Category: Uncategorized

  • Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car

    Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car

    Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Matsugae International Terminal → 10:30 Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture → 11:50 Meganebashi Bridge (lunch) → 13:00 Suwa Shrine → 13:40 Atomic Bomb Museum → 14:30 Hypocenter Park → 15:00 Peace Park → 16:00 Matsugae International Terminal (dismissal)

    What Is a Private Full-Day Nagasaki Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from Oceania who appeared to be enjoying the tour. At the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, they listened with great interest to the historical role Nagasaki played during the transition from national isolation to the opening of the country. Since the guests had requested a Japanese restaurant near a sightseeing spot for lunch, I guided them to a wagyu beef restaurant near Meganebashi Bridge, which they seemed to like. Afterward, they visited Meganebashi Bridge, listening attentively to the story of how the bridge was built by a Chinese monk. At Suwa Shrine, they listened with interest to the history of the shrine's construction and how to properly worship there. At the Atomic Bomb Museum, the Hypocenter Park, and the Peace Park, they listened intently to the circumstances of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the method used to identify the hypocenter, and the meaning of the Peace Statue. They also viewed with great interest the monument donated from Oceania.

    Click here for more details: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Hiro

    Hello, I’m Hiroshi Kuribayashi, but you can just call me Hiro. I’m thrilled to be your guide around my hometown, Sasebo City, and the neighboring areas, such as Nagasaki, Omura, Hirado, Arita, Imari, and more. I love showing guests around these beautiful places, including their nature, history, food, and more.

    Before I ventured into guiding, I worked as a businessman, handling international business affairs with various countries such as the U.S.A., U.K., Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Egypt, and more. Drawing from my business background, I offer interpretation services for business meetings and translation services for engineering and contractual documents. If there’s something specific you’d like assistance with, feel free to let me know.

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    Jun 15, 2026
    GGuy_M
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Excellent guide with good knowledge
    Excellent guide with good knowledge…

    Mar 4, 2026
    S943KUrobertb
    The best of Nagasaki
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Our tour guide Hiro, was just…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Ian_M
    Walking with Hiro
    Viator review: Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our Guide, Hiro, was very knowledgeable and engaging. We…

    Sep 3, 2025
    BdaVisitor
    Nagasaki Full Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    We had a lovely day exploring…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Gora Station
    • 10:30 Owakudani
    • 12:00 From Togendai to Motohakone Port by pirate ship
    • 13:30 Hakone Shrine
    • 15:30 Hakone Open-Air Museum

    What's a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although some of the group had visited Japan more than ten years earlier, it had been a long time since their last visit, and this trip was intended to help the group experience unfamiliar parts of the world and culture. After staying five nights in Tokyo, they had arrived in Hakone the previous day and had thoroughly enjoyed the wonders of a traditional Japanese inn and its open-air hot spring bath. We first headed to Owakudani, where I spoke about the volcanic origins of the Hakone area and its hot spring culture, as well as my own experience during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake off the Tohoku coast, explaining the unique relationship between nature and culture in Japan. The group seemed to especially enjoy the "black eggs," tasting them together and having a great time. Unfortunately, the cloudy sky prevented us from viewing Mount Fuji, but the group repeatedly praised the natural beauty of Hakone. At Hakone Shrine, I explained the influence Shinto has had on Japanese culture, and we were also able to see a kyudo (Japanese archery) practice session at the archery range on the grounds, which the group was delighted to encounter as a glimpse into a background of Japanese culture they had not known before. Finally, we headed to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and after explaining the route back to their inn, we concluded the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station～Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Request Booking

    Aug 18, 2026
    Heather_C
    Private tour for 4 in Tokyo – highly recommend
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Aug 8, 2026
    victoriahD2588SK
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    An action packed visit to Hakone!
    Atsushi was an…

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meeting point: The Thousand Kyoto
    • 08:50 Travel to Fushimi Inari by JR
    • 09:10 Sightseeing ①: Visit Fushimi Inari
    • 10:00 Travel to Kiyomizu-dera via Keihan Line
    • 10:30 Sightseeing ②: Visit Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:50 Travel to near Nijo Castle by city bus
    • 12:30 Lunch/Break (Restaurant at Hotel)
    • 13:30 Sightseeing ③: Visit Nijo Castle
    • 14:30 Travel to Nishiki Market by taxi
    • 14:40 Sightseeing ④: Visit Nishiki Market
    • 15:30 Catch a taxi on Shijo Street, and the guests head to the hotel.
    • 　　　End of guided tour

    What Is an 8-Hour Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Prior arrangements regarding the itinerary were made by contacting one member of the group. The guests showed broad interest in the "Kyoto sightseeing" proposed by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and I sensed an enthusiasm to fully experience Kyoto over three to four days. Ultimately, about two weeks after my first message, they sent me their specific requests for places to visit (Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market, and Nijo Castle or Kyoto Imperial Palace). This would be feasible as an "8-hour course" with a private vehicle, but it would become quite a tight schedule using public transportation, so I proposed "Fushimi Inari → Kiyomizu-dera → Nijo Castle → Nishiki Market," excluding Kinkaku-ji. The guests accepted this and finalized the itinerary. However, the day before the tour, the guests contacted me with a request to "change the start time from 8:00 to 8:30 in the morning," so the entire schedule was pushed back by 30 minutes. On the day, as the weather forecast had predicted a "summer day exceeding 30 degrees," the sunlight was strong from the morning, and travel on foot was a concern. The first destination, Fushimi Inari, could be reached smoothly and quickly from Kyoto Station, and the guests fully enjoyed the exotic "Senbon Torii." However, the journey to the next stop, Kiyomizu-dera, required an uphill walk of about 20 minutes after getting off at Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, which seemed to be quite a burden for the guests. By the time we reached the main gate of Kiyomizu-dera, one of the guests was quite tired, so we rested in the shade for about 10 minutes while replenishing fluids. Thanks to the break, the visit to Kiyomizu-dera proceeded smoothly, and the guests seemed moved by the beauty created by the fresh greenery and the buildings. The next destination was Nijo Castle, but the bus transfer took about 40 minutes, and the bus after the transfer was extremely crowded, which seemed to physically exhaust the guests. According to the plan, lunch was scheduled after visiting Nijo Castle, but since everyone was hungry, we decided to have lunch and a break first. There was a request from the group, out of consideration for one member, to "please make lunch a restaurant with strong air conditioning," so we changed from the ramen shop we had originally planned and had lunch at a restaurant in a hotel near Nijo Castle. The hotel was well air-conditioned, making for a comfortable lunch and rest. After regaining energy with lunch and a break, the guests took a proper look at Nijo Castle. As all the guests were interested in Japanese culture and history, they listened attentively to my explanations as we toured the Ninomaru Palace. The final stop was Nishiki Market, which we had planned to reach by bus, but the guests seemed quite affected by the crowded buses in the morning, and in particular one member said, "I've had enough of crowded buses, I'd like to travel by taxi." So we used an app to charter a large taxi (since five people including the guide needed to ride, a small one would not work). Although we were able to travel comfortably by large taxi, the crowds at Nishiki Market also seemed to be a burden for the guests. At Nishiki Market, I had planned more than an hour of strolling and shopping including on Teramachi Street, but after the guests had walked through Nishiki Market from west to east for about 30 minutes, a request came out to "return to the hotel and rest, a little earlier than planned." I responded to that request and went out to Shijo Street to hail a taxi, but it was quite difficult to catch a large taxi. So I confirmed, "A small car has a capacity of only four people, so I cannot ride along. If you would allow the guiding to end here, you can return to the hotel in a small car—would that be all right?" I received the reply, "Of course, that is fine." I told the driver, "Please take the guests to the hotel," saw them off, and ended the guiding there. During this period, when it is getting hot at an earlier pace than in previous years, this became a tour that made me feel the necessity of building an itinerary that is not overly demanding, on the premise that the guests will become considerably exhausted. Of course, I did not intend to create a careless itinerary at the planning stage, but I keenly felt that the choice of transportation methods in particular becomes crucial.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari～Kiyomizu-Gojo240JPY
    Section 3BusGojozaka／Kyoto City Bus～Nijojo-mae／Kyoto City Bus460JPY
    Total850JPY

    Tour Report by Nori

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Request Booking

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

  • Tokyo in One Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:20 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 09:00 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 10:15 Yanesen (Nezu Shrine ~ Snake Path ~ Yanaka Ginza)
    • 11:30 Lunch @ Ginza Yurakoku (Yanaka Ginza)
    • 12:30 Imado Shrine
    • 13:15 Asakusa (Kaminarimon ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Okuyama ~ Hoppy Street ~ Shin-Nakamise ~ Rock)
    • 14:20 Disband @ MAKINOYA

    What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's East Side Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nezu Shrine, Yanaka Ginza, and Imado Shrine The guest was a cat-loving visitor from North America who was in Japan for a trip, with free time on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Before arriving in Japan, the guest had sent a two-page A4 questionnaire about how to spend free time in Tokyo, which I answered carefully. Following my advice, the guest spent the previous day exploring the western side of Tokyo independently, including Gotokuji Temple, Meiji Shrine, and Takeshita Street. Today the guest visited the eastern side of Tokyo with me, and had already reserved teamLab Borderless and an Asakusa sumo stable for the latter half of the week. The Japanese irises at the Ninomaru Garden of the Imperial Palace were still well worth seeing. Since there was no time to go to Kyoto and visit Fushimi Inari this time, the torii gates at Nezu Shrine were more than satisfying. At Yanaka Ginza, Imado Shrine, and Nakamise, the guest purchased a large number of cute cat-themed goods. This was the guest who required the most preparation before arriving in Japan, but I believe the guest was satisfied to finally visit the long-awaited Imado Shrine and buy cat goods. Yurakoku in Yanaka Ginza is a small restaurant, but it is reliable in terms of taste, value for money, and service.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShirokane-Takanawa～Otemachi (Tokyo)220JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Nezu180JPY
    Section 3TrainNippori～Asakusa340JPY
    Total740JPY

    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, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, 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

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in One Day: DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station
    • (Subway + Taxi)
    • 12:45-13:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • (Taxi)
    • 14:00-14:30 Nijo Castle
    • (Subway + Keihan)
    • 15:00-15:45 Kyudo (Japanese archery) experience at Hankyudojo
    • 15:50-16:30 Yasaka Shrine ~ Yasaka Pagoda ~ Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • (Taxi)
    • 16:55-17:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • (JR Nara Line)
    • 18:00 Disband at Kyoto Station

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Kyudo Archery Experience Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. In advance, they had asked for attractions that would be enjoyable, so the itinerary included a Japanese archery (kyudo) experience, arranged as follows: Hotel → Kinkaku-ji → Nijo Castle → a half-bow kyudo dojo in Gion, Kyoto → Yasaka Shrine → Yasaka Pagoda → Kiyomizu-dera → Fushimi Inari Taisha. The tour started at 12:00 noon, and the temperature exceeded 30 degrees. Some of the guests were feeling tired, but since this was their only day for sightseeing in Kyoto, we managed to complete the itinerary as planned. One of the guests was visiting Japan for the third time and was very knowledgeable about the country, so my explanations were easily understood. Along the way, whenever we took a taxi, the guests asked about the model of the car each time, leading to lively conversations about cars with the drivers. I also asked the guests about their work, their background, and their thoughts on the use and impact of AI. Some of the guests were feeling tired and a little bored during the day, but after the kyudo archery experience they regained some energy.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto～Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 3TrainSanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Gion-Shijo180JPY
    Section 4TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Total810JPY

    Tour Report by Masaki

    My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

    Request Booking

    Jun 3, 2026
    Nikki G
    Wonderful experience with a great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaki was our guide through…

    May 24, 2026
    Pamela_C
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!…

    May 4, 2026
    TravelersHigh77
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
    Masaki was s wonderful and patient…

    Nov 29, 2025
    vsairamkumar
    Kyoto guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet at 11:00. Depart Hakone-Yumoto Station by bus at 11:10, arrive at Moto-Hakone at 11:40. Visit Hakone Shrine, the shore of Lake Ashi, the Tokaido cedar avenue, and the Hakone Checkpoint ruins on foot. At 13:00, lunch at Donburi Chaya (Maruyama Bussan). At 14:25, take the pirate ship from Hakonemachi Port. At 15:05, take the ropeway from Togendai to Owakudani, then take the ropeway to Sounzan Station. At 16:30, take the cable car to Gora Station. Disband in front of the hotel at 16:50.

    What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests enjoyed a pleasant trip together. After reviewing the difference between shrines and temples, we visited Hakone Shrine, and when we returned to the shores of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji miraculously appeared. We stayed for a while and were able to capture almost the entire view of the mountain, and I was grateful for this rare moment, which deeply moved the guests. We passed through the cedar avenue and the ruins of the Hakone Checkpoint on foot, allowing them to enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo period and the samurai era. The marquetry (yosegi) presentation at Maruyama was as impressive as always, and they purchased some souvenirs. At a donburi restaurant, they savored tempura soba while listening to my talk about kanji. We finished with the classic pirate ship and the ropeway, and at Owakudani they enjoyed the magnificent nature, including the famous black eggs, bringing the tour to a close.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station～Odawara Station0JPY
    Total0JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Osaka in One Day: Tennoji & Umeda

    Osaka in One Day: Tennoji & Umeda

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

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 9:20-10:04 Tennoji → Kyoto　Haruka No. 8　2,690 yen
    • 10:15-10:34 Kyoto → Inari　150 yen　JR
    • 10:40-11:30 Sightseeing at Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:39-12:13 Inari → Saga-Arashiyama　JR 240 yen
    • 12:30-13:20 Lunch @ Gyatei
    • 13:30-14:40 Arashiyama sightseeing (Tenryu-ji, Bamboo Grove Path, etc.)
    • 14:44-14:55 Arashiyama → Kyoto Kawaramachi Hankyu 240 yen
    • 15:00-15:20 Stroll through Nishiki Market
    • 15:40-16:23 Kyoto Kawaramachi → Umeda　Hankyu 410 yen + 500 yen (Private)
    • 16:33-16:50 Umeda → Tennoji　Subway　290 yen
    • 17:00 Disband @ Hotel

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they wanted to travel between Osaka and Kyoto as comfortably and quickly as possible, I reserved the Haruka limited express for the outbound trip. The guests were pleased with the smooth journey. After sightseeing at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, we moved on to Arashiyama. We had lunch at a restaurant, where the guests enjoyed comparing the menu and dishes with great interest. Afterward, we visited Tenryu-ji Temple and the Bamboo Grove Path, then walked from Togetsukyo Bridge to the Hankyu line and headed to Nishiki Market. However, since everyone was quite tired, we cut the visit short and returned to Osaka using the Hankyu PRiVACE service.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherTennoji～Kyoto2,690JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainInari～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4OtherArashiyama (Hankyu Line)～Kyoto Kawaramachi910JPY
    Section 5SubwayUmeda (Subway)～Tennoji240JPY
    Total4,230JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

    Request Booking

    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

  • Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Imperial Palace

    Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Imperial Palace

    Tokyo Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Hotel
    • 8:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 9:30 Imperial Palace
    • 11:00 Takeshita Street, disband

    Title: What's a Private First-Day Tokyo Tour Like from Haneda Airport? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests arrived at Haneda Airport early in the morning, checked into their Hotel, had breakfast, and then we began the tour. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. We first traveled by taxi to Meiji Shrine, and during the ride I gave a brief explanation of the history of Edo in the late 19th century. At Meiji Shrine, as requested, we were able to walk at length during a quiet time with few visitors. After that, we walked along Takeshita Street before the shops opened, when there were few people around, and I introduced some of the main stores. We purchased a 24-hour Tokyo Metro pass, boarded at Meiji-jingumae Station, and I explained how to use Tokyo's public transportation network. We got off at Otemachi Station, where the guests were finally able to buy the "Purusshu" drink they had been hoping for from a vending machine on the platform. We walked around the Imperial Palace while I shared stories woven together with the history of Edo, and the guests enjoyed the irises and the carp. However, due to fatigue, we decided to give up on Senso-ji Temple, which had originally been planned. I guided the guests to Takeshita Street, where an animal café was scheduled for the afternoon, and the tour concluded.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherTokyo Metro 24-hour ticket～Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket700JPY
    Total700JPY

    Tour Report by Maddie

    Hello!
    I’m Maddie, an English-speaking tour guide.
    As a guide, I have been attending bus tours, Tokyo walk-around tours, and also, sumo wrestling tournaments tours.
    I have lived in Tokyo for nearly 30 years and have enjoyed walking around this city, full of wonder, mixture of nature and artificial structures. I am happy to share my experience with you.
    My hobbies are reading books including Manga, watching films including Anime. I like to watch various sorts of sports. I like to visit museums. And I am a tea ceremony practitioner, so I am quite familiar with green tea (matcha) and Japanese sweets.
    I am looking forward to seeing you!

    Request Booking

    Jun 4, 2026
    vadk2026
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo2026
    We had an excellent 6-hour walking tour around Tokyo with Maddie.…

    May 30, 2026
    Heather_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfect intro to Japan!
    We had a 4 hour private tour on…

    May 29, 2026
    jasonbO4660LV
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Afternoon in west Tokyo
    Maddie was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who maintained…

    May 8, 2026
    sebastianzO2366GR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great
    We had a good time walking with Maddie through Tokio. She…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet up @ Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
    • 9:00 －10:10 Nijo Castle
    • 10:40- 11:40 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 12:10- 12:30 Nishiki Market
    • 12:30　Disband @ Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace, and Nishiki Market The guests were a group visiting from Europe. I had received their desired destinations in advance through the agency. When I asked, they told me they had visited the main temples and shrines the previous day on a bicycle tour, which made sense. Since I had arranged for the Nijo Castle tickets to be purchased in advance, entry was smooth. One of the guests plans to pursue education at university and hopes to become a university professor in the future. This guest held firm personal views and listened carefully to my explanations. Next, we moved to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Here too, everyone listened attentively to my explanations. When I later asked for impressions, one of the guests, who works in a field related to architecture, was impressed by the many ingenious details in the buildings and said they would love to take another careful look. We then moved to Nishiki Market. Since one of the guests had mentioned at our first meeting that they could not eat gluten and asked me to recommend something they might be able to eat at Nishiki Market, we entered from Takakura Street and looked through the shops one by one. When we reached Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, it was exactly time for the tour to end, so we said our goodbyes. The photo was taken in the garden of the Imperial Palace. At first they stood still, but then they jumped again for the shot. Since it looked fun, I am submitting the jump version. (Sorry if it is a little hard to see because of all the jumping.)

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 2TrainNijojo-mae～Imadegawa220JPY
    Section 3TrainImadegawa～Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)260JPY
    Total740JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 54-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

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    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…

  • Hokkaido in Half a Day: morning market

    Hokkaido in Half a Day: morning market

    Hakodate Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel lobby
    • 9:15 – 9:50　Visit the morning market
    • 9:55 – 10:05　Take the bus to Goryokaku
    • 10:05 – 12:00　Visit Goryokaku Tower and the park. Stroll around the moat
    • 12:15 – 13:05　Visit the Hokuyo Museum. Tour ends

    What's a Private Day Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests wanted to visit places not often frequented by tourists, so after a brief look at the morning market, I guided them to Fureai Ika Hiroba. The weather was fine with a cool breeze, and they enjoyed it. Next, I guided them to Hakodate Meiji-kan, which recreates the streets of 1960s Hakodate. At the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower, they took photos of Mount Hakodate and the sea fog drifting in from the coast. In the park, as shown in the photos, they had their pictures taken dressed in Shinsengumi costumes. I believe they were in great spirits. Since they liked walking, we walked together along half of the path that circles Goryokaku Park. As there was time, we visited the Northern Pacific Museum near the park. They looked at the exhibits with great interest.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHakodate Station Front／Hakodate Bus～Goryokaku Tower Front／Hakodate Bus300JPY
    Total300JPY

    Tour Report by Humi

    Hi, I’m Humiko. Please call me Humi. I’ve been working as a nationally certified English speaking tour guide since 2014.
    I love working as a tour guide. I like to meet new people and learn various things from them. My hobby is gardening. I take care of about 20 bonsai that my father left. Hakodate is my hometown. Hakodate is one of most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Many people visit Hakodate because you can enjoy fresh seafood, history, scenery and hot spring resorts in Hakodate. Hakodate is most famous for its lights. So beautiful!! You can come to Hakodate by Shinkansen bullet train, airplane, or car. I really look forward to meeting you and showing you around my hometown.

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    Aug 28, 2025
    Enrique_H
    Visita muy completa en Hakodate.
    Viator review: Hakodate 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Una visita muy interesante con una guía…