Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:55 Meet up @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
    • 10:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 10:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:00 Imperial Palace
    • 13:00 Lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Zushi (Marunouchi Building)
    • 14:30 Sensoji Temple
    • 16:10 Disband @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to continue to Hakone and Kyoto. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was a striking contrast to nearby Shibuya. They also purchased many omamori charms as souvenirs. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they were intrigued by explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes throughout, I believe they were satisfied with the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo~Ueno200JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    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

    Sep 27, 2026
    jonaJ5014ZK
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…

    Sep 11, 2026
    M7402TTsharonp
    Higly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…

    Sep 8, 2026
    OnAir57127583503
    Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…

    Sep 4, 2026
    B2319ZKjoseo
    Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a great time learning about…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya Station & Meiji-jingumae Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya Station & Meiji-jingumae Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meeting place: Hotel
    • Shibuya Station Shibuya Station · Eki Tabi Concierge
    • 8:50 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 9:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Senso-ji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • 10:15 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Nihonbashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
    • 10:30 Arrive Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 11:15 Depart Otemachi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    •   Kasumigaseki Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 11:45 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Shinjuku Kabukicho
    • Omoide Yokocho
    • Shinjuku Golden Gai
    • 12:45 Depart Shinjuku-sanchome Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line)
    • 13:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Jingu
    • Break: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
    • 14:10 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Omote-sando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 14:30 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • 14:30 Dismissal: Shibuya Station

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America, and it was their first visit to Japan. They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous night. The main purpose of this trip was an around-Japan cruise departing from Yokohama Port starting the day after next. Today was a tour of the city, and the following day they planned a day trip to Hida-Takayama via Toyama. They expressed a wish to see cherry blossoms if possible. The tour took place under clear skies, with pleasantly warm weather. Since they wanted to obtain shinkansen tickets to Toyama in advance, we first went to JR Shibuya Station. After that, we moved to Asakusa. We started in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, an introduction to Buddhism, and the differences between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon and various other spots and slowly strolled through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the main religions in Japan?" "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?" and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" There was also a question: "We see many people wearing kimono within the temple grounds—why is that? Are they all Japanese?" They purchased omamori charms as souvenirs for friends back home. We moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. I explained the history of Japan from Edo to Meiji, the Meiji Restoration, why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace, the history of the imperial family, World War II and the air raids on Tokyo, and how stone walls were constructed. There were questions and comments such as "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political authority?" "Who is the next emperor?" and "Can a woman become emperor?" They remarked that the pine trees were wonderful. A few cherry blossoms still remained in bloom, and they photographed them enthusiastically. We headed to the east exit of Shinjuku and strolled through Kabukicho. I explained the history of Shinjuku and the differences between the east and west exits of Shinjuku. Walking through Kabukicho, they enthusiastically photographed the 3D cat billboard and the Godzilla head. We strolled through Omoide Yokocho and Kabukicho, again enthusiastically photographing the 3D cat billboard and the Godzilla head. They also commented that, unlike other areas, there was some litter scattered about. We moved to Harajuku. Meiji Shrine was full of tourists. I explained Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are displayed. There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" We also came across a family celebrating Shichi-Go-San, and with their permission we took photos. We took a short break at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu. We moved to Shibuya and actually crossed the Scramble Crossing. There were questions such as "About how many people cross here?" and "Why did it become famous?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were comments and questions such as "The town is clean and there's no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean," "There are no trash cans on the streets—why is that?" "Everyone is quiet on the trains," and "There are vending machines everywhere." We parted ways in front of Shibuya Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Asakusa260JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro)210JPY
    Section 4TrainShinjuku-sanchome~Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 5TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya180JPY
    Total1,010JPY

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Hokkaido in Half a Day: Sapporo Clock Tower & Shiroi Koibito Park

    Hokkaido in Half a Day: Sapporo Clock Tower & Shiroi Koibito Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hotel Sapporo by Hulic
    • 10:42 Sapporo Clock Tower
    • 11:00 Odori Park
    • 11:40 Hokkaido Shrine
    • 13:10 Shiroi Koibito Park
    • 15:20 Tour ends near the guest's hotel

    This year, the cherry blossoms bloomed considerably earlier than usual. Because of this, we were able to visit the cherry and plum tree zone in Maruyama Park, where Hokkaido Shrine is located, and enjoy an early hanami (flower viewing) there. When I was proposing the itinerary to the guests, it was unthinkable that the cherry blossoms would be in bloom at this time of year. Although it had not originally been part of the plan, I believe it was wonderful for the guests to be able to enjoy an unexpected hanami. The guests asked many questions about Hokkaido and Sapporo, which made the experience rewarding as a guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOdori~Maruyama Koen210JPY
    Section 2SubwayMaruyama Koen~Miyanosawa250JPY
    Section 3SubwayMiyanosawa~Odori290JPY
    Total750JPY

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Aug 15, 2026
    I654RPsandib
    Great experience
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We thoroughly enjoyed our 6 hours touring Sapporo with…

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 ANA Crowne Plaza Meet
    • 10:15 Travel by JR, Ferry
    • 11:00 Arrive at Miyajima
    • 〜12:30 Itsukushima Shrine, Daiganji Temple
    • 12:45 Lunch 13:30 Stroll along Omotesando
    • Disband at Miyajimaguchi

    Title: What Is a Private Miyajima Tour from Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. This was their second visit to Japan, and this time they planned to stay leisurely in one place. When I arrived a little early at the Hotel to pick them up, they were already waiting in the lobby, so we set off earlier than scheduled. During our conversation, I learned that the guests were very knowledgeable about plants, and our discussion became quite lively. We first headed to Miyajima, where the guests enjoyed the scenery from the ferry and the oyster rafts, and listened attentively to my explanations of the Great Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine. They also greatly enjoyed Japanese food, sampling the conger eel of Miyajima. The weather was fine, and it was a very fulfilling day, and the guests returned satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusIn front of Broadcasting Hall/Hiroshima Bus~Koi/Hiroshima Bus240JPY
    Section 2TrainNishi-Hiroshima~Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Total570JPY

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

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

    Hiroshima prefecture is unique, having two World Heritage Sites.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Kyoto Station 10:00➡Fushimi Inari 10:20➡Kiyomizu-dera 13:00➡Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka 14:40➡Gion 15:20➡Nishiki Market 16:00

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour from a Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They were on a cruise that traveled from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, then returned to Tokyo to board the cruise ship. While the ship was docked in Kobe, they came to Kyoto by train to join the tour. Their [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of Kyoto. After the tour, the ship was scheduled to depart again for its next port of call before continuing on to further destinations along the route. Their time in Kyoto was very limited, from 10:00 to 18:00, so they requested a guide to visit the highlights efficiently. They were very eager to learn throughout the day, and showed the greatest interest in the explanation of the geisha districts during the Gion tour at the end. They said they would love to return and spend much more time in Kyoto, and they truly enjoyed themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Kiyomizu-Gojo240JPY
    Total390JPY

    Hello, my name is Taka Sakai.
    I was born and brought up in Osaka until I graduated college.
    I worked for a chemical company for more than 30 years and was in charge of overseas marketing.
    There was also an opportunity to be assigned to the subsidiary in the US.
    I experienced a lot, traveled a lot both on business and my own during that time.
    I have been conducting tours as the certified guide mainly in the Kansai Area since 2017.
    Thank you very much for your interest in Japan.
    It is a great honor for me that I can accompany and support your new experiences here.
    I look forward to seeing you then.

    Thank you

    Taka Sakai

    May 13, 2026
    Alice_o
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Perfect Day in Kyoto.
    We had a perfect day in Kyoto.…

    May 1, 2026
    Don_W
    Viator review: Kobe 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome to explore new countries
    We toured the gardens, temples and the…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Abha_N
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing guide
    We had an exceptional experience with our private guided tour…

    Mar 30, 2026
    reneferraris2001
    Tripadvisor review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Osaka Departure)
    Nara experience
    We had a great experience on…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: Motoyasubashi Pier & JR Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: Motoyasubashi Pier & JR Hiroshima Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:55 Meet at the Hotel
    • 09:05 Move to Motoyasubashi Pier
    • 09:30 Move to Miyajima Port
    • 10:15 Sightseeing in Miyajima
    • 12:25 Move to Miyajimaguchi Port
    • 12:47 Move to JR Hiroshima Station
    • 13:17 Disband at Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe and planned to enjoy a two-week trip around Japan before returning home. We were very lucky to be able to explore Miyajima on a day blessed with good weather and without too many tourists. The guests were very fond of Miyajima, and their keen sense of observation led to many unique questions, which in turn expanded my own store of knowledge. Since they had arrived in Hiroshima the day before and gone straight to the hotel, they planned to first have lunch at the mall by Hiroshima Station, which was new to them, and then visit Shukkeien Garden and the Peace Memorial Park.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1JGA Pre-Approved FeeMotoyasubashi Pier~Miyajimaguchi Port1,200JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total1,620JPY

    Hi, nice to meet you! I am Emmy. I am so honored and happy to be your guide.
    I had been teaching at a local university in Hiroshima. After I got retired in March 2023, I started guiding. I was born and raised in Hiroshima. I love communicating with people all over the world more than anything, so I have been involved in home visit, homestay, volunteer guide for people from foreign countries.
    I always hope that our guests will take away lots of positive energy from Hiroshima, a city that was resilient and revived like a phoenix, in spite of its sad history.
    While realizing customers’ wishes, I will introduce you the beauty of Hiroshima, Miyajima and so on, which are tranquil and peaceful places with a unique charm that cannot be found in big cities.
    I am happy to answer any questions about things Japanese.
    I look forward to meeting you in person soon!!

    Jul 3, 2026
    715rachnak
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Such a great experience in Hiroshima and Miyajima!
    We…

    Jul 2, 2026
    Janine_P
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Worth the money!
    From the moment we booked our…

    May 7, 2026
    Diane_F
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour and guide
    Our tour guide Emmy was…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Curious613511
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    We did a 4 hour walking tour through Hiroshima where…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet up Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 9:30 Tsukiji
    • 3. 11:00 Ueno Park
    • 4. 12:20 Lunch@Ueno Station
    • 5. 14:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 6. 14:45 Shibuya Crossing
    • 7. 15:15 Disband@Shibuya Station

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Ueno, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya We met right on time in the lobby of the Hotel. Since our prior communication had been limited, we reviewed the itinerary in the lobby. I explained that one of the sites the guests had hoped to visit, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, would be closed because it was a Monday. At Tsukiji, everything felt fresh and new, and the guests were very delighted. They also asked questions about the fish and vegetables on sale. In Ueno, the art museums and museums were closed as it was a Monday, but I explained various aspects of the history of Ueno Park. Since the guests were from North America, I also explained the monument to General Grant. I introduced Toshogu Shrine, Hanazono Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple, and the statue of Saigo, and the guests admired what they called "a very beautiful park." At Meiji Shrine we did not happen to encounter a wedding, but the weather was fine and we spent a very pleasant time there. The guests also bought some souvenirs. The final stop, the Shibuya Crossing, was at the guests' request, and they were very impressed, saying, "So this is it!" Overall, I believe the guests were very satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShiodome~Tsukiji Market180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Ueno180JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno~Harajuku260JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Total780JPY

    Hello, I’m Masaaki Kurata. I have been conducting walking tours in Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka and the East Garden of Imperial Palace since I joined an English guide volunteer club in 2016. I worked for 2 U.S. based companies in Tokyo for 41 years and retired in 2023. I developed good communication skills with people from other countries in my long career in those 2 companies. I was born in the suburb of Tokyo and I’m familiar with Tokyo pretty much. Since I retired and do not work for a company any longer, I can be flexible in making itineraries. I really want to make tourists happy by making fun and interesting communication.

    Jun 5, 2026
    Flyer544764
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Extraordinary submersion into Japanese history and culture~
    What an extraordinary 6 hr…

    Apr 27, 2026
    Eric_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mac was a very good tour…
    Mac was a very good tour…

    Apr 23, 2026
    O4598GUpatriciat
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional Private Guide – Discovering the Hidden Side of Tokyo
    We had…

    Apr 2, 2026
    V742WEsusans
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommended tour
    Excellent friendly guidance from Mac. He greeted us at…

  • Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour

    Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Depart Shimizu Port 9:00 Sightseeing at Miho no Matsubara 9:20~9:50 Go to Nihondaira and visit Yume Terrace 11:10~11:40 Take the New Tomei Expressway to Fujinomiya City and visit Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha 12:30 to 13:10 Visit Shiraito Falls 13:30~14:00 Return to Shimizu Port via the New Tomei Expressway 14:50

    Title: What Is a Private Miho no Matsubara Tour Near Mount Fuji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a very refined group visiting from North America. Since I knew in advance that one of the guests used a mobility aid, I had reserved a special beach wheelchair at the visitor center at Miho no Matsubara the day before the tour. However, the guests decided to decline the use of the wheelchair, so I went to the office and canceled the reservation. It was a little disappointing, as I had hoped to test out the ride comfort myself for the benefit of future guests with limited mobility. The sky was cloudy, and the guests seemed a little let down that they could not see Mount Fuji very clearly.

    I am glad to introduce myself to the prospective tourists visiting Japan from abroad. My name is Yasuo Ochiai, but please call me “Yasu” if you have a chance to be my guests in Japan. I have been an English tourist guide for 37 years and having a good reputation from my guests. I am proud of having a good knowledge not only about the scenic spots in Japan but also about Japanese cultures, such as Kabuki, Noh, and Flower Arrangement. When I show you around the sightseeing spots, I always promise to treat you warmly and give the best explanation as much as possible. I hope that you will go back to your countries with good memories of Japan.

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimiinari & Nanzenji

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimiinari & Nanzenji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Hotel Tou Nishinotoin Kyoto
    • 08:30 Fushimiinari (0) by JR train from Kyoto Sta.
    • 09:30 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • Yasakakoshindo by walking
    • 12:00 Ginkakuji (500) by taxi
    • 13:00 Philosopher’s Path by walking
    • Otoyojinja by walking
    • 13:30 Nanzenji (600) by walking
    • 14:00 End of the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Higashiyama in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests were knowledgeable about plants and gardening, while others had an interest in pottery and stones. We started relatively early at 8:00, but both Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera were already very crowded. As this was the first day of a two-day, multi-day tour, I focused the itinerary on the Higashiyama area on the first day. Although the cherry blossoms had already finished, we were able to enjoy a variety of flowers, including the peonies at Ginkaku-ji, the double-flowered cherry blossoms scattered along the Philosopher's Path, and the rhododendrons at the Suirokaku aqueduct. Since we started early, we decided to have lunch after the tour ended, so I guided them to a yudofu (boiled tofu) restaurant along the approach to Nanzen-ji before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total150JPY

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

    Sep 25, 2026
    Marvin_F
    Kazz is an outstanding…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly…

    Sep 21, 2026
    Laura_K
    Day in Kyoto with Kazz
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazz was an amazing…

    Aug 27, 2026
    M6034YWthomasm
    Worth it
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    The day went by so quickly, a…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience
    Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet in front of the meeting place "Ryori Yado Izutsuyasu" ➡ Support with purchasing ICOCA and issuing the reserved Shinkansen ticket to Hiroshima at Kyoto Station ➡ Cafe (9:40~10:10) ➡ On foot to Higashi Honganji Temple (10:20~11:10) ➡ By subway & bus to Kinkakuji Temple (11:40~12:20) ➡ Take you to the lunch restaurant and part ways (12:30)

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. I had been told the meeting point would be a Japanese-style inn, but since they were not actually staying there, I waited out front, and after a while the group appeared. It seemed they were staying at a different location (this kind of situation occasionally happens). They had just arrived at Kansai International Airport the day before, so sightseeing began today. They had emailed me in advance with questions they wanted to resolve on the first day, such as issuing Shinkansen tickets, so we took care of that first and then set off. The guests were well aware of the overtourism in Kyoto and said they wanted to visit quieter places that Japanese people go to, so we headed to the nearby Higashi Honganji Temple. When we took off our shoes and stepped up into the Goeido Hall, perhaps because it was Sunday, many Japanese visitors were listening to a Buddhist sermon. The guests seemed very satisfied to witness a scene like this.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal)~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto Municipal Bus~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Total490JPY

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…