Category: Uncategorized

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle (Castle Keep) & Koko-en Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle (Castle Keep) & Koko-en Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:40 Meet at Himeji Station, Miyuki-dori
    • 12:20 Himeji Castle (Castle Keep)
    • 15:30 Lunch at a restaurant near the castle
    • 16:20 Koko-en Garden
    • 17:40 Himeji Station, Disband

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report From the start of the tour, the guests asked many questions and showed great interest. We enjoyed lively conversation about Japanese culture as we made our way to the castle. Inside the castle, the guests repeatedly asked detailed questions, such as about siege warfare, and I believe it turned into a very rich and in-depth tour. Since the timing spanned lunch, I introduced a local specialty, which the guests seemed to enjoy very much. As some of the guests had an interest in gardening, they explored Koko-en Garden down to the finest details. I was truly happy to hear the kind words that it had been an enjoyable day.

    Hello, I am a tour guide, Chiyuki. If I write my name in Japanese, it means one thousand happiness. Please call me Chiyuki. I am looking forward to seeing you.
    I have been guiding many visitors from all parts of the world since I became a tour guide.
    I hope Japan can attract many people with beautiful scenery, culture, historical buildings, food and so on. What are you interested in?
    And I couldn’t be happier if I can help you to create memories of a wonderful trip.
    I will make my best effort to satisfy my guests. See you soon. Thank you very much. Chiyuki

    Jul 9, 2026
    727tessv
    We had the best time in Kobe
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide Chiyuki was…

    Jun 21, 2026
    M9524SIphilippel
    Tripadvisor review: Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sake tour in Kobe
    Chiyuki is one of the…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Pinoy V
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very interesting and informative.
    Chiyuki kept us informed on our itinerary…

    Jun 11, 2026
    Sharon G
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day!!
    After getting off to a rocky start our…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:50 Meet at the lobby of Hotel Monterey Ginza, decide on the day's route.
    • 09:10 Before boarding the subway, explain the Kabukiza Theatre from the outside.
    • 09:50 Arrive at Sensoji Temple. From taking photos at Azumabashi Bridge, guided tour of the Sensoji Temple grounds. Afterwards, at Nakamise-dori, they wanted to purchase chopsticks, so I assisted with the purchase.
    • 11:15 Got off at Shinjuku-sanchome and strolled from Hanazono Shrine to Golden Gai. The main purpose was photography, and they enjoyed it greatly and took photos.
    • 12:20 Guided tour of Meiji Shrine. They were very fond of the tranquil atmosphere. It was 13:20 when we finished, so I asked if they would like me to guide them somewhere else, but since they had just arrived in Tokyo the previous day, they wanted to return to the hotel for the time being, so I took them to the hotel and parted ways at 13:55.

    What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Senso-ji and Meiji Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America making their first trip to Japan, with an itinerary that covered Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe before returning to Tokyo. As we talked, they chose to visit Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine, and they listened very attentively to my explanations about religion in Japan at both places. They also asked me for recommendations on good places to visit in Tokyo and Kyoto, and they were delighted to take notes on the suggestions I shared. The guests had a very strong bond with one another, which made guiding them truly rewarding.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTokyo Metro 1-Day Pass~Tokyo Metro 1-Day Pass600JPY
    Total600JPY

    I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.

    Aug 1, 2025
    8
    898kendrap
    Great first day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Asai, our tour guide, made our…

    Jul 14, 2025
    Anette_V
    Perfect
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…

    Jun 30, 2025
    liammL2246HL
    Amazing experience
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…

    Jun 26, 2025
    394milesd
    Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A perfect day, tailored…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Shin-Hakushima & the museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: Shin-Hakushima & the museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:50 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:05 From Hondori, take the subway to Shin-Hakushima
    • 10:09 Arrive at Shin-Hakushima
    • 10:18 From Shin-Hakushima to Miyajimaguchi
    • 10:41 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 10:55 From Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima
    • 11:05 Arrive at Miyajima
    •     Shrine, Senjokaku, Omotesando
    • 12:40 From Miyajima to Miyajimaguchi
    • 12:50 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi, okonomiyaki at Chinchikurin
    • 13:40 Finish lunch and head to Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 14:04 From Miyajimaguchi to Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 14:23 Arrive at Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 14:25 From Nishi-Hiroshima to the museum
    • 14:23 Arrive at the museum
    •     Museum, monument tour
    • 16:40 End of monument tour, disperse

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from North America. They had come to Hiroshima directly after Tokyo, so they seemed to be suffering a little from jet lag. One of the guests was keen on taking photos to share on social media. When I introduced a perfect photo spot, they were very pleased. We had a lively conversation about the film "Hidden Figures," which tells the story of a mathematician whose precise orbital calculations helped lead a space program to success. I heard that she recently passed away.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHondori~Shin-Hakushima190JPY
    Section 2TrainShin-Hakushima~Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Nishi-Hiroshima330JPY
    Section 4BusNishi-Hiroshima~Museum220JPY
    Total1,070JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & @ Ginkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & @ Ginkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 7:50-8:50 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 10:30-11:40 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:50-13:40 @ Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 13:55 Disband @ Ginkaku-ji Nadai Omen

    Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Kyoto Tour Like for a Group? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. At JR Nijo Station, each of them purchased an ICOCA card, and I assisted them with the process. Several of the guests were collecting goshuin (temple and shrine seals), and they had their goshuin books stamped at each place we visited. After exploring Fushimi Inari, there was a small incident at JR Inari Station: the train was so crowded that the whole group could not board at once, so we had to let one train pass. Around the time we visited Kinkaku-ji, the temperature began to rise and it became hot. For the move from Kinkaku-ji to Ginkaku-ji we used the city bus, but due to a problem with the bus we had to get off once and board another, which took about an hour. On the way from the bus to Ginkaku-ji, one of the guests left the group to spend time at a cafe, and the rest of the group explored Ginkaku-ji. After visiting Ginkaku-ji, the guests asked me to recommend a good place for lunch, so I took them to "Ginkakuji Nadai Omen" and we parted ways in front of it. Since it was a group that included a baby, there were many moments when the guests each moved around as they pleased, and it was quite a challenging assignment to keep everyone together.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNijo Station~Inari Station200JPY
    Section 2TrainInari Station~Enmachi Station200JPY
    Section 3BusNishinokyo Enmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Total860JPY

    Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

    My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

    I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

    I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
    I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

    I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!

    May 19, 2026
    498stephenq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An enjoyable visit
    Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
    Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

    Oct 14, 2025
    Scenic61154406959
    Great Historical Perspective
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

    Sep 29, 2025
    Jea L
    Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kaz was an excellent tour…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel – 9:10 Fukagawa Fudoodo/Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine – 10:30 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace – 12:00 Tsukiji Lunch – 12:45 Tsukiji Outer Market – 13:15 Meiji Shrine – 14:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 14:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing – 14:50 Disband at Shibuya

    Can You Do a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Visiting Fukagawa Fudodo and Tsukiji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were first-time visitors to Japan from North America. We started the tour at a coffee shop on the first floor of a hotel, where I spread out a map of Tokyo and gave an overview of the city along with a brief outline of Japanese history. At Fukagawa Fudodo, the guests were amazed by the powerful goma fire ritual of the Shingon sect, and they held their important pouch up to the sacred fire to have it "purified." At Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, they were surprised by the large handprints and footprints of sumo wrestlers, with expressions of disbelief. At the sushi restaurant in Tsukiji where I took them for lunch, they said it was completely different from the sushi they had eaten before, and I was glad they enjoyed it so much.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayUeno-hirokoji~Monzen-nakacho178JPY
    Section 2SubwayMonzen-nakacho~Otemachi178JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 4SubwayTsukijishijo~Yoyogi220JPY
    Section 5BusJingumae 1-chome~Shibuya Station West Exit210JPY
    Total964JPY

    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!

    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 in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Hotel Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo
    • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:40 Shibuya Hachiko, Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 13:20 Lunch (Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan)
    • 15:30 Disband at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

    What Is a Private Family Tour of Tokyo and Tsukiji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had stopped in Asia before arriving in Tokyo the day before. The day before, they had enjoyed shopping at a discount store near their hotel. Since today was hot and humid, I planned a route that walked in the shade as much as possible, keeping the group's comfort in mind. All of the guests were full of energy and thoroughly enjoyed lunch at a sushi restaurant in Tsukiji. When the sushi chef offered a special serving of tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), one of the guests responded with a big smile, clapping and asking for more.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Yamanote Line Shinjuku Station~JR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station~JR Yamanote Line Shibuya Station150JPY
    Section 3SubwayTokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station~Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station210JPY
    Section 4SubwayTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station~Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station210JPY
    Total720JPY

    Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
    You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
    Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).

    Jul 2, 2026
    jamespmccormick
    Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
    We booked a 6 hour…

    Jun 12, 2026
    716suzannab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience
    Bruce was an amazing guide. He taught us some essential…

    May 27, 2026
    beaufordtjustice
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Tokyo with Bruce!
    My son and I had a…

    May 24, 2026
    A2151KImelissab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day out in Tokyo
    I enjoyed a solo guided tour of Tokyo…

  • Kyoto: Joshokoji Temple (500 yen) & Yusai (kimono shop)

    Kyoto: Joshokoji Temple (500 yen) & Yusai (kimono shop)

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Henn na Hotel Kyoto Station Hachijoguchi Ekimae (changed from Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande)
    • 10:10 Woody Keihoku (roadside station)
    • 10:30 Joshokoji Temple (500 yen)
    • 11:50 Kamo Shrine
    • 12:30 Hada Sake Brewery
    • 13:50 Sagano Bamboo Grove
    • 14:30 Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 15:00 Yusai (kimono shop)
    • 15:30 Dismissal

    What Can You See on a Private Car Tour to Rural Kyohoku, North of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited from North America. They requested a tour with a car to a quiet place away from the crowds, so I decided to include Joshoko-ji Temple and Kamo Shrine in the Kyohoku area, north of Kyoto, and also arranged a sake tasting at a local sake brewery in the area. I had planned to have lunch in Kyohoku, but contrary to the information online, many places were closed, so we decided to return to Kyoto. Along the way, various ideas came up, such as whether we could go to Nara if we skipped lunch, wanting to buy a kimono, and whether we should go for lunch after all. During this discussion, it became clear that there was a discrepancy in the understanding of the tour's end time. The guests checked the end time with their travel agency, and the agency replied that it was a 7-hour tour ending at 4 o'clock, which created a slightly awkward atmosphere. In any case, I explained that we would finish at 3 o'clock. Since they had skipped lunch, they asked whether there were any recommendations other than the shrine and temple with the remaining time, so I took them to the bamboo grove of Sagano and the area around Togetsukyo Bridge. As they had mentioned wanting to buy a kimono, I had initially planned to take them to a department store at the end, but the driver suggested a kimono shop in the Muromachi area, so I took them there and accompanied them shopping before we parted ways just after 15:30. At that point, I felt I had provided an extra 30 minutes, though I believe the guests felt the tour had ended 30 minutes early. I had the taxi leave at 15:00. My impression was that the guests were not particularly interested in Kyoto overall, and simply wanted to visit places that were not crowded. Even so, they captured many videos and photos of the scenic, nature-rich local landscapes of Kyohoku.

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

    Jul 14, 2026
    T6871WWricharde
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…

    Jun 5, 2026
    mateoe216
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Would book again
    The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…

    May 27, 2026
    Leah_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely recommend!
    I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…

    May 26, 2026
    sheilacL3330KS
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
    Kazz was an excellent guide…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle sightseeing

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle sightseeing

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Gather in front of Himeji Castle Otemon Gate
    • 13:10 Himeji Castle sightseeing
    • 15:50 Stroll through Koko-en Garden
    • 16:10 Disband at Koko-en Garden exit

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like for a Group? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The youngest member came with a stroller, but even after walking all the way from Himeji Station, they showed no sign of being tired, and the group walked on foot for most of the tour. Inside Himeji Castle, I made an effort to keep everyone engaged by giving quizzes and sharing stories about samurai, so that the tour would not become tiresome. As the day went on it grew steadily hotter, and by the time we reached Koko-en Garden everyone looked a little tired. However, seeing the insects and fish in the garden gave the group renewed energy, and the adults were also uplifted by watching this. I ended the tour a little early so that the guests would be in time for their return shinkansen.

    Hello, I’m your tour guide, Rie Ito. Please call me Rie. I have been living in Himeji for 40 years. I would like to show you around our beautiful city. Himeji is very famous for its several sightseeing places. Especially, as the most recommended place, we boast Himeji Castle, the first World Heritage Site of Japan. When you see this message, please contact me through WhatsApp. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask me before the tour. I am sure you will enjoy this local city of Japan with me! I’m looking forward to seeing you. Thank you.

    Apr 25, 2026
    Alix_M
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Himeji castle
    Fantastic tour of the beautiful Himeji castle!…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    Rie is an excellent guide with a lot of knowledge to share
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed…

    Aug 6, 2025
    OMAR_A
    Excellente visite avec guide dynamique
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour avec une guide compétente et…

    Apr 30, 2025
    JandK14
    A perfect day in Himeji: We saw the cherry blossoms at their peak and had Rie as our guide!
    Tripadvisor review:…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1000 InterContinental – ANA Tokyo Meeting Point
    • 1030 Shibuya – Hachiko Statue – Scramble Crossing
    • 1110 Harajuku – Meiji Shrine Visit – Takeshita Street
    • 1420 Marunouchi – Marunouchi Building Pine Piles – Tatsumi Yagura Turret – Otemon Gate
    • 1520 Nihonbashi – Takashimaya SC Pokemon Center

    What Is a Private Family Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, and Pokémon Center The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had arrived two days earlier, and on the previous day they visited the Roppongi Hills observation deck and TeamLab Planets by taxi. Today was their first day of sightseeing using the subway and other public transportation. The trip to Shibuya went smoothly, but just before the large torii gate on the approach to Meiji Shrine, one of the group wanted to sit down, so we took a short break at the food court at Forest Terrace. It seemed they had not had breakfast, so after refueling a little, we resumed our visit. They were very pleased with the main shrine building and other sights, but then the group wanted to have lunch, so we ate again at Forest Terrace. Because of this, they agreed to skip the planned visit to the Tsukiji Outer Market and Ginza. The temperature rose quite a lot today, and some of the guests tended to sit down along the way. We hurried from the Imperial Palace Outer Garden to the Pokémon Center. Here everyone's expression changed and they became very excited. When I offered to wait for them there, they said they did not want to be limited by time, so at 15:40 — a little earlier than planned — I explained the way back, and we parted ways. Tomorrow they plan to visit Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and other spots, and over the weekend they will travel to Kyoto and Osaka.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTameike-Sanno~Shibuya178JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae209JPY
    Section 4SubwayOtemachi~Nihonbashi178JPY
    Total711JPY

    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.

    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…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…

  • Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour

    Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00 Meet up @ Hilton Tokyo Shinjuku
    • 2. 9:00 @ Toyosu Market, Senkyaku Banrai
    • 3. 11:00 @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 4. 12:00 Disband @ Tsukiji Outer Market

    What's a Private Toyosu and Tsukiji Market Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report At 8:00, we met at the hotel lobby and traveled to Toyosu. Using the map in front of the station, I explained the overall layout of Toyosu Market. When I asked whether they were ready to walk a long distance inside the market, going back and forth, there was a mixed chorus of "Yeah!" and "No!" from the group. While touring Toyosu Market, I explained the tuna auction process and the reasons for the relocation from Tsukiji. Next, we moved to the wholesalers' building, and after viewing the first-floor sales area a little from the window, at the group's request we went to Senkyaku Banrai. I explained that it was a mini version of Tsukiji, and we soon moved on to Tsukiji. Strolling through the outer market, the group enjoyed sushi, sweets, tasting dashi broth, and the lively atmosphere. One of the group wanted a "pocket knife," so we looked at several knife shops in Tsukiji, but couldn't find what they were after, so I suggested that an outdoor shop or Kappabashi Kitchenware Street might have it. As they wished to return to the hotel by taxi, I explained how to hail one, and then we parted ways. It was a walking tour that the guests were very satisfied with.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku (Metro)~Toyosu (Metro)209JPY
    Section 2TrainToyosu (Yurikamome)~Shijo-mae (Yurikamome)189JPY
    Section 3TrainShijo-mae (Yurikamome)~Toyosu (Yurikamome)189JPY
    Section 4SubwayToyosu (Metro)~Shintomicho (Metro)178JPY
    Total765JPY

    Hello! My name is Katsu Hayama.
    My nickname is “goreilo” and it means a futsal goalkeeper in Portuguese.
    I love football. I play football every weekend with my senior teammates.
    I live in the suburban area in Tokyo, where surrounded by the nature.
    I used to be a mechanical engineer of commercial vehicle,
    heavy duty truck and bus, for long years. After retirement, I studied hard,
    and I could become a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.
    I will navigate you all around the fascinate city, old and modern Tokyo wherever you want to go!
    I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!
    Thank you very much.

    Halo! Nama saya Katsu Hayama. Nama panggilan saya adalah “goreilo” yang berarti penjaga gawang futsal dalam bahasa Portugis.
    Saya suka sepak bola. Saya bermain sepak bola setiap akhir pekan dengan rekan-rekan senior saya.
    Saya tinggal di daerah pinggiran kota Tokyo, yang dikelilingi oleh alam.
    Saya dulunya adalah seorang insinyur mekanik kendaraan komersial, truk tugas berat, dan bus, selama bertahun-tahun.
    Setelah pensiun, saya belajar keras, dan saya bisa menjadi Juru Bahasa Pemandu Berlisensi Pemerintah Nasional.
    Saya akan memandu Anda berkeliling kota yang mempesona, Tokyo lama dan modern ke mana pun Anda ingin pergi!
    Saya berharap dapat segera bertemu dengan Anda!
    Terima kasih banyak.

    Jul 10, 2026
    ecthomps17
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Tokyo exceeded every expectation. From the energy of the city and…

    Jul 7, 2026
    luisacQ7698XW
    Fabulous and unique experience
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    The Toyosu tuna…

    Jun 28, 2026
    Roam652182
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Go on this tour!
    My family including…

    Jun 21, 2026
    maf2106
    Amazing Guide, Incredible Experience
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    If you’re considering…