10:00 Cruise Terminal 10:30 Kanazawa Station 11:00 Higashi Chaya District 12:00 Omicho Market 13:00 Seisonkaku Villa 14:00 Ishikawa Gate 14:30 Nagamachi Samurai District 15:00 21st Century Museum 15:30 Ishikawa Prefectural Museum
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kanazawa from the Cruise Terminal Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
At Kanazawa Station, while taking photos at the Tsuzumi Gate, I explained the tsuzumi drum, and the guests expressed a wish to see an actual one in person. At Omicho Market, the guests tried raw fish for the first time, and after the seared nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), they were delighted, saying it was their first time experiencing fish that melts in the mouth. At Seisonkaku, we compared a high-ranking samurai residence with the Nomura Family residence, and at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum and the Honda Museum, the guests were amazed by the armor and the sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) system. A walking aid was used, and the taxi was a semi-London-style vehicle. Although the driver, who mentioned it was their first time supporting a guided tour, provided excellent assistance. The Kanazawa Cruise Terminal is new, but meeting up with the guide is somewhat inconvenient. It would be helpful if entries could also be made in English.
What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Including Tsukiji and Asakusa
The guests were friends visiting from North America, planning to stay in Tokyo. Before the tour began, I asked about their wishes and guided them accordingly.
They also wanted to purchase round-trip Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto, so I assisted them with that as well.
For lunch, they requested sushi, so I took them to Kagura Sushi in the Tsukiji Outer Market, and they were very pleased.
At Senso-ji Temple, when I explained the Hindu origins of Benzaiten (Saraswati) and Daikokuten (Mahakala), they were very surprised.
After showing them around Asakusa, they wanted to return to their hotel by taxi, so I put them into a taxi at the taxi stand and ended the tour.
I believe the guests were satisfied with the tour.
Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
Nobu
Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…
Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He showed us the hight lights of Tokyo and was very
helpfull with getting us a Suica card.
★★★★★
May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…
May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide who showed us around our selected 4
destinations and their surroundings.
★★★★★
May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…
May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide. It was a great introduction to Tokyo – a busy and vastly interesting city. We learned about Japanese history and toured some of the major sites including the Imperial gardens, a Buddhist temple, a Shinto shrine, and the bustling Shibuya Crossing. Nobu helped us get familiar with the subway system and explained some of Japanese cuisine. We greatly enjoyed our tour and recommend it to others!
★★★★★
Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…
Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable and patient. Perfect start to our
Japan trip.
９．16:00 Dismiss ＠Shimbashi Station (Yurikamome Line ticket gate)
Private Tokyo Tour from the Cruise Terminal: What Does a Licensed Guide's Full-Day Itinerary Look Like?
The guests who joined this tour did so in place of another party from Oceania who had originally booked. The day before, the person who made the booking had emailed me asking whether it would be all right to add another party to the tour. On the morning of the tour, as I was heading up the escalator at the international cruise terminal toward the meeting point, someone called out to me from behind. When we spoke, it turned out to be the party that had been mentioned. They explained that one of the originally booked guests had been suddenly hospitalized that morning due to a bowel obstruction (they had reportedly not been feeling well for a few days, and contrary to hopes of recovery, the condition worsened), and would be returning home immediately. Whether they could board the return flight was still being determined through tests at the hospital, so that party would not be able to join the tour that day. The guests already knew my appearance (I had told the booking person by email that I am short and wear glasses) and my name, and the name matched the one the booking person had emailed me in advance, so I guided this party on the tour.
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania, [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guiding them for a full day. They mentioned having many children and grandchildren. Their family roots trace back to Europe, and in the 1950s their families had emigrated to Oceania. The families had first met aboard the ship bound for their new home and had remained connected ever since. Since it was their first visit to Japan and they had no difficulty walking, I selected several of the main sightseeing spots to visit. To reach the Imperial Palace, our first destination, we first took the Yurikamome Line to Shimbashi Station, where I explained Tokyo's transportation system and we purchased a one-day pass. We came out onto Ginza Avenue, where I introduced some of the buildings that symbolize Ginza, and we also confirmed the meeting point in front of Matsuya Ginza for the Mount Fuji tour they were scheduled to join the following day, before boarding the Yurakucho Line. After visiting the Imperial Palace, we headed to Tokyo Station, where the guests wished to buy character goods for their grandchildren, so I guided them to a shop on the Yaesu side, where they purchased two card-related items. From there we took the rapid Keihin-Tohoku Line to Hamamatsucho. As it was lunchtime and they were happy with casual noodles, I took them to an inexpensive and tasty udon chain restaurant. Both enjoyed warm udon with tempura toppings, along with mugs of beer. At Zojoji Temple, the guests had been asked by their family to dedicate an ema (votive plaque) at a shrine or temple, so they purchased an ema at the Ankokuden hall, filled it in, and dedicated it on the ema rack, very pleased to have fulfilled the request. As there was still a little time left, I asked if there was anything else they wanted to see, and they mentioned the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, so we went there as our final stop. One of the guests had worked in construction during their career and looked with great interest from a window overlooking the large-scale construction site at Shibuya Station. We parted at the Yurikamome ticket gate at Shimbashi Station.
Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a…
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a great guide and just a wonderful human being that felt like an old friend. We had first visited Tokyo eight years ago, so we had not planned on getting a tour, but we felt like we got both a Food Tour and a cultural tour with her and we were so grateful for both. My daughter is moving to Japan, and so we were excited to be here but we were disappointed that we had not been able to find vegetarian food as easily. Noripy had tips and tricks and language she suggested we use and helped us with our first vegan ramen which was excellent. I highly recommend anything you can do with a Noripy, you should run and go do it! She trained at Boston University and international relations, and had ties with both my daughters from her schooling which tickled us with delight. She is a spry woman and the kindest soul and I’m so glad our paths crossed as Tokyo came to life through her welcoming eyes. We were nervous about going on this tour because we had a bad experience with a different tour with someone else the night before, but she restored our faith in humanity and tour guides and that was a tall order.
★★★★★
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was…
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was a GREAT TOUR with Noripy! With a family of many different ages and walking levels this was fantastic. We were picked up from our cruise in Yokohama and dropped off at Haneda airport. We had about 10 hours before our flight and it went flawlessly.
★★★★★
June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…
June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through several parts of the city: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Sangedatsumon, Zojo-ji, Meiji Jingu, and Golden Gai. A great way to see many Tokyo sites and get acquainted with the city on your first day!
★★★★★
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady who managed to fit all the iconic Tokyo spots into my 6-hour tour without anything feeling rushed. She was knowledgeable, organised, and genuinely kind. Toward the end she even helped me with some shopping, which I really appreciated. A wonderful introduction to Tokyo and a guide I’d happily recommend….
Port 9:30-Miho no Matsubara 11:30-Mount Fuji World Heritage Center 14:30-Kashi no Ichi 15:30-Port 16:00
Title: What's a Private Day Tour from Shimizu Port to Miho no Matsubara and Mount Fuji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I met the guests from Europe at the port without any trouble and we headed to Miho no Matsubara. We were lucky to be able to see Mount Fuji from the coast, but since they wanted to get even closer, we made our way to the World Heritage Centre in Fujinomiya. The timing was perfect, and we were able to view Mount Fuji from the rooftop of the centre. Apparently, if the timing had been slightly different, it would not have been visible, so it was truly worth coming all that way. The guests were a very cheerful group of friends, and one of them interpreted my English for the others, but the atmosphere remained relaxed throughout. After enjoying the long-awaited experience of seeing Mount Fuji up close, we headed to the riverside market, where they savoured plenty of delicious seafood before returning to the port.
I have been teaching high school students for 40 years as an English teacher and guiding for 10years including a volunteer guide .Now I am a national government licensed guide. I have been dreaming to introduce Japanese culture including tasty Japanese food and history , our society and also some problems in it. It is a great moment of joy and excitement to be with you from all over the world. I love traveling around Japan and abroad myself. I visited East Germany ,too that does not exist any more. I am looking forward to guiding you in and around Shizuoka!
Jul 26, 2026
Edward_H
Viator review: Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide
The only way to tour if…
The only way to…
Jul 26, 2026
Edward_H
Viator review: Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide
The only way to tour if…
The only way to tour if you have mobility issues or want a freestyle itinerary set on your pace. Our driver Yusaku Abe was so extremely helpful and attentive. From loading and unloading the wheelchair to finding just the perfect spot to enter/exit the taxi safety. His vehicle was spotless and he was the best driver. After the first stop he felt like family and he had our best interest and safety at heart. He was a true pleasure. Our licensed guide interpreter Akahori Atsuko was number 1 from pick up at the port to drop off at the ship – a true blessing. She customized our itinerary to our interests and also mobility constraints. Every stop was as explained to us and we had ample time to view and see what we wanted. We even had time at the Shizuoka City Museum of Art to complex a hands on piece of Japanese art. Our favorite stop was the Mt Fuji World Heritage Centre and the close by temple and ponds. We ended the day at a local family restaurant for lunch and both Akahori and Yusaku made our day – we all had become family on this day. As we told them both – Aloha Nui Loa A Hui Hou!
★★★★★
Jun 30, 2026
Louisa_B
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
My Fuji Experience and temple visit
Great trip out…
Jun 30, 2026
Louisa_B
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
My Fuji Experience and temple visit
Great trip out of a city.
Use public transit and visit local exhibit of My Fuji and had a great guide also!
★★★★★
Apr 14, 2026
Bret_F
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Great Shizuoka Area Experience
We enjoyed a memorable day…
Apr 14, 2026
Bret_F
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Great Shizuoka Area Experience
We enjoyed a memorable day with Acchan, our guide! Although the weather was unfavorable and we did not get good views of Mt Fuji, we learned a lot about the history and the surrounding area. Perhaps our favorite part of the trip was lunch at a Japanese restaurant just talking and learning about the Japanese culture and language. We also toured the grounds and gardens at Sumpu Castle, ending our day with the best matcha ice cream. Thanks for a great tour, Acchan!
★★★★★
Mar 27, 2026
James_M
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Loved are guide.
Great tour guide. We loved her…
Mar 27, 2026
James_M
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Loved are guide.
Great tour guide. We loved her and she accommodated all are requests. Would definitely
recommend her.
Port 9:30-Miho no Matsubara ~ Kashi no Ichi ~ Yume Terrace 12:30-Sunpu Park 14:30-Port 16:00
Title: What's a Private Day Tour from Shizuoka's Port to Miho no Matsubara and Sunpu Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I met the guests from North America at the port without any trouble and we headed to Miho no Matsubara. The entrance to the observation rooftop at Mihoshirube had apparently been changed to a location next to the restroom, which was a little confusing, but we made our way up and enjoyed a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. The riverside market was very crowded, so we bought sushi to take away. After that, we headed to Yume Terrace, where the views of Mount Fuji and the azaleas in the garden were magnificent and truly wonderful. The guests had also hoped to tour the Tamiya factory, but unfortunately it was closed on Sunday. Thinking the double-flowered cherry blossoms might still be in beautiful bloom, we headed to Sunpu Park with the sushi we had bought. The cherry blossoms were indeed still in full bloom, which was a relief. While taking in the lovely scenery, the guests enjoyed delicious sushi and fully savored spring in Japan.
I have been teaching high school students for 40 years as an English teacher and guiding for 10years including a volunteer guide .Now I am a national government licensed guide. I have been dreaming to introduce Japanese culture including tasty Japanese food and history , our society and also some problems in it. It is a great moment of joy and excitement to be with you from all over the world. I love traveling around Japan and abroad myself. I visited East Germany ,too that does not exist any more. I am looking forward to guiding you in and around Shizuoka!
Jul 26, 2026
Edward_H
Viator review: Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide
The only way to tour if…
The only way to…
Jul 26, 2026
Edward_H
Viator review: Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide
The only way to tour if…
The only way to tour if you have mobility issues or want a freestyle itinerary set on your pace. Our driver Yusaku Abe was so extremely helpful and attentive. From loading and unloading the wheelchair to finding just the perfect spot to enter/exit the taxi safety. His vehicle was spotless and he was the best driver. After the first stop he felt like family and he had our best interest and safety at heart. He was a true pleasure. Our licensed guide interpreter Akahori Atsuko was number 1 from pick up at the port to drop off at the ship – a true blessing. She customized our itinerary to our interests and also mobility constraints. Every stop was as explained to us and we had ample time to view and see what we wanted. We even had time at the Shizuoka City Museum of Art to complex a hands on piece of Japanese art. Our favorite stop was the Mt Fuji World Heritage Centre and the close by temple and ponds. We ended the day at a local family restaurant for lunch and both Akahori and Yusaku made our day – we all had become family on this day. As we told them both – Aloha Nui Loa A Hui Hou!
★★★★★
Jun 30, 2026
Louisa_B
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
My Fuji Experience and temple visit
Great trip out…
Jun 30, 2026
Louisa_B
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
My Fuji Experience and temple visit
Great trip out of a city.
Use public transit and visit local exhibit of My Fuji and had a great guide also!
★★★★★
Apr 14, 2026
Bret_F
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Great Shizuoka Area Experience
We enjoyed a memorable day…
Apr 14, 2026
Bret_F
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Great Shizuoka Area Experience
We enjoyed a memorable day with Acchan, our guide! Although the weather was unfavorable and we did not get good views of Mt Fuji, we learned a lot about the history and the surrounding area. Perhaps our favorite part of the trip was lunch at a Japanese restaurant just talking and learning about the Japanese culture and language. We also toured the grounds and gardens at Sumpu Castle, ending our day with the best matcha ice cream. Thanks for a great tour, Acchan!
★★★★★
Mar 27, 2026
James_M
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Loved are guide.
Great tour guide. We loved her…
Mar 27, 2026
James_M
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Loved are guide.
Great tour guide. We loved her and she accommodated all are requests. Would definitely
recommend her.
9:30 Meet at Odawara Station→Hakone-Yumoto Station→Hakone Tozan Railway→Gora Station→Ropeway→12:00 Owakudani→13:20 Togendai (Lunch)→Pirate Ship→15:15 Hakone Checkpoint→Tokaido Cedar Avenue→Hakone Shrine→Bus→16:30 Say goodbye at Hakone-Yumoto Station
Title: What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour from Odawara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
We met at Odawara Station at 9:30 and headed toward Owakudani via the Hakone Tozan Railway, the cable car, and the ropeway. Although the day was cloudy, the guests were delighted to see Mount Fuji from the ropeway. After taking many photos, they enjoyed the black eggs they had been looking forward to. After making the most of Owakudani, we passed through Togendai, and aboard the pirate ship the guests seemed captivated by the lush green scenery along the shores of Lake Ashi from the deck. We then followed the classic route of the Hakone Checkpoint, the Tokaido cedar avenue, and Hakone Shrine, and took commemorative photos in front of the Peace Torii Gate. The guests thoroughly enjoyed springtime in Hakone.
My name is Kazunori Honma, I live in Odawara city near Hakone facing Pacific Ocean, so I am familiar with Mt. Fuji and Hakone area. In particular, nature, history, culture and food in the region are my specialty. I know a lot of Shinto shrines, temples, and hiking trails. Plus, I love art, so I am able to guide you to a wide variety of art museums in Mt. Fuji and Hakone area. If you are an art lover, you will be able to spend a fulfilling time with me.
I thoroughly make preparations for your interests and needs to satisfy you with all my effort in advance. I’m sure you will definitely be happy with spending a day with me.
Sep 25, 2026
scottrE3713WR
Great Mt. Fuji experience!
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Kaz was amazing! Great communication before…
Sep 25, 2026
scottrE3713WR
Great Mt. Fuji experience!
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Kaz was amazing! Great communication before our meet up and even helped us after the tour was over with recommendations. He took us to this cute tea shop where we had a fun experience with the owners. We didn’t have to worry about anything. Mt. Fuji was clouded over the day we went, but we still got to see some glimpses. Would highly recommend him!
★★★★★
Aug 27, 2026
H694KFjoannet
Great Day in Shimizu
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
We had a great experience with…
Aug 27, 2026
H694KFjoannet
Great Day in Shimizu
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
We had a great experience with Kaz on this tour. He worked to customize our experience so that we could enjoy our day. Kaz is a great communicator and his knowledge is extensive. We chose to see the Mount Fuji Cultural Center, a nearby shrine and gardens, and visited a wonderful tea shoppe at the base of Mount Fuji. Kaz was mindful of our time getting us back to our cruise ship with time to spare. We highly recommend this tour and Kaz as your guide.
★★★★★
Jun 4, 2026
Companion12422328239
Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Great views of Mt Fuji and local tea
We had…
Jun 4, 2026
Companion12422328239
Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Great views of Mt Fuji and local tea
We had an afternoon in Shizuoka on our cruise, and our guide picked us up at port on time and made sure to get us back on time too.
We went to a beautiful waterfall, the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre, the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine, and a local tea shop. We were able to get incredible pictures of Mt. Fuji, and really enjoyed every location we went. Our guide and driver did a great job of getting us to all these places and not feeling rushed even though we only had 5 hours ashore.
We traveled with my parents and our 3 kids (age range of 73 to 8) and we all had a terrific time.
★★★★★
May 28, 2026
kam_g
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
The guide was very nice…
The guide was very…
May 28, 2026
kam_g
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
The guide was very nice…
The guide was very nice and knowledgeable. Introduced us to very interesting people. Very
cloudy that day so Mt. Fuji was not visible but that was OK the countryside was beautiful.
Very enjoyable experience. Would book again. thank you so much
13:30 to 14:10 Lunch (conveyor belt sushi) at Higashimuki Shopping Street
15:00 to 16:00 Shopping at AEON Mall Kyoto
16:00 Dismissal at JR Kyoto Station
What's a Private Nara and Kyoto Tour Like When Guests Prefer Shopping? A Licensed Guide's Report
Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they were coming to Nara, I thought they might be interested in shrines and temples, but that turned out not to be the case. I then wondered if they had come to interact with the deer, but that was not really the reason either. During our casual conversation, they mentioned wanting to buy sneakers, and that they had bought so many souvenirs that they no longer fit in their luggage and wanted to buy a larger travel bag. So although we had originally planned to visit the Heijo Palace Site after lunch, we returned to Kyoto and went to an AEON Mall in Kyoto instead. They enjoyed shopping happily at stores such as UNIQLO and ABC-Mart.
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
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 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 the history of the sites on our tour. He even prepared a book that helped explain the historical significance of each site we visited. He was really fantastic, funny and engaging and connected with every member (young and old) in our group. We all learned a lot! Thank u Haru!
★★★★★
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 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 very knowledgeable about the various cites and came prepared with a binder and useful images. He was organized and even found a delicious ramen place for our family of 6 (not an easy task in the middle of busy Nara). He really cared about the cites and the history of the temples and spoke great English. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
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 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 Government-Licensed Guide
We were able to customize our trip to the top places we wanted to see. We were able to get to all of them. Our guide Haru was great and the places we visited were amazing and interesting. Our guide gave us a lot of history around the different sites. Our favorites were Kiyomizudera temple, Sanjyu Sangendo Temple and Kinkakuji Temple. We also visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine which was pretty great. We did a lot of walking and public transportation to get around. All in all it wasn’t bad and our guide got us to all the sites with ease. Haru was great as he took most of our family pictures. He did a great job.
★★★★★
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…
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 added a lot to our trip and
allowed us to experience a lot in the limited time we had available.
13:15 @ Himeji Honmachi Shopping Street (Lucky Cat Shop)
13:45 Disband @ Food Court inside JR Himeji Station
Title: What Is a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like for European Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were from Europe. The tour proceeded smoothly, though one of the guests found communication in English somewhat difficult, so the other guest translated the guide's explanations. One of the guests mentioned having visited Himeji about twenty years earlier. When the guide explained that Europe and Japan have had a very deep relationship since long ago, the guests fully agreed, noting for example that words such as "pan" (bread) and "tempura" come from their language. In addition, at Himeji Castle, when the guide explained that matchlock guns were introduced from Europe in the 16th century, one of the guests immediately pointed out "Tanegashima." At each spot, the guests listened attentively and with great interest to the guide's explanations. At a local shop, the guests revisited a popular handmade maneki-neko (beckoning cat) store that the guide had recommended, and purchased several items as souvenirs after the tour. They also wished to buy Japanese sake, which they did at a local supermarket. Before returning to Kyoto, they wanted to have a light meal, so at the food court inside Himeji Station the guide recommended the locally popular "eki-soba" (Chinese-style noodles with Japanese broth) and Akashi-style takoyaki (eaten with broth), after which we parted ways. Both guests were very fond of Japan and treated me warmly and kindly, for which I am deeply grateful. They kindly invited me to visit their home country, and at our final farewell they even gave me a hug.
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
Ross_W
Fun with Hidden Gems
Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Our guide Yama was so…
Sep 27, 2026
Ross_W
Fun with Hidden Gems
Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Our guide Yama was so friendly and greeted us in our hotel lobby and guided us from there to the areas we wished to experience. While we were really needing to find gifts for us and friends, he made it very interesting along the way pointing out special places and landmarks. We went to the culinary shopping and visited a number of shops and he helped translate, which we needed. We went to an area for animae and it was eye opening. We then went to the black gate market, Kuromon, for a lunch experience and wow that was so much fun, I only wish I could have tried more food items, but we were full! Last we expended the shopping area. All I can say is it is busy and lots of stores. We finished on the base of a department store, enjoyed with are great guide.
★★★★★
Aug 10, 2026
Sez042
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Great experience
Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…
Aug 10, 2026
Sez042
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Great experience
Yama was great, he showed us around and explained everything very well. Highly recommend, very knowledgeable
★★★★★
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 25, 2026
Hdixjdixj
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
We were taken care of by Yama-San. We had an amazing time and probably ate the best Tuna ever in our lives. Yama-san really knew where to take us and also gave us some historical backgrounds in general. We can only recommend this Tour as a 5 Star tour. All the places he took us too where amazing and the food so super delicious.
★★★★★
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 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 Mr. Yamashita was absolutely wonderful from start to finish! He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and engaging and he shared so much fascinating history and information throughout the tour. His passion for Himeji Castle and the gardens really showed and he made the experience both educational and fun while taking the time to answer all of our questions. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Mr. Yamashita and would highly recommend his tour to anyone looking for a memorable and informative experience.
08:30 Meet at the Ujina Port waiting room, greetings and confirmation of the schedule
09:00 Travel to Peace Memorial Park by shuttle bus
09:30 Arrive along the Honkawa River on the west side of Peace Memorial Park
09:40〜10:20 First, we went to the hypocenter as requested. Visited each monument in the park. Around this time the rain began to fall harder, and since some guests did not have umbrellas, we entered the Atomic Bomb Museum a bit early.
10:30〜11:30 Toured the Atomic Bomb Museum
11:40 Since it was exactly lunchtime, I asked where they would like to go.
As they had mentioned from the beginning, they requested bamboo shoot cuisine. When I consulted Mr. Hamano, the person in charge at SOGO, I found out that it could be eaten at a Japanese restaurant in SOGO, so we headed to SOGO.
11:50〜12:50 They enjoyed bamboo shoot cuisine.
12:50〜14:30 They purchased Japanese-made cosmetic tools, and in the basement they enjoyed sweets such as momiji manju.
15:00 Escorted the guests to Ujina Port and completed the assignment.
What Is a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
It rained all day.
Some of the guests did not have umbrellas, so umbrellas were purchased for them, but with the poor footing, the visit to the outdoor park was cut short early.
At the Atomic Bomb Museum, the guests went through the full exhibit. Since it was relatively early, there were fewer visitors and I think they were able to move through smoothly.
From the Atomic Bomb Museum we went to the rest house and took a short break. We were able to have a nice conversation.
After that we went to the SOGO department store.
At the SOGO department store, we met with the person in charge of the guests and talked about the bamboo shoot cuisine and the plans after the meal.
The guests enjoyed the bamboo shoot cuisine they had wished for. It was very delicious. They were very pleased to be able to eat bamboo shoots.
After lunch, they purchased Japanese-made nail clippers, tweezers, and brushes.
Then we went down to the basement level and they enjoyed tasting momiji manju.
After that, around the time they had gelato, it was just the right timing, so I escorted everyone to the shuttle bus stop.
They were very pleased, saying that it was wonderful to be able to enjoy a full course of bamboo shoot dishes and that they had done some good shopping.
Since cruise guests report on famous places in various regions before visiting Hiroshima, I felt that many of the guests were more interested in shopping.
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…
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 peace museum and then went to lunch for local
cuisine. Then went shopping. The tour was very adjustable to our tastes. Would highly
recommend.
★★★★★
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 26, 2026
Glenn_L
Viator review: Hiroshima 6hr Private Guided Tour & Food Tasting with Concierge
Moving tour of Hiroshima
Our guide, Harry, met us at our ship and accompanied us to our first stop, the Peace Park. The park and museum experience is a very emotional experience. It became too emotional for several of us and we had to cut this part of the tour short. However, I expressed the view that every international leader should be required to take this tour and someone else passing by added, “often”. Although I couldn’t finish this part of the tour I am not sorry for having taken the tour; perhaps I’ll try again in future. Afterwards we headed to SOGO., a giant department store. I didn’t notice/understand the shopping concierge component of the tour until we started. We decided that we wanted a nice sit-down lunch and the SOGO customer care agent found the precise restaurant to meet our collective tastes. We dined in one of the store’s restaurants in a private room that the concierge was able to get us without prior notice even though it was during the lunch rush. Our guide,Harry, coordinated with the agent throughout, making sure she understood what we were looking for. After lunch the concierge met us again for a shopping tour. There were a few items that we had forgotten to pack and she guided us to the correct floor, the correct department, and coordinated with the sales staff to get the items we needed. Afterwards we headed to the basement level for a tasting tour of their two stories for food court. We were still too full from the lunch we had, but we did a few tastings before we had to beg off. The concierge was disappointed that we didn’t want to try more tastings. Throughout our guide, Harry, was attentive and very adaptable he was very pleasant and easy to work with. I would recommend this tour to everyone visiting Hiroshima and I would recommend Harry as a guide.
★★★★★
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…
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 a great guide . He scheduled us go first to the Hiroshima memorial peace museum before the crowds arrived. We went straight in and it wasn’t crowded. By the time we finished, the line to to get in stretched around the building. We ate close-by and shopped at a mall. Although we planned to to take a ferry to a shrine, we instead headed to Hiroshima Costco where I bought electronics and my wife bought skincare products. This was the advantage of a private tour, there was flexibility in our itinerary as we saw fit. The van took us four and 2 wheelchairs. Overall a great experience.
★★★★★
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…
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 guide was extremely accommodating and did a great job. He
was very knowledgeable and took great care of us. Okonomiyaki lunch was great –
recommend.
11:50 Meet at hotel shuttle to Gora Station 12:30 Cable car to Sounzan 12:50 Ropeway to Owakudani 13:25 From Owakudani to Togendai 13:55 Pirate ship to Motohakone Port and disembark Stroll along Lake Ashi Lunch at Fukazu Soba Stroll to the Red Torii Gate Return to Hakonemachi Port 16:35 By bus 17:00 Get off at Hotel shuttle Board at 17:10 and disband
What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour with Mount Fuji Views Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting from North America for a leisure trip. They had already completed Kyoto and Nara, and would head to Tokyo the following day. Their main goal in Hakone was to see Mount Fuji. Perhaps thanks to the noon start, the full view was visible from both Owakudani and Moto-Hakone, and the guests were delighted to take many photos and videos, which I believe made a wonderful memory. I also prepared a celebration board and captured it in a photo. The peony cherry blossoms happened to be in full bloom, so we photographed those as well. However, perhaps due to fatigue, on the pirate ship I introduced the first-class section, but they relaxed and fell asleep. Over a lunch of soba, they enjoyed my little kanji lesson.
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 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. He answered any question we asked. He was well organised in dealing with our preferences and was able to taylor our itinerary to our interests. Overall a very enjoyable day. Would definitely recommend.
★★★★★
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.…
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. He gave us very comprehensive tour of Hakone. Did great explanation of history and explained a lot about culture of Japan. Very comprehensive.
★★★★★
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 30, 2026
G2432BLtimothyc
Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
6 hour tour of Hakone
we had a great experience with our guide, Hiro. Despite the weather not cooperating (rain),
Hiro was great about making adjustments so that we could see as much as Hakone as
possible.
★★★★★
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…
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 flexible for our first time in Hakone and the kids enjoyed it
