Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Kyoto
    • 9:20-11:20 Nijo Castle sightseeing
    • 11:43-11:50 Nijo → Saga-Arashiyama JR 200 yen
    • 12:00-13:00 Arashiyama sightseeing (Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Grove Path, Kimono Forest, etc.)
    • 13:10-14:00 Lunch @ Gyaatei
    • 14:27-14:49 Arashiyama → Kyoto-Kawaramachi Hankyu 240 yen
    • 15:00-15:20 Nishiki Market stroll
    • 15:30 Dismissal @ Hotel Kyoto

    What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle and Arashiyama The guests were visitors from North America. In the morning, we visited Nijo Castle, where the group deeply enjoyed Japan's history and the authority of the shogun through the nightingale floors and the magnificent architectural beauty. For lunch, we offered colorful obanzai at "Gyatei" in Arashiyama. The guests were very pleased to be able to enjoy a variety of Japanese flavors little by little. During the afternoon stroll through Arashiyama, we visited the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, the bamboo grove path, and the Kimono Forest, taking many photos against the backdrop of Kyoto's characteristic nature and traditional beauty. To conclude, we visited Nishiki Market, where the guests experienced the lively local food culture and enjoyed choosing souvenirs.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNijo～Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)～Kyoto-Kawaramachi240JPY
    Total440JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

    Request Booking

    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Janice_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Kyoto
    It was a good tour…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　09:30　Hotel Granvia Kyoto
    • ②　09:35　Itinerary explanation and history of Kyoto
    • ③　10:27　Depart from JR Kyoto Station ~ To Umahori Station
    • ④　11:30　Depart from Torokko Kameoka
    • ⑤　11:53　Arrive at Torokko Arashiyama ~ To Bamboo Grove & Nonomiya Shrine
    • ⑥　12:45　Tenryu-ji Temple ~ Togetsukyo Bridge
    • ⑦　14:30　Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • ⑧　15:30　Disband in front of Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji The guests were a group from North America, who had immigrated from Europe about 40 years ago. This was their first trip to Japan. They came to Kyoto from Asia, and planned to continue on to Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, and Tokyo. They had apparently tried to go to Nara the day before, but took a wrong turn and ended up somewhere completely different, wasting the whole day. Even when I asked the name of the place they had gone, it was not entirely clear. So from the very start of the morning, they put pressure on me, saying they were really counting on today's Kyoto tour. One of the guests had a friend who had visited Kyoto the previous year and enjoyed it very much, and their itinerary this time was exactly the same as that friend's route. Given that, I added Tenryu-ji temple to the plan. I'm sure they will boast about it. They were such a delightful group. It had been a while since I guided anyone on the Sagano Romantic Train. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms were still only about 30% in bloom. Their questions were interesting. They were very interested in Onmyodo (the way of yin and yang), and I answered as they asked. When I explained the connection between the title "Shogun" and Onmyodo, they were delighted. While I was explaining the cherry blossoms, they suddenly asked me what I honestly thought of President Trump, which put me at a loss for an answer, but I answered honestly. At Kinkaku-ji, as I was telling the story of how it had burned down completely 70 years ago and was rebuilt, one of the guests said, "Kaz, I have a question — gold doesn't burn. When it burned down 70 years ago, where did the gold go?" I couldn't answer well at the time, and the tour ended without a clear answer, so afterward I kept wondering about it, and later looked it up at home and replied by email with the details. In short, over the roughly 600 years that had passed, the outer surface of the building — whether gold leaf or lacquer — had weathered away in the wind and rain, so that by the time of the fire 70 years ago almost no gold leaf remained and the bare wood was exposed, with only a little gold leaf remaining on the phoenix atop the roof. But the phoenix had happened to be removed for maintenance a few days before the fire and thus escaped harm. Gold begins to melt at 1,064 degrees Celsius. Intense flames such as those in a fire can reach over 1,000 degrees, and indeed gold does not melt, but since gold leaf is extremely thin — only about 0.1 to 0.2 microns — it is thought to have scattered along with the wood in the force of the flames during the fire. In my own view, it may have sunk into the pond along with the rubble. The tour ended and we parted at Kinkaku-ji, but since they said they wanted to buy a Japanese knife, and since they had been moving around all day without lunch, I went back with them to Sanjo, introduced them to a traditional knife shop and a restaurant, and said goodbye.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Umahori320JPY
    Section 2TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Nijo200JPY
    Total520JPY

    Tour Report by Kazu

    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

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Kodaiji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Kodaiji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Meet up @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Central JR Transfer Gate
    • 7:20-8:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 9:00-10:00 Nijo Castle
    • 10:20-10:40 Break @ Starbucks Subway Karasuma Oike Store
    • 11:00-12:00 Nishiki Market
    • 12:10-12:35 Gion Hanamikoji
    • 12:30-12:50 Kodaiji Temple
    • 13:00 Disband @ Yasaka Pagoda

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like, from Fushimi Inari to Kodai-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. It was difficult to reach them until fairly close to the tour date, and in addition to the planned itinerary they had also requested a stroll along Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, as well as a walk along the Philosopher's Path. The meeting time had originally been assigned as 8:30, but because they wished to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha early in the morning, it was changed to 7:00. It seems everyone had the same idea, as Fushimi Inari Taisha was already crowded with many tourists, which surprised the guests as well. Next we visited Nijo Castle. One of the guests was particularly interested in the history of the shogun and asked all sorts of questions even on the way to Nijo Castle. Regarding Nijo Castle, they asked many enthusiastic and detailed questions, such as "If I had come from Tokyo to meet the shogun, where would I have stayed?", which was quite tiring. We then moved to Karasuma Oike to go to Nishiki Market. The guests had said from the start that they wanted to take a coffee break, and since a Starbucks was found in the basement of Karasuma Oike Station, we decided to rest there for a while. As I had also grown a bit tired from the barrage of questions, it made for a welcome break. We then walked to Nishiki Market, and since one of the guests was especially interested in food, they took the lead and set off as if transformed. At Nishiki Market, each of the guests enjoyed sampling foods to their own liking, such as yakitori, sushi, dashimaki, and dango. Finally I introduced Nishiki Tenmangu, and when I showed them the mechanical lion omikuji, one of the guests happily drew a fortune. We then walked to Hanamikoji. Along the way, the cherry blossoms along the Takase River were beautiful, and one of the guests happily took photos. We then passed by Yasui Konpira Shrine and moved to our final destination, Kodai-ji. It seemed the temple itself was not really the goal, but rather they wanted to see the bamboo grove; they did not go up to the hojo, nor did they see the Kaisan-do or Otama-ya, and simply walked straight toward the bamboo grove. They had been talking about the bamboo grove insistently from the beginning, so when I asked whether they were satisfied with it, they said that bamboo does not exist where they are from, and that they had wanted to see the ecology of bamboo. When one of the guests showed me a photo of the Yasaka Pagoda and said "This is where I want to go," we decided to walk there. At this point it was just about 1:00, so we parted ways. Because the guests asked so many questions, I was not able to provide much guidance myself, but I was able to learn about various people's perspectives, which I feel was a truly valuable experience. For the photo, the cherry blossoms in front of the shrine office at Fushimi Inari Taisha were beautiful, so I took a picture.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Section 3TrainKyoto～Nijo180JPY
    Section 4TrainNijo～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5TrainNijojo-mae～Karasuma Oike220JPY
    Total920JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

    Request Booking

    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Togetsukyo Bridge

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Togetsukyo Bridge

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel Kyoto – Departure
    • 10:15 Fushimi Inari
    • 11:00 Travel
    • 11:20 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 12:00 Travel
    • 12:15 Lunch (Conveyor Belt Sushi Kura Sushi)
    • 12:45 Travel
    • 13:15 Arashiyama Monkey Park
    • 14:30 Togetsukyo Bridge → Nonomiya Shrine → Bamboo Grove
    • 15:10 Travel
    • 15:30 Hotel

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The schedule was quite tight. At the start, there was heavy traffic on the way to Fushimi Inari, which took a lot of time and caused some concern, but the taxi driver was very cooperative, and we were able to visit all of the planned destinations. For lunch, the guests said they were not particular and that anything would be fine, so following the taxi driver's recommendation, we chose a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. The guests were also very cooperative with the timing and finished lunch in 30 minutes, which I truly appreciated. We were blessed with good weather, the cherry blossoms were in bloom, and I believe the guests enjoyed themselves. The monkey park in particular seemed to be a lot of fun for the group. Thank you very much for all your support. I look forward to working with you again.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Yoko

    Hello. Thank you for your interest in Japan. I am a guide in Kansai area, the west part of Japan. There are many World Heritage sites in the west area. If you are interested in Japanese history and traditional culture, Kyoto and Nara are the two best places to visit. There are many temples. Osaka has many recreational places. Hyogo prefecture has one of the greatest castles in Japan called Himeji Castle and sake breweries. Hiroshima is famous for the Peace Memorial Park and a beautiful shrine. Also, you can taste different Japanese cuisines in each place. l will be very happy to guide families, couples, and solo travelers. I love children. I’ll do my best to make your time here unforgettable.

    Request Booking
  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel
    • 9:45 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:30 Shibuya & Cafe Time
    • 14:30 Asakusa Stroll
    • 15:30 Lunch (at Kanaya)
    • 16:30 Dismissal

    What Is a Private One-Day Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were friends visiting Japan for the first time from Asia. They mentioned that the night before, they had trouble using the air conditioner at their hotel and could not sleep well due to the heat. Shinjuku Gyoen required advance reservations that day, but since entry before 10:00 did not require a reservation, we changed the meeting time to 9:00. As the guests had already purchased PASMO cards, we were able to enter smoothly. Shinjuku Gyoen was in full bloom, and the guests seemed very satisfied. After that, we went from Meiji Shrine to Shibuya. At the Starbucks in Shibuya, despite waiting in a long line, cash could not be used, so we moved to a different cafe. The guests seemed quite tired, so we took a cafe break for a rest. Asakusa was very crowded, and after strolling around the main highlights, we had lunch at an udon restaurant. I also assisted with purchasing medicine at a drugstore, and although the tour ran significantly over the scheduled time, the guests were very pleased.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShinjuku 3-chome～Shinjuku Gyoen700JPY
    Section 2Free PassShinjuku 3-chome～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Shibuya160JPY
    Section 4Free PassShibuya～Asakusa0JPY
    Total860JPY

    Tour Report by AYAKA

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto Meet up
    • 9:25 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:10 Gion Tatsumi Bridge
    • 12:00 Lunch at Tonkatsu Katsurai
    • 13:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:30 Nishiki Market
    • 15:00 Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour in Cherry Blossom Season Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group visiting from North America. The weather was perfectly clear and the cherry blossoms were very close to full bloom, making it an ideal day for sightseeing. Knowing that Fushimi Inari Taisha would become very crowded, we went there first, but it was still quite busy. After that, we went to the area around Tatsumi Bridge in Gion. The cherry blossoms were very beautiful, and large crowds had gathered. We then had lunch at a tonkatsu restaurant. The guests were amused by the process of grinding sesame seeds and enjoyed it very much. Kinkaku-ji afterward was also extremely crowded, and even taking photos was a challenge. Nishiki Market was much the same. Nevertheless, I believe everyone had a wonderful time.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Private Tour
    Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Kyoto: Ginkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto: Ginkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet at KyohotelKishotei Goshominami
    • 09:15 to 10:15 Strolling around Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and Yasaka Pagoda
    • 11:00 to 11:45 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:00 to 13:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 13:15 to 14:00 Lunch at Tenkaippin
    • 14:15 to 15:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 15:50 to 16:30 Nijo Castle
    • 16:30 Disband at Nijo Castle

    What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Tour in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from Europe. The group appeared to be enjoying their trip very much. To brighten the mood, I thought that seeing cherry blossoms might help, so I took the group to famous cherry blossom spots such as Maruyama Park and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where they happily took many photos. In the end, the tour concluded on a cheerful note, and I was very glad about that.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 2TrainSanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Gion-Shijo180JPY
    Section 3BusGion / Kyoto City Bus～Ginkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusGinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Karasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKarasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) / Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Nijojo-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,320JPY

    Tour Report by Haru

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Request Booking

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Tokyo Customized Tour & Pottery Making

    Tokyo Customized Tour & Pottery Making

    Tokyo Customized Tour & Pottery Making with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①8:30 Meet at the hotel, visit Zojoji Temple while traveling from Onarimon Station to Hibiya Station on the Mita Line.
    • ②9:10-9:40 Shopping for jewelry at the Tokyo International Forum Edo Antique Market.
    • ③10:00 Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge
    • ④10:15-10:50 Walk through the Imperial Palace Inui Street.
    • ⑤11:00-11:20 Travel to Asakusa by subway, take photos at Kaminarimon Gate.
    • ⑥11:20-11:50 Stroll to Kappabashi, shopping for chopsticks.
    • ⑦11:50-13:10 Transfer subways and travel to the pottery class venue in Shirokanetakanawa.
    • ⑧13:20 Disband upon completion of reception procedures and other necessary matters (as a vegetarian, the guest will eat the sandwich purchased for lunch alone before the experience starts at 13:30, so we disband here).

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, an Antique Market, and Cherry Blossoms The guest was visiting Japan for the first time from North America (a companion who had originally planned to join could not participate on the day due to fatigue and chose to rest at the hotel instead, so I had already notified that only one person would attend the Shirokane pottery class). Just before we met, an email came in requesting a stop at an antique market, and I found information that the Edo Antique Market was being held at the Tokyo International Forum. We stopped there before visiting the Imperial Palace, where the guest happily purchased a treasured, high-quality piece of jewelry and was very pleased. After that, the guest seemed truly moved by the fine weather and the cherry blossoms in full bloom, and we were able to spend an enjoyable day together.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Tour & Pottery Making with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherOnarimon～Hibiya180JPY
    Section 2OtherTakebashi～Asakusa290JPY
    Section 3OtherAsakusa～Shirokanetakanawa460JPY
    Total930JPY

    Tour Report by SAM

    Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
    I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Certification
    Certified Travel Services Manager
    Authorized Tour Conductor
    Kyoto Expert Certification

    Request Booking

    Jul 23, 2026
    svendulrikr
    Tripadvisor review: Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
    Best of Nara
    Amazing trip to Nara with the most…

    Jul 10, 2026
    valerianos862
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Private tour of Tokyo.
    Our guide Sam is very…

    Jun 20, 2026
    Sarah B
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learned how to ride the trains and we went to…

    Apr 14, 2026
    MDMallory
    Tripadvisor review: Yokohama and Kamakura 6hr Private Trip Government-Licensed Guide
    The Natural Beauty of Kamakura
    Our guide, Sam, was very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • １．９：００ Meet at Hilton Tokyo,
    • ２．９：３０ Meiji Shrine
    • ３．１１：００ Shibuya Crossing
    • ４．１２：００ Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Asakusa
    • ５．１３：００ Lunch Asakusa Ramen
    • ６．１４：００ Chidorigafuchi Green Path
    • ７．１５：００ Dismiss at Kitahanebashimon East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Since the cherry blossoms in Tokyo were in full bloom today, I fine-tuned the itinerary to prioritize the Chidorigafuchi Greenway and to guide the guests only as far as the gate of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace before parting ways. We first traveled by bus to Meiji Shrine, where we were fortunate to come across a wedding ceremony in progress. At the Shibuya Crossing, I explained that the way pedestrians avoid colliding with one another is not merely a modern phenomenon but a Japanese tradition dating back to the Edo period, reflecting the wisdom of people who have long lived in tightly packed spaces. (I would be curious to know how other guides analyze this.) In Asakusa, I also touched on the structural similarities between the five-story pagoda and the Tokyo Skytree. The Chidorigafuchi Greenway was crowded, but the guests thoroughly enjoyed it. I saw them off at the Kitahazumon Gate, and we parted ways there.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShinjuku Sumitomo Building／Keio Bus～Sangubashi Station (Koma Terrace Nishi-Sando Front)／Keio Bus230JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku～Shibuya160JPY
    Section 3Free PassShibuya～Asakusa700JPY
    Section 4Free PassAsakusa～Mitsukoshimae0JPY
    Section 5Free PassMitsukoshimae～Kudanshita0JPY
    Total1,090JPY

    Tour Report by Kei

    Born and raised in Tokyo a half-century ago, I have lived in Tokyo all my life except for one year in the UK to study for a master’s course. I am a Tokyo Native with viewpoints based on broader local knowledge than anyone else. I have specialised in Japanese history, culture, and architecture since I was an architect.
    Also, I am a foodie emphasising Japanese traditional & healthy foods. I’ve been to many countries around the world, such as the US, Central America, Europe, and Asia. As such, I believe I can anticipate the needs of foreign tourists in Japan.

    Despite my experience as a guide for just two years, we can make the best out of our tour by travelling from your hotel to spots time-efficiently with my local knowledge, while accommodating your unexpected requests during the tour.
    My strong area includes Yanesen; Old Temples in a Quaint Village, Kamakura, Asakusa Sensoji, Meiji Shrine and Imperial Palace. All give you peace of mind.

    Request Booking

    Oct 22, 2025
    I5562SWphilipk
    Great intro to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kei was a genial and knowledgeable host, who…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Gary H
    Great tour of Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We loved our tour! Our guide was…

    Oct 5, 2025
    C
    Cindy_S
    Had one day in Tokyo and…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Had one day in Tokyo…

    Sep 15, 2025
    chrishN2970OC
    A highly enjoyable tour of Tokyo with knowledgeable local guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00　 Pick up@Yoyogi　
    • 9:10　 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:00　Takeshita Street
    • 10:30　Pokemon Center Shibuya
    • 11:00　Scramble Crossing
    • 12:00　Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple→Nakamise→Sumida Park)
    • 13:00　Disband

    Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was a very warm and close-knit group. Since some of the guests enjoyed anime and games, and one was especially fond of Pokémon, we chose the Pokémon Center Shibuya. At Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple, I explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism as well as how to worship at each, and the guests purchased ema plaques and omikuji fortunes, enjoying the cross-cultural experience. On Takeshita Street, they bought 10-yen coin-shaped cakes and T-shirts printed with ukiyo-e prints by Toshusai Sharaku. At the Pokémon Center, one of the guests carefully picked out souvenirs while another looked on warmly. One of the guests enjoyed photography and took care of the family photos, also capturing snapshots of interesting scenes around the city. In Asakusa, after visiting Sensoji Temple, the guests admired the cherry blossoms at Sumida Park and took family photos with the Skytree in the background, thoroughly enjoying spring in Japan. Afterward, I introduced them to a nearby sushi restaurant, where the tour concluded. (They then kindly invited me to join them for lunch, and I took my leave afterward.)

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya～Asakusa260JPY
    Total260JPY

    Tour Report by Tomoya

    Hello, and welcome to Japan.
    My name is Tomoya Kimura, and I will be your licensed guide for this tour.
    It is a great pleasure to meet you.

    I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter qualification in February 2025.
    I am actively participating in professional training programs and have recently started my guiding work.

    Before becoming a guide, I worked for 13 years at a major Japanese trading company, specializing in international sales.
    I also lived and worked overseas for a total of five years in Germany and Thailand.
    Through that experience, I learned how to work closely with people from different cultural backgrounds, to understand their perspectives, and to build trust through clear and respectful communication.
    I believe these skills are equally important when guiding guests from abroad.

    I am also a passionate traveler myself and have visited around 40 countries so far.
    My particular interests are Shintoism, Japan’s hot spring culture, and regional food traditions.
    During our time together, I hope not only to show you places, but also to share the stories behind them like why hot springs are so important to Japanese people, and how local food cultures have developed over time.

    I always try to adapt my guiding style to each guest’s interests and pace, so that you can feel comfortable, relaxed, and truly enjoy your time in Japan.
    I hope this journey will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper connection to the places we visit.

    Thank you very much, and I look forward to spending a wonderful time with you.

    Request Booking

    Apr 18, 2026
    N9452DMrebeccaa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A beautiful day in Tokyo
    Tomo was wonderful and a great guide!

    Mar 30, 2026
    MarieC
    Viator review: Tsukiji Food and Toyosu Market with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tomoya was a fantastic…
    Tomoya was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable…