Category: Uncategorized

  • Yamaguchi in One Day: Choshu Dejima & Kozanji Temple

    Yamaguchi in One Day: Choshu Dejima & Kozanji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Choshu Dejima
    • 10:15 Akama Shrine
    • 11:00 Kanmon Tunnel Pedestrian Path
    • 12:15 Lunch
    • 13:30 Kozanji Temple
    • 14:30 Choshu Dejima

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Shimonoseki and the Kanmon Straits Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. One part of the group took some time at immigration, so we started a little later than planned. Since they had been reading a book about Japanese samurai, I believe they enjoyed the tale of the Heike at Akama Shrine and the scenery of the former castle town of Chofu. They had seen the sights of Japan's large cities, but they said it was their first time seeing old houses like those in the castle town of Chofu. There was also a place displaying hina dolls, which they were delighted to see. In addition, at the Kanmon Tunnel pedestrian walkway, they took photos at the line marking the prefectural border.

    Hello, I’m Suzy!
    I am a National Government Licensed Interpreter Guide and a Yamaguchi Yume Kairo Area Licensed Interpreter Guide. I have experience working as a tour guide in various locations throughout Yamaguchi Prefecture.
    I was born and raised in Yamaguchi Prefecture and love Japanese history, so I would like to introduce the rich natural beauty and history of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Additionally, Yamaguchi is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is a place known for its delicious food.
    I look forward to meeting you in Yamaguchi.

    Apr 24, 2026
    Jose_S
    Viator review: Shimonoseki & Moji Port Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Experience Japanese traditions and culture
    If you want to…

  • Tokyo: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 & Kinshicho

    Tokyo: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 & Kinshicho

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place: Haneda Airport
    • 9:10 Depart Haneda Airport Terminal 3
    • (Hired car)
    • 9:10 Arrive Harajuku
    • Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 10:30 Depart Harajuku
    • (Hired car)
    • 11:00 Arrive Komagome
    • Komagome Rikugien Garden
    • 12:00 Depart Komagome
    • (Hired car)
    • 12:20 Arrive Ueno
    • Ueno Ueno Onshi Park
    • Food stall street
    • Ameyoko
    • 13:30 Depart Ueno
    • (Hired car)
    • 13:50 Arrive Kiyosumi-shirakawa
    • Kiyosumi-shirakawa Kiyosumi Garden
    • 14:30 Depart Kiyosumi-shirakawa
    • (Hired car)
    • 14:50 Arrive Kinshicho
    • 15:00 Disband: Mimaru Tokyo Kinshicho

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Garden and Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. The main purpose of this trip was to celebrate a retirement. This morning, they arrived at Haneda Airport via Bangkok, Thailand. Their flight arrived earlier than scheduled, and they said that passing through customs and other procedures was very smooth. They planned to stay in Japan for a few weeks. In addition to Tokyo, they intended to leisurely visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and other places. One of the guests loves gardens, has created a small Japanese garden at home, and enjoys planting various flowers. The others said they were not particularly interested in gardens. Photography was also mentioned as a hobby. In the morning, the tour took place in chilly weather with light rain. However, from the afternoon, the sunshine returned. First, we headed to Harajuku. Despite the light rain, Meiji Shrine was packed with groups of overseas tourists. There were so many tour buses that they could not all fit in the parking lot, causing congestion along the access road. At Meiji Shrine, I explained about Shinto, the torii gate, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are also displayed. There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How does Buddhism differ from Shinto?" A traffic safety amulet was purchased. We also took a quick stroll along Takeshita Street. As it was early in the morning, most shops were not yet open. We then moved to Rikugien Garden. The weeping cherry tree near the entrance was in full bloom, and many tourists had gathered. The guests took photos enthusiastically. We strolled slowly through the garden, and they commented that a Japanese garden is truly calming. We took a break at the garden's tea house, where they enjoyed matcha and sweets. Next, we moved to Ueno Park and strolled along the cherry blossom avenue. The weeping cherry tree at the entrance was nearly in full bloom, though the cherry trees along the avenue were just beginning to bloom. We saw several groups holding cherry blossom viewing parties. There were also many food stalls, and we browsed as we walked. Once again at the stalls, we bought roasted chestnuts, dango, and grilled squid, sampling them as we walked. We then moved to Kiyosumi Garden. This place was not so crowded, though there were several groups of overseas tourists. We strolled slowly through the garden, and they commented that although it was small, it was a relaxing garden. There were comments and questions such as "The streets are clean and free of litter," "The public toilets are free, tidy, and clean, which would be unthinkable in Europe," and "There are no trash cans in the streets. Why is that?" There were also various questions about spots to visit the next day. Finally, I saw them off at their Hotel in the Kinshicho area, and we parted ways.

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:40 Hotel→13:10 Fushimi Inari Taisha→14:40 Kinkaku-ji→16:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace→17:50 Gion→18:30 Disband at Pontocho

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Gion Body: There was a slight mix-up at the start, and the meeting was delayed by about ten minutes because of a misunderstanding about the guest's name, but we were able to begin the tour shortly after. I apologize for the trouble of having sent an email saying I could not make contact. The guests were very pleased with both Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji. Afterwards, we had originally planned to visit the Philosopher's Path at their request, but since I learned that the cherry blossoms were not yet in bloom there, I switched the itinerary to the Kyoto Imperial Palace instead. We finished in Gion, where I explained about the traditional geisha districts, and after walking around the area a little, we concluded the tour. I believe the guests were happy with the selection of places we visited today.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 3BusNishinokyo Enmachi (JR Enmachi Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusSenbon Kitaoji / Kyoto City Bus~Karasuma Imadegawa (Imadegawa Subway Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5TrainMarutamachi (Kyoto City)~Shijo (Kyoto City)220JPY
    Section 6TrainKarasuma~Kyoto Kawaramachi170JPY
    Total1,200JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet guests at the hotel
    • 11:40 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    • 12:00 Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Denboin-dori, Shin-Nakamise-dori
    • 14:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 15:00 Tour ends at Harajuku Station

    What Is a Private Asakusa and Meiji Shrine Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. As they had arrived in Japan the day before, they seemed to have a little jet lag, but they enjoyed the tour actively. In Asakusa, I first gave an overview of the surrounding buildings and the history of Asakusa from the rooftop of the Culture Tourism Center, and then explained the shops and products along Nakamise. After enjoying ningyo-yaki, mochi, matcha, and other treats, they drew omikuji fortunes and reacted with delight or dismay at their respective results. After paying their respects at the main hall, they enjoyed shopping along Denboin-dori and Shin-Nakamise-dori, which took more time than expected. Because of this, after consulting with the guests, we decided to skip the next planned destination and went to Meiji Shrine instead. There, I first explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism and the history of Meiji Shrine, and while walking I talked about the sake barrels, the great torii gate, and the masugata layout, and at the main hall I explained how to worship. Overall, they listened very attentively to my explanations, and it was a pleasure to guide them. The tour ended at JR Harajuku Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke~Asakusa210JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Total470JPY

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

    Jul 8, 2026
    Maria H
    Tokyo an amazing city
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    First time in this…

    Jul 4, 2026
    davidsM6670MT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent professional and attentive Tokyo Tour
    Shigeru was extremely professional, knowledgeable and…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Q3961PBsaraf
    History, Culture and Local Insight
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful half-day tour of…

    Jun 7, 2026
    abhinavg948
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shigeru is an outstanding guide for an outstanding Tokyo tour
    Shigeru is…

  • Kanagawa: Owakudani & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Kanagawa: Owakudani & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:30 Owakudani
    • 12:30 Travel from Togendai to Moto-Hakone by pirate ship
    • 13:00 Hakone Shrine
    • 13:0 Narukawa Art Museum
    • 15:00 Chisuji Falls
    • 16:00 Hakone Open-Air Museum
    • 17:00 End the tour at the Hakone Open-Air Museum

    What Is a Private Hakone and Mount Fuji Nature Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had decided to travel to Japan and had researched the country thoroughly in advance, so we visited many of the places they had hoped to see. They mentioned that they disliked purely touristy spots, so I chose a route that allowed them to enjoy nature as much as possible. However, at the standard destination of Owakudani, they seemed less impressed, as they were already accustomed to seeing volcanoes. Still, they were pleased to be able to see the overall view of Mount Fuji, even though it was not perfectly clear. At Hakone Shrine, when I explained the meaning of Shinto and its influence on Japanese culture, they seemed deeply moved, quickly coming to appreciate the depth of Shinto, and they purchased many charms. Since they disliked touristy places and wanted to go somewhere where they could feel nature as much as possible, I took them to Chihiro Falls, but due to the recent low rainfall, we could not fully see the falls as they usually appear, which they found disappointing. Finally, I took them to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and we concluded the tour there.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

    May 27, 2026
    jackie m
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Our guide was really interesting and had…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Lindsey_W
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Atsushi, was…
    Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…

  • Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:32 – 9:20 Travel by bus to Chuzenji Onsen bus stop ➡ 9:25 – 9:55 Sightseeing at Kegon Falls ➡ 10:05 – 10:25 Sightseeing at Lake Chuzenji ➡ 10:30 – 10:55 Travel by bus to Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park bus stop ➡ 10:55 – 11:10 Walk to Kanmangafuchi Abyss ➡ 11:10 – 11:30 Sightseeing at Kanmangafuchi Abyss ➡ 11:30 – 11:50 Walk to Toshogu Shrine ➡ 11:55 – 13:05 Sightseeing at Toshogu Shrine ➡ 13:05 – 13:30 Walk to Shinkyo Bridge (along the way, view the Sorinto Tower and Rinnoji Sanbutsudo from outside) ➡ 13:44 – 13:50 Travel by bus to JR Nikko Station ➡ 14:00 Dismissal @ Hotel Classic

    Title: What's a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nature and History The guests loved nature, so we took a different route than the usual way of touring Nikko. Specifically, we chose Kegon Falls, which is most beautiful in the morning, as the first stop, and then connected it with sightseeing at the scenic Lake Chuzenji and Kanmangafuchi Abyss. My intention seemed to come across well, and the guests were pleased. At the guests' request, we decided not to climb up to the inner shrine of Toshogu, and with the extra time this freed up, I was able to explain the Sorinto pagoda and the Sanbutsudo Hall of Rinnoji Temple (from the outside). The guests understood well my attempt as a guide to cover both the nature and the history and culture of Nikko, and they gave me their heartfelt thanks.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassJR Nikko Station~Chuzenji Onsen2,300JPY
    Section 2Free PassChuzenji Onsen~JR Nikko Station0JPY
    Total2,300JPY

    I am more than happy to take you to attractive tourism resources scattered in Nikko. I will prepare for your trip enough to satisfy your requests and provide you with the memorable tour. When I was a company employee, I lived abroad for 5 years in Los Angeles, 11 and a half years in Washington D.C. and 2 and half years in Brussels. Despite 19 year long stay abroad, I remain charmed by Japanese things, such as culture, custom, spirit, martial art etc. I am glad if I can be of help you understand Japan as well as Nikko through my guide. I am interested in Japanese martial arts: I own the third grade in Japanese archery, known as Kyudo and I have passed a certification examination (1st grade) for Sumo wrestling conducted by the Japanese Sumo Promoting Association.

    May 22, 2026
    michaeliI2370UG
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nikko with Ichiro Amazing!
    Ichiro was an awesome tour guide and made…

    May 15, 2026
    Laurent S
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    excellent
    Ichi was very patient, indulgent, super nice, always had an…

    May 12, 2026
    H4725BUbarbarab
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ichi memorable tour
    Ichi made our trip to Nikko very memorable. He…

    Apr 5, 2026
    EmilioP6
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Great day with Ichi
    Our day in Nikko with Ichi was…

  • Tokyo: Rikugien Garden & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo: Rikugien Garden & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel
    • 9:50 Rikugien Garden
    • 11:00 Ueno Park, Toshogu Shrine, Kiyomizu Kannon Hall, etc.
    • 12:10 Kappabashi
    • 13:00 Lunch @ Apollo
    • 14:00 Sensoji Temple, etc.
    • 16:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 17:00 Dismiss @ Shibuya Station

    What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rikugien, Ueno, Kappabashi, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine I guided a group visiting from Oceania. It was their first day in Japan, and after a stay in Tokyo they would board a ship from Yokohama. The weeping cherry blossoms at Rikugien Garden were in full bloom and absolutely stunning. Because we arrived first thing in the morning, we were able to enter easily, but by the time we left there was a long line waiting to get in (mostly Japanese visitors). The cherry blossoms at Ueno Park were also more in bloom than expected, and there was quite a crowd. At Ueno Station, we used the ticket machine to issue Shinkansen tickets for their later trip to Nagano. At Kappabashi, where there are many great deals on tableware, they bought a lot of items such as chopsticks, small plates, and soy sauce bottles. Before that, for lunch, we passed by an okonomiyaki shop near Ueno that looked delicious, so we peeked inside, and since it was a place where you sit on the floor, I confirmed that it would be fine before we went in. They ordered okonomiyaki and yakisoba, enjoyed the experience of cooking on the iron griddle, and were delighted, saying the food was very tasty and a good choice. In Asakusa, they bought a paper umbrella and a tote bag. At the final stop, Meiji Shrine, I introduced a way to draw omikuji fortunes with peace of mind, which they liked very much. It was a long tour, but it went smoothly, they were able to do some good shopping, and they seemed very satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Komagome260JPY
    Section 2TrainKomagome~Ueno200JPY
    Section 3BusUeno Koen Yamashita / Toei Bus~Kikuyabashi / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Section 5TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Total1,090JPY

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Kyoto: Fushimiinari shrine & Samurai experience we end this tour here

    Kyoto: Fushimiinari shrine & Samurai experience we end this tour here

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:40 Fushimiinari shrine
    • 12:45 Nijo castle
    • 14:00 Arashiyama
    • Udon lunch at Togakushi
    • 14:40 Monkey Park
    • 16:15 Samurai experience we end this tour here
    • 17:00 Hotel we brought their luggages to this hotel.

    Title: Can You See Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Monkey Park in Kyoto in 5.5 Hours? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests requested a 5.5-hour tour covering Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and the Monkey Park, including lunch, which made the schedule quite tight time-wise. At Nijo Castle, we ended up not going inside and instead viewed the garden. The cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, and although we only had 30 minutes in the end, I felt it was worth going. After that, for lunch, the first restaurant was crowded and we were told there would be a 30-minute wait, which made me anxious, but the udon shop next door let us in right away, so we were able to avoid trouble. The guests seemed to enjoy the Monkey Park as well. (They said they had no cash, so I paid for them. I thought I had told them that cash would be needed, but it seems the message did not get through.) In the end, we managed to make it in time for the 16:15 slot.

    Bye bye smart phone!! Let’s enjoy Japan without bothering to check up your phone all the time with not AI but a local guide like me. Hi, my name is Mimmy. You may think this sounds like a kitten’s name.
    I use this nickname because it sounds cute and easy to remember. However,
    I actually look rounded, a middle aged woman more like a yellow character of M&Mchocolate, which reminds you of my name easily when you see me.
    I was born in Osaka, went to school in Kobe, went to work in Kyoto and married but still live in Osaka. I am a local, native Osakan. My 3 children are all grown up and live separately except one son. Now I live with one son and a husband in suburbs of the Osaka city.
    I like travelling, walking around the town and anything new.
    I got my guide license in 2017 and started guiding after that. I wasn’t able to work during Covid period but start guiding in 2022 again. I guide Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe and have experienced more than100 tours including bus tours.
    I would like to tell you about the itineraries I usually have in each area.
    In Osaka, we usually go to Osaka castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori Namba area.
    I think most important part you should see is Dotonbori Namba in Osaka.
    This place is vibrant , energetic, full of 3D signs and different from any other place in Japan.
    In Kyoto, we cannot see all famous sightseeing spots in one day.
    It will be better to visit each area respectively. I recommend guests who come to Kyoto first time to visit East area, Kiyomizu Temple>Sannenzaka>Ninenzaka>Ishibeikouji>Yasaka shrine> Gion area. This area has an atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto. The most Kyoto like places which suit Kimono. You can rent Kimono in a lot of places around here.
    The second place I recommend you is West area: Golden temple and Arashiyama area where Bamboo forest , Tenryuji temple, mountains and a river. There are several nice gardens in this area. If you want to enjoy the nature quietly, you
    should come here when it is not crowded (Winter is the most quiet)
    In Nara which used to be a capital even older than Kyoto, we visit Todaiji Temple where a huge Buddha is sitting inside of one of the largest wooden hall and you can play with deer everywhere in Nara. Naramachi: a small town in this area is a local place where small interesting shops are.
    In Kobe, a port city, you can visit Japanese Sake breweries, Herb garden and the top of Mt.Rokko for viewing Kobe city. A small China town is there, too.

    Now I bet you want to leave home to explore somewhere else you do not know.
    Not only going to somewhere else, we can help you to do several experiences: making tea, making Japanese sweet, making Takoyaki(food), wearing Kimono, making food samples, attending a tea ceremony, throwing Shriken like Ninja, Using bow and arrow like Samurai, , , ,
    I am very happy indeed if I can help you find things impressive enough and have once in a life time experience during our tour.
    I am looking forward to sharing a good time with you.

    Mar 24, 2025
    Jennie_N
    Ask for Mimmy
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A must if visiting the first time. Will save…

    Mar 15, 2025
    Eric B
    Wonderful Osaka castle and tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mimmy was a wonderful…

    Mar 12, 2025
    williampP2709MA
    Amazing time in Osaka with Mimmy
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mimmy was an amazing tour guide!…

    Oct 30, 2024
    Niaz_M
    Great choice if you have limited time in Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a…

  • Nagasaki in One Day: Peace Park & Glover Garden

    Nagasaki in One Day: Peace Park & Glover Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at the port
    • 09:30 Peace Park
    • 10:30 Stadium City
    • 12:30 Chinatown
    • 13:30 Glover Garden
    • 15:00 Disband at the port

    What's a Family-Friendly Private Tour of Yokohama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan, and I brought a puppet along for the tour. I kept the guiding short and focused, sharing only the most important points, so the pace would suit the group. At the Stadium City, I feel we used our time well. The guests enjoyed coffee at a Starbucks and had some donuts. Since one of the guests liked noodles, I taught them the Japanese word for "delicious" (oishii). In Chinatown, we stopped by a Studio Ghibli shop, where the group purchased a plush toy. We had fun with the idea that it was now friends with the puppet I had brought. At the end, I gave them a Pikachu origami, which delighted them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPeace Park~Stadium City North150JPY
    Total150JPY

    Hello, I’m Rikako, but please call me Coco. It would be my absolute pleasure to show you around my hometown of Nagasaki. Having performed in the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival in my childhood, I developed a deep interest in history and cultural exchange. This motivated me to become a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter during my university years. Since then, I have gained valuable experience—from assisting ambassadors at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony to handling a wide variety of tours, including private and coach tours, site inspections, international conference support, and VIP hospitality.
    Explaining about Nagasaki’s history and culture is the most important to me. It is not only about this. I would love to provide genuine care so that your time in Nagasaki remains in your heart forever.
    I’m truly looking forward to guiding you in Nagasaki 🙂

    Jul 21, 2026
    Dawnery_V
    Viator review: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful city. Great guide.
    Rikako was a great guide. She…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Todd_C
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Had a very nice…
    Had a very nice experience. Coco was very…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Explore34946025848
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nagasaki
    Really good day out with a local guide, very informative about…

    Apr 4, 2026
    Giovanni_M
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Good
    Nagasaki is a very interesting tour
    I would recommend…

  • Osaka: Todaiji Temple Todaiji & Naramachi

    Osaka: Todaiji Temple Todaiji & Naramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • Departure was scheduled for 10:00, but the agent in Mexico had lied to the client, telling them 10:30.
    •   The car and guide were both waiting by 9:40.
    • 10:40 Hotel Osaka 2-4-32 Dojima, Kita-ku
    • Car
    • 11:40-12:00 Nara Park Ukigumo Enchi (taxi drop-off at the northeast corner of the Daibutsu-mae intersection)
    • Walk 5 minutes
    • 12:10- Todaiji Temple Todaiji
    • 12:10-20 Todaiji Temple's Nandaimon South Great Gate Nandaimon
    • Walk 5 minutes
    • 12:30-13:00 Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall Daibutsuden
    • Walk 5 minutes
    • 13:10 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower Shoro
    • Walk 5 minutes
    • 13:20-50 Todaiji Temple's Nigatsudo Nigatsudo
    • Walk 5 minutes
    • 14:00-40 Former katana (samurai sword) producer's, kraft shop etc
    • Lunch @ Shiroganeya
    • Walk 5 minutes
    • 14:50-15:20 Kasuga Taisha
    • Car Kasuga Taisha parking lot → to around Sarusawa Pond
    • 15:30-16:50 Naramachi (Old Quarters of Merchants)
    • Car
    • 18:00 End of Tour (Four Seasons Osaka)

    Title: What's a Private Guided Tour in Japan Like When a Travel Agency Miscommunicates the Start Time? A Licensed Guide's Report I had already sensed from our correspondence that the travel agency acting as an intermediary was quite unreliable, starting with the fact that they never even gave their own name. Sure enough, it turned out they had specified different start times to each side — 10:30 to the guests and 10:00 to me, the guide. Had they simply let the guests and me communicate directly, this kind of discrepancy would never have happened. From the very beginning I had understood the start time to be 10:00, so well in advance I prepared an itinerary based on a 10:00 hotel departure, sent it to the unnamed agency, and asked them, "If this is fine, please forward it to the client." The agency replied, "This is great. Thanks." On the day of the tour, it became clear that the itinerary had never been passed on to the guests, and that the guests had been told the departure was at 10:30. (This was not a misunderstanding on the guests' part. I confirmed the evidence — it clearly said 10:30, Japan Time.) Oddly enough, this kind of start actually worked in our favor, and the mood was lively right from the beginning — ha ha. I would like to lodge a complaint with the travel agency, but I suspect it would fall on deaf ears, and I am busy with other matters, so I am still thinking it over. The travel agency never identified themselves right up to the end. We said our goodbyes with a hug from the guests. All's well that ends well.

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…