Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Citadines Namba Osaka & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka in Half a Day: Citadines Namba Osaka & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00@ Citadines Namba Osaka
    • 11:05-11:20@Kuromon Market
    • 11:40-12:10@Shinsekai
    • 12:25-12:45@Harukas Garden
    • 13:05-14:00@Shitennoji Temple
    • 14:30-15:00@Dotonbori, Hozenji Temple
    • 15:00 Dismissal@Hozenji Temple

    What Can You See on a Private Osaka Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had traveled through other destinations in Asia and Japan before arriving in Osaka the day before the tour. Since they had already visited Osaka Castle the previous day, the itinerary was changed from Osaka Castle to Kuromon Market and Shinsekai. They were bright and easygoing, laughing off even a wrong train transfer during the trip and saying it was "no problem at all," which kept the conversation lively. At Shitennoji Temple, they meditated for a while in the incense-scented grounds and seemed to be deeply moved by the experience. Along the way they also tried 551 pork buns and takoyaki, and although our time together was short, they were delighted that it became a wonderful memory of their trip.

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

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

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    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Whole family gathers & Tsukiji subway station

    Tokyo in One Day: Whole family gathers & Tsukiji subway station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00　Meet with father and discuss the schedule
    • 11:15　Whole family gathers
    • 11:25　Take the hotel shuttle bus to Shinjuku Station
    • 11:40　Arrive at Harajuku Station　Visit Meiji Shrine
    • 13:00　Visit Takeshita Street
    • 13:40　Depart from Meiji-jingumae subway station
    • 14:00　Arrive at Nijubashimae subway station　Visit the Imperial Palace Nijubashi
    • 14:30　Depart from Sakuradamon subway station
    • 15:00　Arrive at Tsukiji Outer Market via Shintomicho subway　Visit the market (including a visit to Tsukiji Hongan-ji along the way)
    • 16:00　Depart from Tsukiji subway station
    • 16:30　Arrive at Asakusa subway station　Visit Nakamise from Kaminarimon
    • 17:00　Disband at Nakamise

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Harajuku, the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Asakusa [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of Tokyo for a group visiting Japan from North America. The guests had a strong interest in Japanese culture and religious architecture. The first stop was Harajuku, where the group visited Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street. They were very intrigued by the contrast between the solemn atmosphere of Meiji Shrine and the lively, youthful energy of Takeshita Street, and stayed for about two hours. Next, we traveled by subway to the Imperial Palace and Nijubashi Bridge, where we took commemorative photos. We then took the subway from Sakuradamon Station to Shintomicho Station and walked toward the Tsukiji Outer Market area. Along the way, we visited Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, which features an Indian-style exterior. The guests found it especially interesting, observing the similarities with Indian temple architecture. After that, we had a somewhat late lunch at the Tsukiji Outer Market, where the guests enjoyed Japanese dishes such as sashimi and sushi and were very pleased. We then transferred by subway to Asakusa. I guided the group from Kaminarimon Gate through Nakamise Street, allowing them to experience Japan's traditional atmosphere. As about six hours had passed since the start of the tour, we concluded the tour in Asakusa. The guests had a dinner reservation at 6:30 p.m. and planned to make their own way there by taxi afterward. Although the guests had only recently arrived in Japan, the entire group showed a strong interest in sightseeing and appeared satisfied throughout the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku～Harajuku160JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station／Shibuya-ku, Tokyo～Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 3SubwaySakuradamon～Shintomicho (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 4SubwayTsukiji～Asakusa210JPY
    Total760JPY

    Tour Report by Toshi

    Self-Background

    During my university years, I lived in a dormitory for four years and had the opportunity to live with many international students.
    Of course, we spoke English.
    After graduating from university, I started working as an English teacher at a junior high school.
    I was able to have a fun teaching life while interacting with many students. During that time, I continued to study English on my own and obtained the pre-1st grade English proficiency test.
    After that, I worked for the Board of Education as a supervisor in charge of English education, and then managed a school as a vice principal, and later principal.
    After retiring from teaching, I took the TOEIC (L&R) and achieved my highest score of 945.
    I also obtained a license as a national guide-interpreter, and began working as a guide for overseas visitors in English.
    Currently, I guide tourists to several places around the country.
    Many customers have told me that I am a good guide, saying that my guidance is easy to understand and that I have a lot of knowledge about sightseeing spots and history.
    Furthermore, I will continue to improve my skills and make efforts to give you a better experience in Japan, so please come and enjoy your trip in Japan with me.

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  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • Gora Station → Owakudani → Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise → Hakone Shrine → The Hakone Open-Air Museum

    What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Although the tour was originally scheduled to begin at 10:00, at the guests' request we started the tour at 9:00. Since they only had one day available for sightseeing, I guided them in the following order: Owakudani, the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise, Hakone Shrine, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. At Owakudani, seeing the smell of sulfur and the rising steam, the guests seemed to truly realize that Hakone is an active volcano. Only one of the guests wanted a black egg, but I had one together with them. They seemed to enjoy it. Unfortunately it was cloudy so we could not see Mount Fuji, but they appeared to enjoy themselves. On the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise, they ordered tea and snacks at the cafe on board, and we headed toward Moto-Hakone Port while viewing the Peace Torii Gate through the window. There was no time to stop at the Hakone Checkpoint, so I explained it verbally only, but they seemed interested. After that, they had katsudon and tendon at a restaurant near Moto-Hakone Port before heading to Hakone Shrine. The guests kindly offered to cover the lunch, so I gratefully accepted. They seemed interested in the history of Hakone Shrine and listened attentively to my explanation. I wanted to take a photo at the Peace Torii Gate, but there were many people, so I took the photo from the side rather than from the front. They appeared satisfied. At the Open-Air Museum, some of the guests especially enjoyed it. They seemed to like that it was hands-on rather than simply viewing artwork carefully. One of the guests was also deeply knowledgeable about art and said it was a very good museum. Finally, we parted at Chokoku-no-Mori Station. They said they had a wonderful time and even gave me a tip. When I asked them for a review at the end, they kindly agreed and gave five stars. It seems it was their last day in Japan, and I was glad that it became a good memory for them.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGora～Sounzan430JPY
    Section 2OtherSounzan～Togendai2,000JPY
    Total2,430JPY

    Tour Report by Kanako

    Hi everyone! My name is Kanako. It might be difficult for you to remember my name, so just think my name is “Can of Coke”.
    I enjoy traveling, exploring cafés, and visiting museums. Since I live close to Tokyo, I often visit there in my free time.
    Do you like Japanese culture? Lately, people from many countries have shown interest in it, and I truly feel happy about that. Especially after the pandemic, even more visitors have been coming to Japan.
    Japan is a country with traditions that span thousands of years, while also embracing some of the most advanced technologies in the world. For example, you might come across a café with a sleek, modern interior hidden inside a building that looks like a traditional Japanese house from the outside. That’s quite common here. It reflects Japan’s spirit of “learning new things by studying the old.”
    Personally, I often discover something new just by walking through the streets. From famous tourist spots to hidden gems off the beaten path, let’s explore the essence of Japan together!

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    Mar 17, 2026
    C1482AUdave
    Perfect Hakone Day with a Fantastic Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful…

  • Tokyo: 00 @ Tsukiji

    Tokyo: 00 @ Tsukiji

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:30 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 2.11:20 @ Asakusa
    • 3:13:00 @ Tsukiji
    • 4.13:20 Lunch @ Sushisen Tsukiji
    • 5.14:40 @ Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 6.16:00 Disband @ Hotel

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, some of whom had been to Japan quite some time ago. We began by taking in the view from the observation deck at the Asakusa information center, then visited Senso-ji Temple. Along Nakamise Street, the guests enjoyed eating ningyo-yaki and shopping for souvenirs. After that, we went to Tsukiji, where we had nigiri sushi and tendon at a sushi restaurant. The guests said it was fresh and very delicious. We then went to Hamarikyu Gardens, and everyone made it as far as the Shioiri Pond. However, one of the guests had been experiencing back pain and wished to sit and rest near the Taka-no-Chaya area, so some of the guests and I walked around the pond and visited the field of rapeseed blossoms before rejoining the others and returning to the car. We had planned to visit Meiji Shrine next, but when I explained that Meiji Shrine involves quite a lot of walking, the guests said they had already enjoyed the day enough and wished to return to the hotel. So I explained Japanese history and about Meiji Shrine in the car, and we arrived at the hotel 30 minutes ahead of schedule, ending the tour. The weather was very nice and it was a warm day.

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

    Tour Report by FUMIKO

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Request Booking

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fumiko is a great tour guide – informative, friendly and very well…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Aloft Osaka Dojima, departure　➡　By Keihan Electric Railway, Kawazu cherry blossoms at Yodo Waterway (10:20~11:00)　➡　By Keihan Electric Railway, Fushimi Inari Taisha (11:30~12:20)　➡　By taxi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple (12:30~13:10)　➡　On foot, lunch at Kiyomizu-zaka→Sannen-zaka→Yasaka Pagoda→Kennin-ji Temple grounds→Gion→Cafe→Shijo-ohashi Bridge→Teramachi Street→Nishiki Market (13:10~15:30)　➡　By subway and JR, arrive at Osaka Station, explain route to hotel, then disband (16:30)

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a very lovely group visiting from North America. We traveled from their hotel in Osaka to Kyoto. Although we had planned to start at Fushimi Inari Taisha, before that we stopped by the Yodo Kawazu cherry blossoms, which were still beautiful even though the peak had passed. One of the guests, who enjoys photography as a hobby, was delighted and took many photos. As an aside, the guide for the previous day's Osaka tour was apparently often asked for autographs during the tour and even had a Wikipedia page — it turned out to be a former MBS announcer who is popular in the Kansai region and now works freelance, including in travel-related activities. The guests told me they were glad they could learn about Kyoto's history, and they were truly a kind family.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainYodoyabashi～Yodo460JPY
    Section 2TrainYodo～Fushimi Inari320JPY
    Section 3SubwayShijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 4TrainKyoto～Osaka580JPY
    Total1,580JPY

    Tour Report by Emi

    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!!

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Sumiyoshi Taisha & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Sumiyoshi Taisha & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet up @Voco Osaka Central
    • 11:45 @Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 13:30 @Kuromon Market
    • 14:15 @Dotonbori
    • 15:00 Disperse @Kuromon Market (fish shop)

    Title: What's a Private Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha and Kuromon Market Body: The guests were visiting from Oceania, and everything went smoothly. However, the SUICA card that had been purchased the day before could not be used for some reason, so tickets had to be bought each time. (A subway staff member explained that they should inquire at a JR station, which I conveyed to the guests, and after the tour the guests contacted me to say the problem had been resolved.) At Sumiyoshi Taisha, the guests offered prayers, picked up the popular "Go-Dai-Riki" (Five Great Powers) small stones, and purchased a small amulet pouch. Within the shrine grounds, they also happened to encounter a first-shrine-visit blessing and, rather rarely, a wedding ceremony, which delighted them greatly. At Kuromon Market, the guests tried various food samples, and after visiting the next spot, they returned to Kuromon Market and enjoyed fatty tuna, scallops, and sea urchin at a fresh fish shop recommended by the guide, appearing very satisfied. I presented them with a handmade drawstring pouch, which they were pleased to receive.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Umeda～JR Namba240JPY
    Section 2TrainNamba (Nankai Line)～Sumiyoshi Taisha240JPY
    Section 3TrainSumiyoshi Taisha～Namba (Nankai Line)240JPY
    Total720JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Transported to @Marutamachi Hospital

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Transported to @Marutamachi Hospital

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet up @Asai Kyoto Shijo
    • 2.10:25 @Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 3.12:25@Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 4.13:15@Bought soft serve ice cream at "Mamemasa" in Kinkaku-ji, and just as he started eating, the husband appeared to be suffering from dizziness, nausea, and severe physical distress. He lay face down on the bench and vomited several times.
    • 5·13:26 With the agreement of his wife and himself, called 119 to request an ambulance.
    • 13:50 Transported to @Marutamachi Hospital
    • Examination, blood test, IV drip for nausea.
    • MRI examination due to the possibility of cerebral infarction.
    • 16:25 MRI examination started
    • 17:00 The doctor explained the blood test results and MRI examination results. No concern of cerebral infarction.
    • 17:35 Received an English letter from the doctor addressed to his primary care physician, and paid the medical expenses. Since he did not have travel insurance, he paid a total of 102,102 yen by credit card.

    Title: What Happens if a Guest Has a Medical Emergency on a Kyoto Private Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. We sightseeing according to the itinerary, visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and then Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion). After touring Kinkaku-ji, one of the guests bought a soft-serve ice cream at the shop "Mamemasa" inside the Kinkaku-ji grounds, and just as they began eating it, they suddenly experienced dizziness, nausea, and severe illness. Seeing this, and with the agreement of both guests, I called 119 and requested an ambulance. The staff at Kinkaku-ji also kindly assisted us. The guest was transported to Marutamachi Hospital, where they underwent an examination, a blood test, and an IV drip for the nausea, after which they were placed on standby for an MRI scan due to the possibility of a stroke. We waited about one hour for the MRI, which began at 16:25. Around 17:00, the doctor explained the results of the blood test and the MRI scan. According to the doctor, there was no concern about a stroke. At 17:35, at the request of the guest, we waited while the doctor here wrote a letter in English (explaining the day's condition, the tests, and the treatment) to be given to the guest's regular doctor back home, and we received the letter and settled the medical costs. As the guests had not taken out travel insurance, they paid a total of 102,102 yen.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Karasuma Imadegawa (Imadegawa Subway Station) / Kyoto Municipal Bus260JPY
    Section 2BusKarasuma Marutamachi (Marutamachi Subway Station) / Kyoto Municipal Bus～Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Total490JPY

    Tour Report by Shoko

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

    Request Booking

    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Ueno Park

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Ueno Park

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:55　Meet @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
    • 08:45　Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 09:15　Meiji Shrine
    • 10:40　Imperial Palace
    • 11:30　Lunch @ Aoyuzu Tora (Marunouchi Building)
    • 12:30　Senso-ji Temple
    • 13:35　Ueno Park
    • 14:15　Disband @ Iidabashi Station

    What Can You See on a Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Ueno Park The guests were a group visiting from Europe, who had arrived in Yokohama the previous day on a two-week cruise from Asia. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Hiroshima and Kyoto. At Meiji Shrine, they appeared impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from the bustle of Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they were interested to hear about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as the story of the Kaminarimon Gate. At Ueno Park, they were delighted to see the early-blooming cherry blossoms. Since I was able to accommodate the guests' wishes throughout, I believe they were satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayIidabashi～Shibuya210JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku160JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo～Ueno200JPY
    Section 5SubwayUeno～Asakusa180JPY
    Section 6SubwayAsakusa～Ueno180JPY
    Section 7TrainUeno～Iidabashi200JPY
    Total1,340JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    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

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    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
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    Tokio in de zon
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  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel 900→940 Kiyomizu-dera 1050→1120 Kinkaku-ji 1230→1300 Lunch time 1350→1410 Tenryu-ji 1440→1500 Hotel

    What Does a Private Kyoto Tour of Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Tenryu-ji Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. They particularly wished to visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Tenryu-ji, so I arranged an itinerary connecting these locations. It was memorable how the guests looked forward to taking group photos at each photogenic spot and collecting goshuin (temple stamps), and how keenly interested they were in the special stories I shared at each location. This was a wonderful group who, both before and after Kyoto, energetically arranged their own activities — such as visiting Ghibli Park near Nagoya and attending the Grand Sumo Osaka Tournament — thoroughly enjoying every corner of their first visit to Japan.

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

    Tour Report by YOSHI

    Since I completely retired from my position at a railway company and started being involved in the tour guide interpreter business, I have experienced almost all types of guiding through FIT, Long Group Tours, Cruises (Shore Excursions), Incentive Tours, Special Interest Tours (Railway Travel, Pilgrimages), Familiarization Tours (Sales Promotion Tours) etc.
    However, I noticed that I am not fully satisfied to only be a general guide who just manages a tour itinerary provided by tour agents/clients.
    High-end guests have sometimes requested me to answer some enquiries that are actually challenging to answer for Japanese nationals. However, I appreciated those because they provided such a challenge and I felt that they wanted to understand my sense of beauty/values as a guide concerning a new culture for them.
    Every time I host my guest I do my best to prepare the most appropriate information based on three travel elements (appetite, logistics, accommodation). Nevertheless, I decided to aim for higher guiding skills after I was motivated by senior guides whose guiding strategies and gestures were particularly impressive.

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    Jul 5, 2026
    788amarpals
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Top 7 Sights Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Private tour Guide in Kyoto- Mr Yoshi
    Mr.…

    Mar 17, 2026
    jodonr2026
    Amazing. Go with Yoshi!
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a fantastic…

    Jan 2, 2026
    Fearless67262385503
    Memorable experience
    Tripadvisor review: Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide, Yoshi-san, a sweet and gentle elderly…

    Oct 17, 2025
    Laura_C
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  • Hiroshima in One Day: on Miyajima Island & Daishoin Temple

    Hiroshima in One Day: on Miyajima Island & Daishoin Temple

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20a.m. Meet at the Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station
    • 10:30a.m. Arrive on Miyajima Island
    • 10:45a.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
    • 11:15a.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
    • 12:40p.m. Take a dirct ferry to the city center
    • 1:40p.m. Lunch at an Okonomiyaki restaurant
    • 2:45p.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
    • 4:45 p.m. Take taxi to Hiroshima station
    • 5:20p.m. End the tour at Hiroshima station

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Body: The guests were a group visiting from North America. They came on a day trip, traveling from Kyoto by Shinkansen. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides lead private tours like this across all 47 prefectures of Japan. From the very first contact they were extremely friendly, and we hit it off right away after meeting. They asked many questions about raising children and about Japanese culture, and the conversation was lively. The weather was fine and warm, and at Miyajima they took many photos, saying it was the best weather since they arrived in Japan and that they were very happy about it. They had gotten up early to leave Kyoto and were a little short on sleep, so some of the guests took a nap during the World Heritage Sea Route cruise. One of the guests showed me many photos and told me about life in North America, how they spend their holidays, and stories from earlier years. At the Peace Memorial Park, everyone was deeply interested in the history of Hiroshima and listened very earnestly. The museum was relatively uncrowded today, so they were able to take their time viewing it. They had never folded a paper crane before, so we folded one together, which they were delighted to call a wonderful experience, and they took the paper crane home as a memento. They also greatly enjoyed the okonomiyaki. Since they had another journey the next day, they wanted to take an earlier return Shinkansen, so I helped them change their reservation at the ticket counter, and the tour concluded. They thanked me politely all the way until they passed through the Shinkansen ticket gate, making it a very heartwarming tour.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima～Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2OtherMiyajima～Peace Memorial Park1,200JPY
    Total1,620JPY

    Tour Report by Mari

    Hello. My name is Mari.
    I am a certified local tour guide in Hiroshima.

    I was born and grew up in Hiroshima until I entered in a university in Tokyo.
    After 6 years in Tokyo, I came back to Hiroshima because I really love my hometown and wanted to spend the rest of my life here.

    Hiroshima is very comfortable city to live in and rich in nature.
    I am so happy that I have been able to raise my kids here.

    Hiroshima is absolutely full of beautiful and historically important places and also the great food.
    I am so excited to introduce the wonderful experiences here in Hiroshima and hope you will come to love this place, too.
    Look forward to meeting you.

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    Jul 27, 2026
    Jen_S21
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    The highlight of our trip!
    Mari was an excellent…

    Jul 26, 2026
    Celine B
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    A faire
    Une belle visite, bcp d’émotions.
    Mari a été…

    Jun 25, 2026
    Bill_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    My son and I really…
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    Jun 22, 2026
    Beth W
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    Mari is a fantastic guide for your Visit…