Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in One Day: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Kikumasamune Sake Brewery

    Osaka in One Day: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Kikumasamune Sake Brewery

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet @ Kobe Port Terminal
    • 09:45 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    • 11:00 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 12:15 @ Kobe Foreign Residences District
    • 13:00 @ Kobe Shushinkan
    • 14:00 @ Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum
    • 15:00 Dismiss @ Kobe Port Terminal

    What Is a Private Sake Brewery Tour in Japan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of visitors, all of whom explored every spot with great interest and enthusiasm. At the shops in each location they purchased a variety of souvenirs, and at the sake brewery they enjoyed tasting and bought many bottles of sake. They were very pleased with all of the spots and gave many warm words of praise, saying that I had made "an excellent selection," which I greatly appreciated. The group also seemed to be very fond of Japan, so I was able to guide them in a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere. Since we moved smoothly and had time to spare, I added one more spot and guided them to the Kikumasamune Sake Brewery, which had not been on the original itinerary, and they were delighted.

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Sep 27, 2026
    Ross_W
    Fun with Hidden Gems
    Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yama was so…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

  • Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 @ Hotel
    • 9:15-9:45 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 10:10-10:45 @ Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 11:00-12:10 @ Tenryu-ji Temple
    • 12:30-13:15 Lunch @ Washoku JOY Kinkaku-ji Branch
    • 13:20-14:00 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:30 Dismissal @ Hotel

    Private One-Day Kyoto Tour for a Family Visiting Japan: A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Today they were checking out of their Hotel, so at the meeting point they brought their suitcases down to the lobby, checked them into the cloakroom, and then we set off. After the tour, they planned to head to Osaka. Everyone except one member of the group was wearing LA caps, making it immediately obvious that they were Dodgers fans. When I mentioned Shohei Ohtani, they were delighted. One of the guests looked at the Katsura River and asked, "Is this the river where the Battle of Toba-Fushimi took place?" I thought this must be someone well versed in Japanese history, but when it turned out they did not know Ashikaga Takauji, it seemed that was not quite the case. When I mentioned that the Kiyotaki Tunnel near Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is known as a haunted spot, one of the guests said they wanted to go there, which made me think it might be best not to bring up this topic too casually. While strolling through the Sogenchi Garden at Tenryu-ji, there was an incident where both of the guests got separated from the group. At Kinkaku-ji, they purchased a magnet with a picture of the Golden Pavilion on it. Since it was hot and humid, after touring Kinkaku-ji one of the guests in particular seemed quite worn out.

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Memorial Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Memorial Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at FAV Hiroshima
    • 9:20 Peace Memorial Park
    • 10:20 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 12:40 Lunch at Chinchikurin
    • 14:20 Itsukushima Shrine
    • 15:00 Omote-Sando Street and finish the tour

    # What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, joined by a friend living in Japan. When I asked where they would like to end the tour, they said they wanted to spend a relaxed time at Miyajima before heading back, so we visited the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in the morning. After noon, since some of the guests were getting hungry, we stopped at a convenience store, and we very nearly missed our JR train. At lunch, the guests shared some okonomiyaki, and they enjoyed it so much that they placed an additional order. Although it is the rainy season, there was no rain, and it was a hot and humid day that felt like summer.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTanakamachi~Hondori220JPY
    Section 2BusPeace Memorial Park~Nishi-Hiroshima / Koi220JPY
    Section 3TrainNishi-Hiroshima~Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Total770JPY

    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!…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Gather at the Hotel
    • 9:31 Take the high-speed boat to Miyajima
    • 10:00 Arrive at Miyajima
    •     Shrine Omotesando
    • 12:25 After sightseeing in Miyajima, head to Miyajimaguchi
    • 12:35 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 14:04 From Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima Station
    • 14:20 Disband at Shin-Inokuchi Station

    Can You Do a Private Miyajima Day Tour Before Catching a Flight from Hiroshima? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour for a group of guests visiting from North America. Since the group was flying to Tokyo later that day, they needed to arrive at Hiroshima Station by 2:00 PM. The original plan was to leave the luggage at the hotel and make a round trip to Miyajima by high-speed boat, but that would have left only about one hour on Miyajima, which is not enough time to sightsee properly. So I suggested bringing the luggage along to Miyajima and returning to Hiroshima Station by JR on the way back. Since it was uncertain whether the lockers on Miyajima would be available, I let the guests know that, in the worst case, they should be prepared to sightsee while carrying their luggage. Fortunately, we were able to store the luggage in a locker on Miyajima, so the guests were able to fully enjoy the island. I explained the Miyajima torii gate using photos, and since they had also visited the Peace Park the day before, I explained the contents of the museum using photos as well. They were very pleased. I explained that a local specialty of Miyajima is anago-don (grilled conger eel rice bowl), and one of the guests showed great interest, so I introduced Uenoya near Miyajimaguchi, which is famous for its anago-don, and they ordered anago-don to take away.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1FerryPrince Hotel~Miyajima1,050JPY
    Total1,050JPY

    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…

  • Kobe Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kobe Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meet up @ Kobe Port Terminal
    • 2. 09:40 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    • 3. 10:50 @ Sumadera Temple
    • 4. 12:30 Lunch @ Mount Rokko (653Cafe)
    • 5. 14:20 @ Meriken Park
    • 6. 15:00 Disband @ In front of Nankinmachi Chouan Gate

    Title: What Is a Private Kobe Shore Excursion Like from the Port Terminal? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. We met in the lobby of the Kobe Port Terminal and toured the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Sumadera Temple, Mount Rokko, and Meriken Park, ending the tour in front of Nankinmachi (Chinatown). The guests had originally requested a visit to the sake breweries in Nada, but when I asked the group about their preferences in the vehicle, someone expressed a wish to go shopping. The guests had also initially requested to extend the tour time, but when I explained that extending the vehicle time would incur an additional charge, their feelings seemed to change. As a result, we canceled the sake brewery visit after Mount Rokko and decided to go to Meriken Park, which is close to the Motomachi shopping arcade. After strolling through Meriken Park, when we got off in front of Nankinmachi, the guests said they wanted to end the tour right away. Because of this, I told them where the shuttle bus stop for the Kobe Port Terminal was located, and we parted ways. The guests were pleased with the tour itself. However, because it ended so suddenly, I forgot to hand the guests a review card. I am sending photos for your reference. My apologies.

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 29, 2026
    X
    X1794ZGstevew
    Kobe 4hr guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Norio pickup us up ontime &…

    Sep 17, 2026
    jacquelinecI8863UY
    No rush beautiful walking tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Norio…

    Sep 15, 2026
    niy679
    Kobe day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Norio. He…

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:32 Meet up @JR Kyoto Station Shinkansen Platform
    • 2. 10:00 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 3. 11:30 @Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove・Tenryu-ji Temple)
    • 4. 12:45 Lunch @Gontaro
    • 5. 13:45 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 6. 14:20 @Nijo Castle
    • 7. 15:25 Disband @Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were arriving in Kyoto from Tokyo, so I arranged to meet them on the platform to make sure we could connect reliably. The tour start time was moved up by one hour, but the driver kindly agreed to the change. The guests wished to see as many places as possible, but since they had arrived in Kyoto on an early morning service, we decided to sit down and enjoy a relaxed lunch. I was relieved that they very much enjoyed the dashi broth at the restaurant. After they agreed that we would need to move a little quickly, we also visited Nijo Castle. Thanks to my explanations, they were told they could enjoy the "SHOGUN" series they were currently watching even more, and despite the quick pace, they were delighted with Nijo Castle.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherKyoto~Kyoto140JPY
    Total140JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Kyoto Station 8:30 Fushimi Inari  10:20 Kinkaku-ji 11:40 Lunch  13:00 Yasaka Pagoda Sannenzaka  13:30 Kiyomizu-dera  14:00 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Some of the guests were visiting Japan for the first time, while others had been to Japan before. Because most of the group did not understand much English, one member of the group interpreted my guidance for the others. Partly for this reason, the tour took more time than expected. In addition, the group only had two Suica cards, so cash always had to be prepared for the others and tickets purchased from the vending machines, which meant it took time before boarding the trains at the station. Some of the guests were already worn out by the heat in the morning. The temperature was similar to their home region, but the humidity seemed quite different. Even so, one of the guests had plenty of stamina and walked quickly alongside me, while another in the group tired easily and became quite exhausted on the climb up to Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera. As we were also running short on time, once the visit to Kiyomizu-dera was finished, the group suggested ending the tour there so they could take their time shopping and walking on their own. Unfortunately, this meant we ended the tour without being able to go to Gion. In the photos the guests are smiling and cheerful, but otherwise they seemed rather subdued. Today Kyoto was especially hot at 34 degrees, and with rain on consecutive days the humidity was also high, so most of the group became tired. The photo was taken at a sushi restaurant near JR Nijo Station. I think a Spanish-speaking guide would have been a better fit. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 3BusEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Enmachi230JPY
    Section 5TrainEnmachi~Nijo150JPY
    Section 6SubwayNijo~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 7BusHigashiyama-sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,450JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Around 9:45 Meet at JR Kyoto Station
    • (By taxi) Shisen-do
    • (On foot) Stop by Ark Kyoto Sakyo Branch (antique shop) along the way
    • Shopping at Second Street Kyoto Shirakawa-dori Branch
    • Lunch at Tenkaippin Head Store
    • (By taxi) Shimogamo Shrine
    • (By train) Edion Kyoto Kawaramachi
    • (On foot) Nishiki Market (On foot) Subway Shijo Station (By train) Subway Kyoto Station where the guide gets off midway Dismissal

    Can You Do a Private Kyoto Day Tour by Taxi? A Licensed Guide's Report Because the day was hot and the guests wanted to save as much time as possible, they requested to travel by taxi. I chose Shisen-do because I had previously heard from the guests that they preferred quieter spots over crowded ones, so I looked for a place where they could feel at least a little cooler. The guests relaxed a great deal on the tatami and in the garden. There was a small moment where the temple staff gave a reminder at the area for removing shoes, however. I recommended Second Street because I had heard that one of the guests liked secondhand clothing shops, and we also visited an antique shop we happened to spot while strolling around. The ramen was very well received. At Shimogamo, I translated the water fortune (mizu-mikuji), and some of the guests tried it, which got everyone excited. On the way to Demachiyanagi Station, one of the guests showed interest in gachapon capsule machines, so I recommended a nearby electronics store to cool off, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. At Nishiki Market, they were mostly just looking around since they were full, but they showed interest in wagyu and ate some grilled skewers. Finally, we took the subway. I told the guests that my own nearest station was Kujo, and I got off partway at Kyoto Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKeihan Demachiyanagi~Keihan Gion-Shijo230JPY
    Section 2SubwayShijo~Kyoto220JPY
    Total450JPY

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

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Hotel Ginza Takaracho
    • 13:30 Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
    • 14:00 Asakusa & Don Quijote (shopping)
    • 15:00 Okachimachi & Takeya (shopping)
    • 17:00 Hotel Ginza Takaracho
    • (Ended earlier than planned at the guest's request, as they were very tired and wanted to return to the hotel)

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Okachimachi Shopping The guests were a group visiting from Asia. They had arrived in Tokyo on an overnight flight that morning, and had spent the morning before the tour walking around the Ginza area near their accommodation, as check-in was not yet available. When we met, I handed over a draft itinerary (Asakusa → Sumida River cruise → Odaiba → Meiji Shrine → Shibuya) and confirmed their wishes. They said they first wanted to go to Asakusa and then shop around the Ueno-Okachimachi area, so we set off by subway. After visiting Senso-ji Temple, they mentioned they also wanted to see a Don Quijote store, so I guided them there, but they could not find much of what they were looking for, so we moved on to Takeya in Okachimachi. There they purchased many items, including a suitcase, cosmetics, and snacks. The original plan was to visit Meiji Shrine and Shibuya after shopping, but due to the intense heat and tiredness from the overnight flight, and with a Mount Fuji sightseeing trip planned for the next day, they wished to return to the accommodation and relax. We took connecting subway lines together to the Hotel, where they checked in, and the tour ended around 17:00. It seemed they enjoyed their main goal of shopping, but the heat was extremely severe and they became very tired. English conversation was difficult for the group, so I mainly communicated with the one member who spoke English best.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTakaracho~Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Shin-Okachimachi170JPY
    Section 3SubwayOkachimachi~Takaracho290JPY
    Total680JPY

    Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
    I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Certification
    Certified Travel Services Manager
    Authorized Tour Conductor
    Kyoto Expert Certification

    Jul 23, 2026
    svendulrikr
    Tripadvisor review: Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
    Best of Nara
    Amazing trip to Nara with the most…

    Jul 10, 2026
    valerianos862
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Private tour of Tokyo.
    Our guide Sam is very…

    Jun 20, 2026
    Sarah B
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Tochigi in One Day: Lake Chuzenji & JR Nikko Station

    Tochigi in One Day: Lake Chuzenji & JR Nikko Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:25 Meet up @ JR Nikko Station
    • 10:32 Board bus ~11:20
    • 11:30 Kegon Falls ~11:45
    • 11:55 Lake Chuzenji
    • 12:15 Lunch @ Soba Koraku
    • 13:15 Board bus ~13:45
    • 13:46 Shinkyo Bridge
    • 14:00 Rinnoji Temple Sanbutsudo
    • 14:40 Toshogu Shrine
    • 15:45 Board bus
    • 15:55 JR Nikko Station
    • 16:05 Help purchase return train tickets, then disband

    Title: What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. Their main purpose in Japan was visiting the Tokyo Disney Resort, and they were staying in the Maihama area throughout their trip. On one of the days between enjoying Disneyland, they took a one-day trip to Nikko. They enjoyed Nikko together with youthful enthusiasm. Through email exchanges beforehand, the guests had said they definitely wanted to visit Kegon Falls, so we went there by bus. They also enjoyed the green mountains and the steep winding roads along the way. Lunch had originally been planned near Toshogu Shrine, but to let the guests enjoy Lake Chuzenji more, we ate at a soba restaurant by the lakeside. Since they liked noodles, they shared dishes such as curry udon and sesame dipping soba. They had some trouble using chopsticks, so they carefully wound the noodles around their chopsticks with their fingers, which was charming to watch. I explained that in Japan it is normal to slurp noodles and that they were welcome to make noise, but since they were not used to it, a small slurp was about the best they could manage. They walked energetically, but by evening the steep steps at Toshogu Shrine seemed a bit tough, so we did not go to the inner shrine. There was also not enough time before the return train, so we did not see the Crying Dragon, but as they were pleasantly tired after a full day of walking, I believe they were fully satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nikko Station~Chuzenji Onsen1,250JPY
    Section 2BusChuzenji Onsen~Shinkyo Bridge1,200JPY
    Section 3BusShinkyo Bridge~JR Nikko Station220JPY
    Total2,670JPY

    Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

    Aug 24, 2026
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    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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    O4367MVkarenv
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    Fantastic day in Nikko
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