Tour Title: What Can You See on a Private Tour of Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Kappabashi? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests, residents of North America, were shown around Tokyo. Before the tour, they had expressed interest in the Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and the Kappabashi area, so I replied with a proposed itinerary. I had also informed them in advance to arrive at the Hotel ten minutes before the meeting time, along with a clear description of how to recognize the guide. When we met, I reconfirmed the itinerary with the guests and started the tour on time. We visited and prayed at Meiji Shrine, where we were lucky enough to come across a wedding photo session. The guests seemed interested in shopping as well, and during our walk we touched on topics such as hygiene masks, matcha, pottery, UNIQLO, and Don Quijote. In Kagurazaka, we found that a pharmacy along the main street carried many kinds of beauty face masks, and the guests said they planned to look at them carefully and purchase some another day. We also stopped by a Japanese tea shop. When the guests showed the staff a photo of a matcha product recommended by someone who had visited Japan before, the staff explained that the brand was very famous among Uji matcha and currently hard to obtain, and recommended a matcha of the same or higher grade instead. The guests purchased a slightly higher-grade matcha and seemed very pleased. On the way toward Ueno, we stopped in Akihabara, strolled along Chuo Street, and entered a Don Quijote store. The guests were amazed by the enormous variety of products and seemed satisfied (perhaps planning to visit another Don Quijote later). The guests mentioned a specific wagyu steak restaurant where they wished to have lunch, which turned out to be located in Nishi-Asakusa. On the way, the guests spotted a "wagyu burger" sign and requested a lunch break at a hamburger shop. Over lunch, they shared stories about chili-powdered dried strawberries and a famous brewery. At Kappabashi, the "Kappabashi Tool Festival" was being held, and every shop was even more crowded than usual, which surprised us, but the guests were able to purchase the items they wanted. Finally, I guided them to the main hall of Senso-ji Temple to pray, and we then visited the grounds of Asakusa Shrine. We rested for a while on the artificial lawn in front of the main hall of Senso-ji Temple, and parted ways with smiles.

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Tour Report by Tachi

Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!

What's a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Peace Park Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were kind visitors from North America. They had come from Kyoto and were planning to return home the next day. The weather was lovely and it was a very pleasant day. In Miyajima, there were many school trip students and tour groups, so it was quite lively, but we were able to enter the shrine smoothly and view it at a relaxed pace. The guests were very happy with the beautiful scenery of Miyajima and took many photos. Since they would be returning home soon, they bought gifts for their grandchild at the Omotesando shopping street. For the trip to the Peace Park, the World Heritage Sea Route was not running due to the tides, so we traveled by JR train, ferry, and taxi. There was almost no waiting time and everything went very smoothly, so we arrived much earlier than usual. At the Peace Memorial Museum, there were many tour buses parked and it was crowded, but I made sure the guests saw the important points. We went around the cenotaph, the Children's Peace Monument, and the Atomic Bomb Dome within the Peace Park, and along the way we folded paper cranes together at the rest house and dedicated them. Both of the guests folded them very skillfully. I called a taxi to Hiroshima Station, and although it was a little early, we parted ways. A notable stop on the tour was the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima. The Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the few structures that remained standing near the hypocenter of the atomic bombing in 1945 and has been preserved as a symbol of peace. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and stands within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as a powerful reminder of the importance of lasting peace. Visitors from around the world come to reflect on its history and message.

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Tour Report by Yoko

Hello. My name is Yoko Shimada.　Families traveling with children are always welcome. I have more than 15 years of experience teaching English to children from toddlers to junior high school students, and I currently work as an online Japanese teacher, especially for children from around the world.
I am a licensed childcare worker, a certified junior high and high school English teacher in Japan, and a guide interpreter licensed by the Hiroshima Prefectural Government.
Because of my experience working with children, I always try to create tours that are warm, flexible, and comfortable for guests of all ages.
I enjoy creating interactive and memorable experiences through conversation, local stories, and small cultural activities such as origami.
I was born in Ehime, raised in Shimane and Hiroshima, and have lived in Hiroshima for more than 30 years. I love meeting people from different countries and learning about different cultures, so please tell me about your country too!
I’m passionate about sharing Hiroshima’s history, culture, food, and beautiful local spots with you, and I will do my best to make your visit enjoyable, memorable, and special.　I’m really looking forward to meeting you!

What's a Private Day Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Goryokaku, Mount Hakodate, and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. The weather was wonderful, and there was no strong wind at Goryokaku or on Mount Hakodate, so the group was able to take their time enjoying the scenery. It was quite unfortunate that credit cards could not be used at the former Soma Family Residence. For lunch, one of the guests requested something other than fish, so I took the group to a cafe themed on Anne of Green Gables that I have used many times before. The guest seemed to like it very much and took many photos. Although it was the Friday before a long weekend, the various spots were not yet very crowded. We used a taxi to reach the Mount Hakodate Ropeway station, and again from the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses to the cruise. The photos were taken within Goryokaku Park. A notable stop on the tour was Goryokaku. Goryokaku is a star-shaped fort in Hakodate, built in the late Edo period and completed in 1866. Its distinctive five-pointed design was influenced by Western fortress architecture, and today the site is a public park famous for its cherry blossoms in spring. From the nearby Goryokaku Tower, visitors can look down on the entire star shape of the fort, which is one of the most popular views in the area.

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Tour Report by KAZU

I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine Today I guided a group visiting from Oceania. As it was their first full day of serious sightseeing in Japan, I designed the tour around Tokyo's representative attractions, aiming to help them deepen their understanding of Japanese history, traditional culture, and religious customs. First, we headed to Asakusa via Shinjuku Station, the nearest station to the Hotel. Partly because it was the morning commuting hours, the journey took about an hour. In Asakusa, we passed through Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise, and Hozomon Gate, and visited Senso-ji Temple. The guests enjoyed drawing omikuji fortunes and purchasing amulets, and at the main hall I explained the Buddhist style of worship with palms pressed together. Next, we visited Asakusa Shrine, where I introduced the differences between Buddhist and Shinto styles of worship, and explained that in the past the coexistence of a shrine and a temple within the same grounds, as seen in Asakusa, was common under the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. After that, we strolled along the Sumida River and took commemorative photos with the Tokyo Skytree, the Asahi Beer headquarters building, and the monument symbolizing foam in the background. Next, we moved to the Imperial Palace Outer Garden by subway, transferring at Nihonbashi. The guests seemed surprised that such tranquility could be maintained in the very center of the city. We visited the area around Nijubashi Bridge, and I explained the surrender of Edo Castle, Emperor Meiji's relocation to Tokyo, and his burial in Kyoto after his passing. I also mentioned that Emperor Meiji is enshrined at Meiji Shrine, so as to connect to our later visit to Meiji Shrine. After that, we took the Chiyoda subway line to Nezu Station and visited Nezu Shrine. The guests were very interested in the rows of torii gates lining the grounds. Since they are scheduled to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto later, I introduced the similarities between the two and explained that this was a place to experience a preview of the rows of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha. In the Nezu area, we also walked along "Hebi-michi" (Snake Road) and let them experience the streetscape of Tokyo's old downtown. The initially planned Yanaka Cemetery and Yanaka Ginza were omitted with the guests' agreement, in consideration of the overall time allocation. Finally, we moved from Sendagi Station to Meiji-jingumae Station and visited Meiji Shrine. I introduced the meaning of the torii gate and the manner of worship at a shrine, helping them deepen their understanding of Japanese shrine culture. The guests seemed deeply impressed by the serene atmosphere of the shrine grounds and the beauty of the historic architecture. After the visit, we returned to Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote Line from Harajuku Station and parted ways at the Hotel.

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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.

What Is a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Hidden Gems Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came from Europe and were visiting Japan for the first time, traveling from Tokyo to Hakone, Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Osaka, and then Kyoto. They planned to spend a few more days in Kyoto and enjoy some delicious Kobe beef in Kobe before finally returning home to the real world. Today's itinerary was essentially decided by the guests' wishes. Originally they had hoped to visit Katsura Imperial Villa. However, it requires advance reservation by the visitors themselves, operates on a timed-entry system, and the tour is led by a curator, which leaves the guide almost no chance to speak. Realistically, visiting Katsura Imperial Villa is also difficult from a time-management standpoint. So instead I took them to Manshuin Monzeki, which is often called a "mini Katsura Imperial Villa" and has very deep ties to the Imperial family. Both Manshuin Monzeki and the nearby Enkoji Temple (not a Toshogu shrine, but the burial site of Tokugawa Ieyasu) have magnificent gardens, bamboo groves, and dry landscape gardens, with very few tourists, allowing for a quiet day. They are ideal spots for guests who want to see Hidden Gems. One of the guests had a genius eye for photographic angles and captured many wonderful, moving shots with their own single-lens reflex camera, while the other preferred not to be in photos. They spent an enjoyable time chatting away together. In today's case, I felt it was actually better not to go on at length about history and culture, so instead we spent the day casually talking about things like London, British politics, my own family, and why I decided to become a tour guide-interpreter, answering as asked and chatting freely as topics came to mind. Also, at the guests' request, today we used no taxis at all and spent eight hours exploring Kyoto by bus, train, and on foot. There is no denying it takes longer to reach each destination, but covering ground on foot is the best way to feel the atmosphere and mood of the city. Because your perspective changes, the topics of conversation seem to shift a little too, which is also interesting. Since we had eight hours today, I think the guests were able to spend a relaxed and enjoyable day in that way. A notable stop on the tour was Enkoji Temple, a Zen temple founded in the early Edo period. It is renowned for its beautiful dry landscape garden and its tranquil pond garden, which is especially stunning when the maple leaves turn in autumn. The temple is also known for its historical connection to Tokugawa Ieyasu and remains a peaceful, lesser-known spot where visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese garden design in quiet surroundings.

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Tour Report by Kazu

Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

Title: Can You Change a Private Tour from Kamakura to Tokyo on Short Notice? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Japan the day before and were departing on a cruise tour the next day. They had originally planned to visit Kamakura, but perhaps because someone had told them, "You're going to Japan and not seeing Tokyo?", they asked the day before to suddenly change the plan to Tokyo instead. Since it was a tour with a car and the request came so late, I told them it would not be possible. However, when I mentioned it to the driver in the morning, he said it would be fine, so after discussing it with the guests, we changed to a Tokyo tour within the same six hours. I created an itinerary with Shibuya Crossing, followed by the Nijubashi Bridge, a Pokemon Center for a family member, and Senso-ji Temple, and since they said they wanted to see Sankeien Garden on their own at the end, we returned to Yokohama and finished at Sankeien Garden. For the Pokemon items, since the Shibuya location opened at 11:00, we went to the DX store near Tokyo Station, connected by phone with a family member, and they purchased the goods a young family member wanted. For lunch, they enjoyed tempura soba and found it very delicious. The guests had many requests, but they expressed their gratitude for how I handled the sudden change. A notable stop on the tour was Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in the 7th century, and is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Visitors approach the temple through the iconic Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with its massive red lantern, then walk along Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street lined with stalls selling traditional snacks and souvenirs. The temple complex, with its grand main hall and five-story pagoda, is one of the most visited and photographed sites in Tokyo.

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Tour Report by Takako

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!!

Title: What's a Private One-Day Car Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests on this occasion were a group visiting Japan from North America, traveling in the order of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. Prior consultations about the itinerary were handled through messaging. Initially, they had hoped to visit Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama, but because the destinations were quite far apart in terms of scheduling, Fushimi Inari was canceled after discussion. As a result, the finalized course was Hotel ⇒ Kiyomizu-dera ⇒ Nijo Castle ⇒ Kinkaku-ji ⇒ Arashiyama ⇒ Hotel (end). On the day, the weather was clear and perfect for a tour. We were able to move smoothly by private car and cover the planned course as scheduled. As this was the guests' first visit to Japan, they seemed to take in everything they saw and heard with a fresh sense of wonder. The cheerful and curious group asked a variety of questions, and it was a truly rewarding experience as a guide. A notable stop on the tour was Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Kinkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, and it is one of the most iconic landmarks in Japan. Originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun in the late 14th century, it was later converted into a temple, and its reflection shimmering on the surrounding pond makes it a favorite destination for visitors throughout the year.

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Tour Report by Nori

Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama The guests were an older group visiting from Europe. It was their first time in Japan. I took them to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama, including the Tenryu-ji garden, the bamboo grove, and the Togetsukyo Bridge. The weather was fine, and everything went smoothly up until lunch, but there was some trouble with the guests' card payment when settling the lunch bill. The guests' card had already been charged, yet the restaurant showed the payment as incomplete, and the cause was unclear. The guests had to call their home country by phone to confirm, and we managed to resolve it. Despite the very large crowds, everyone seemed to especially enjoy Kinkaku-ji and the bamboo grove. A notable stop on the tour was Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto is famous for its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf, which reflect beautifully on the surrounding pond. Originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun in the late 14th century, it later became a temple and remains one of Kyoto's most iconic and visited landmarks.

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Tour Report by Michi

My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Higashiyama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They arrived 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled meeting time, so we moved up our plans and set off early. At Nanzen-ji Temple, we viewed the Hojo Garden and Tenju-an, and they seemed particularly interested in the dry landscape (karesansui) garden. Next, we walked to Chion-in Temple and strolled around the grounds. We explored the northern and southern areas of Gion while I explained the ochaya (tea houses) and okiya (geisha lodging houses), and since they had hoped to see Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, we walked there as well. As for Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they planned to visit early the next morning to avoid the crowds. After the tour, since they wished to return to their hotel by bus, I saw them off as they boarded the bus at the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, and we parted ways there. A notable stop on the tour was Nanzen-ji Temple. Nanzen-ji is one of the most important Zen temples in Kyoto, serving as the head temple of the Nanzen-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The temple is renowned for its magnificent Sanmon gate and its serene gardens, including the dry landscape Hojo Garden, which is designated a place of scenic beauty. The grounds also feature a striking red-brick aqueduct built during the Meiji era, which continues to carry water from Lake Biwa and has become an iconic photographic spot within the temple complex.

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Tour Report by Yuri

I’m Yuri Takeda, a goverment lisenced English tour guide. I’ve been working as a tour guide for about two years. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been in Nara for about 40 years. I can guide you Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. I like visiting historical sites, eating and cooking. I also like meeting people from different backgrounds. In Japanese, we have a wonderful phrase “Ichigo Ichie”. It means we have to treasure every encounter is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This word came from the spirit of tea ceremony. I’d like to help you discover, enjoy, experience and feel Japanese culture with the heart of Japanese hospitarity, “omotenashi”.

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market, and Nijo Castle The guests visited Japan from Oceania, and I guided a one-day tour of Kyoto. At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they enjoyed the experience of drinking water from the Otowa Waterfall and receiving a goshuin (temple seal stamp). One of the guests was very interested in Japanese history and had many questions, such as about the Japanese emperor and when prime ministers began to be chosen. After Kiyomizu-dera, we stopped at a yatsuhashi shop along the approach, where they sampled matcha-flavored sweets. They also enjoyed taking photos at the Yasaka Pagoda and in Gion. On Shijo Street, they purchased small candies at a candy shop, where there was a live candy-making demonstration that they watched with great interest. They especially enjoyed Nishiki Market, where they bought Kobe beef and yakitori for lunch at a yakitori shop. They also wished to buy a knife from a well-known cutlery store, so I took them there. For dessert, they purchased strawberry chocolate at a shop in Nishiki Market. They said they could spend a whole day at Nishiki Market. One of the guests loved wagyu and stopped at every shop selling it. Another preferred yakitori and bought that instead. After Nishiki Market, we took the subway to Nijo Castle, where they were very interested in the story of the return of political power to the emperor and the reasons the castle was built. The tour concluded at Nijo Castle when the scheduled time came to an end.

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Tour Report by Mako

Hello! I’m Mako. I’m from Nara and live in Kobe city in Japan right now. I used to live in mountainous area in Nara.
Nara is famous for deer. There is no sea in Nara. On the other hands, Kobe is one of famous port cities in Japan and famous for Kobe beef and night views.
My favorite food is Yatsuhashi. It is one of famous sweets in Kyoto city. When I was a University student, I used to be a volunteer guide at Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto. There are many shops which sells yatsuhashi in Kyoto.

I like traveling. I have been to Canada, South Korea, France, Australia and the United States.

I studied English in South Florida University when I was a university student. I stayed for about 1 year. During stay in the U.S, I visited Las Vegas, New York, Boston, Miami, and so on. After that I worked at the travel company in Japan. Then I got the license of tour guide in 2014. I started to work as a tour guide in 2015. I usually visit Kyoto, Nara ,Osaka and Kobe with my guests. I’m very looking forward to meeting you!