Category: Uncategorized

  • Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel 10:15 JR Nara Station 10:30 Nara Park & Todai-ji Temple 12:15 Lunch (sushi restaurant near Kintetsu Nara Station) 13:25 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 
    • 14:20 Naramachi (Lattice House, sake tasting at Harushika) 15:55 JR Nara Station 17:10 JR Osaka Castle Park Station 17:15 Tour ends in front of hotel

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan from North America. They were a quiet group who did not talk much. Today turned out to be another hot day, so we walked while making the most of shady spots wherever possible. After Todai-ji, I considered continuing on to Kasuga Taisha, but given the heat we decided not to push ourselves and stopped for lunch instead. After discussing options, we went to a sushi restaurant at the group's request. In Naramachi, when I suggested a sake tasting at "Harushika," the group expressed interest, so we decided to go. The tasting was enjoyed with respect for one another's wishes. I was a little surprised to see one of the tastings finished in a single gulp, and thought it might have been nicer to savor it a bit more. For the most part the sake tasting was taken lightly, with only a small amount consumed. The photo was taken at the sushi restaurant where we had lunch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOsaka Castle Park~Nara740JPY
    Section 2Free PassJR Nara Station~JR Nara Station600JPY
    Section 3TrainNara~Osaka Castle Park740JPY
    Total2,080JPY

    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.

    Sep 28, 2026
    Miguel_E
    Amazing Service
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

    Sep 27, 2026
    T
    TrailBlazer47194
    Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

    Sep 1, 2026
    Steve6172014
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 7, 2026
    Pascale_Q
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We had…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Philosopher's Path

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Philosopher’s Path

    Tour Itinerary

    • ※Originally scheduled to start at 9:30, but at the customer's request, it was moved up by one hour (the driver also agreed to the one-hour advance)
    • 8:30 Hotel Meet
    • 8:30-9:00 Car travel (Hotel→Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • 9:00-10:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Visit
    • 10:00-10:30 Car travel (Fushimi Inari Taisha→Nanzenji)
    • 10:30-11:30 Nanzenji visit
    • 11:30-12:00 Car travel (Nanzenji→Restaurant/Rokkaku Street)
    • 12:00- 12:45 Lunch (Okonomiyaki・TonChinKan)
    • 12:45-13:10 Car travel (Restaurant→Philosopher's Path entrance)
    • 13:10-14:10 Stroll along the Philosopher's Path
    • 14:10-14:30 Car travel (Philosopher's Path・in front of Ginkakuji→Hotel)
    • 14:30 Arrive at Hotel Farewell

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nanzenji, the Philosopher's Path, and Fushimi Inari Following a request to change the hotel and to move the start time one hour earlier (from 9:30 to 8:30), we obtained the driver's agreement and began the tour one hour earlier as requested. Although it was hot, I believe the tour was carried out without any particular problems or complaints. For lunch, I suggested Western food, a Japanese-Western buffet, and okonomiyaki, and the guests chose okonomiyaki, which they had never tried before, and enjoyed a variety of okonomiyaki. They ate a great deal of all of them (Osaka-style, Hiroshima-style, and modan-yaki), and tonpei-yaki and omu-yakisoba were also well received. One of the guests mentioned wanting to become a psychiatrist in the future, so I thought the explanation I gave at Nanzenji about how Zen is applied to psychological treatment might be helpful, and I carefully explained the benefits of Zen. Also, thinking that the walk along the Philosopher's Path might be a little boring for the younger members of the group, I held a simple quiz about Japan while we walked, and it became quite lively. I believe it turned out to be a memorable trip for the guests as well. The photo shows one of the guests at the Omokaru-ishi (heavy-light stone) at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Thank you very much.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHotel~Fushimi Inari Taisha0JPY
    Section 2OtherFushimi Inari Taisha~Nanzenji0JPY
    Section 3OtherNanzenji~Restaurant venue (Okonomiyaki・TenChinKan Sanjo Rokkaku Street)0JPY
    Section 4OtherRestaurant venue~Philosopher's Path entrance0JPY
    Section 5OtherPhilosopher's Path・in front of Ginkakuji~Hotel0JPY
    Total0JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

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

    Hiroshima in One Day: Itsukushima Shrine & Peace Memorial Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 12:30 Itsukushima Shrine
    • 13:30 Omote-sando street
    • 14:00 Lunch at Chinchikurin
    • 15:45 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 17:15 Peace Memorial Park
    • 18:30 End the tour at Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Park Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They were surprised by Japan's hot summer. They had asked about watching sumo, but when I explained that the following day was the final day of the tournament and tickets were already sold out, they said they would definitely want to see it next time. Because there was a fireworks festival in the evening, the bus heading to the Peace Memorial Park got caught in traffic. They had a JR West Pass, so it was convenient as there were no particular restrictions on the bullet trains. I helped them purchase their bullet train tickets, and the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Nishi-Hiroshima330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima~Peace Memorial Park220JPY
    Section 4BusGenbaku Dome-mae~Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit220JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    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!

    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!…

  • Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour

    Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meet @ Hotel Himeji Lobby
    • 2. 09:30 @ Castle View
    • 3. 09:50 @ Himeji Castle
    • 4. 12:10 @ Koko-en Garden
    • 5. 13:10 Lunch @ Maegura (Nadagiku Sake Brewery)
    • 6. 14:00 @ Nadagiku Sake Brewery
    • 7. 15:20 Dismiss @ In front of Hotel Himeji

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from Europe on their first trip to Japan. After meeting at the hotel, I explained that the plan for the day was to visit Mount Shosha Engyoji Temple, Koko-en Garden, and Himeji Castle in that order. The guests then told me that they had already visited Mount Shosha Engyoji Temple the day before. I had contacted the guests about today's course in advance and received their agreement, but it seemed they had not fully understood it. Since there was no other option, I discussed the situation with the guests, and we decided to visit Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery. It was an extremely hot day, and touring Himeji Castle was quite challenging, but the guests were deeply impressed by the grandeur and beauty of Himeji Castle. At Koko-en Garden, since they were very tired, we first took a break and then toured the various gardens. We went to Nadagiku Sake Brewery by taxi. Since the guests wanted to eat before touring the facility, we had a meal at the Nadagiku restaurant, and then visited the tour facility and the tasting area in that order. The guests sampled various types of sake and purchased the ones they liked. After touring Nadagiku, at the guests' request, we walked back to the hotel on foot. Although it was a tour in the heat, the guests were very pleased with today's tour.

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

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

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

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

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

    Sep 29, 2026
    X
    X1794ZGstevew
    Kobe 4hr guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Norio pickup us up ontime &…

    Sep 17, 2026
    jacquelinecI8863UY
    No rush beautiful walking tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Norio…

    Sep 15, 2026
    niy679
    Kobe day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Norio. He…

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hiroshima Station
    • 12:00 Miyajima
    • 15:00 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 17:00 Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Miyajima Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Since the weather forecast indicated it would be very hot again today, I recommended buying frozen bottled water at the convenience store in the station. As Japanese schools were on summer break and it was the weekend, many families were visiting Miyajima. While having a late breakfast on the ferry to Miyajima, the guests remarked that Japan is a wonderful country, with no homeless people and no litter on the streets. Since the guests enjoyed shopping very much and spent quite a lot of time on it, for the Buddhist portion we visited Daiganji Temple instead of the usual Daishoin Temple to save time. The guests seemed to have a relatively easy time understanding Buddhism.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station~Hiroshima Peace Park229JPY
    Section 4BusAtomic Bomb Dome Front~Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total1,199JPY

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 11:20 Meet up @Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
    • 2. 11:30 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 11:55 Stay @Tsukiji
    • 4. 12:30 Lunch @Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
    • 5. 13:20 Travel: Subway
    • 6. 13:45 Stay @Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 7. 14:20 Travel: Subway
    • 8. 14:50 Stay @Asakusa
    • 9. 16:30 Travel: Subway
    • 10. 17:10 Stay @Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 11. 17:25 Travel: Train (JR)
    • 12. 17:40 Disband @JR Shinjuku Station East Exit

    Title: What's a One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Shibuya The guests arrived about 10 minutes early, which allowed us to proceed smoothly with plenty of time to spare throughout the day. I first took the guests to Tsukiji, hoping to visit while as many shops as possible were still open. Since the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace offer little shade in summer and I preferred to avoid the heat there, I limited our visit to the Ninomaru Garden, as it was a spot the guests wished to see and was easy to reach from Tsukiji. Because our time at the first two locations turned out to be shorter than expected, I allowed a longer stay in Asakusa, including the area around the West Approach. Even so, there was still time to spare, so before seeing the guests off to Shinjuku, I guided them to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. We used the JR line only between Shibuya Station and Shinjuku Station, and the tour ended at the East Exit of Shinjuku Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShinjuku Station~Tsukiji Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTsukiji Station~Otemachi Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassOtemachi Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassAsakusa Station~Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya Station~Shinjuku Station170JPY
    Total770JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Sanjusangendo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama
    • 9:20-10:10 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:15-12:00 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:30-13:00 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 14:20-15:00 @ Sanjusangendo
    • 15:30 Disband @ Gyoza no Taisho Sanjo Branch

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like in Hot Weather? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, on their fourth day in Japan after arriving via Osaka. Since they were undecided about whether to visit Sanjusangendo or Kiyomizu-dera, I recommended Sanjusangendo, which is mainly indoors, considering how high the temperature was that day. They mentioned that they would like to return to Fushimi Inari Taisha another time to climb all the way to the summit. When they asked which time of day would be best for that, I recommended early morning. They shared that they collect decorative license plates from the places they travel to, and they purchased two Japanese-style design license plates at a souvenir shop near Kinkaku-ji. To save time and cope with the heat, I recommended taking a taxi from Kinkaku-ji to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. While walking through the bamboo grove, one of the guests confided a secret. After exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, they bought shaved ice on the main street, Nagatsuji-dori, and enjoyed it as they walked. Since the temperature was very high from the morning, I made sure to stop by convenience stores and similar places so they could stay hydrated regularly. After the tour, they said they wanted to eat gyoza for lunch, so I guided them inside a gyoza restaurant on Sanjo and we parted ways there. It was a hot day, but the guests were in great spirits.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo Station~Fushimi-Inari Station220JPY
    Section 2TrainInari Station~Enmachi Station200JPY
    Section 3BusNishinokyo-Enmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4TrainArashiyama Station~Shijo-Omiya Station250JPY
    Section 5BusShijo-Omiya~Shijo-Keihan230JPY
    Section 6TrainGion-Shijo Station~Shichijo Station170JPY
    Section 7TrainShichijo Station~Sanjo Station170JPY
    Total1,470JPY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka
    • 10:45 @ Osaka Castle (exterior only)
    • 12:30 @ Dotonbori
    • 13:15 @ Namba, Doguyasuji
    • 14:00 Disband @ Doguyasuji

    Osaka Private Walking Tour Report: What Can You See at Osaka Castle and Dotonbori in Summer? The guests were a group visiting Osaka, and despite the intense summer heat, we were able to move smoothly throughout the day. I had recommended booking tickets for Osaka Castle in advance, but the guests had not been able to obtain them. Upon arrival, as it was a Saturday during the summer holiday season, there was already a long line to purchase entry tickets, so we limited our visit to viewing the castle from the outside. We took a break at "Miraiza," the commercial facility adjacent to the castle. From the rooftop of this facility, the guests were specially able to enjoy a full view of the castle, which they found very satisfying. Afterward, at Dotonbori, the guests enjoyed a soft serve ice cream from a Turkish performer's stand and seemed very pleased. At Doguyasuji, the guests purchased remarkably realistic food samples as souvenirs.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNipponbashi~Morinomiya240JPY
    Section 2SubwayMorinomiya~Shinsaibashi240JPY
    Total480JPY

    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

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

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…

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

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    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:30 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 09:30 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 3. 11:00 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple)
    • 4. 12:30 Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue)
    • 5. 13:00 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street)
    • 6. 14:50 Disband at Shirokanedai Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Harajuku Since there had been almost no communication beforehand and we had not been able to discuss the itinerary, I confirmed the schedule with the guests when we met in the morning. The guests had prepared a list of six to seven places they wanted to visit, so I advised on which places would be better to save for the next day, and we departed from the hotel. It was a hot day, exceeding 30°C from the morning and rising above 35°C during the day, but as the guests were from Asia, we were able to proceed through the itinerary without any problems. At Senso-ji Temple, when I explained about Bishamonten, Daikokuten, and Benzaiten among the Seven Lucky Gods, who have roots in Asia, they listened attentively with great interest. In Harajuku, the guests fully enjoyed the crepes they had been looking forward to, and since we were able to visit all the planned places, I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShirokanedai~Shimbashi900JPY
    Section 2SubwayShimbashi~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 4SubwayShibuya~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 5SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shirokanedai0JPY
    Total900JPY

    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…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Lake Chuzenji sightseeing cruise & Shinkyo Bridge

    Tochigi in One Day: Lake Chuzenji sightseeing cruise & Shinkyo Bridge

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40 Meet at Tobu Nikko Station
    • 10:05 – 11:00 Travel to Lake Chuzenji by bus
    • 11:30 – 12:25 Lake Chuzenji sightseeing cruise
    • 12:40 Kegon Falls
    • 13:10 Lunch (Toka Shokudo)
    • 13:55 – 14:25 Travel to Nishisando entrance by bus
    • 14:40 Visit Toshogu Shrine
    • 16:00 Visit Shinkyo Bridge
    • 16:30 Tobu Nikko Station, tour ends

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a person visiting from North America. The trip to Japan was to visit a friend living in Japan, and on a day when the friend was at work, the guest came for a one-day trip to Nikko alone. Since the guest liked nature and had chosen Lake Chuzenji, I guided them on a sightseeing boat cruise around the lake. My suggestion to take a train one hour earlier than originally planned, so we could reach the Lake Chuzenji area during the morning when the weather was more stable, worked out well. Although clouds had started to appear, we could occasionally see the summit of Mount Nantai, and the guest enjoyed the sightseeing boat while feeling the cool breeze crossing the lake. The Toshogu Shrine area was very hot and humid, and at times walking seemed difficult, but we were able to complete the tour as planned without any trouble, and the guest appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTobu Nikko Station~Funanoeki Chuzenji1,300JPY
    Section 2OtherFunanoeki Chuzenji~Funanoeki Chuzenji1,680JPY
    Section 3BusChuzenji Onsen~Nishisando entrance1,150JPY
    Total4,130JPY

    My name is Hit Suzuki. I am a male National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter for English tours. I have been living in Tokyo for more than 30 years and worked at a company in the Shinjuku area, which is the western core active area of downtown Tokyo, for more than 20 years. Therefore, I am very familiar with Tokyo City. I am happy to guide you to wherever you want to visit, eat, and experience in Tokyo. In addition to Tokyo, I am also very familiar with Hakone and Nikko, which are wonderful excursion areas from Tokyo where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and Japanese history. If you are interested, I would be glad to guide you in those areas as well.

    Aug 1, 2025
    A
    Alessandro_G
    Our guide was called Hit…
    Viator review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide was called Hit Suzuki…

    Oct 21, 2024
    619yukik
    日光プライベートツアー6時間
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    ガイド鈴木さまのおかげで素晴らしい日光観光になりました。
    もともと予定していたゴールデンルートがありましたが、天気の兼ね合いと私たちがハイキングしたいという要望に応えてくださり、直前にも関わらず臨機応変に対応してくださいました。豊富な知識と私たちの要望に応えてくださったお陰でとても充実した1日になりました。大大大満足です。本当にありがとうございました。

    Oct 16, 2024
    Erica_E
    Awesome tour! Definitely recommend
    Viator review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an awesome time on our private…

    Oct 13, 2024
    H2475JJdavids
    A wonderful day in Nikko
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hit was a fantastic guide. He was…