Category: Uncategorized

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Nishi-Hiroshima to the

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Nishi-Hiroshima to the

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:10 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 11;15 From Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 11:45 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 12:10 Arrive at Miyajima
    •     Shrine Daishoin Omotesando
    • 14:35 Finish Miyajima sightseeing and head to Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 15:23 Arrive at Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 15:30 From Nishi-Hiroshima to the museum by bus
    • 15:50 Arrive at the museum
    •     Museum Monument tour
    • 17:40 Finish monument tour
    •     To Hiroshima Station by taxi
    • 18:00 Disband at Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests missed their Shinkansen from Tokyo, so the tour started 10 minutes later than planned, at 11:10. On Miyajima, the guests enjoyed the beautiful scenery and savored freshly baked momiji manju. They also listened with interest to the explanation of the history and origins of momiji manju. At the guests' request, we continued the tour without stopping for lunch. At the museum, the guests listened attentively to my personal account as a second-generation atomic bomb survivor and to the story of Sunao Tsuboi. Since they had departed Tokyo early in the morning and appeared a little tired, we returned to Hiroshima Station by taxi. For dinner, I recommended that they try okonomiyaki. Later, I received an email saying, "The okonomiyaki was delicious, and thank you for recommending it."

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station~Museum220JPY
    Total970JPY

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

    Sep 25, 2025
    pedropM3071GD
    Amazing day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This was an amazing experience to…

    Jul 25, 2025
    ourtravelingt
    Great personalized tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was fabulous and our…

    Jul 13, 2025
    katherinepE2305IO
    Hiroshima Tour 4hr Walking
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an amazing guide. He…

    Jul 7, 2025
    Preston_H
    Great tour guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an incredible guide who…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Fushimi Inari

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Fushimi Inari

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet JR Kyoto Station
    • 11:15 to 12:15 Nijo Castle
    • 12:40 to 13:30 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 13:45 to 14:30 Kinkaku-ji
    • 15:00 to 15:45 Nishiki Market
    • 16:00 to 16:45 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 17:00 to 17:30 Fushimi Inari
    • 18:00 Disband JR Nijo Station

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like on a Sunny Day? A Licensed Guide's Report Today the rain from yesterday and the day before had cleared, and it was a refreshingly fine day. The guests had spent the previous days in Tokyo under rainy weather, and they said they had been worried about what they would do if their much-anticipated Kyoto tour also ended up rainy. The guests came from North America, but they were able to stroll through Kyoto's popular sightseeing spots under perfect touring weather, and they told me it had been an enjoyable tour. The forecast for tomorrow is good as well, and they said they would be heading to Osaka. They said they were looking forward to it.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Kyoto Station~JR Nijo Station190JPY
    Section 2SubwayMunicipal Subway Nijo Station~Municipal Subway Nijojomae Station220JPY
    Section 3SubwayMunicipal Subway Nijojomae Station~Municipal Subway Ian side Station220JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Inari~JR Nijo200JPY
    Total830JPY

    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 !!

    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…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hokokuji Temple & Kotokuin

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hokokuji Temple & Kotokuin

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 11:30 Hokokuji Temple
    • 12:20 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
    • 13:20  Lunch @ Sushi-dokoro Kimi
    • 14:30 Hasedera Temple
    • 15:10 Kotokuin (Great Buddha of Kamakura)
    • 16:45 Dismissal @ Hotel

    What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Kamakura? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They mentioned that they were scheduled to depart on a cruise tour from Yokohama the following day. At Hokoku-ji Temple, they enjoyed the beautiful bamboo grove and matcha green tea. At Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, they listened with great interest to explanations about the differences between shrines and temples. For lunch, they enjoyed sushi. At Hase-dera Temple, they enjoyed the large Kannon statue and the beautiful ocean views from the observation point. At Kotoku-in Temple, they appeared to be deeply impressed by the enormous Great Buddha of Kamakura. Since I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNihon-odori~Yokohama230JPY
    Section 2TrainYokohama~Kamakura360JPY
    Section 3BusKamakura~Jomyoji220JPY
    Section 4BusJomyoji~Hachimangu220JPY
    Section 5TrainEnoden Kamakura~Hase200JPY
    Section 6TrainHase~Enoden Kamakura200JPY
    Section 7TrainKamakura~Yokohama360JPY
    Section 8TrainYokohama~Nihon-odori230JPY
    Total2,020JPY

    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

    Sep 27, 2026
    jonaJ5014ZK
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…

    Sep 11, 2026
    M7402TTsharonp
    Higly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…

    Sep 8, 2026
    OnAir57127583503
    Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…

    Sep 4, 2026
    B2319ZKjoseo
    Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a great time learning about…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • Meiji Shrine
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Lunch (Yakiniku ZENIBA Shibuya)
    • Godzilla Head, Shinjuku Golden Gai
    • 15:00 Disband at Shinjuku Station

    Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Wagyu Lunch, and Golden Gai I contacted the guests in advance to ask about their wishes. In addition to the places we visited today, they had also hoped to see Nezu Shrine, so I had arranged a tight schedule. However, when I met them at the hotel in the morning and showed them a map, they understood that Nezu Shrine was located far from the other sites and kindly said, "If there isn't enough time, it's fine to cancel Nezu Shrine." It rained at Meiji Shrine, but that created a refined and graceful atmosphere, and the guests did not seem bothered by it at all. As it happened to be an auspicious day on the calendar, there were many wedding couples, families visiting for a newborn blessing, and Shichi-Go-San celebrants, and the guests watched these traditional customs with great interest. Since weekend crowds were expected for lunch, I made a reservation in advance with the guests' agreement, and they were able to fully enjoy wagyu beef. Few shops were open yet in Golden Gai, but a shop targeting international tourists was open, so we stopped in. While chatting with a staff member who was studying English conversation, the guests savored Japanese whisky and shochu that are not available in North America. Afterward, the guests offered that we could finish at Shinjuku Station since they planned to stop by a brand-name shop, so I concluded the tour there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShiodome~Tsukiji Market178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Meiji-jingumae Harajuku209JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Shinjuku167JPY
    Total700JPY

    Hi, my name is Ken. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan.
    I’ve been living in Yokohama, west of Tokyo, for more than 20 years.
    Since 2018 I have been enjoying guiding guests from all over the globe to various attractive places in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji, and so on.
    I can also bring you unique experiences such as sake tasting, car factory, beer brewery, fish markets as well as rural town in Miyagi pref., where I was born, by riding on the Shinkansen bullet train.
    Please think I’m your friend in Japan. Tell me where you want to go, see, or experience. I can customize the tour for you.
    My hobby is walking and jogging. I made 42K runs 9 times so far but I take it easy now.
    Having worked globally in the food industry for 35 years, I love local foods of Japan and other countries.
    I’ll try my best to make your visit a memorable one.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

    Oct 4, 2025
    Ivette_S
    Tour in Tokyo
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Our guide, Ken, kept in touch with…

    Jun 25, 2025
    DTLALynn
    The best tour & guide we had!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo was our last stop…

    Jun 8, 2025
    christophern458
    Amazing time in Hakone
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full-Day Private Tour(Tokyo DEP.) with Government-Licensed Guide
    My family and I can not speak…

    Apr 5, 2025
    lisajayneherewini
    Happy happy happy
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    We had a lovely half day with…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:45 Courtyard Marriott Tokyo Station (meeting point) → Kyobashi Station → Tsukiji Station → 10:15-10:50 Tsukiji Market tour → Tsukiji Station → Asakusa Station via Ginza Station → 11:25-12:20 Sensoji Temple, Nakamise (tour of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center 8F, Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Street, Hozomon Gate, Five-Story Pagoda, giant straw sandal, omikuji fortune, incense burner, temizuya purification fountain, main hall, Asakusa Shrine) → 12:20-13:10 Towada (lunch, tempura rice bowl + soba) → Asakusa Station → Harajuku Station via Shibuya Station → 14:10-15:10 Meiji Shrine tour, suggestion of Takeshita Street → Shibuya Station → 15:15-15:40 Shibuya tour (Hachiko, scramble crossing, tour of the MODI building where the Weird Cafe used to be) → 15:45 dispersal at Shibuya Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya Despite the rain, the guests traveled from their accommodation in Kamakura to the meeting point, a Hotel in Kyobashi, and enjoyed a Tokyo tour even while getting wet in the rain. This private one-day Tokyo tour, arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), covered Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, and the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. The guests showed interest in the history of Sensoji Temple and were impressed by the beauty of the main hall, as well as the vast, magnificent scenery of Meiji Shrine. They enjoyed taking photos at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue. They learned the differences between temples and shrines, how to worship at each, and how to pass through a torii gate, gaining a glimpse into Japanese culture. For lunch, they happily enjoyed a tendon (tempura rice bowl) with soba noodles. Everyone was in good spirits and thoroughly enjoyed the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyobashi Station~Tsukiji Station180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji Station~Asakusa Station210JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station~Shibuya Station260JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya Station~Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 5TrainHarajuku Station~Shibuya Station150JPY
    Total950JPY

    Hello and how do you do?
    My name is Nobuo Kokure, and please call me Nobby for short, if you want.
    Let me introduce myself. I was born in Hayama, a beach resort area, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. And I’m now living in Saginuma, Kawasaki city.
    When I was a university student, I had the opportunities of doing a home stay with a family In U.S.A., Australia, and England, as a youth exchange student.
    After graduation from the university, I started working at American Life Insurance Company, Japan (Alico, Japan), which is a group member company of AIG, now MetLife Insurance Company. I could have a chance to visit the head office and the field offices of U.S.A., Wilmington in Delaware, New York, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Los Angeles, while I was working for Alico, Japan (Now, MetLife Insurance company).
    I had been working for MetLife Insurance Company for about 38 years, in total.
    After retiring from the life insurance company, I started working as a tour guide, because I wanted to become a tour guide to introduce culture, history, and manners and customs of Japan in English. It’s so different between my previous job and the guide business, but I like guide business a lot.
    I can meet so many people from all over the world and the guide business has been thriving after the pandemic.
    I have implemented the tour over 240 times, introduced Japan to more than 4900 tourists from 54 countries.

    Not only Tokyo, but I have experienced touring around Nikko, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji & Hakone area, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, etc. which are all very famous as a tourist spot in Japan.
    If you go on a tour in Tokyo, you must see and visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo with histories and Nakamise Shopping Street where you can buy the souvenirs and try to taste Japanese sweets, such as doll cake which is the sponge cake in various shapes filled with red bean paste and Japanese powdered tea ice cream. Another my recommendation in Tokyo to visit is Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest shrines in Japan with quiet and peaceful atmosphere and magnificent site.
    Harajuku and Shibuya are both fun to visit for shopping and experience the Shibuya Crossing.
    I usually propose my tentative itinerary and ask if my plan is all right with the customer or not. My hobby is traveling around Japan and foreign countries and going to the gym for exercise.
    I would like to work as a guide as long as possible if I’m in good health and my legs are strong, because I love this job.
    I put my importance on the mind of OMOTENASHI which means sincere hospitality, though safety during the tour takes precedence, number one priority, before anything else.

    I’m very looking forward to seeing you and touring with you in Japan soon.
    Thank you!

    Best regards,

    Nobuo Kokure (Nobby)

    Sep 29, 2026
    jeffbM3390PI
    Nuobo was awesome as our Tokyo tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Jeff…

    Sep 25, 2026
    skipcooney
    Customized private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Nobby was very flexible…

    Sep 22, 2026
    duncans746
    Great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Nobuo was fantastic, very knowledgeable and shaped…

    Sep 13, 2026
    Culture25230012656
    Very knowledgeable
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    I enjoy every step of the tour.…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0850 Meet at Royal Park Haneda. Decided to head to Asakusa. In the car, talked about a wide range of topics including the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration.
    • There was an inquiry about buses that go around various places, so we also talked about SKY HOP and HATO BUS.
    • Around 1000, arrived in Asakusa. Toured Sensoji Temple thoroughly. Since we would also be going to the Kyoto area in the future, they asked fairly carefully about general information regarding shrines and temples.
    • 1110 Headed toward the Imperial Palace. I had been thinking of the Toei Asakusa Line, but since they seemed interested in the SKYHOP and HATO buses, we headed to Tokyo Station to check the bus information and then go to the Imperial Palace.
    • 1130 At Tokyo Station's Marunouchi South Exit Dome, while I was explaining Gyoko-dori Avenue, the rain became heavy. Amid conversations about switching to guiding through underground passages and underground malls, they strongly expressed a desire to ride a course where they could sit on a bus rather than walk in the rain, so we stopped by the Hato Bus sales office right in front. A one-hour course was just about to depart, and they asked me to ride along and provide explanations. They said they disliked the earphone system, and insisted, so I accompanied them. (Paid by the guest.) As a result, they were greatly pleased.
    • 1300 Returned to Tokyo Station. Since it was still raining and they had gotten wet, they decided to return to the hotel, so I decided to accompany them to Shinagawa Station. We parted at the Keikyu Line ticket gate at Shinagawa Station. (1330)

    Title: What's a Private Asakusa Walking Tour in Tokyo Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report Because there had been various changes, at the meeting point I reconfirmed the destinations and plans. Since the guests had already made a number of reservations for the following days, the main aim for today was to see as much as possible and hear as many stories as they could. Partly for that reason, they had been thinking of taking a bus if it rained. (At first, this was meant to be after the tour.) The guests explored the Asakusa area and the surroundings of Sensoji Temple with great interest. They drew omikuji fortunes and did a bit of shopping as well. Regarding the sightseeing bus, I felt the situation was a little unusual, but since it was raining and it did not seem right to simply end the tour, I decided to accommodate their request. They said they were glad I rode along with them. Thanks to our communication beforehand, the guests already had a good deal of trust in me, so from the very start it was a friendly tour with plenty of discussion along the way. I believe they were very satisfied, including with all the explanations I provided.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHaneda Airport Terminal 3~Asakusa599JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Kanda178JPY
    Section 3TrainKanda~Tokyo146JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo~Shinagawa178JPY
    Total1,101JPY

    Hi,I’m Matt.
    Let’s enjoy together and learn a little bit more about Tokyo and Japan.
    I have many experiences in private tour and can be flexible in planning the tour itinerary. To see everything in Tokyo may be difficult in few days. Historical points,seasonal view point,most trendy places,there are so many to choose. Please let me know your interest or whatever you want to see,and I will try my best to fulfill your request.Off course those who do not have a choice is most welcome. I will come up with the most recommended points to visit at the time.
    So,see you soon.

    Apr 18, 2025
    S3270IProbertj
    MATT is a great guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We were guided the whole day by…

    Mar 25, 2025
    R
    Resort23969735918
    Amazing experience with an amazing guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience. Matt is extremely…

    Oct 15, 2024
    Vacation651871
    Tokyo walking around
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a very interesting and detailed tour wirh…

    Aug 30, 2024
    Peter_G
    Great tour with Matt
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Matt our tour guide was great, very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meeting: 9:00 JR Akabane Station — (JR Takasaki Line, Ginza Subway Line) Asakusa – 10:00~12:00 Senso-ji Temple / Nakamise shopping street tour
    • — (Asakusa Line, JR Sobu Line, Yamanote Line) Harajuku 12:30~13:00 Lunch 13:00~14:10 Meiji Shrine tour
    • — 14:30~15:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko Statue etc. tour 15:20 Disband at Shibuya Station

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting from South America, on a stay in Tokyo. It was the third day of their trip. They wished to see many places, and we took our time to visit at a relaxed pace. They were interested in shrines and temples, and showed great interest in visiting Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine, as well as the differences in how to worship at each. At Nakamise, they enthusiastically enjoyed shopping for souvenirs even amid the crowds. They took many commemorative photos and seemed very satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAkabane Station~Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station360JPY
    Section 2TrainToei Asakusa Station~JR Harajuku Station410JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Harajuku Station~JR Shibuya Station150JPY
    Total920JPY

    My name is Mari Ise. I started this job as a guide Interpreter in 2020. I don’t have much experience, but I have been enjoying traveling with visitors from abroad very much since then. Besides this job, I am working as a teacher of English at high schools and am teaching Japanese language to people from foreign countries. I am very interested in traditional cultures, history, nature, art and music of both Japan and foreign countries. So, I would like to introduce and share much information with guests who will visit Japan. It would be my great pleasure if you visitors could enjoy and love travel in Japan.

  • Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meeting point: Hyatt Place Kyoto
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ①: Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:45 Break: Rest area near the Kinkaku-ji exit
    • 13:15 Lunch: Arashiyama (Japanese restaurant)
    • 14:00 Sightseeing ②: Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge ⇒ Tenryu-ji Temple & Garden ⇒ Bamboo Grove Path)
    • 15:15 Break: Cafe near JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
    • 16:45 Sightseeing ③: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 17:50 Dismissal: JR Kyoto Station

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour with Kids Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Before the tour, I communicated frequently with one of the guests to coordinate the destinations and to plan for the needs of the younger members of the group. The biggest concern beforehand was whether the younger guests could handle an 8-hour walking tour without a private vehicle. At the same time, the group was very enthusiastic about sightseeing and expressed a wish to visit as many places as possible. After several email exchanges, we reached a shared understanding: we would draw up a plan, but prioritize the health and safety of the group above all, making decisions on the spot and staying flexible. As an initial plan, I set five destinations as a guide: Kinkaku-ji, then lunch in Arashiyama, followed by sightseeing in Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji, and the Bamboo Grove), then Fushimi Inari, Gion, and a manga museum. On the day of the tour, the rain that had been falling since the previous day still lingered, which made me anticipate a challenging day ahead. We met at the hotel, reconfirmed the course and our plan to prioritize the situation of the younger guests and respond flexibly, and set off. When I actually met the group, everyone was very cheerful and energetic and reasonably cooperative, which put me a little at ease. We traveled between destinations entirely by public transportation (subway, bus, and JR). Although I had been worried about how this would go, the guests cooperated with one another and the transfers went smoothly. The concern was how much walking the group could endure between stations or bus stops and the destinations. I constantly observed how the group was doing and consulted with them along the way, taking sufficient rest breaks when anyone seemed tired and offering sweets to keep energy up. Because of this, we sometimes far exceeded the planned travel times, but I managed by consulting frequently with the group and canceling some destinations. In the end, we canceled the latter part of the plan (Higashiyama/Gion and the manga museum) and visited three places: Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari. Because the group walked energetically to the very end (covering about 10 kilometers over the whole route!) and the rain stopped and the weather turned around, we were able to finish the tour feeling wonderful. It was a tour in which I was greatly encouraged by the smiles of the guests.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarutamachi~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitano-Hakubaicho230JPY
    Section 4TrainKitano-Hakubaicho~Arashiyama250JPY
    Total970JPY

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
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    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

  • Osaka: Osaka Port & Doguyasuji

    Osaka: Osaka Port & Doguyasuji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40 Meet @ Osaka Port
    • 10:00 Depart Osaka Port
    • 10:15-10:50 @ Shitennoji
    • 11:00-11:30 @ Harukas Garden
    • 12:00-12:30 @ Shinsekai
    • 13:00-13:30 @ Sakai Denshokan
    • 14:00-14:40 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 15:05-15:30 @ Doguyasuji
    • 16:05 Disband @ Osaka Port

    What Is a Private Osaka Cruise-Port Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America who arrived at Osaka Port by cruise ship. A travel agency had split a larger group into two and made bookings, and this was one group of seven. Since it had not been possible to communicate directly with the guests beforehand, the itinerary and other details were discussed and confirmed with the group's leader on the day. Initially, the plan was for the two groups to follow the same itinerary but to move separately, however one leader was covering both groups and strongly requested that both groups act together. With the cooperation of the other guide and the drivers, we were able to conduct the tour as requested, and the guests were able to enjoy it.

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Sep 26, 2026
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  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at JR Himeji Station
    • 11:30 at Himeji Castle
    • 13:30 at Kokoen Garden
    • 14:15 at Nadagiku Sake Brewery
    • 15:00 Disband at Himeji Station Underground Restaurant Street

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests moved smoothly through the day for the most part. Himeji Castle was extremely crowded, partly because a band concert was scheduled for the evening, and entry restrictions were even in place inside the castle grounds. Both guests listened attentively to my explanations and I believe they enjoyed each spot. At Nadagiku Sake Brewery, they enjoyed the tasting and purchased Japanese sake as a souvenir. After the tour ended, the guests wanted to have "okonomiyaki" for lunch, so I guided them to a restaurant and we parted ways after their order was placed. The guests were very pleasant and had a great sense of humor, and it was an enjoyable experience to serve as their guide.

    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

    Sep 27, 2026
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