Category: Uncategorized

  • Hokkaido in One Day: Hakodate Morning Market & Mount Hakodate

    Hokkaido in One Day: Hakodate Morning Market & Mount Hakodate

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:45 pick up
    • 10:00 Hakodate Morning Market
    • 11:15 Goryokaku Tower
    • 12:40 Red Brick Warehouses Lunch
    • 13:50 Mount Hakodate
    • 14:50 cruise terminal dismissal

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests did not appear even after 9:10, so I called them and learned that they had forgotten they had arranged for a guide. It then took some time for them to get ready, and we finally met at 9:45. The guests were a group of friends visiting from North America. They enjoyed talking, and when I mentioned that I had been to North America, they asked me all sorts of questions and the conversation flowed nicely. Since one of the guests could not walk for long distances, we agreed that it was fine to skip the areas inside Goryokaku Park and Motomachi. They were looking for souvenirs for family and were very pleased to be able to find some at the shop in the Red Brick Warehouse. They also enjoyed the cheesecake from Snaffle's, a Hakodate specialty, and were delighted with how delicious it was.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHakodate Station~Goryokaku-koen-mae800JPY
    Total800JPY

    Hello, my name is Akira Matsumoto, a national government-licensed guide in Hakodate and Sapporo. I’m a retired public school science teacher and have been working as a professional tour guide for more than five years. (Before retirement, I used to work as a volunteer guide mainly in Hakodate for more than 10 years) So I know every corner of Hakodate and its history, culture, and food.
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got into the graduate school of Hokkaido University, and in Japan’s modern history.
    So I am well-versed in Japanese history, Hokkaido’s local history, and the Ainu aborigine people’s culture.
    I can offer you an informative and enjoyable tour with a polite and hospitable atmosphere.
    I like to interact and communicate with foreign people and introduce my guests to Japan’s beautiful scenery, wonderful culture,
    and best food. I assure you that I will welcome you with my best hospitality and make every effort to make your tour a good memory.

    May 22, 2026
    Leanne S
    Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Cruise port must
    Akira was our tour guide and was great.…

    May 7, 2026
    Narayanan_V
    Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Akira san is a wonderful…
    Akira san is a wonderful guide. Very…

    May 1, 2026
    Maria R
    Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best of Hakodate
    Akira was a very knowledgeable guide who showed…

    Feb 18, 2026
    Danielle_S
    An insider’s tour of Otaru
    Viator review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    My guide Akira was knowledgeable, kind, patient,…

  • Hokkaido: Hakodate Morning Market & Goryokaku Park

    Hokkaido: Hakodate Morning Market & Goryokaku Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:55
    • 10:15 Hakodate Morning Market 
    • 10:45 Mount Hakodate 
    • 11:30 Motomachi District (Church Group, Former Hakodate Public Hall, etc.) 
    • 12:50 Bay Area 
    • 14:10 Goryokaku Park (Goryokaku Tower, Magistrate's Office)
    • 15:55 Finish at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden

    What Is a Private Car Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report At the guests' request, the tour started one hour earlier than usual. The weather was excellent, allowing for comfortable sightseeing at every spot. One of the guests seemed interested in filming videos and recorded footage as well as spoken comments at many locations. Since the road leading to the summit of Mount Hakodate opened this week, we drove to the summit by car instead of taking the ropeway, and the scenery along the way was superb, making the most of the advantages of a tour with a vehicle. Although the cherry blossom season arrived earlier than usual this year, the tour took place two days before the official blooming announcement. We were able to see cherry blossoms in part, but in a sense it was slightly unfortunate timing. On the other hand, during full bloom, long lines are expected especially for entry to Goryokaku Tower, so it could also be said that we came at a good time.

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

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

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

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

    Sep 2, 2025
    roxannerW1499FK
    Great experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…

  • Yamanashi: Fuji Panorama Ropeway & Kawaguchiko Station

    Yamanashi: Fuji Panorama Ropeway & Kawaguchiko Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:50~9:30  Fuji Panorama Ropeway
    • 10:00~10:20 Lake Kawaguchi Sightseeing Boat
    • 10:30~11:20 Bus Ride
    • 11:30~13:05 Saiko Iyashi no Sato
    • 13:10~13:50 Bus Ride
    • 14:15 Kawaguchiko Station
    • 14:35 Coffee Break
    • 15:00 Bus Stop

    What Is a Private Fuji and Kawaguchiko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Asia who had been to Japan many times and appeared to travel all around the world. On a previous visit to the Mount Fuji area, a typhoon had made it impossible to see the mountain at all, but this time Mount Fuji was visible throughout the entire day, and the weeping cherry blossoms at the Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba village were beautiful, so the guests were very pleased. At Kawaguchiko Station, I helped arrange the bus to the Gotemba outlet for the following day, guided them to the boarding area, and confirmed the details of their train tickets for the return to Tokyo. It had been about a year since I last had the pleasure of guiding them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKawaguchiko Station~Kawaguchiko Station1,500JPY
    Total1,500JPY

    Hello. My name is Chinami and I introduce my self as Cindy.
    I was born and grow up in the foot of Mt Fuji called Yamanashi prefecture.
    Yamanashi is surrounded in mountains, including top three highest mountains in Japan.
    The prefecture is also famous for fruits, such as peaches and grapes. Therefore there are many wineries as well.
    I tell guests not only the nature about Mt Fuji , but also Mt Fuji worship since this is the reason Mt Fuji was designated as a world cultural heritage sight 2013.
    I majored in geography in university. So, I love travelling . And I like to talk with people, walking, and eating in each area.
    I like hiking, too. I try to hike whenever I have time.
    I study English by myself in Japan and have wanted to use English here in Japan.
    Now that I am so happy I got a national government license as a tour guide. Since then I take many guests mainly in Mt Fuji area.
    I also guide big groups travelling by cruise ship as a sea excursion at Shimizu in Shizuoka.
    I sometimes take my guests Hakone by sight seeing bus as well as independent travelers by public transportations.
    I hope I see you near future in Japan and have a wonder full time together.

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:50 Meet up @ Tokyo EDITION Toranomon
    • 09:15 Imperial Palace (Outer Garden, Nijubashi Bridge, East Gardens)
    • 11:15 Nezu Shrine (Azalea Festival)
    • 12:00 Sendagi (Snake Road) ~ Yanaka Ginza
    • 13:00 Lunch @ Soba Azegami
    • 14:00 Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate, Ura-Nakamise, Sensoji Temple)
    • 15:00 Disband @ Nakamise Street

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Nezu Shrine, Yanaka, and Asakusa The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America, arriving the previous day and staying in Tokyo for a few days before a cruise. Since one of the guests had an interest in history, I also guided them to Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace, which had not been part of the original plan. There I explained the transition from Edo Castle to the Imperial Palace and the story of the surrender broadcast. As one of the guests loved plants and greenery, the East Gardens became a favorite spot and they took many photographs. At Nezu Shrine, the azaleas were only about 60 percent in bloom, and the azalea garden had a very long line, so viewing and photographing the azaleas from the outside was more than enough. In the Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi area, the guests kept discovering charming little shops, going inside to buy items such as bags and kokeshi dolls. In Asakusa, we avoided the crowds of Nakamise by taking the back streets on the west side of Nakamise to enjoy an authentic Tokyo atmosphere, checking out several shops there as well. After visiting Senso-ji Temple, one of the guests mentioned wanting to stay and shop for souvenirs, as there were ten grandchildren to buy for, and since about six hours had already passed, we ended the tour at Nakamise.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Nezu180JPY
    Section 2TrainNippori~Asakusa340JPY
    Total520JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 10:15 Asakusa (Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple)
    • 11:30 Ginza (Mitsukoshi Depachika)
    • 12:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 12:50 Harajuku Lunch @ Gonpachi
    • 13:20 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:20 Disband @ Harajuku

    Title: What's a Half-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They had already traveled to Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Kanazawa before arriving in Tokyo. Since this was a half-day tour, we visited the classic spots of Asakusa, Shibuya, and Meiji Shrine, stopping along the way at the Mitsukoshi department store in Ginza. As expected, they were amazed by the basement food floor. In Shibuya, they mentioned they wanted to see Hachiko because they had been moved by the Hachiko movie, but since there was a long line, we took photos from the side. I told them that there is a statue of the professor and Hachiko at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo, and showed them photos as well. Since they were fond of animals, after Meiji Shrine I introduced them to an animal cafe on Takeshita Street before we said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Ginza210JPY
    Section 3SubwayGinza~Shibuya210JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
    Total760JPY

    Hello,
    I’m Rumi.Welcome to Japan!!
    I’m a government-licensed guide in the Tokyo area.
    I’m so excited to have a chance to show you my favorite places in Tokyo.
    Tokyo is a fantastic city with many aspects like history,culture and food.
    What interests you about Tokyo?
    What kind of Japanese food would you like to try?
    I’ll take you to various places according to your request.
    My favorite spot is Meiji Shrine.
    It’s so peaceful that I’m sure you like it.
    I really like to talk with foreigners about various topics.So, I love my job.
    I look forward to meeting and guiding you soon.

    Jun 29, 2026
    898clausw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really helpfull guide
    Extremely helpfull to have a friendly and competent guide…

    Jun 27, 2026
    sallypO7128PM
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo- family with older teens
    My family had an excellent…

    Jun 15, 2026
    Scott P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Terrific Tour and Guide
    We had an incredible day! Rumi was…

    Jun 12, 2026
    Tonya O
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Rumi is a great guide!
    Rumi was a wonderful guide. She…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at The Machiya Ebisuya, ➡ To Kyoto Station by subway (SKYWAY and rooftop) ➡ To Fushimi Inari Taisha by JR (11:20~12:00) ➡ To Kyoto Station by JR ➡ Animate on the 6th floor of AVANTY (12:30~13:00) ➡ To Arashiyama by JR ➡ To the restaurant on foot ➡ To Monkey Park on foot (14:00~15:00) ➡ To Daimaru Department Store by Randen and Hankyu train (15:50~16:00) ➡ Introduce nearby shops etc., end of work, disband (16:10)

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like for Anime Fans? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. One of them had become interested in Japan after learning about Shinto, while another was a great fan of Japanese manga and anime and hoped to one day live in Japan and work in the anime industry. Since there was an anime goods shop near Kyoto Station, where we changed, we stopped by, and one of the guests was delighted to find a favorite character. They said they would like to visit again the next morning before heading to Tokyo. When asked whether the Japanese macaques at Arashiyama Monkey Park and those at Jigokudani Monkey Park were the same, I checked and explained that they were indeed the same species of Japanese macaque. For lunch, the guests happily enjoyed chilled zaru soba, which they had first learned about through anime.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGojo (Kyoto Municipal)~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Section 4TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 5TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Shijo-Omiya250JPY
    Section 6TrainOmiya (Kyoto)~Karasuma170JPY
    Total1,180JPY

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Arashiyama & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Arashiyama & Kiyomizu-dera

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Yugen Kyoto Shijo Meet up
    • 9:00 Arashiyama
    • 10:40 Fushimi Inari
    • 12:15 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 13:00 Sannenzaka Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and Kiyomizu-dera The guests were visitors from North America. At their own suggestion we used taxis instead of public transportation. They seemed to want to take photos of each other in quiet spots, but they had imagined the Arashiyama bamboo grove as a much larger forest, and with so many people around, they were a little disappointed. At Fushimi Inari Shrine, they wanted to hike up and take photos in a quieter area, so we climbed close to the summit. Watching for good timing, they took turns photographing each other. At Kiyomizu-dera, one of the guests lifted the 96-kilogram iron staff and drew applause from the surrounding tourists. They got along well and, as is common among today's young travelers, were more interested in photos and food than in historical sites. They mentioned that they would return to Fushimi Inari early the next morning to climb all the way to the summit.

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…

  • Tokyo in One Day: TSUKIJI Outer Market & TAKESHITA STREET

    Tokyo in One Day: TSUKIJI Outer Market & TAKESHITA STREET

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at the 1st fl lobby in Hotel Toranomon Hills
    • 8:45 1 TSUKIJI Outer Market
    • 9:45 2 ZOJO-JI/TOKYO TOWER
    • 10:45 3 THE IMPERIAL PALACE & the Tokyo Station
    • 12:15 4 MEIJI JINGU SHRINE
    • 13:00 5 TAKESHITA STREET
    • 14:15 See off at Shibuya

    The guests were visitors from North America. They had a very warm and pleasant atmosphere. Despite emailing the OTA email address provided through the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) platform both on the day of the booking and three days before the tour date (the default approach I follow as standard), there was no response. When I sent a message via messaging app one day before, I received a reply. They approved the proposed itinerary just before the tour, and on the day itself we started smoothly and I was able to guide them through the planned itinerary under the finest spring weather for sightseeing.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassToranomon Hills~Tsukiji700JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji Market~Daimon (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3Free PassKamiyacho~Hibiya/Tokyo~Meiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Total880JPY

    Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.

    Who am I?
    I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
    I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
    I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.

    What can I be expected?
    I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
    and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
    I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
    As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
    I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.

    What do I love?
    Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
    I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.

    How do I spend my spear time?
    I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
    I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.

    I look forward to meeting you soon.
    Thank you.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Sandra_U
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Individualized Tour!
    Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Celal_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour even…
    We had a great tour even…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Johanna H
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
    We booked the 6…

    Mar 26, 2026
    Chica717
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing private tour with Masa!
    We had the absolute pleasure of spending…

  • Hiroshima: Enter the museum & Monument tour on a

    Hiroshima: Enter the museum & Monument tour on a

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 Meet at Hiroshima Station Shinkansen exit
    • 9:30 Board the bus → head to the Peace Memorial Museum
    • 9:45 Enter the museum
    • 11:30 Monument tour on a walking tour
    • 12:10 Enter Okonomiyaki Restaurant Mitchan for lunch
    • 13:00 Purchase origami and move to the Rest House
    •   At the cafe inside the Rest House, demonstrate how to make paper cranes
    • 13:30 After providing information about the museum in the basement of the Rest House, the tour ends

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Memorial Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from Oceania on a private tour of Hiroshima. It rained all day. While the guests were traveling by Shinkansen from Osaka, I received a request asking me to bring umbrellas if I had any, so I brought three extra umbrellas from home and met them at Hiroshima Station. According to the original itinerary, we were supposed to get off the bus in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, tour the monuments, and then enter the museum. However, because of the rain, I explained that we would change the plan and visit the museum first, and we boarded a bus from Hiroshima Station. The guests were very cheerful and lively, and I was asked many questions about my own life and work during the bus ride. I pointed out the scenery visible from the bus and we got off in front of the museum before entering. When I asked whether the children had studied about Hiroshima at school, I learned that this topic is covered in high school, so only the eldest among them had studied it beforehand. The museum was quite crowded even at 10:00 a.m., but some of the guests read the explanations very carefully and spent a great deal of time viewing the exhibits. Although we changed the plan because of the rain, since this was a group that spent so much time in the museum, entering the museum first turned out to be the right decision. Also, while touring the museum, I gave the explanations of the Memorial Cenotaph and the Peace Flame that can be seen from the connecting corridor while still indoors, so we could keep the time spent walking outside as short as possible. I think that worked out well too. For the Children's Peace Monument as well, I gave the explanation indoors so there would be no need to explain it outside. One of the guests seemed to have studied the story of Sadako, who was the model for the Children's Peace Monument, and was very interested in the paper cranes. I was told that a friend at school folds them very well, but that they themselves could not fold them so skillfully and wanted to learn how. We then made a quick tour of the monuments in the rain: the Memorial Cenotaph → the Peace Flame → the Children's Peace Monument → Aioi Bridge → the Atomic Bomb Dome → the memorial for mobilized students → the hypocenter, before heading to the okonomiyaki restaurant I had reserved. Trying okonomiyaki had been such an anticipated part of the trip that it was requested in advance. After a series of questions about the ingredients, how it is made, and whether they make it at home, the guests eagerly took photos of it being cooked at the restaurant. It seems a friend living in Yokohama had recommended that they be sure to eat okonomiyaki in Hiroshima. According to the original plan, we were to visit Shukkeien Garden after the okonomiyaki and part ways there, but again we changed the plan because of the rain. We bought origami paper and I offered to teach them how to fold cranes. We went back to the park in the rain and headed to the rest house. On the second-floor café, we folded paper cranes together, and after I shared information about the museum in the basement, the tour ended. It was a memorable tour, as the three children looked so happily at the paper cranes they had folded themselves and carefully put them away in their bags.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShin-Hakushima~Hiroshima Station150JPY
    Section 2TrainHondori~Hakushima (Hiroshima Rapid Transit Line)260JPY
    Section 3BusHiroshima Station~Peace Memorial Park/Hiroshima Bus240JPY
    Total650JPY

    Hello,I’m Yoshiko.
    Hiroshima is my home town, I love this city. I believe that Hiroshima is one of the best tourists’ destinations in Japan. In this place surrounded by natural beauty combined with abundant greenery and water flowing of rivers, you could have valuable opportunities for thinking the world peace and for reflecting on Japanese traditional culture that has been nurtured throughout Japan’s long history. I’m happy if you could enjoy your tour at my favorite city of Hiroshiima with me. I will introduce the charm and significance of Hiroshima, focusing on its two World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and the beautiful Myajima island and Itsukushima shrine built over the sea.

    Mar 22, 2025
    montesano17
    One of a kind experience in Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshiko exceeded our every…

  • Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour

    Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Osanbashi Terminal
    • 9:30 Taxi to Sankeien Garden, stroll
    • 10:45 Taxi to Yokohama Chinatown, visit Kanteibyo Temple and Masobyo Temple
    • 12:00 Lunch at Red Brick Warehouse
    • 13:00 Disband at Red Brick Warehouse

    What Is a Yokohama Port Shore Excursion Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sankeien Garden and Chinatown This was a Yokohama port shore excursion for guests visiting from North America. At Sankeien Garden, the guests enjoyed the seasonal flowers and fresh greenery while attentively touring the traditional Japanese-style houses and their construction. In Yokohama Chinatown, the guests wished to focus on sightseeing rather than dining, so I explained the differences between the Guan Yu Temple, the Mazu Temple, and Japanese temples and shrines. Afterward, the guests wanted to ride the subway, so we boarded it, and they were impressed by the cleanliness of the stations and the trains. At the Red Brick Warehouse, they had lunch, and since they wished to do some shopping and take a stroll before heading back, we parted ways there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMotomachi-Chukagai~Nihon-odori200JPY
    Total200JPY

    Hello, I’m Yukie Tachibana, national licensed tour guide living in Yokohama with my family. Please call me Yuki. I have been working as a tour guide for 5years mainly around Tokyo, Kanagawa, for example, Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama and Kawasaki. I have had an experience of attending a lot of foreign visitors from all over the world in both private and group tours for sightseeing and business in one to multi-days. I’m able to arrange the tour for you, so please feel free to ask me your favorite plan in Japan as to spot, food and some activities. I like to see Buddhist statues in temples so I’d like to introduce our history and culture. Also because I like Japanese animation and character, and animals, I can take you to some shops for the animation and animal cafes that are so popular among tourists. Looking forward to seeing you soon and share wonderful time in Japan! Thank you.

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