Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Arashiyama Houseboat & Haradani-en

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Arashiyama Houseboat & Haradani-en

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma
    • 9:40 Arashiyama Houseboat
    • 10:40 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Walk ~ Tenryu-ji Garden
    • 11:50 Haradani-en
    • 13:00 Disband at Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

    What Is a Private Family Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Sakura Today I guided a group visiting from Oceania. They had already visited Tokyo before coming to Kyoto. The weather was fine, and we began with a boat ride on the traditional pleasure boats at Arashiyama. Afterward, we strolled through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and explored the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple. Various flowers were in full bloom and beautifully in season. The guests were surprised by how many tourists there were inside the bamboo grove. After that, at the recommendation of our driver, I took them to Haradani-en Garden. Weeping cherry blossoms and a variety of flowers were blooming beautifully, and there were quite a lot of Japanese visitors there as well. I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

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

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Private Tour
    Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0930 Hotel (8 min from JR Hamamatsucho Station)　Meeting
    • 1010 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 1215 Asakusa　Azuma Bridge　Kaminarimon　Nakamise　Sensoji Temple　Asakusa Shrine　Lunch at "Towada" on Kannon-dori
    • 1410 Ueno Park　Shogitai Monument　Kiyomizu Kannon-do　Tokyo National Museum
    • 1530 Tour ends at Tokyo National Museum
    • Since the return route is in the same direction, we will take you back to the hotel and disband

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Cherry Blossom Tour in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report from Shinjuku Gyoen to Ueno The guests were from Oceania, visiting Japan for the first time. Between them the group had twelve grandchildren. A cruise they had been planning since before the pandemic was finally coming to fruition. They had arrived the previous night. Tonight some of their relatives were due to arrive, and the next day they planned to visit Mount Fuji (Hakone?) together. The day after, they would explore central Tokyo on their own, and the following day they would board a cruise ship from Yokohama. During the pre-tour coordination, the topic of cherry blossoms came up. Since Ueno Park is unpredictable, I had included Shinjuku Gyoen in the plan. Shinjuku Gyoen was the right choice, as some kind of cherry blossom is in bloom there from the Kawazu cherry blossoms in February through the mountain cherries in late April. Today, the Yaezakura and Kanzan varieties were nearly in full bloom, and the azaleas were also beginning to flower, which delighted the guests greatly. Originally, the plan for today was to finish in Asakusa and then visit the Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa, but since they had been unable to make a reservation, we changed the course from Asakusa to the Tokyo National Museum. The cherry blossoms in Ueno Park had already given way to green leaves, so we could not see them, but the guests were still surprised to see people (a small number) holding gatherings beneath the trees.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOnarimon～Suidobashi220JPY
    Section 2TrainSuidobashi～Sendagaya200JPY
    Section 3SubwayShinjuku-gyoenmae～Asakusa260JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Ueno180JPY
    Section 5TrainUeno～Hamamatsucho210JPY
    Total1,070JPY

    Tour Report by Ted

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

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    Sep 24, 2026
    Leslie_R
    Good tour on first day
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Ted, our guide was…

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

  • Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kinkakuji

    Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kinkakuji

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet (@Osaka Port Terminal)
    • 8:30-9:40 Travel (contracted car; Osaka Port Terminal→Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • 9:40-10:30 Visit Fushimi Inari
    • 10:30-11:10 Travel (contracted car; Fushimi Inari Taisha→Gion)
    • 11:10-11:50 Stroll around Gion (Hanamikoji, Gion Shirakawa)
    • 11:50-12:10 Travel (contracted car; Gion→Nijo Castle)
    • 12:10-13:20 Visit Nijo Castle
    • 13:20-13:40 Travel (contracted car; Nijo Castle→Hama Sushi/Kinkakuji branch)
    • 13:40-14:30 Lunch (Hama Sushi)
    • 14:30-14:40 Travel (contracted car; restaurant→Kinkakuji)
    • 14:40-15:30 Visit Kinkakuji
    • 15:30-17:00 Travel (contracted car; Kinkakuji→Osaka Port Terminal)
    • 17:00 Said goodbye to the guests at Osaka Port Terminal.

    **Title:** What's a Private Cruise Excursion from Osaka Port to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an older group visiting from North America. They were cruise ship passengers whom I met at the Osaka Port. One of the guests had previously visited Kyoto for sightseeing, while the others were visiting Kyoto for the first time. I took them to Fushimi Inari, Gion (Hanamikoji, Gion Shirakawa), Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji. For lunch, we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. Some of the guests had difficulty walking and moved slowly, so at Fushimi Inari we used the wheelchair-accessible route. At Kinkaku-ji, since there were stairs partway along, some of the guests returned to the entrance gate and waited there while the others continued. Of the guests who waited, one enjoyed Fushimi Inari and the sushi lunch the most, and another enjoyed Gion Shirakawa and Kinkaku-ji the most. Others said that Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari were their favorites. Due to traffic congestion, combined with the fact that some of the guests could only walk slowly, the tour ended up running about 30 minutes over the scheduled time. At the end of the tour, the guests paid the overtime fee for the vehicle, and we said our goodbyes.

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

    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 !

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    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    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.…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

    Tokyo in Half a Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Leave the hotel
    • 10:40-11:30 Tour Senso-ji Temple, eat sushi
    • 11:40-12:30 Tour the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 13:00-13:40 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:00 hotel

    Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Since the group included a very young child, we moved around while looking for elevators whenever possible. The guests showed a strong interest in Japanese history. At Senso-ji Temple they were especially interested, and we extended our walk toward the Tawaramachi area. At the Imperial Palace, I guided them through the East Gardens. They seemed a little disappointed that there were no cherry blossoms. For sushi, since the group included a young child, I took them to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, which they greatly enjoyed. At Meiji Shrine, I explained the historical background, and they told me that coming here had been a dream of theirs. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainIkebukuro～Asakusa290JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)～Meiji Shrine (Harajuku Station) / Shibuya Ward, Tokyo280JPY
    Total750JPY

    Tour Report by Mitch

    I am certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
    Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
    Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
    Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
    Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
    Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.

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    Jul 7, 2026
    Ruppa_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
    It was our first time…

    Jun 8, 2026
    TAMARA_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience!
    Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…

    May 7, 2026
    Marianela25
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
    Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…

    Apr 29, 2026
    163neilh
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
    We had a fantastic…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Monday Apart Premium Ueno, walk to Ueno subway station (after purchasing PASMO cards for children and adults, board the Ginza Line subway) to Asakusa station
    • 10:00 Arrive at Asakusa station, visit Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, cherry blossom viewing along the Sumida River embankment, head to Asakusa Pier
    • 11:40 Depart from Asakusa Pier, take a sightseeing boat to Hamarikyu Gardens, after touring have lunch near Shimbashi station
    • 13:50 Arrive at Shimbashi station, take the Yamanote Line to Tokyo station
    • 14:00 Arrive at Tokyo station, walk along Gyoko-dori to visit the Imperial Palace (centered on Nijubashi), walk to Hibiya station
    • 15:10 Arrive at Iriya station, disband in front of the hotel

    What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Hama-rikyu, and the Imperial Palace Today I guided a group visiting from North America who planned to stay in Japan for a few days. Since the group would be staying in Japan for several days, we purchased transportation IC cards (PASMO). Please note that obtaining a child PASMO required a passport check and processing at the commuter pass counter, so it took a little extra time. We traveled by subway from Ueno to Asakusa, where we visited Kaminarimon, Nakamise-dori, and Senso-ji Temple. Afterward, we moved to the embankment of the Sumida River. The cherry blossoms were just past full bloom, but the guests watched the petals dancing in the wind with fascination, exclaiming "Beautiful" and showing strong interest. Next, we boarded a sightseeing boat from the Asakusa pier and cruised down the Sumida River toward Hama-rikyu. During the trip on the water, they enjoyed a variety of scenery, including the bridges and views along the riverbanks. At Hama-rikyu, varieties of cherry blossoms other than Somei-Yoshino, as well as various other flowers, were at their best, and the guests appeared to enjoy taking photographs. After the visit, we walked to Shimbashi Station, and in line with their wish to eat ramen, we had lunch at a ramen restaurant. They shared that Japanese ramen was "delicious." Afterward, we traveled by JR to Tokyo Station and walked to the Imperial Palace. We strolled along Gyoko-dori and took commemorative photos in front of Nijubashi. After the visit, we walked to Hibiya Station, took the subway to Iriya Station, and parted ways at the front entrance of the Hotel. Overall, the guests appeared very satisfied, particularly with the Sumida River cruise, the flowers at Hama-rikyu, and the ramen lunch.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayUeno～Asakusa180JPY
    Section 2FerryAsakusa (Water Bus)～Hamarikyu (Water Bus)940JPY
    Section 3TrainShimbashi～Tokyo160JPY
    Section 4SubwayHibiya～Iriya (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total1,490JPY

    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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  • Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Kanmangafuchi Abyss

    Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Kanmangafuchi Abyss

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 　Meet up @ JR Nikko Station
    • 9:37　Board the bus
    • 9:45　Shinkyo Bridge
    • 10:10　Shoyoen Garden
    • 10:55　Sanbutsudo
    • 11:20　Gomado
    • 11:35　Toshogu Shrine
    • 12:30　Futarasan Shrine
    • 13:45　Lunch @ Maruhide Diner
    • 14:50　Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 16:00　Kanmangafuchi Abyss
    • 16:41　Board the bus
    • 17:00　Tour ends @ JR Nikko Station

    Title: What's a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from Europe, traveling with plans to meet up with a member of the group in Kyoto a few days later. Compared to the rain and wind of the previous day, today was sunny and calm, and with the cherry blossoms in full bloom and relatively few crowds, the guest was able to enjoy spring at a very relaxed pace and was delighted. As the guest follows a vegan diet, options were limited, but they had vegetarian yuba ramen. Since finding vegan restaurants during a stay in Japan can be difficult, I introduced some rice balls at convenience stores that would suit the guest. Until now they had only eaten plain salted rice balls, assuming everything else contained fish or meat, but they were pleased to learn there are options made with vegetables, grains, and seaweed, and said they would like to try them next time. At Tamozawa Imperial Villa and Shoyoen Garden, the guest observed the spring plants closely. As they also have a garden at home, they enjoyed comparing the differences and similarities between gardens in Europe and Japan.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nikko Station / Tobu Bus～Shinkyo Bridge / Tobu Bus220JPY
    Section 2BusNishisando Entrance / Tobu Bus～JR Nikko Station / Tobu Bus350JPY
    Total570JPY

    Tour Report by Yumi

    Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

    Request Booking

    Aug 24, 2026
    arzed
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A perfect day!
    My family and I had an…

    Jul 1, 2026
    laine164
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day!
    We had a wonderful time exploring Nikko.
    Our friendly…

    Apr 7, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Guide Yumi Highlights Nikko on walking tour
    Our 16,000 step tour…

    Apr 4, 2026
    O4367MVkarenv
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day in Nikko
    We had a fantastic day with Yumi. She…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shin-Okubo Station & Harajuku Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shin-Okubo Station & Harajuku Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meeting point: Hotel Cen, 1-5-19 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku 169-0073 Tokyo Prefecture, Shinjuku
    • 10:10 Depart Shin-Okubo Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 10:20 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Shinjuku Station Travel Concierge
    • 10:50 Depart Shinjuku Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
    • Akasaka-mitsuke Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • 12:15 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive Suehirocho Station
    • Akihabara Akihabara Electric Town
    • Lunch: Hidakaya
    • 13:30 Depart Akihabara Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 13:40 Arrive Kamiyacho Station
    • Kamiyacho Tokyo Tower
    • 14:40 Depart Kamiyacho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Kasumigaseki Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 15:45 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 16:00 Arrive Shin-Okubo Station
    • 16:00 Dismissal: Shin-Okubo

    Title: What Is a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Akihabara, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They were traveling during a school break. The day before, they had arrived at Narita Airport and made their way to their accommodation by train, transferring along the way. This was an 8-day visit to Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, with plans to return home after coming back to Tokyo. They also mentioned that they wanted to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms. The tour took place on a slightly chilly day. The group was staying at a B&B near the meeting point. After meeting up, we headed to Asakusa. We started in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon, in front of the five-story pagoda, and at various other spots. The weeping cherry blossoms within the temple grounds had mostly fallen. We strolled slowly through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" There was also a question: "We see many people wearing kimono within the temple grounds — why is that? Are they all Japanese?" At the request of one of the guests, who is a fan of Japanese anime and especially Pokemon, we went to Akihabara. We explored various shops, and they purchased a large number of Pokemon figures. After this, at the further request of the same guest who wanted to eat ramen, we went to a ramen restaurant, where they enjoyed tonkotsu ramen and gyoza. They remarked, "The price is about one-third of what it would be back home." We moved to Kamiyacho and visited Tokyo Tower. Unfortunately, it was cloudy with poor visibility, so we were unable to see Mount Fuji. The guests said, "We could see how large and expansively spread out Tokyo is." We moved to Harajuku. Meiji Shrine was also full of tourists. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, why sake barrels are displayed, and why wine barrels are displayed as well. There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" At the request of one of the guests, we also strolled along Takeshita Street. There were comments and questions such as "Tokyo is so clean throughout the city, with no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean and free, which is wonderful," "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?", "Everyone is quiet on the trains," and "We don't see any homeless people." I saw them off at Shin-Okubo Station, where we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShin-Okubo～Shinjuku160JPY
    Section 2OtherShinjuku (Tokyo Metro)～Asakusa260JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa～Suehirocho (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 4TrainAkihabara～Kamiyacho210JPY
    Section 5TrainKamiyacho～Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku～Shin-Okubo200JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

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

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

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

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

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

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meeting point: Travelodge Honmachi Osaka
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ①: Osaka Castle tour
    • 12:30 Sightseeing ②: Dotonbori stroll & lunch (Dotonbori, ramen "Kamukura")
    • 13:45 Sightseeing ③: Shitennoji Temple tour
    • 14:30 Guided tour ends at hotel / Dismissal

    Title: What's a 4-Hour Private Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shitennoji The guests were visiting Japan from Oceania. They arrived in Japan and were traveling for about two weeks by cruise ship, stopping at various ports around the country to sightsee, with Kobe being their first port of call. Prior arrangements, including discussions about which places to visit, were made in advance with the guests. Although it was a short course of four hours including lunch, we settled on the three essential Osaka spots: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shitennoji Temple. On the day, rain was forecast for the afternoon, but it never rained, making for a comfortable tour throughout. The guests were interested in Japanese history, particularly the history of samurai governance, which made Osaka Castle an ideal subject. As it happened, the cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle had begun to fall but still retained a splendid appearance, and the guests took a great many photos and were very satisfied. Next, we enjoyed a stroll around Dotonbori combined with lunch. For lunch we opted for a casual ramen, but due to a malfunction in the computer system at the ramen shop I usually use, we ended up waiting about 20 minutes. Still, the guests seemed to enjoy ramen with its dashi-based broth. Finally, at Shitennoji, one of Osaka's proud ancient temples, they experienced the world of Buddhism. Although the distances on this course are not that great, moving by subway required many transfers and took time, so for the latter half we switched to traveling by taxi. The guests were close to me in age, and during our travels and over lunch, we never ran out of topics — from family to society, education, and raising children. With frank and talkative guests, we had a very enjoyable tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHonmachi～Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Nipponbashi (Osaka)190JPY
    Section 3SubwayNipponbashi (Osaka)～Shitennojimae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 4SubwayShitennojimae Yuhigaoka～Honmachi240JPY
    Total810JPY

    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.

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    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
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    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
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    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Tokyo in One Day: Entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00　Meet at hotel
    • 10:30　Entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 15:40　Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 16:00　Shibuya Station　Dismissal

    Title: What Is a 6-Hour Private Harajuku and Shibuya Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America during a school spring break, on a trip that combined stays in two Asian cities. I guided them on their first day in Tokyo. After exchanging messages with the guests several times about the itinerary, we decided to spend around six hours mainly in Harajuku. We met at 10:00 in the lobby of the guests' hotel and took a taxi to the area in front of Harajuku Station. From around 10:30, we spent about an hour and a half slowly enjoying Takeshita Street. The guests tried a candied fruit treat and a micro-pig cafe, browsed clothing shops that caught their interest, and selected items while converting the prices into dollars and discussing them together. They found many things they liked and carefully narrowed down their choices. Just after 12:00, we visited an eyewear shop, where I helped with the eye exam and placing an order. At the restaurant we chose for lunch, we were seated quickly since it was a later hour, but the shop was very busy, and part of the lunch set we ordered was not served. The staff were so busy that it was hard to get their attention, and eventually the miso soup arrived. However, even though it was a hand-rolled sushi restaurant, the ginger and wasabi never came before we finished the meal. After receiving an apology from the staff, the guests responded very generously, saying, "It can't be helped — the shop probably had more customers than expected and is short-staffed." I was truly grateful for their understanding. We walked leisurely along Cat Street toward Shibuya, stopping at various shops along the way, including vintage clothing stores and sneaker shops. The tour ended at Shibuya Station at 16:00.

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

    Tour Report by Maddie

    Hello!
    I’m Maddie, an English-speaking tour guide.
    As a guide, I have been attending bus tours, Tokyo walk-around tours, and also, sumo wrestling tournaments tours.
    I have lived in Tokyo for nearly 30 years and have enjoyed walking around this city, full of wonder, mixture of nature and artificial structures. I am happy to share my experience with you.
    My hobbies are reading books including Manga, watching films including Anime. I like to watch various sorts of sports. I like to visit museums. And I am a tea ceremony practitioner, so I am quite familiar with green tea (matcha) and Japanese sweets.
    I am looking forward to seeing you!

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    Jun 4, 2026
    vadk2026
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo2026
    We had an excellent 6-hour walking tour around Tokyo with Maddie.…

    May 30, 2026
    Heather_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfect intro to Japan!
    We had a 4 hour private tour on…

    May 29, 2026
    jasonbO4660LV
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Afternoon in west Tokyo
    Maddie was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who maintained…

    May 8, 2026
    sebastianzO2366GR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great
    We had a good time walking with Maddie through Tokio. She…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Kobe Port Terminal & Shin-Kobe Station

    Hyogo in One Day: Kobe Port Terminal & Shin-Kobe Station

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

    April, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30. Kobe Port Terminal
    • 10:16 Shin-Kobe Shinkansen Nozomi No. 10
    • 10:43 Kyoto Station
    • 11:00 Board car
    • 11:30-12;00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 12:30-13:00 Lunch (Kura Sushi Minami Inter)
    • 13:30-15:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 15:00-15:30 Gion
    • 15:33-15:40 Takashimaya Super Mario photo
    • 16:00 Kyoto Station
    • 16:46 Shinkansen Nozomi No. 41
    • 17:14 Arrive at Shin-Kobe Station
    • 17:30 Taxi stand
    • Tour ends

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion The guests were a group from North America. There was some concern about whether everyone could manage the walking, but they kept up without falling behind. We visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, where they experienced the Omokaru-ishi stone and the "value-rising pine," and listened attentively to my explanations about how to worship. Around lunchtime, when I asked what the group would like to eat, the answer was sushi, so I took them to a Kura Sushi near the interchange. We were seated right away, and they enjoyed the games at Kura Sushi before we headed to Kiyomizu-dera. We were able to enter the parking lot relatively smoothly and had plenty of time, so the guests enjoyed not only worshipping but also shopping, which pleased them. We then headed to Gion, walked along Hanamikoji, did some shopping on Shijo Street, and thanks to the driver's kindness took photos at the Super Mario display in Takashimaya before heading to Kyoto Station. We had about 40 minutes at Kyoto Station and enjoyed a coffee time, then returned to Shin-Kobe Station on the 16:46 Shinkansen. The tour concluded at the taxi stand.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal～Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)～Shin-Kobe Station/Kobe Municipal Bus210JPY
    Section 3OtherShin-Kobe Station～Kyoto Station5,740JPY
    Total6,160JPY

    Tour Report by Harumi

    Hello, my name is Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.

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    Sep 29, 2026
    H1282JBkarinas
    Customizable tour with Harumi-san
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    We had an amazing tour with Harumi…

    Sep 28, 2026
    Coastal07335209891
    Kobe Delight with Harumi
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    Sep 27, 2026
    kakeelma
    Learning is fun with Harumi san!
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    Sep 23, 2026
    Cosmopolitan580857
    We had a great time! Kyoto is a beautiful city.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide…