Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1100 Depart from Matsumoto Ryokan
    • 1130 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 1230 Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 1415 Disband at Kyoto Station underground mall

    What's a Private One-Day Tour of Kyoto's Fushimi Inari and Nanzenji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The morning start was changed from 10:00 to 11:00 due to a guest not feeling well. It was a very hot day with strong sunshine, so I made sure we walked slowly. Fushimi Inari Taisha was not very crowded, and there was no line for the "Omokaru-ishi" stones, so we were able to try them right away. At Nanzenji, the breeze through the leaves of the trees felt wonderful, and we were able to relax at the temple gate and sit in front of the dry landscape garden. At the guests' request, they wished to end the tour at the originally planned finishing time of 14:00, so I guided them to the underground dining area of Kyoto Station near their hotel, where we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto Station～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari～Sanjo220JPY
    Section 3SubwaySanjo Keihan～Keage220JPY
    Section 4SubwayKeage～Kyoto260JPY
    Total850JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

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    Oct 10, 2025
    alijohn48
    Just what we were looking for
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Tomy was…

    Aug 8, 2025
    Katherine_G
    Fantastic day touring Kyoto with private tour guide & driver!
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max…

    Jul 22, 2025
    98patrickn
    early morning tour of Kyoto with guide Tomy
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We did an early…

    Jul 20, 2025
    Mark_S
    Great day in Kyoto
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a great…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shimbashi Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shimbashi Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meeting point: The B Ginza
    • 10:10 Depart Shimbashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ginza Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 10:30 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 11:30 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Kasumigaseki Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 12:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • Cat Street
    • 13:00 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 13:10 Arrive Omotesando Station
    • Omotesando Omotesando
    • 13:50 Depart Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 14:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Shibuya Center Street
    • 14:20 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 14:40 Arrive Shimbashi Station
    • 14:40 Dismissal: Shimbashi Station

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe, most of them coming to Japan for the first time. They had arrived at Kansai Airport ten days earlier, and after traveling through Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, they arrived in Tokyo yesterday. They planned to stay in Tokyo only briefly before returning home from Narita Airport. They mentioned, "The weather has been cold in our home country this year, so we had no idea Japan would be this hot." They also said they were planning a day trip to Mount Fuji the next day. It was a tour under rainy skies. First, we headed to Tsukiji. I explained the difference between "Tsukiji Market and Toyosu Market." One of the guests said, "Then, the day after tomorrow, we will go and see Toyosu Market." At the Tsukiji Outer Market, they eagerly looked around here and there and purchased some "bean snacks." They also sampled "grilled beef skewers." They asked questions such as, "Why are there so many people?" "There are so many kinds of fish." "Why do they sell not only fish but also meat and vegetables?" and "Do people in Tokyo all come here to buy fish?" After that, we moved to Meiji Shrine. At Meiji Shrine, they asked questions such as, "What is the purpose of the torii gate?" "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "Do Japanese people believe in Buddhism or Shinto?" I also explained the nature and history of the Japanese Imperial family. One of the guests expressed a wish to walk along Omotesando, so we strolled leisurely along Omotesando. After that, we moved to Shibuya. At the Scramble Crossing, one of the guests commented, "Why are there so many people here?" We took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. They made comments such as, "The city is clean and quiet everywhere. There is no litter on the ground," "No one talks loudly on the trains," and "There are truly a lot of subway trains." I saw them off at Shimbashi Station, and we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi Station～Tsukiji Station600JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji Station～Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station～Omotesando Station0JPY
    Section 4SubwayOmotesando Station～Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 5SubwayShibuya Station～Shimbashi StationShimbashi Station0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hotel 9:45 Fushimi Inari　　11:25 Lunch (Kushikura)　13:35 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 14:20 Kinkaku-ji　　15:45 Return to Hotel

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Kyoto Tour for a Group Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of nine visiting Japan from North America. Because the group included small children, the tour was split between two vehicles. The tour started on one of the hottest days of the year. They were a very close-knit group, helping one another carry the strollers for the children. They requested yakitori for lunch. Since it was difficult to find a restaurant that could accommodate a group of nine, I made a reservation at a yakitori restaurant located above Oike on Takakura Street. The food seemed to be good, but the restaurant was extremely crowded, and the ordered items were slow to arrive. Even just gathering everyone's orders took a lot of time. Partly for this reason, the schedule became tight afterward, and we were unable to return to the Hotel by the planned time of 3:30. The group agreed to and paid the additional fee, and they did so graciously. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHotel Granvia Kyoto～Hotel Granvia Kyoto0JPY
    Total0JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

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

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    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…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel Intergate Kanazawa → Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple) → Ninja Weapon Museum → Omicho Market (lunch) → Gold Leaf Craft Tajima → Higashi Chaya District (Shima, etc.)

    What Is a Private Guided Day Tour in Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Since I had asked about their wishes in advance, I was able to guide them in a way that matched their interests. Because we could not be late for Myoryuji Temple, we arrived early, so we strolled around nearby temples and shrines. Using examples such as visiting ancestors' graves during Obon and wedding ceremonies, I gave a simple explanation of Buddhism and Shinto. Myoryuji Temple has various hidden mechanisms, which they seemed to enjoy. Afterward, at the ninja weapons museum, they had fun trying out shuriken throwing and looking at real weapons. After lunch at Omicho, I showed them around the market a little, and each of them experienced applying gold leaf. At the Higashi Chaya district, I guided them through Shima and the Higashi Chaya district, and we parted ways there. They truly enjoyed every one of the places we visited.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassWithin Kanazawa City～Within Kanazawa City800JPY
    Total800JPY

    Tour Report by Sho

    I majored in civil engineering at a college and am interested in historical infrastructures. I have also guided foreign people around Ishikawa Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Fukui Prefecture as an international activity of an English circle. I was a volunteer interpreter at the training camp for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.

    Hokuriku region has a lot of sightseeing spots as follows, beautiful landscapes like Kenrokuen Garden and Tateyama, tasty food like traditional Kaga dishes and fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, traditional crafts like Kaga Yuzen dyeing, Takaoka copperware, and Inami woodcarving. I introduce these spots and historical infra tourism such as Kurobe dam and industrial tourism.

    I also work as a translator. I translated the Japanese firefly squid tourism pamphlet into English in 2020.

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoten-sasaki/

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    May 26, 2026
    C4211GUbrittanym
    Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Great time in Toyama!
    Nice tour, guide was very nice and…

    May 14, 2026
    190kariml
    Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time…

    Jul 24, 2025
    Wander60650705961
    Delightful experience um Kanazawa
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had the pleasure of taking a…

    Jul 2, 2025
    nuttineeyav
    Walking day in Kanazawa
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    The old town was very nice to…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at The Westin Tokyo
    • 2. 11:00 Akihabara
    • 3. 12:15 Tsukiji
    • 4. 12:30 Lunch (Tsukiji Sushisei Tsukiji Shinkan)
    • 5. 14:00 Harajuku
    • 6. 15:30 Shibuya
    • 7. 16:00 Disband at Shibuya Station Taxi Stand

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Modern Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Akihabara, Tsukiji, Harajuku, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from North America. After traveling to other parts of Asia, they had arrived in Japan the previous day. They were staying in Japan for about a week and planned to head to Kyoto the next day. Since they intended to see shrines and temples in Kyoto, they wanted to explore other kinds of places in Tokyo, so I focused the tour on modern spots such as Akihabara, Tsukiji, Harajuku, and Shibuya. They did not do much shopping, but they enjoyed looking at a variety of shops with great interest at each location. At lunch, one of the guests stayed in the restroom for a long time after ordering and had not come out even after the rest of the group had finished eating. I became concerned and asked, and I learned that they had eaten sukiyaki for dinner the night before, with some meat that had not been cooked thoroughly, and their stomach was a little upset. Since we were able to stay in touch by smartphone with the guest in the restroom, part of the group and I set off for Harajuku first by subway, while the others followed later by taxi. We were able to meet up safely in Harajuku, the guest seemed to be feeling fine, and we did not need to stop at a restroom for the rest of the tour. The guests planned to return to their accommodation by taxi on their own, so I guided them to the taxi stand at Shibuya Station and we parted ways there. Although there was an unexpected turn of events, the guests seemed satisfied with the tour, and we said goodbye with a hug at the end.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassEbisu～Akihabara600JPY
    Section 2Free PassAkihabara～Tsukiji0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTsukiji～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 4Free PassMeiji-jingumae～Shibuya0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Tour Report by Haru

    Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
    I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
    I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!

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    Sep 29, 2026
    S77OGjoyh
    Excellent Guided walking tour of temple, shrine and outdoor food market Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day…

    Sep 16, 2026
    Kerry_M
    10/10 tour with Haruhiko Yokota
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We toured Tokyo with Haruhiko Yokota…

    Jul 13, 2026
    529gregj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
    Haru (Haruhiko…

    Jul 12, 2026
    Felice R
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Annex meet up
    • 10:50 Osaka Castle
    • 13:20 Dotonbori
    • 14:00 Disband in front of Dotonbori Kani Doraku

    What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like for a Group Visiting Japan? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Today was an intense heatwave at 34 degrees Celsius, so I imagine it was quite tough for the guests. We first headed to Osaka Castle, and since some of the guests had difficulty with long walking, we used an electric car. The elevator inside the building was currently under repair, so we had to go up and down entirely on foot, which I felt bad about. We proceeded little by little, resting on the chairs provided for breaks on the way up. They showed great interest in the history and the exhibits and took their time to look at everything carefully, which was wonderful. After that, we took a taxi and headed to Dotonbori. I believe they were delighted by the lively streetscape.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShin-Osaka～Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00 Meet up @ Matsuishi Shijo Hostel
    • 2. 9:00 @ Ryoanji Temple
    • 3. 11:00 @ Ginkakuji Temple
    • 4. 11:30 @ Philosopher's Path
    • 5. 12:30 @ Nanzenji Temple Sanmon Gate
    • 6. 14:00 Disband @ Nishiki Market

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were well versed in Japanese culture. They had made a careful plan and decided in advance where they wanted to go, and they listened attentively to my explanations, which I greatly appreciated. They wished to walk the Philosopher's Path on their own, but toward the end of the tour they seemed rather tired, and when we parted at Nishiki Market they mentioned they would find somewhere to sit and rest. This tour, in the heat, made me reflect on how difficult it is to balance taking guests to the places they want to visit with arranging appropriate breaks. As we said goodbye, they told me they had enjoyed it very much and that my explanations had been thorough.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShijo Omiya～Ryoanji Temple250JPY
    Section 2TrainRyoanji Temple～Kitano Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 3BusKitano Hakubaicho～Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKeage～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Total950JPY

    Tour Report by YUKA

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet @ Kyoto Station, Shinkansen Central Exit
    • 2: 10:10 @ Nijo Castle
    • 3.11:20 @ Viewing Naginata Hoko on Oike Street
    • 4.12:10 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 5.13:30 Lunch @ Yoshiya, Oku no Niwa (Arashiyama Station)
    • 6. 14:40 @ Tenryu-ji Temple
    • 7.15:10 @ Bamboo Grove Path
    • 8. 15:50 @ Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • 9. 17:40 Disband @ Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit

    Can You See the Gion Matsuri on a Private Kyoto Tour from a Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report I met and guided guests who arrived in Kyoto by bullet train from a cruise ship that had docked in Kobe, welcoming them at Kyoto Station. The guests were a group from North America, including some who came from another part of the region. They knew that the Gion Matsuri pre-festival procession was taking place that day and expressed a wish to see it if possible. Since their arrival in Kyoto was scheduled to be late (their booking time was 10:30) and there would be traffic restrictions, I had told them in advance that it would likely be difficult. However, they arrived in Kyoto 30 minutes earlier than expected, and the driver showed them the live broadcast on the in-car television and mentioned that around 11:00 it might be possible to see the procession on Oike Street. So I began the itinerary at Nijo Castle, which is near Oike Street, and guided them through Nijo Castle while keeping an eye on the time. After visiting Nijo Castle, I had the guests walk a short distance, and we were able to see the Naginata-boko float procession on Oike Street. For lunch, since one of the guests requested a certain dietary preference, I had made a reservation in advance at a restaurant in Arashiyama. I could only book it for 14:00, but when I called after visiting Kinkaku-ji, they were kind enough to move the lunch earlier. In Arashiyama, the guests also wished to visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park, so I proposed extending the tour. They happily agreed, and overall they were very satisfied.

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

    Tour Report by Shoko

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

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    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Lobby
    • 10:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:30 Takeshita Street
    • 12:00 Galaxy Harajuku
    • 13:00 Lunch @ Nana
    • 15:00 Asakusa
    • 16:30 Dismissal @ Itoya (Ginza)

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Since the day of the tour was their only chance to sightsee in Tokyo for a full day, I guided them to the major attractions. Considering the possibility of extreme heat that day, I planned a relaxed schedule with room for breaks. The guests showed little interest in shopping and did not need many breaks, so we finished visiting Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street earlier than planned. Since there was more than 30 minutes before lunch, I asked about their interests, and when they showed interest in the teamLab exhibit at Galaxy Harajuku in Harakado, I took them there. The guests had a rather mature impression, but they seemed to really enjoy Galaxy Harajuku, staying until it was time to move on. After sightseeing in Asakusa, they said they wanted to shop in Ginza, so I recommended several places and parted with them in front of a stationery store. They plan to join a Mount Fuji and Hakone tour the next day, so I hope they will be able to see Mount Fuji. I introduced the 24-hour metro ticket, but the guests already had a Welcome Suica and wanted to become comfortable using it during the tour, so they did not purchase the 24-hour ticket. Thank you very much. This was the first time I printed and used visual aid images during the tour. The guests especially liked the image that briefly explained Japanese history, praising it as very easy to understand, and they even asked to see it again during lunch. I did not create it myself, but I was happy to receive such praise. Thank you for providing such wonderful materials.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTameike-Sanno～Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Shibuya180JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya～Asakusa260JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Ginza210JPY
    Total830JPY

    Tour Report by Yoko

    I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
    I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
    I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.

    I live with my husband and one teenage son.
    I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Request Booking

    Sep 22, 2026
    grenfell69
    Half-day tour of Tokyo
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    While visiting Tokyo we chose the Customized…

    Jun 2, 2026
    ericahT6840AD
    Awesome!
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    Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…

    May 20, 2026
    CharKris17
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    We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…

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    jefftK1794VZ
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    Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
    This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    July, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel-9:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens-11:00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing-11:45 Meiji Shrine-12:15 Harajuku Takeshita Street-12:45 Tokyo Station-13:10 Disband at Tokyo Station

    Title: What Is a 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour with Taxi Transfers Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were from North America. Although the tour had originally been planned for the whole group, some of them were a little tired and were resting at the hotel, so the tour started with just some of the guests. Since they wanted to move between each destination as efficiently as possible within four hours, we traveled by hailing taxis along the way. The main purpose of this tour became checking where to take the rest of the group in the afternoon once this tour was over. They especially wanted to bring the younger members of the group to the Harajuku area and Takeshita Street, and it seems that purpose was well accomplished.

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

    Tour Report by Michio

    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!

    Request Booking

    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!
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    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
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    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
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