Category: Uncategorized

  • Nara Day Trip from Osaka by Private Car

    Nara Day Trip from Osaka by Private Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:30 Meet at the hotel @Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi North
    • 2. 10:00 Guided tour of Nara Park
    • 3. 10:30 Guided tour of the Great Buddha Hall
    • 4. 12:00 Enter Mount Wakakusa
    • 5. 12:45 Lunch @Tengyokudo
    • 6. 14:00 Guided tour of Naramachi
    • 7. 14:30 Shopping @Nakagawa Shoten
    • 6. 15:30 Disband @Sarusawa Pond

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a family group visiting from Oceania, some of whom were of elementary school age. We met at a hotel in Osaka and boarded a booked taxi to travel to Nara, and the departure was lively with conversation about introductions and their experiences in Japan. First, in Nara, we did the deer feeding at Nara Park that the younger members of the group had wished to do. They enjoyed feeding the deer while being chased by many of them. After a leisurely stroll through Nara Park, I guided them to the Nandaimon Gate and the Great Buddha Hall. Since one of the guests had a background in teaching, I received many questions about Japan, especially about Japanese food. They showed a spirit of taking on any challenge and were having many experiences. After the Great Buddha Hall, we climbed the long stone steps and enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Mount Wakakusa. Although it was hot and humid, the summit was pleasant with a breeze blowing. We descended from the mountain gate, and since they wished to have kuzumochi for lunch, they enjoyed kuzu udon at a restaurant where I had made a reservation the day before, along with kuzumochi for dessert, which was well received. After that, since it began to rain during lunch, we moved to the Naramachi area, where I guided them on a stroll and to a well-known local souvenir shop. As the guests mentioned that it would not be necessary for me to accompany them back to the hotel after strolling around Naramachi, we parted ways at Sarusawa Pond.

    After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
    As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
    And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
    With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

    Apr 26, 2026
    39ferdinandr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional and entertaining
    Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

    Apr 9, 2026
    X1429XKclaudiam
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sehr zu empfehlen
    Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

    Jun 28, 2025
    WilliamAlfonso_R
    Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi was…

    May 30, 2025
    Z
    ZevP5
    Best Tour Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at Hotel New Otani Tokyo Garden Tower
    • 2. 10:45 Asakusa
    • 3. 11:45 Akihabara
    • 4. 12:30 Nezu Shrine
    • 5. 13:15 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 6. 14:30 Disband at Akasaka-mitsuke Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America on a trip of about ten days, planning to continue to Kyoto and Osaka after Tokyo. One of the guests had arrived a few days earlier, and the other had arrived the previous day. I guided them around Asakusa, Akihabara, Nezu Shrine, and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, but due to the very hot and humid weather, one of the guests began to feel unwell with signs of heatstroke, so the tour ended earlier than planned at 14:30. In Asakusa everything seemed fine, but upon reaching Akihabara, the guests said they wanted to see the planned spots and then return to the Hotel early because of feeling unwell. They said they did not need to have lunch either. For the rest of the visits at Nezu Shrine and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I planned the route so that there would not be too much walking. Along the way I suggested resting at a cafe or taking a taxi, but they said that was not necessary, and in the end we got around by JR and subway without taking a break. Fortunately, the symptoms were mild, and since the guests were able to return to the Hotel on their own, we parted at Akasaka-mitsuke Station, the nearest station to the Hotel, at 14:30. The guest did not particularly look prone to heatstroke at first glance. However, when I asked, I learned that they had not eaten much breakfast because of feeling unwell. This reminded me once again of the importance of communicating well with guests rather than judging by appearance alone.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassAkasaka-mitsuke~Asakusa600JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
    Section 3TrainAkihabara~Ochanomizu146JPY
    Section 4Free PassShin-ochanomizu~Nezu0JPY
    Section 5Free PassNezu~Otemachi0JPY
    Section 6Free PassOtemachi~Akasaka-mitsuke0JPY
    Total746JPY

    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!

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:25 Meet at the accommodation, but got delayed moving around to contact friends 8:40 Tour start
    • 10:00 Fushimi Inari 11:40 Lunch (sushi) 13:10 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 14:25 Kinkaku-ji 16:55 Return to the Osaka accommodation and end the tour

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour to Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Kinkaku-ji Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan from North America. Before the tour began, there had been a misunderstanding involving their friends, as everyone had assumed they would all be sightseeing in Kyoto by car. In the end, it turned out there were two separate groups and no vehicle available. After discussing the situation, we decided to visit the classic Kyoto highlights: Fushimi Inari, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, and Kinkaku-ji. We had lunch at a sushi restaurant in the Shijo Kiyamachi area. Until we met on the day, communication had been difficult and there was some concern, but the guests were friendly and easygoing, and we proceeded through the tour enjoying pleasant conversation. Around the time we were leaving Kinkaku-ji, news arrived that a relative of one of the guests had passed away due to illness, and they were understandably low-spirited for a while. However, by the time we reached Osaka, their spirits had lifted. The photo was taken at the sushi restaurant during lunch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinsaibashi~Yodoyabashi240JPY
    Section 2TrainYodoyabashi~Fushimi Inari420JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari~Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Section 4TrainKawaramachi~Omiya170JPY
    Section 5TrainOmiya~Randen Arashiyama250JPY
    Section 6TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Enmachi190JPY
    Section 7BusEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 8BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
    Section 9SubwayKitaoji~Shijo260JPY
    Section 10TrainKarasuma~Osaka-Umeda410JPY
    Section 11SubwayUmeda~Shinsaibashi240JPY
    Total2,860JPY

    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…

  • Osaka in One Day: Sagano Bamboo Forest & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Osaka in One Day: Sagano Bamboo Forest & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:35 Meet up Mimaru Osaka Namba North
    • 10:00 – 11:00 Sagano Bamboo Forest
    • 11:45 – 12:45 Kinkaku-ji
    • 13:30 – 14:30 Nishiki Market
    • 15:00 – 16:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 16:45 Disband      JR Osaka Station

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I was waiting in the hotel lobby, but the guests were waiting at the entrance, so we met about five minutes late, at 8:35. They mentioned that since arriving in Japan last week it had been very hot, but today the sky was cloudy and the temperature was below 30 degrees, so they said it was comfortable to be out. They planned to spend two days in Kyoto, today and tomorrow. Since I guided them around the popular spots mentioned above today, I recommended Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the area around the Yasaka Pagoda, and Gion for tomorrow. I hope tomorrow will also be an enjoyable day of sightseeing in Kyoto for them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayYotsubashi~Nishi-Umeda240JPY
    Section 2TrainOsaka~Saga-Arashiyama990JPY
    Section 3TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Enmachi190JPY
    Section 4BusNishinokyo-Enmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi~Shijo-Kawaramachi230JPY
    Section 6TrainGion-Shijo~Fushimi-Inari220JPY
    Section 7TrainInari~Osaka860JPY
    Total2,960JPY

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shin-Ochanomizu Station Bus & Hagoromo Saryo

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shin-Ochanomizu Station Bus & Hagoromo Saryo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 10:10 Shin-Ochanomizu Station Bus Stop
    • 10:20 Yushima 1-chome Bus Stop
    • 10:30 Kanda Myojin Shrine
    • 11:00 Suehirocho Station
    • 11:20 Asakusa Station
    • 11:30 Asakusa Tourist Information Center
    • 12:00 Sensoji Temple Main Hall
    • 12:20 Hagoromo Saryo
    • 14:00 Disband @ Around Asakusa Shin-Nakamise

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kanda Myojin and Asakusa The guests were visitors from Europe. It was their first time in Japan, and they had expressed an interest in Japanese culture and food, so we began at Kanda Myojin Shrine near their hotel, where they could see the shrine and how it is rooted in the local community, and then continued on to guide them around the Asakusa area. At the shrine, the guests found it meaningful to learn how to worship properly. Since Asakusa was crowded, they were also pleased that we could stop by a quiet shrine as a contrast. During a break, we were able to have an in-depth conversation about the differences in the social systems and education systems between Japan and their home region, and on the way back we stopped at a traditional souvenir shop, which they found very interesting.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShin-Ochanomizu Station~Yushima 1-chome100JPY
    Section 2SubwaySuehirocho Station~Asakusa Station180JPY
    Total280JPY

    Hi there! Thank you so much for hitting my page!
    I’m Yuriko, but please call me Lily!
    I’m a qualified guide and interpreter, proud to be awarded as one of the finalists of Japan guide awards 2025.

    I have conducted over 100 tours a year since March 2024, with more than 90% of my clients awarding a five-star rating.

    I love Japanese food(eating and cooking!), cultures such as traditional arts and crafts, and so much more! I’ve always explored places seeking new things and love to share them with you.

    I was born and raised in Tokyo(for over 40 years!) but used to live in the U.S. for a couple of years as a child.
    I am proud to be able to introduce the charms of Japan from multiple perspectives based on my experience of interacting with people from many different nationalities.

    I am happy to tailor an original plan or to arrange your bucket list advancing it to a better option.
    The following is my contact information:
    lilyjapanguide@gmail.com

    I’m looking forward to guiding and sharing the excitement of Japan!!

    Sep 17, 2025
    785hongc
    Wonderful 6 hour Tokyo tour with Lily in September
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a…

    Sep 16, 2025
    H
    Hong_C
    A wonderful day tour of Tokyo in September
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best relaxed educational…

    Jul 18, 2025
    Venture26940872209
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lilly was an excellent guide .. lots of communication before the visit…

    Jul 1, 2025
    michaellG938KC
    Lily is the best. Highly recommended
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lily is an amazing guide and…

  • Nara in One Day: JR Oji & Nara-machi

    Nara in One Day: JR Oji & Nara-machi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:18 JR Oji (Start of Tour)
    •   bus to
    • 9:50-10:40 Horyuji Temple
    • 10:50 Horyuji-mae bus stop
    • bus to
    • 11:00 JR Horyuji Station
    • 11:20 JR Nara Station
    •      walk to
    • 11:40-12:10 Kofukuji Temple
    • walk
    • 12:40-13:00 Ukimido
    • 13:30-13:50 Ninai Chaya snack
    • walk
    • 14:00-14:30 Kasuga-taisha Shrine
    • walk
    • 14:50-15:20 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • walk for 5 minutes
    • 15:30 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • walk for 5 minutes
    • 15:50-20 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • walk for 5 minutes
    • 16:30 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • walk for 15 minutes
    • 16:10 Nara-machi (Old Quarters of the town):
    • typical traditional Japanese house etc.
    • walk for 15 minutes
    • 17:20 back at JR Nara Station
    • 17:36 on the train at JR Horyuji Station (End of tour)

    Can You Do an 8-Hour Private Nara Tour Including Horyuji from Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests requested a Nara tour that would include Horyuji Temple. When I replied that fitting Horyuji into a 6-hour tour would make it incredibly rushed, with no time to enjoy the deer in Nara Park, and suggested adding 2 hours for an 8-hour tour instead, they responded that this sounded ideal, and so it became an 8-hour tour. Thanks to the lingering rainy season, we were lucky to avoid harsh sunshine, with mostly cloudy skies and light rain, but 8 hours turned out to be a bit long for both the guests and me. The area of "Kofukuji Temple → Kasuga Taisha Shrine → Todaiji Temple" already has very few places to get a proper meal, and on top of that, many shops were closed due to the rain forecast. Even the ones that were open had stopped serving food menus at 2 p.m., so two soft-serve ice creams ended up being lunch. Usually I buy rice balls at a convenience store before entering the park, calling them a "ninja lunch," but this time, perhaps due to letting my guard down, I forgot. Still, it was a relief to hear the guests say "It was fun" many times over.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusOji~Horyuji-mae340JPY
    Section 2BusHoryuji-mae~Horyuji Station220JPY
    Section 3TrainHoryuji~Nara Nara230JPY
    Section 4TrainNara~Horyuji230JPY
    Total1,020JPY

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Ginkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Ginkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @10:00
    • 10:30 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:30 @Sanjusangendo
    • 12:30 @Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 14:00 @Kiyomizuzaka Takeout lunch
    • 15:00 @Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 16:00 Disband @Hotel Kyoto

    What Is a Private Full-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were traveling by rental car. For this tour as well, I rode along in the rental car driven by the guests, so no transportation costs were incurred on my part. The guests were familiar with Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kiyomizu-dera, but they did not seem to know about Sanjusangen-do. They remarked that this is the only place where you can see so many Buddhist statues in a single hall, and they appreciated that it was different from the temples they had seen so far. For lunch, at the guests' request, we simply got takeout. At our final stop, Ginkaku-ji, we were suddenly caught in heavy rain, but I hope the guests were satisfied.

    I’m Yuri Takeda, a goverment lisenced English tour guide. I’ve been working as a tour guide for about two years. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been in Nara for about 40 years. I can guide you Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. I like visiting historical sites, eating and cooking. I also like meeting people from different backgrounds. In Japanese, we have a wonderful phrase “Ichigo Ichie”. It means we have to treasure every encounter is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This word came from the spirit of tea ceremony. I’d like to help you discover, enjoy, experience and feel Japanese culture with the heart of Japanese hospitarity, “omotenashi”.

    Jun 6, 2026
    Jason_B
    Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent, well rounded…
    Excellent, well rounded itinerary with pertinent facts and answers…

    Apr 13, 2026
    Dunka591
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend.
    Yuri is an incredible woman! What an amazing experience, we…

    Jul 28, 2025
    C
    Cedric_S
    Incredible Kyoto Adventure with Yuri
    Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yuri was the heartbeat…

    Jun 25, 2025
    983whitneym
    Beautiful Kyoto Guided Tour With Yuri
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We loved…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Chinchikurin & Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Chinchikurin & Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:50 Meet at FAV Hiroshima stadium
    • 12:50 Chinchikurin
    • 14:15 Itsukushima Shrine
    • 15:20 World Heritage Route
    • 16:05 Peace Memorial Park
    • 17:00 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 17:30 Peace Park
    • 18:10 End the tour in a tram

    What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from North America. The guest mentioned feeling reassured that English was understood more widely in Japan than expected. Since the guest had not yet had lunch, we enjoyed okonomiyaki at Miyajimaguchi. The guest learned that there was a branch of the same chain a ten-minute drive from home in North America and said they would definitely visit it. During the tour, the guest took many photos for social media. As the guest viewed the museum in less time than expected, we finished a little earlier than planned. I also explained how to get back to the hotel, and we said goodbye on the train. The weather looked typical of the rainy season, but luckily it did not rain.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2FerryMiyajima pier~Peace Park Pier1,100JPY
    Section 3TrainGenbaku-dome mae~Hatchobori220JPY
    Total1,740JPY

    Hi. I’m Michi. I’m a national licensed tour guide in English.
    I want to introduce many faces and charms of Japan and make your stay in Japan more fascinating and satisfying.

    I was born and raised in Hiroshima. My first tour in English was as a volunteer guide for the visitors to my school when I was a junior high school student. It gave me a great opportunity to study about the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
    I spent my life in Hiroshima except for 6 years; 1 year in the UK as a student and 5 years working in Singapore and Malaysia. During this period I enjoyed meeting and talking with people from different cultural backgrounds.
    These experiences encouraged me to be a licensed tour guide.

    In Hiroshima, there are two famous World Heritage Sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial & Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima.
    I have experienced many tours of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum & Park since I was a junior high school student. I would like to introduce you to the a-bomb legacies that are still existing in the city and the stories under the mushroom cloud.
    I also would like to share time with you on a historic island, Miyajima. There is one of the most famous Shinto shrines, the Itsukushima Shrine. We can share an enjoyable time by exploring a sacred atmosphere, tradition, nature, food, etc.

    I am also an official ‘A-bomb legacy successor’ designated by the City of Hiroshima. An A-bomb Legacy Successor is a memory keeper of the A-bomb survivors. To ensure that the A-bomb survivors’ experiences and desires for peace are faithfully inherited and shared with as many people as possible, the City has started a three-year training program for official ‘A-bomb Legacy Successors. ‘

    Let me support your stay in Japan and I look forward to showing you the best of Japan!
    Hope to see you soon!

    Jan 2, 2025
    georgeweller
    Excellent tour by a very knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Michi-San was an…

    Nov 8, 2024
    Andrew M
    Awesome experience! Michi was the best guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Awesome…

    Nov 8, 2024
    Andrew_M
    Awesome day! Michi was an amazing guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Awesome day!…

    Sep 16, 2024
    alexandermM7944BB
    Day tour with Michi
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Michi, our guide, was amazing!…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:13 Meet @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Central Gate
    • 10:35-11:30 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 12:30-13:15 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 14:00-15:00 @ Nijo Castle
    • 15:40-16:30 @ Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 16:45 Disband @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Hachijo Gate

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since their return Shinkansen departed from Kyoto Station at 17:45, I planned the tour with a clear focus on returning to Kyoto Station in time to catch it. One of the guests was interested in gods and spirits, and asked many questions when I talked about the deities of Shinto and the animals regarded as their messengers. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, preparations were underway for the Motomiya Festival, and many red-and-white lantern stands had been set up throughout the grounds. Nijo Castle was surprisingly empty, with no school excursion groups in sight. Inside the Ninomaru Palace, there were even moments when we had certain areas entirely to ourselves. At Nijo Castle, one of the guests had watched a television series about the shogun, so they explored the site with great interest. After walking around Nijo Castle, one of the guests seemed to be getting tired, so I encouraged them along as we made our way to Kiyomizu-dera. We took a taxi from Higashiyama subway station to Kiyomizu-dera. After arriving at Kiyomizu-dera, it began to rain, so we put on rain ponchos, but I could not give much explanation in open areas such as the top of the Kiyomizu stage. At Kiyomizu-dera, the guests experienced drinking the water at the Otowa Waterfall. Near Sannenzaka we caught a taxi to Kyoto Station, and we parted ways at the Shinkansen platform at the Hachijo exit.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto Station~Inari Station150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari Station~Saga-Arashiyama Station240JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama Station~Randen Tenjingawa Station250JPY
    Section 4SubwayUzumasa Tenjingawa Station~Nijojo-mae Station260JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae Station~Higashiyama Station220JPY
    Total1,120JPY

    Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

    My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

    I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

    I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
    I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

    I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!

    May 19, 2026
    498stephenq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An enjoyable visit
    Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
    Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

    Oct 14, 2025
    Scenic61154406959
    Great Historical Perspective
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

    Sep 29, 2025
    Jea L
    Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kaz was an excellent tour…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 13:00 Meet up @Mimaru Namba station
    • 2. 13:45 @Osaka Castle
    • 3. 16:30 @Dotonbori
    • 4. 17:00 Disband @Chibo-mae

    What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle The guests were a relaxed and friendly group. Although it was cloudy, it was quite humid, and I guided them while keeping an eye on how the guests were doing. Because they bought water several times along the way, the walking took some time, but everyone stayed in good spirits throughout. They had decided in advance that they wanted to take a photo wearing a samurai helmet at Osaka Castle, so even the guests who had lost some energy inside the castle, where the elevator was unavailable, ran eagerly to the photo booth. From Osaka Castle to Tanimachi 4-chome, I recommended an electric cart, and the guests seemed to enjoy it very much. Since the tour progressed at a leisurely pace, we were only able to visit two places, but the guests booked the sumo performance I had introduced and went to the okonomiyaki restaurant I had recommended, and I believe they were very satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNamba~Tanimachi 4-chome820JPY
    Total820JPY

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

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

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

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

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