Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meeting Point: Hotel Okura Kyoto
    • 2. 9:30 Nijo Castle
    • 3. 11:40 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 4. 12:40 Lunch (Tai-meshi Maki Kinkaku-ji)
    • 5. 13:50 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 6. 15:20 Shinkyogoku / Teramachi
    • 7. 15:30 Dismissal (near the east entrance of Nishiki Market)

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nishiki Market and Teramachi The guests were visitors from North America, making their first trip to Japan. Before their visit, they had long held a strong interest in Japanese history, culture, and cuisine, but due to the pandemic and the need to coordinate their schedules, this trip finally became possible. On one hand, they asked fundamental questions about topics such as the succession of the shogunate, the balance of power with the emperor, and the differences between Buddhism and Shinto. On the other hand, although it was their second day in Kyoto, they shared a unique and favorable comment about the city, noting that compared to Tokyo, Kyoto had more English signage and that English was more commonly used in customer service throughout the town. Due to time constraints, after guiding them around the entrances to Shinkyogoku, Teramachi, and Nishiki Market, we exchanged smiles and a handshake on the street and said our goodbyes.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKyoto City Hall～Nijojo-mae1,100JPY
    Section 2Free PassNijojo-mae～Kinkakuji-michi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassKinkakuji-michi～Karasuma Imadegawa0JPY
    Section 4Free PassDoshisha-mae～Shijo Kawaramachi0JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Born, raised and married in Kyoto, I am Masaaki Tanaka started English-speaking licensed guide since 2008, guiding mostly those English-speaking inbound tourists in Kyoto, which is my home base, and in Osaka (where I woked so long time until my retirment) and Nara and in other Kansai areas incl. Kobe, Koyasan, etc. If allowed, I can say I am somewhat experinced in Japanese history (especially in its culture). When young, I lived and worked for some 11 years in the Middle East, which areas, accordingly, I am still quite familiar to . My hobby includes : seeing Noh Play and Kabuki, hearing Musics in general (Beethoven, Beatles, Jazz & Rock’n Rolls as well as Japanese classicals), seeing the paintings/artworks in general, playing the piano (all time at beginner’s level, though), playing the guitar and, when younger, I enjoyed skiing and business golf. Also, I am, since my childhoo, a great fan of Tigers in Japan’s pro-base ball. I love cats (keeping now an old female ‘Chee’ chan) , and certainly my wife Tokuko as well.

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    Jul 30, 2026
    amydJ3030YT
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Kyoto tour with a licensed guide and separate driver…

    Mar 20, 2026
    moisessG5827VE
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaaki Tanaka was the best tour guide ever!
    Masaaki Tanaka was an…

    Jun 16, 2025
    896nataliex
    Amazing Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaaki, was an excellent tour guide and wealth of knowledge…

    Apr 23, 2025
    Simon S
    Enjoyable and informative
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Osaka with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    The service was friendly…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00　Meet up @Hotel
    • 2. 11:00　@Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple, shopping at Nakamise Street)
    • 3. 12:30　@Lunch (MOMO Asakusa branch)
    • 4. 13:40　@Asakusa (shopping at Asakusa ROX)
    • 5. 14:20　@Nihonbashi Takashimaya Pokemon Center (shopping)
    • 6. 15:00　@In front of Nihonbashi Takashimaya, assisting the 3 people returning to the hotel first with getting a taxi
    • 7. 15:30　@Tokyo Station Underground Character Street
    • 8. 16:30　@Tokyo Station (station plaza, station building)
    • 9. 16:45　@Ginza (NISSAN, GU, UNIQLO)
    • 10. 17:40　Disband @Shiomi Station

    Private Family Tour of Tokyo with a Licensed Guide: Asakusa, Nabe Lunch, and Pokemon Center — A Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. Some of the guests had a strong interest in Japan, including anime and studying the Japanese language at school, which seems to have been the inspiration for this trip. Another of the guests was a big fan of Pokemon. They had arrived at Haneda the day before, and since the time difference was only one hour, there was no jet lag. However, despite it being the rainy season, Tokyo was experiencing an extremely hot day, which made the temperature challenging for the youngest of the guests. Everyone was very cheerful and energetic and enjoyed the sightseeing, but by the time we finished praying at the main hall of Sensoji Temple, one of the guests became flushed in the face and started crying due to the heat. We immediately moved into the shade, drank water, and took a break. Since the group wanted to experience Japanese nabe cuisine, we started lunch earlier than planned at the restaurant we had booked, so we could be in a well-air-conditioned environment. Even the decision-maker of the group could not withstand the weather, so we changed the original plan of spending the afternoon in Asakusa and instead headed to the Pokemon Center in Nihonbashi as an alternative where we could stay indoors. Even though we had taken precautions against the heat before leaving the hotel, constantly drinking water, wearing hats, and everyone even walking while fanning themselves with folding fans, I felt anew that this intense heat before the end of the rainy season requires extra caution. After finishing shopping at the Pokemon Center, some of the guests returned to the hotel first by taxi, while I guided the rest of the guests to the next location. The nabe meal was a system where you could enjoy both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, and one of the guests was very satisfied. Some of the guests bought cosmetics-related items, and one of the guests bought Pokemon cards, so everyone was able to shop for what interested them. The heat was tough, but I believe the guests were satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Keiyo Line　Shiomi Station～JR Keiyo Line　Hatchobori Station167JPY
    Section 2SubwaySubway Hibiya Line　Hatchobori Station～Subway Ginza Line　Asakusa Station209JPY
    Section 3SubwaySubway Ginza Line　Asakusa Station～Subway Ginza Line　Nihonbashi Station178JPY
    Section 4TrainSubway Marunouchi Line　Tokyo Station～Subway Marunouchi Line　Ginza Station178JPY
    Section 5TrainSubway Hibiya Line　Ginza Station～Subway Hibiya Line　Hatchobori Station178JPY
    Section 6TrainJR Keiyo Line　Hatchobori Station～JR Keiyo Line　Shiomi Station167JPY
    Total1,077JPY

    Tour Report by Noripy

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

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    Jul 3, 2026
    Jody D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Best Post cruise tour ever
    It was…

    June 19, 2026
    Alec T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in 4 hours
    Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely experience. My…
    Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel – 10:30 Meiji Shrine – 11:45 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 12:30 Tsukiji Outer Market – 13:10 Lunch – 14:00 Kappabashi Kitchen Town – 15:10 Disband at Hotel

    What Is a Private Chauffeured Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji and Kappabashi The guests were a group visiting from North America, and this was a private chauffeured car tour of Tokyo. Breakfast ran a little long, so we started about 30 minutes behind schedule. Even on one of the hottest days of the year, the group was able to travel comfortably in the air-conditioned car, which made the day much easier. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, the group purchased two bags of dried baby sardines. They enjoyed authentic sushi at a nearby sushi restaurant and said they would love to come back on their own to eat there again. After lunch, we strolled through Kappabashi Kitchen Town, where the group bought two knives made using traditional methods along with a whetstone. They also enjoyed shopping for small plates and cloths at a tableware shop before returning to the Hotel.

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

    Tour Report by Michio

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

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

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

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

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

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Sightseeing: Osaka Castle

    Osaka in Half a Day: Sightseeing: Osaka Castle

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meeting point: Hotel Granvia Osaka
    • 09:40 Sightseeing: Osaka Castle
    • 11:20 Lunch: Dotonbori "Botejyu"
    • 12:00 Sightseeing & strolling: Dotonbori
    • 13:00 Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private 4-Hour Osaka Walking and Taxi Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America for a trip. Originally one more member of the group had planned to join, but due to the long journey they were resting at the hotel instead. Over lunch, I learned that the group had relocated across Asia and North America over the years. They were a very cheerful and close-knit group, always full of lively and enjoyable conversation. The greatest challenge during this tour was the heat. For this reason, the planned itinerary (Hotel ⇒ Osaka Castle ⇒ Dotonbori ⇒ Kuromon Market) had originally called for using the subway for all transfers, as it is convenient, but walking between destinations under the blazing sun proved unbearable. After consulting with the guests on the spot, we switched to traveling by taxi. Thanks to this, there was almost no walking in the scorching heat, and we could move about comfortably. At the same time, I was able to explain the next destinations while in the air-conditioned taxi, which greatly deepened their understanding of Osaka's history and culture. What the guests especially enjoyed during the tour was lunch at Dotonbori. At the request of the guests, I chose a well-known okonomiyaki restaurant in Dotonbori. The guests were very interested in Osaka's food culture and expressed their gratitude, saying, "This is the first time we've been able to eat okonomiyaki and takoyaki made locally in Osaka. The real thing really is different. Thank you for choosing this restaurant." Because lunch ran considerably longer than planned, at the guests' request we skipped the final destination, Kuromon Market, and instead strolled around the Dotonbori area. I introduced how Osaka's Minami district is rich not only in popular food culture but also in popular entertainment, and we enjoyed the walk. In the end, the guests discovered an amusement arcade with bowling, billiards, and table tennis, and decided to play table tennis. There was little guiding time left, but at the guests' invitation I also enjoyed playing table tennis with them. Although it was a short tour of four hours, I was able to guide a close-knit group even in the heat, and it was a very pleasant guiding experience.

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

    Tour Report by Nori

    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.

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    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.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 9:45 Asakusa (Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple)
    • 11:15 Shibamata (approach ~ Taishakuten Temple, sculpture gallery, garden)
    • 12:00 Lunch @ Yabuchu
    • 13;15 Yanaka (cemetery ~ Ginza)
    • 14;30 Ueno (Toshogu Shrine, Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Saigo Takamori statue, Ameyoko)
    • 15:30 Disband @ Hotel

    Can You Do a Private Off-the-Beaten-Path Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, on their first trip to Japan, though they had already visited Hiroshima and Kyoto. Although the Tokyo itinerary had been agreed upon in advance, on the morning of the tour one of the guests said, "Since we have a guide, we'd like to go somewhere off the beaten path," which led to the itinerary described above. Everything except Asakusa was unplanned. A lesson learned: an itinerary agreed upon with one guest is not necessarily approved by the whole group, so this is something to be careful about going forward. In Shibamata, the guests appreciated the contrast with the more touristy Asakusa, and the soba restaurant along the temple approach where we had lunch had no other inbound visitors, so they were delighted to soak up the local atmosphere. At Yanaka Cemetery, the conversation turned to topics such as grave closure and perpetual memorial services, and at Yanaka Ginza they checked out shops to cool off and purchased some small items. Since Tokugawa Ieyasu is essential to any story about Edo, I took them to Toshogu Shrine, and at the statue of Saigo Takamori I explained the story of the samurai who lost their livelihoods after the Meiji Restoration and the Satsuma Rebellion. Even though the guests had come from a cool place at an altitude of 1,600 meters, they did wonderfully in the intense heat.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayEidan Otemachi～Eidan Ginza178JPY
    Section 2TrainEidan Asakusa～Keisei Shibamata377JPY
    Section 3TrainKeisei Shibamata～Keisei Nippori272JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Nippori～JR Ueno146JPY
    Section 5TrainJR Okachimachi～JR Tokyo146JPY
    Total1,119JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

    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

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    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…

  • Osaka in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Osaka Port Dismissal

    Osaka in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Osaka Port Dismissal

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Osaka Port Meetup
    • 10:30 Togetsukyo Bridge – Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – Nonomiya Shrine
    • 12:00 Lunch Kinkaku-ji Hanamakiya
    • 12:50 Kinkaku-ji
    • 14:00 Nijo Castle
    • 15:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 17:00 Osaka Port Dismissal

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was an extremely hot day, with the high temperature reaching nearly 37 degrees Celsius, so I was very concerned about heatstroke throughout the day. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove offered some shade, which was nice, but it was still quite hot. We quickly moved on to Kinkaku-ji, where the guests had lunch and cooled down. We also took a taxi from Kinkaku-ji to Nijo Castle to avoid the heat. One of the guests was a fan of the drama Shogun, and the group toured Nijo Castle with great enthusiasm. Finally, we visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, but because of the intense heat, we had to stop partway through and headed back to the Port of Osaka. A tour on such a hot day was quite demanding, and I believe the guests were tired by the end.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOsaka Port～Bentencho240JPY
    Section 2TrainBentencho～Osaka170JPY
    Section 3TrainHankyu Umeda～Hankyu Arashiyama410JPY
    Section 4TrainKeifuku Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 5BusKitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 6SubwayNijojo-mae～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 7TrainSanjo～Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 8TrainInari～Bentencho990JPY
    Section 9SubwayBentencho～Osaka Port240JPY
    Total2,970JPY

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

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    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

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

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

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

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hiroshima Station – Miyajima – Peace Park – Hiroshima

    What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Peace Park Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an older group visiting from Oceania. For lunch, I arranged an okonomiyaki restaurant I regularly rely on, requesting the dishes be prepared without pork. Due to heavy rain two days earlier, the underground pilgrimage at Daishoin Temple was closed to visitors. As it is one of the temple's signature experiences, it was a shame that we were not able to include it. Perhaps because of an interest in the history of war, the guests seemed to find the Peace Memorial Park and museum even more compelling than Miyajima. They shared with me their experience of migrating to Oceania decades ago, along with something of the hardships that migration can bring. It reminded me that, rather than simply guiding and explaining the sights, it is also important to listen to the guests and tailor the experience to them.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi440JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station～Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station～Peace Park330JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    Tour Report by Yuji

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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Azabudai Hills

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Azabudai Hills

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hotel MIMARU Kinshicho
    • 10:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 12:30 Tokyo Tower
    • 14:00 Azabudai Hills
    • Disband at the restaurant on the 3rd floor of Tower Plaza

    What Is a Private Family-Friendly Tokyo Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe on a family trip. Through email exchanges via a travel agency, they had expressed interest in visiting Akihabara, so I had included it in the plan, but they had already been there the day before, so we changed the itinerary at short notice to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Walking in 35°C heat was demanding, but the guests kindly said they were used to the heat and were very cooperative. Since Tanabata was approaching, I told them about the festival, and they stopped at the Tanabata corners set up at Takebashi Station and Tokyo Tower, where they wrote their wishes and tied them to bamboo branches. It was heartwarming to see them understand and take part in a traditional Japanese event. The tour ended after I guided them to the restaurant district at Azabudai Hills. (When I gave them six paper fans I had at home, they were delighted to use them. They are essential during extreme heat.)

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKinshicho～Otemachi178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTakebashi～Kamiyacho209JPY
    Total387JPY

    Tour Report by YUMI

    I’m YUMI. Japan is full of history, nature and culture. I would like to talk about them from many aspects. When you have some questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. There’re many off the beaten paths in Japan. If you want to walk in a hidden local area, I’ll tailor the special course as you wish.
    Experiencing new foods is also one of many intriguing things during your trip. I would recommend anything from street foods such as Ramen, Yakitori to authentic Sushi or elegant courses. My policy is to cherish your feelings and time. Let’s enjoy talking and walking with me!

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    Jun 6, 2026
    Michelle0309
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Off the tourist track in Tokyo
    We had such a lovely time…

    May 25, 2026
    lynnv748
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hakone was a highlight of our vacation
    We loved our day…

    May 20, 2026
    Suzana F
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji Food and Toyosu Market with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learned and enjoyed every minut
    Yumi was a fanty…

    May 14, 2026
    Robert_L
    Excellent tour with our outstanding guide, Yumi
    Viator review: Tokyo 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Tea Ceremony Experience
    Yumi is…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel-10:45 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace-12:15 Tsukiji Outer Market-13:45 Harajuku Takeshita Street-14:10 Disband at Takeshita Street

    Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. In the hotel lobby, we spread out a map of Tokyo and discussed the places to visit. During that time, I made an origami "kabuto" (samurai helmet) from chiyogami paper and gave it to one of the guests, who was delighted. The tour, arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), started at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Even after taking a short break at an air-conditioned rest house, one of the guests crouched down at a soft-serve ice cream shop while strolling through the Tsukiji Outer Market, so we took another short break. There was no fever and it did not seem to be heatstroke, so I guided the group to Takeshita Street in Harajuku, and the tour concluded at a Shiba Inu café. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKinshicho～Otemachi209JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi～Tsukiji286JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji～Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Total704JPY

    Tour Report by Michio

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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo
    • 2. 10:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 3. 11:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 4. 12:45 Tokyo Station
    • 5. 13:00 Nezu Shrine
    • 6. 13:30 Yanaka
    • 7. 14:15 Lunch (Gonpachi Asakusa Azumabashi)
    • 8. 15:15 Asakusa
    • 9. 16:00 Disband at Asakusa

    A One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Yanaka, and Asakusa — A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They were spending about two weeks in Japan overall, and after visiting Hiroshima, Kyoto, and other places, they came to Tokyo. Today was their first day in Tokyo, and they planned to explore the city for about three more days. I guided them to Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Nezu Shrine, Yanaka, and Asakusa. Along the way, they mentioned they also wanted to see the exterior of Tokyo Station, so it was added to our list of destinations. It was a hot day, but the guests were very energetic and walked quickly, so we were able to follow the itinerary as planned. They had also done a guided tour in Kyoto, so they had already received a certain amount of explanation about temples, shrines, and religion. To avoid overlapping too much, I had to check how much they already knew as we went along, which was the challenging part. Since they had a late breakfast, they said we could skip lunch and started that way, but partly because of the heat, we decided to take a break along the way. They preferred a proper meal over a cafe, so it ended up being a late lunch. At the end, I explained how to get back to their hotel from Asakusa, and we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa～Harajuku178JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Otemachi209JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi～Nezu178JPY
    Section 4TrainNippori～Ueno146JPY
    Section 5SubwayUeno～Asakusa178JPY
    Total889JPY

    Tour Report by Haru

    Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
    I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
    I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!

    Request Booking

    Jul 13, 2026
    529gregj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
    Haru (Haruhiko…

    Jul 12, 2026
    Felice R
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…

    Jul 9, 2026
    mariee530
    An incredible walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This tour was beyond expectations!…

    Jun 30, 2026
    simonegN55VE
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fabulous walking tour with Haru
    Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour…