Category: Uncategorized

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel – 11:00 Miyajima – 14:30 Peace Park – 18:00 Hondori (Dismissal)

    What Is a Private Miyajima Tour from Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from Europe. The weather was pleasantly clear and sunny. Although reaching Miyajima by public transport would take a little over two hours each way, at the guests' request we used a direct high-speed boat from the hotel. Thanks to this, the guests were able to fully enjoy Miyajima, including the Great Torii Gate, a stroll along the corridors of Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, and shopping in the shopping street. They were especially delighted with Daisho-in Temple.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherPrince Hotel~Miyajima1,150JPY
    Section 2BusNishi-Hiroshima~Peace Memorial Park / Hiroshima Bus240JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Nishi-Hiroshima330JPY
    Total1,720JPY

    Hello, my name is Sei, a tour guide of Hiroshima, aged 77, quite an old man. But don’t worry, I can compete with young men in walking.

    Since the beginning of this year, I have given tours to 588 tourists from overseas, I enjoy giving the tour at the two world cultural heritage sites in Hiroshima, the Miyajima Island with the magnificent shrine built over the sea, and the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Peace Memorial Park.
    Giving the tour at the Peace Park is more meaningful to me than other sites. The Peace Park is a place of thought-provoking. There, you will further strengthen your awareness of peace.

    Some day in the near future, I will be accompanying you in Hiroshima as your tour guide.
    Till then, by now.

    Sep 20, 2026
    shazmcb67
    Hiroshima walking tour and Miyajima Island
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Sei was a…

    Sep 15, 2026
    Jchanlatte
    Memorable!
    Viator review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Our tour guide…

    Aug 29, 2026
    arzed
    A perfect tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima – thank you, Sei!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour,…

    Aug 18, 2026
    VoyageurCroissy
    À recommander !
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    Nous avons grandement apprécié notre matinée avec Sei,…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 09:00 Meet at Hotel Kyoto
    • ② 09:05 Itinerary explanation and about the history of Kyoto
    • ③ 10:00 Nijo Castle
    • ④ 11:20 Daitoku-ji Temple・Obai-in
    • ⑤ 11:50 Nishiki Market
    • ⑥ 13:15 Sanjusangendo
    • ⑦ 14:20 Ninenzaka・Yasaka Pagoda・Ishibei-koji Alley・Yasaka Shrine
    • ⑧ 15:10 Disband in front of Yasaka Shrine

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on a First Visit to Japan Body: The guests were visiting from Europe, and since this was their first time in Japan, they left the entire plan up to me. One of them spoke English well, while the other was not very comfortable with English and listened to real-time interpretation through earphones. At first, one of the guests kept looking at their phone even while I was talking, and I wondered what they were looking at — it turned out to be the translated text from a simultaneous interpretation app (my English into their language), and once I realized this, I found it rather amusing. The guests were very versatile and multi-talented, running businesses in different fields. One of them enjoyed conversation and talked at length about the current political and economic situation in their home region. While standing before a dry landscape garden at a Zen temple, I was explaining how one empties the mind and frees oneself from the mundane world, but somehow the topic drifted to the economy, heavy taxation, and pension policies back home, and how the middle class was losing motivation. In the end, the conversation strayed from the essence of Zen to cars and to predictions about the future, and I could no longer steer it back to the dry landscape garden. The guests were deeply moved by the Thousand-Armed Kannon at Sanjusangen-do. One of the guests took photos in the restroom at Sanjusangen-do of a child-sized toilet and maternity-friendly facilities and showed them to me, saying how impressive it was. From there the conversation turned to washlet toilets and the pleasant warm water, and it became a very lively discussion. So, while I personally felt I wanted to explain more about the content and found it a little unsatisfying in that respect, the atmosphere was very lively and I believe the guests were very happy, so I too spent a very enjoyable day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto City Hall~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Total220JPY

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Yamanashi: Arakurayama Sengen Park & Narusawa Ice Cave

    Yamanashi: Arakurayama Sengen Park & Narusawa Ice Cave

    Tour Itinerary

    • (All day, traveling by guest's rental car)
    • 09:30 Meet at Kawaguchiko Station
    • 09:45~10:40 At Arakurayama Sengen Park
    • 11:00~12:20 At Oshino Hakkai (Hannoki Museum)
    • 12:40~13:15 At Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
    • 13:40~14:40 Lunch at Kosaku Kawaguchiko Branch
    • 15:00~15:30 At Narusawa Ice Cave
    • 16:00 Dismissal at Tourist Base Kawaguchiko

    What Is a Private Mount Fuji Day Tour Like with a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe on a family trip. We had been in contact by email from the time of the initial booking, and since they had agreed for me to accompany them in their rental car as their guide, the itinerary proceeded smoothly. Because we had discussed the places to visit in advance by email, we were able to keep almost exactly to schedule. Although it was the last day of the Golden Week holiday and Japanese visitors were noticeable at each destination, we did not experience any traffic congestion or waits for parking, so we were able to spend plenty of time at each stop. English was not necessarily their strongest language, so there were some moments when communication was a little difficult, but they were a very pleasant group, and the tour proceeded in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. At Oshino Hakkai I offered them the local specialty kusa-mochi, and after lunch I bought them "Yukimi Daifuku" ice cream at a convenience store, which they enjoyed and found delicious. They also seemed to be very fond of the local dish hoto. At the end, they thanked me many times and told me they were truly glad I had been their guide. Overall, I believe they were very satisfied.

    Hi, I’m May, your guide in Tokyo. Welcome to Japan!
    I have been grown up in Tokyo and working here for more than 45 years, so I’m sure I can share the best attraction of Tokyo with you, such as food, cultural and historic sites, sub-culture, shopping, and nightlife.
    Besides the tour guide, I have been working for a travel agent for more than 30 years, I can advise you the travel plan of not only in Tokyo but all over Japan.
    I had lots of guests from all over the world here in Tokyo, and most of them gave me great and wonderful review.
    I’m sure I can meet all of your demand and expectations, and am ready to welcome you to Japan with the best “Omotenashi” mind, or hospitality.

    Sep 19, 2026
    Plumb72
    Introduction to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide ‘May’ had emailed us several times…

    Aug 31, 2026
    Charlene_E
    You get to experience…
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    You get to experience moving…

    Aug 31, 2026
    labrinir2016
    Excellent- best in class.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We booked a private tour…

    Jul 16, 2026
    fernandorM8865OM
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    Memorable day
    We had a great time. Our guide Meiji…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Kobe Herb Garden & Ijinkan-dori

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Kobe Herb Garden & Ijinkan-dori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at the port
    • 9:00 Arima Onsen town, Gin no Yu footbath, shopping, etc.
    • 11:15 Kobe Herb Garden
    • 12:30 Ijinkan-dori (from the vehicle window)
    • 13:00 Port, disband

    Title: What's a Private Kobe Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arima Onsen and the Herb Garden I had been coordinating the itinerary with the guests' travel agency, and today I arranged the tour according to the guests' requests. As some of the guests found it difficult to walk long distances, we used taxis for transportation at their request. Since the guests wished to visit the Arima Onsen town, enjoy a footbath there, and see a herb garden, we first headed to Arima. The guests very much enjoyed the atmosphere of the hot spring town and the footbath at Gin no Yu. They also strolled around the herb garden, taking in the scenery and the flowers, and fully appreciated the charm of Kobe. The guests were very fond of Kobe, and I was truly delighted.

    Hello, I am a tour guide, Chiyuki. If I write my name in Japanese, it means one thousand happiness. Please call me Chiyuki. I am looking forward to seeing you.
    I have been guiding many visitors from all parts of the world since I became a tour guide.
    I hope Japan can attract many people with beautiful scenery, culture, historical buildings, food and so on. What are you interested in?
    And I couldn’t be happier if I can help you to create memories of a wonderful trip.
    I will make my best effort to satisfy my guests. See you soon. Thank you very much. Chiyuki

    Aug 9, 2026
    Angelika_H
    Viator review: Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide
    Tour
    Super Tour who was Shaped for us…

    Jul 9, 2026
    727tessv
    We had the best time in Kobe
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide Chiyuki was…

    Jun 21, 2026
    M9524SIphilippel
    Tripadvisor review: Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sake tour in Kobe
    Chiyuki is one of the…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Pinoy V
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very interesting and informative.
    Chiyuki kept us informed on our itinerary…

  • Tokyo: Gotokuji Temple & Imperial Palace

    Tokyo: Gotokuji Temple & Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel lobby meet
    • 11:00 Gotokuji Temple
    • 13:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 15:00 Imperial Palace (East Gardens)
    • 16:00 Disband at Otemachi Station ticket gate

    Title: What Are Some Off-the-Beaten-Path Private Tour Spots in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. One of the guests had previously been to Japan many times, and it was the second visit for another after about ten years. Because of this, they wanted to see hidden gems rather than the standard tourist spots, so we first headed to Gotokuji Temple. During the Golden Week holiday, there was a short line to enter the area where the beckoning cat figures are displayed. Afterwards, we strolled around some charming shops selling cat-themed goods. The guests had also never been to Shinjuku Gyoen, so I guided them there. It happened to be Children's Day, when admission was free. The roses in the French garden were in full bloom, which delighted the guests. Finally, we visited the East Gardens, where they looked with great interest at differences in the stone walls and the carp in the Ninomaru Garden.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi~Gotokuji460JPY
    Section 2TrainGotokuji~Shinjuku-gyoemmae380JPY
    Section 3TrainShinjuku-gyoemmae~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total1,050JPY

    Hello! My name is Ayaka.
    I originally come from Osaka, but now live in Saitama . I have a 19-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son.
    My hobbies are cooking, baking sweets, playing the piano and watching movies.

    On weekdays, I work as a part-time English teacher at a boys’ junior high school and a high school. Since 2023, I have started working as a tour guide on weekends and long vacations. It is mainly private tours for small groups.

    I strongly believe that it is my calling to tell the greatest points of Japan to many foreigners. Through my guiding, I will do my best to give you as good an impression of Japan as possible.

    Mar 28, 2026
    Destination424937
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Japan
    Ayaka was knowledgeable and she took us to some historical highlights of Tokyo .

    Mar 19, 2035
    L9685HWdianan
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing Tokyo Tour with Ayaka ? Kind, Knowledgeable & Memorable Experience
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    Maxkerry
    Great day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An excellent day with Ayaka in Tokyo. She…

    Oct 4, 2025
    D
    Donna_S
    Private tour of Tokyo with Ayaka of Japan Guide Agency
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very…

  • Tokyo: Ginza & Shibuya to Akihabara

    Tokyo: Ginza & Shibuya to Akihabara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at MIMARU Tokyo UENO East, take private taxi to Tsukiji Market
    • 8:40 Tsukiji Market, eating tour
    • 10:00 Ginza, stroll
    • 10:40 Meiji Shrine, Spring Grand Festival
    • 11:30 Takeshita Street, Omotesando
    • 12:50 Shibuya, Kuma-chan Onsen lunch
    • 13:40 From Shibuya to Akihabara
    • 14:15 Disband at Akihabara game software store

    Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, and Akihabara Body: The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were very well-mannered and thoughtful throughout the tour. At Tsukiji, the group especially enjoyed the skewered grilled eel, eating several skewers with great satisfaction. At Meiji Shrine, a solemn spring grand festival was being held, and they were delighted that we could visit at such a good time. On Takeshita Street, the group had a wonderful time and did plenty of shopping, enjoying capsule toy machines and character goods shops. For lunch, the group had specifically requested a hot-pot restaurant, which they had learned about from a program on a North American television network. They were well aware of how it worked and finished the entire hot pot. Finally, I saw them off at a game software shop in Akihabara where they had a reservation. They expressed their gratitude, saying it was a thoughtfully arranged tour that kept everyone from getting tired.

    My name is Kris,
    Before becoming a tour guide, I worked for a major steelmaking company as an engineer for many years. During my career, I lived and worked in both Germany and the United States for a total of five years. These experiences helped me understand different cultures and ways of thinking, which now helps me connect easily with guests from around the world.

    After retirement, I chose a second career as a tour guide because I truly enjoy meeting people from different countries and sharing Japanese culture, history, and daily life. I have been working as a guide for more than nine years and continue to enjoy every tour.

    I currently live in Tokyo, but I was born and raised in Kobe, near Osaka, and my family roots are in Kyoto. As a result, I have extensive knowledge not only of Tokyo but also of Kyoto, Osaka, and many other parts of Japan. I enjoy introducing both famous landmarks and hidden local gems that many visitors might otherwise miss.

    I am energetic, friendly, and very sociable. I always try to create tours that are relaxed, flexible, and tailored to my guests’ interests.

    Travel is one of my greatest passions, especially visiting hot spring resorts. I have visited more than 80 onsen destinations throughout Japan, giving me a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and regional traditions.

    Whether you are visiting Japan for the first time or returning for another adventure, I would be delighted to help you discover the real Japan from a local perspective.

    I look forward to meeting you and helping you create wonderful memories in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.

    See you in Japan!

    Kris

    May 10, 2026
    Matt_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful Introduction to Tokyo
    We were so lucky to have Kris-San…

    Apr 29, 2026
    Rebecca_M
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour
    We had such a wonderful…

    Apr 21, 2026
    jacquir581
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We love Kris
    Kris was awesome! He was very flexible when our…

    Apr 2, 2026
    Frank_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A great day in Tokyo
    Great tour with an excellent guide, Kris.…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Naka-Futo Port Terminal & Nankinmachi

    Hyogo in One Day: Naka-Futo Port Terminal & Nankinmachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00. Naka-Futo Port Terminal
    • 9:00-9:40 Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park, Be Kobe, Port Tower
    • 10:15ー10:40 Minatogawa Shrine
    • 11:00-11:50 Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
    • 12:15 Naka-Futo

    Title: What Is a Private Half-Day Kobe Tour Like from a Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Everyone was very cheerful and listened attentively to my explanation about the earthquake disaster. The group climbed the Port Tower, where they received a half-price admission. At Minatogawa Shrine, the guests purchased zodiac charms, and I shared the story of "kanreki," the Japanese tradition in which people are said to return to being a baby at age 60. When I told them they were all teenagers, they were delighted. We took the train from Kobe Station to Motomachi, and when the guests realized it was a women-only car, they asked many questions, such as why it existed and whether they were allowed to ride it, which they seemed to find very interesting. In Nankinmachi (Chinatown), they asked why there were so many people and why others were lining up and waiting. Everyone enjoyed drinking beer together and had a lively time, then walked back to the ship. Since the ship's departure was scheduled for 13:30, the request was to finish the tour by 12:30.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKobe (Hyogo Prefecture)~Motomachi (Hyogo Prefecture)150JPY
    Total150JPY

    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.

    Sep 29, 2026
    H1282JBkarinas
    Customizable tour with Harumi-san
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Harumi…

    Sep 28, 2026
    Coastal07335209891
    Kobe Delight with Harumi
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour was definitely customized and our…

    Sep 27, 2026
    kakeelma
    Learning is fun with Harumi san!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    My husband and I…

    Sep 23, 2026
    Cosmopolitan580857
    We had a great time! Kyoto is a beautiful city.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet 8:51 By bus from Miyaginobashi Gora Station 9:14 Depart Gora Cable car Arrive Owakudani 9:25 By ropeway Owakudani 10:10 By ropeway from Owakudani Togendai 10:45 Pirate ship 11:25 Motohakone Port 11:30 Hotel de Yama By shuttle bus Hotel de Yama 1 01:40 Azalea garden After strolling, on foot via Hakone Shrine red torii gate Lake Ashi shore 13:30 By taxi Hakone Checkpoint Maruyama Bussan tour 14:00 By bus from Hakonemachi Port 14:30 Yunessun 14:39 Depart Yunessun By bus Gora Station 14:50 Hotel shuttle and 14:55 disband

    What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour with a View of Mount Fuji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report On the first day of their trip to Japan, the guests visited Hakone. They mentioned that they had been able to see Mount Fuji from the airplane, which was a relief. At first the mountain was not visible from Owakudani, but after enjoying the famous black eggs, it appeared on the way to Togendai Station and again from the pirate ship on Lake Ashi, which was reassuring. As the azaleas at a lakeside hotel were just at their peak, we visited there. Instead of cherry blossoms, we were greeted by magnificent azaleas, and Mount Fuji even appeared for a moment, so the guests were very satisfied and took many photographs. The whole area was wrapped in fresh green foliage, and the scenery along the shore of Lake Ashi was very memorable; the guests remarked that it resembled Lake Windermere in Europe. As it was the end of a long holiday period, there was some traffic congestion, and I apologized to the guests for having to push on without a lunch break, which they kindly understood.

    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

    Aug 24, 2026
    Deb_K
    Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Well organised tour
    Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Marcus_J
    Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing day with…
    Had an amazing day with Hiro.…

    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…

  • Tokyo: Kotoku-in Great Buddha & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

    Tokyo: Kotoku-in Great Buddha & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet up @ Four Seasons at Otemachi
    • 09:30 Hokokuji Temple ~ Drive to Zushi Marina and Yuigahama
    • 11:00 Kotoku-in Great Buddha
    • 11:45 Hasedera Temple
    • 12:15 Lunch @ Magokoro
    • 13:15 Wakamiya-oji Street
    • 14:00 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
    • 15:45 Disband @ Four Seasons at Otemachi

    What Is a Private Kamakura Day Tour from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe on a memorable trip. This was their fourth day in Tokyo, and on Friday they joined a Kamakura tour with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). At Hasedera Temple there were no other inbound visitors, and the guests were very pleased. At Kotokuin Temple, as expected, there were many inbound tourists. We rested on a bench and chatted for a while before walking to Hasedera Temple. At Hasedera Temple, I explained the difference between a Nyorai (Buddha) and a Bosatsu (Bodhisattva). At the entrance of Wakamiya Oji, I explained the use of perspective, and as we walked toward the shrine the guests could experience how the road gradually narrows. At Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, I explained about the Minamoto clan and the Kamakura shogunate, and we confirmed the site of the assassination of Yoriie by Kugyo. Today's vehicle was a 10-seat van, so I was also able to sit in the back seat together with the guests, and along the way I explained aspects of the Japanese national character using comparisons with the West. They listened with great interest and asked questions, which made it rewarding, though I was tired from talking the whole time.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet @ Naka Pier Passenger Terminal
    • 09:30 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    • 11:30 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 12:30 Disband @ Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Title: What's a Private Kobe Tour Like When Guests Have Limited Mobility? A Licensed Guide's Report Body: The guests were a group visiting from North America. One of the guests had considerable difficulty walking and used a cane, and also found stairs challenging, so we mainly used ramps, elevators, and escalators. This made for very slow movement, and after finishing the first spot, I explained to the guests that visiting the remaining two spots would not be feasible and that we would limit it to one, which they agreed to. As a result, at the second location, the Nunobiki Herb Garden, we only took photographs after reaching the top of the mountain and then immediately headed back. Since the departure of the cruise ship they were traveling on was approaching, we secured a taxi near the Nunobiki Herb Garden and parted ways there. I presented the guests with a handmade drawstring pouch, which they were very pleased with. In effect, the tour ended up being mainly a visit to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, but everyone listened attentively to my explanations. While traveling, I introduced "Hokodo," said to be the oldest coffee shop in Japan, located in the local Motomachi shopping street, and the guests showed great interest in it.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMotomachi (Hyogo Prefecture)~Maiko320JPY
    Section 2TrainMaiko~Sannomiya320JPY
    Section 3SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)~Shin-Kobe210JPY
    Total850JPY

    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

    Sep 27, 2026
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