Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo: Imperial Palace / Nijubashi Bridge & Shibuya Crossing

    Tokyo: Imperial Palace / Nijubashi Bridge & Shibuya Crossing

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:30 Imperial Palace / Nijubashi Bridge
    • 10:30 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
    • 13:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:00 Shibuya Crossing
    • 15:00 Tour ends at the hotel

    What's a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They said they had come to Tokyo just to see the cherry blossoms, so we focused on places where they could enjoy them, following their wishes. First we headed to the Imperial Palace and Nijubashi Bridge, where they enjoyed the rows of cherry trees along the moat, and they were also amazed by the natural beauty of the Imperial Palace grounds. As one of the guests was interested in photography, they seemed delighted to find such perfect subjects. At Shinjuku Gyoen, the recent rainy weather had caused the cherry blossoms to pass their peak and begin turning to leaves, but even so, the overwhelming number of cherry trees moved the guests greatly, and they kept pressing the shutter. At Meiji Shrine, they were again struck by the natural beauty, and they were very pleased to see a bride and groom during a wedding ceremony. Finally, at the Shibuya crossing, they were amazed by the enormous crowds and delighted by an experience that can only be had there. From a photographer's point of view as well, they said they were completely satisfied with everything.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 10:00 Tour starts at Kanazawa Station
    • Travel to Hashibacho by bus
    • AM 10:30-1130 Higashi Chaya District, Shima tour, Utasu Shrine
    • Travel to Kenrokuen-shita by bus
    • PM 12:00-12:45 Kenrokuen Garden tour
    • PM 12:45-13:45 Kanazawa Castle Park, tour of Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya, Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura
    • Travel on foot to Omicho Market PM 14:00 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe on a close family trip. During the pre-tour consultation they had asked a number of questions, and they were staying at an onsen ryokan in the countryside a little outside Kanazawa, relaxing and enjoying their stay there. Although the weather was a bit rainy on the day of the tour, the guests enjoyed Kanazawa with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, visiting Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. Since the guests wished to have lunch at Omicho Market, I took them there, and after explaining the Nagamachi samurai district for them to explore on their own, the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKanazawa Station/Hokutetsu Bus~Hashibacho/Hokutetsu Bus220JPY
    Section 2BusHashibacho/Hokutetsu Bus~Kenrokuen-shita・Kanazawa Castle/Hokutetsu Bus220JPY
    Total440JPY

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Kawaramachi

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Kawaramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at M's EST Kyoto Station
    • 10:10 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:50 Arashiyama
    • 13:00 Lunch in Arashiyama
    • 14:40 Kawaramachi (Takashimaya)
    • 15:00 End at Shijo Kawaramachi

    Title: What Is a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from Oceania. Although a visit to the Arashiyama Monkey Park had originally been requested, we canceled it due to the poor weather. After lunch, the guest wanted to do some shopping in the city, so I guided them briefly around a department store in Kawaramachi before ending the tour. We took quite a lot of time for photography, so we were able to sightsee at a relaxed pace. Despite the unfortunate rain, I was glad that we could still see the cherry blossoms. The guest planned to explore Kyoto on their own for the following two days, and since they had various questions, I was happy to share plenty of information, which they greatly appreciated.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKujo (Kyoto Prefecture)~Kitaoji290JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)/Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Kitano-Hakubaicho/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4TrainKitano-Hakubaicho~Arashiyama (Keifuku Line)250JPY
    Section 5TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)~Kyoto-Kawaramachi240JPY
    Total1,240JPY

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

    Kuni

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 8:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 9:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 10:45 Asakusa (Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, Lunch @ Yoroi
    •    ya)
    • 14:00 Disband @ Shinjuku Gyoen

    What Can You See on a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Asakusa in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had been to Japan several times before, but this time the whole group was traveling together. Since they had never seen cherry blossoms, their main goal was to enjoy the sakura. Unfortunately, it started to rain around the time we arrived in Asakusa, but we were still able to see the cherry blossoms along the Sumida River and at Senso-ji Temple. At Nakamise, the guests enjoyed strawberry daifuku, melon bread, and sweet potato treats. One request from the group was a crème brûlée-style sweet potato dessert. This was a type I had not known about myself either. Since the guests said they wanted to stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen after the tour, we parted ways in front of the Shinjuku Gate.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya~Asakusa260JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Shinjuku-gyoemmae260JPY
    Total840JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Shinjuku Hyatt Regency Tokyo ~ Shinjuku Central Park ~ Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory ~ 11:10 Tochomae Station ~ Harajuku via Yoyogi ~ 11:25 Meiji Shrine ~ 13:05 Takeshita Street ~ Harajuku Intersection ~ Harajuku Station ~ Shibuya Hachiko ~ Shibuya Scramble Crossing ~ 14:00 Lunch at LION on the 4th floor of Mark City ~ 15:18 Ginza Line Shibuya Station ~
    • 15:58 Asakusa Station ~ Tobu Asakusa Underground Shopping Street ~ Sumida Park ~ Sensoji Temple ~ 17:30 Asakusa Station ~ 17:48 ~ Ginza Station. 17:55 dismissal.

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Asakusa The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were all cheerful and pleasant people, and it was a pleasure to guide them. Compared with the previous three days, the weather was fine and perfect for guiding, which was fortunate. I greatly adjusted the plan and flexibly rearranged the destinations, focusing on the places they wanted to visit and had not yet seen. We ended up taking two coffee breaks in a single day, more than a usual tour, which resulted in some loss of time, but the conversation never ran out during those breaks, and I was able to guide them in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. At Meiji Shrine, I explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism and the Japanese view of religion, and I also handed out an English document giving an overview of Japanese history and the difference between the Emperor and the Shogun. At Meiji Shrine we came across a wedding procession. Some of the guests wrote wishes on paper to offer, and purchased charms and talismans, spending about 15,000 yen each. For lunch, I initially considered tonkatsu at a restaurant in Shibuya, but when we arrived the place was full. Since we were a group of seven in total, we were able to enter LION right away, where some had beer and others had chilled sake or white wine. They seemed to enjoy the food as well, and we had a pleasant meal in a private room. As for Hachiko, the guests had seen the film "Hachi" starring Richard Gere, so going to Shibuya was a good choice. At Asakusa, while explaining kabuki, I demonstrated the mie pose used in kabuki, and they struck the same pose for photos. That evening, I received an email saying they had enjoyed the tour very much and that they would recommend me to their friends back home.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTochomae~Yoyogi Station / Shibuya Ward, Tokyo180JPY
    Section 2TrainYoyogi Station / Shibuya Ward, Tokyo~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Asakusa Station / Taito Ward, Tokyo260JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa~Ginza210JPY
    Total810JPY

    Hello, new friends! I’m Akio Yasui. I was born in Kyoto City and graduated from Doshisha University in Kyoto and moved to Tokyo for working. I used to work for international companies as a marketing advertising specialist. I have been to fourty five different countries until now and been to all prefectures in Japan.
    I have deep knowledge of both traditional and modern culture of Japan based on my experience in Kyoto, Tokyo and their surrounding areas such as Kamakura, Nikko, Nara, Osaka. I can design exclusive and the optinum itineray for you and guide you not only to ordinary tour courses but also casual or hidden locations. My task is making you enjoy Japan and like our culture and people. Let me guide you any where you want to visit and enjoy Japan together.

    Mar 30, 2026
    851murraya
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Good time in Hakone
    Akey did a great job setting the…

    Oct 11, 2025
    S
    Stephen_M
    Incredible day in Hakone
    Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr Akey showed me an amazing…

    May 4, 2025
    AliS7090
    Great experience
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Akito, our private tour leader, was a fabulous…

    Mar 30, 2025
    Mark_B
    You can tailor make this…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    You can tailor make this to anything…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 11:00 Meet at ANA InterContinental Tokyo
    • 2. 11:45 Chidorigafuchi
    • 3. 13:00 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple)
    • 4. 14:40 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street)
    • 5. 16:15 Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing)
    • 6. 16:40 Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho)
    • 7. 17:00 Dismissal at Shinjuku

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like in Cherry Blossom Season? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had already visited Osaka and Kyoto, with Tokyo as the final destination of their trip. The itinerary had mostly been decided through communication with a travel advisor, but since some cherry blossoms were still in bloom, we changed part of the plan and added Chidorigafuchi. At first the guests admired the view with great emotion, but perhaps put off by the large crowds, they suggested moving on to the next location, so we wrapped up there. Also, since there was a little time left once the planned itinerary had finished, I showed the guests around Shinjuku before concluding the tour. It was a very warm day, allowing the tour to proceed comfortably, and I believe the guests were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTameike-Sanno~Hanzomon180JPY
    Section 2SubwayKudanshita~Asakusa210JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya~Shinjuku200JPY
    Total1,010JPY

    Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
    I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
    Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
    Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
    A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
    I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
    Nobu

    Jun 2, 2026
    amandavW9846AW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo day trip!
    We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

    May 25, 2026
    Matthew_C
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobu was an excellent and…
    Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

    May 24, 2026
    Diane D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
    Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

    Apr 28, 2026
    GrandTour57165664797
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome!
    It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…

  • Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden

    Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at the Peace Memorial Museum
    • 10:00 Peace Memorial Park, Cenotaph, Children's Peace Monument, Rest House, Atomic Bomb Dome, Hypocenter
    • Hondori Shopping Street
    • 12:00 Shukkeien Garden
    • 12:30 Disband at Hiroshima Station

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Memorial Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Body: The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Unfortunately it rained steadily from the morning, but the guests arrived early from their cruise ship to the memorial museum. Thanks to that, we were able to view the exhibits while it was relatively less crowded, which was fortunate. They looked carefully at each of the displays inside, deepening their understanding. The rain grew heavier, but at the Cenotaph in the park and the Children's Peace Monument, we viewed them briefly since they had already read the explanations at the museum. After that we went to the Rest House, where they asked many questions while looking at the diorama on the third floor, the piano on the second floor, and the memoir of Mr. Eizo Nomura in the basement. What they seemed most deeply interested in was how long the radiation had remained. It was a tour in which each fact was carefully confirmed one by one. After that, we visited the Atomic Bomb Dome and the hypocenter. What they seemed to enjoy most was passing through the Hondori shopping street, where everyone looked around with great interest. Finally we stopped by Shukkeien Garden, admired the cherry blossoms that still remained, and parted at the station. They were bright and able to enjoy anything. Every place was overflowing with tourists, but they appeared to have had a very enjoyable and satisfying time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHatchobori Station~Shukkeien-mae Station240JPY
    Total240JPY

    My name is Yuka Yoshida. I am a Hiroshima Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I was born and raised in Tokyo. I lived in the U.K. and the U.S. for 10 years, when I had chances to travel different cities in those countries, as well as India, Ghana, Canada. I had wonderful experiences in different cultures and environments there. Since I moved to Hiroshima 18 years ago, I was intrigued by this city, especially Miyajima Island. I love outdoors and playing tennis. I started working as a tourist guide in 2024. I am passionate and enthusiastic about working as a guide, because it gives me enjoyable opportunities of meeting and talking with people and learning new things. I used to work in an elementary school for 13 years as an English teacher. It was a wonderland where classroom atmosphere changed every year so much. With this background, I am versatile to adapt myself to any situations and flexibly accommodate guest’s requests. As a guide, I frequently visit monuments in the Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum, and the magnificent Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima Island.

    Let me tell you briefly about Hiroshima. Hiroshima prefecture is located in western Japan, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the south. There is a famous Japanese garden, Shukkeien Garden in the middle of the city. It was built as a garden for the villa of Nagaakira Asano, the lord of Hiroshima Castle during the early Edo period (1603-1868). You will be surprised to see how peaceful and relaxing the garden is when you browse there. It’s not a huge garden, but it presents a wonderful landscape of a traditional Japanese garden and different beautiful colors every season.

    Hiroshima prefecture is unique, having two World Heritage Sites.

    One of them is the Atomic Bomb Dome. As you can see, Hiroshima is a city of many attractions today, but it is also the place where the world’s first atomic bomb was used on August 6, 1945, near the end of the World War II. The atomic bombing destroyed Hiroshima City completely, killing approximately 140,000 people that was about 40 percent of Hiroshima’s population at that time by the end of 1945. You will be amazed at how the city of Hiroshima has been rebuilt since then. Our tour will visit the monuments in the Peace Memorial Park and provide you with rich information that you cannot find in any guidebook.

    By joining this visit, I am sure that you will better understand why the people of Hiroshima hope for the peaceful world so fervently.
    The other World Heritage Site is Itsukushima Shrine. The entire island of Miyajima is one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan. It is a very popular tourist attraction in the Seto Inland Sea area which is also designated as a national park for its beauty. Itsukushima Shrine has a long history going back to the 6th century. It is very unique and outstanding architecture which attracted people from the ancient time. The shrine and the Big Gate, O-torii, are must-sees.

    Regarding food, Hiroshima offers delicious oysters. On Miyajima Island, you can enjoy shopping on the Omotesando street (a main street) which gives you opportunities to eat out, not only grilled oysters but also some local sweets, such as Momiji-manju (that is like a sponge cake sweets with a shape of maple leaf), lemon beverages and so on. Another delicacy is Okonomiyaki, savory pancakes with a lot of vegetables with your choice of numerous toppings which you should definitely try.

    I truly hope that your trip in Hiroshima will be a memorable one. I am so thrilled and delighted to see that every guest is satisfied with this tour. Please feel free to contact me for your customized tour. I will do my best to make your tour very special and memorable for your lifetime.

    Mar 30, 2026
    m2k0pp
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Excellent Hiroshima Experience!
    Very interesting full day with guide…

    Sep 29, 2025
    414elizeh
    Excellent tour guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yuka made our outing a perfect day of…

    Apr 1, 2025
    samwcook21
    Great day in Hirsoshima
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yuka was great! We enjoyed…

    Oct 18, 2024
    jreiter100
    Inspirational Day in Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    We thoroughly enjoyed our half day…

  • Kyoto: Bamboo Path & Monkey Park

    Kyoto: Bamboo Path & Monkey Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meeting: Hotel Kyoto Oike
    • 11:15 Transfer: Move from hotel to Arashiyama by subway and JR
    • 12:00 Sightseeing ①: Stroll through the "Bamboo Path"
    • 12:30 Sightseeing ②: Visit "Tenryu-ji Temple"
    • 12:30 Sightseeing ③: Stroll across "Togetsukyo Bridge", move to lunch venue
    • 13:30 Lunch/Break (west end of Togetsukyo Bridge, udon restaurant "Arashiyama-tei")
    • 14:30 Transfer: Move from lunch venue to Monkey Park
    • 14:50 Sightseeing ④: Visit "Monkey Park"
    • 16:10 Transfer: Move from Hankyu Arashiyama to hotel
    • 17:00 Guide ends and disband at hotel

    What's a Private Kyoto Arashiyama & Bamboo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests this time were a group visiting Japan from North America (at the guests' request, one of the adults is not included in the photo). Pre-tour communication about the destinations was handled with the travel agency and one of the guests. Since this tour, as its title "Kyoto Arashiyama & Bamboo" suggests, is mainly aimed at fully experiencing Arashiyama, I proposed the itinerary of "Bamboo Grove ⇒ Tenryu-ji ⇒ Togetsukyo Bridge ⇒ lunch and break ⇒ Mt. Iwata / Monkey Park," which was accepted. On the day, the previous day's rain had cleared, the temperature was around 20 degrees, and the cherry blossoms were at their peak everywhere in Kyoto — it was perfect sightseeing weather. At the Hotel we exchanged brief greetings and confirmed the itinerary, and the guests happily agreed to it. One consideration for the day was to take care not to overexert the youngest member of the group, a small child. Regarding Arashiyama and Sagano, I gave a general explanation on the train during the ride that, because of its natural beauty, the area had been a resort (villa area) for the imperial family, nobility, and shoguns since ancient times, and that as a result it had many shrines and temples along with numerous villas, making it one of the most charming places in Kyoto. On site, we proceeded through the Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji, letting the guests enjoy the essence of Kyoto. Next, taking a side path from Tenryu-ji to the Oi River and Togetsukyo Bridge, the guests could not help but exclaim "Amazing!!" at the scenery spreading before them. From Togetsukyo Bridge, they could take in the magnificent views of Arashiyama with its patchwork of mountain cherry blossoms, the flow of the Oi River, and the elegant buildings on the far bank, and the guests took photo after photo. Next came a somewhat late lunch and break. Since Arashiyama has several restaurants that serve delicious udon, I recommended udon this time as well and had obtained the guests' agreement in advance. As it was a popular restaurant (Nakanoshima, Arashiyama-tei), there was about a 30-minute wait, but while I waited in line on their behalf, the guests enjoyed the cherry blossoms in full bloom on Nakanoshima. The udon here was very well received by the guests, and I was again thanked for this choice. Finally came "Mt. Iwata / Monkey Park." The entrance was very close to the lunch spot, and after climbing Mt. Iwata, about 300 meters in elevation, for 20 minutes, we reached the top. After I explained how to interact with the monkeys, I announced, "From now, you have 30 minutes of free time. Please enjoy it fully," and the guests explored as they wished. When I later asked for everyone's impressions, this experience seemed to be the most enjoyable place not only for the adults but especially for the youngest member of the group. Blessed with fine weather and the season, the guests were able to enjoy a wonderful Kyoto tour. It was a truly rewarding tour for a guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto Shiyakusho-mae~Saga-Arashiyama420JPY
    Section 2TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Total620JPY

    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…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Shoyoen Garden & Convenience store ATM

    Tochigi in One Day: Shoyoen Garden & Convenience store ATM

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the lobby of Hotel Okunoin Tokugawa
    •    Guidance about today's itinerary, etc.
    •    10-minute walk from the hotel to the bus stop
    • 9:31 Board the bus at Tamozawa Imperial Villa
    • 9:50 JR Nikko Station Assist with seat reservations for the Shinkansen on April 5th and 10th
    • 10:05 Board the bus
    • 10:15 Shoyoen Garden
    • 10:45 Rinnoji Temple Sanbutsudo Hall
    • 11:15 Shinkyo Bridge
    • 11:40 Lunch at Myogetsubo
    • 13:10 Convenience store ATM
    • 13:30 Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 15:00 Tour ends at the hotel

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like for Overseas Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had traveled all over the world, and this trip was part of a four-month journey that began in November. They shared many interesting stories from their past travels. The guests had no allergies but preferred not to eat fish or tofu. Since the meals at their hotel had been fully Japanese-style, and in Tokyo they had mostly been eating pizza and pasta, we went out for steak. (In the end they ordered hamburg steak.) The restaurant was set in a former temple building, so they enjoyed a distinctly Japanese atmosphere while being satisfied with the delicious meat dish and cheesecake. Since one of the guests had some difficulty with stairs, I tried to use slopes as much as possible to reduce any strain. The guests were very warm-hearted, and it was a day full of conversation and laughter from beginning to end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusNikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park/Tobu Bus~JR Nikko Station/Tobu Bus350JPY
    Section 2OtherJR Nikko Station/Tobu Bus~In front of the statue of Shodo Shonin220JPY
    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…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: JR Miyajima Ferry

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: JR Miyajima Ferry

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal
    • 8:10 JR Miyajima Ferry
    • 8:20 Arrive at Miyajima
    • Itsukushima Shrine, other historical buildings, cherry blossom spots, Omotesando Shopping Street, lunch
    • 12:00 Disband at Miyajima Omotesando

    Title: What Is a Private Cherry Blossom and Deer Tour in Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from Europe. From a conversation about how they spoke multiple languages, we had an interesting discussion comparing how languages are learned in their home region with language education in Japan. We spent a great deal of time strolling around to view the cherry blossoms, which had reached nearly full bloom. In addition, the guests very much enjoyed photographing the deer, which showed calm and gentle expressions.

    Welcome to Hiroshima.
    My name is Hiroshi Tsuji, a licensed guide based in Hiroshima and Miyajima. My family has been connected to Miyajima for more than 300 years, and I am pleased to share the history, culture, and daily life of this unique island with visitors from around the world. Please feel free to call me Hiroshi.
    With a background in outdoor sports—including rock climbing, scuba diving, and long-distance triathlons—I have completed several Ironman races abroad. I studied in Kyoto and later worked in management at a publicly listed company, which allowed me to live in many different regions of Japan and develop a deeper understanding of the country’s diverse culture and history.
    In Hiroshima, I guide guests through the Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and share perspectives on the history of Hiroshima and modern Japan.
    In Miyajima, I introduce Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, the island’s beautiful scenery, and its local cuisine. As someone whose family has been connected to Miyajima for generations, I also enjoy sharing local insights and experiences that offer a more personal connection to the island’s culture and way of life.
    I look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima and Miyajima.
    Hiroshi

    Jul 31, 2026
    Helene R
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Experienced guide Hiroshi
    Hiroshi was a great experienced…

    Jul 26, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Miyajima Half-Day customized tour with licensed local guide (Hiroshi)
    We went…

    Jul 17, 2026
    oswaldom406
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour, Fantastic guide!
    We had an absolutely wonderful…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Jennifer L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Perfect day in Miyajima and Hiroshima
    Hiroshi is…