Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji Market

    Tokyo: Tsukiji Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet in front of the Toyosu Market main gate
    • 05:00-05:30 Advance explanation of related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of primary and intermediate wholesalers
    • 05:30-06:00 Watch the tuna auction
    • 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-07:15 Travel to Tsukiji
    • 07:15-08:00 Stroll through the Tsukiji Market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    What Is a Private Tsukiji and Tuna Auction Morning Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from North America. One of the guests was less comfortable with English, so whenever I gave a more detailed explanation, the other would kindly translate it into another language, and it was clear how close and warm they were together. At the tuna auction, they observed, "Everything proceeds so systematically and smoothly. This must be because they are Japanese," showing their appreciation for the Japanese temperament. Next to us was another group from Europe who had just been told at the last minute that their guide had fallen ill and could not join their tour, and they were stunned. Seeing this, my guests kindly said, "Let's listen to Toru's explanation together," and the two groups enjoyed a lively conversation while watching the auction. I stood behind the four of them and gave a live commentary of the auction from the back — a new experience that I thoroughly enjoyed as a guide. I had made a reservation at a sushi restaurant after the auction, but my guests requested that we invite the other group to join us as well, so I quickly called the restaurant to arrange two more seats, and a total of five of us enjoyed a sushi breakfast. The two groups exchanged information about sightseeing in Japan and enjoyed their conversation, and by listening, I was able to learn what kinds of things guests find interesting. At Tsukiji, a wholesaler at the Tsukiji Uogashi happened to be cutting up tuna, so I bought a little of the nakaochi and negotiated, saying, "It's fine to take a photo if we buy something, right?" The wholesaler allowed it, saying, "Just two or three shots," which delighted my guests. After visiting several shops in the outer market, since the guests liked raw oysters, I took them to a seafood shop that shucks and serves fresh oysters on the spot, and they enjoyed Akkeshi oysters. The Akkeshi oysters had a natural sweetness, and they were delighted, saying it was a flavor they could not find back home. By chance, we came across tourists who were at a loss after being suddenly abandoned by their guide, and it made me realize once again how much trouble I could cause my guests if I were to suddenly fall ill. Keeping in mind the faces of those guests who were at a loss, and the beaming smiles they showed when my guests reached out to them, I was reminded that my duty is simply to make my guests smile.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu Market / Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    July 2, 2026
    David S
    Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Incredible experience at the Markets!
    Toru…

    Jun 6, 2026
    meltemg957
    Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

    Jun 4, 2026
    bluejerky1
    Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

    May 29, 2026
    Eva P
    Fabulous experience with Toru!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Toru was…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Sanjusangendo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:45 Meet at JR Kyoto Station
    • 10:10 to 10:50 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 11:20 to 12:10 Ginkaku-ji
    • 12:40 to 13:10 Gion
    • 13:30 to 14:30 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 14:50 to 15:20 Sanjusangendo
    • 15:45 Disband at JR Kyoto Station

    What Can You See in a 6-Hour Private Kyoto Tour from Osaka? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. The area they come from is home to many semiconductor manufacturing plants, and one of them works in that industry. Since I was also in the same industry during my working years and had visited the region many times, it brought back many fond memories for me. The guests came from Osaka, and Kyoto was their only day in the city, so we visited five of the popular spots mentioned above over six hours. I believe they enjoyed the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto~Imadegawa260JPY
    Section 2BusKarasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station)/Kyoto City Bus~Ginkaku-ji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusGinkaku-ji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Gion/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4TrainKiyomizu-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Museum Sanjusangendo-mae/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusMuseum Sanjusangendo-mae/Kyoto City Bus~Kyoto230JPY
    Total1,180JPY

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Tsukiji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet in front of the main gate of Toyosu Market
    • 05:00-05:30 Explanation of related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of primary and intermediate wholesalers in advance
    • 05:30-06:00 Watch the tuna auction
    • 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-07:15 Move to Tsukiji
    • 07:15-08:00 Stroll through the Tsukiji inner market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    Title: What Is a Private Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest came to Japan from North America and was traveling solo as a keen traveler. A guide from a separate tour the previous day had told the guest that "Toyosu Market isn't interesting because you can't enter the tuna auction floor," and the guest messaged me beforehand saying, "Can I only watch the auction through glass? If so, I'm a little disappointed." I replied that although no one can go down to the auction floor now for sanitary reasons, from the third-floor observation deck you can look down over the whole scene through the glass, watching the wholesalers competing with one another to gather intermediary buyers and the buyers signaling their bids by hand, so I thought it would still be enjoyable. The guest simply replied, "Ok, I'll join then." On the day, I was worried whether the guest would be pleased, but they were moved by the spectacular sight of a huge quantity of tuna lined up on the auction floor, and were also satisfied to capture good photos and videos from a great angle when an auction began right at their feet. In the end they told me, "You were right, this was a very interesting experience in its own way," and I was relieved. After the auction, the guest enjoyed a "tuna feast" at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market. They savored lean tuna, medium-fatty tuna, fatty tuna, seared medium-fatty tuna, scraped tuna, and a tuna roll, and enjoyed how the flavor differs depending on the cut and preparation. Photography is prohibited at the Tsukiji Uogashi in the Tsukiji Outer Market, but at an intermediary wholesaler I know well (a conger eel specialist and a tuna specialist), I bought simmered conger eel and tuna trimmings for my own lunch and then negotiated with the shops to obtain permission for the guest to take photos. The tuna wholesaler happened to be filleting fresh tuna at that moment, so the guest was delighted to be specially allowed to take great photos. (I enjoyed the conger eel rice bowl at home as well, so being able to satisfy both the guest and my household left me content too, ha.) The guest was interested in kitchen knives, so I took them to a Japanese knife shop I know well. They happily purchased one santoku Japanese knife for themselves and two petty-knife-type Japanese knives as souvenirs, and were very pleased. It is currently strawberry season in Japan, and I explained that agricultural experiment stations in various prefectures have recently developed new varieties, putting many delicious kinds on the market, which interested the guest. So at the end of the tour I had them try "Tochiaika" and a white strawberry variety. They were amazed at how completely different and delicious they were compared to strawberries back home, and the tour ended with a full smile. A staff member at the Japanese knife shop I know well told me: "It's so gratifying when freelance licensed guide-interpreters bring customers to our shop. They properly explain the history and tradition, such as the swordsmiths and knives and why long knives for tuna became necessary, and they bring customers who are interested in such things, which makes us want to explain thoroughly too. Lately, with tours that just bring tourists to Tsukiji for casual food sampling, people only take photos in front of the shop and don't understand the value of Japanese knives at all, which is exhausting. Especially for a shop whose customers include professional chefs, it's a bit of a nuisance." I was grateful to hear this appreciation. [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, and I understand that guides for Toyosu tours receive prior training. I would appreciate it if such voices from the Tsukiji field could be shared in that training, as I believe it would further raise the value of licensed guide-interpreters. Thank you for your consideration.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu Market/Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome/Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    July 2, 2026
    David S
    Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Incredible experience at the Markets!
    Toru…

    Jun 6, 2026
    meltemg957
    Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

    Jun 4, 2026
    bluejerky1
    Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

    May 29, 2026
    Eva P
    Fabulous experience with Toru!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Toru was…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: HAMA-RIKYU GARDENS & SHIBUYA

    Tokyo in Half a Day: HAMA-RIKYU GARDENS & SHIBUYA

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 meet at Intercontinental Tokyo Bay
    • 10:30 1 HAMA-RIKYU GARDENS
    • 12:00 2 TSUKIJI Outer Market
    • 13:15 3 THE IMPERIAL PALACE
    • 14:00 4 SHIBUYA
    • 14:30 see off at the PARCO

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Shibuya, and Shopping The guests replied to my message only about 30 minutes before our scheduled meeting time. Since there had been no answer to my earlier question about which places they wished to visit, I explained the itinerary I had prepared on the spot. As they expressed a wish to visit Shibuya, which was not in the original plan, I dropped Asakusa from the itinerary. The guests took their time savoring the fresh seafood and sushi at the Tsukiji Outer Market. Since they mentioned they would come again the following day, I obtained an English-language map at the information center and shared my recommendations, such as rice bowls and ramen. They enjoyed the Shibuya Crossing so much that they crossed it back and forth three times. I then guided them to a shopping complex that includes a character goods store, and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTakeshiba~Shiodome190JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji~Hibiya180JPY
    Section 3TrainNijubashimae~Shibuya210JPY
    Total580JPY

    Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.

    Who am I?
    I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
    I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
    I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.

    What can I be expected?
    I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
    and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
    I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
    As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
    I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.

    What do I love?
    Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
    I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.

    How do I spend my spear time?
    I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
    I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.

    I look forward to meeting you soon.
    Thank you.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Sandra_U
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Individualized Tour!
    Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Celal_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour even…
    We had a great tour even…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Johanna H
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
    We booked the 6…

    Mar 26, 2026
    Chica717
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing private tour with Masa!
    We had the absolute pleasure of spending…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet at Hakone-Yumoto Station. After assisting with luggage shipment, take the Izuhakone Bus at 10:35 to Owakudani. Arrive at Sounzan at 11:00. Take the ropeway to Owakudani. 11:50 Take the ropeway substitute bus to Togendai. Arrive at 12:00. 12:45 Pirate Ship. 13:10 Hakone-machi Port. Lunch at Donburi Chaya. After strolling through Hakone Checkpoint and the Tokaido cedar avenue, take the bus at 14:55 from Onshi Park to Moto-Hakone. After the red torii gate of Hakone Shrine, take the bus at 15:35 from Moto-Hakone Port via the new road. Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto at 16:00. Accompany to Hotel Airu. 16:20 Dismissal

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. I already knew the ropeway would not be ideal in today's weather, and as expected, almost nothing was visible, which was unfortunate. Even so, the guests enjoyed the black eggs. On the pirate ship, despite the cold, we went up to the upper deck to observe the nature of Hakone. At a donburi restaurant, we enjoyed soba while at the same time talking about the Japanese language and daily culture, which the guests listened to with great interest, and we had a pleasant time. At the checkpoint and the cedar avenue, they experienced the atmosphere of Edo from 400 years ago. Since they had a dinner reservation from 5:00, I made sure to get them back to the Hotel in time. As they also wanted to try visiting Mount Fuji the next day, I gave them guidance on the route from the Hotel to the bus stop.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Section 2BusHakone-Yumoto Station / Izuhakone Bus~Sounzan Station Entrance / Izuhakone Bus750JPY
    Total6,750JPY

    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 Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Gion

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 meet at Kyoto Station Bus Ticket Center
    • 11:40-12:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:30-13:20 Lunch (Tonkatsu Katsurai)
    • 13:35-14:00 Kitano Tenmangu Shrine + Plum Garden
    • 14:25-15:00 Gion

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto's Gion and Kitano Tenmangu Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They were courteous and had a great sense of humor, and while riding the train I gave a brief overview of Japanese history. They showed interest in imperial succession and asked several questions. We discussed differences between the British monarchy and the Japanese Imperial Household, including whether Japan had ever had a female emperor and whether one might emerge in the future. Over a meal, a question also came up about how many days of paid leave workers in Japan receive, so I looked it up online and answered. There was no end to conversations about the rock band Queen and ABBA concerts. In Gion, I explained the differences between teahouses and okiya, and between maiko and geiko. With so many tourists wearing kimono, they asked how to tell whether someone was a local or a tourist. The tour ended in Gion and we said our goodbyes, but I happened to run into them again on the way back and introduced them to Nishiki Market. I do not think we could have reached the plum garden at Kitano Tenmangu by bus alone. I had explained the taxi fare of under 10,000 yen in total beforehand and received their consent.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total490JPY

    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.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Rahul_P
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Tour
    Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour…

    Jul 7, 2026
    782MarkS782
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Harumi and Kyoto
    This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…

    Jun 25, 2026
    JenCBear
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great visit with a great guide Harumi
    Harumi was a fantastic guide…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Andrew_M
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Amazing guided experience
    Harumi is an amazing guide.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Hilton Yokohama & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Hilton Yokohama & Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Hilton Yokohama
    • 12:20 Odaiba, Aqua City, Statue of Liberty
    • 12:50 Lunch @ Gonpachi
    • 14:30 Nippori, Yanaka Ginza, Isetatsu
    • 15:30 Nezu Shrine
    • 16:30 Imperial Palace, Statue of Kusunoki Masashige, Nijubashi Bridge, Sakuradamon Gate
    • 18:00 Dismissal @ Shin-Takashima Station

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like from Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a retired group visiting Japan. After traveling through other parts of Asia, the guests had arrived in Yokohama the day before and were scheduled to return home from Narita the following day. After a pickup at the Hotel in Yokohama, we went to Odaiba, Nezu, and the Imperial Palace as requested. Since the guests wanted Japanese food for lunch, we went to a restaurant and they enjoyed a set of soba and tempura rice bowl. We were able to sit in the very back seats of the Yurikamome line, so we could enjoy the view from the window even more. The guests were very friendly and had a background in law enforcement, and I was able to hear some fascinating stories about interesting cases. As souvenirs, the guests were satisfied to buy accessories at a stone shop, Japanese tea, decorative envelopes for holding omamori charms at a specialty store, and sweet bean paste at a supermarket. One of the guests eats one meal a day but enjoys beer, and in addition to lunch had a beer at a liquor shop in Yanaka. Since eight hours felt long, the guests asked to finish earlier, so I shortened the time spent at each place and we ended ahead of schedule.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShin-Takashima~Tokyo Teleport790JPY
    Section 2TrainDaiba~Nippori510JPY
    Section 3SubwayNezu~Nijubashimae180JPY
    Section 4TrainKasumigaseki (Tokyo)~Shin-Takashima720JPY
    Total2,200JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo: Yanaka Ginza & Shibuya Depachika

    Tokyo: Yanaka Ginza & Shibuya Depachika

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at The Westin Tokyo
    • 10:55 Yanaka Ginza
    • 11:50 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
    • 13:00 Ameyoko
    • 14:10 From Harajuku Takeshita Street to Ura-Harajuku
    • 14:40 Cat Street
    • 15:20 Shibuya Depachika
    • 15:50 Disband at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    What Is a Private Shopping Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from Yanaka to Shibuya The sky was cloudy but there was no rain, though it was a slightly chilly day. The original plan was Yanaka > Ameyoko > Takeshita Street > Cat Street > Shibuya, but when I met and spoke with the guests, I learned that this was their first time in Japan and they had not yet been to Asakusa, so we discussed stopping by Asakusa before Ameyoko if the situation allowed. I found that the guests enjoyed shopping, so I wondered how Asakusa would go, but we stopped by and the guests bought souvenirs and had a great time. At Ameyoko and Takeshita Street, they bought many souvenirs and enjoyed themselves, and they also shopped from Ura-Harajuku to Cat Street. After guiding them to the Shibuya department store food hall, I took them to the Scramble Crossing, and the tour came to an end. At the end, I received a thank-you letter and a tip.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassEbisu~Sendagi700JPY
    Section 2Free PassUeno~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 3Free PassAsakusa~Ueno0JPY
    Section 4Free PassYushima~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 5TrainNippori~Ueno150JPY
    Total850JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Tokyo
    • 10:30 Hachiko the Faithful Dog, Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 11:15 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:20 Light meal "Forest Terrace Meiji Shrine Cafe"
    • 13:45 Lunch "Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan"
    • 15:00 "Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center Observation Terrace"
    • 15:15 "Asakusa Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple"
    • 16:25 Near "Asakusa Kaminarimon", tell the taxi driver the name of the guest's hotel and disband.

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for Cruise Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan as part of a cruise trip. They traveled through Asia before visiting Osaka and Kyoto, and the previous night they stayed at a hotel in Tokyo. They were scheduled to join a Mount Fuji tour and then fly home. The itinerary was left entirely to me, and since the guests requested a route that would avoid using any stairs, I managed to complete the tour using only escalators and elevators for transfers and at the destinations, guiding them throughout without any stairs. At Meiji Shrine, the waka poems by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken were accompanied by English translations. Since there were no English translations in the past, this halved my workload when explaining them, which was very helpful.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShirokanedai~Meguro180JPY
    Section 2TrainMeguro~Shibuya170JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 4TrainMeiji-jingumae Station / Shibuya Ward, Tokyo~Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 5SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa210JPY
    Total920JPY

    Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
    You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
    Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).

    Jul 2, 2026
    jamespmccormick
    Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
    We booked a 6 hour…

    Jun 12, 2026
    716suzannab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience
    Bruce was an amazing guide. He taught us some essential…

    May 27, 2026
    beaufordtjustice
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Tokyo with Bruce!
    My son and I had a…

    May 24, 2026
    A2151KImelissab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day out in Tokyo
    I enjoyed a solo guided tour of Tokyo…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:30 Meet up at Hilton Tokyo
    • 2. 10:15 Tokyo Station (assistance with buying Shinkansen tickets) ~ Imperial Palace Outer Garden ~ Masakado's Grave
    • 3. 12:00 Yushima Seido, Kanda Myojin Shrine
    • 4. 13:00 Sensoji Temple
    • 5. 13:50 Lunch at Asakusa Umaimon Azuma
    • 6. 15:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 7. 15:40 Disband at Shinjuku-sanchome Station

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for Cruise Ship Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were, by coincidence, passengers of the same cruise ship as the previous day's guests, having joined a cruise tour from Asia and arrived in Tokyo yesterday. They planned to stay in Tokyo for six days in total, and from tomorrow they would spend a week in Kyoto before returning to Tokyo, so they wanted to use today's tour to learn how to use public transportation and gain basic knowledge for their return. They also requested to learn about urban-legend-type topics, so the tour was designed with that in mind. Rather than deciding a detailed itinerary in advance, they first wanted to buy shinkansen tickets, so we headed to Tokyo Station. After helping with the ticket purchase, they said they wanted to see the Tokyo Station building and the Imperial Palace, so I guided them from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and the Main Gate. After that, I took them to Masakado's Mound, explained the urban legend of Masakado's curse, and from there guided them to Kanda Myojin Shrine. Since Sensoji Temple came up in conversation, I also guided them to Asakusa, and finally took them to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. The tour was scheduled to end there, but as they seemed anxious about getting back, I escorted them to Shinjuku-sanchome transfer station before ending the tour. One of the guests was remarkably energetic and kept up without ever falling behind until the very end. I believe I was able to meet almost all of their advance requests and their requests on the day, so I think they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku~Tokyo210JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Shin-Ochanomizu180JPY
    Section 3SubwaySuehirocho (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    Section 5SubwayShibuya~Shinjuku-sanchome180JPY
    Total1,010JPY

    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…