Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Remm Plus Ginza

    Tokyo in One Day: Remm Plus Ginza

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Remm Plus Ginza
    • 12:15 Akihabara (Fukufuku Trading Cards, Cultures Zone)
    • 13:15 Yanaka (Pokemon Manhole, Kabaya Coffee, Yukaan, Sugidama, Cafe Nonbiriya, Yanaka Ginza)
    • 14:45 Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, 3D Cat, Pet Shop, Godzilla Head, Girls Bar Girl, Host Club Sign, Fugu Restaurant, Golden Gai)
    • 16:00 Takeshita Street (Cat Cafe, Guitar Shop, Harakado Rooftop Garden)
    • 17:00 Shibuya (Mark City, Parco)
    • 17:40 Disband at Cyberspace

    What Is a Private Yamanote Line Loop Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour circling almost the entire Yamanote Line in Tokyo for guests visiting from Europe. This was a two-day advance assignment with the meeting point undecided, so I am very grateful to [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) for their support on this occasion. By email the guests requested, "We are not interested in shrines and temples; we would like to be shown around the city streets," which is why the destinations above were chosen (I later learned at our meeting that this was because they had already been to Kyoto). Still, this was my first tour that so completely excluded shrines and temples. The guests spoke quietly to each other in a reserved tone, there were few moments of laughter, and there were not many questions, so to be honest it was a challenging tour to guide. Since the guests walk quickly, we were able to visit many places, but at times one of them would say things like "Let's come back here again," "Let's try making a reservation even if it's a long shot," or "I'll recommend this to friends," so today it might be more accurate to say I gave directions rather than guided. They recorded each place we visited on Google and checked the names of the shops, so I think it also served as advance research for coming back on their own from tomorrow onward. In Akihabara, for a friend who collects Pokémon cards, they took a photo of a card worth two million yen and sent it right away. They did not show much interest in maid cafés, but they seemed to like the figure and anime goods shops and the shops in Yanaka overall, and said they would like to come back. Because they keep a Ragdoll at home, they love cats. Both of them waited until 3:00 p.m. to film the 3D cat, and then at the pet shop they walked straight past the dogs and stared intently at the cats (it is rare to meet people with so little interest in dogs). On Takeshita Street they went up to the cat café on the third floor and watched from outside. When we stopped by the rooftop garden of Harakado in Harajuku, they were also filming videos the whole time. Interestingly, they had not taken any photos of themselves until then, but seemingly having taken a liking to the place, they tried taking a commemorative photo for the first time. At our final stop in Shibuya, while I was explaining the way back to the Hotel, I filmed the Shibuya crossing from the second floor of Mark City, and when I explained the Ichiran ramen we passed on the way to the Pokémon Center, they decided to have dinner there, and we parted ways at Parco. At the farewell, one of the guests smiled for the first time and said "thank you," which left a strong impression on me. Everywhere was extremely crowded today and I was quite tired, but the guests were in great spirits throughout the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShimbashi~Akihabara200JPY
    Section 2TrainAkihabara~Ueno160JPY
    Section 3TrainNippori~Shinjuku260JPY
    Section 4TrainShinjuku~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 5TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Total940JPY

    Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.

    Apr 21, 2026
    Sabrina_F
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Balade riche en découvertes
    Nous avons passé un super moment avec Danda.…

    Apr 14, 2026
    davidjonesresponseen
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour with Danda in Tokyo
    Excellent walking tour, we followed our…

    Apr 10, 2026
    Anna_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour with great guide
    Excellent tour with a very good guide…

    Mar 25, 2026
    Nahmjee_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour guide and experience.
    Danda was great with my family. He…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Kyoto Station 9:45 Board the Kyoto Bus at Arashiyama 10:00 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple Then walk around Sagano 11:20 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 11:50 Tenryu-ji Temple 13:15 Lunch (Sushi Restaurant) 14:10 Kinkaku-ji Temple 15:40 Nijo Castle 16:50 Tour ends at Nijo Castle

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto's Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. Everyone walked quickly, sometimes so fast that I nearly got left behind. At each site they seemed eager to move on quickly, so at one point I asked whether they had plans after the tour, but they said they did not. Thanks to this pace, however, we were able to proceed smoothly and finish nearly on schedule. There were moments when the group tended to split up and move separately, which made giving guidance at each site a little difficult. One of the guests was very diligent, always reading the pamphlets at each site carefully. Another guest was responsive but did not seem very interested in history. Some of the guests had a strong accent, and there were times when communication took a bit of effort. For example, the word for lotus, usually pronounced "lotus" in English, sounded more like "laytus" to me. Despite some difficulty in communication, we managed to finish the tour without any trouble. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama, Kyoto.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 2BusNonomiya/Kyoto Bus~Otagidera-mae/Kyoto Bus230JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 4OtherKitano-Hakubaicho~Wara-Tenjin-mae230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Nishioji-Oike/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6SubwayNishioji-Oike~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Total1,400JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet at Hotel Niwa Tokyo
    • 2. 9:30 Asakusa
    • 3. 11:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 4. 12:15 Meiji Shrine
    • 5. 13:00 Disband at JR Harajuku Station

    What's a One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Meiji Shrine The guests were visitors from North America. Both were visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived in Japan the day before and planned to stay for about two weeks, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other places. I guided them around Asakusa, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Meiji Shrine. They enjoyed taking photos at each location. They listened attentively to my explanations and asked many questions about Japanese culture and history. Although it was a public holiday, thanks to the early hour Asakusa was not very crowded, and we were blessed with good weather, allowing us to get around comfortably. Their first language was Spanish, so the guests spoke Spanish among themselves. After the tour, they had a reservation at a restaurant in Yoyogi, so I explained how to get to the restaurant from JR Harajuku Station and concluded the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSuidobashi~Asakusa340JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Total730JPY

    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!

    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…

    Jul 9, 2026
    mariee530
    An incredible walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This tour was beyond expectations!…

    Jun 30, 2026
    simonegN55VE
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fabulous walking tour with Haru
    Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 11:00 Meeting: Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 11:00 To Tsukiji via Ginza
    • 3. 11:45 Tsukiji Outer Market, Lunch: Sushisei
    • 4. 14:00 Imperial Palace
    • 5. 15:30 Rikugien
    • 6. 16:20 Nezu
    • 7. 17:00 End

    What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The tour was originally planned for a larger group, but some of the guests remained at the hotel that day. Since walking and taking the subway from the meeting point to the next destination would have taken about the same amount of time, I asked their preference, and they chose to walk. While guiding them around Ginza and chatting along the way, I learned that one of the guests loved cars, so I spontaneously took the group to a nearby Nissan showroom, and they were delighted, which was wonderful. Also, during a meal at Tsukiji, I talked about the characteristics of sashimi knives and other Japanese cooking tools, which seemed to spark their interest. Afterward, some of the guests listened very attentively to the shop staff at a store selling knives and cooking utensils and purchased a number of items. In the latter half of the tour, since it was the day before they returned home after a trip, some of the guests seemed quite tired, so I guided them at a slightly slower pace. They were moved by the azaleas at Rikugien Garden and enjoyed the everyday atmosphere of Japan at Yanaka Ginza, and they told me they were glad they had come, which made me happy as well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Sengoku220JPY
    Section 3TrainKomagome~Nippori160JPY
    Total560JPY

    Hello, my name is Yui, and I am a licensed tour guide interpreter.

    I mainly guide visitors in and around Tokyo, where you can experience both the excitement of modern city life and the charm of traditional culture. Japan is a country where history and the present exist side by side, and this unique balance makes every visit full of discoveries. I believe there is always something that will capture your heart, whether it is food, fashion, history, or daily life in Tokyo.

    Since I also work as a Japanese language teacher, I can help you learn a few simple phrases during the tour if you are interested. Using Japanese to greet or chat with locals will surely make your trip even more enjoyable and memorable.

    I hope you will take home wonderful memories, and I sincerely wish you enjoy your stay in Japan.

    Apr 18, 2026
    Brent_M
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuiko was a great guide for our day in Tokyo.
    We had…

    Oct 14, 2025
    797JaneM
    A wonderful day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful tour. My guide, Yui, was…

  • Hokkaido in One Day: Otaru Museum Canal Building

    Hokkaido in One Day: Otaru Museum Canal Building

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:10 meet at Sapporo station
    • 10:30 Otaru Museum Canal Building
    • 12:30 Otaru Canal
    • 13:30 Finance Museum (Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch)
    • 14:20 Sumiyoshi Shrine
    • 15:00 Tanaka Sake Brewery
    • 15:45 Otaru Station
    • 16:40 Sapporo Station dismissal

    Title: What's a Private Guided Day Tour of Otaru Like from Sapporo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Asia. Although I am a guide based in Otaru, the guests were staying at a hotel in Sapporo, so we arranged to meet at Sapporo Station and take the train together to Otaru. When I asked about their interests, they said they were not interested in shopping but were very keen on history and culture, so we decided to start at the Otaru Museum. They asked me many questions about Otaru and Hokkaido, which made guiding truly rewarding. This is exactly what makes being a guide so fulfilling. We also visited Sumiyoshi Shrine and the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum, which were not originally on the plan, because they asked to go when we happened to pass by. Dozens of times they asked me to explain what the museum exhibits and signs said. We walked quite a lot, but the guests showed no signs of fatigue and were very pleased with today's tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOtaru~Minami-Otaru210JPY
    Section 2TrainMinami-Otaru~Otaru210JPY
    Total420JPY

    Hello, my name is Akira Matsumoto, a national government-licensed guide in Hakodate and Sapporo. I’m a retired public school science teacher and have been working as a professional tour guide for more than five years. (Before retirement, I used to work as a volunteer guide mainly in Hakodate for more than 10 years) So I know every corner of Hakodate and its history, culture, and food.
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got into the graduate school of Hokkaido University, and in Japan’s modern history.
    So I am well-versed in Japanese history, Hokkaido’s local history, and the Ainu aborigine people’s culture.
    I can offer you an informative and enjoyable tour with a polite and hospitable atmosphere.
    I like to interact and communicate with foreign people and introduce my guests to Japan’s beautiful scenery, wonderful culture,
    and best food. I assure you that I will welcome you with my best hospitality and make every effort to make your tour a good memory.

    May 22, 2026
    Leanne S
    Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Cruise port must
    Akira was our tour guide and was great.…

    May 7, 2026
    Narayanan_V
    Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Akira san is a wonderful…
    Akira san is a wonderful guide. Very…

    May 1, 2026
    Maria R
    Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best of Hakodate
    Akira was a very knowledgeable guide who showed…

    Feb 18, 2026
    Danielle_S
    An insider’s tour of Otaru
    Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    My guide Akira was knowledgeable, kind, patient,…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Platform
    • 9:00‐10:30 Nijo Castle
    • 11:15‐11:55 Hanamikoji Street→Yasaka Shrine
    • 12:30 Disband @ Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto History and Kimono Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Before the tour, I discussed the meeting point and destinations with the travel agency. The guests were coming from Yokohama by Shinkansen, and I was asked to wait on the Shinkansen platform. As for destinations, they wanted to experience Kyoto's history anywhere suitable, and finally wished to stop by a kimono shop, so I planned Kyoto Imperial Palace → Nijo Castle → kimono shop, and asked the agency to purchase the Nijo Castle tickets in advance. Picking up guests on the Shinkansen platform was a first for me, and when the guests did not come off from the car number I had been told, I started to panic. Then the guests spotted me from the platform of a car slightly ahead and came over. That was a relief. Assuming the destinations were already understood, I took them to the subway station and we boarded the train bound for Kokusaikaikan. As we talked, I noticed they had written down the places they wanted to visit on a piece of paper, listing "Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion." I wondered whether I should have chosen these kinds of places as destinations. Since the Nijo Castle ticket had already been purchased, that could not be helped, but I proposed visiting Yasaka Shrine and Gion, which they had wished for, instead of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and changed course toward Nijojo-mae. At times like this, IC cards are very convenient. Since the guests were of advanced age, I made a point of using elevators as much as possible and walking slowly. Also, since there would not be enough time to go all the way to the main keep, I explained that we would visit only the Ninomaru Palace and its gardens. However, it turned out that they had mistakenly believed the tour included the admission fee, and it became clear that the tickets had not been purchased in advance, so they purchased tickets at the entrance as usual. (I believe the travel agency had also contacted them, but one of the guests said they had become confused because there was too much information. Given their age, such things can happen.) The Nijo Castle tour proceeded pleasantly. One of the guests had a sense of humor, and when I explained the nightingale floors, they walked on tiptoe. When the Ninomaru Palace tour finished, one of the guests said they wanted to use the restroom. Passing in front of the kitchen, I guided them to the restroom. During that time, I showed the other guest to a rest area to sit and wait. I also went to the restroom during that time, and when I returned, they said, "If we cannot walk around while drinking coffee, we would like to take a coffee break here," so we moved to the café space. They were delighted, saying that they had come to Kyoto in a rush that morning without even time for coffee, and could finally relax. One of the guests wanted to buy souvenirs, and while I chatted with the other guest and waited, that guest stood up saying, "I should not let too much money be spent," so I accompanied them. Then we returned to the Ninomaru Garden once more and left Nijo Castle. As we left Nijo Castle, they asked me to recommend restaurants around Kyoto Station, so I decided to see them to Kyoto Station and end the tour there. We walked from Minamiza toward Hanamikoji. Next we moved to Gion. When explaining kabuki, there happened to be a poster of a performer's onnagata (female role) beside a poster of an event featuring that performer as a man, so I talked about how beautiful onnagata roles can be. Then we strolled along Hanamikoji. I explained the tea houses and such, entered the grounds of the Kaburenjo theater, gave them a leaflet for the Gion Geiko Museum, walked around the Yasaka Nyokoba, and entered Yasaka Shrine through the west gate. They were interested in the fact that, besides the main hall, there were small auxiliary shrines. After they prayed at the main hall, we headed to the bus stop from the south gate. Arriving at Kyoto Station, I decided to guide them to restaurants while also showing them the Shinkansen entrance. When I guided them to the central gate, the line was extremely long, so I decided to guide them to the Hachijo gate. I explained that there were restaurants along the Hachijo gate, and we said our goodbyes. In the end, in a Western style, I hugged the guests as we parted. I hope they were able to have their lunch safely and boarded the Shinkansen. The photo was taken at the south gate of Yasaka Shrine.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 2TrainNijojo-mae~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 3TrainSanjo Keihan~Gion-Shijo180JPY
    Section 4BusGion/Kyoto City Bus~Kyoto Station/Kyoto City Bus500JPY
    Section 5OtherKyoto~Kyoto150JPY
    Total1,310JPY

    I am a 53-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!

    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…

  • Kyoto: Hyatt Place Kyoto & Sanjusangendo Temple

    Kyoto: Hyatt Place Kyoto & Sanjusangendo Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hyatt Place Kyoto
    • 9:20-9:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
    • 10:20-11:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:30-12:10 Nijo Castle
    • 12:20-13:40 Lunch (Kappo cuisine Fukuyasu)
    • 14:00-14:40 Sanjusangendo Temple
    • 15:00 Guide to Takashimaya at Shijo Kawaramachi, Iwai in Shinkyogoku, and Aritsugu in Nishiki Market, then disband

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The planned itinerary was Hotel → the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Kinkaku-ji → Nijo Castle → lunch (a kappo restaurant) → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Hotel. However, the departure was delayed, and since everyone went at their own pace and took many photos, we fell behind schedule overall. So after lunch I changed the plan to Sanjusangendo, and as the guests also wished to do some shopping, I extended the tour by 30 minutes and guided them to several shops around Shijo Kawaramachi, Shinkyogoku, and Nishiki Market before we parted ways. The guests were in great spirits and, teasing one another along the way and in the car, it was a very lively day. What they were especially delighted with that day were the lunch and Sanjusangendo. For lunch I took them to a kappo restaurant — a small local establishment frequented by residents — and they were thrilled to enjoy authentic local cuisine in a setting full of Kyoto atmosphere. With some drinks flowing, the conversation blossomed into forbidden topics (such as the landmines that anger one's spouse and how to avoid them). Sanjusangendo was originally not on the itinerary, but when they beheld the overwhelming sight of the array of Buddhist statues, they took their time to view them slowly and carefully. At the end, I guided them to a department store, a shop in Shinkyogoku, and a shop in Nishiki Market, and then we parted ways.

    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 !

    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.…

  • Kyoto: Hotel The M's Kyoto & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto: Hotel The M’s Kyoto & Sanjusangendo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Hotel The M's Kyoto
    • (Subway)
    • 11:30-12:00 Nijo Castle
    • (Subway)
    • 12:30-13:15 Lunch at the Kitaoji food court (Marugame Seimen)
    • (Taxi)
    • 13:30-14:00 Shimogamo Shrine
    • (Taxi + Keihan + Taxi)
    • 14:45-15:30 Chishakuin Temple, National Treasure Museum
    • 15:45-16:15 Sanjusangendo
    • (Taxi)
    • 16:30 Hotel The M's Kyoto (Part ways with the host)
    • 17:00 Assist with purchasing next day's Shinkansen tickets at Kyoto Station, then part ways

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for Guests Wanting Fewer Hills and Stairs? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were older visitors from North America. Regarding the itinerary, I had received a request in advance to minimize hills and stairs due to mobility difficulties, and also to avoid the crowds of the Golden Week holiday period. Based on this, I planned the route as Hotel → Nijo Castle → lunch (inside a mall in the Kitaoji area) → Shimogamo Shrine → Chishakuin Temple → Sanjusangendo → Hotel, and at the end I accompanied one of the guests to Kyoto Station to assist with purchasing shinkansen tickets for the following day before we parted ways. Both guests appeared to be tired from their travels from the outset, and since walking was quite challenging for the group, we used taxis even for short distances and I offered options along the way to shorten the itinerary as needed, but we managed to visit all four planned locations. For lunch, the guests enjoyed udon from Marugame Seimen at the food court of the Kitaoji Aeon Mall, and appreciated the high quality of Japanese fast food.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto~Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 3TrainDemachiyanagi~Shichijo300JPY
    Total820JPY

    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 !

    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.…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 10:00  Tour starts from the hotel
    • Transfer Railway Arashiyama
    • AM 10:45-PM12:00 Visit the bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji Temple garden
    • Transfer Railway & Bus Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • PM 12:45-13:45
    • Transfer Bus & Railway  Gion
    • PM 14:30-16:00 Stroll from Gion to Higashiyama, tour ends at the Yasaka Pagoda

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Higashiyama The guests were a group visiting Japan, for whom this was the only day available in Kyoto, so this tour was requested for that reason. We had originally planned to visit Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle, but since some of the guests also wanted to do some shopping, we decided to go to Higashiyama instead of Nijo Castle. Some of the guests wanted to see the Yasaka Pagoda of Hokan-ji Temple, so this worked out well. However, near the Yasaka Pagoda we were caught in a sudden rain shower, so for a late lunch and to take shelter from the rain, I guided them to a udon restaurant they had requested, and the tour concluded there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall~Nijo220JPY
    Section 2TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 4BusKitano-Hakubaicho~Kinkaku-ji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkaku-ji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6SubwayKitaoji~Sanjo Keihan260JPY
    Section 7TrainSanjo Keihan~Gion-Shijo180JPY
    Total1,570JPY

    Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
    I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
    Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
    Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
    ” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Incredible tour, one of the highlights of my…

    Jul 18, 2026
    Geert73
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Well-Organized and Informative Tour of Kanazawa
    We, a…

    Jul 15, 2026
    G5010ZVmelodys
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour with Licensed Guide
    Number one guide for personalised touring of Kanazawa
    Our…

    Jul 11, 2026
    rikkes490
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Rigtig god guidet tur
    Rigtig god oplevelse og gode forklaringer

    とても良いガイドツアーでした。
    とても良い体験でした。説明も分かりやすく、とても良かったです。

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Jingu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Jingu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Hotel Ginza Tsukiji
    • 8:30 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 9:50 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the child wouldn't stop crying, so we took quite a long break
    • 12:05 Break @Tully's Coffee Ueno no Mori Sakura Terrace (guide did not stay)
    • 12:50 Asakusa (after breastfeeding and resting at the Culture Tourism Center, took photos of Skytree)
    • 13:45 Disband in front of Asakusa Maguro to Shari Asakusa branch

    Can You Do a Private Tokyo Tour with a Baby Stroller? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Tokyo. They had requested an elevator-accessible route, so I paid careful attention to that. The weather was fair with no rain, though it felt hot when the sun was out. One of the guests had not slept well the night before and did not seem to be feeling their best. The group's youngest member stayed quiet until we entered the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, but there cried strongly at times, which was difficult for the group. We took quite a bit of time for breaks. We had planned to see Ueno Toshogu Shrine and other sights, but due to fatigue the group only rested at Ueno before heading to Asakusa, took photos at Azumabashi Bridge, and I then guided them to the requested lunch spot, where the tour ended. I received a tip.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassHigashi-Ginza~Meiji-jingumae700JPY
    Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Otemachi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTakebashi~Ueno0JPY
    Section 4Free PassUeno~Asakusa0JPY
    Total700JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…