Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: 40 @ Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: 40 @ Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Annex Rokku
    • 2.10:10 @ Asakusa sightseeing
    • 3:11:40 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 4.12:30 @ Takeshita Street
    • 5.13:10 @ Shibuya Crossing
    • 6.14:00 Dismissal @ Hotel Annex Rokku

    What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. After staying in Tokyo for several days, they planned to go skiing in Nagano and then travel to Kyoto. At Asakusa, they enjoyed praying at the main hall, drawing an omikuji fortune slip and getting the best possible result, and taking in the overall view from the observation deck at the information center. After that, we went to Meiji Shrine. The guests seemed very interested in Japanese characters and asked questions about how they are written. After Meiji Shrine, we went to Takeshita Street, where they especially enjoyed looking at the various animal cafes. At Shibuya, they took photos of the Hachiko statue and experienced the Shibuya Crossing. Afterwards, we returned to Asakusa and walked through the shopping street on the way back to the hotel. They mentioned that they wanted to have conveyor-belt sushi for dinner, so I introduced a few options and ended the tour. It was not as cold as expected and the weather was good, so I believe they enjoyed themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya150JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Asakusa260JPY
    Total670JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet 9:45 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 10:15 Okochi Sanso Villa 11:40 Lunch (Sushi restaurant) 12:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple 13:30 Ryoan-ji Temple 14:40 Sanjusangen-do
    • 15:50 Fushimi Inari 16:50 Drop off at Kyoto Station, tour ends

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe, and it was also their first trip to Asia. It was a cold day, but they said, "It's cold in our home country too, so we don't really mind." Even while waiting at the bus stop in the cold, they waited without a single complaint. Thanks to the cold weather, each site we visited was not crowded, so I was able to guide them at a relaxed pace. They seemed to really like Okochi Sanso Villa. We used taxis from Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji, from Ryoan-ji to the subway at Nishioji Oike, and from Sanjusangendo to Tofukuji Station. After visiting Fushimi Inari, I saw them off to Kyoto Station and showed them where to catch the subway, ending the tour. The photo was taken at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherNijojo-mae~Uzumasa Tenjingawa260JPY
    Section 2OtherUzumasa Tenjingawa~Randen Arashiyama250JPY
    Section 3TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Enmachi180JPY
    Section 4OtherEnmachi~Waratenjin-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5OtherNishioji Oike~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 6OtherHigashiyama Sanjo~Higashiyama Shichijo230JPY
    Section 7TrainTofukuji~Inari150JPY
    Section 8TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Total1,710JPY

    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
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:50 Meet at Kyoto Station 10:20 Fushimi Inari 11:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 12:30 Lunch (near Kinkaku-ji) 13:10 Kinkaku-ji 14:10 Ryoan-ji 15:40 Yasaka Pagoda 16:10 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 17:10 Higashiyama Area (Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Ishibei-koji, Yasaka Shrine) 17:50 Guide to dinner restaurant in Gion and end of tour

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They came from Osaka to Kyoto Station by JR. Before arriving in Osaka, they had gone skiing in Hokkaido, but due to heavy snow the JR trains from New Chitose Airport were suspended, and it seems they had to spend a night at the airport. However, both were in good spirits, and at first we were able to move ahead of schedule. The sun came out at times, so the cold was not much of a bother. While the number of large groups from Asia has been decreasing, there are still quite a few individual travelers coming. We took a taxi from Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji. Compared to the crowds at Kinkaku-ji, they were surprised to remark, "There are so few tourists at Ryoan-ji." They seemed to like the tsukubai water basin at Ryoan-ji, and purchased a bottle opener of the same shape as a souvenir. After Kiyomizu-dera, one of the guests bought a cooking knife on Sannenzaka. They seem to enjoy cooking. After Yasaka Shrine, I guided them to a tonkatsu restaurant in Gion, and the tour concluded. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Enmachi180JPY
    Section 4OtherEnmachi~Waratenjin-mae230JPY
    Section 5OtherRyoan-ji-mae~Karasuma-Imadegawa230JPY
    Section 6OtherImadegawa~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 7OtherHigashiyama-Sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,520JPY

    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
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Otaru Customized Half-Day Tour

    Otaru Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Otaru Station ~ Miyako-dori ~ Otaru Financial Museum (originally planned to enter, but cancelled as it opens at 10:00) ~ Otaru Canal (Asakusa Bridge) ~ Chuo Bridge stroll ~ Otaru Canal Museum ~ Former Otaru Canal Hall (currently LeTao) short break ~ West entrance of Otaru Sakaimachi-dori ~ stroll to Kitaichi Glass ~ turn back ~ stop at seafood stand (grilled scallop tasting) ~ dismissed at the hotel where the customers are staying near the west entrance 13:00

    Title: What Is a Winter Private Walking Tour of Otaru Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was cloudy, with temperatures around minus 2 to 3°C and roads covered in compacted snow. The previous day had been a blizzard, and many transportation services (trains and buses) had been suspended, so I had been concerned. On February 1st, JR trains were experiencing delays and reduced service. Fortunately, by transferring between the subway and JR trains, I was able to reach Otaru Station in time for the meeting. Within Otaru, we did not use any transportation. The admission to the Otaru Canal Museum (¥300) was paid by the guests. All other entrance fees were free. The guests mentioned that they were very fond of Hokkaido. I recommended that they visit again during the summer season.

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Feb 7, 2025
    Stay38335184325
    A very frosty day in a very interesting little seaside town
    Tripadvisor review: Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our…

    Dec 27, 2024
    G
    G5102BEannied
    Sapporo, Hokaido Winter Escapade
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had an experienced tour guide…

    Oct 30, 2024
    Clarice W
    A Day of Joy at Otaru Canal, Half-day Walking Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Katsuko-san…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shibuya Hikarie Basement Food Shops

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shibuya Hikarie Basement Food Shops

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hotel Tokyo > East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 10:50 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
    • 12:25 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:05 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 13:30 Shibuya Hikarie Basement Food Shops > Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 14:30 Disband at Hotel Tokyo

    The weather was fine, and the tour proceeded smoothly. During the initial itinerary briefing, the guest requested that we could finish early if we managed to cover all the planned locations. The guest walked quickly and did not take many photos, so the itinerary progressed smoothly. At Asakusa, the omikuji fortune came out as bad luck, which left the guest a little disheartened. At Meiji Shrine, the guest seemed moved by the deep forest and the serene atmosphere. On Takeshita Street, the guest showed interest in capsule toys and animal cafes. I also guided the guest to places not originally planned, such as the department store food floor in Shibuya, and then saw the guest off at the Hotel to conclude the tour. A tip was received.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTakebashi~Asakusa700JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 4Free PassShibuya~Otemachi0JPY
    Total700JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 09:20 to 10:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 10:10 to 10:20 Yasaka Pagoda
    • 11:00 to 11:50 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:10 to 12:30 Sagano Bamboo Forest
    • 12:40 to 13:10 Lunch near JR Saga-Arashiyama (ramen)
    • 13:50 to 14:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 15:00 Dismiss at Keihan Electric Railway Shichijo Station

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like in Winter? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from North America. They mentioned that where they come from it does not snow very heavily, but that January temperatures range from about -10°C to -15°C. Today's temperature in Kyoto was around 5°C, and they said it felt like April weather and was very comfortable. They said that all of the spots we visited were free of crowds, allowing them to enjoy a wonderful Kyoto tour. They plan to go skiing in Niseko, Hokkaido the day after next, and were looking forward to Hokkaido's powder snow.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHigashiyama-Shichijo / Kyoto City Bus~Gojozaka / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2BusKiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Higashiyama-Sanjo (Subway Higashiyama Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3SubwayHigashiyama (Kyoto)~Nishioji-Oike260JPY
    Section 4BusNishioji-Oike / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Inari240JPY
    Section 6TrainFushimi-Inari~Shichijo180JPY
    Total1,370JPY

    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 in Half a Day: Imperial Palace & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace & Sensoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:50 Meet up @Hotel Tokyo Ginza
    • 10:25 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 11:15 Imperial Palace
    • 12:00 Lunch @Hakata Menbo Akanoren Marunouchi Branch
    • 13:10 Sensoji Temple
    • 14:20 Dismissal @Hotel Tokyo Ginza

    What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, the Imperial Palace, and Senso-ji The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had visited another destination in Asia before coming to Japan, and planned to return home after sightseeing in Tokyo. In Shibuya, they showed great interest in the lively atmosphere of the Scramble Crossing. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji, they were fascinated by explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. I accommodated the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza~Shibuya210JPY
    Section 2SubwayShibuya~Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Ginza210JPY
    Total980JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

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

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

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

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Kyoto: Hilton Kyoto & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Hilton Kyoto & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hilton Kyoto
    • 10:00 Stroll from Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to Tenryu-ji Temple Garden
    • 11:15 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 12:15 Gontaro Kinkaku-ji Branch
    • 14:10 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 15:30 Hilton Kyoto

    What Does a Private Kyoto Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Look Like? A Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. I was worried because I could not reach them at all beforehand, but shortly after 9:00 on the day of the tour, they contacted me to say they were ready to depart. Since the reservation was scheduled to begin at 10:00, I was quite surprised, but I had already been heading to the Hotel early, and the driver was also in a location where they could arrive quickly, so I was truly glad we were able to start at 9:30. The guests said they wanted to visit Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha, which I had proposed in advance, so we were able to tour exactly as they wished. Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji were relatively uncrowded, which was nice, but Fushimi Inari Taisha was surprisingly crowded because the Hatsuuma Taisai festival was being held that day. The driver noticed early that the parking lot had become unavailable, so we avoided getting caught in traffic and were able to proceed smoothly. In contrast to the bitter cold up until the previous day, the weather was comparatively warm and perfect for touring, which was truly fortunate. I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

    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.

    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: Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Tsukiji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet in front of the Toyosu Market main gate
    • 05:00-05:30 Explanation of related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers in advance
    • 05:30-06:00 Observe 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 around the Tsukiji inner market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    Title: What's a Private Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest visited Japan from North America and, before joining others for skiing in Hokkaido, came to Tokyo alone to enjoy three days of sightseeing. The guest had once worked on a fishing boat harvesting salmon and black cod, and is now retired and enjoys fishing privately. Because of this, the guest had a strong interest in fish and observed the unique auctions and other trading at Toyosu Market with great fascination. The auction in particular is a business custom found only in Japan, and the guest was amazed at how different it was from seafood trading in North America. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, I spent most of the time guiding around the intermediary wholesaler shops, helping the guest understand how sushi chefs source their ingredients for the day. The guest was especially moved by how beautiful the cross-section of large blocks of fresh tuna looked. At a shop dealing in dried goods for making dashi, I had the guest taste three kinds of dashi, and the guest purchased a standard dashi pack, excited about making dashi at the hotel to warm up after skiing in Hokkaido. Since the guest had once harvested black cod, I guided the guest to a restaurant known for delicious saikyo-marinated black cod, where the guest enjoyed a freshly grilled fillet of black cod with dry sake. After the auction, the guest enjoyed a sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu. The guest was very satisfied with all the sushi and finished with two extra pieces (sea urchin and eel). During the auction viewing, the guest hit it off with some other visitors from North America and Oceania, inviting them by saying, "Toru is going to take me to a delicious sushi place now — come along!" In the end, a group of five enjoyed sushi together in a lively atmosphere, which delighted the guest. The guest was very friendly, and I was able to guide with a smile throughout. It was a windy day, so I thought walking outside might be a little tough, but the guest joined the tour cheerfully. Since I had shared the expected temperature and wind chill the day before, the guest came dressed warmly enough. The number of tuna today was the smallest I had ever seen, and the auction finished in half the usual time. There was especially little fresh tuna, and when I asked a sushi chef, he said a major wholesaler had mentioned that "fresh tuna catches were poor." It seemed the reduced supply was not simply because it was a weekend, but likely because a cold wave had made the Sea of Japan side rough and prevented boats from going out. Understanding this kind of weather information in advance was a good lesson, as it helps guests understand the realities of coastal tuna fishing in Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijomae Station / 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 One Day: Hamarikyu & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Hamarikyu & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Prince Park Tower Tokyo
    • 10:20 Hamarikyu
    • 12:00 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
    • 13:00 Ueno Station, ticket exchange and Welcome Suica purchase
    • 13:10 Ueno Park, Ueno Toshogu Shrine
    • 13:50 Snack @ Ueno Park
    • 14:35 Meiji Shrine
    • 15:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 16:10 Disband at Prince Park Tower Tokyo

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was fine, and the tour proceeded smoothly. At Hamarikyu Gardens, the plum blossoms were not quite at their peak, but the guests took many photos and enjoyed themselves. In Asakusa, they browsed various shops and drew omikuji fortunes. After exchanging tickets and taking care of other arrangements at Ueno Station, I introduced Toshogu Shrine and the five-story pagoda, and the guests were surprised that such old buildings still remain. We bought some snacks at a convenience store and ate them in Ueno Park, then visited Meiji Shrine, where I gave an explanation of Shinto. Since we had a little time to spare, we walked through Takeshita Street before I saw the guests off at their Hotel, ending the tour. The guests appeared very satisfied with the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassAkabanebashi~Shiodome900JPY
    Section 2Free PassShiodome~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 3Free PassAsakusa~Ueno0JPY
    Section 4Free PassYushima~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 5Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Akabanebashi0JPY
    Total900JPY

    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…