Category: Uncategorized

  • Others: Sagano Bamboo Grove & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Others: Sagano Bamboo Grove & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet Park Hyatt Kyoto
    • 09:00 Sagano Bamboo Grove
    • 09:30 Tenryu-ji Temple
    • 10:00 Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 10:30 Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • 11:30 Lunch at: Kumahiko
    • 13:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:30 Dismissal Park Hyatt Kyoto

    What Is a Private Family Group Tour in Japan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This tour involved some initial confusion, including changes to the meeting time, a change to the tour date, and the fact that we could not communicate through the designated email address, so I asked for a contact via short message and started our correspondence that way. However, the tour itself was with the group. It was a pleasure to accompany the group, who clearly enjoyed the tour, and I was able to guide them happily. Thank you very much.

    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…

    Area not found: "Others". Use the exact published Area title.

  • Aomori: Seiryji Temple arr & Aomori cruise terminal arr

    Aomori: Seiryji Temple arr & Aomori cruise terminal arr

    Tour Itinerary

    • Dear Nguyen, Hung Quoc
    • Welcome to Aomori !
    • 【Aomori & Kuroishi Tour】 25th May 2024 ~ Itinerary ~
    • 8:30 At Aomori cruise terminal. By a chartered taxi ( * 6 hours driving)
    • 9:00 Seiryji Temple arr.
    • * Showa Daibutsu (Showa Great Buddha) – the tallest bronze sitting statue of Buddha in Japan (21 meters)
    • *Five-Storied Pagoda – the 4th highest in Japan (39.5 meters)
    • *Zen Garden (Dried Landscape Garden-Sand Garden
    • 10:00 Seiryji Temple dept.
    • 11:30 Via Mt. Hakkoda and Jyogakura Great Bridge viewing volleys
    • · Kokeshi-Doll Museum “Tsugaru Kokeshi Kan”
    • · Traditional Crafts Hall “Tsugaru Densho Kogei-Kan”
    • · Kuroishi’s Hot Springs Area
    • 12:30 Lunch @100-years-old private house restaurant ” Hanaichimonme” providing three menu- Kuroishi yakisoba, Kuroishi thuyu(soup) yakisoba and Udon-.
    • · Temples and Shrines
    • · Tasting sake at the Narumi Sake Brewery with Japanese Garden.
    • · Miso and Soy Sauce, Rice Cake Sop
    • 14:00 Kuroishi city dept.
    • 15:00 Aomori cruise terminal arr.

    What's a Private Aomori Day Tour Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides led the group on a private tour visiting Seiryuji Temple, the fresh green Hakkoda Mountains, the Kuroishi hot spring area, a 250-year-old sake brewery, and the Warasse museum. The guests were a group from Asia who gathered in Tokyo and are enjoying a tour of Japan. As visitors from a Buddhist country, the group was moved by the great Showa Daibutsu Buddha statue and the five-story pagoda, and in the main hall they were captivated by the sound of the koto played by students from a local high school, performing "The Sea in Spring" and "Sakura Sakura." In the Hakkoda mountain range, which is lively with activities such as bamboo shoot picking, bears sometimes appear, so if the guests were lucky, they might even get to see one. The group refreshed themselves with a footbath experience and showed interest in skewered dango dumplings, daifuku, oden, bamboo shoots, and warabi (bracken). Explaining "gappara mochi" proved to be a challenge. For lunch, the takoyaki was delicious! The group loved Japanese sake, and while enjoying a view of a Japanese garden, they sampled and purchased local sake. The guests will be returning home on the 28th.

    My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
    I live in Aomori city.
    I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
    After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
    Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
    Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
    Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
    Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
    I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
    If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
    What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.

    Jun 2, 2025
    413maryannb
    Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…

    Apr 30, 2025
    Jacqueline_F
    Great Guide, great tour
    Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…

    Dec 30, 2024
    Scenic33296385055
    Warm and professional guide
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…

    Aug 3, 2024
    Monika R
    Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We were 3…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 07:50 Meet up @ Hotel Premier Asakusa
    • 2. 08:00~08:15 Stay @ Kaminarimon
    • 3. 08:20~09:00 Travel: Subway
    • 4. 09:00~09:20 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 5. 09:25~09:30 Travel: Subway
    • 6. 09:35~10:40 Stay @ Takeshita Street
    • 7. 10:40~11:20 Stay @ Cafe Rissu
    • 8. 11:25~11:45 Stay @ Takeshita Street
    • 9. 11:50~12:00 Travel: Subway
    • 10. 12:00~12:25 Stay @ Shinjuku Kabukicho, East Exit Plaza
    • 11. 12:35~12:55 Travel: Subway
    • 12. 13:00~13:20 Stay @ Pokemon Mega Center Tokyo
    • 13. 13:20 Disband @ Pokemon Mega Center Tokyo

    Title: What's a Private Group Tour of Tokyo's Modern Culture Spots (Harajuku, Shinjuku & Sunshine City) Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a large group of eight visiting Japan together. I was curious about the name of the hotel set as the meeting point, so I looked it up and found that there are two similarly named hotels in Asakusa. Because the word "International" appeared in the guests' email, I was able to identify the correct one, but this made me keenly aware that when there are multiple hotels with similar names, confirmation is essential. After first taking a commemorative photo at Kaminarimon, we spent most of the time in youth-oriented areas such as Harajuku. I guided the group to a café popular for its 3D latte art, as the guests had requested it in advance. We headed there around the 10:00 opening time, but it was somewhat crowded and we ended up having to wait. For this café, it seems that around 11:00 tends to be less busy and easier to get a seat. Since I realized that everyone was more interested in contemporary culture than historical sites, I left Meiji Shrine off the itinerary and instead guided them to the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku and the "Shinjuku East Exit Cat," among other spots. I had heard that many of the guests were fond of Pokémon, so at the end I took them to the Pokémon Mega Center in Sunshine City, but the mood became a little divided between those who wanted to keep shopping and those who wanted to have a meal. At this point, with permission from the group, we ended the tour a bit early.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassAsakusa Station~Shibuya Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassShibuya Station~Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae Station~Shinjuku-sanchome Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassShinjuku-sanchome Station~Higashi-Ikebukuro Station0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 12:30 Meet at JR Kyoto Station Platform 33
    • ② 13:15 Heiseiin (Jizo Bodhisattva)
    • ③ 13:40 Stroll through the Bamboo Grove ~ Nonomiya Shrine
    • ④ 14:20 Stroll through Tenryuji Temple Garden
    • ⑤ 15:00 Lunch (Arashiyama)
    • ⑥ 16:30 Stroll through Gion
    • ⑦ 17:30 Take a taxi to JR Kyoto Station
    • ⑧ 18:10 Disband in front of the Shinkansen ticket gate at JR Kyoto Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time and were staying in Tokyo. It was a busy itinerary: they came from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train in the morning, spent the whole day exploring Kyoto with me, and returned to Tokyo by bullet train in the evening. They said they were quite captivated by Kyoto and told me they would definitely come back next year to stay in Kyoto and see the autumn leaves, promising that we would meet again. Although politics and religion are normally taboo topics for a guide, the guests kept asking about exactly these subjects, and the three of us ended up talking at length about current world political affairs — especially the situation in the Middle East and the state of the country after leaving a political and economic union. In the end they said, "Kazu, Fushimi Inari will have to wait until next time!" It was an unusual Kyoto trip, quite unlike a typical Kyoto tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 2TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Nijo200JPY
    Total440JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & the museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & the museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9;18 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 9:30 Go to Miyajima by JR
    • 9:56 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 10:10 To Miyajima by ferry
    • 10:20 Arrive at Miyajima
    •     Shrine Senjokaku Machiya Street Omotesando
    • 11:45 Okonomiyaki at Kurawanka
    • 12:15 To the pier
    • 12:25 To Miyajimaguchi by ferry
    • 12:35 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi pier
    • 12:47 To Nishi-Hiroshima Station by JR
    • 13:06 Arrive at Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 13:12 To the museum by bus
    • 13:30 Arrive at the museum
    •     Museum Monument tour
    • 15:40 Disband in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome

    Title: What Is a Private Family Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from North America. The okonomiyaki was well received and finished completely, which put me at ease, as it is often left unfinished. At the museum, the guests looked at the exhibits with great interest, which impressed me. Since the guests had roots in Asia, I took them to the Gandhi statue, and they were very pleased. When I showed them a photo of the Gandhi statue being unveiled with a state leader in attendance, they mentioned that a state leader had attended a wedding in their family. They may have been quite prominent people.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima~Museum220JPY
    Total970JPY

    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 Japanese Gardens Private Tour

    Kyoto Japanese Gardens Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0900 Meet at Hotel
    • 0920 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 1100 Ginkaku-ji
    • 1200 Lunch at Daigin Kurukuru
    • 1340 Kinkaku-ji
    • 1420 Ryoan-ji
    • 1500 Disband at Ryoan-ji taxi stand

    A travel agency's responses were slow, and it was difficult to obtain the itinerary and lunch information, so the details were not finalized until the last minute. Although the itinerary was set at the last moment, the email about lunch options arrived only after the tour had already started. As a result, I researched and consulted with the guests, and we had lunch at a suitable restaurant. After the tour, I contacted the travel agency, and I was told that the guests had been happy, so I feel it went well overall. All four planned visits were completed, and the guests appeared satisfied. They kindly gave me various items from their home region.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarutamachi~Imadegawa220JPY
    Section 2BusSaibanshomae~Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusGinkakuji-michi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Ryoanji-mae230JPY
    Total910JPY

    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…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: Itsukushima Shrine

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: Itsukushima Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Motoyasu Pier Station on the World Heritage Sea Route
    • 9:30~10:15 Motoyasu Pier ~ Miyajima Pier No. 3
    • 10:15~11:20 Shopping and eating around Omotesando Shopping Street
    • 11:20~11:50 Itsukushima Shrine
    • 11:50~13:10 Shopping and eating around Omotesando Shopping Street again
    • 13:10~13:55 Miyajima Pier No. 3 ~ Motoyasu Pier
    • In accordance with the guest's wishes, we have made changes to spend more time shopping and eating around Omotesando Shopping Street rather than going to Daishoin Temple.

    What Is a Private Miyajima Island Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report During the ferry ride to the island, the guest enthusiastically talked about food and items they had purchased at sightseeing spots so far, so I sensed a preference and shared the day's itinerary. Based on that, we changed the plan from visiting Daishoin Temple to enjoying shopping along the Omotesando shopping street. The guest seemed excited throughout by Miyajima-exclusive prizes, collaboration items, and local Miyajima cuisine, and it made me very happy to see them so delighted. Watching the guest shop so happily, I learned the importance of adapting flexibly to the situation. Although it was a Sunday, it was not extremely crowded, so we were able to shop smoothly. This time the tour was for one guest, so I was able to change the itinerary exactly as requested. However, I felt a little worried about how to handle situations with more than one guest, so I would like to ask other guides and think about how to respond. This was my first time guiding, but being able to see the guest's smile made it a truly wonderful time. Next time, I want to study more and learn to provide an even better tour. Thank you very much.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1FerryMotoyasu Pier~Miyajima Pier No. 32,200JPY
    Total2,200JPY

    Hello! I am Riona. I will be your guide in Hiroshima. I was born and raised in Hiroshima and currently attend a university in Hiroshima.
    I just started guiding and am very happy to be able to show everyone around my favorite city, Hiroshima.
    I like to eat, travel, talk to people, dance, and play the saxophone, and I look forward to traveling with you all, talking and eating good food !!
    When you see this message, please contact me via WhatsApp.
    If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask me before the tour.
    Let me help you create wonderful travel memories.
    Thank you.

    Jun 8, 2025
    andrewcW9931RV
    Poignant and insightful trip made special by our knowledgeable,kind and generous guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with…

    Nov 9, 2024
    samsJ3261JY
    A fabulous day!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Riona was an excellent guide for…

    Oct 16, 2024
    josefamart_nn
    Estupendo recorrido
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Sitios muy pintorescos e interesantes, Explicados muy…

    Oct 8, 2024
    M4850DOmikec
    Incredible experience to see Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    The tour was a great…

  • Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 13:00 Meeting at the Hotel
    • 2. 13:10 Taking the tram from Chuden to Kamiyacho
    • 3. 13:30 Staying the Castle Garden
    • 4. 15:20 Taking the bus from City Hospital to the A-bomb Dome
    • 5. 15:25 Staying in Peace Memorial Park (the A-bomb Dome, the Children's Tower, and so
    • on) Museum
    • 6. 16:40 Goodbye in the main building in the Museum

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Memorial Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Hiroshima, and one of them had been to Hiroshima several times before, including a visit to the memorial museum five years ago. They were both delighted to learn for the first time that Hiroshima had served as the capital for eight months and that Ujina Port had been an important logistics base. I made sure to find places to sit while giving explanations and to walk slowly throughout the tour. Questions also came up such as, "Do Japanese people prefer China or America?" and "How long did it take for radiation levels to return to normal?" At the museum, the guests told me, "We'll take our time looking around until about 6 o'clock, so feel free to head back first," so I left ahead of them. I was glad that the guests listened so attentively to my explanations.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainChuden-mae~Kamiyacho-higashi220JPY
    Section 2BusShimin Byoin-mae~Genbaku Dome-mae220JPY
    Total440JPY

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

    Apr 13, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with Yoshi
    Yoshi was truly one of the…

    Apr 11, 2026
    Liesbet N
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Boeiende reis door geschiedenis
    Een boeiende rondleiding van Yoshiko…

    Oct 26, 2025
    COYS100
    Great Hiroshima experience
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    A great tour with a very informed…

    Jun 25, 2025
    O1135UVraymondp
    Highly recommended to everyone to this tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Joshi is…

  • Nara in One Day: JR Nara Station & Naramachi

    Nara in One Day: JR Nara Station & Naramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:22 Meeting on the train at Horyuji Station (Start of Tour)
    • 09:33 JR Nara Station
    • 10:00 Kofukuji Temple
    • 11:30 Ukimido Hall
    • 12:00 Kasuga-taisha Shrine
    • 12:30 lunch at Mizuya Chaya
    • 12;50 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill: former katana sword manufacturer's shop
    • 13:10 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • 13:40 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • 14:00 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • 14:30 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • 14:50 Naramachi
    • 16:40 JR Nara Station
    • 16:56 End of Tour on the train at JR Horyuji Station

    Title: Can You Do a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Nara? A Licensed Guide's Report Since the guests were traveling to Nara from a hotel in Osaka via the JR Yamatoji Line, I boarded the same train at Horyuji Station to meet them. This allowed me to start introducing Nara while still on the train, which helped the itinerary go smoothly. Playing with the deer took more time than expected, so in the end we ran considerably over the planned schedule. But since the guests were very pleased, I felt it was well worth it. The guests were all strong walkers, so even when it meant taking a longer route, I was able to choose paths that avoided the crowds as much as possible. The guests were from Oceania, and their unpretentious, easygoing nature made me appreciate guiding them even more.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHoryuji~Nara230JPY
    Section 2TrainNara~Horyuji230JPY
    Total460JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel ~ Skytree (dining at Sushizanmai in Skytree Town) ~ Sumida Park (Sumida River) ~ Asakusa Sensoji Temple ~ Shinjuku (Cat Vision, Godzilla Head) ~ Harajuku Takeshita Street ~ Send-off at Hotel

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a senior group from Oceania who had just arrived in Japan the day before. At the start, they asked how to exchange a subway free pass and a JR Pass in Japan. We tried to complete the subway procedure at the Ginza Line counter, but they had forgotten the password they had registered, so in the end they used Japanese yen for public transportation. I also took them to the JR Pass counter, but since they had not brought their passport, I explained the procedure for them to use from the next day onward. These matters took a little over an hour, so the tour started after that, and I saw them back to their hotel as requested, running from 8:30 in the morning until 16:00. Even so, both of them were very pleased, including with each of the sightseeing spots, so I feel it went well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShibuya~Tokyo Skytree420JPY
    Section 2TrainTokyo Skytree~Asakusa160JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Shinjuku360JPY
    Section 4TrainShinjuku~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 5TrainHarajuku~Shibuya150JPY
    Total1,240JPY

    Hello, I’m your guide Yasu.

    I’m very happy to be able to help you experience Japanese culture, traditions, tourist attractions, and Japanese food.

    I have guided tours of Tokyo’s sightseeing spot such as Asakusa, The Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine.

    I have also guided tours in the surrounding areas of Nikko and Hakone to experience Japanese nature and culture.

    I also specialize in food tours in the Tsukiji and Ueno areas of Tokyo.

    As for my background, I worked at a major Japanese department store for many years, and from that experience I have knowledge of Japanese art, paintings, and crafts.

    In addition, in my free time, my hobby is visiting resorts with my family that are not tourist spots, and I am able to introduce such hidden resorts even to customers who have stayed in Japan multiple times.

    I would be happy to share my experiences with you and help you have a meaningful travel experience.

    Let’s go exploring the real Japan together.

    Kind Regards,
    Yasu Komatsu

    Mar 26, 2026
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