Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in One Day: Travel to Dotonbori by subway

    Osaka in One Day: Travel to Dotonbori by subway

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meeting point: Osaka Tempozan, Cruise Terminal, in front of the Giant Ferris Wheel
    • 09:40 Travel to Osaka Castle by subway
    • 10:00 Sightseeing ①: Tour of Osaka Castle
    • 11:20 Travel to Dotonbori by subway
    • 12:00 Sightseeing ②: Stroll through Dotonbori
    • 12:30 Lunch/Break (Dotonbori: Ramen restaurant)
    • 13:00 Sightseeing ③: Tour of Kuromon Market
    • 13:30 Travel to Shitennoji by subway
    • 14:00 Sightseeing ④: Tour of Shitennoji
    • 14:40 Travel to Tempozan by subway
    • 15:00 At the guest's request, the guide concludes at the transfer station "Tanimachi 4-chome"

    What's a 6-Hour Private Osaka Tour Like for Cruise Ship Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report This time the guests were a group visiting from Europe while sightseeing on a cruise ship. I handled the pre-tour discussions about the itinerary with one of the guests. At first, as many as eight desired locations had been listed, but I explained that "since this is a 6-hour course, four locations is the maximum," and I proposed "Osaka Castle ⇒ Dotonbori ⇒ Kuromon Market ⇒ Shitennoji Temple," which the guests agreed to. On the day, the weather shifted from cloudy to clear blue skies, becoming just slightly hot, but in the afternoon a cool breeze blew, making for fairly pleasant conditions. Meeting the guests at Tempozan went smoothly, and after confirming the itinerary, we immediately set off by subway. The strength of this course is that the entire route can be covered in a short time using only the subway, and it is a course I often use myself (though the somewhat complicated transfers are its one drawback). The first stop, "Osaka Castle," is always very crowded, making it difficult to tour the main keep, but it is an essential place for explaining the history of samurai rule. The guests were interested in samurai and listened attentively to my explanations. The second and third stops, "Dotonbori" and "Kuromon Market," served as sightseeing that also included lunch and a break. For lunch we had "Kamukura Ramen," known for its soup based on Japanese dashi. Everyone said it was "very delicious" and finished it completely. At Dotonbori, they came to understand how the flashy signboards express the humor of Osaka's people, and at "Kuromon Market" they got a real sense of the everyday food culture of Osaka. At the final stop, "Shitennoji Temple," they learned about the history of Osaka Buddhism at one of the oldest temples, said to be "the birthplace of welfare activities." Even on the subway between stops, the conversation never lagged, and it became an enjoyable Osaka tour with a cheerful group.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOsakako~Tanimachi 4-chome290JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Nippombashi (Osaka)190JPY
    Section 3SubwayNippombashi (Osaka)~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 4SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Total860JPY

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa・Sensoji Temple & Shinjuku

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa・Sensoji Temple & Shinjuku

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:30 In front of Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace
    • 11:00 Asakusa・Sensoji Temple
    • 13:30 Shibuya
    • 14:00 Harajuku
    • 15:00 Shinjuku

    What's a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Since the group included members who needed to avoid long walks, we chose a route with as little walking as possible and one that the younger members of the group would enjoy. At the Imperial Palace, the guests were amazed by the majestic scenery, and at Asakusa's Sensoji Temple, they were surprised by the huge crowds while also enjoying trying various uniquely Japanese foods. After Shibuya, we visited Harajuku and Shinjuku. Some of the guests especially wanted to see the Shibuya Crossing, the 3D cat advertisement in Shinjuku, and the Godzilla Head, so they were delighted to see them in person. Finally, after explaining the way back to the hotel, we ended the tour in Shinjuku.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

    May 27, 2026
    jackie m
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Our guide was really interesting and had…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Lindsey_W
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Atsushi, was…
    Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:50 Meet, then walk to Hakone-Yumoto/Sounzan 9:15 Ropeway, Owakudani 10:10 From Owakudani by ropeway to Togendai 10:45 Pirate Ship 11:25 Moto-Hakone, Lakeside of Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, from Moto-Hakone by bus 12:15 Hakone Checkpoint, visit and shopping at Maruyama Yosegi Zaiku (marquetry) shop, lunch at Donburi Chaya, stop by Hakone Checkpoint entrance, from Hakonemachi Port at 14:15 by bus, Yunessun, arrive 14:45, Hotel, request pickup vehicle, boarding complete

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like from a Government-Licensed Guide? A Tour Report Some of the guests had visited Japan several times before. To avoid the Saturday crowds, we moved the start time from 10:00 to 9:00, which allowed the tour to progress smoothly without unnecessary waiting. At Owakudani, while enjoying the black eggs, we made good use of our time until Mount Fuji gradually revealed its full form, and I was kindly praised for a "good job." For the pirate ship, we took premium seats and fully enjoyed the view of Mount Fuji. At Hakone Shrine, I added some explanation about Buddhism and Shinto, which I believe served as helpful preparation for their upcoming visit to Kyoto. Some of the guests mentioned having previously obtained a secret puzzle box in Tokyo, and at Maruyama they watched the presentation with great interest. At the donburi teahouse, the soba was delicious, and they took photos of the soba-making demonstration that happened to be taking place at just the right moment.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station0JPY
    Total0JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

    Jun 8, 2026
    JasonB6980
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiro-san knows Hakone!
    Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Tourist31988989961
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
    Great Day and Tour
    Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 09:00 Meet at hotel
    • ② 09:05 Explanation of today's itinerary
    • ③ 09:15 Departure
    • ④ 09:25 Explanation of the history of Nara and Kyoto in the taxi
    • ⑤ 10:30 Toshodaiji Temple
    • ⑥ 11:50 Yakushiji Temple
    • ⑦ 13:30 Lunch (vegan restaurant)
    • ⑧ 14:15 Todaiji Temple
    • ⑨ 15:30 To the top of Mount Wakakusa
    • ⑩ 17:20 Return to Hotel and disband

    What Is a Private Day Trip to Nara Like from Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, arriving in Osaka via Dubai. They spent one day in Osaka, two days in Kyoto, and today explored Nara, with Kanazawa and Tokyo to follow. I truly wanted to thank them for choosing Japan as their travel destination. We traveled from a hotel in Kyoto to Nara by chauffeured car. Nara is the birthplace of Japanese history and is by no means merely a "Small Kyoto." Because I wanted them to understand this, I began with fundamental topics such as where the Japanese people originally came from and the origins of the imperial family, then moved on to the significance of Buddhism, who Ganjin was, and what ordination meant. I condensed and explained, working up a sweat, the historical significance of Toshodaiji and Todaiji, the meaning of visiting them, and how things changed when the capital was moved to Kyoto. The guests listened very earnestly. However, they were far more passionate about photography than about detailed historical explanations. Until yesterday they had been jostled by crowds at the famous spots in Osaka and Kyoto, and combined with the humid heat, they had become quite mentally exhausted. Today I deliberately chose places with very few people, except for Todaiji, which turned out to be the right decision. They appeared to relax greatly. Amid the quiet and peaceful scenery of the ancient capital of Nara, they came back to life and took countless photos to their heart's content, though I do wonder whether they were truly listening to my explanations. Recently there happened to be an NHK special program about the Republic that they came from, and when I spoke about Fort St. Elmo, St. John's Co-Cathedral, and the Knights of St. John in its capital, which is a World Heritage site with white townscapes, the conversation became quite lively. The summit of Wakakusayama was humid but had a pleasant breeze, with many deer around, making it perfect weather for photography. As usual, they thoroughly practiced saying "ookini" and "do itashimashite," and once their pronunciation had improved nicely, the tour came to an end. On the one-hour drive back to Kyoto, they slept soundly. Ahead of today, I visited each destination in advance to check the barrier-free accessibility situation. Looking at the sites from that perspective, I realized that there were considerable differences among destinations, and that overall the reality remains quite challenging in many respects. In that sense, today's tour was a great learning experience.

    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…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:30 Tour starts in front of the Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center
    • Travel by bus to the 21st Century Museum
    • AM 10:00-10:40 Visit the 21st Century Museum
    • AM 10:40- 12:00 Visit Kenrokuen Garden and Seisonkaku
    • AM 12:00- PM 13:00 Visit Kanazawa Castle Park: Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya, and Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura
    • Travel on foot to Omicho Market via Gyokusen-in Garden and Oyama Shrine
    • PM 13:30 – 14:20 Lunch at Omicho Market
    • Travel by bus to Hashibacho
    • PM 14:45- 15:30 Higashi Chaya District. Guide through the Asanogawa Garden Party and end the tour

    What's a Private Cruise Port Day Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I forgot to submit this after writing it. My apologies for the delay, and thank you for your understanding. This was a private tour in Kanazawa for guests visiting Japan by cruise ship from North America. It was their first cruise, and they were enjoying sightseeing in Japan on this trip. The guests visited the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kenrokuen Garden, and Seisonkaku Villa, then went from Kanazawa Castle to Oyama Shrine. I believe they fully enjoyed and came to appreciate both contemporary art and traditional samurai culture. At Omicho Market, the guests wanted to try Kanazawa curry, so they enjoyed it there. Since the ship's departure was as late as 23:00, and the guests had a reservation for a geisha show at a garden party along the Asano River, I guided them to the venue. After that, we strolled a little through the Higashi Chaya District, and the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKanazawa Station / Hokuriku Railway Bus~Hirosaka・21st Century Museum / Hokuriku Railway Bus220JPY
    Section 2BusMusashigatsuji・Omicho Market / Hokuriku Railway Bus~Hashibacho / Hokuriku Railway Bus220JPY
    Total440JPY

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:20 Meet up @ Hotel Ryogoku
    • 10:15 Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko
    • 10:40 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 11:50 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 13:40 Lunch @ Aoyuzu Tora
    • 14:30 Tokyo Station JR East Travel Service Center (JR Pass exchange)
    • 15:15 Imperial Palace
    • 16:40 Sensoji Temple
    • 17:30 Disband @ Asakusa

    What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Takayama, Kyoto, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakone. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, although the cherry blossoms had already fallen, they seemed impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as Kaminarimon Gate. Since they said they could return to their hotel on their own, we parted ways in Asakusa. As I responded according to the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainRyogoku~Shibuya260JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shinjuku160JPY
    Section 4SubwayShinjuku~Shinjuku-gyoenmae180JPY
    Section 5SubwayShinjuku-gyoenmae~Tokyo210JPY
    Section 6SubwayYurakucho~Ginza-itchome180JPY
    Section 7SubwayGinza~Asakusa210JPY
    Total1,360JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Gion & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Gion & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:45 45 minutes late, meet at Minamiza
    • 12:00 Lunch in Gion
    • 13:00 Gion
    • 13:30 Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
    • 14:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 15:00 End at MAIKOYA

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America on a trip to Japan. Before the tour, they had visited Fushimi Inari on their own, and since it took longer than expected, they arrived late for our meeting. About 30 minutes before the tour was scheduled to start, they contacted me to let me know they would be late. They had not eaten breakfast and were hungry after climbing Inariyama, so I first guided them to lunch. Since they had a tea ceremony reservation at 15:00, I guided them to that establishment and concluded the tour there. The entire tour was done on foot, so no public transportation was used.

    Hi I am Kunihiro ARAKAWA, National government licensed tour guide.
    Please call me first name Kuni.
    My original city is Nagoya, but I lived in Tokyo for 20 years,
    and also lived in London and Paris for work.
    Now I live in Kyoto city. I moved here because I love Kyoto.
    I like taking photos and also sell my own photos on website.
    I’d love to take memorable photos for you at great photo spots.
    I also like history and gourmet food.
    I’d love to introduce some local recommendations.
    I’ll ask your request and create your special tour.
    Please feel free to let us know your thoughts.
    Looking forward to meeting you !

    Kuni

    Jul 18, 2026
    M2443VKandrewl
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Excellent guide and support
    Kuni-san was an excellent guide and…

    Jun 9, 2026
    Gail M
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Kyoto Sights; Private Guide & Driver
    The…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Rick_S
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An afternoon in Kyoto
    We had a great time exploring Kyoto. Our…

    May 16, 2026
    sydneybA4751LA
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 private tour of Kyoto!
    Kuni was amazing as our private tour…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Asakusa & Yokohama Osanbashi Pier

    Kanagawa in One Day: Asakusa & Yokohama Osanbashi Pier

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meeting place: Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
    • 8:40 Hotel
    • (Chauffeur car / Driver: Madoka Mikami)
    • 10:15 Arrive at Asakusa
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • 10:45 Asakusa Station
    • (Chauffeur car)
    • 11:00 Arrive at Otemachi
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 12:00 Depart Otemachi
    • (Chauffeur car)
    • 12:15 Arrive at Shinjuku East Exit
    • Shinjuku East Exit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
    • 13:10 Depart Shinjuku East Exit
    • (Chauffeur car)
    • 13:30 Arrive at Harajuku
    • Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • Break: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
    • Takeshita Street
    • 14:10 Depart Harajuku
    • (Chauffeur car)
    • 14:30 Arrive at Roppongi
    • Roppongi Roppongi Hills Shopping Street
    • Roppongi Hills Observation Deck
    • 15:15 Depart Roppongi
    • (Chauffeur car)
    • 16:30 Arrive at Yokohama Osanbashi Pier
    • 16:30 Dismissal: Yokohama Osanbashi Pier

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour During a Cruise Stopover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They were visiting Tokyo during a long Pacific cruise of about 150 days (visiting places such as Hawaii, Oceania, and countries in Asia), which had departed from North America. Their cruise ship had arrived early this morning at the Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama Port, and was scheduled to depart again this evening. This Tokyo tour was arranged to fit into that window. After departure, the ship was scheduled to continue on to Alaska, the west coast of North America, and other destinations, before finally returning to its port of origin in North America. For this reason, they were not staying at the meeting point, which was a Hotel. They said, "We'd like to see a bit of Tokyo before we set sail." They also said, "We've been looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms," and added, "We'd love to see Mount Fuji if possible." The tour took place under clear skies. First, we went to Asakusa. In the car, I explained "the history and significance of Tokyo" and "the history of Yokohama." We started from the front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos at various spots, including in front of Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda. The weeping cherry blossoms in the temple grounds had mostly fallen. We took a leisurely stroll along the Nakamise shopping street, which was packed (full of visitors from overseas). There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" There was also a question: "We see many people wearing kimono in the temple grounds — why is that? Are they all Japanese?" They purchased "omamori" (protective charms) as souvenirs for their grandchildren. We went to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. The cherry blossoms had mostly fallen, but a few weeping cherry trees remained, and they photographed them enthusiastically. I explained "Japanese history from Edo to Meiji," "about the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," "the history of the Imperial family," "World War II and the Tokyo air raids," and "how stone walls are built." There were questions and comments such as "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?", "Who is the next in line?", and "Can a woman become Emperor?" We moved on to Shinjuku Gyoen. I explained "the history and current state of Shinjuku Gyoen." The gardens were full of many visitors. Here too, the cherry blossoms had mostly fallen, but a few trees remained, and they eagerly took commemorative photos in front of the cherry trees. They also said, "The pine trees in the garden are wonderful," and took photos enthusiastically all around. They added, "The Japanese garden is wonderful too. I have created a Japanese garden in my own garden." We moved on to Harajuku. Meiji Shrine was full of visitors. I explained "about Shinto," "about torii gates," "about Emperor Meiji," "why sake barrels are displayed," and "why wine barrels are displayed." There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" We moved on to Roppongi. We strolled through the shopping center within Roppongi Hills, then went up to the observation deck to enjoy the view of Tokyo. They said, "Now we really understand how vast a city Tokyo is." There were comments and questions such as "The city is clean and there's no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean," "There are no trash cans on the streets — why is that?", "There are vending machines everywhere," and "What is Yokohama like?" Finally, I saw them off at Daikoku Pier, where we parted ways.

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
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  • Kyoto: Nijo Castle visit & Kinkakuji visit

    Kyoto: Nijo Castle visit & Kinkakuji visit

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia)
    • 8:00-8:50 Transfer (Subway; Kyoto Station → Nijojo-mae)
    • 8:50-10:20 Nijo Castle visit
    • 10:20-11:00 Transfer (City Bus; Nijojo-mae → Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 11:00-12:00 Kinkakuji visit
    • 12:00 Tour ends in front of Kinkakuji    
    •    Since the guest was heading to Kitano Hakubaicho after the tour, we accompanied them partway and said goodbye.

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, and Arashiyama The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time, traveling to Japan following a life milestone. The tour content agreed upon before the tour was Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, and Ryoanji Temple, but after meeting, there was a request to change the itinerary to visit Arashiyama instead of Ryoanji Temple. Since they also asked for an explanation about Kyoto Station in front of the Hotel, I explained how to get to the Shinkansen platform, the Skywalk, and Kyoto Tower, after which we visited Nijo Castle and Kinkakuji. The guests seemed to enjoy photography and took many photos with a single-lens reflex camera. After visiting Kinkakuji, as it was time for the tour to end, I explained how to get to Kitano-Hakubaicho to head toward Arashiyama, and we said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto~Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Section 2BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total460JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Kiyosumi Garden & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Kiyosumi Garden & Shibuya Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet guests at the hotel
    • 9:10 Kiyosumi Garden
    • 10:00 Fukagawa Edo Museum
    • 11:30 Asakusa – Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Main Hall
    • 13:00 Roppongi – Art Gallery
    • 14:30 Shibuya Station

    Title: What's a Private Full-Day Tour of Tokyo Like from Kiyosumi Garden to Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. They had joined a tour with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) the previous day and continued with another tour today. We first traveled by subway and visited Kiyosumi Garden. Since one of the guests was using a walking cane, we made our way through the garden while paying careful attention to the footing. They enjoyed strolling around the large pond and viewing the famous stones gathered from various parts of the country. After leaving the garden, I explained about the old residential buildings in the area, and at the Fukagawa Edo Museum, I talked about how people lived in the reconstructed Edo-period buildings inside the museum. After leaving the museum, at Reiganji Temple, I explained about the Jizo statues, the grave of Matsudaira Sadanobu, and the nearby former Tokyo municipal shop-and-residence housing. Moving on to Asakusa, we visited the Kaminarimon Gate, the five-story pagoda, and the area around the main hall while avoiding the crowds, and then traveled by subway to Roppongi. In Roppongi, we visited several contemporary art galleries that had been requested in advance, and then took a bus to Shibuya Station, where the tour ended.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShibuya~Kiyosumi-shirakawa210JPY
    Section 2SubwayKiyosumi-shirakawa~Asakusa290JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Roppongi210JPY
    Section 4BusRoppongi~In front of Shibuya Station (east side) / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total920JPY

    I am a certified guide-interpreter based in Tokyo.
    I was born and raised in Tokyo, so I am familiar with Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Please leave anything related to the Tokyo area to me.
    Tokyo is not only full of Japanese charm but also has many unique aspects.
    The always-bustling Tsukiji Outer Market conveys Japan’s food culture.
    Asakusa conveys Japanese traditions and culture through old temples, shrines and long-established stores.
    Shibuya spreads Japanese pop culture.
    You can immerse yourself in history and culture in the quiet natural surroundings such as the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or Meiji Shrine.
    Tokyo is a treasure trove of attractions for travelers. Please come and experience the wonderful Tokyo with me.

    Jul 8, 2026
    Maria H
    Tokyo an amazing city
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    First time in this…

    Jul 4, 2026
    davidsM6670MT
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    Excellent professional and attentive Tokyo Tour
    Shigeru was extremely professional, knowledgeable and…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Q3961PBsaraf
    History, Culture and Local Insight
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful half-day tour of…

    Jun 7, 2026
    abhinavg948
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    Shigeru is an outstanding guide for an outstanding Tokyo tour
    Shigeru is…