Category: Uncategorized

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Shukkeien Garden guide & Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima in One Day: Shukkeien Garden guide & Hiroshima Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet at Hiroshima Station, then take the bus to guide through Shukkeien Garden
    • 10:00 Shukkeien Garden guide
    • 11:00 Move to Shin-Hakushima Station by bus, then take JR to Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 11:30 Lunch (Okonomiyaki at "Hanako" in Miyajimaguchi)
    • 13:00 Miyajima・Itsukushima Shrine visit (guide through the Grand Torii and precincts)
    • 14:00 Tea time (break at "Fujiiya")
    • 14:45 Move to Peace Memorial Park via the World Heritage Sea Route
    • 15:30 Peace Memorial Park guide (Atomic Bomb Dome・hypocenter・various memorial monuments)
    • 16:20 Peace Memorial Museum (after explanation, 1 hour of free viewing)
    • 17:15 Move to Hiroshima Station by bus
    • 17:35 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They had joined group bus tours in Kyoto and Kanazawa, but since Hiroshima was the final day of their trip and they wanted to explore it more deeply, they chose a private tour. They had researched Hiroshima very thoroughly in advance and asked many active questions in response to my explanations, which showed their strong intellectual curiosity. Through the quiet time spent at Shukkeien Garden and the guided visits to each memorial in the Peace Memorial Park, I felt they were able to deepen their understanding of Hiroshima's culture and history. At Miyajima, the timing coincided with high tide, so the Great Torii Gate looked beautiful, and taking a break with momiji manju and coffee was also well received. It was a little cold due to a return of winter chill, but we were blessed with good weather and the itinerary proceeded smoothly. I believe it turned out to be a highly satisfying tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit/JR Bus Chugoku~Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae (Shukkeien-mae)/JR Bus Chugoku240JPY
    Section 2BusJogakuin-mae/Hiroshima Kotsu~Shin-Hakushima Station/Hiroshima Kotsu240JPY
    Section 3TrainShin-Hakushima~Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Section 4OtherMiyajima~Motoyasubashi1,200JPY
    Section 5BusPeace Memorial Park/Hiroshima Bus~Hiroshima Station/Hiroshima Bus240JPY
    Total2,250JPY

    Hello, I’m Dolly. I was born and raised in Hiroshima. I love meeting new people and I am so happy to show you around my hometown.
    I have been guiding for 2 years and I also have lots of experience as a tour attendant and assistant. I have also guided many guests as a volunteer guide at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum for 4 years.
    I love spending time in nature and enjoy SUP and hiking, and I have experience guiding SUP tours. Besides, I myself love to travel, so I really enjoy visiting temples and shrines all over Japan. I also love music, collecting vinyls, playing music and going to live concerts, so you might be a good match for me if you are a music lover!
    Let’s walk around the city together, broaden your horizons, and make good memories in Japan!

    May 12, 2025
    C
    Christa_S
    Memorable Day in Hiroshima
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This is a difficult…

    Apr 20, 2025
    Dorthe1
    Miyajima Island
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a very well planned tour…

    Apr 18, 2025
    kulungr2021
    Incredible Japan
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had the privilege of being guided…

    Apr 5, 2025
    495clintt
    Amazing tour with a great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    My partner and…

  • Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel & Towers
    • 2. 10:45 @ Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 3. 11:45 @ Nunobiki Falls Hiking
    • 4. 13:00 @ Kitano Ijinkan (Foreign Residences) District
    • 5. 13:30 Lunch @ Nishimura Coffee Shop
    • 6. 14:10 @ Ikuta Shrine
    • 7. 15:10 @ Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum
    • 8. 16:00 Dismissal @ Hotel & Towers

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Walking Tour of Kobe? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from North America on their first trip to Japan. We met at a hotel on Rokko Island and did a lot of walking, visiting the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, hiking to Nunobiki Falls, and exploring the Kitano Ijinkan foreign residences district. The guests were strong walkers who reportedly walk six miles every day. The weather was fine today, and it turned into a wonderful tour as we enjoyed conversations with some travelers from Europe whom we met during the hike. After strolling through the Kitano Ijinkan district, we had lunch at a coffee shop, then visited Ikuta Shrine and the Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum before returning to the hotel, where the tour concluded. We covered quite a lot of places, but we were able to complete the itinerary on schedule. The guests enjoyed the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherKobe New Transit Rokko Island Line (Island Center)~Kobe New Transit Rokko Island Line (Sumiyoshi)120JPY
    Section 2TrainSumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture/Tokaido)~Sannomiya200JPY
    Section 3OtherKobe Municipal Subway (Sannomiya)~Kobe Municipal Subway (Shin-Kobe)110JPY
    Section 4TrainKobe Sannomiya (Hanshin)~Uozaki200JPY
    Section 5OtherKobe New Transit Rokko Island Line (Minami-Uozaki)~Kobe New Transit Rokko Island Line (Island Center)100JPY
    Total730JPY

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

    May 30, 2026
    karenpG5549XU
    Loved our tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour with Norio, would highly…

    May 28, 2026
    TrailBlazer741528
    Kobe Variety.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our delightful guide, Norio, was knowledgeable and a master at…

    May 23, 2026
    sarahpR5911DJ
    Himeji castle with Norio
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learnt lots about Himeji castle and it…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 10:30 Imperial Palace (Outer Garden, East Garden)
    • 3. 13:15 Lunch at Asakusa Umaimon Azuma
    • 4. 14:30 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple)
    • 5. 15:30 Shibamata Taishakuten
    • 6. 16:15 Disband at Keisei-Takasago Station

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who, after staying in Tokyo, were going to join a cruise ship tour. Just before the tour, I received information that one of the guests could not remove their shoes due to a previous surgery, so I skipped the originally planned Yamamoto-tei in Shibamata. Otherwise, I guided the group carefully at their own pace, and I believe they were satisfied. For lunch, I was a little concerned because there were some foods the guests could not eat, but I took them to "Asakusa Umaimon Azuma," which offers many choices, and they were able to find and order what they liked without any problems. Although it was a little cold that day, we were blessed with good weather, and I believe the guests were able to make wonderful memories.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi~Hibiya180JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Shibamata380JPY
    Section 4TrainShibamata~Keisei-Takasago150JPY
    Total890JPY

    Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
    I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
    Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
    Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
    A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
    I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
    Nobu

    Jun 2, 2026
    amandavW9846AW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo day trip!
    We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

    May 25, 2026
    Matthew_C
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobu was an excellent and…
    Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

    May 24, 2026
    Diane D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
    Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

    Apr 28, 2026
    GrandTour57165664797
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome!
    It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:35 Meet 8:45 Gora Station By cable car to Sounzan By ropeway to Owakudani 10:00 From Owakudani by ropeway to Togendai 10:45 Pirate ship
    • 11:25 Motohakone Lakeside stroll and Hakone Shrine red torii gate 12:15 By bus to Hakone Checkpoint Lunch at Donburi Chaya Maruyama Bussan Passing through Hakone Checkpoint Old cedar avenue Then from in front of Onshi Park 14:15 Bus Renaissance 14:40 Via bus 14:50 Arrive at Gora Dismiss here Customers return to Kansuiro on foot.

    What Can You See on a Private Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report Mount Fuji was visible from Tokyo, but the guests' top priority was to see it from Hakone. Very fortunately, about 15 minutes at Owakudani, the summit barely appeared, which was a great relief. After that it became hidden and could not be seen at all, even from Moto-Hakone. The red torii gate was also one of the targets, so we photographed it both from the boat and from up close. Something unexpected for the guests was the secret box from a local specialty shop. Since I had introduced it in advance, they already had some background knowledge, but the presentation drew cheers, and they purchased a secret box as a souvenir. We enjoyed our meal while talking about Shinto, Buddhism, and our lifestyle. They enjoyed curry-flavored udon.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

    Jun 8, 2026
    JasonB6980
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiro-san knows Hakone!
    Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Tourist31988989961
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
    Great Day and Tour
    Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Gion

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel)
    • 9:00-9:35 Travel (Subway; Gojo→Kyoto Station, JR; Kyoto Station→Inari)
    • 9:35-10:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit
    • 10:30-11:20 Travel (Keihan Train; Fushimi Inari→Gion-Shijo, Hankyu Train; Kyoto-Kawaramachi→Arashiyama)
    • 11:20-12:40 Arashiyama stroll (Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park, Bamboo Grove)
    • 12:40-13:30 Lunch (@Ajio)
    • 13:40-14:30 Travel (Keifuku Train; Arashiyama→Kitano-Hakubaicho, City Bus; Kitano-Hakubaicho→Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 14:30-15:00 Kinkakuji Temple visit
    • 15:00-15:50 Travel (City Bus; Kinkakuji-michi→Shijo-Takakura)
    • 15:50-16:20 Nishiki Market stroll
    • 16:20-16:35 Pontocho stroll
    • 16:35-17:00 Gion stroll (Hanamikoji, Gion Shirakawa)
    • 17:00 Tour ends   Said goodbye to the guests in Gion

    Title: What Can You See on an 8-Hour Private Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. The tour was originally planned for 6 hours, but the guests extended it by 2 hours, changing it to an 8-hour tour. It was their first time in Japan, and starting the day after the tour, they were scheduled to join a 15-day cruise visiting various cities in Japan. I took them to Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park, the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, and the Kimono Forest), Kinkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and Gion (Hanamikoji and Gion Shirakawa). The mornings and evenings were a bit chilly, but during the day the sunshine was warm, so we were able to proceed with the tour relatively comfortably. Some of the guests especially enjoyed the bamboo grove in Arashiyama, while others liked Kinkaku-ji best. The Japanese lunch (shokado bento) was a first-time experience for the guests, but they seemed to enjoy it and ate almost everything. (I apologize that I could only take photos of the guests in crowded areas.)

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal)~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari~Gion-Shijo240JPY
    Section 4TrainKyoto-Kawaramachi~Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Section 5TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 6BusKitano-Hakubaicho~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Section 7BusKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto Municipal Bus~Shijo-Takakura/Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Total1,560JPY

    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 !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Kappabashi

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Kappabashi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 12:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens & Nijubashi Bridge
    • 14:00 Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
    • 15:15 Kappabashi
    • 15:40 End of tour at Kappabashi

    Title: What Can You See on a One-Day Private Tokyo Tour by Taxi? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They had just arrived at Tokyo Port this morning after finishing a cruise, and since they would be returning home the next day, this was a one-day Tokyo tour for that day only. Because a wheelchair was in use, after discussing with the guests we decided to travel by taxi, and we first headed to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Here they were deeply impressed by the beauty of the Japanese garden, and they also wished to see the palace itself, but after I explained that it could only be viewed from the outside, we went to the front of Nijubashi Bridge. They seemed captivated by the very solemn and beautiful scenery and were greatly pleased. Asakusa and Sensoji Temple were as crowded as ever, but they happily walked around the temple grounds, enjoying the truly Japanese atmosphere. They also wished to buy a kitchen knife as a souvenir, so I took them to Kappabashi, where they enjoyed shopping. We ended the tour at this point, and I saw them off to the Hotel by taxi.

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel 900→1000 Fushimi Inari Taisha 1100→1130 Kiyomizu-dera 1230→1240 Lunch time 1340→1345 Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka 1420→1440 Yasaka Shrine 1500 Disband on site

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. Although the tour was originally planned for six hours from 10:00 to 16:00, it was moved one hour earlier at the guests' request. When choosing the itinerary, the guests had researched thoroughly in advance about the places they wanted to visit, and after exchanging messages many times through a messaging app, we finalized and carried out the planned route. The guests all enjoyed a relaxed itinerary, including lunch and shopping along Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannen-zaka, and Ninen-zaka after visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple. I also used a map I had prepared to advise them on how to get around Kyoto on their own the following day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo (Kyoto)~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Kiyomizu-Gojo240JPY
    Total480JPY

    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.

    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
    Amazing experience…
    Viator review: Nagano All Must-Sees 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience getting to see sites outside of…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Namiyoke Shrine

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Namiyoke Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 5:00Hotel
    • 5:30Toyosu Market
    • 7:00Tsukiji Market
    • 7:40Namiyoke Shrine
    • 8:00Disband inside Tsukiji Market

    Title: What Is an Early-Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came from Oceania and had visited Japan mainly for skiing. For their last day in Tokyo, they joined a tour because they wanted to see the tuna auction. We viewed the tuna auction starting at 5:30, and I answered questions such as what the average weight of the tuna was. After that, we toured the intermediate wholesalers' market and then headed to Tsukiji Market by bus. At Tsukiji Market, the guests enjoyed some recommended foods, such as tuna nakaochi and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet). Then, at Namiyoke Shrine, I explained about Japanese views on religion. After that, I shared some recommended shops with them and we parted ways at around 8:00. The guests seemed satisfied that they were able to ask various questions and enjoy the food.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijomae Station / Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello!! My name is Mami. I was born and raised in Tokyo. I enjoy watching Japanese baseball games. I became a Certified guide in 2020. After the Pandemic, I resumed my guiding work in earnest, conducting approximately 80 tours in 2023 and over 100 tours in 2024. Please feel free to ask me anything about Tokyo! Not only information about tourist attractions, but I also love to eat, so I can suggest various restaurants! I live in an area called Yanesen, and the Yanesen area and Asakusa are my go-to walking areas. I also love exploring markets and discovering delicious restaurants at places like Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Market. Why don’t you come with me and walk through the small alleys that only the residents know about? I’m cheerful and can get along with anyone. Let’s have a fun trip together!

    Mar 30, 2026
    569RickJ
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Top Notch/Highly Recommended Fish Market Tour
    This…

    Mar 13, 2026
    mchapman24
    Fish market and auction
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Auction and…

    Jun 17, 2025
    Desiree_V
    Unieke ervaring
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Vroeg opstaan maar dan heb…

    May 24, 2025
    Michael_H
    Incredible Time
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    This tour was amazing. Our…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel meet 9:10 Fushimi Inari 11:10 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 12:15 Lunch 13:00 Kinkaku-ji 14:10 Gion  14:45 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Kinkakuji The guests were visiting Japan from North America. One of them had first come to Japan for a trip more than 30 years ago and had once spent a day sightseeing in Kyoto, faintly remembering a visit to Kinkakuji. The day began with clear skies, and it felt a little warm from around midday. At Fushimi Inari, the guests spent some time watching a kagura performance, so they stayed longer than planned. As a result, we missed one JR train and gradually fell behind schedule. The guests had no problem walking but preferred a slower pace, so our movements were relaxed. At the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Kinkakuji, they took fewer photos than I had expected. After lunch at a sushi restaurant, we discovered that a smartphone was missing. Since we had taken a taxi to the lunch spot, I was a little worried it might have been left in the taxi, but a staff member found it at the seat inside the restaurant, which was a relief. The check when leaving the seat had been insufficient, and I want to be more careful about this in the future. We used a taxi from JR Enmachi Station to the meal location, and from Kinkakuji to the subway "Nishioji Oike Station." The photo was taken at the Arashiyama bamboo grove.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKeage~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 2OtherSanjo (Kyoto)~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Emmachi180JPY
    Section 5OtherNishioji Oike~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 6OtherHigashiyama Sanjo~Gion230JPY
    Total1,370JPY

    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.

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
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  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet up @Hotel Glad One Kyoto Shichijo by M's
    • 2. 10:40 Nijo Castle
    • 3.12:50 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 4.13:50 Ryoan-ji Temple
    • 5.14:05 Disband @Ryoan-ji Temple

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Ryoan-ji The guests were visitors from Europe, and the itinerary above was arranged through prior consultation. They took their time exploring Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji. To save time, they used a taxi from Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji, but unfortunately there was very little time for guiding at Ryoan-ji. Before they entered the temple, I explained the rock garden and the tsukubai (stone water basin), and since they were then heading to Arashiyama, I explained the route to the Randen tram station and we parted ways. I believe they enjoyed the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKawaramachi Shomen/Kyoto City Bus~Kawaramachi Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2BusKawaramachi Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus~Horikawa Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusHorikawa Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total690JPY

    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.

    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
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    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…

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

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