journey truly memorable. Please feel free to contact me at any time!”
    In my spare time, I like to draw pictures with pastels and Yoga. Actually, I am a yoga therapist. I am interested in mental well-being and mindfulness.
    Hope to see you soon!

    Request Booking

    Apr 24, 2026
    Marcin19872014
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A walking tour of Kanazawa
    Ms. Toshiko, Toshiko-san is a high…

    Apr 14, 2026
    KiwiJenT
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend
    Jasmine was very knowledgeable and we learnt a lot.…

    Apr 12, 2026
    359natasjaf
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Fantastische gids in Kanazawa
    Jasmine maakte onze kennismaking met Kanazawa onvergetelijk.…

    Mar 29, 2026
    karineb931
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Visiting the Geisha and Samouraï district and seeing the fabulous garden…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Futarasan Shrine

    Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Futarasan Shrine

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet @ Tobu Nikko Station
    • 10:30　Board taxi
    • 10:35　Shinkyo Bridge
    • 11:20　Kegon Falls
    • 12:00　Ryuzu Falls (get off the taxi at the top of the falls and walk down to the bottom)
    • 12:30　Senjogahara Observation Deck
    • 12:40　Lake Yunoko
    • 12:50　Yudaki Falls
    • 13:30　Get off taxi @ Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 14:20　Lunch @ Maruhide Shokudo
    • 15:15　Rinnoji Temple
    • 15:45　Toshogu Shrine
    • 16:30　Futarasan Shrine
    • 16:40　Board taxi
    • 16:50　Disband @ Tobu Nikko Station

    Title: What Is a Private Nikko Day Tour from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kegon Falls, Yutaki Falls, and Toshogu Shrine The guests were a group of three from North America. They were smiling throughout, spoke clear and easy-to-understand English, and were very friendly, while one member of the group was relatively quiet. In the emails beforehand, they had many places they wanted to visit, so in order to fulfill their wishes as much as possible, the schedule became quite tight. However, they understood this and walked at a brisk pace, so although it was very close on time, we were able to visit all the places they hoped to see without too much strain. Today there was a light drizzle, and at Kegon Falls the mist was thick, so only a faint outline of the entire waterfall was visible. In a sense, however, it was dreamlike, and since the water volume was high, they were happy in the end. The taxi was chartered for three hours, so to make the most efficient route the usual order is Kegon → Yutaki → Lake Yunoko → Ryuzu, viewed from top to bottom. However, based on the taxi driver's advice that it would be better to save the most impressive Yutaki Falls for last, we went in today's order. Indeed, by leaving Yutaki Falls for the end, a powerful image remained at the finish, and the guests wondered aloud, "Kegon Falls was so crowded, so why is this wonderful waterfall so empty?" Kegon Falls is larger, but at Yutaki Falls you can feel the tremendous water volume and sound right up close, so they were delighted. (Depending on the taxi company, Yutaki Falls is considered too far and won't be included in a three-hour charter, but the company we used does go there. Among them, today's driver was especially accommodating.) In Tokyo they had visited the Imperial Palace but were unable to see the palace itself, so they very much wanted to see the Imperial Villa in Nikko. When heading toward the Irohazaka area, there is usually no time to visit the Imperial Villa, but today by devising the order and improving efficiency, we were able to see everything in just over six hours, right at the limit. As a result, the impression of Toshogu Shrine remained at the very end, which may have been a good thing in its own way. To ensure there is never a shortage of time for the things I really want the guests to see, I always try to secure as much time as possible for Toshogu Shrine and never leave it for last. But since it is less crowded in the late afternoon, I felt there is room to reconsider the timing and order in the future. To save time in the afternoon, I gave the explanation of Tokugawa Ieyasu that I usually deliver at Toshogu Shrine while in the taxi on the way to Kegon Falls instead. It was actually better, as I could speak calmly in the car. One of the guests had watched the drama "SHOGUN," so they understood it very well. My impression is that recently about 80% of foreign visitors who come to Nikko have seen "SHOGUN."

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

    Tour Report by Yumi

    Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

    Request Booking

    Aug 24, 2026
    arzed
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A perfect day!
    My family and I had an…

    Jul 1, 2026
    laine164
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day!
    We had a wonderful time exploring Nikko.
    Our friendly…

    Apr 7, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Guide Yumi Highlights Nikko on walking tour
    Our 16,000 step tour…

    Apr 4, 2026
    O4367MVkarenv
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day in Nikko
    We had a fantastic day with Yumi. She…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

    Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 Meet @ Tobu Nikko Station
    • 　　　　Coffee break
    • 9:40　Board the bus
    • 9:51　Shinkyo Bridge
    • 10:10　Rinnoji Shoyoen Garden
    • 10:30　Rinnoji Sanbutsudo Hall
    • 11:10　Toshogu Shrine
    • 13:30　Futarasan Shrine
    • 13:50　Lunch @ Sanraku
    • 15:00　Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 16:30　Tour ends @ Tobu Nikko Station

    Title: What Is a Private Guided Tour of Nikko's Toshogu Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. When we met at Tobu Nikko Station, they seemed a little unhappy at first. When I asked, it turned out they had taken a taxi from their hotel to Tobu Nikko Station and found the fare higher than expected. In advance, I had emailed them several options for getting from Kinugawa to Nikko, including the travel times and comparative costs of taxi and train. They had chosen to come by train, and I had provided the train times and transfer details. They had said they were experienced travelers and would be fine, so I felt reassured, but in the end they missed the train and came by taxi. (The fare was almost exactly what I had told them it would be.) Afterward, they wanted to have a coffee before the tour, so I kindly asked a café that had not yet opened to make coffee a little early for us. As we relaxed and talked through the day's plan, their mood recovered, which was a relief. One of the guests had a great many questions and often interrupted my usual flow of explanation with difficult topics. Because I then tried to explain things in a way that would satisfy them, the discussion expanded into a very wide range of subjects and took longer than planned. The questions I found especially difficult to address to their satisfaction included: "Japanese culture — gardens, the tea ceremony, temples, and shrines — is calm, peaceful, and beautiful, yet the same eras that produced them were full of samurai, conflict, killing, and seppuku. The images don't match. Why?"; "Shinto reveres nature, yet large modern companies destroy nature and create pollution. How do companies reconcile this?"; "Japan has many kinds of Buddhist statues, but Buddha was originally one person, so why are there so many types?"; "People say the Edo period was peaceful, but there were several massacres during it, weren't there?"; "The carvings of the Yomeimon Gate include many legends from China. Why China? What is the relationship with China today?"; "How did Japanese writing develop? How many kanji are there?"; "What kind of education did children receive during the Second World War?"; "What do you think of the new Prime Minister?" They also asked about my parents, including questions about the cause of a family illness and whether it was related to food. Some of these questions have no clear answer, and others are beyond what I can know. Having so many questions shows a strong interest in Japan, so I tried to answer as sincerely and knowledgeably as I could, but it was very challenging. The other guest gently tried to calm the questions. Near Toshogu Shrine, there were many students on school trips. A student who came from Aizu spoke to the guests, who answered with a smile. One of the guests is a schoolteacher and was very warm toward them. After the exchange with the students ended, the guests asked where they were from, and when I said Fukushima Prefecture, they exclaimed, "Fukushima — isn't that the site of the nuclear accident! How terrible!" I explained that Aizu is far from the nuclear plant and relatively unaffected, but they still asked whether it was truly safe — what about the trees in the mountains, the animals, and the food from Fukushima Prefecture that circulates in the market? As a former resident of Fukushima Prefecture, this is a subject I know well, so I talked about decontamination efforts, the meticulous radiation testing of food from Fukushima Prefecture (with rice being inspected bag by bag), and the efforts of the local people. However, the negative image seemed fixed, and I was constantly met with counterarguments. I felt a sense of frustration that the negative impression of the nuclear accident cannot be easily dispelled. In the end, all I could say was that I myself was a resident of Fukushima Prefecture at the time and am perfectly healthy. One of the guests teaches English and kindly corrected a few of my pronunciations. The corrections were on very basic L and R distinctions, such as "word" and "bird," so I was grateful. I want to be mindful going forward so that my pronunciation does not confuse guests. I did my best to meet their expectations, though honestly I am not confident whether they were satisfied. I was thoroughly exhausted, but it was a valuable opportunity that reminded me to study more broadly.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTobu Nikko Station～Shinkyo Bridge220JPY
    Section 2BusTamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park～Tobu Nikko Station350JPY
    Total570JPY

    Tour Report by Yumi

    Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

    Request Booking

    Aug 24, 2026
    arzed
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A perfect day!
    My family and I had an…

    Jul 1, 2026
    laine164
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day!
    We had a wonderful time exploring Nikko.
    Our friendly…

    Apr 7, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Guide Yumi Highlights Nikko on walking tour
    Our 16,000 step tour…

    Apr 4, 2026
    O4367MVkarenv
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day in Nikko
    We had a fantastic day with Yumi. She…

  • Kyoto: Kyoto Station & Kinkakuji

    Kyoto: Kyoto Station & Kinkakuji

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Kyoto Station
    • 10:15-10:45 Fushimi Inari
    • 11:00-11:30 Sanjusangendo
    • 11:40-12:00 Nishiki Market
    • 12:00-12:45 Lunch (Kyoto Enjin Ramen)
    • 13:00-13:50 Shopping at Kuoe Kyoto and Iwai
    • 14:00-14:30 Nijo Castle
    • 15:00-15:30 Kinkakuji
    • 16:00 Kyoto Station

    **Title:** What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Focused on Shopping Like? A Licensed Guide's Report **Body:** The guests were a group visiting from North America and Asia. The original plan was Kyoto Station → Fushimi Inari → Sanjusangendo → Nishiki Market → lunch (Kyoto Enjin Ramen) → Nijo Castle → Kinkaku-ji → the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Kyoto Station. However, there were many requests related to shopping and several additional stops, so we adjusted the itinerary and omitted the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Regarding shopping, in addition to the shops at Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo, and Kinkaku-ji, after lunch one of the guests requested to buy a wristwatch at Kuoe Kyoto, so I guided them to this handmade watch shop. At that shop there was a waiting time of about 30 minutes for the processing, so during that time I took the rest of the guests to Iwai in Shinkyogoku, where they also purchased many Kyoto-style small items. For lunch, some of the guests were strictly limited in their food choices and others avoided certain items, while at the same time they requested a meal that felt distinctly Japanese. I guided them to Kyoto Enjin Ramen, and they were very satisfied. Overall, the guests enjoyed shopping more than sightseeing.

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

    Tour Report by Masaki

    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 !

    Request Booking

    Jun 3, 2026
    Nikki G
    Wonderful experience with a great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaki was our guide through…

    May 24, 2026
    Pamela_C
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!…

    May 4, 2026
    TravelersHigh77
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
    Masaki was s wonderful and patient…

    Nov 29, 2025
    vsairamkumar
    Kyoto guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • Shibuya (PARCO) 10:00　ー　Nakano (NAKANO Broadway) 11:00　ー　Harajuku (Takeshita Street) 13:00ー　Shibuya (disperse at the station) 14:00

    Although the weather was rainy, the itinerary proceeded almost as planned. At the first stop, PARCO in Shibuya, I went without checking the opening time and nearly ran into trouble getting in, but the floor we were aiming for opened early, so it worked out fine. I will be more careful about this in the future. The guests were visiting Japan for a special trip, and if I had known about it in advance, I think I could have made more thoughtful arrangements, including a small celebration. Going forward, I would like to understand the purpose of the trip within the bounds of privacy. It might be helpful to have such a field in the guests' advance booking form.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya～Nakano180JPY
    Section 2TrainNakano～Harajuku180JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Shibuya150JPY
    Total510JPY

    Tour Report by Sammy

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

    Request Booking

    Sep 25, 2026
    mogestrip
    Amazing tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sammy is an exceptional tour guide-lots…

    Sep 8, 2026
    sonyasW9476NJ
    Insider intro to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sam was a fantastic guide!…

    Sep 3, 2026
    Safari63080984627
    Half day Family tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We did a fantastic tour…

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

  • Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at hotel
    • 10:30 Osaka Castle
    • 13:00 Kuromon Market
    • 13:30 Lunch
    • 14:30 Doguyasuji
    • 15:00 Dotonbori
    • 15:30 Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Family Sightseeing Tour in Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan, having gathered from Asia and North America. Today was the final day of their stay, and since they had gone hiking to Inunakiyama the previous day, some of them seemed a little tired. To be considerate, I avoided an overly demanding itinerary and checked in with them as we went. During breaks they shopped for souvenirs and enjoyed a relaxed meal together as a group. They mentioned having tried okonomiyaki, though it seemed they had ordered more than they could finish. Since one of the guests had expressed a wish to visit an art museum, I introduced the Chiharu Shiota exhibition at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, but they changed their plans and preferred to explore the Namba area a little more, so we parted ways there.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShin-Osaka～Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Nippombashi240JPY
    Total480JPY

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

    Request Booking

    Oct 23, 2025
    536terryw
    Great day out in Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noriko was a great guide. She had…

    Oct 22, 2025
    pascalpJ9601TX
    Bamboo forest, Monkeys, and Temples in North-West Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family of four adults:…

    Oct 14, 2025
    9
    903tammyw
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Osaka with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Amazing! Our guide Noriko and our…

    Oct 11, 2025
    Graham S
    A great introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noriko-san was a wonderful guide. She…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1030 Meet at Hilton Garden Inn
    • 1110 Fushimi Inari
    • 1210 Gion
    • 1300 Lunch Kyoto Ramen
    • 1415 Nijo Castle
    • 1500 Arashiyama, Bamboo Grove
    • 1630 Disband at Gojo Station

    Title: What Is a Private Family Tour of Japan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. The tour was extended by two hours. Originally the group was planned to include seven people, but due to a change in circumstances, it became a group of six. The [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) private tour proceeded with the group as arranged. The forecast had predicted continuous light rain, but fortunately we were not troubled by rain, and it turned out to be a cool and comfortable tour. Some of the guests did not show much interest in the shrines, temples, and castle, but others were interested in samurai, ninja, and Japanese culture, and appeared to enjoy the experience together with the rest of the group. Some of the guests were very pleased that I had taken nice photos for them.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari～Sanjo220JPY
    Section 4TrainSanjo～Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae～Uzumasa Tenjingawa260JPY
    Section 6TrainUzumasa～Arashiyama250JPY
    Section 7TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Kyoto240JPY
    Section 8SubwayKyoto～Gojo220JPY
    Total1,820JPY

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    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 in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0900 Meet at The Westin Yokohama (5 min from Shintakashima Station on the Minatomirai Line)
    • 1015 Shibuya – Hachiko Statue – Scramble Crossing
    • 1040 Harajuku – Meiji Jingu Shrine visit
    • 1210 Imperial Palace Outer Garden – Tatsumi Yagura – Gyoko Street – Marunouchi Building pine piles – Tokyo Station
    • 1315 Tsukiji Outer Market – Lunch at Sushizanmai – Kabukiza Theatre – Ginza 4-chome Intersection
    • 1500 Sensoji Temple
    • 1715 Drop off at the Yokohama Station taxi stand and dismiss

    What Can You See on a One-Day Private Tokyo Tour in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They arrived at Haneda two days ago. Yesterday they strolled around the Minato Mirai area to adjust to the time difference. Since they will board a cruise ship from Osanbashi Pier tomorrow, today was their only day for sightseeing in Tokyo. One of the guests had visited Nagoya over ten years ago, but neither had been to Tokyo or Yokohama, so I guided them to Tokyo's must-see sights. Unfortunately it rained, but as a result there were fewer tourists, and things went smoothly. They mentioned they liked sushi, so we had tuna at a sushi restaurant. When asked, "Does the cruise ship have sushi about this good?", I replied, "I'm not sure, but in terms of freshness, nothing would compare to here." Since they were about to board a cruise ship, they kept shopping to a minimum with future destinations in mind. They bought only a Shinkansen toy and two small beckoning-cat figurines as gifts for their grandchild. The extreme heat finally ended last week, and the temperature has become easier for guiding, but adjusting to the daily changes is quite challenging.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShintakashima～Shibuya502JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae600JPY
    Section 4Free PassNijubashimae – Hibiya～Tsukiji0JPY
    Section 5Free PassGinza～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6Free PassAsakusa～Shimbashi0JPY
    Section 7TrainShimbashi～Yokohama483JPY
    Total1,731JPY

    Tour Report by Ted

    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.

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    Sep 24, 2026
    Leslie_R
    Good tour on first day
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Ted, our guide was…

    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…