Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet-up 9:35 Fushimi Inari 11:55 Lunch (sushi) 12:40 Kinkaku-ji 14:00 Sanjusangendo 15:00 Yasaka Pagoda 15:35 Kiyomizu-dera 16:45 Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Ishibei-koji, Yasaka Shrine 17:30 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Family Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and More The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had visited Kyoto once about ten years earlier, but since some of the guests were quite young at the time, they hardly remembered it. This time they used the spring holidays to visit Kyoto again. In contrast to the previous day, the weather was clear and sunny, and by the afternoon it was almost hot. Since English was not the native language for either side, the guiding and explanations sometimes took extra time. Some of the guests did not seem very comfortable with English, while others among the group were easier to communicate with in English. As noted in an earlier section, it took quite a while to catch the bus from Enmachi toward Kinkaku-ji, and since we would not have made it in time for the reserved lunch if we visited Kinkaku-ji first, we decided to have lunch first instead. This turned out to be the right decision. Because the morning transfers took longer than expected, we ultimately finished about 30 minutes over the scheduled time. From Kinkaku-ji to Kitaoji subway station we used a taxi. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2OtherInari~Emmachi200JPY
    Section 3BusEmmachi~Waratenjin-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKitaoji~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 5OtherKarasuma-Shichijo / Kyoto City Bus~Sanjusangendo-mae230JPY
    Section 6BusHigashiyama-Shichijo / Kyoto City Bus~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,300JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Atomic Bomb Museum & Returned to Ujina Port

    Hiroshima in One Day: Atomic Bomb Museum & Returned to Ujina Port

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30〜10:30 Atomic Bomb Museum
    • 12:30〜13:30 Lunch at Kura Sushi, enjoyed conveyor belt sushi.
    • 13:30〜14:00 Shopping at Hondori
    • 14:00〜15:00 Shopping at Costco Hiroshima
    • 15:30 Returned to Ujina Port.

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Peace Memorial Park and Beyond At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, one of the guests shared that they were from Asia and that their home country had suffered greatly at the hands of Japanese soldiers. Rather than offering any counterargument, I acknowledged this and conveyed the message that war must never happen again, which helped ease the atmosphere and made the mood warmer. In the Peace Memorial Park, the guests visited the Cenotaph, the Children's Peace Monument, the Rest House, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the hypocenter. They asked in detail about why the point of the explosion had shifted from its intended target. As the guests were hungry, we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, where they enjoyed rotating sushi for the first time. They were very pleased. After that, I suggested going to Miyajima, but the guests said they were already tired and did not want to walk much, and that since they had already seen shrines and temples in Kyoto, they were content with what they had seen. Instead, they said they wanted to go shopping, so I suggested a department store, a discount store, a shopping mall, and a wholesale membership store. The guests wished to visit the wholesale membership store in Japan, so we went there. After enjoying their shopping, since there was still time, I proposed going somewhere else, but the guests said they wanted to return to their ship, so I saw them back to the ship. The guests told me it had been an enjoyable tour.

    Hello everyone.
    I’m excited to have an opportunity to introduce myself to you.
    This is my third year as a tour guide.
    I enjoy chatting with customers while guiding them.
    I mainly guide tours in the western Hiroshima Prefecture area, including Miyajima, Peace Memorial Park, Shukkei-en Garden, Kure, Etajima, and Takehara.
    I also love visiting temples and shrines.
    And I love sake and fresh seafood such as oysters and sashimi.
    As a motorcycle rider, I know some hidden gems in this area.
    I look forward to providing enjoyable tours, so please feel free to join me.

    Jun 20, 2026
    Todd_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima 6hr Private Guided Tour & Shopping with Concierge
    Harry was very…
    Harry was very informative. We did the…

    Apr 26, 2026
    Glenn_L
    Viator review: Hiroshima 6hr Private Guided Tour & Food Tasting with Concierge
    Moving tour of Hiroshima
    Our guide, Harry, met us…

    Apr 2, 2026
    Roldan_T
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Harry was an great and informative guide.
    Harry was…

    May 10, 2025
    jonathan_R
    Really great tour. …
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Really great tour. Hisashi or…

  • Tokyo: Shibuya

    Tokyo: Shibuya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at hotel, then stop by coffee shop
    • 10:50 Harajuku – Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street
    • 12:15 Shibuya
    • 13:50 Lunch @ Yakiniku Toraji (Marunouchi Building)
    • 15:40 Asakusa – Nakamise, Sensoji Temple
    • 16:00 Disband at Asakusa Nitenmon Gate

    What Is a First-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, arriving after a cruise around several Asian countries. On this first day of their stay, I guided them mainly to well-known landmarks while also sharing recommendations about other places and activities worth trying. It seemed colder here than in the other countries they had visited, so we stopped at a coffee shop at the start and took some time to adjust along the way. They were impressed by how clean the city was and by how orderly people behaved. I hope the day also served as a good opportunity to gather useful information for enjoying the rest of their stay.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Section 4TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Total710JPY

    Hello, I’m Miho Ozawa, and I’ve been working as a government licenced guide interpreter for six years in Tokyo. I live in east Tokyo with my family, including my three children, and I love art, gardens, photography and traveling.
    It’s such a pleasure to explore this fascinating city Tokyo with you. There are so many things you can do, although sometimes it’s hard to choose what to do within a limited time. I would really appreciate if you could let me know what you would like to do or where you would like to visit in Tokyo. I would be happy to help you plan to make your trip a memorable one. I’m forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon!

    Apr 18, 2026
    CRM
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day 1 Japan Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
    Miho was an amazing tour guide.…

    Mar 31, 2026
    M
    maaz06
    Private Half Day tour with Government Licenced Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our half day…

    Mar 31, 2026
    Maria_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant half Day Private tour customized to see the beautiful Cherry Blossoms…

    Mar 31, 2026
    Rick_G
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun day out with Miho
    We had a great time exploring the…

  • Tokyo: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo: Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • On the day, at 6:52, we received an email from the guest requesting to change the start time to 8:30, so we changed the start time to 8:30 (we are sharing the Gmail correspondence with JGA)
    • 8:30 Meet at JR Shinagawa Station, right outside the Central Gate, at the Triangle Clock
    • 8:40 Assistance with purchasing a one-day pass at the JR Shinagawa Station ticket machine
    • 9:20 Commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko statue in Shibuya, Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 10:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:25 Write wishes on ema at Meiji Shrine and take commemorative photos
    • 10:50 Takeshita Street, bond with Samoyed dogs at Samoyed Cafe moffu Takeshita Street branch
    • 11:40 Purchase crepes at Marion Crepe CUTE CUBE Harajuku branch on Takeshita Street
    • 12:40 Asakusa Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple
    • 14:15 Lunch at "Tsukiji Sushiseishinkan"
    • 15:15 Disperse at Tsukiji Outer Market

    Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan a few days earlier from North America, exploring Osaka and Kyoto before arriving in Tokyo the previous day. Today was their first tour in Tokyo. The Yamanote Line train from Shinagawa Station was extremely crowded during rush hour, and I was a little concerned, but the comment "It's a lot of fun" put me at ease. When one of the guests said, "Now I understand why so many people wear masks," everyone burst into laughter. At Meiji Shrine, the group wrote a wish on an ema plaque saying they wanted to keep a dog. Afterwards, they happily interacted with dogs at a dog cafe on Takeshita Street. At the sushi restaurant, the guests used the training chopsticks they had purchased in Kyoto to enjoy sushi, grilled salmon, and skewered tuna, all of which they savored with delight. This private tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa~Shibuya210JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Kanda (Tokyo)210JPY
    Section 4TrainKanda (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 5TrainAsakusa~Higashi-Ginza220JPY
    Total980JPY

    Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
    You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
    Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).

    Jul 2, 2026
    jamespmccormick
    Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
    We booked a 6 hour…

    Jun 12, 2026
    716suzannab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience
    Bruce was an amazing guide. He taught us some essential…

    May 27, 2026
    beaufordtjustice
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Tokyo with Bruce!
    My son and I had a…

    May 24, 2026
    A2151KImelissab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day out in Tokyo
    I enjoyed a solo guided tour of Tokyo…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kinkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Hotel Grand Bach
    • 7:50 Fushimi Inari
    • 10:00 Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Kameyama Park, Togetsukyo Bridge)
    • Travel by taxi
    • 11:00 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 12:00 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Kinkaku-ji I guided a group from Oceania on a private tour of Kyoto. Given the long walking distances in the plan, I was a little concerned at first, but the guests were very energetic and had no trouble walking long distances. Because we started early in the morning, I expected the first destination, Fushimi Inari, to be quiet, but it was already quite crowded early in the day. The next stop, Saga-Arashiyama Station, was extremely crowded. Walking through the bamboo grove also took quite a bit of time. After that, we moved to Kinkaku-ji by taxi. Since one of the guests was very fond of soccer and mentioned wanting to buy a Japanese soccer team's uniform as a souvenir, I searched and found that the Nintendo shop at Takashimaya carries Kyoto Sanga uniforms, so I introduced the location to them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGion-Shijo~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Total480JPY

    Hello. I’m YUASA Katsura. Call me just K(Kei). I have been a national government licensed guide interpreter since 2024. I am also teaching English at a university in Nara, so I’m good at explaining even complicated things plainly so that everyone can understand. I hope you will choose me if you would like to learn about Japanese history and traditional culture. I can not only guide you to major tourist sites such as Golden Pavillion in Kyoto and the Great Buddha in Nara but also introduce you hidden gems in Kyoto and Nara. I’m fascinated with charms of these ancient cities. Let’s make your travel to Japan enjoyable and memorable together.

    Jul 29, 2026
    Charlotte_C
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kei was a wonderful guide…
    Kei was a wonderful…

    May 23, 2026
    allenk947
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoughtful tour with excellent support and service
    The experience and…

    Mar 11, 2026
    K
    ketchbaw
    Great Guide excellent Tour recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Excellent Guide fun Tour…

    May 1, 2026
    C3857WLstevenk
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour
    My wife and I had a 4hr private tour with…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tokyo National Museum & Meiji-jingumae

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tokyo National Museum & Meiji-jingumae

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel New Otani Garden Tower
    • 10:30 Tokyo National Museum
    • 12:00 Lunch @ Tsurujiro
    • 12:50 Sensoji Temple
    • 13:40 Skytree
    • 15:40 Hamarikyu
    • 17:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 17:40 Meiji-jingumae

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Skytree, and More I guided the guests from North America on a private one-day tour of Tokyo. When we met at the hotel, the forecast was rain in the morning clearing up in the afternoon, so the guests asked me to change the order of the sites we would visit. I explained that this meant the Tokyo Skytree reservation would no longer be valid and we might have to wait in line, and once they agreed, I adjusted the route. They seemed quite dissatisfied with the previous day in Hakone, where neither the guide nor the weather had been good and they had been unable to see anything. As a result, our first stop, the Tokyo National Museum, had no wait, and admission was free for seniors. At Asakusa, the guests were pleased with okonomiyaki for lunch. In the afternoon, we were able to go up the Tokyo Skytree without waiting, the sun came out, and we were even able to see Mount Fuji. Hamarikyu Gardens were beautiful after the rain, and everything went very well. At the end, I saw the guests into a taxi in front of Meiji Shrine, and the tour concluded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke~Ueno210JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree160JPY
    Section 4SubwayOshiage~Shimbashi220JPY
    Section 5SubwayShiodome~Meiji-jingumae290JPY
    Total1,060JPY

    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!!

    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…

  • Miyagi in One Day: Sendai Morning Market & Aoba-dori Ichibancho

    Miyagi in One Day: Sendai Morning Market & Aoba-dori Ichibancho

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:15 Sendai Morning Market
    • 10:55 Rinno-ji Temple, stroll through Japanese garden
    • 12:05 Shurin-ji Temple, viewing Buddhist statues on the grounds
    • 12:45 Soba lunch at Sendai Station
    • 13:25 Visit Zuihoden Mausoleum
    • 14:25 Tour Ryokusaikan, tour Sendai City Museum
    • 15:25 Stroll around Aoba-dori Ichibancho
    • 16:00 Disperse and finish in front of Sendai Station

    Guide's Report: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Sendai and Rinnoji Temple Like? The guests visited from Oceania and wished to travel across Japan over several weeks, heading south from Hokkaido and arriving in Sendai. When I asked why they had chosen to be accompanied by a guide, they said they wanted to hear the "stories" that cannot be found or learned from guidebooks or social media. For this reason, I sent them an illustrated itinerary in advance, and on the day I made sure to allow time for them to actually see, walk, listen, and feel, as well as to pause and reflect slowly on the "why and how" questions that spark intellectual curiosity. As a result, at Rinnoji Temple, they enjoyed learning about the hand gestures (mudras) of the Buddhist statues — the poses meaning "have no fear," "I grant all things," "now in meditation," and "I have come to welcome you to the Pure Land" — along with the vivid pale pink image of the weeping cherry blossoms that had just begun to bloom.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusIn front of Sendai Station/Sendai City Bus~In front of Rinno-ji Temple/Sendai City Bus230JPY
    Section 2BusIn front of Rinno-ji Temple/Sendai City Bus~In front of Sendai Station/Sendai City Bus230JPY
    Section 3OtherIn front of Sendai Station/Sendai City Bus~In front of Zuihoden Mausoleum260JPY
    Section 4OtherIn front of Zuihoden Mausoleum~In front of Ryokusaikan260JPY
    Section 5SubwayInternational Center (Miyagi Prefecture)~Aoba-dori Ichibancho210JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    For all the guest who may have an interest on my career, This is Sanichi,a government certified guide interpreter, inaugurated my guide interpreter business career since 2023. My guide interpreter work include all aspect of business scene ranging from simultaneous interpretation at convent visitor, Tsunami-torn area guide tour,Municipal government supported exchange student welcome party official interpretation, International cruise ship on shore excursion guide, and so on, and keep doing business by fair and fast manner with reasonable cost without any prejudice against client’s objectives, race or gender.
    I can attend anyone, anywhere, anytime upon request! I’m confident that I’m a shoulder you may count on here in Japan!

    Apr 3, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    15,000 Steps thru Sendai History
    Sanichi is a very help…

    Jul 14, 2025
    carlanS8210WG
    Merveilleux !
    Tripadvisor review: Yamagata / Yamadera 6hr Private Trip with Licensed Guide
    La visite du château de Kaminoyama était très…

    Nov 23, 2024
    ym360
    Exploring Yamagata with Sanichi
    Tripadvisor review: Yamagata / Yamadera 6hr Private Trip with Licensed Guide
    Our guided tour with Sanichi was…

    Oct 11, 2024
    D2725MMjamesb
    Yamagata and Yamadera trip with Sanichi
    Tripadvisor review: Yamagata / Yamadera 6hr Private Trip with Licensed Guide
    The tour organizers where…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum & Ikuta Shrine

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum & Ikuta Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet at Naka Pier Passenger Terminal
    • 11:15 at Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
    • 12:45 at Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 14:00 at Ikuta Shrine
    • 14:45 Disperse at Sannomiya Center Street

    What Is a Private Sake and Cherry Blossom Tour in Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and everything went smoothly. The guests both enjoyed Japanese sake, so at our first stop, the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, they toured attentively and listened closely to the guide's explanations. They greatly enjoyed the tastings, including the paid ones. At the next stops, the Nunobiki Herb Garden and Ikuta Shrine, the cherry blossoms were about 70 to 80 percent in bloom (some trees nearly at full bloom), which delighted them very much. I presented them with a handmade drawstring pouch, which they were pleased to receive. The final planned stop, the Nankinmachi Chinatown, could not be visited as time was running short, but the guests said they would visit it on their own, so after I explained its location, we parted ways. Note) Today as well, the meeting point on the confirmation sheet was listed as "Kobe Port Terminal," but the actual location was "Naka Pier Cruise Terminal." I make it a practice to confirm the ship's name and then check the berthing location on the local port authority's website, so there is no major problem, but would it be difficult to improve this point?

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMotomachi (Hyogo Prefecture)~Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture, Hanshin Line)200JPY
    Section 2TrainSumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture, Hanshin Line)~Sannomiya200JPY
    Section 3SubwaySannomiya~Shin-Kobe210JPY
    Total610JPY

    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

    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…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet the guests at the hotel.
    • 10:40 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Outer Market
    • 12:00 Ramen shop near Shibuya Station (lunch
    • 12:40 Shibuya Station scramble crossing, Hachiko the loyal dog statue
    • 1:10 Harajuku・Takeshita Street
    • 1:40 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 2:00 Tour ends

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku Gyoen The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. After traveling from the hotel to Tsukiji by subway, the group strolled from Honganji Temple through the outer market, where they enjoyed treats such as strawberry daifuku and various fried foods. We then moved by subway to Shibuya and had lunch at a ramen restaurant, after which they happily took commemorative photos at the scramble crossing in front of the station and by the Hachiko statue. On Takeshita Street in Harajuku, some of the guests showed great interest and seemed to want to return another day. At Shinjuku Gyoen, which we reached by subway, they were delighted by the beautifully blooming cherry blossoms and took many photos. Although it drizzled and felt a little chilly from the start of the tour, the weather cleared up at Shinjuku Gyoen, making it a perfect day for cherry blossom viewing. Finally, I guided them through the Japanese garden, and the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Shibuya210JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shinjuku-sanchome180JPY
    Total760JPY

    I am a certified guide-interpreter based in Tokyo.
    I was born and raised in Tokyo, so I am familiar with Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Please leave anything related to the Tokyo area to me.
    Tokyo is not only full of Japanese charm but also has many unique aspects.
    The always-bustling Tsukiji Outer Market conveys Japan’s food culture.
    Asakusa conveys Japanese traditions and culture through old temples, shrines and long-established stores.
    Shibuya spreads Japanese pop culture.
    You can immerse yourself in history and culture in the quiet natural surroundings such as the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or Meiji Shrine.
    Tokyo is a treasure trove of attractions for travelers. Please come and experience the wonderful Tokyo with me.

    Jul 8, 2026
    Maria H
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    davidsM6670MT
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    Shigeru was extremely professional, knowledgeable and…

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    Q3961PBsaraf
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    Shigeru is…

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

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

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:55 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 08:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 09:40 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:10 Imperial Palace
    • 12:00 Lunch @ Mr. Farmer Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
    • 13:20 Senso-ji Temple
    • 14:05 Dismissal @ Hotel

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to depart from Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on a two-week cruise around western Japan. At Shibuya, they showed great interest in the lively atmosphere of the Scramble Crossing. At Shinjuku Gyoen, the cherry blossoms were nearly in full bloom, and the guests seemed impressed by the beautiful blossoms and the Japanese garden. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Sensoji Temple, they were intrigued by the explanations about the differences between temples and shrines and about the Kaminarimon Gate. Although it unfortunately rained for much of the morning, I responded to the guests' wishes throughout the day, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    Section 2SubwayShibuya~Shinjuku-gyoemmae180JPY
    Section 3SubwayShinjuku-gyoemmae~Nijubashimae180JPY
    Section 4SubwayNijubashimae~Hibiya180JPY
    Section 5SubwayHibiya~Asakusa210JPY
    Total1,010JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
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    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

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    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

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    U9351HJjakes
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    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

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    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…