Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

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

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00　Meet up @InterContinental Yokohama Grand
    • 2. 10:00　@Meiji Shrine
    • 3. 10:45　@Harajuku (Takeshita Street)
    • 4. 11:45　@Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 5. 12:30　Lunch @Suju Restaurant (inside Shin-Marunouchi Building)
    • 6. 14:00　@Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Station Building)
    • 7. 14:40　@Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    • 8. 15:40　@Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue)
    • 9. 16:20　Disband @on the Tokyu Toyoko Line directly connected to the Minatomirai Line

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Koishikawa Korakuen The guests were visitors from North America. The group had grandchildren living elsewhere, so opportunities to see them were rare. I heard that the group enjoys traveling frequently by cruise ship. One of the guests had stayed in Tokyo before but had never done any sightseeing here, while it was the first visit to Japan for another. At the first stop, Meiji Shrine, one of the guests selected and purchased some souvenirs. Afterward, at Takeshita Street, the group enjoyed some window shopping at accessory shops and other stores. One of the guests had been a little worried about their condition at first, but had no trouble getting around during the day. However, the heat felt very intense to the group. I had explained Tokyo's extreme summer heat in advance, but the group said they were used to living in a hot area and were not concerned. During the tour, they remarked that they were accustomed to high temperatures but not to humidity, and were surprised by how humid it was. It was relatively cloudy and did not reach the point of extreme heat, but the sweat pouring down got into the eyes, which made things difficult. We took a lunch break partly to escape the heat. The group very much enjoyed Japanese cuisine. After recovering their energy and stamina during this roughly one-hour break, we headed to Koishikawa Korakuen. This followed a strong request made during the earlier itinerary planning to visit Koishikawa Korakuen even if it meant giving up a visit to Asakusa. There were many points I wanted to introduce, but due to the heat we stayed only about 20 minutes before heading back. It became a repeating cycle of feeling refreshed upon entering air-conditioned indoor spaces and then quickly becoming tired when stepping out into the hot, humid air, but I believe the group enjoyed this new experience.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMinatomirai Line Minatomirai Station～Tokyu Toyoko Line Shibuya Station510JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shibuya Station～Meiji-jingumae Station600JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Hanzomon Line Shibuya Station～Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Tozai Line Otemachi Station～Iidabashi Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Korakuen Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station0JPY
    Total1,110JPY

    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!

    Request Booking

    Sep 10, 2026
    Sonal_G
    Noripy is just the best
    Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Noripy is such a…

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Bashamichi Station, meet at Tully Coffee (actually 9:40)
    • 9:40-10:20 Travel to Shibuya
    • 10:20-11:00. Visit Shibuya Scramble Square, Hachiko, and Pokemon Center
    • 11:00-12:30. Travel to Harajuku, then visit Meiji Shrine
    • 13:00-13:45 Lunch
    • 13:45-14:30 Travel to Akihabara
    • 14:30-15:40. From Akihabara main street, take the subway to Asakusa, visit Senso-ji Temple, and disband

    What's a Private Yokohama and Tokyo Tour Like for Cruise Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests arrived from North America. Since their cruise port was in Yokohama, we arranged to meet in Yokohama on the day of the tour. Despite contacting them several times, my emails did not reach them smoothly, and as the guests had not registered a messaging app, I had a difficult time getting in touch with them up until the night before. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) was very helpful throughout this process. After we met, the tour got off to a smooth start. Although the guests mentioned that they were used to the heat back home, it turned out to be very hot, and there was also a dedication event at Meiji Shrine, making it as crowded as the New Year period, so some of the guests seemed a bit tired. Since it was primarily a Tokyo tour, I felt that in such cases it would be better to arrange the meeting point somewhere in Tokyo instead.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJiyugaoka (boarding at Bashamichi, but treated as boarding within the Tokyo area of the Tokyu Line)～Shibuya180JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Akihabara178JPY
    Section 4TrainSuehirocho～Asakusa178JPY
    Total682JPY

    Tour Report by Kappa

    Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
    Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

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    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 Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0900 Meet at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills (2 min from Toranomon Hills Station on the Hibiya Line)
    • 0930 Shibuya – Hachiko Statue – Scramble Crossing
    • 1000 Harajuku – Meiji Jingu First Torii – Takeshita Street
    • 1100 Shinjuku – 3D Cat Display – Godzilla Head – Omoide Yokocho
    • 1220 Akihabara – Under the Railway Tracks – Radio Kaikan – Yodobashi Camera
    • 1250 Tsukiji Outer Market – Kabuki-za – Ginza 4-chome Crossing
    • 1435 Asakusa – Culture and Tourism Center 8F Terrace – Nakamise – Sensoji Temple – Asakusa Shrine
    • 1615 Ochanomizu – Nikolai Cathedral – Yushima Seido – Kanda Myojin
    • 1640 Sake Tasting Experience @ Meishu Center
    • 1730 Accompany you to Hibiya on the Chiyoda Line, then part ways at the transfer point to the Hibiya Line

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America on their first trip to Japan, and their request was "please take us to as many places as possible," so the itinerary above was arranged to fulfill their wishes as much as possible. The night before, after arriving, they had gone to Tokyo Dome to watch a Giants baseball game. The next day they planned to visit TeamLab Borderless, and the day after that Disney Sea. They had originally planned to spend a night in Hakone before heading to Kyoto, but Typhoon No. 10 looked likely to make a direct hit and there was a possibility the trains would stop, so during the tour they canceled Hakone. Whether to go to Kyoto earlier or later was the question, and they said they would watch the typhoon situation a bit more. Since they did almost no shopping, we moved between places quite quickly. At Meiji Shrine, a Yosakoi Soran event was being prepared, so to save time, I explained the historical background at the first torii gate and then moved on to Takeshita Street. They had a high interest in food and dining, and at Omoide Yokocho they tried yakitori and karaage. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed an assortment of tuna at a sushi restaurant. They also enjoyed the sake tasting experience that had been arranged in advance, and with that the itinerary came to an end.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassToranomon～Shibuya600JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Shinjuku146JPY
    Section 4TrainShinjuku～Akihabara178JPY
    Section 5Free PassAkihabara～Tsukiji0JPY
    Section 6Free PassGinza～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 7Free PassAsakusa～Kanda0JPY
    Section 8TrainKanda～Ochanomizu146JPY
    Section 9Free PassShin-Ochanomizu～Hibiya0JPY
    Total1,216JPY

    Tour Report by Ted

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

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

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 – Meet at Hotel Shibuya
    • Imperial Palace Outer Garden – Marunouchi Street Gallery – KITTE – Tokyo Station
    • Meiji Shrine – Omotesando – 13:00 – Disband at Takeshita Street

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour Like for Guests Visiting from Overseas? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. We mainly visited places that the members of the group would enjoy. This report was unfortunately lost partway through several times, and this is now the fourth time I have re-entered it. For that reason, I have kept this report simple. I remain a little concerned about whether this freezing issue is caused by my own computer or by whether the site can handle large amounts of data.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShibuya～Otemachi209JPY
    Section 2SubwayTokyo～Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Total418JPY

    Tour Report by Kyoko

    Hello! I am Kyoko who has been working as a guide since 2017. I was born in Kyoto. So, my name comes from Kyoto which is Japan’s beautiful ancient capital . And “ko” literally means child in Japanese. Thus, my name Kyoko means Kyoto’s child, Kyoko. But some guests call me Kyoto. It’s okay, not a big problem.
    But to say the truth, I feel like this, ” Am I like an ancient person? No way~!!…” I am mainly guiding in and around Tokyo. Tokyo has two faces of well-advanced and old-fashioned. So, you can enjoy both high-tech technology and historical culture plus delicious food and drinks,too. You will surely be inspired in this city with me. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Thank you in advance!

    Request Booking

    Sep 9, 2025
    salanicolas
    Superb Tokyo guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoko was great! Super knowledgeable, a lot of fun,…

    Jun 19, 2025
    josephk547
    A definite must-do when visiting Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (Tokyo DEP.)
    Absolutely amazing tour…

    May 24, 2025
    sandrashachar
    Terrific Tokyo Tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a fantastic tour of the Asakusa Shrine,…

    May 22, 2025
    andywP8147WV
    Private Guided Tour in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our wonderful guide Kyoko prepared an excellent…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: HIE SHRINE & TOKYO CRUSE

    Tokyo in Half a Day: HIE SHRINE & TOKYO CRUSE

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 pickup at hotel
    • 10:30 ①HIE SHRINE
    • 11:15 ②THE IMPERIAL PALACE
    • 12:15 ③SENSO-JI TEMPLE
    • 1:25 ④TOKYO CRUSE

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. After meeting them at the Hotel, our conversation flowed easily right away and I was able to guide them enjoyably. We explored central Tokyo during an intense heat wave with temperatures exceeding 34 degrees, taking breaks to cool down in the Tokyo Metro and convenience stores to get through the day. The only miscalculation was that the TOKYO CRUISE boat from Asakusa had no air conditioning, which I imagine was uncomfortable. As their itinerary continued from Tokyo to the Kansai region, I offered advice about the effects of Typhoon No. 10, and they decided to gather information at the Hotel and make flexible changes to their plans as needed. We exchanged jokes throughout, and it was a fun and pleasant tour to guide.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassDepart from Akasaka-mitsuke Station with Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket～Tameike-Sanno Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro 24-hour ticket, Kokkai-gijidomae Station～Hibiya Station0JPY
    Section 3FerryTOKYO CRUISE Asakusa～Hinode Pier1,000JPY
    Section 4OtherYurikamome Hinode～Shimbashi251JPY
    Total1,851JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.

    Who am I?
    I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
    I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
    I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.

    What can I be expected?
    I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
    and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
    I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
    As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
    I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.

    What do I love?
    Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
    I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.

    How do I spend my spare time?
    I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
    I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.

    I look forward to meeting you soon.
    Thank you.

    Request Booking

    Sep 21, 2026
    judygU2038FZ
    A wonderful time in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had such a…

    Jul 21, 2026
    Sandra_U
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Individualized Tour!
    Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Celal_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour even…
    We had a great tour even…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Johanna H
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
    We booked the 6…

  • Takayama Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Takayama Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Takayama Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hiranoya Annex Lobby　8:30 Miyagawa Morning Market　9:30 Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine 10:30 Craft Work Tour in the Old Town　12:30 Break　13:30 Tsuda Carving　14:00 Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Craft-Focused Walking Tour of Takayama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an elegant, calm, and kind group visiting from Oceania. They interacted politely with the local people and enjoyed conversing with them. The theme of this tour was exploring traditional crafts. Since very few places open their production processes to the public, I explained this in advance and guided them to various shops. Today was the final day of the wind chime festival at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. As the guests wished to visit the old townscape rather than the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, we skipped the hall, paid our respects only at the shrine, and headed to the old streets. The guests liked sweet bean paste and bought some manju buns. We also visited shops such as Hokokusha and Hida Sashiko. We had to give up on the "Baren" woodblock print café this time due to limited time and energy. Finally, at Tsuda Carving, they watched a live demonstration and purchased items such as netsuke carvings.

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

    Tour Report by Mitsu

    I was born, raised, and still live in Takayama, and I am a licensed National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.

    My guiding philosophy is to create unforgettable memories through warm, cheerful, and engaging experiences. I enjoy sharing not only the highlights of the region, but also the history, culture, and stories that make each place unique.

    I studied International Relations at a national university and have built a diverse career in the tourism industry, including hotels, travel agencies, and the local tourism association. Today, I primarily guide luxury travelers, as well as private and group tours, offering authentic cultural experiences, visits with local artisans, and in-depth insights into Japanese traditions.

    I also practice Japanese calligraphy, the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony, Sencha (Baisa-ryu), and kimono dressing, allowing me to incorporate traditional Japanese culture into my tours.

    I mainly guide in Takayama, Okuhida, Shirakawa-go, Gokayama, Kanazawa, and Kamikochi. I look forward to helping make your visit to Japan a truly memorable experience.

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    Sep 26, 2024
    L9503LEstephenr
    Amazing experience and best guide ever ✨️
    Tripadvisor review: Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We did the tour…

    Aug 29, 2024
    Stay19758434714
    Takayama tour with Mitsu!
    Tripadvisor review: Takayama Local Cuisine, Food & Sake Cultural Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mitsu was an amazing…

    Aug 24, 2024
    Joy L
    Mitsu introduces us to the heritage of Takayama
    Tripadvisor review: Takayama Local Cuisine, Food & Sake Cultural Tour with Government-Licensed…

    Aug 13, 2024
    sall450
    Mitsu the BEST tourist guide in Takayama
    Tripadvisor review: Takayama Local Cuisine, Food & Sake Cultural Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mitsu…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Yanaka Ginza & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Yanaka Ginza & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:50 Meet @ Prince Park Tower
    • 11:20 GHQ Site ~ Imperial Palace (Nijubashi ~ East Gardens)
    • 12:50 Nezu Shrine ~ Snake Road
    • 13:15 Yanaka Ginza (Waguriya, Kinkoen, Neko Republic)
    • 14:45 Suwa Shrine (Yanaka)
    • 17:00 Dismiss @ Kimono Tea Ceremony Makinoya (Asakusa)
    • 15:15 Asakusa (Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Don Quijote)

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report on Old Tokyo (Yanaka, Asakusa) The guests were visiting Japan from North America. They had arrived one day early before boarding a cruise ship the following day, and booked this one-day Tokyo tour. Both the temperature and humidity were high today, making conditions tough for touring, and the rest area at the Ninomaru Garden of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace was packed with inbound visitors seeking relief from the heat. The guests were also drenched in sweat throughout the day. Since they wanted to see old Tokyo, we had agreed in advance to visit the Imperial Palace, then Yanesen, Shibamata, and Asakusa. However, because they liked Yanaka and wanted to stay somewhere air-conditioned to escape the heat, we spent more time in Yanaka and skipped Shibamata. In Yanaka, we enjoyed a chestnut Mont Blanc at Waguriya, purchased Japanese accessories at a local shop, and stopped by a cat café (both of them love cats). We happened upon a festival at Suwa Shrine and enjoyed the atmosphere of a local festival with almost no inbound visitors (photo). In Asakusa, one of the guests did quite a bit of shopping for skincare products. Despite the harsh heat, I believe they enjoyed their first visit to Japan.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayToei Shiba-koen～Toei Hibiya178JPY
    Section 2SubwayEidan Otemachi～Eidan Nezu178JPY
    Total356JPY

    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, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, 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…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Kyoto Station Front & Yasaka Shrine

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Kyoto Station Front & Yasaka Shrine

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Hotel Kyoto Station
    • 10:27-10:45 Kyoto Station Front → Kiyomizu-michi 230 yen Bus
    • 11:00-12:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple sightseeing
    • 12:30-12:50 Yasaka Shrine sightseeing
    • 13:00- 14:00 Gion area stroll, Gion Hanamachi Museum
    • 14:10-15:00 Sushiro Kawaramachi Takoyakushi-dori branch, disband after meal

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion The guests were a group visiting from Europe. I had proposed a route covering Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji, and Yasaka Shrine, with lunch at a Japanese restaurant, but since the guests wanted to spend more time sightseeing in Gion rather than on the meal, I dropped Kodai-ji and added a walk around the Gion area. At the Gion Hanamachi (geisha district) museum, the guests also watched a hanamai dance performance. It was my first visit to the Hanamachi museum as well, and with its displays of kimono and decorative items, its beautiful garden, and the chance to go up on the stage, I thought it would be a great facility for visitors interested in maiko and geiko. Afterward, since some of the guests were hungry and wanted to eat sushi, we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto Station Front～Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total230JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

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    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

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    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet @Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji
    • 11:15 @Shitennoji Temple
    • 12:30 @Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 13:45 @Dotonbori
    • 14:15 Dismissal @Dotonbori

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha and Dotonbori The guests were a group visiting Japan. Although today was again extremely hot, we were able to move around smoothly and stayed hydrated frequently. At each spot, one of the guests in particular asked many questions. That guest had visited Japan several times before but was in Osaka for the first time. At Sumiyoshi Taisha, everyone offered their prayers, picked up the popular "Go-Dai-Riki" (Five Great Powers) small stones, and purchased the accompanying amulet pouches. One of the guests also bought a different amulet. On the way to Dotonbori, in the shopping arcade of Namba, on my recommendation they purchased the popular "551 pork buns" and ate them on the spot standing, looking very satisfied. In Dotonbori, I introduced the sushi restaurant and the Kobe steak restaurant they had requested, and then we parted ways. They mentioned they would like to visit those restaurants today and tomorrow.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHonmachi～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka240JPY
    Section 2TrainTennoji～Sumiyoshitorii-mae230JPY
    Section 3TrainSumiyoshi Taisha～Namba240JPY
    Total710JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    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

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    Sep 27, 2026
    Ross_W
    Fun with Hidden Gems
    Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yama was so…

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    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

  • Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:30 Meet @ In front of Himeji Station Shinkansen ticket gate
    • 2. 09:40 @ Castle View
    • 3. 10:10 @ Himeji Castle
    • 4. 12:50 @ Koko-en Garden
    • 5. 13:30 Disband @ In front of Himeji no Hozo (souvenir shop)

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were first-time visitors to Japan from North America. I had obtained information about their bullet train arrival in Himeji in advance, so we met at the bullet train ticket gate and started the tour earlier than planned. First, we purchased some drinking water at the convenience store on the first floor, obtained a Spanish-language brochure at the tourist information center, and then visited Castle View, Himeji Castle, and Koko-en Garden, ending the tour in front of a souvenir shop in Himeji. The guests were especially keen on photography, and when asking me to take photos, they made detailed requests about composition. It was also quite a hot day. The guests took many photos and it took a lot of time, and I felt on the verge of heatstroke, but I managed the tour while drinking sports drinks. The guests had come to Himeji from Kyoto that day, and were planning to travel on to Tokyo via Kyoto. At the end of the tour they thanked me warmly, so I believe they were satisfied with today's tour.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Norio

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

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    Sep 29, 2026
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    X1794ZGstevew
    Kobe 4hr guided tour
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    Norio pickup us up ontime &…

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    jacquelinecI8863UY
    No rush beautiful walking tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Norio…

    Sep 15, 2026
    niy679
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    We had an amazing tour with Norio. He…

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    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
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    What a great way to…