Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle Park - Castle Tower

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle Park – Castle Tower

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Hotel Kita Umeda Meet
    • 15:40~16:50 Osaka Castle Park – Castle Tower
    • 16:20~16:40 Namba Yasaka Shrine
    • 18:00~18:40 Hozenji – Dotonbori – Ebisu Bridge
    • 19:00 Disband at Nakatsu

    Title: What's a Half-Day Private Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle and Dotonbori The guests were visitors from Europe traveling through Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, and Kyoto, with Osaka as their final stop before flying home from Kansai International Airport this evening. Due to heavy rain from the previous night, the tour start time was changed to 3:00 PM, and once the rain had cleared, we first headed to Osaka Castle. The guests were impressed by the castle's outer fortifications, the moats, and the height of the stone walls. From the main keep, they could see the entire city of Osaka, feeling the strong presence of Osaka Castle, and were captivated by the exhibits on the Summer Siege of Osaka. On a Friday evening, Namba, Dotonbori, and Ebisu Bridge were bustling with many tourists and commuters, and the guests happily took photos capturing the atmosphere of Osaka's downtown. Finally, the guests were delighted, saying that everywhere in Japan is clean and that they could sightsee with peace of mind. They mentioned that they would like to visit Hokkaido and Okinawa next time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOsaka Station~Osaka Castle Park170JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Namba240JPY
    Section 3SubwayNamba~Nakatsu240JPY
    Total650JPY

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Kyoto Station 10:30 Fushimi Inari 12:10 Lunch (Sushi) 13:15 Nijo Castle 14:45 Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama Area 16:00 Guide to Pontocho and end the tour

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They mentioned that their home is a small country not widely known in Europe, and that at immigration they had once been jokingly asked whether they had invented such a country themselves. We met at the Shinkansen exit of Kyoto Station. Unfortunately, we started the tour in the rain. However, after lunch the weather improved to the point where umbrellas were hardly necessary. Partly because of the weather, the tourist sites were not crowded. Even at Kiyomizu-dera, it was easy to take photographs. Within the group they spoke Spanish among themselves. The guests were able to converse well in clear, easy-to-understand English. One of the guests appeared to run a business operating a ski resort. Some of the guests were involved in figure skating and table tennis, and mentioned that they knew of the Harimoto siblings, the Japanese table tennis players. We walked all the way from Kiyomizu-dera to the entrance of Pontocho, where our time was up and the tour ended. The photo was taken at the lunch spot.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Nijo200JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijo~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 4SubwayNijojo-mae~Higashiyama220JPY
    Section 5OtherHigashiyama-sanjo~Kiyomizu-dera Sando0JPY
    Total790JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:40 Pick up at Hiroshima Station 13:00 Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine・Omotesando 15:30 Move from Miyajima to Peace Park 16:30 Peace Park・Peace Memorial Museum 19:20 Disband at Hiroshima Station

    Can You Do a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Hiroshima and Miyajima? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. Before arriving in Hiroshima, they had completed a cruise around Japan, and this was a day trip from Osaka to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima. Everyone in the group, including a young child, stayed in good spirits throughout the day. In our prior email exchanges, places such as Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle had been listed as desired destinations, but I explained that within a 7-hour stay it would only be feasible to visit the two World Heritage Sites of Miyajima and the Peace Memorial Park, and guided them accordingly. There was no time to sit down at a restaurant, so they bought momiji manju, fried oysters, grilled skewers and other items at shops and ate them on the spot. Therefore, before parting ways, I guided them to the restaurant area at Hiroshima Station, where they had dinner.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Hiroshima Station~JR Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainHiroden Miyajimaguchi~Hiroden Genbaku Dome-mae270JPY
    Section 3BusPeace Park-mae~Hiroshima Station-mae220JPY
    Total910JPY

    I have been an English and Italian guide for 10 years in Hiroshima, Miyajima, Okayama, Kurashiki, Iwakuni, Himeji, Osaka, Kochi and Sanin. I used to work for the Japanese trading house in Milan Italy for 9 years, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam for 2 years and Kobe /Osaka for 25 years. I was engaged in the textile and apparel division covering European and Asian market. Moreover, I worked for a food company who produce special sauce for okonomiyaki, famous local food. After retiring, I live in Hiroshima, my hometown, working as a tourist guide mainly, sometimes as an Italian interpreter for A-bomb survivor testimonies and translation. I guide you about history, culture, architecture, art, industry, economy and so on according to your interests and wishes. My hobby is oil painting of the scenery of the Inland Sea of Seto, the first national park of Japan and visiting art museum. I am interested in impressionists and works during renaissance.

    Mar 21, 2025
    Carol B
    Peaceful Tour with Kind Local
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Relaxed tour with…

    Dec 10, 2024
    Catherine_U
    Great Half Day with Shin!
    Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed our half day tour…

    Dec 8, 2024
    William W
    11/10 Great Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Mr. Itaki, is…

    Oct 7, 2024
    Shiv_K
    We had a lovely visit of…
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a…

  • Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:57 Meet up @ Hotel Nakajima Park
    • 2. 10:05 Nakajima Park (Japanese Garden)
    • 3. 10:25 Nijo Market
    • 4. 11:10 Sapporo Clock Tower
    • 5. 11:40 Odori Park
    • 6. 12:30. Lunch @ Shin-Sapporo
    • 7. 13:15 Historical Village of Hokkaido
    • 8. Disband @ Hotel Nakajima Park

    Title: What Is a Private Afternoon Tour of the Historical Village of Hokkaido Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from Europe. The guest was interested in Japanese culture and architecture, so based on the guest's interests we decided to visit the Historical Village of Hokkaido in the afternoon. This facility, set on a spacious site, gathers old buildings from various parts of Hokkaido dating from the Meiji era to the early Showa period, either relocated or reconstructed on the grounds. Since the guest had likely already seen buildings with a longer history on Honshu, I was a little concerned about what impression this would make, but the guest was fascinated by the facility, which conveys a sense of daily life during Hokkaido's pioneer era. The guest showed deep respect for Japanese culture in general, including Japanese cuisine, and was a very rewarding person to guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOdori Park Station~Shin-Sapporo Station330JPY
    Section 2SubwayShin-Sapporo Station~Nakajima Park Station330JPY
    Total660JPY

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Aug 15, 2026
    I654RPsandib
    Great experience
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We thoroughly enjoyed our 6 hours touring Sapporo with…

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

  • Hiroshima: museum

    Hiroshima: museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the Hotel
    • 9:15 Take the bus to the museum
    • 9:45 Arrive at the museum 
    •     Museum Monument tour
    • 12:30 Monument tour ends Disband in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour in Hiroshima for a group visiting from North America. The day before, the guests had already visited Miyajima and enjoyed okonomiyaki, making the most of their time in Hiroshima. As they were heading to Nara next, I explained the differences between the deer of Miyajima and the deer of Nara. I told them how, during wartime, the deer of Miyajima suddenly disappeared and deer were brought in from Nara. I also explained that because the deer of Miyajima had been cared for like pets, they remained gentle and friendly toward people even though they are wild. Since there were young members in the group, I was mindful that they might grow tired of visiting the museum or listening to my explanations, but they listened quietly. One of the guests was very knowledgeable about the structure of the atomic bomb explosion and explained the exhibits to the rest of the group in front of the display. It was a valuable learning experience for me as well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station~Museum220JPY
    Total220JPY

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

    Sep 25, 2025
    pedropM3071GD
    Amazing day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This was an amazing experience to…

    Jul 25, 2025
    ourtravelingt
    Great personalized tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was fabulous and our…

    Jul 13, 2025
    katherinepE2305IO
    Hiroshima Tour 4hr Walking
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an amazing guide. He…

    Jul 7, 2025
    Preston_H
    Great tour guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an incredible guide who…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0945 Meet at Hotel
    • 1015 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 1120 Nijo Castle
    • 1320 Nishiki Market
    • 1515 Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Grove, etc.
    • 1630 Disband at Hotel

    Can You Do a Private Family Day Tour of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The weather brought intermittent light rain, but nothing severe. Although it was humid, it was not too hot, and we were able to enjoy the sight of the green trees looking especially vivid in the rain. At one point there was a minor incident when the sole of one guest's shoe came off, but this was resolved by returning to the Hotel briefly to change into a spare pair. The day happened to coincide with the "Yamahoko Hikizome" trial pulling of the floats for the Gion Festival, which caused some temporary traffic congestion and pushed our schedule back. Thanks to the driver's kind cooperation, however, we managed with only a slight extension of time. Since one of the guests had some difficulty walking, we made minor adjustments to the original route.

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

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 2.8:35 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 3.10:00@Gion Hanamikoji
    • 4.10:45@Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 5.11:50 Lunch @Junsei (Yudofu tofu)
    • 6.13:25 @Ninenzaka→Sannenzaka
    • 7.13:50 @Zuigudo Hall
    • 8.14:00 Dismissal @Kiyomizu-dera Temple Todoromon Gate

    # What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashiyama and Nanzenji I apologize for any concern caused, as I was unable to reach the guests until the day before. This morning I went to the meeting point in time for the scheduled hour and was able to meet the guests without any trouble. The guests came from North America. This trip to Japan was a graduation celebration. One of the guests had studied Japanese for three years at school. They also said they enjoy Japanese cuisine. We met at the Hotel, and after hearing where they wished to visit, we planned the Higashiyama district for the final part of the sightseeing. All of the locations were places they had hoped to see, so they were very satisfied. At Nanzenji, I explained that the yudofu (tofu hot pot) at "Junsei" is famous, and they chose to have their lunch there. Both Nanzenji and Junsei have beautiful gardens, and the guests were deeply impressed.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Sanjo220JPY
    Section 3SubwaySanjo Keihan~Keage220JPY
    Section 4SubwayKeage~Higashiyama220JPY
    Section 5BusHigashiyama~Higashiyama Yasui230JPY
    Total1,040JPY

    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.

    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 Half a Day: Imperial Palace & East Ginza

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace & East Ginza

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Meet @ Prince Sakura Tower
    • 9:15 Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate ~ Nijubashi Bridge ~ Imperial Palace Outer Garden)
    • 10:15 Yanesen (Nezu Shrine ~ Hebi-michi ~ Yanaka Ginza ~ Yanaka Cemetery)
    • 11:30 Lunch @ 8th Generation Denzaemon Meshiya
    • 12:00 Ueno Park (Toshogu Shrine ~ Statue of Saigo Takamori ~ Ameyoko)
    • 13:00 Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Hoppy Street)
    • 14:10 East Ginza (Kabukiza Theatre ~ 4-chome Intersection)
    • 14:30 Disband @ Ginza Mitsukoshi

    Title: What Are Tokyo's Hidden Spots on a Private Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America who had arrived the previous day. Before coming to Japan, they had communicated via a messaging app that they wanted to visit "secret & hidden places," so we agreed on the Imperial Palace along with the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi (Yanesen) area as destinations. Since heavy rain was forecast for the afternoon, we moved up our departure by 45 minutes. Around the Yanesen area, the guests kept saying "cool." For lunch, I deliberately chose a restaurant with an "Old Tokyo" atmosphere. They planned to visit Mount Fuji the next day and to explore Asakusa, Ginza, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku Golden Gai on their own the day after. When I explained the routes using a map, they realized it would be inefficient and decided they wanted to cover Asakusa and Ginza, on the east side of Tokyo, that same day, so we went into extended time. They walked hard through the rain and did very well. Photos were taken of only part of the group, as some of the guests preferred not to be photographed. Note to Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.): This time as well, the message I entered into the guide booking system did not reach the guests. (At least the guests said they had not seen it.) I understand from your team that this is an issue on the reservation platform's side — has there been any progress?

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Shinagawa~JR Yurakucho167JPY
    Section 2SubwayEidan Nijubashimae~Eidan Nezu178JPY
    Section 3SubwayEidan Ueno~Eidan Asakusa178JPY
    Section 4SubwayToei Asakusa~Toei Higashi-Ginza220JPY
    Total743JPY

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hiroshima Station – Miyajima – Peace Park – Hiroshima Station

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Tour Like from Hiroshima Station? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe. As usual, I welcomed them on the Shinkansen platform at Hiroshima Station, waving a name card along with Hiroshima and Toyo Carp flags. At first, there seemed to be a look of surprise on their faces, as if they had come across a rather unusual sight. I quickly switched into a more serious mode and responded in very polite English. Holding back on jokes and speaking earnestly about the geography and history of Hiroshima, I gradually noticed the group relaxing, their expressions changing to something like, "This person may look a bit odd, but perhaps he is actually quite serious." Before long, as I mentioned having traveled around Asia for a while and spoke a little of the local language, their expressions shifted again, as if to say, "Maybe this person is some kind of well-known adventurer in Japan." For lunch, we went to my usual place, where they enjoyed okonomiyaki. At that point, I mistakenly heard the order and placed an order for a cheese okonomiyaki instead of a shrimp one, which brought a moment of frustration. Despite little moments like these, the tour came to a successful and pleasant conclusion.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station440JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station~Hiroshima Peace Park220JPY
    Section 4OtherAtomic Bomb Dome~Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total1,210JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Ueno Park & Yanaka

    Tokyo in One Day: Ueno Park & Yanaka

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30-11:15 Meet at hotel, head to Ueno
    • 11:15-12:00. Stroll through Ueno Park (Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Saigo Statue, Kannon Hall)
    • 12:00-13:00 Walk to Ueno Bonsai Center
    • 13:00-14:30 Lunch near the Bonsai Center (kamaage udon at Kamachiku)
    • 14:30-16:30 Stroll through Yanaka (Nezu Shrine, Yoshida Liquor Store, etc.)
    • 16:30-17:00. Move from Nippori, disband at Keikyu Kamata

    What Is a Private Tour of Yanaka and Ueno in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania who travel abroad about once a year and were seasoned travelers. They wanted to see bonsai, so I looked into options, and considering their original goal of visiting Yanaka, I thought the bonsai center in Ueno would be a good choice and took them there. Along the way, they also enjoyed a lotus pond. Since they mentioned they wanted to eat something delicious, I took them to a restaurant that had also been recommended by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). They seemed to enjoy the meal, though they requested forks instead of chopsticks, and it still appeared a little difficult for them to eat. After that, I guided them from Nezu Shrine along the classic Yanaka course. (With the winding streets, it was quite challenging to guide them in a single continuous route.)

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOtorii~Ueno436JPY
    Section 2TrainNippori~Keikyu Kamata436JPY
    Total872JPY

    Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
    Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

    Jul 30, 2025
    Michael_R
    Customized Hakone tour
    Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Kappa-san, modified the typical Hakone tour…

    May 18, 2025
    Leigh_M
    Kappa, our guide met us…
    Viator review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa, our guide met us at the…

    May 4, 2025
    panderhigs
    Kappa A+ Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa was an amazing guide who created a thorough…

    May 4, 2025
    O9621SBscottp
    Kappa is a wonderful tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I were treated…