Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Monday Apart Premium Ueno, walk to Ueno subway station (after purchasing PASMO cards for children and adults, board the Ginza Line subway) to Asakusa station
    • 10:00 Arrive at Asakusa station, visit Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, cherry blossom viewing along the Sumida River embankment, head to Asakusa Pier
    • 11:40 Depart from Asakusa Pier, take a sightseeing boat to Hamarikyu Gardens, after touring have lunch near Shimbashi station
    • 13:50 Arrive at Shimbashi station, take the Yamanote Line to Tokyo station
    • 14:00 Arrive at Tokyo station, walk along Gyoko-dori to visit the Imperial Palace (centered on Nijubashi), walk to Hibiya station
    • 15:10 Arrive at Iriya station, disband in front of the hotel

    What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Hama-rikyu, and the Imperial Palace Today I guided a group visiting from North America who planned to stay in Japan for a few days. Since the group would be staying in Japan for several days, we purchased transportation IC cards (PASMO). Please note that obtaining a child PASMO required a passport check and processing at the commuter pass counter, so it took a little extra time. We traveled by subway from Ueno to Asakusa, where we visited Kaminarimon, Nakamise-dori, and Senso-ji Temple. Afterward, we moved to the embankment of the Sumida River. The cherry blossoms were just past full bloom, but the guests watched the petals dancing in the wind with fascination, exclaiming "Beautiful" and showing strong interest. Next, we boarded a sightseeing boat from the Asakusa pier and cruised down the Sumida River toward Hama-rikyu. During the trip on the water, they enjoyed a variety of scenery, including the bridges and views along the riverbanks. At Hama-rikyu, varieties of cherry blossoms other than Somei-Yoshino, as well as various other flowers, were at their best, and the guests appeared to enjoy taking photographs. After the visit, we walked to Shimbashi Station, and in line with their wish to eat ramen, we had lunch at a ramen restaurant. They shared that Japanese ramen was "delicious." Afterward, we traveled by JR to Tokyo Station and walked to the Imperial Palace. We strolled along Gyoko-dori and took commemorative photos in front of Nijubashi. After the visit, we walked to Hibiya Station, took the subway to Iriya Station, and parted ways at the front entrance of the Hotel. Overall, the guests appeared very satisfied, particularly with the Sumida River cruise, the flowers at Hama-rikyu, and the ramen lunch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 2FerryAsakusa (Water Bus)~Hamarikyu (Water Bus)940JPY
    Section 3TrainShimbashi~Tokyo160JPY
    Section 4SubwayHibiya~Iriya (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total1,490JPY

    Self-Background

    During my university years, I lived in a dormitory for four years and had the opportunity to live with many international students.
    Of course, we spoke English.
    After graduating from university, I started working as an English teacher at a junior high school.
    I was able to have a fun teaching life while interacting with many students. During that time, I continued to study English on my own and obtained the pre-1st grade English proficiency test.
    After that, I worked for the Board of Education as a supervisor in charge of English education, and then managed a school as a vice principal, and later principal.
    After retiring from teaching, I took the TOEIC (L&R) and achieved my highest score of 945.
    I also obtained a license as a national guide-interpreter, and began working as a guide for overseas visitors in English.
    Currently, I guide tourists to several places around the country.
    Many customers have told me that I am a good guide, saying that my guidance is easy to understand and that I have a lot of knowledge about sightseeing spots and history.
    Furthermore, I will continue to improve my skills and make efforts to give you a better experience in Japan, so please come and enjoy your trip in Japan with me.

  • Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Kanmangafuchi Abyss

    Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Kanmangafuchi Abyss

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30  Meet up @ JR Nikko Station
    • 9:37 Board the bus
    • 9:45 Shinkyo Bridge
    • 10:10 Shoyoen Garden
    • 10:55 Sanbutsudo
    • 11:20 Gomado
    • 11:35 Toshogu Shrine
    • 12:30 Futarasan Shrine
    • 13:45 Lunch @ Maruhide Diner
    • 14:50 Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 16:00 Kanmangafuchi Abyss
    • 16:41 Board the bus
    • 17:00 Tour ends @ JR Nikko Station

    Title: What's a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from Europe, traveling with plans to meet up with a member of the group in Kyoto a few days later. Compared to the rain and wind of the previous day, today was sunny and calm, and with the cherry blossoms in full bloom and relatively few crowds, the guest was able to enjoy spring at a very relaxed pace and was delighted. As the guest follows a vegan diet, options were limited, but they had vegetarian yuba ramen. Since finding vegan restaurants during a stay in Japan can be difficult, I introduced some rice balls at convenience stores that would suit the guest. Until now they had only eaten plain salted rice balls, assuming everything else contained fish or meat, but they were pleased to learn there are options made with vegetables, grains, and seaweed, and said they would like to try them next time. At Tamozawa Imperial Villa and Shoyoen Garden, the guest observed the spring plants closely. As they also have a garden at home, they enjoyed comparing the differences and similarities between gardens in Europe and Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nikko Station / Tobu Bus~Shinkyo Bridge / Tobu Bus220JPY
    Section 2BusNishisando Entrance / Tobu Bus~JR Nikko Station / Tobu Bus350JPY
    Total570JPY

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

    Jul 1, 2026
    laine164
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day!
    We had a wonderful time exploring Nikko.
    Our friendly…

    Apr 7, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Guide Yumi Highlights Nikko on walking tour
    Our 16,000 step tour…

    Apr 4, 2026
    O4367MVkarenv
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day in Nikko
    We had a fantastic day with Yumi. She…

    Nov 10, 2025
    Salutory
    A fascinating tour with a friendly and knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Yumi…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shin-Okubo Station & Harajuku Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shin-Okubo Station & Harajuku Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meeting point: Hotel Cen, 1-5-19 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku 169-0073 Tokyo Prefecture, Shinjuku
    • 10:10 Depart Shin-Okubo Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 10:20 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Shinjuku Station Travel Concierge
    • 10:50 Depart Shinjuku Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
    • Akasaka-mitsuke Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • 12:15 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive Suehirocho Station
    • Akihabara Akihabara Electric Town
    • Lunch: Hidakaya
    • 13:30 Depart Akihabara Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 13:40 Arrive Kamiyacho Station
    • Kamiyacho Tokyo Tower
    • 14:40 Depart Kamiyacho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Kasumigaseki Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 15:45 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 16:00 Arrive Shin-Okubo Station
    • 16:00 Dismissal: Shin-Okubo

    Title: What Is a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Akihabara, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They were traveling during a school break. The day before, they had arrived at Narita Airport and made their way to their accommodation by train, transferring along the way. This was an 8-day visit to Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, with plans to return home after coming back to Tokyo. They also mentioned that they wanted to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms. The tour took place on a slightly chilly day. The group was staying at a B&B near the meeting point. After meeting up, we headed to Asakusa. We started in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon, in front of the five-story pagoda, and at various other spots. The weeping cherry blossoms within the temple grounds had mostly fallen. We strolled slowly through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. 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 within the temple grounds — why is that? Are they all Japanese?" At the request of one of the guests, who is a fan of Japanese anime and especially Pokemon, we went to Akihabara. We explored various shops, and they purchased a large number of Pokemon figures. After this, at the further request of the same guest who wanted to eat ramen, we went to a ramen restaurant, where they enjoyed tonkotsu ramen and gyoza. They remarked, "The price is about one-third of what it would be back home." We moved to Kamiyacho and visited Tokyo Tower. Unfortunately, it was cloudy with poor visibility, so we were unable to see Mount Fuji. The guests said, "We could see how large and expansively spread out Tokyo is." We moved to Harajuku. Meiji Shrine was also full of tourists. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are displayed as well. There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" At the request of one of the guests, we also strolled along Takeshita Street. There were comments and questions such as "Tokyo is so clean throughout the city, with no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean and free, which is wonderful," "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?", "Everyone is quiet on the trains," and "We don't see any homeless people." I saw them off at Shin-Okubo Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShin-Okubo~Shinjuku160JPY
    Section 2OtherShinjuku (Tokyo Metro)~Asakusa260JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Suehirocho (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 4TrainAkihabara~Kamiyacho210JPY
    Section 5TrainKamiyacho~Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku~Shin-Okubo200JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    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
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Shitennoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meeting point: Travelodge Honmachi Osaka
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ①: Osaka Castle tour
    • 12:30 Sightseeing ②: Dotonbori stroll & lunch (Dotonbori, ramen "Kamukura")
    • 13:45 Sightseeing ③: Shitennoji Temple tour
    • 14:30 Guided tour ends at hotel / Dismissal

    Title: What's a 4-Hour Private Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shitennoji The guests were visiting Japan from Oceania. They arrived in Japan and were traveling for about two weeks by cruise ship, stopping at various ports around the country to sightsee, with Kobe being their first port of call. Prior arrangements, including discussions about which places to visit, were made in advance with the guests. Although it was a short course of four hours including lunch, we settled on the three essential Osaka spots: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shitennoji Temple. On the day, rain was forecast for the afternoon, but it never rained, making for a comfortable tour throughout. The guests were interested in Japanese history, particularly the history of samurai governance, which made Osaka Castle an ideal subject. As it happened, the cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle had begun to fall but still retained a splendid appearance, and the guests took a great many photos and were very satisfied. Next, we enjoyed a stroll around Dotonbori combined with lunch. For lunch we opted for a casual ramen, but due to a malfunction in the computer system at the ramen shop I usually use, we ended up waiting about 20 minutes. Still, the guests seemed to enjoy ramen with its dashi-based broth. Finally, at Shitennoji, one of Osaka's proud ancient temples, they experienced the world of Buddhism. Although the distances on this course are not that great, moving by subway required many transfers and took time, so for the latter half we switched to traveling by taxi. The guests were close to me in age, and during our travels and over lunch, we never ran out of topics — from family to society, education, and raising children. With frank and talkative guests, we had a very enjoyable tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHonmachi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Nipponbashi (Osaka)190JPY
    Section 3SubwayNipponbashi (Osaka)~Shitennojimae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 4SubwayShitennojimae Yuhigaoka~Honmachi240JPY
    Total810JPY

    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: Entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at hotel
    • 10:30 Entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 15:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 16:00 Shibuya Station Dismissal

    Title: What Is a 6-Hour Private Harajuku and Shibuya Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America during a school spring break, on a trip that combined stays in two Asian cities. I guided them on their first day in Tokyo. After exchanging messages with the guests several times about the itinerary, we decided to spend around six hours mainly in Harajuku. We met at 10:00 in the lobby of the guests' hotel and took a taxi to the area in front of Harajuku Station. From around 10:30, we spent about an hour and a half slowly enjoying Takeshita Street. The guests tried a candied fruit treat and a micro-pig cafe, browsed clothing shops that caught their interest, and selected items while converting the prices into dollars and discussing them together. They found many things they liked and carefully narrowed down their choices. Just after 12:00, we visited an eyewear shop, where I helped with the eye exam and placing an order. At the restaurant we chose for lunch, we were seated quickly since it was a later hour, but the shop was very busy, and part of the lunch set we ordered was not served. The staff were so busy that it was hard to get their attention, and eventually the miso soup arrived. However, even though it was a hand-rolled sushi restaurant, the ginger and wasabi never came before we finished the meal. After receiving an apology from the staff, the guests responded very generously, saying, "It can't be helped — the shop probably had more customers than expected and is short-staffed." I was truly grateful for their understanding. We walked leisurely along Cat Street toward Shibuya, stopping at various shops along the way, including vintage clothing stores and sneaker shops. The tour ended at Shibuya Station at 16:00.

    Hello!
    I’m Maddie, an English-speaking tour guide.
    As a guide, I have been attending bus tours, Tokyo walk-around tours, and also, sumo wrestling tournaments tours.
    I have lived in Tokyo for nearly 30 years and have enjoyed walking around this city, full of wonder, mixture of nature and artificial structures. I am happy to share my experience with you.
    My hobbies are reading books including Manga, watching films including Anime. I like to watch various sorts of sports. I like to visit museums. And I am a tea ceremony practitioner, so I am quite familiar with green tea (matcha) and Japanese sweets.
    I am looking forward to seeing you!

    Jun 4, 2026
    vadk2026
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo2026
    We had an excellent 6-hour walking tour around Tokyo with Maddie.…

    May 30, 2026
    Heather_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfect intro to Japan!
    We had a 4 hour private tour on…

    May 29, 2026
    jasonbO4660LV
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Afternoon in west Tokyo
    Maddie was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who maintained…

    May 8, 2026
    sebastianzO2366GR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great
    We had a good time walking with Maddie through Tokio. She…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Kobe Port Terminal & Shin-Kobe Station

    Hyogo in One Day: Kobe Port Terminal & Shin-Kobe Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30. Kobe Port Terminal
    • 10:16 Shin-Kobe Shinkansen Nozomi No. 10
    • 10:43 Kyoto Station
    • 11:00 Board car
    • 11:30-12;00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 12:30-13:00 Lunch (Kura Sushi Minami Inter)
    • 13:30-15:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 15:00-15:30 Gion
    • 15:33-15:40 Takashimaya Super Mario photo
    • 16:00 Kyoto Station
    • 16:46 Shinkansen Nozomi No. 41
    • 17:14 Arrive at Shin-Kobe Station
    • 17:30 Taxi stand
    • Tour ends

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion The guests were a group from North America. There was some concern about whether everyone could manage the walking, but they kept up without falling behind. We visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, where they experienced the Omokaru-ishi stone and the "value-rising pine," and listened attentively to my explanations about how to worship. Around lunchtime, when I asked what the group would like to eat, the answer was sushi, so I took them to a Kura Sushi near the interchange. We were seated right away, and they enjoyed the games at Kura Sushi before we headed to Kiyomizu-dera. We were able to enter the parking lot relatively smoothly and had plenty of time, so the guests enjoyed not only worshipping but also shopping, which pleased them. We then headed to Gion, walked along Hanamikoji, did some shopping on Shijo Street, and thanks to the driver's kindness took photos at the Super Mario display in Takashimaya before heading to Kyoto Station. We had about 40 minutes at Kyoto Station and enjoyed a coffee time, then returned to Shin-Kobe Station on the 16:46 Shinkansen. The tour concluded at the taxi stand.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal~Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)~Shin-Kobe Station/Kobe Municipal Bus210JPY
    Section 3OtherShin-Kobe Station~Kyoto Station5,740JPY
    Total6,160JPY

    Hello, my name is Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Rahul_P
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Tour
    Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour…

    Jul 7, 2026
    782MarkS782
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Harumi and Kyoto
    This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…

    Jun 25, 2026
    JenCBear
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great visit with a great guide Harumi
    Harumi was a fantastic guide…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Andrew_M
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Amazing guided experience
    Harumi is an amazing guide.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet the guest at the hotel
    • 11:20 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise, Main Hall, lunch
    • 13:50 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 15:20 Meiji Shrine
    • 16:30 Shinjuku Station, tour ends

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine The guests were an elderly group from Europe. After traveling by subway to Asakusa, I explained Japanese history, the difference between temples and shrines, the origins of Senso-ji Temple, and the surrounding buildings at the Culture and Tourism Center. Afterward, the guests seemed to enjoy shopping as we walked through the Kaminarimon Gate and along the Nakamise shopping street. After praying at the main hall, we had lunch. We then moved by subway to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, entering from Otemachi, and strolled while talking about the shogun, feudal lords, and Edo Castle. In the Japanese garden at the end, the guests were deeply impressed by the beautifully maintained pines and azaleas. We traveled by subway to Meiji Shrine, and after explaining Emperor Meiji and the shrine, we walked along the approach and prayed at the main hall. We then returned to Shinjuku Station by JR, where the tour concluded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku (Tokyo Metro)~Asakusa280JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shinjuku160JPY
    Total830JPY

    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
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    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
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shigeru is an outstanding guide for an outstanding Tokyo tour
    Shigeru is…

  • Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour

    Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 10:00 Tour starts from the hotel
    • Travel: On foot to Kenrokuen, via Oyama Shrine and Kanazawa Castle Park
    • AM 11:20-11:50 Tea ceremony experience at Shigure-tei in Kenrokuen
    • AM 11:50- PM 12:30 Tour of Kenrokuen
    • PM 12:30-13:00 Light meal
    • Travel: On foot to Morihachi Kanazawa Confectionery Wooden Mold Museum
    • PM 13:15-13:35 Tour of the Kanazawa Confectionery Wooden Mold Museum
    • Travel: On foot to Ohi Museum
    • PM 13:40-13:50 Tour of the Ohi-yaki store
    • Travel: On foot to Higashi Chaya District
    • PM 14:00-15:00 Tour of Shima and Utasu Shrine
    • Travel: Bus to Korinbo
    • PM 15:20-16:00 Nagamachi Samurai District area, tour of the Nomura Family and Takada Family residences PM 16:00 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Tea and Culture Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was a Kanazawa Food & Tea Culture Full-Day Private Tour with a government-licensed guide, so I had booked a tea experience at Shigure-tei and planned to focus on Ohi ware and traditional sweets, with a seasonal meal at Omicho Market. However, the guests did not seem very interested in that, so we ended up having a simple lunch at Kenrokuen instead. After that, as usual, I guided them around the Chaya district and the Nagamachi samurai residence area, which concluded the tour. I believe the guests enjoyed the culture of Kanazawa, including its tea culture.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHashiba-cho/Hokuriku Railroad Bus~Korinbo/Hokuriku Railroad Bus220JPY
    Total220JPY

    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。

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet 9:10 Daigatake By bus to Togendai 9:30 Pirate Ship 10:10 Arrive at Motohakone Port Lake Ashi shore Mt. Fuji 10:40 By bus to Hakone Checkpoint Maruyama Bussan present shopping 11:20 From the checkpoint by bus via Yunessun 12:00 The Hakone Open-Air Museum 13:21 From the museum by bus to the Hakone Glass Forest Museum 14:45 From the same museum by bus to Daigatake 15:05 Dismissal Guests walk to the hotel.

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Lake Ashi and the Open-Air Museum Because one of the guests was uncomfortable with heights and could not take the ropeway, the plan was changed on the spot to travel by sightseeing cruise from Togendai. This turned out to be a great decision, as Mount Fuji, which had not been visible at the start, gradually came into view along the way and could be seen perfectly at Motohakone Port. The guests were deeply moved. At Maruyama Bussan, they encountered a "karakuri box," a Japanese puzzle box, and were amazed by it and made a purchase. They had wished to visit the Hakone Glass Forest Museum, but since the weather was good, I also guided them to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. The guests had to eat light convenience store meals while standing, so I think it was quite a demanding schedule. They are returning to North America tomorrow, and they kindly told me that out of their entire trip, today was the best day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Viewing each deck of Tokyo Skytree

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Viewing each deck of Tokyo Skytree

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Hotel (Hyatt Regency Yokohama)
    • 09:45 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:45 Harajuku (Takeshita Street / Omotesando)
    • 11:45 Imperial Palace (Imperial Palace East Gardens)
    • 13:15 Purchase same-day tickets for Tokyo Skytree
    • 13:30 Lunch (Solamachi / Nagoya Binchotan)
    • 14:30 Viewing each deck of Tokyo Skytree
    • 16:00 Return trip
    • 17:30 Arrive at hotel

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had a full day of Tokyo sightseeing before boarding a cruise departing from Yokohama Port to travel around various parts of Japan. Each had certain circumstances to consider, such as not being comfortable with crowded trains, having dietary restrictions, and finding extended walking a little difficult, so we spent plenty of time exchanging messages in advance to prepare the tour itinerary. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful on the day, and the conversation flowed easily, so the guests seemed to comfortably enjoy sightseeing at Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. We also had lunch at Tokyo Skytree, where the guests greatly enjoyed the experience of eating "hitsumabushi," which I had recommended in advance, following its unique method of preparation and eating, and they were able to create wonderful memories.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMotomachi-Chukagai~Meiji-jingumae720JPY
    Section 2TrainOmotesando~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Oshiage210JPY
    Section 4TrainOshiage~Ueno290JPY
    Section 5TrainUeno~Yokohama580JPY
    Section 6TrainYokohama~Motomachi-Chukagai230JPY
    Total2,210JPY

    Welcome guests!

    I am Masa Abe, though everyone calls me MASA. For over 40 years, I worked as an in-house lawyer for one of the most renowned Japanese companies in the world. During my tenure, I spent eight and a half years in New York, where I had the pleasure of studying, working, and making friends with wonderful people. I truly enjoyed living and traveling in the U.S.

    After retiring from the company in 2023, I pursued a new path and soon qualified as a National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter. As your guide, I am excited to offer professional and heartfelt services to you, my new friends from abroad.

    Best wishes, MASA

    May 21, 2025
    CraigMaplewood
    Informative and knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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    May 15, 2025
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    I had a great time on…

    May 8, 2025
    Catherine_R
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    Apr 25, 2025
    TomQ188
    A wonderful day in Tokyo
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    My wife and I had a wonderful…