Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Meet the guest family who arrived from Kyoto 2 hours earlier at W Osaka Hotel, departure ➡ By subway, Osaka Castle (15:30~16:30 no entry to the castle tower) ➡ By JR Loop Line, Umeda Sky Building (17:00~17:50) ➡ By subway, Shinsaibashi ➡ On foot, Shinsaibashi to Dotonbori (18:20~19:00) ➡ Introduce a restaurant and finish (19:00)

    What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. After Tokyo and Kyoto, Osaka was their final destination, and they had already mostly finished their shopping, including buying sneakers. It was not raining when we set out, but heavy rain was expected due to the influence of a typhoon, so I had them bring umbrellas from their hotel. The prediction proved correct, and it poured heavily along the way, but the temperature dropped and it became more comfortable, which was good for walking around. The tour ended near their hotel at Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. Since the guests wanted to have okonomiyaki for dinner, I introduced a restaurant to them, and the tour came to a close.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHommachi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2TrainOsakajokoen~Osaka180JPY
    Section 3SubwayUmeda (Subway)~Shinsaibashi240JPY
    Total610JPY

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 10:30 Meet at the hotel
    • ② 10:30 Decide today's destinations・About the history of Kyoto
    • ③ 11:15 Sanjusangendo
    • ④ 12:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • ⑤ 13:30 Nijo Castle
    • ⑥ 14:45 Return to the hotel and disband

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for a Family from Europe? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe, and this was their first time in Japan. One of the guests was fluent in English, having spent a few years in North America in the past, while another was still young and not yet very comfortable with English. Today we explored the places the younger guest wanted to see, with interpretation provided by another member of the group. They were fine skipping lunch and wanted to see as much of Kyoto as possible. I was told the younger guest had a remarkable mind, being especially strong with numbers: once something was understood, it was memorized as figures and retained in the form of an image, so that anything learned could be repeated instantly. Even in a large, unfamiliar city like Tokyo, every subway line and route once used was remembered, and the group was able to move freely all around Tokyo over just a few days of their stay. The questions in Kyoto were still those of a young mind, with nothing especially surprising, but I did find myself speaking with some nervousness, wondering whether my explanations were landing well. This is a guest with a promising future. I said goodbye with encouragement to aim high in the future. Tomorrow they plan to buy anime figures in the Minami area of Osaka — still very much a young interest.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Total150JPY

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction & Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction & Tsukiji

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet at Toyosu Market
    • 05:10-05:30 Explanation of related information in advance, such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
    • 05:30-06:00 Watch the tuna auction
    • 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-07:15 Move to Tsukiji
    • 07:15-08:00 Stroll around Tsukiji Inner Market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    Title: What Is a Private Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Market Tour Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Some of the guests enjoy fishing themselves and were very interested in Japanese fish markets. During the tuna auction, the guests became very excited and asked many enthusiastic questions throughout the visit, which quickly lifted the mood of the tour and made it a very enjoyable experience. After watching the auction, the group enjoyed a "tuna feast" at a sushi restaurant, savoring how the flavor changed with each cut of tuna and with the chef's preparation methods such as marinating and searing, and they were very satisfied. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, some of the guests showed interest in Japanese fruit and purchased seasonal peaches, saying they would enjoy them at the Hotel.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu Market/Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome/Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    July 2, 2026
    David S
    Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Incredible experience at the Markets!
    Toru…

    Jun 6, 2026
    meltemg957
    Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

    Jun 4, 2026
    bluejerky1
    Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

    May 29, 2026
    Eva P
    Fabulous experience with Toru!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Toru was…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Stroll through Kiyosumi Garden

    Tokyo in One Day: Stroll through Kiyosumi Garden

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:00 Meet up at the hotel
    • 07:30 Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market, breakfast
    • 09:30 Stroll through Kiyosumi Garden
    • 11:00 Watch the goma fire prayer ritual at Fukagawa Fudodo
    • 12:00 Experience kakuuchi (standing bar drinking) in Monzen-Nakacho
    • 13:00 Escort to Gaienmae Station and disband

    What's a Private Tsukiji and Fukagawa Cultural Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They had been looking forward to visiting Tsukiji Outer Market and had researched shops of interest in advance on YouTube and other sources. They had noted a restaurant famous for its motsu-nikomi (offal stew) rice bowl and gyudon (beef rice bowl), and they enjoyed a gyudon topped with a hot spring egg. In our email discussions beforehand, we had planned to visit Asakusa and Meiji Shrine, but since they had already visited both on the previous day's tour, we changed the plan and rerouted to Kiyosumi Garden and a goma (fire) prayer ritual at Fukagawa Fudo-do, allowing them to enjoy Japanese culture. They especially enjoyed the sutra chanting and Japanese taiko drumming during the goma prayer. As they enjoyed sake, they experienced kakuuchi (standing sake tasting) at Orihara Shoten on the street in front of the temple gate. Inside the shop, they mingled with local customers and enjoyed their sake with warm smiles.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGaienmae Station / Minato Ward, Tokyo~Tsukiji180JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji Market~Kiyosumi-Shirakawa220JPY
    Section 3TrainKiyosumi-Shirakawa~Monzen-Nakacho180JPY
    Section 4TrainMonzen-Nakacho~Gaienmae210JPY
    Total790JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    July 2, 2026
    David S
    Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Incredible experience at the Markets!
    Toru…

    Jun 6, 2026
    meltemg957
    Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

    Jun 4, 2026
    bluejerky1
    Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

    May 29, 2026
    Eva P
    Fabulous experience with Toru!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Toru was…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Ginkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Ginkaku-ji Temple

    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.

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet
    • 9:30 Nijo Castle
    • 11:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:15 Lunch
    • 13:10 Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
    • 14:00 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:55 Tour ends, dismissal on-site

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe, and they had been to Japan several times before. Thanks to a typhoon, the temperature was low and there was some light rain, but it did not cause much trouble. First thing in the morning we went to Nijo Castle, which was quite crowded as expected. Since it was the Obon holiday season, many domestic visitors were there as well. As some of the guests were still students, I guided them to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine for the sake of their future. They both prayed very earnestly. Some of the guests could read a little kanji. The group could make decisions quickly and efficiently, while others had a calm and relaxed disposition, making for a well-balanced group. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji Temple.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKiyomizu-michi~Ginkakuji-michi1,100JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    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.

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

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

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

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

  • Hiraizumi Customized Half-Day Tour

    Hiraizumi Customized Half-Day Tour

    Hello and welcome! If you’re an inbound guest, I’d like to extend a warm greeting to you. I hope you have a pleasant stay in our beautiful city. If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask – I’m here to assist! My name’s Toshiya Ozawa. Please call me Toshi. I have 25 years’ experience as National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter guiding in English. Presently, I live in Ohsyu-shi, Iwate-ken where the Major Baseball player Shohei Ohtani was born and bred. The followings are the places where I attended as a tour guide for your reference. [Guide experience] Nara’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Japan’s largest lake Lake biwa and Azuchi-jyo Ruins in Shiga prefecture. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara:Horyu-ji, Nara Park, Todaiji Temple. Former Site of the Imperial Palace at Heijokyo, Todaiji Temple, along with Kasugataisha Shrine and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Koyasan (Shukubo Rengejo-in) shukubo literally means sleeping with the monks. Yagyu-no-sato (or the swordsman village of Yagyu), known as the home of Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu (traditional style of swordsmanship), is located in Northeast of Nara-city with rich natural environment. In Kyoto: JR Kyoto Station, The Golden Pavilion, World Heritage Site Former Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle, Ryoan-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple. In Mie Prefecture: Ise Shrine, Wadakin (Japan’s one of the best wagyu-beef restaurant, Matsusaka-shi). In Shiga prefecture: Mother Lake Lake Biwa, Azuchi Castle ruins.
    In Tokyo: Meiji shrine, Odaiba, Imperial Palace, Takeshita Street in Harajyuku, Akihabara (the otaku mecca and has its own unique atmosphere), Asakusa Kannon (Bodhisattva of Mercy) Sensoji Temple, and Tokyo Tower.
    In Shizuoka Prefecture: Mt. Fuji.
    In Aichi prefecture: 1. Atsuta Shrine 2. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 3. Inuyama Castle (Inuyama-shi) 4. Ohsu Shopping District 5. Konomiya Naked Festival (Inazawa-shi) 6.Tagata Jinja Shrine’s Honen Festival 7. Toyota Automobile Museum (Nagakute-shi) 8. Thousand Rice Paddies of Yotsuya (Yotsuya Senmaida) (Shinshiro-shi) 9. Asuke/Korankei (Toyota-shi Asuke-cho) 10. Chubu Centrair International Airport 11. Rest Stop (Highway Oasis Kariya, Donguri-no-sato Inabu)


    10 years’ experience in a trading operations position and 7 years’ experience as an Exporting Manager and 5 years’ experience as a Domestic Sales Representative: All of the experiences above included contacts with respective customers both externally and internally.
    I spent more than 2 years in the United States and Canada. Attended Kibbutz Hebrew class for six months in Israel.


    Aug1991– present MASPRO DENKOH Corporation, Aichi prefecture in Japan.
    Sales presentative/Exporting Manager “Export of TV reception and related equipment to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand”
    Negotiated prices and specifications with the makers “Drafting and arranging the needed documentations requested by custom houses”
    OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supply of CS antennas to SONY Corporation
    OEM supply of U.S. DirecTV Satellite Dish Antenna Dual LNB to Sony Corporation
    Attended the customers from overseas when they came to the head office
    Interpreter, translator to the C.E.O. (engaged in direct report to the company president)
    Import of invaluable western style paintings, Japanese potteries and porcelains
    Export of receiver and transmitter for Qualcomm Omni TRACS Ku-band satellite fleet tracking system in the U.S.
    Export of CATV Tap-off for Time Warner Cable in the U.S. OEM supply of ETC In-Vehicle Unit in Singapore to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
    Apr. 1989–March 1991, employed by ESPO Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. Manager of secretarial section to the C.E.O
    Interpreter, translator to the C.E.O “Assisted M&A transactions”
    Formula 1 ESPO-LARROUSSE Team negotiation and interpreter. Was in charge of training new staff (26 university graduates )
    Supervised new graduate recruitment activities as a part of training new staff and successfully recruited 40 prospective employees
    Apr 1976 – March 1991 Nissait English School in Tokyo, Japan
    1989 Director of Nissait English School “Management of English schools in Tokyo and Saitama prefecture”
    Instructor: Taught English conversation more than 1000 students “Was in charge of training new instructors (12 vocational college graduates )”
    Supervised new student recruitment activities as a part of training new instructors and successfully recruited 420 students at ten different schools for 5 years
    Was in charge of International Exchange program
    Chaperoned and supervised 160 Japanese youth delegates for cultural immersion homestays in the U.S.A. and Canada.
    Education: In 1976, Completed the curriculum at a university, received a degree of B.A. in Economics, Aoyama Gakuin University, in Tokyo.


    Windows MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint


    Certified as a National Licensed English-Speaking Tour Guide in 2009 (License No. Aichi EN00307)
    Passed Grade 1 of the EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency in 1989.

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet at JR Hiraizumi Station 10:45〜11:20 Hiraizumi World Heritage Guidance Center 11:20〜11:40 Michi-no-Eki Hiraizumi 11:40〜12:10 Motsuji Temple 12:10〜12:25 Kanjizaioin Ruins 12:25〜13:30 Lunch at "Yume-no-Kaze" 13:30〜14:55 Chusonji Temple 14:55 Disband at JR Hiraizumi Station

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hiraizumi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report After reconfirming the itinerary at Hiraizumi Station, on the way to the guidance center on foot, we passed the Yanagi-no-Gosho ruins, where I explained that this was the site of the Northern Fujiwara clan's government office in the 12th century, along with the reconstructed moat remains. At the guidance center, the guests viewed the history of Hiraizumi through projection mapping and studied the diorama exhibit with great interest. Afterward, we stopped by the Michi-no-Eki Hiraizumi, but confirmed that a restroom break was not needed. For the next stop, Motsu-ji Temple, I changed the plan from walking to a taxi to accommodate fatigue within the group. At Motsu-ji Temple, I explained its founding by the priest Ennin (Jikaku Daishi), the statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the history of the main hall, and its construction by the Northern Fujiwara clan. One of the guests asked a very apt question — "What makes this place sacred?" — and I explained the religious background in English. The guests seemed to especially enjoy the Pure Land Garden. For lunch, we had mochi dishes at a local restaurant. One of the guests finished two servings of mochi and a pork offal dish, and the meal proceeded in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. After the meal, one of the guests mentioned that they had left their goshuin-cho (temple seal book) at Motsu-ji Temple. Since I was also aware that it had been entrusted to me, I felt responsible and offered to return to Motsu-ji Temple to retrieve it. I had the guests proceed ahead to Chuson-ji Temple and set a reunion point at the Sankozo museum. One of the guests strongly wished to walk to the entrance of Mount Kinkeisan, so after explaining safety considerations, I permitted a visit up to the entrance. I walked back to Motsu-ji Temple and recovered the goshuin-cho. I tried to arrange a taxi, but all companies were fully booked, so I walked to Chuson-ji Temple. The Tsukimizaka slope was extremely steep, and I sweated heavily in the intense heat before reaching Higashi-Monomi. I safely reunited with the guests at the Sankozo museum, and at the same time the rest of the group joined us. The guests had already finished viewing the Konjikido (Golden Hall) and described it as "Amazing." Due to time constraints, I skipped viewing the Konjikido myself. On the way back, we took a taxi to JR Hiraizumi Station and made the scheduled train in time. One of the guests said "Thank you," and the tour ended successfully.

    Hello and welcome! If you’re an inbound guest, I’d like to extend a warm greeting to you. I hope you have a pleasant stay in our beautiful city. If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask – I’m here to assist! My name’s Toshiya Ozawa. Please call me Toshi. I have 25 years’ experience as National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter guiding in English. Presently, I live in Ohsyu-shi, Iwate-ken where the Major Baseball player Shohei Ohtani was born and bred. The followings are the places where I attended as a tour guide for your reference. [Guide experience] Nara’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Japan’s largest lake Lake biwa and Azuchi-jyo Ruins in Shiga prefecture. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara:Horyu-ji, Nara Park, Todaiji Temple. Former Site of the Imperial Palace at Heijokyo, Todaiji Temple, along with Kasugataisha Shrine and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Koyasan (Shukubo Rengejo-in) shukubo literally means sleeping with the monks. Yagyu-no-sato (or the swordsman village of Yagyu), known as the home of Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu (traditional style of swordsmanship), is located in Northeast of Nara-city with rich natural environment. In Kyoto: JR Kyoto Station, The Golden Pavilion, World Heritage Site Former Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle, Ryoan-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple. In Mie Prefecture: Ise Shrine, Wadakin (Japan’s one of the best wagyu-beef restaurant, Matsusaka-shi). In Shiga prefecture: Mother Lake Lake Biwa, Azuchi Castle ruins.
    In Tokyo: Meiji shrine, Odaiba, Imperial Palace, Takeshita Street in Harajyuku, Akihabara (the otaku mecca and has its own unique atmosphere), Asakusa Kannon (Bodhisattva of Mercy) Sensoji Temple, and Tokyo Tower.
    In Shizuoka Prefecture: Mt. Fuji.
    In Aichi prefecture: 1. Atsuta Shrine 2. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 3. Inuyama Castle (Inuyama-shi) 4. Ohsu Shopping District 5. Konomiya Naked Festival (Inazawa-shi) 6.Tagata Jinja Shrine’s Honen Festival 7. Toyota Automobile Museum (Nagakute-shi) 8. Thousand Rice Paddies of Yotsuya (Yotsuya Senmaida) (Shinshiro-shi) 9. Asuke/Korankei (Toyota-shi Asuke-cho) 10. Chubu Centrair International Airport 11. Rest Stop (Highway Oasis Kariya, Donguri-no-sato Inabu)


    10 years’ experience in a trading operations position and 7 years’ experience as an Exporting Manager and 5 years’ experience as a Domestic Sales Representative: All of the experiences above included contacts with respective customers both externally and internally.
    I spent more than 2 years in the United States and Canada. Attended Kibbutz Hebrew class for six months in Israel.


    Aug1991– present MASPRO DENKOH Corporation, Aichi prefecture in Japan.
    Sales presentative/Exporting Manager “Export of TV reception and related equipment to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand”
    Negotiated prices and specifications with the makers “Drafting and arranging the needed documentations requested by custom houses”
    OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supply of CS antennas to SONY Corporation
    OEM supply of U.S. DirecTV Satellite Dish Antenna Dual LNB to Sony Corporation
    Attended the customers from overseas when they came to the head office
    Interpreter, translator to the C.E.O. (engaged in direct report to the company president)
    Import of invaluable western style paintings, Japanese potteries and porcelains
    Export of receiver and transmitter for Qualcomm Omni TRACS Ku-band satellite fleet tracking system in the U.S.
    Export of CATV Tap-off for Time Warner Cable in the U.S. OEM supply of ETC In-Vehicle Unit in Singapore to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
    Apr. 1989–March 1991, employed by ESPO Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. Manager of secretarial section to the C.E.O
    Interpreter, translator to the C.E.O “Assisted M&A transactions”
    Formula 1 ESPO-LARROUSSE Team negotiation and interpreter. Was in charge of training new staff (26 university graduates )
    Supervised new graduate recruitment activities as a part of training new staff and successfully recruited 40 prospective employees
    Apr 1976 – March 1991 Nissait English School in Tokyo, Japan
    1989 Director of Nissait English School “Management of English schools in Tokyo and Saitama prefecture”
    Instructor: Taught English conversation more than 1000 students “Was in charge of training new instructors (12 vocational college graduates )”
    Supervised new student recruitment activities as a part of training new instructors and successfully recruited 420 students at ten different schools for 5 years
    Was in charge of International Exchange program
    Chaperoned and supervised 160 Japanese youth delegates for cultural immersion homestays in the U.S.A. and Canada.
    Education: In 1976, Completed the curriculum at a university, received a degree of B.A. in Economics, Aoyama Gakuin University, in Tokyo.


    Windows MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint


    Certified as a National Licensed English-Speaking Tour Guide in 2009 (License No. Aichi EN00307)
    Passed Grade 1 of the EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency in 1989.

    Apr 29, 2026
    447dags
    Tripadvisor review: Morioka Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Full service tour of Morioka
    Full service tour with Toshiya Ozawa, who…

    Apr 2, 2025
    Calder_L
    Best way to spend the afternoon in Morioka.
    Viator review: Morioka Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshisan was an amazing…

    Jun 14, 2024
    Pelle S
    Great insights on Morioka!
    Tripadvisor review: Morioka Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi-san is a very knowledable guide with…

    May 30, 2024
    Juan Ignacio G
    Experiencia recomendable!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiraizumi Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi nos acompañó con mucho entusiasmo a recorrer…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo & Kinkakuji (500) by taxi

    Kyoto in One Day: Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo & Kinkakuji (500) by taxi

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo
    • 10:00 Fushimiinari by subway and JR train
    • 11:30 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to
    • Ninenzaka
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • 14:30 Kinkakuji (500) by taxi
    • 15:30 Mimaru Suites Kyoto Shijo by taxi
    • End of the tour

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like with a Licensed Guide? A Tour Report Body: [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides led a private one-day tour of Kyoto for a group visiting from North America. Since the guests said they would not have lunch, at Fushimi Inari we climbed up to Kumataka-sha shrine. At Kiyomizu-dera, the Sennichi Mairi ("thousand-day pilgrimage") was being held from August 9 to 16, so we were able to see the interior of the main hall. We also lined up at the Otowa Waterfall, and each of the guests received the water of their choice. The guests were not very interested in Kiyomizu ware, but they were very pleased with the fresh yatsuhashi samples at the confectionery shop. Since one of the guests said they liked Studio Ghibli, we only took photos at the Yasaka Pagoda and returned to Ninenzaka. With a typhoon approaching, I had been prepared for rain all day, but it only started coming down a little on the way back from Kinkaku-ji, and we hardly needed to use umbrellas at all.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShijo (Kyoto Municipal)~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total370JPY

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

    Jul 14, 2026
    T6871WWricharde
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…

    Jun 5, 2026
    mateoe216
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Would book again
    The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…

    May 27, 2026
    Leah_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely recommend!
    I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…

    May 26, 2026
    sheilacL3330KS
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
    Kazz was an excellent guide…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Yanaka Ginza & Akihabara

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Yanaka Ginza & Akihabara

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:25 Meet up @ Nohga Hotel Ueno Tokyo
    • 11:00 Yanaka Ginza
    • 11:45 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:50 Lunch @ Hakata Menbo Aka-noren Marubiru Store
    • 13:40 Imperial Palace
    • 14:25 Akihabara
    • 14:40 Disband @ Akihabara

    What's a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Yanaka, the Imperial Palace, and Akihabara The guests were a group from Europe, with one having visited Japan before and the other visiting for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Izu and Kyoto. At Yanaka Ginza, one of the guests purchased a souvenir at an accessory shop. At Nezu Shrine, they listened with great interest to explanations about the differences between shrines and temples, as well as the proper etiquette for praying at a shrine. At the Imperial Palace, they were very interested in the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. In Akihabara, one of the guests showed great interest in the anime shops. After shopping in Akihabara, the guests said they could return to their hotel on their own, so we parted ways in Akihabara. I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUeno~Nippori160JPY
    Section 2SubwayNezu~Nijubashimae180JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijubashimae~Shin-Ochanomizu180JPY
    Section 4TrainOchanomizu~Akihabara160JPY
    Total680JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    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.

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:15 Meet @ Hotel Entrance
    • 2. 09:25 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 09:55 Stay @ Ueno Park
    • 4. 10:45 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 10:55 Stay @ Senso-ji Temple
    • 6. 11:45 Travel: Subway
    • 7. 12:15 Stay @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 8. 12:50 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
    • 9. 13:30 Dismiss @ Tsukiji East Street

    What Is a 4-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Since the guests did not use a messaging app, I was concerned about whether pre-tour communication would go smoothly, but a few days before the tour I received an email from their own address, and we were able to communicate smoothly afterward. The itinerary involved visiting three spots in four hours, but since all of them were relatively easy to access from the accommodation, we had plenty of time throughout. In the morning, the guests enjoyed viewing the lotus flowers at Shinobazu Pond, and in the afternoon we had time to eat sushi together at Tsukiji. After the meal, the timing worked out well, and we parted ways at the Tsukiji Outer Market.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku West Exit~Ueno-okachimachi220JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji210JPY
    Total610JPY

    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.

    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

    Jun 18, 2026
    David_W
    Viator review: Tokyo Tsukiji Food & Culture 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Market Tour
    Great tour. Got to see…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    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.

    Tour Itinerary

    • 6:50 Meet at Kyoto Station 7:06 Fushimi Inari 8:35 Arashiyama Nonomiya Bus Stop 8:50 Board Kyoto Bus 9:05 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple 10:10 Gio-ji Temple 10:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 11:40 Lunch 12:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple 14:00 Gion 14:50 Tour Ends

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came to Japan from North America. One of the guests had lived in Japan for five years during elementary school years while family worked at a base in Yokosuka, and still remembers a little Japanese. Based on the overall itinerary, we met at Kyoto Station at 6:50 and began the tour. Perhaps because of the typhoon, a cool light breeze was constantly blowing, making for a comfortable tour. We were able to smoothly visit Fushimi Inari, Adashino Nenbutsuji, Gioji, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove all before lunch. After lunch, Kinkakuji was somewhat crowded, partly because it was a public holiday and quite a few Japanese tourists had also come. For Gion, we walked from Higashiyama Sanjo and headed to Furukawacho, Shirakawa, Shinbashi, Tatsumi Shrine, Tatsumi Bridge, and then Hanamikoji. The other day, when I tried to explain about the ochaya (tea houses), a standing security guard stopped me, so today I walked on the opposite side from the guard and explained from there. The photo was taken at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3BusNonomiya/Kyoto Bus~Toriimoto/Kyoto Bus230JPY
    Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Enmachi180JPY
    Section 5BusEnmachi~Wara Tenjin-mae/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6OtherKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Nishioji Oike230JPY
    Section 7SubwayNishioji Oike~Higashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture)260JPY
    Total1,520JPY

    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.

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

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

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

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