Category: Uncategorized

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

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

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet @ Intercontinental Osaka
    • 10:15 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 12:00 @ Shitennoji Temple
    • 13:00 @ Osaka Castle (exterior only)
    • 13:45 Disband @ Osaka Castle Park

    What Can You See on a Private Osaka Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan, and they showed great interest at each spot, taking many photos. At Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, they encountered several groups celebrating first shrine visits for newborns and wedding ceremonies, which they found very fascinating. They also picked up the popular "Go-Dai-Riki" small stones, and one of the guests drew an omikuji fortune slip (a "small blessing"). Shitenno-ji Temple was also extremely crowded with many visitors. Osaka Castle had been on their wish list from the start, and although the visit was limited to the exterior only, they were delighted by its magnificent appearance. As they were a little tired and wished to return to their Hotel by taxi, we parted ways at Osaka Castle Park.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayUmeda～Namba240JPY
    Section 2TrainNamba～Sumiyoshi Taisha240JPY
    Section 3TrainSumiyoshi Taisha Torii-mae～Tennoji230JPY
    Section 4SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka～Morinomiya240JPY
    Total950JPY

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Tokyo
    • 9:05 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 11:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 12:40 Asakusa (Kaminarimon ~ Kannon-dori ~ Shin-Nakamise)
    • 13:15 Disband @ Senso-ji Temple

    What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace and Asakusa The guests were visitors from North America stopping in Tokyo for a short stay while traveling onward in Asia. Their accommodation was a hotel near Haneda, but to make the best use of the four hours available, we met at a hotel near the Imperial Palace. Since they had mentioned an interest in history, I had considered recommending Koishikawa Korakuen Garden instead of the Imperial Palace East Gardens, but the irises at the Imperial Palace were so beautiful (see photo) that there was no need to go to Korakuen, and we followed the itinerary exactly as we had arranged before their arrival in Japan. The guests seemed impressed everywhere we went and took many photos. As planned, we parted ways at Sensoji Temple, and along the way from Kaminarimon Gate to Sensoji I introduced several options for lunch. Since they would be staying in Tokyo for one more day, I used a hand-drawn map to explain how to get from Haneda to the Tsukiji Outer Market, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Omotesando.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo～Shinjuku208JPY
    Section 2TrainShinjuku～Asakusabashi178JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusabashi～Asakusa178JPY
    Total564JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

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

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

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

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

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

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:50 Meet at Kyoto Station→9:07 Board JR bound for Nara →9:53 Arrive at JR Nara Station→10:05 Nara Park・Todaiji Temple→11:50 Lunch→12:50 Kofukuji National Treasure Museum→13:30 Kasuga Taisha Shrine→14:40 JR Nara Station→15:07 Board JR bound for Kyoto →15:53 Arrive at Kyoto Station→16:00 Disband

    What Is a Private Nara Day Tour from Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. One of them had visited Japan several times before through work. That person had a cheerful personality and shared many stories about Japan and their work. Their native language was Spanish, but as they used English for work, they were the easiest to understand. At first it was only cloudy and the tour proceeded smoothly, but rain began to fall in the early afternoon. One of the guests was wearing sandal-like footwear, and because of the rain the path to Kasuga Taisha Shrine became muddy, which made walking difficult. This person seemed to make the decisions for the group, and after Kasuga Taisha Shrine we had intended to go to Naramachi, but they said they wanted to return to Kyoto. It was a little disappointing, as the others were wearing sturdy shoes and could easily have continued. However, everyone followed the decision, and we returned to Kyoto about an hour early and parted ways. The photo was taken at lunchtime.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Kyoto～JR Nara720JPY
    Section 2Free PassJR Nara Station～Todaiji Temple Front600JPY
    Section 3Free PassTodaiji Temple Front～Kintetsu Nara Station Front0JPY
    Section 4Free PassPrefectural Office Front～Kasuga Taisha Shrine Approach0JPY
    Section 5Free PassKasuga Taisha Shrine Main Hall Front～JR Nara Station0JPY
    Section 6TrainJR Nara～JR Kyoto720JPY
    Total2,040JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

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    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Hiroshima: Hilton & Negian

    Hiroshima: Hilton & Negian

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hilton
    • By taxi to the Atomic Bomb Museum (670 yen paid by the customer)
    • 10:40-12:15 Atomic Bomb Museum, Monument of Sankichi Toge, Rest House, Hypocenter, lunch passing through Shareo
    • 12:45-13:50 Negian
    • 14:00/14:05 Tatemachi / Genbaku Dome-mae Streetcar (220 yen)
    • Atomic Bomb Dome
    • 14:30 Guide the mother and son to the entrance of Orizuru Tower, hail a taxi, and go to the Hotel with the father
    • (Taxi 🚕 990 yen Carp Taxi paid by the customer)
    • 14:50 Accompany the father to the Hotel and end the tour

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe and had arrived in Hiroshima the day before. There was no advance notice, but one of the guests seemed to have foot pain and appeared to have difficulty walking. Since there was a request to eat okonomiyaki, I consulted with the guests and we decided on a restaurant where reservations could be made. As I had not realized beforehand that walking would be difficult for one of the guests, I had booked a semi-basement restaurant accessed by stairs. I had reserved a private room with a sunken kotatsu-style seating area, which was greatly appreciated, but there was some concern about whether sitting would be possible. I said, "You can stretch your legs inside," but it seemed the real issue was that sitting on a low chair was difficult. The okonomiyaki seemed to be very much enjoyed. When we boarded the streetcar, I recommended a priority seat that was available, but the response was that the seat was too low to sit in. Today I learned well that for guests from abroad, simply having a chair is not always enough. This group always stopped when listening to explanations, which I first thought might be because of the foot pain, but it may have been done out of courtesy. Since I usually talk while walking and adjust the timing, stopping to talk meant we could not move forward as much, and as a result today also ended about 20 minutes over time. Near the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the guests said, "Oh, what a cute dog!" while looking at a dog being walked. It seemed impossible to resist, and the guest hurried over to the owner and was allowed to pet it. The guest returned very satisfied, so I said, "I think the local person was also happy to be able to interact with visitors." I often hear news raising concerns about the behavior of inbound tourists. The head of the interpreter guide association in Hiroshima says, "What you value is not only your guests. Please also value the local people, the people here in Japan. If you cannot build good relationships with local people, that is not good guiding." I truly believe this is right. Since hearing those words, whenever my guests sit on train or bus seats, I make a point of saying a word to those already seated. Rather than valuing only my own guests, I try to say a word to those around us and create an atmosphere in which visitors from abroad are welcomed. From the guests who went to Orizuru Tower, I received photos showing everyone enjoying themselves at Orizuru Tower. I was glad that everyone seemed very pleased. One thing I noticed was that the taxi from the Hotel to the front of the Peace Memorial Museum cost the guests the base fare of 670 yen, but the taxi from beside Orizuru Tower to the Hotel cost 990 yen. In particular, the meter jumped from 750 yen to over 800 yen in less than a second, which I found puzzling. That is all.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTatemachi～Genbaku Dome-mae220JPY
    Total220JPY

    Tour Report by miki

    Dear guests,
    Hello! My name is Miki. I was born and brought up in Hiroshima. I enjoy traveling around Inland Sea areas and I enjoy chatting with guests from overseas!

    In Hiroshima, you can see many beautiful rivers and old bridges. Lately, I often take photos of Hiroshima city including bridges and rivers. There are not many tall buildings here, but I know some places you can visit and see the view for free. By the atomic bomb dome, there is a building called Orizuru(paper crane) Tower. You need to pay to go up to the top floor but you can see the view of Hiroshima city and the Miyajima Island(Itsukushima).

    Many tourists from overseas as well as Japan want to visit Miyajima Island. You can see a beautiful shrine from Heian Period which is around 12th century and a huge Torii gate in front of the shrine and it is in the water. There are several ways to visit the island from Hiroshima city. If you are going to stay near JR Hiroshima Station, we will visit the island by JR train and JR ferry. If you are staying in the city area, we can go there by streetcar and ferry, or there is a high-speed boat from Peace Memorial Park pier directly to the island and vise versa.

    Hoping to see you in the near future!

    Miki
    Your tour guide in Hiroshima

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    May 20, 2026
    Barbgal
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Hiroshima – 4 hours
    It was a…

    May 16, 2026
    E8055FUjamesg
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great day in sunny Hiroshima
    We were with Miki Nakashima,…

    Apr 5, 2026
    jacquid804
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miki was amazing
    Miki was fabulous very informative and knowledgeable…

    Aug 19, 2025
    J
    Jemma H
    Excellent tour of Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miyuki was a very…

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

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

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @Miyako City Osaka Honmachi
    • 10:30-12:00＠Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 12:40-13:20@Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 13:50-14:00@Dotonbori
    • 14:15 Disband＠Kuromon Market

    What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from North America, arriving after spending several days in Asia. During the tour, the guests exchanged thoughtful opinions about the differences between the imperial systems and cultures of Japan and Europe, and shared stories about their heritage. At Osaka Castle, they patiently and kindly answered the simple English questions of elementary school students who were on an extracurricular English learning activity. Their intelligence and warmth made this a tour where I felt I learned a great deal from them. The day before, the guests had visited Kyoto on a tour, and the following day they planned to visit Nara on their own before returning home via Tokyo.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySakaisuji-Honmachi～Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Tennoji240JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji-ekimae～Sumiyoshi-toriimae230JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha～Nankai Namba240JPY
    Total900JPY

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.09:03 Meet @ high-speed boat ticket counter inside Naoshima Miyanoura Port Ferry Terminal Building
    • 2.09:20~09:42 High-speed boat from Naoshima Miyanoura Port to Teshima Ieura Port
    • 3.10:05~10:22 Town bus from Ieura Port to Karato Port
    • 4.10:50~11:30 Les Archives du Cœur (Heartbeat Archive)
    • 5.12:23~12:28 Town bus from Karato Port to Karato-oka Community Center
    • 6.12:50~13:30 Lunch @ Shima Kitchen
    • 7.14:00~14:40 Teshima Art Museum
    • 8.14:51~15:05 Town bus from Teshima Art Museum to Ieura Port
    • 9.15:20~15:40 Teshima Yokoo House
    • 10.16:17~16:39 High-speed boat from Teshima Ieura Port to Naoshima Miyanoura Port
    • 11.16:50 Disband @ Naoshima Miyanoura Port (Guests headed to their accommodation at Benesse House Park on the 16:55 shuttle bus exclusively for Benesse guests)

    What Is a Private Naoshima and Teshima Island Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from South America. They had been friends since childhood and often chatted together in Spanish. They listened attentively to my guiding and gladly agreed to the visiting route. Originally the meeting point was to be at their accommodation on Naoshima, a Hotel, but since that would not allow us to make the departure time of the high-speed boat to Teshima, we changed the meeting point to Miyanoura Port, and they kindly agreed and waited for me at the ticket office. A travel agency served as the point of contact for the guests, so there was always some concern about how much information was actually reaching them. As the travel date approached and time was short, we communicated via a messaging app to work out the finer details, which allowed us to meet smoothly. The tour route this time was Narita Airport → Tokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Naoshima → Tokyo. I am truly grateful that they made the effort to come all the way to Naoshima. They were a cheerful group, and I believe they enjoyed Teshima.

    Click here for more details: Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1FerryNaoshima Miyanoura Port～Teshima Ieura Port630JPY
    Section 2BusIeura Port～Karato Port200JPY
    Section 3BusKarato Port～Karato-oka Community Center200JPY
    Section 4BusTeshima Art Museum～Ieura Port200JPY
    Section 5FerryTeshima Ieura Port～Naoshima Miyanoura Port630JPY
    Total1,860JPY

    Tour Report by Kaji

    Hello. My name is Hisao Kaji. I was born in 1945. I was raised in Takamatsu City from 3 years old. So, I have been living in Takamatsu for around 75 years. I believe I know Takamatsu City and the Kagawa prefecture area very well. If you come to Takamatsu, Kagawa I think you can enjoy your tour with me. I started a Government Licensed Guide in 2019. So, I have been a licensed guide for about 5 years. My favorite destinations are Naoshima, Teshima, Ritsurin Garden, the top of Mt. Yashima and so on. I always show you an itinerary about one month before your tour date, and I will accept any questions, other favorite places you want to visit. Communicating with you, I would like to accommodate your request for your tour. I always listen to NPR on the internet to know how the world is moving and improve my English. I like conversation based upon it with my life. I stayed in the USA for 8 months for a Power Systems Engineering Course conducted by General Electric in New York State when I was 28 years old. I sometimes talk about my memory of those days with the guests. I am very happy to guide tourists because I can see the guests become happy and enjoy themselves when I am guiding better. Nothing is more wonderful than that. I welcome your visit to Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture. I believe you will have a pleasant time through my guide.

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    Apr 19, 2026
    2Pippin2
    Tripadvisor review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A day to remember
    Perfect day! Our tour guide, Kaji,
    added so…

    Oct 23, 2025
    C
    Calli_C
    This was a great day tour…
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a great day…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Vanessa_A
    Lovely day on Naoshima Island
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    It was great to relax and leave…

    Jun 1, 2025
    Pamela_F
    Highly recommend the half…
    Viator review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend the half day tour and our…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meet at The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
    • 2. 09:35 Tokyo Station ~ Imperial Palace (Outer Gardens, East Gardens)
    • 3.12:00 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 4. 13:50 Asakusa (Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple)
    • 5. 14:50 Disband at Asakusa

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like in the Rainy Season? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a close-knit group, and with fine weather, I believe they were able to enjoy the tour thoroughly. Although the guest did not speak Japanese, they knew a great deal about Japan and asked many questions. The iris field at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace was nearly in full bloom, with many visitors taking photographs. The hydrangeas had also started to bloom, and the season now carries a hint of the coming rainy season. Since some guests prefer not to walk in the rain, a challenging period is approaching for guides. It would be helpful for other guides if suggestions could be shared for places that guests can enjoy even on rainy days (is there such a page already?). Personally, I can usually only think of museums or shopping, and I often struggle with this. I have taken guests to a state guest house before, but it is not always open, so advance confirmation is necessary. When there are younger members in the group, a science museum or an aquarium could also be good options.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainYakuendai～Akasaka-mitsuke828JPY
    Section 2SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke～Tokyo178JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi～Shimbashi286JPY
    Section 4SubwayShimbashi～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 5SubwayAsakusa～Yakuendai732JPY
    Total2,244JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:30 Meet up @Solaria Sanjo
    • 2. 9:00 @Gion Shirakawa
    • 3. 9:30 @Hanamikoji
    • 4. 10:00 @Yasaka Shrine
    • 5. 10:30 @Kiyomizu-dera
    • 6. 11:30 @Sannenzaka・Ninenzaka
    • 7. 12:15 @Kodai-ji
    • 8. 12:30 Disband @Kodai-ji

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Gion and Higashiyama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests requested explanations focused on the history, food, and traditional crafts of the Gion and Higashiyama areas of Kyoto. At Gion Shirakawa, I explained about geisha and traditional crafts, and at other locations I added explanations about history and food. The area around Kiyomizu-dera Temple was crowded with many tourists and school excursion groups, which made moving around difficult, but the guests also enjoyed sampling some small snacks along the way. Since we finished earlier than planned, we visited Kodai-ji Temple, which has a beautiful garden. The guests were very pleased and told me, "Thank you for explaining so many things today."

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo～Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Total220JPY

    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!

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    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
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    One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo…

    Jul 14, 2026
    Elizabeth W
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    Great tour
    We had a great tour with…

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    Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
    My teenage boys and I…

    Jul 1, 2026
    Christian_L
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
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  • Aomori in One Day: Hirosaki city arr. & Hotel Aomori arr.

    Aomori in One Day: Hirosaki city arr. & Hotel Aomori arr.

    Aomori Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • Dear Jenne – Tai Wang’s Group (5 persons)
    • Welcome to Aomori! on 5th May 2024
    • 【Lake Towada and Hirosaki Tour】
    • ～Itinerary – 8 hours- ～
    • 9:00 At the Hotel Aomori. To Lake Towada by a chartered taxi.
    • 11:00 Oirase Gorge arr. Hiking (Walking) in the sidewalk along the Oirase Gorge.
    • 13:00 Yasumiya district (most popular sightseeing area in Lake Towada) arr.
    • *Lunch *(Only cash acceptable)
    • 14:00 Leave the Lake towada for Hirosaki city.
    • Driving around the Lake Towada in the mountainous area abundant in nature.
    • 15:00 Hirosaki city arr.
    • Five-storied pagoda at the Saishouin temple ⇒Hirosaki Castle Park.
    • 15:30-16:30 Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle Admission fee: 310 yen/one-person) *Cherry blossom viewing　　　　　
    • 16:30 Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle dept.
    • 17:30 Hotel Aomori arr.

    Title: What's a Private Tour of Aomori's Hakkoda, Oirase Gorge, Lake Towada, and Hirosaki Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Body: [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour for a group visiting from North America, who arrived in Aomori by Shinkansen. The tour covered the fresh spring greenery of Mount Hakkoda, Oirase Gorge, Lake Towada, and Hirosaki. We enjoyed a walk along Oirase Gorge from Ishigedo and up to Choshi Otaki Falls. At a restaurant in Yasumiya, those who preferred vegetables savored the "Akita Kiritanpo Set Meal," while those who preferred meat enjoyed the "Towada Barayaki Set Meal." The group had worked as engineers. One of the guests had previously been assigned to work at Japanese companies and spoke a little Japanese. Another guest mentioned that a family member had studied medicine at a university in Tokyo. At Saishoin Temple in Hirosaki, famous for its five-story pagoda, we admired the lilacs. The guests noted that in their snowy home region, lilacs are often planted between neighboring properties. At Hirosaki Castle, seeing the Tsurumatsu pine and Kameishi rock reminded them of a past cruise trip to Kushiro, where the red-crowned cranes had left a strong impression. At a lively izakaya, while listening to shamisen and Tsugaru folk songs, we enjoyed Aomori soul foods such as "hotate kaiyaki miso" (scallop grilled in miso), "igamenchi," and "salt-grilled kinki fish." The "Dake corn tempura" from the foothills of Mount Iwaki is a dish that visitors from abroad often praise and order again. For sake, we tried "Denshu" and "Kikuizumi" from Aomori City. The guests were true admirers of Japan and thoroughly enjoyed the food and culture of Aomori.

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

    Tour Report by Tomohiko

    My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
    I live in Aomori city.
    I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
    After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
    Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
    Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
    Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
    Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
    I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
    If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
    What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.

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    Jun 2, 2025
    413maryannb
    Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…

    Apr 30, 2025
    Jacqueline_F
    Great Guide, great tour
    Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…

    Dec 30, 2024
    Scenic33296385055
    Warm and professional guide
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…

    Aug 3, 2024
    Monika R
    Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We were 3…

  • Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.07:30 Meet @ Hotel Takamatsu lobby
    • 2.08:12~09:02 Ferry from Takamatsu Port to Naoshima Miyanoura Port
    • 3.10:00~11:00 Chichu Art Museum
    • 4.11:20~12:00 Lee Ufan Museum, Valley Gallery
    • 5.12:20~14:20 Benesse House Museum and outdoor works (including Yellow Pumpkin), Lunch @ Benesse House Museum Cafe
    • 6.14:40~16:10 Art House Project (Kadoya, Minamidera, Ishibashi, Haisha, Gokaisho)
    • 7.17:00~18:00 Ferry from Naoshima Miyanoura Port to Takamatsu Port
    • 8. 18:00 Disband @ Takamatsu Port

    What Is a Private Naoshima Art Island Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from North America. One of the guests was carrying a large, heavy camera and was frequently taking photos, occasionally changing lenses. From time to time they stepped away from my explanations to capture various artistic shots and shared them with me. The guests had a bright and cheerful disposition. On this trip, they were traveling from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Takamatsu (Naoshima), Hiroshima, Osaka, Hakone, and back to Tokyo. I was very grateful that they specifically chose to include Naoshima in their itinerary. The weather was lovely, and I believe the guests thoroughly enjoyed their time on Naoshima.

    Click here for more details: Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusMiyanoura Port～Tsutsujiso100JPY
    Section 2BusTsutsujiso～Nokyo-mae100JPY
    Section 3BusNokyo-mae～Miyanoura Port100JPY
    Total300JPY

    Tour Report by Kaji

    Hello. My name is Hisao Kaji. I was born in 1945. I was raised in Takamatsu City from 3 years old. So, I have been living in Takamatsu for around 75 years. I believe I know Takamatsu City and the Kagawa prefecture area very well. If you come to Takamatsu, Kagawa I think you can enjoy your tour with me. I started a Government Licensed Guide in 2019. So, I have been a licensed guide for about 5 years. My favorite destinations are Naoshima, Teshima, Ritsurin Garden, the top of Mt. Yashima and so on. I always show you an itinerary about one month before your tour date, and I will accept any questions, other favorite places you want to visit. Communicating with you, I would like to accommodate your request for your tour. I always listen to NPR on the internet to know how the world is moving and improve my English. I like conversation based upon it with my life. I stayed in the USA for 8 months for a Power Systems Engineering Course conducted by General Electric in New York State when I was 28 years old. I sometimes talk about my memory of those days with the guests. I am very happy to guide tourists because I can see the guests become happy and enjoy themselves when I am guiding better. Nothing is more wonderful than that. I welcome your visit to Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture. I believe you will have a pleasant time through my guide.

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    Apr 19, 2026
    2Pippin2
    Tripadvisor review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A day to remember
    Perfect day! Our tour guide, Kaji,
    added so…

    Oct 23, 2025
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    Calli_C
    This was a great day tour…
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a great day…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Vanessa_A
    Lovely day on Naoshima Island
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    It was great to relax and leave…

    Jun 1, 2025
    Pamela_F
    Highly recommend the half…
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