Category: Uncategorized

  • Kochi: Kochi New Port & Katsurahama Beach

    Kochi: Kochi New Port & Katsurahama Beach

    Kochi Shore Excursion: Customized Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Kochi New Port
    • 10:20 Sunday Market
    • 11:00 Kochi Castle　
    • 11:20 Kochi Castle Museum of History
    • 11:45 Hirome Market
    • 12:00 Lunch @Obiya Kansuke
    • 13:00 Obiyamachi Shopping Street
    • 14:15 Chikurin-ji Temple
    • 14:50 Katsurahama Beach
    • 15:50 Kochi New Port

    Title: What Is a Private Sunday Market Walking Tour in Kochi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Since it happened to be a Sunday, I guided the guests through the Sunday Market. They seemed to have a great time buying mandarin oranges and yakitori, and looking at bladed goods. It was my first time guiding guests using an electric wheelchair, and it was a valuable experience for the future, such as avoiding gravel paths and arranging for charging at a restaurant during lunch. The temperature was high that day and there was a lot of walking, so I suggested a cafe break, but the guests preferred to prioritize shopping. At the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, the guests enjoyed shopping, buying a wooden statue of a Bodhisattva at a Buddhist goods store and purchasing a scarf at a department store.

    Click here for more details: Kochi Shore Excursion: Customized Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Keiko

    Hello, I am Keiko.
    I was born and raised in Kochi Prefecture which is blessed with beautiful rivers, mountains and the ocean.
    I majored in English in college and enjoy communicating with people in English. I have also worked at a university, assisting international students from admission to graduation.
    I consider myself friendly and enjoy helping others.
    In my free time, I visit an onsen, swim, do yoga and watch TV dramas.
    I am also a big foodie! I would be happy to recommend some great restaurants and bars.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Kochi.

    Request Booking

    Apr 5, 2026
    Giovanni_M
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kochi Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Fantastic
    Our tour was just amazing worth every moment and…

    Mar 18, 2026
    Victor_P
    Great tour.
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kochi Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Keiko was great. Very friendly and accommodating. The…

    Jun 19, 2025
    Brad_M
    Best Tour of our Entire Trip to Japan
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kochi Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    We had…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Nunobiki Herb & Hakutsuru Sake Brewery

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Nunobiki Herb & Hakutsuru Sake Brewery

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Kobe Port Terminal
    • 10:45 at Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 12:00 at Kitano Foreign Residence (Moegi House)
    • 13:15 at Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
    • 14:30 Dismissal at Sannomiya (Steak Restaurant)

    What Does a Private Kobe Day Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and they moved around smoothly throughout the day. One of the guests seemed to enjoy photography and eagerly took photos not only at each spot but also of the cityscape and street scenes. From the top of Nunobiki Herb Garden, they were delighted to be able to see with the naked eye the cruise ship they had arrived on. At the Kitano Ijinkan area, they toured the "Moegi House," a former foreign consular residence, with great interest. At the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, which they had been looking forward to, they listened attentively to the guide's explanations and asked many questions. In addition to the free tasting, they also enjoyed some of the paid options. After finishing each spot, they expressed a strong wish to eat authentic "Kobe Beef," which they had also been greatly looking forward to, so I guided them to a restaurant I recommended, where we parted ways. I presented one of the guests with a handmade drawstring pouch made by my family member, which was very warmly received.

    Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal～Sannomiya (Kobe New Transit)210JPY
    Section 2SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)～Shin-Kobe210JPY
    Section 3SubwayShin-Kobe～Sannomiya (Kobe Municipal)210JPY
    Section 4TrainSannomiya～Sumiyoshi (Hyogo, Hanshin Line)200JPY
    Section 5TrainSumiyoshi (Hyogo, Hanshin Line)～Sannomiya200JPY
    Total1,030JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Request Booking

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

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

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera & Ryoan-ji

    Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera & Ryoan-ji

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel)
    • 9:00-10:10 Travel (Subway; Imadegawa→Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Train; Keihan Sanjo→Kiyomizu-Gojo)
    • 10:10-11:40 Kiyomizu-dera visit (including Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Koshin-do)
    • 11:40-12:20 Travel (Keihan Train; Gion-Shijo→Keihan Sanjo, Subway; Sanjo Keihan→Nijojo-mae)
    • 12:20-13:50 Nijo Castle visit
    • 13:50-14:20 Travel (City Bus; Nijojo-mae→Waratenjin-mae)
    • 14:20-15:10 Lunch (CoCo Hanana / near Kinkaku-ji)
    • 15:10-15:40 Travel (City Bus; Waratenjin-mae→Ryoanji-mae)
    • 15:40-16:30 Ryoan-ji visit
    • 16:30-17:00 Travel (City Bus; Ryoanji-mae→Imadegawa)
    • 17:00 Tour end (We took them to Imadegawa, the nearest station to the hotel, ended the tour there, and said goodbye.

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour of Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, and Ryoan-ji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. The tour was originally planned for a larger group, but the night before the tour, I received a message that one of the guests suddenly needed to return home, so it became a smaller party. Because of this, on the morning of the tour I contacted the restaurant to reduce the number of people by one. I took the guests to Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, the Yasaka Pagoda, Koshin-do, Nijo Castle, and Ryoan-ji. Originally, a visit to Kinkaku-ji was also planned, but during the visit to Kiyomizu-dera, the guests requested to take their time, saying that for the latter part of the day just one of either Kinkaku-ji or Ryoan-ji would be enough. So we changed the plan to visit only Ryoan-ji, which could be enjoyed relatively quietly and where the guide's explanation was more needed. Because of this, I contacted the restaurant again to ask for a change in the reservation time. At Wara Tenjin, the bus was significantly delayed, and I kept the guests waiting at the bus stop for more than 20 minutes. However, as a result, by skipping Kinkaku-ji we were able to see the guests off at their nearest station right on schedule. Both guests said the order of Ryoan-ji, Nijo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera worked out well. It was a tour with quite a few changes to adapt to along the way.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayImadegawa～Sanjo (Kyoto)260JPY
    Section 2TrainSanjo (Kyoto)～Kiyomizu-Gojo180JPY
    Section 3TrainGion-Shijo～Sanjo (Kyoto)180JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo (Kyoto)～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5BusNijojo-mae／Kyoto City Bus～Waratenjin-mae／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6BusWaratenjin-mae／Kyoto City Bus～Ryoanji-mae／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 7BusRyoanji-mae／Kyoto City Bus～Imadegawa230JPY
    Total1,530JPY

    Tour Report by Michi

    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 !

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Nara in One Day: Kasuga Taisha Main Sanctuary & Nakatanidou

    Nara in One Day: Kasuga Taisha Main Sanctuary & Nakatanidou

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet @Kintetsu Nara Station
    • 10:00 @Kasuga Taisha Main Sanctuary
    • 10:30 @Wakamiya Shrine, Meoto Daikoku Shrine
    • 11:30 @Todaiji Great Buddha Hall
    • 12:00 @Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine
    • 12:30 @Nara Park, Kofukuji Temple (exterior only)
    • 13:00 Lunch
    • 14:00 @Naramachi Museum, Nigiwai no Ie, Goryo Shrine
    • 15:00 @Nakatanidou
    • 15:30 Dismissal @Kintetsu Nara Station

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Nara from Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests had toured Kyoto with a guide the previous day. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide explained the differences between the temples of Kyoto and Nara: Kyoto's temples belong to many diverse Buddhist sects and feature elaborate architecture and gardens due to the deep involvement of aristocrats and the shogunate, while Nara's temples are larger in scale and strongly reflect the idea of Buddhism as protection for the nation. After visiting Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todaiji Temple, the guests strolled through Naramachi, and were particularly interested in the Koshin "substitute monkey" charms. Afterward, at their request, they visited Nakatanidou to see its famous high-speed mochi pounding. Since it was set to begin ten minutes later, we waited and watched the powerful mochi-pounding performance. The tour concluded after seeing the guests off as they boarded a limited express train bound for Kyoto at Kintetsu Nara Station.

    Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKintetsu Nara Station／Nara Kotsu～Todaiji Great Buddha Hall・Kasuga Taisha-mae／Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Total250JPY

    Tour Report by Yuri

    I’m Yuri Takeda, a goverment lisenced English tour guide. I’ve been working as a tour guide for about two years. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been in Nara for about 40 years. I can guide you Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. I like visiting historical sites, eating and cooking. I also like meeting people from different backgrounds. In Japanese, we have a wonderful phrase “Ichigo Ichie”. It means we have to treasure every encounter is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This word came from the spirit of tea ceremony. I’d like to help you discover, enjoy, experience and feel Japanese culture with the heart of Japanese hospitarity, “omotenashi”.

    Request Booking

    Jun 6, 2026
    Jason_B
    Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent, well rounded…
    Excellent, well rounded itinerary with pertinent facts and answers…

    Apr 13, 2026
    Dunka591
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend.
    Yuri is an incredible woman! What an amazing experience, we…

    Jul 28, 2025
    C
    Cedric_S
    Incredible Kyoto Adventure with Yuri
    Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yuri was the heartbeat…

    Jun 25, 2025
    983whitneym
    Beautiful Kyoto Guided Tour With Yuri
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We loved…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa/Senso-ji Temple

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa/Senso-ji Temple

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:30 Chidorigafuchi
    • 14:00 Asakusa/Senso-ji Temple

    What's a Private One-Day Tour of Central Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, Chidorigafuchi, and Asakusa [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of central Tokyo for a group visiting from Asia. The guests were staying in Tokyo and had expressed an interest in Japanese history, so this became a tour covering the main highlights of central Tokyo as they had requested in advance. We first visited Shinjuku Gyoen, which the guests had requested to see first. Although the peak had passed, they were deeply impressed by the magnificent views and wished to spend more time there. Since they could return another day, we then headed to Meiji Shrine. At Meiji Shrine, I explained how Shinto, which forms part of the background of Japanese culture, has influenced Japanese culture, as well as the differences in ways of worship. The guests seemed very moved and worshiped with great sincerity. Next, we visited Chidorigafuchi, which had not originally been planned, so they could enjoy one last chance to view the rows of cherry trees. Finally, we headed to Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple. The guests seemed overwhelmed by the enormous crowds; while they found the views and atmosphere wonderful, they appeared somewhat put off by how crowded it was. They wished to remain and continue exploring the area, so we concluded the tour there.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at ORI KYOTO
    • 10:50 Fushimi Inari
    • 13:00 Lunch in Gion
    • 14:00 Gion
    • 14:30 Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
    • 15:00 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 16:00 End at Kiyomizu-dera

    What Is a Private Family Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family from Europe visiting Japan. Since some of the guests preferred to sit down and take breaks at their own pace, we spent a little extra time accommodating that. One of the guests had a deep interest in Japan and had studied its history, religion, and language quite extensively (they could not speak Japanese but seemed able to catch a little of it when listening). Throughout the tour, I was continually asked questions about Japan. We walked quite a lot, so toward the end the guests appeared a little tired, but even after we parted ways at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they mentioned they would return to slowly explore Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka once more.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo240JPY
    Total610JPY

    Tour Report by Kuni

    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

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Book store in Ginza & Ice cream shop in Ginza

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Book store in Ginza & Ice cream shop in Ginza

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 meet at Hilton Tokyo
    • Taxi to Meiji Shrine arriving 10:15
    • Stayed until 11:05
    • Subway to Shibuya transfer to Ginza
    • 12:05 Lunch Sushi standing at Yurakucho
    • 12:40 Book store in Ginza
    • 13:05 Ginza Six roof top garden
    • 13:30 Ice cream shop in Ginza
    • 13:45 Returning to Shinjuku by Marunouchi subway
    • Tour ends at bus stop to Hilton Tokyo 14:30

    What Is a Private Meiji Shrine, Ginza, and GINZA SIX Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report ■ Tour Content Since it had not been possible to contact the guests in advance, the tour was planned to allow flexible adjustments on the day. We took a taxi from the Hotel to Meiji Shrine. We entered through the Sanguubashi gate, and after visiting the main shrine, exited through the Kita-Sando gate. I was able to guide the group smoothly while relatively avoiding the crowds. At the shrine grounds, the guests experienced purchasing and dedicating an ema (votive tablet), which was especially well received. Afterwards, we had planned to use the Fukutoshin Line from Kita-Sando Station, but depending on conditions I changed the route to go via Shibuya and took the Ginza Line to Ginza. In Ginza, after guiding the group around the 4-chome intersection, we had lunch at a standing sushi restaurant. We were able to enter with no waiting time and proceeded smoothly. After lunch, considering the condition of the guests, I avoided long-distance travel and switched to staying within the Ginza area. We stopped by a bookstore, where a Japanese picture book was purchased. We then enjoyed the view from the rooftop of GINZA SIX. As we had some time to spare, we stopped by a gelato shop. As some of the guests began to show signs of tiredness, while heading back to Shinjuku on the Marunouchi Line I made continuous use of the reference materials from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) to explain Shinjuku Gyoen and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, which were not included in the tour itinerary. Since many facilities are closed on Mondays and the guests wished to visit some places on their own from the next day onward, I provided kind and thorough guidance. ■ Impressions The guests' satisfaction was high throughout, and it was especially memorable to see how much some of the guests enjoyed the experience. I was reminded that, for family groups, structuring the tour around keeping everyone satisfied is very effective. Also, by changing the route and simplifying the itinerary according to the conditions on the day, I was able to run a smooth tour without any strain. ■ Review After the tour, we received a 5-star review on TripAdvisor. The review highly praised the flexible approach tailored to the guests' interests, the thorough explanations, and the guidance to quiet and unique places beyond the standard tourist routes. ① Date the guest posted the review: April ② Review title: Guided tour around Japan ■ Points for Future Improvement – Review the method for confirming advance communication (especially via messaging app) to improve reliability of contact – Devise better wait-time management for experiences during crowded times (such as ema) That is all.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKitasando～Shibuya180JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Ginza210JPY
    Section 3TrainGinza～Shinjuku210JPY
    Total600JPY

    Tour Report by HelloTakeshi

    Hello, my name is Takeshi. I am a national government licensed guide interpreter with over 35 years of professional experience in Japan. Through my long career, I have developed a deep understanding of modern Japan, including its business culture, social customs, and everyday life. Originally from Kobe, I have lived in more than 20 places across Japan and the United States, which has given me a broad and flexible perspective on regional cultures and lifestyles. I am also deeply interested in historical Japan, especially Japanese religion and Buddhism, and I enjoy sharing cultural background in an easy-to-understand way. I am looking forward to meeting you and exploring Japan together.

    Request Booking

    Jul 23, 2026
    L9490ARrachelf
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A tour guide that goes above and beyond!
    Takeshi…

    Jul 21, 2026
    luisvF2957OY
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best experience ever
    Really good guide. Awesome time.

    Jul 18, 2026
    tlT4839UI
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Solo Layover Tour
    I had a 12-hour layover in…

    Jun 13, 2026
    V2750KJjonasb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Takeshi san picked us up on the Hotel and we…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Sanjusangendo

    Hyogo in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Kobe Port Terminal
    • 9:45' Fushimi Inari
    • 11:10 Sanjusangendo
    • 12:00 Lunch (Italian pizza)
    • 13:40 Just as we reached the entrance of Kinkaku-ji, James requested to end the tour due to fatigue. We had no choice but to return to Kobe.
    • 16:00 Dropped off at Kobe Port Terminal and the tour ended

    Title: What Is a Kobe-to-Kyoto Cruise Passenger Private Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came to Kobe by cruise ship. They are currently based in North America, having previously lived elsewhere in North America. Both had some difficulty hearing, so I needed to face them directly when speaking. One of the guests also had difficulty walking and could only move slowly. During our advance discussion, the guests had requested destinations that involved as little walking as possible, so I was concerned about whether a walking tour using public transportation from Kobe would really be feasible. We boarded the JR line from Kobe Sannomiya, but it was during commuting hours and nearly full, so we could not sit down. We were finally able to sit at Osaka Station. On the bus and subway heading toward Kinkaku-ji, there were open seats and I encouraged them to sit, but they declined, so I thought we might be able to continue as planned. However, once we reached the entrance of Kinkaku-ji, one of the guests said they had run out of energy and wished to end the tour, so unfortunately the tour ended partway through. We took a taxi from Kinkaku-ji to Kyoto Station. On the return JR, we were able to sit down early, which put them in good spirits. We arrived back at Kobe Port one hour early and parted ways with the guests. The photo was taken at Fushimi Inari.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherPort Terminal～Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2TrainSannomiya～Inari1,300JPY
    Section 3TrainInari～Tofukuji150JPY
    Section 4OtherTofukuji / Kyoto City Bus～Higashiyama Shichijo230JPY
    Section 5OtherHigashiyama Shichijo～Kyoto Station230JPY
    Section 6OtherKyoto～Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 7OtherKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 8TrainKyoto～Sannomiya1,110JPY
    Section 9OtherSannomiya～Port Terminal210JPY
    Total3,930JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

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    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Tokyo: Nezu Shrine & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo: Nezu Shrine & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hotel Tokyo
    • 8:30 Tsukiji Hongwanji, Outer Market, Namiyoke Shrine
    • 10:20 Ueno Saigo Takamori Statue, Kiyomizu Kannondo, Ueno Park
    • 11:10 Yanaka Cemetery, Yanaka Ginza
    • 12:10 Lunch @ Oshimaya
    • 13:00 Nezu Shrine
    • 13:50 Imperial Palace Kusunoki Masashige Statue, Nijubashi Bridge
    • 14:50 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 16:00 Dismissal @ Ginza Station

    What Can You See on a First Day in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report I guided the group from North America on their first day in Japan. They mentioned that starting the next day they would be joining a group tour traveling across Japan. The weather was lovely and there were many people out, but flowers were blooming everywhere and the guests were delighted by the beautiful scenery. They especially seemed to enjoy Yanaka Cemetery in full cherry blossom, the streets of Yanaka, and Shinjuku Gyoen. In Tsukiji we stopped at a coffee shop, and since the guests wished to have Japanese food for lunch, I took them to a soba restaurant, where they were very pleased with the cozy atmosphere and the flavors. Partway through, one of the guests began to have difficulty walking due to back pain, so I suggested taking a taxi, but they said they would be fine walking slowly, and we used the subway all the way to the end.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza～Tsukiji180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji～Ueno180JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno～Nippori160JPY
    Section 4SubwayNezu～Nijubashimae180JPY
    Section 5SubwayKasumigaseki (Tokyo)～Shinjuku-gyoenmae180JPY
    Section 6SubwayShinjuku-gyoenmae～Ginza180JPY
    Total1,060JPY

    Tour Report by Takako

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

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    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Harukas

    Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Harukas

    Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:35 Meet up @Swissotel Nankai Osaka
    • 10:15-11:45@Osaka Castle
    • 12:15-13:35@Shitennoji Temple, Gokuraku Jodo Garden
    • 13:55-14:15@Harukas (coffee break)
    • 14:45-15:30@Green Osaka, Umeda Sky Building
    • 15:40 Disband @Samurai Jeans Osaka Umeda Main Store

    What Can You See on a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Osaka? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Asia, arranged through a travel agency. Since advance communication had been limited, there was some concern about meeting up on the day, but we joined without any trouble. Following their request to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom, [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour of Osaka Castle and the "Paradise Garden" at Shitennoji Temple. It was memorable to see the guests spending plenty of time taking photos against the backdrop of the beautifully blooming cherry blossoms. For lunch, they had only a vegetable sandwich and coffee. Since one of the guests was not comfortable with heights, at the Umeda Sky Building we did not go up to the rooftop and instead limited the experience to the floating escalator. At the end, I guided them to a shop specializing in carefully crafted Japanese-made jeans as a souvenir for their families, and we parted ways there. The conversation flowed lively throughout, with plenty of shared topics between them.

    Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNamba (Subway)～Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3SubwayTennoji～Umeda (Subway)240JPY
    Total670JPY

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

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    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…