Category: Uncategorized

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Odawara Station 9:46 Take the mountain train to Yumoto Station After completing luggage delivery procedures, take the bus and get off at Motohakone Visit Hakone Shrine Take the bus and get off at Sekisho-ato Maruyama Bussan Tour Hakone Checkpoint Have lunch at this location 14:25 Pirate ship from Hakonemachi Port 15:05 Arrive at Togendai The ropeway was scheduled, but operations were suspended due to lightning Since there was no prospect of resumption, take the bus from Togendai to Hakone Yumoto Accompanied on foot to the hotel Hakone Parks Yoshino and disbanded 16:30

    What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The original plan to meet at the Hotel at 11:00 was changed to a 9:30 meeting at Odawara Station, which allowed the rest of the itinerary to proceed efficiently and let the guests enjoy the day with peace of mind. At Hakone Shrine, I introduced how Shinto and Buddhism relate to our daily lives, and the guests listened with great interest. At Maruyama Bussan, they were impressed by the mechanical tricks such as the magic box and enjoyed trying them out. At the checkpoint, they experienced the atmosphere of the Edo period. Unfortunately, Mount Fuji was not visible, but on the sightseeing pirate ship they enjoyed the natural scenery from the deck, which was quite different from that of Oceania. Due to lightning, the ropeway was suddenly suspended, so we had no choice but to return to Hakone-Yumoto by bus.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdazara Station～Odawara Station5,000JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Request Booking

    Aug 24, 2026
    Deb_K
    Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Well organised tour
    Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Marcus_J
    Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing day with…
    Had an amazing day with Hiro.…

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

  • Nara in One Day: Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer & again in Ukigumo-enchi

    Nara in One Day: Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer & again in Ukigumo-enchi

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40 The train arrives at JR Nara Station (Start of Tour)
    • (2 taxis)
    • 10:00-20 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park
    • 　 (walk 10 minutes)
    • 10:30-10:40 Kasuga-taisha Shrine: skip going inside
    • 　 (walk 10 minutes)
    • 10:50 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:
    • former katana sword manufacturer's shop
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 11:10-40 lunch at Emado-chaya
    • 11:50-12:10 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • 　 (walk 5 minutes)
    • 12:20 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • 　 (walk 10 minutes)
    • 12:30-13:00 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • 　 (walk 5 minutes)
    • 13:10 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • 13:20-50 again in Ukigumo-enchi
    • (walk 5 minutes and then 2 taxis)
    • 14:10 (End of Tour) back at Kintetsu-Nara Station

    Title: What Is a Private Family Nara Tour with Kids Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, including several adults and a few young children. My top priority throughout the tour was making sure the youngest members of the group enjoyed themselves. During the planning stage, communication was handled through an intermediary before the tour. There were some challenges in coordinating the itinerary, and I ended up revising it three times before the day of the tour. It was a valuable experience. The group followed a vegetarian diet, and the tea house Emado Chaya provided wonderful accommodations. Even though it was not on the menu, they prepared a rice bowl using fried tofu in place of chicken, which I was very grateful for. This kind of flexibility would be difficult during the busy season. I plan to find another opportunity to ask them to make vegetarian-friendly options a regular part of their menu. At the guests' request, the tour ended quite early. This was partly due to the extreme heat and out of consideration for the youngest members of the group. The best moment was seeing one of the children play fearlessly with the deer, which were far larger, even getting them to bow. It was wonderful. [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: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Junichi

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    Request Booking

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Kokoen Garden & Himeji Castle

    Hyogo in One Day: Kokoen Garden & Himeji Castle

    Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Himeji Station Central Ticket Gate
    • 10:15 Take the bus to Mount Shosha Ropeway Sanroku Station
    • 11:00 Take the ropeway to Mount Shosha Sanjo Station
    • 11:10 Arrive at Maniden Hall by microbus, stroll around
    • 12:22 Return to the ropeway station by microbus
    • 12:49 Move to Kokoen Garden by bus
    • 13:10 Stroll around Kokoen Garden, lunch
    • 14:20 Sightseeing at Himeji Castle
    • 16:00 Disband

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle and Mount Shosha Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group who visited Himeji. Everyone was energetic and cheerful, and they did not mind walking in the heat, exploring various places along the way. At Mount Shosha, we walked through the mountain, enjoying the forest atmosphere and taking our time to look around the Buddhist temple. The ropeway and shuttle bus connections worked smoothly, and we were able to take a lunch break at Kassuiken in Koko-en garden right at lunchtime. Kassuiken was a little crowded, so we strolled around during the wait, which allowed us to devote enough time to the main highlight, the tour of Himeji Castle. The guests had already been in Japan for about ten days and had visited many famous places, but they seemed delighted, feeling that the regional sites of Himeji Castle and Engyo-ji left a different impression from the others.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHimeji Station North Exit～Mount Shosha Ropeway Sanroku Station310JPY
    Section 2BusMount Shosha Ropeway Sanroku Station～In front of Kokoen Garden310JPY
    Total620JPY

    Tour Report by Rie

    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.

    Request Booking

    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

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
    • 2. 10:15 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 3. 11:50 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple)
    • 4. 12:40 Lunch at Tsurukameya
    • 5. 14:00 Tokyo National Museum (did not enter due to crowds)
    • 6. 15:00 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street)
    • 7. 16:15 Shibuya (Scramble Crossing)
    • 8. 16:25 Dismissal at Hands

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Before the tour started, I asked about their wishes and then decided the itinerary before guiding them. The guests were visitors from Europe, and I was a little concerned that they might not be used to the heat, but I was relieved to see them walking energetically all the way through. Thinking it would be good to include a cooler place, I planned to take them to the Tokyo National Museum, but since it was the summer holiday season it was a bit crowded, so we skipped it. After the tour, the guests wanted to do some shopping at a general goods store, so I guided them to the store in Shibuya and ended the tour there. Overall, I believe they were satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Ueno178JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno～Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Shibuya178JPY
    Total785JPY

    Tour Report by Nobu

    Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
    I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
    Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
    Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
    A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
    I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
    Nobu

    Request Booking

    Jun 2, 2026
    amandavW9846AW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo day trip!
    We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

    May 25, 2026
    Matthew_C
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobu was an excellent and…
    Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

    May 24, 2026
    Diane D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
    Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

    Apr 28, 2026
    GrandTour57165664797
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome!
    It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Akasaka-mitsuke Station & Shibuya

    Tokyo in One Day: Akasaka-mitsuke Station & Shibuya

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meeting Point: Hotel Akasaka Mitsuke
    • 11:10 Depart Akasaka-mitsuke Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 12:00 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Asakusa Shrine Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 13:00 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Akasaka-mitsuke Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
    • Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • 13:30 Arrive Tochomae Station
    • Shinjuku Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observation Deck
    • 14:30 Depart Tochomae Station
    • Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • Shinjuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 14:45 Arrive Harajuku Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
    • Takeshita Street
    • 16:00 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 16:10 Arrive Shibuya
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Shibuya Center Street
    • 17:00 Shibuya Station
    • 17:00 Dismissal: Shibuya Station

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America, all visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous night and taken a taxi to their hotel. In the evening, they strolled around the neighborhood and enjoyed sushi nearby for dinner. The group planned to stay in Japan for about two weeks. After spending time in Tokyo, they would travel to Kyoto and Osaka, then return to Tokyo before heading home. They mentioned they would be visiting Disneyland the next day. As it was extremely hot, we took several breaks throughout the tour. We first went to Asakusa, where I explained the history of Senso-ji Temple as well as the history of Edo and Tokyo. There were questions such as, "What kind of philosophy is Buddhism?" "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "Are there people who believe in religions other than Buddhism?" From there, we moved to Shinjuku and enjoyed a view of the city from the observation deck of the Metropolitan Government Building. The guests remarked, "Now we really understand how vast Tokyo is." At Meiji Shrine, the guests said, "This spacious, green environment is wonderful." There were also questions about the Japanese imperial family, such as "What was the Meiji Restoration?" and "Why did the Meiji Restoration happen?" After taking a break and having a light meal at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu, we strolled along Takeshita Street. We then moved to Shibuya, crossed the Scramble Crossing, and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. The guests asked, "Is it always this crowded?" and "Why do so many people gather here?" They also commented, "The city is so clean. There is no litter on the streets," "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant," and "The subway is very comfortable." I saw them off at the Ginza Line platform of Shibuya Station, where 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 1SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke Station～Asakusa Station209JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station～Shinjuku Station252JPY
    Section 3SubwayShinjuku-nishiguchi Station～Tochomae Station178JPY
    Section 4SubwayTochomae Station～Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station178JPY
    Section 5TrainShinjuku Station～Harajuku Station146JPY
    Section 6SubwayHarajuku Station～Shibuya Station146JPY
    Total1,109JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

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

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meeting　Matsui Main Building
    • 2. 10:15 Arashiyama　Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 3. 10:30 Arashiyama　Bamboo Grove－Nonomiya Shrine－Ogura Pond (Lotus Pond + Mikami Shrine)
    • 4. 11:30 Arashiyama　Kameyama Park-Oigawa Riverside
    • 5. 12:15 Lunch Hanamakiya (soba specialty restaurant, Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 6. 13:00 Kinkakuji
    • 7. 14:30 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 8. 15:40 Dismissal　Shijo Takakura (in front of Daimaru) bus stop

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace The guests were a family visiting from North America. They were all visiting Japan for the first time, stopping over on their way back home. The guests had a strong interest in Asian culture, Japanese pop culture, Japanese history, and Japanese cuisine, which led them to include Japan in their journey. Before setting out, we discussed the day's itinerary in person, and we ultimately visited the famous bamboo grove of Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji in western Kyoto, stopping by the Kyoto Imperial Palace on the way back. Due to time constraints, after providing guidance on visiting Kiyomizu-dera, strolling through the Higashiyama area, and Gion, we exchanged smiles and handshakes and said our goodbyes at the Shijo Takakura bus stop (in front of Daimaru). The guests seemed especially impressed by the classic Japanese garden at Kinkaku-ji.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShijo Takakura (in front of Daimaru)～Arashiyama1,100JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama～Kitano Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 3Free PassKitano Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi0JPY
    Section 4Free PassKinkakuji-mae～Kitaoji Bus Terminal0JPY
    Section 5Free PassKitaoji～Imadegawa0JPY
    Section 6Free PassImadegawa～Shijo0JPY
    Total1,350JPY

    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.

    Request Booking

    Sep 16, 2026
    Getaway43892457305
    Fantastic two days tour in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had exceptional…

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet up @The Thousand Kyoto
    • 2. 9:20 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 3. 11:00 @Arashiyama
    • 4. 12:45 @Kinkaku-ji
    • 5. 14:30 Lunch @Katsukura
    • 6. 15:15 @Teramachi Shopping Street
    • 7. 16:40 Disperse @Nishiki Market

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like from a Licensed Guide's Perspective? A [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) Report Because of privacy rules, I was not given the guests' direct contact details and could only communicate through the agency, which made me a little anxious. On the morning of the tour, the guests arrived on time, which was a great relief. Having already visited more than enough temples and shrines in Tokyo, the guests said they did not need to see too many more. I explained that they should at least see Fushimi Inari Taisha, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Kinkaku-ji, and since they agreed, I took them there. They were very glad they had followed my suggestion. They were especially overwhelmed by the beauty of Kinkaku-ji. Since one of the guests wanted to buy a yukata and haori, I took the group to Teramachi shopping street, which has many secondhand shops, and we found a haori and yukata that suited them very well. The guests were all very satisfied. Although they had said they did not particularly enjoy shopping, they ended up buying two pairs of made-in-Japan sneakers. As they said they wanted to explore a bit more, we parted ways at Nishiki Market.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3TrainRanden Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 4BusKitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5TrainKitano-Hakubaicho～Kawaramachi-Sanjo230JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    Tour Report by YUKA

    Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!

    Request Booking

    Sep 29, 2026
    duncans746
    Yuka was great
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable,…

    Sep 23, 2026
    navinderp2024
    Great day in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 9, 2026
    piperl686
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
    We were so impressed by…

    Aug 5, 2026
    Anita_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
    Yuka was a…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Itsukushima Shrine & Peace Memorial Museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: Itsukushima Shrine & Peace Memorial Museum

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

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:05 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 10:20 Itsukushima Shrine
    • 11:20 Civic Center
    • 11:30 Omote-sando street
    • 12:15 Lunch at Chinchikurin
    • 13:45 Peace Memorial Park
    • 15:00 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 16:55 End the tour at Hiroshima station platform

    Title: What Is a Private Summer Day Tour in Japan Like for Overseas Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe. Despite it being the traditional start of autumn on the Japanese calendar, it was a hot day. When I explained Japan's 24 seasonal divisions (nijushi-sekki), they were very surprised. They had thought they would be fine with the heat since it also gets hot back home, but they said Japan felt even hotter and, without a siesta, it was tough to endure. They mentioned that traveling to Japan is truly a boom in their home region as well. Throughout the tour they often said things like, "Next time I want to do this," and "I plan to go there." In the end, they seem to be looking forward to a return trip in autumn. This time the guests were using a JR Pass, and they were aware that the trains would become very crowded with the upcoming Obon holiday period. After the tour ended, they said they wanted to take an earlier train home, but it was already fully booked, so I guided them to the non-reserved seating platform, and the tour concluded there. One thing I noticed was that the guests did not drink much water during the tour, so I recommended they stay hydrated. They explained that in other countries the restrooms are not as clean as in Japan, so they had gotten into the habit of not drinking much water.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima～Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi～Yokogawa330JPY
    Section 3TrainYokogawa～Genbaku Dome-mae220JPY
    Section 4TrainHeiwa Koen-mae～Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit220JPY
    Section 5OtherHiroshima Station～Hiroshima Station150JPY
    Total1,340JPY

    Tour Report by Michi

    Hi. I’m Michi. I’m a national licensed tour guide in English.
    I want to introduce many faces and charms of Japan and make your stay in Japan more fascinating and satisfying.

    I was born and raised in Hiroshima. My first tour in English was as a volunteer guide for the visitors to my school when I was a junior high school student. It gave me a great opportunity to study about the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
    I spent my life in Hiroshima except for 6 years; 1 year in the UK as a student and 5 years working in Singapore and Malaysia. During this period I enjoyed meeting and talking with people from different cultural backgrounds.
    These experiences encouraged me to be a licensed tour guide.

    In Hiroshima, there are two famous World Heritage Sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial & Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima.
    I have experienced many tours of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum & Park since I was a junior high school student. I would like to introduce you to the a-bomb legacies that are still existing in the city and the stories under the mushroom cloud.
    I also would like to share time with you on a historic island, Miyajima. There is one of the most famous Shinto shrines, the Itsukushima Shrine. We can share an enjoyable time by exploring a sacred atmosphere, tradition, nature, food, etc.

    I am also an official ‘A-bomb legacy successor’ designated by the City of Hiroshima. An A-bomb Legacy Successor is a memory keeper of the A-bomb survivors. To ensure that the A-bomb survivors’ experiences and desires for peace are faithfully inherited and shared with as many people as possible, the City has started a three-year training program for official ‘A-bomb Legacy Successors. ‘

    Let me support your stay in Japan and I look forward to showing you the best of Japan!
    Hope to see you soon!

    Request Booking

    Jan 2, 2025
    georgeweller
    Excellent tour by a very knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Michi-San was an…

    Nov 8, 2024
    Andrew M
    Awesome experience! Michi was the best guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Awesome…

    Nov 8, 2024
    Andrew_M
    Awesome day! Michi was an amazing guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Awesome day!…

    Sep 16, 2024
    alexandermM7944BB
    Day tour with Michi
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Michi, our guide, was amazing!…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shimbashi - Omotesando - Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Shimbashi – Omotesando – Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel Ginza Meeting
    • 10:00 Shimbashi – Omotesando – Meiji Shrine
    • 12:00 Yoyogi Park – Koen-dori – Shibuya PARCO Pokemon Center – Shibuya Crossing
    • 13:30 Lunch @ Hikarie Mansaku
    • 14:00 Shibuya – Asakusa – Senso-ji Temple
    • 15:30 Disband at Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Asakusa The guests were a group visiting from Europe, and we had a lively conversation about the Olympics. Since it was a hot and humid day, I decided to choose cool locations as much as possible, and we first headed from Omotesando to Meiji Shrine. When I introduced Omotesando as the Champs-Élysées of Japan, the guests appreciated the comparison. At Meiji Shrine, we entered the inner garden and enjoyed the lotus flowers. In Shibuya, the guests happily bought plush toys and took photos at the Pokémon Center, which they had wanted to visit. For lunch, I had hoped to introduce a tonkatsu restaurant in Hikarie, but there was unfortunately a long line, so they enjoyed chicken dishes at a nearby Miyazaki cuisine restaurant instead. After that, we went to Asakusa. Since they wanted to buy a yukata, we walked along Shin-Nakamise Street, and this is where 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 1Free PassShimbashi～Omotesando – Shibuya – Asakusa600JPY
    Total600JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

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

    August, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00 Meet up @ Hotel The Flag Shinsaibashi
    • 2. 9:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha tour
    • 3. 11:30 Gion area tour
    • 4. 12:30 Lunch @ Ichiran
    • 5. 14:00 Kinkaku-ji tour
    • 6. 15:30 Kyoto Station
    • 7. 16:00 Dismissal @ Kyoto Station (Shinkansen ticket gate)

    What Is a Private Osaka-to-Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group of guests visiting from Oceania who share a common interest in rugby. We met at their hotel in Osaka, and since they wanted to learn how to travel to places such as Kobe from the nearest subway station (Shinsaibashi Station), we first moved to JR Osaka Station, where I explained the JR lines. After that, we traveled from Osaka Station via Kyoto Station to Inari Station, where I guided them around Fushimi Inari Shrine. It was an extremely hot day and I guided them while sweating, but the guests listened attentively to my explanations, asked questions, and we made our way through the Senbon Torii gates and down Inari Mountain while sharing some jokes along the way. We then moved on to the next destination by train and bus, getting off at Gion Station and touring the Gion area (Hanamikoji, Shirakawa Bridge, Tatsumi Shrine, and more). The guests seemed interested in maiko and geiko, so I explained these in a little more detail. After strolling around Gion, we had lunch at a ramen shop in Nishiki Market. Then we traveled by bus to the next destination, Kinkaku-ji, where I guided them and explained the golden Shariden pavilion shining in gold. Finally, we headed to Nijo Castle, but unfortunately the Ninomaru Palace was closed, so I was regrettably unable to guide them inside. We viewed Nijo Castle from the outside instead, then took the subway to Kyoto Station, where I helped the guests purchase Shinkansen tickets to Shin-Osaka. We said our goodbyes at the central entrance and parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinsaibashi Station～Umeda Station240JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Osaka Station～JR Inari Station860JPY
    Section 3TrainInari Station～Tofukuji Station150JPY
    Section 4BusTofukuji-mae Station～Gion Station230JPY
    Section 5BusShijo Kawaramachi Station～Kinkakuji-michi Station230JPY
    Section 6BusKinkakuji-mae Station～Nijojo-mae Station230JPY
    Section 7SubwayNijojo Station～Kyoto Station260JPY
    Total2,200JPY

    Tour Report by Toshi

    After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
    As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
    And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
    With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

    Request Booking

    Apr 26, 2026
    39ferdinandr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional and entertaining
    Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

    Apr 9, 2026
    X1429XKclaudiam
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sehr zu empfehlen
    Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

    Jun 28, 2025
    WilliamAlfonso_R
    Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi was…

    May 30, 2025
    Z
    ZevP5
    Best Tour Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…