Category: Uncategorized

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Dep. Sounzan by Ropeway & Arr.   Hakone-Yumoto

    Kanagawa in One Day: Dep. Sounzan by Ropeway & Arr. Hakone-Yumoto

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet Guests at Hakone-Yumoto Station
    • 11:23 Dep. Haknoe-Yumoto by Hakone Tozan Train & Cable Car
    • 12:50 Dep. Sounzan by Ropeway
    • 13:10 Arr. Owakudani
    • 13:30 Lunch at Owakudani-eki Shokudo
    • 14:10 Dep. Owakudani by Ropeway
    • 14:30 Dep. Togendai by Bus
    • 14:50 Arr. Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
    • 15:59 Dep. Hakone Venetian Glass Museum by Bus
    • 16:30 Arr. Hakone-Yumoto

    What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of family members visiting from North America. Due to an engine problem with the bus taking them from their previous night's accommodation, Hotel, to the meeting point at Hakone-Yumoto Station, the tour, originally scheduled to start at 10:30, began about 30 minutes late. The ropeway had been suspended over the previous two days due to bad weather and strong winds, but although it was cloudy today, there was no wind, so it managed to operate. From Hakone-Yumoto to Sounzan, we traveled using the mountain railway and cable car, enjoying the mountain scenery along the way. At Owakudani, Mount Fuji was not visible, but we enjoyed the view of the valley while eating Owakudani curry at the Owakudani Station restaurant. At the guests' request, we visited the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum instead of the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and everyone was very pleased. They especially liked the garden and took many photos. The guide was able to enter by presenting the guide license.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHakone-Yumoto~Gora460JPY
    Section 2TrainGora~Sounzan430JPY
    Section 3OtherSounzan~Owakudani1,500JPY
    Section 4OtherOwakudani~Togendai0JPY
    Section 5BusTogendai~Hyoseki/Hakone Glass no Mori-mae580JPY
    Section 6BusHyoseki/Hakone Glass no Mori-mae~Hakone-Yumoto Station840JPY
    Total3,810JPY

    Hello there,
    I’m Harry. This nickname comes from Harry Bosch, a character in American detective novels. I like watching films, listening to music and reading books, especially detective stories. I love meeting people from different countries and would like to help them understand Japanese culture and history. I believe that tourism can connect people all over the world and change the world into something truly peaceful. I was born in Osaka and have lived in Tokyo for more than 35 years. I am very happy to welcome tourists from all over the world. I will do my best to make your days fantastic. I look forward to seeing you soon.

    Oct 8, 2025
    Denise_M
    Great tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Harry was very knowledgeable. We learned…

    Jun 30, 2025
    Iguana74
    Customized Tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our four-hour private tour of Kyoto was excellent.…

    May 12, 2025
    Tonya_G
    Would do it again.
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Our guide, Harry, did an excellent…

    Mar 22, 2025
    Lauren_P
    We had a great time on…
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great time…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Lunch at Takumian (Soba) & Sightseeing of Toshogu

    Tochigi in One Day: Lunch at Takumian (Soba) & Sightseeing of Toshogu

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40: Pick up Ms. Aviles at Tobu Nikko station
    • 10:05: Arriving at Tamosawa Imperial Villa
    • 11:05 – 11:45: Lunch at Takumian (Soba)
    • 12:00 – 13:20: Sightseeing of Toshogu
    • 13:20 – 13:40: Sightseeing of 5 storied Pagoda
    • 13:50 – 14:30: Sightseeing of Taiyu-in (including Jyo-gyo-do and Hokke-do)
    • 14:40 – 15:10: Sightseeing of Futarasan Shrine (including 10 minutes break at a bench)
    • 15:10 – 15:40: Sightseeing of Sanbutsudo, Sorin-tower and Goma-do
    • 15:40 – 16:05: Transport from Rinno-ji to Tobu Nikko Station
    • 16:21: Return to Tokyo by a Limited Express Kegon 42

    What Is a Private Guided Tour of Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Toshogu, Taiyuin, and Tamozawa Imperial Villa The weather was fine and the humidity was low, making for a very comfortable trip. One thing to note is that there were many schoolchildren on school excursions, and Toshogu Shrine in particular was crowded, so I may not have been able to fully convey its charm. The walking pace slowed down, and the guests seemed bothered from time to time by the children's shouting, so I adjusted the timing of my explanations to avoid overlapping with the large groups as much as possible. I guided the group to Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park first thing in the morning, so it was uncrowded, and they viewed it with great interest. They seemed interested in history as well, and smiled about being able to come here the day after a visit by a member of the Imperial family the previous day. This time, rather than Toshogu, the guests seemed to enjoy the relatively uncrowded Taiyuin, and I felt once again that being able to guide at a relaxed pace is important for travel. This time, I was unable to exchange emails with the guests in advance, and only managed to communicate via short message three days beforehand. However, when I actually met them today and asked, it turned out that my emails had reached them and they had "replied," but the replies were not reaching me. Has [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) received any reports of similar issues? It would be very helpful if you could look into this, also for future reference.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTobu Nikko Station~In front of Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park350JPY
    Section 2TrainIn front of Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park~Nishi-sando Entrance150JPY
    Section 3TrainHatsuishimachi~Tobu Nikko Station220JPY
    Total720JPY

    I am more than happy to take you to attractive tourism resources scattered in Nikko. I will prepare for your trip enough to satisfy your requests and provide you with the memorable tour. When I was a company employee, I lived abroad for 5 years in Los Angeles, 11 and a half years in Washington D.C. and 2 and half years in Brussels. Despite 19 year long stay abroad, I remain charmed by Japanese things, such as culture, custom, spirit, martial art etc. I am glad if I can be of help you understand Japan as well as Nikko through my guide. I am interested in Japanese martial arts: I own the third grade in Japanese archery, known as Kyudo and I have passed a certification examination (1st grade) for Sumo wrestling conducted by the Japanese Sumo Promoting Association.

    May 22, 2026
    michaeliI2370UG
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nikko with Ichiro Amazing!
    Ichiro was an awesome tour guide and made…

    May 15, 2026
    Laurent S
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    excellent
    Ichi was very patient, indulgent, super nice, always had an…

    May 12, 2026
    H4725BUbarbarab
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ichi memorable tour
    Ichi made our trip to Nikko very memorable. He…

    Apr 5, 2026
    EmilioP6
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Great day with Ichi
    Our day in Nikko with Ichi was…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:40 Meet up @Kobe Port Terminal
    • 2. 11:10 @Fushimi Inari Station
    • 3. 12:15 @Nishiki Market
    • 4. 13:30 @Kinkaku-ji
    • 5. 14:30 @Arashiyama
    • 6. 18:40 Disband @Kobe Port Terminal

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like from Pickup to Drop-off? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came out promptly when I arrived a little early for the pickup. The highway was smooth, but the general roads leading to Fushimi Inari Taisha were congested. However, the crowds at Fushimi Inari Taisha were not too bad, and the guests enjoyed my explanations and taking photos. Since Nishiki Market gets crowded after noon, I decided to have lunch at Nishiki Market before heading to Kinkaku-ji. After we arrived, I was informed that one of the guests preferred bread-based options, so I took them to a bakery I had been curious about for some time. They seemed to like it very much, and the others later went to buy something as well. They were very happy and said they were glad I had brought them there. Since some of the guests wished to go shopping, I allowed extra time in Arashiyama. After visiting Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove, I gave them about an hour of free time so the group could enjoy the main street of Arashiyama. They said they had a wonderful time. As they seemed tired, we left Arashiyama at 16:30. On the way, there was an accident around the Ashiya area causing about 3 kilometers of congestion, and we finally arrived at 18:40, but the guests appeared to have enjoyed the tour.

    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!

    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo…

    Jul 14, 2026
    Elizabeth W
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
    Great tour
    We had a great tour with…

    Jul 11, 2026
    Dianna-fam
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    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 !
    Wow ! Yuka was…

  • 【Walking tour】Extension Fee per Hour

    【Walking tour】Extension Fee per Hour

    Tour Itinerary

    • (Continuation of JGA-T68211472)
    • 5. 15:30 Hamarikyu Gardens (continued)
    • 6. 16:25 Shibuya (Scramble Crossing)
    • 7. 17:15 Dismissal at Hotel Gracery Asakusa

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hamarikyu Gardens and Shibuya Crossing When departing from Hamarikyu Gardens, the guests requested to skip Harajuku (Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street) and instead see the Shibuya Scramble Crossing before returning to their hotel. Accordingly, I took the group to Shibuya, after which we returned to the hotel and concluded the tour. The guests appeared quite tired by the latter part of the day. Although the weather was unfortunately unstable with occasional rain, at the end of the tour the guests kindly commented that they had a wonderful time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi~Shibuya178JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Asakusa252JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Yakuendai732JPY
    Total1,162JPY

    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

    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…

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  • Osaka in Half a Day: @Osaka Castle (exterior only) & @Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: @Osaka Castle (exterior only) & @Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
    • 10:30 @Osaka Castle (exterior only)
    • 11:45 @Shinsekai (including a light meal)
    • 12:30 @Dotonbori
    • 13:15 @Shinsaibashi (Daimaru Department Store)
    • 14:45 Dismissal @Daimaru Department Store

    Title: What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like with Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Osaka. Both preferred to avoid long walks and stairs, and since walking was tiring for them, we proceeded at a very slow pace with frequent breaks and used taxis for part of the movement. The guests wished to try Japanese soba, so we visited a soba restaurant in Shinsekai. I believe they enjoyed the spots, though walking did seem to be a burden. For some reason they took great interest in the large monitors in Dotonbori and spent a long time enjoying them. One of the guests wished to buy a hat and a folding umbrella, so I guided the group to the Daimaru department store in Shinsaibashi. This purchase took more than 30 minutes, and since they also completed the tax-free procedure, we went considerably over the scheduled time. Communication in English was difficult for the guests. The tour had originally been booked by a family member of one of the guests, who was also the representative guest, and I had been in contact with that person up until the day of the tour. It seemed that the details had not been well conveyed to the guests who actually joined, and there were questions such as "Where are we going? Where is lunch?" For reference, lunch was not included in the itinerary, so I explained this. In the end, it was pleasing to see that they seemed satisfied, having been able to buy a favorite hat and umbrella at the department store, and having received an unexpected tax refund.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMorinomiya~Shin-Imamiya170JPY
    Total170JPY

    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

    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…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 9:30~10:00  Shichijo – Fushimi Inari  Travel
    • 10:00~11:00  Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:00~11:30  Fushimi Inari – Gion Shijo Travel
    • 11:30~12:30  Gion – Yasaka Shrine – Chion-in
    • 12:30~13:30  Maruyama Park – Ghibli Shop – Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka – Yasaka Pagoda – Disband at the approach to Kiyomizu-dera

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Chion-in The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America, and some of them had an interest in Japanese anime and art. At Fushimi Inari, we discussed the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism, Japanese history based on mythology, and how Japanese people today feel about Shinto and Buddhism. We climbed halfway up Mount Inari, and the guests said they felt a mystical power from the torii gates and old shrines set within the forest. At Chion-in, they were amazed by the sheer scale of the architecture, such as the Sanmon Gate and the bell tower, and they listened intently to the monks' Buddhist chanting during a memorial service at the Mikage-do Hall. Finally, some of the guests enjoyed buying souvenirs at a Ghibli shop.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShichijo~Fushimi Inari170JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Gion Shijo220JPY
    Total390JPY

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

  • Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Kyoto
    • 9:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:00 Nijo Castle
    • 12:15 U-zosui Warajiya (Lunch)
    • 14:05 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 15:05 Disband at Hotel Kyoto

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi Inari The guests were a group visiting from North America. In contrast to the heavy rain the day before, we were blessed with clear skies, which they were very happy about. At Kinkaku-ji, perhaps because there were many school trip students, there was a very long line in front of the admission ticket window and we had to wait quite a while. I felt it would be helpful if the lines could be organized a little better. Once inside, however, we were able to see everything surprisingly smoothly. At Nijo Castle, they seemed interested in the interior as well, but they were very impressed by the garden. For lunch, they enjoyed u-zosui (eel rice porridge) at a restaurant they had reserved in advance, and they seemed very satisfied. Fushimi Inari Taisha was also very crowded and it was difficult to take photos, but I believe they enjoyed it. Overall, I think they were satisfied.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1) 8:30 Meet @ Hotel (9-1 Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
    • 2) 9:00 Meiji Shrine (~9:50)
    • 3) 10:10 Shibuya 〈Crossing・Hachiko Statue・Starbucks〉(~10:50)
    • 4) 11:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens (~12:20)
    • 5) 13:00 Lunch @ McDonald's Asakusa
    • 6) 13:40 Asakusa 〈Senso-ji Temple・Nakamise Street〉(~14:00)
    • 7) 14:40 Dismissal @ Tokyo Skytree Entrance (1-2 Oshiage 1-chome, Sumida-ku, Tokyo)

    What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Although they had made many requests in advance, the itinerary was ultimately set as the Hachiko statue in Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Skytree, and a samurai museum, with Tokyo Skytree and the samurai museum to be visited after the tour. Since they were staying at a hotel in Yokohama, we arranged to meet in the lobby of the station hotel at Tokyo Station. At the hotel meeting, I reconfirmed the itinerary, and they purchased a 24-hour metro pass for overseas visitors at Tokyo Station. On the subway heading to Meiji Shrine, one of the guests was very talkative despite the jet lag. At Meiji Shrine, they did listen attentively to the explanation. At Shibuya Station, there was a long line in front of the Hachiko statue, so they only took photos of the statue, then crossed the intersection and headed to a coffee shop. As the temperature began to rise, some of the guests took a coffee break at the coffee shop. Even on a Sunday, depending on the time of day, it was surprisingly not crowded. On the way to the Imperial Palace, the guests requested to have a light meal somewhere. We skipped the Nijubashi Bridge at the main gate and instead entered the East Gardens through the Kitahanebashi Gate. In the Ninomaru Garden, the irises and azaleas were beautiful. I also explained the difference between a circuit-style garden and a dry landscape garden. As we approached the Otemon Gate, one of the guests seemed a little unwell, so I guided them to a restroom and we waited for a while. After about ten minutes, they said they were fine, and we resumed the tour. I let them know the travel time to Senso-ji Temple and we walked as slowly as possible. On the subway to Asakusa, one of the guests spoke at length about various experiences and recent world affairs. After arriving in Asakusa, we had lunch at a fast food restaurant as the guests wished. We did not have to wait long and easily found seats, so I hope they were able to relax a little. We mainly took the back streets to Senso-ji Temple, guiding them to the Hozomon Gate, the five-story pagoda, and then the main hall. Some of the guests purchased an amulet for good health. One of the guests tried an omikuji fortune and drew a "good luck" fortune. After that, I guided them to the entrance of Tokyo Skytree, for which they had a 3:00 admission reservation. I then confirmed how to get to the taxi stand for the samurai museum and the route back to their hotel in Yokohama, returned to the entrance, and we parted ways. It was a well-balanced group, and it was a pleasure to guide them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station~Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Kita-sando Station~Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station~Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Takebashi Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Tozai Line Otemachi Station~Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassToei Subway Asakusa Line Asakusa Station~Toei Subway Asakusa Line Oshiage Station0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!

    Jun 19, 2026
    Daniel_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 would do again!
    Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…

    May 24, 2026
    Meander63637687943
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour guide Tachi is the best!
    A most enjoyable and…

    May 19, 2026
    Jai_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    I would definitely…
    I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…

    May 5, 2026
    Gary33556
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
    Tachi was our guide. What…

  • Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 JR Nikko Station-12:10 Yudaki Falls/Lunch-Senjogahara Walk-14:30 Ryuzu Falls-15:30 Nikko Toshogu Shrine-16:30 Tobu Nikko/Dismissal

    What Is a Private Nikko National Park Nature Walk Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour of Nikko National Park for a group visiting from North America, focusing on a nature walk. Given the changing weather, I informed the guests that we might cut the nature walk short partway through, and we began walking along the Yugawa River connecting Lake Yunoko and Lake Chuzenji. Along the same route, we passed and were passed by a group of junior high school students on a school trip, and we made our way forward under weather that was ideal for hiking, fully enjoying the magnificent scenery of the sacred mountains of Oku-Nikko: Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho, and Mount Taro. Along the way, we encountered wild monkeys several times, which seemed to be a valuable experience for the guests.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nikko~Yudaki Falls Entrance1,850JPY
    Section 2BusRyuzu Falls~Nishi-sando Entrance1,500JPY
    Section 3TrainOmotesando~JR Nikko Station350JPY
    Total3,700JPY

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: To Miyajimaguchi by JR & the museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: To Miyajimaguchi by JR & the museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:35 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 10:51 To Miyajimaguchi by JR
    • 11:18 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 11:40 To Miyajima by ferry
    • 11:50 Arrive at Miyajima
    • 13:40 Finish sightseeing in Miyajima
    • 13:50 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • Meal at Okonomiyaki Hanako
    • 14:25 Finish meal
    • 14:34 From Miyajimaguchi to Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 14:52 Arrive at Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 14:55 From Nishi-Hiroshima to the museum by bus
    • 15:10 Arrive at the museum
    • Museum, touring the monuments
    • 17:30 Finish touring the monuments
    • To Hiroshima Station by bus
    • 18:00 Disband at Hiroshima Station

    Title: What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from Europe. They were extremely polite. When we took the train to Miyajima, since the train was not crowded, I directed them to the priority seats, but they moved away from them immediately. The guests were strongly drawn to Japanese anime and had been looking forward to coming to Japan. At the museum, they viewed the exhibits with great enthusiasm. In particular, before entering the main hall, I explained the exhibits in detail along with the background stories behind them. Thanks to this, they thanked me, saying that the prior explanation was very helpful when they actually saw the exhibits. The peace axis extends all the way to the coastline, where there is a waste incineration plant. So as not to block that axis, the central part of the building is hollow. When I told them the story that the film director of "Drive My Car" was so moved that the philosophy of peace was reflected even in the waste incineration plant that he decided to film in Hiroshima, one of the guests said, "That is based on Haruki Murakami's 'Men Without Women,' isn't it?" They said they had read almost all of Haruki Murakami's books, which surprised me. After that, we had a lively conversation about Haruki Murakami for a while.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima~Museum220JPY
    Section 4TrainIn front of the Atomic Bomb Dome~Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    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…