Category: Uncategorized

  • Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:57 Meet up @ Hotel Nakajima Park
    • 2. 10:05 Nakajima Park (Japanese Garden)
    • 3. 10:25 Nijo Market
    • 4. 11:10 Sapporo Clock Tower
    • 5. 11:40 Odori Park
    • 6. 12:30. Lunch @ Shin-Sapporo
    • 7. 13:15 Historical Village of Hokkaido
    • 8. Disband @ Hotel Nakajima Park

    Title: What Is a Private Afternoon Tour of the Historical Village of Hokkaido Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from Europe. The guest was interested in Japanese culture and architecture, so based on the guest's interests we decided to visit the Historical Village of Hokkaido in the afternoon. This facility, set on a spacious site, gathers old buildings from various parts of Hokkaido dating from the Meiji era to the early Showa period, either relocated or reconstructed on the grounds. Since the guest had likely already seen buildings with a longer history on Honshu, I was a little concerned about what impression this would make, but the guest was fascinated by the facility, which conveys a sense of daily life during Hokkaido's pioneer era. The guest showed deep respect for Japanese culture in general, including Japanese cuisine, and was a very rewarding person to guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOdori Park Station~Shin-Sapporo Station330JPY
    Section 2SubwayShin-Sapporo Station~Nakajima Park Station330JPY
    Total660JPY

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

    Sep 2, 2025
    roxannerW1499FK
    Great experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…

  • Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the Hotel
    • 9:15 Take the bus to the museum
    • 9:45 Arrive at the museum 
    •     Museum Monument tour
    • 12:30 Monument tour ends Disband in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour in Hiroshima for a group visiting from North America. The day before, the guests had already visited Miyajima and enjoyed okonomiyaki, making the most of their time in Hiroshima. As they were heading to Nara next, I explained the differences between the deer of Miyajima and the deer of Nara. I told them how, during wartime, the deer of Miyajima suddenly disappeared and deer were brought in from Nara. I also explained that because the deer of Miyajima had been cared for like pets, they remained gentle and friendly toward people even though they are wild. Since there were young members in the group, I was mindful that they might grow tired of visiting the museum or listening to my explanations, but they listened quietly. One of the guests was very knowledgeable about the structure of the atomic bomb explosion and explained the exhibits to the rest of the group in front of the display. It was a valuable learning experience for me as well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station~Museum220JPY
    Total220JPY

    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 Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0945 Meet at Hotel
    • 1015 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 1120 Nijo Castle
    • 1320 Nishiki Market
    • 1515 Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Grove, etc.
    • 1630 Disband at Hotel

    Can You Do a Private Family Day Tour of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The weather brought intermittent light rain, but nothing severe. Although it was humid, it was not too hot, and we were able to enjoy the sight of the green trees looking especially vivid in the rain. At one point there was a minor incident when the sole of one guest's shoe came off, but this was resolved by returning to the Hotel briefly to change into a spare pair. The day happened to coincide with the "Yamahoko Hikizome" trial pulling of the floats for the Gion Festival, which caused some temporary traffic congestion and pushed our schedule back. Thanks to the driver's kind cooperation, however, we managed with only a slight extension of time. Since one of the guests had some difficulty walking, we made minor adjustments to the original route.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 2.8:35 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 3.10:00@Gion Hanamikoji
    • 4.10:45@Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 5.11:50 Lunch @Junsei (Yudofu tofu)
    • 6.13:25 @Ninenzaka→Sannenzaka
    • 7.13:50 @Zuigudo Hall
    • 8.14:00 Dismissal @Kiyomizu-dera Temple Todoromon Gate

    # What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashiyama and Nanzenji I apologize for any concern caused, as I was unable to reach the guests until the day before. This morning I went to the meeting point in time for the scheduled hour and was able to meet the guests without any trouble. The guests came from North America. This trip to Japan was a graduation celebration. One of the guests had studied Japanese for three years at school. They also said they enjoy Japanese cuisine. We met at the Hotel, and after hearing where they wished to visit, we planned the Higashiyama district for the final part of the sightseeing. All of the locations were places they had hoped to see, so they were very satisfied. At Nanzenji, I explained that the yudofu (tofu hot pot) at "Junsei" is famous, and they chose to have their lunch there. Both Nanzenji and Junsei have beautiful gardens, and the guests were deeply impressed.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Sanjo220JPY
    Section 3SubwaySanjo Keihan~Keage220JPY
    Section 4SubwayKeage~Higashiyama220JPY
    Section 5BusHigashiyama~Higashiyama Yasui230JPY
    Total1,040JPY

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Meet @ Prince Sakura Tower
    • 9:15 Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate ~ Nijubashi Bridge ~ Imperial Palace Outer Garden)
    • 10:15 Yanesen (Nezu Shrine ~ Hebi-michi ~ Yanaka Ginza ~ Yanaka Cemetery)
    • 11:30 Lunch @ 8th Generation Denzaemon Meshiya
    • 12:00 Ueno Park (Toshogu Shrine ~ Statue of Saigo Takamori ~ Ameyoko)
    • 13:00 Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Hoppy Street)
    • 14:10 East Ginza (Kabukiza Theatre ~ 4-chome Intersection)
    • 14:30 Disband @ Ginza Mitsukoshi

    Title: What Are Tokyo's Hidden Spots on a Private Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America who had arrived the previous day. Before coming to Japan, they had communicated via a messaging app that they wanted to visit "secret & hidden places," so we agreed on the Imperial Palace along with the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi (Yanesen) area as destinations. Since heavy rain was forecast for the afternoon, we moved up our departure by 45 minutes. Around the Yanesen area, the guests kept saying "cool." For lunch, I deliberately chose a restaurant with an "Old Tokyo" atmosphere. They planned to visit Mount Fuji the next day and to explore Asakusa, Ginza, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku Golden Gai on their own the day after. When I explained the routes using a map, they realized it would be inefficient and decided they wanted to cover Asakusa and Ginza, on the east side of Tokyo, that same day, so we went into extended time. They walked hard through the rain and did very well. Photos were taken of only part of the group, as some of the guests preferred not to be photographed. Note to Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.): This time as well, the message I entered into the guide booking system did not reach the guests. (At least the guests said they had not seen it.) I understand from your team that this is an issue on the reservation platform's side — has there been any progress?

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Shinagawa~JR Yurakucho167JPY
    Section 2SubwayEidan Nijubashimae~Eidan Nezu178JPY
    Section 3SubwayEidan Ueno~Eidan Asakusa178JPY
    Section 4SubwayToei Asakusa~Toei Higashi-Ginza220JPY
    Total743JPY

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hiroshima Station – Miyajima – Peace Park – Hiroshima Station

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Tour Like from Hiroshima Station? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe. As usual, I welcomed them on the Shinkansen platform at Hiroshima Station, waving a name card along with Hiroshima and Toyo Carp flags. At first, there seemed to be a look of surprise on their faces, as if they had come across a rather unusual sight. I quickly switched into a more serious mode and responded in very polite English. Holding back on jokes and speaking earnestly about the geography and history of Hiroshima, I gradually noticed the group relaxing, their expressions changing to something like, "This person may look a bit odd, but perhaps he is actually quite serious." Before long, as I mentioned having traveled around Asia for a while and spoke a little of the local language, their expressions shifted again, as if to say, "Maybe this person is some kind of well-known adventurer in Japan." For lunch, we went to my usual place, where they enjoyed okonomiyaki. At that point, I mistakenly heard the order and placed an order for a cheese okonomiyaki instead of a shrimp one, which brought a moment of frustration. Despite little moments like these, the tour came to a successful and pleasant conclusion.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station440JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station~Hiroshima Peace Park220JPY
    Section 4OtherAtomic Bomb Dome~Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total1,210JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Walk to Ueno Bonsai Center

    Tokyo in One Day: Walk to Ueno Bonsai Center

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30-11:15 Meet at hotel, head to Ueno
    • 11:15-12:00. Stroll through Ueno Park (Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Saigo Statue, Kannon Hall)
    • 12:00-13:00 Walk to Ueno Bonsai Center
    • 13:00-14:30 Lunch near the Bonsai Center (kamaage udon at Kamachiku)
    • 14:30-16:30 Stroll through Yanaka (Nezu Shrine, Yoshida Liquor Store, etc.)
    • 16:30-17:00. Move from Nippori, disband at Keikyu Kamata

    What Is a Private Tour of Yanaka and Ueno in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania who travel abroad about once a year and were seasoned travelers. They wanted to see bonsai, so I looked into options, and considering their original goal of visiting Yanaka, I thought the bonsai center in Ueno would be a good choice and took them there. Along the way, they also enjoyed a lotus pond. Since they mentioned they wanted to eat something delicious, I took them to a restaurant that had also been recommended by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). They seemed to enjoy the meal, though they requested forks instead of chopsticks, and it still appeared a little difficult for them to eat. After that, I guided them from Nezu Shrine along the classic Yanaka course. (With the winding streets, it was quite challenging to guide them in a single continuous route.)

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOtorii~Ueno436JPY
    Section 2TrainNippori~Keikyu Kamata436JPY
    Total872JPY

    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!

    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…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine & @ Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine & @ Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet up @ Miyako City Osaka Hommachi
    • 09:45 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 11:00 @ Namba (Doguyasuji)
    • 11:45 @ Kuromon Market
    • 12:45 @ Dotonbori
    • 13:00 Disband @ Shinsaibashi

    What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha, Doguyasuji, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori The guests moved smoothly throughout the tour. At Sumiyoshi Taisha, they listened attentively to the guide's explanations, experienced the worship customs, picked up the small "Go-Dai-Riki" pebbles from the popular power spot, and purchased small amulet pouches. At Doguyasuji, they were especially interested in the remarkably detailed food samples of sushi and fruit, and enjoyed browsing them. At Kuromon Market, they sampled takoyaki, black bean tea, pickles, dried wakame, and dried fruit, and purchased a large amount of souvenirs. At Dotonbori, they mentioned they wanted to eat okonomiyaki and kushikatsu, so I introduced several restaurants and we parted ways there. They mentioned they would visit Osaka Castle after the tour ended.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySakaisuji-Hommachi~Namba190JPY
    Section 2TrainNamba~Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine240JPY
    Section 3TrainSumiyoshi Taisha Shrine~Namba240JPY
    Total670JPY

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Sensoji Temple & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Sensoji Temple & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00-10:30 Meet at hotel, then head to Asakusa via Kabukiza
    • 10:30-11:30 Sensoji Temple
    • 11:30-12:30 Move to Suehirocho, shopping at stores
    • 12:30-13:00 Head to Harajuku
    • 13:00-14:00 Visit Meiji Shrine
    • 14:00-14:15 Move to Shibuya, disband

    What Can You See on a 6-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They mentioned that they had prepared for their trip to Japan and had brought their SUICA cards with them, so getting around was smooth. At first, some of the guests seemed to have little interest in things that are popular in Japan, such as anime, but since they ended up shopping later on, I felt it was a good thing that I had taken them there after all. This was the first day of their trip, and since they had not arranged any other guided tours, our schedule was quite tight, but I condensed and guided them through a 6-hour tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHigashi-Ginza~Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Suehirocho178JPY
    Section 3TrainAkihabara~Harajuku178JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Total722JPY

    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!

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shiomi Station & Hatchobori Station

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shiomi Station & Hatchobori Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Meeting place: Hotel
    • 12:10 Depart Shiomi Station
    • (JR Keiyo Line)
    • Hatchobori Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 13:30 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Kasumigaseki Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 14:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 14:50 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Uniqlo
    • 16:00 Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Kasumigaseki Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 16:30 Hatchobori Station
    • 16:30 Dispersal: Hatchobori Station

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous night. They planned to visit Disneyland and DisneySea over the following two days. They were staying in Japan for a total of two weeks, planning to travel around Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka before returning to Tokyo and then heading home. They mentioned that they wanted to enjoy a variety of Japanese food. It was a tour under hot and humid weather. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, the guests eagerly explored here and there, buying and sampling tuna sashimi and strawberry mochi. They also tried grilled beef skewers. They asked questions such as, "Why are there so many people here? Is it always this crowded?" and "Does everyone come here to buy fish?" At Meiji Shrine, they asked questions such as, "What are the torii gates for?" and "Why do Buddhism and Shinto coexist?" They also asked, "Do Japanese people respect the Emperor and the Imperial family?" and "Why did the Meiji Restoration happen?" On Takeshita Street, some of the guests bought T-shirts as souvenirs. They spotted a cat café and said they would definitely like to come back another day. After that, we moved to Shibuya. At the Scramble Crossing, they commented, "Why are there so many people here?" They took photos in front of the Hachiko statue and bought underwear at a clothing store. They made comments such as, "The city is clean and quiet," "No one speaks loudly on the trains," and "There are really so many subway trains." They said that Tokyo's subway system is difficult for beginners when it comes to transfers, so I saw them off at Hatchobori Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShiomi Station~Hatchobori Station167JPY
    Section 2SubwayHatchobori Station~Tsukiji Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji Station~Meiji-jingumae Station209JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku Station~Shibuya Station146JPY
    Section 5SubwayShibuya Station~Hatchobori Station209JPY
    Total909JPY

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

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