Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　08:30　Gather at Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • ②　08:35　Explanation of today's itinerary and about the history of Kyoto
    • ③　09:00　Sanjusangendo
    • ④　10:30　Hokanji Five-Storied Pagoda and Sannei-zaka
    • ⑤　11:00　Kiyomizu-dera
    • ⑥　11:45　Ninen-zaka ~ Ishibei-koji
    • ⑦　12:00　Yasaka Shrine ~ Gion・Shirakawa
    • ⑧　12:30　Disband at Sanjo Keihan Station

    Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Gion, Higashiyama, and Kiyomizu in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. One of them had visited Kyoto about ten years earlier, while it was the first visit for the other, so at their request we spent the day walking relatively slowly through the Gion, Higashiyama, and Kiyomizu areas. We started right next to the Hotel at Sanjusangen-do. They were amazed at the sight of more than a thousand Kannon statues and exclaimed in wonder. This temple has a wonderful atmosphere, and it is full of fascinating topics for a guide to draw guests into the story — the cloistered rule of 800 years ago, the battles between the Genji and Heike before the rise of the shoguns, Buddhism, zazen meditation, the thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva, the difference between Nyorai and Bosatsu, the tale of the 1,002nd Kannon statue, the wind and thunder gods, stories about earthquakes and Buddhist statues, and even the archery ceremony that had just taken place the day before. It was ideal for pulling the guests into that world. From there we walked through the heart of Kyoto, Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion, and both listened intently and attentively to everything I shared. There was a heartwarming moment when I was leading the way and turned around, and they hurriedly let go of the hands they had been holding. On Ninenzaka there is a Studio Ghibli shop, and the attached photo was taken there; one of the guests in particular was delighted. They said they love Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, and were impressed to hear that Studio Ghibli films are always broadcast in Japan at the end of the year. After the tour, they planned to have yudofu (tofu hot pot) around Nanzen-ji, so I gave them information about Nanzen-ji and its sub-temples, and since they also wanted to buy shoes at Onitsuka Tiger, I passed along that information as well before we parted ways.

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

    Tour Report by Kazu

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

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    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Arrived at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tokyo in One Day: Arrived at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:45 AM: Standby at the reception on the 3rd floor of Hotel
    • 09:00 AM: Met with the two of them. Reconfirmed the day's itinerary. At the same time, I was asked for advice about tourist spots in the Tokyo area for tomorrow and the day after, so I gave some advice/suggestions.
    • 09:10 AM: Departed the hotel. Started moving on foot.
    • 　　　　　　Explained/introduced while walking through Shinjuku Station West Exit → Omoide Yokocho → Kabukicho → Golden Gai → Shinjuku Sanchome.
    • 10:25 AM: Arrived at Shinjuku Gyoen. Toured the Japanese garden, rose garden, greenhouse, and the former imperial rest house, enjoying the quiet garden.
    • 　　　　　　Since they hadn't eaten breakfast and wanted a light meal, the two of them ordered temari sushi at Rakuutei.
    • 　　　　　　It was more filling than expected, so we decided to keep the lunch planned near Harajuku very light (preferably a cafe/matcha + something small).
    • 12:10 PM: Departed Gyoen. Took the subway to Meiji-jingumae. Visited Meiji Shrine.
    • 01:10 PM: Headed from Takeshita Street to explore the Ura-Hara area.
    • Took a break at a matcha cafe.
    • 01:40 PM: From Togo Shrine to Ura-Hara, then passed through Cat Street heading to Shibuya.
    • 02:30 PM: Arrived at Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
    • 　　　　　 They wanted to take photos from atop MAGNET, but it is currently under renovation and we couldn't go. Instead, I guided them to the connecting passage between the Inokashira Line and JR.
    • 03:00 PM: Dismissed. End of guide.

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private walking tour of Tokyo for the guests, who were visiting Japan from Oceania and had arrived the previous night. The guests enjoyed traveling but were visiting Japan for the first time. They had gathered a great deal of information about Japan in advance from friends and acquaintances, and were happily overwhelmed with adjusting their itinerary. Both of the guests enjoyed taking photographs, and one of them took many photos enthusiastically with a single-lens reflex camera throughout the tour. The guests were strong walkers. Apart from a café break, we were on our feet almost the entire time, but this was no problem at all. Their plan was to spend the first two days in Tokyo (and Kamakura), then head to Hakuba for skiing, after which they would view Mount Fuji before returning to Tokyo.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku Sanchome～Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Total180JPY

    Tour Report by Taichi

    Discover the Heart of Japan: A Journey Through Culture, History, and Flavor.

    Hello, I am Taichi, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.
    Having explored the depth and diversity of Japan’s culture, history, and cuisine-particularly in the vibrant regions of Tokyo and Kansai-I’m excited to share my experiences with you.

    With its dynamic seasonal changes and centuries-old traditions, with its ever-changing seasons and profound history, Japan invites you to create moments that stir your imagination and awaken a deeper connection to its beauty.

    And Japan is more than just a destination-its travel experience engages your all five senses.
    From breathtaking landscapes to tantalizing culinary, every corner holds something to delight and inspire.

    Let’s embark journey of discovery, where you’ll sharpen your sense, create unforgettable memory, and embrace the true essence of Japan.
    I look forward to helping your wonderful trip.

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    Apr 7, 2026
    Karistan_S
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Taichi was wonderful. He…
    Taichi was wonderful. He…

    May 15, 2025
    TJP1967
    Perfect Guide…..Taichi-sun
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hello. Taichi-sun was absolutely amazing. There was nothing he wouldn’t…

    Apr 14, 2025
    rgp728
    Wonderful Tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We used Japan Guide Agency for a private…

    Apr 8, 2025
    Sherif_A
    Taichi-san is an amazing guide!
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was our 1 day trip to…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:30 Tour starts from the hotel
    • Move on foot to Higashi Chaya District
    • AM 09:15-11:15 From Kazuemachi Chaya District to Higashi Chaya District (Shima visit, Utasu Shrine, Gold Leaf Sakuda)
    • Move by bus to Kenrokuen
    • AM 11:45-PM12:30 Kenrokuen visit
    • PM 12:30-13:15 Kanazawa Castle Park
    • Move on foot to Nagamachi Samurai District via Gyokusen-in and Oyama Shrine ( PM13:15-14:00)
    • PM 14:00- 15:10 Nagamachi Samurai District, visit to Nomura Family and Takada Family
    • Move by bus to Omicho Market, Tour ends PM 15:30

    Title: What's a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest visited Kanazawa from Oceania, joining the tour on their own while other members of the group were sightseeing in Tokyo. The guest had wanted very much to visit Kanazawa. Although lunch had been planned during the tour, the weather was fine and there were many questions, so time ran short and the guest instead enjoyed a meal at Omicho Market after the tour ended. After the tour, I recommended places for dinner and suggested spots that would be good to visit the following day, and then the tour concluded. Even joining on their own, the guest thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHashiba-cho／Hokuriku Railroad Bus～Kenrokuen-shita・Kanazawa Castle／Hokuriku Railroad Bus210JPY
    Section 2BusKorinbo／Hokuriku Railroad Bus～Musashigatsuji・Omicho Market／Hokuriku Railroad Bus210JPY
    Total420JPY

    Tour Report by YOSHI

    Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
    I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
    Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
    Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
    ” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

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    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Incredible tour, one of the highlights of my…

    Jul 18, 2026
    Geert73
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Well-Organized and Informative Tour of Kanazawa
    We, a…

    Jul 15, 2026
    G5010ZVmelodys
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour with Licensed Guide
    Number one guide for personalised touring of Kanazawa
    Our…

    Jul 11, 2026
    rikkes490
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Rigtig god guidet tur
    Rigtig god oplevelse og gode forklaringer

    とても良いガイドツアーでした。
    とても良い体験でした。説明も分かりやすく、とても良かったです。

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Tambaguchi & Shijo

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Tambaguchi & Shijo

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:45 Meet up @Cooking Sun Kyoto
    • 13:01-13:13 Tambaguchi → Saga-Arashiyama　JR 200 yen
    • 13:20-14:30 Sightseeing in Arashiyama area (Bamboo Grove Path, Kimono Forest, Tenryuji Temple, etc.)
    • 14:50-16:00 Sightseeing at Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • 16:14-16:36 Arashiyama → Karasuma　Hankyu 240 yen
    • 16:46-16:49 Shijo → Kyoto　Subway 220 yen
    • 16:55 Disband @Kyoto Station

    Title: What's a Private Afternoon Tour of Arashiyama in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They had traveled from Osaka to Kyoto, and in the morning they had taken part in a bento-making experience at a cooking studio, so the tour began after that finished. They had hoped to see Arashiyama and Nijo Castle, or possibly the Railway Museum, but due to time constraints we visited only Arashiyama. We walked through the Bamboo Grove, visited Tenryu-ji Temple, and went to Iwatayama Monkey Park. There had been some concern that the temples might feel boring for younger members of the group, but they actually listened with interest to a variety of stories. The Monkey Park also seemed to be very enjoyable for everyone.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTambaguchi～Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)～Karasuma240JPY
    Section 3SubwayShijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto220JPY
    Total660JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

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    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Janice_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Kyoto
    It was a good tour…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　09:30　Meet at Hotel Vischio Kyoto By Granvia
    • ②　09:35　Itinerary explanation and about the history of Kyoto
    • ③　10:00　Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • ④　11:15　Lunch break
    • ⑤　12:10　Stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ~ Tenryu-ji Temple Garden
    • ⑥　13:00　Heisei-in
    • ⑦　13:50　Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • ⑧　15:10　Hokan-ji Temple Five-Story Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka
    • ⑨　15:40　Disperse near Sannenzaka

    Can You Do a Private Kyoto Day Tour Including Tenryu-ji and Sannen-zaka? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They had been to Japan before, but it was everyone's first time in Kyoto. This time the tour was mainly based on a request from one of the guests, and since Tenryu-ji and the nearby temple grounds were right close by, we strolled around there as well. One of the guests listened to my explanations with great interest throughout and seemed genuinely delighted — very much an "I'm all ears" kind of mood. Another of the guests kept yawning and looked very sleepy. They had spent time in Tokyo and Hakone before coming to Kyoto, so jet lag was starting to set in. I kept talking away regardless, with a laugh. The group普段—well, they told me they are normally extremely busy and had finally been able to take a family vacation together. I couldn't help but say "Congratulations!" My persistence in continuing to talk paid off, as in the latter half the sleepy guest woke up and listened happily. To help shake off the drowsiness, I explained the difference between furisode and tomesode kimono, which went over quite well. I also talked with the guests about many things unrelated to sightseeing. We had a long conversation on the train about whether zero-calorie cola, though calorie-free, is still bad for your health — the point being that while it has no calories and so is not an issue in terms of fat, it contains a lot of chemicals, and drinking it continuously could be harmful. Since it is currently the off-season and there were almost no inbound visitors from Asia, I felt we were able to look around relatively at a leisurely pace. At the end, I explained about Sannen-zaka before we parted ways. We agreed to meet again someday in the future. It was another enjoyable day.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Inari240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Tour Report by Kazu

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

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    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel)　Meeting to reconfirm/reconsider requests for destinations
    • 7:20-8:00 Travel (Subway: Karasuma Oike→Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Line; Keihan Sanjo→Fushimi Inari)
    • 8:00-9:00 Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 9:00-9:00 Travel (Keihan Line; Fushimi Inari→Keihan Sanjo, Subway; Sanjo Keihan→Nijojo-mae)
    • 9:00-10:20 Visit Nijo Castle
    • 10:20-11:10 Travel (Subway; Nijojo-mae→Imadegawa)
    • 11:30-12:30 Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 12:30-13:00 Travel (Subway; Imadegawa→Shijo/Shinkyogoku)
    • 13:00 The tour ended at the entrance of Shinkyogoku, and we said goodbye.

    Title: What Is a Private Early-Morning Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was a tour with a large group. On the tour, I took the guests to Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It was an early-morning tour starting at 7:00. The tour content had been finalized in advance, but the day before the tour, an email arrived requesting a change to the destinations. Since several of the originally planned places had been visited the previous day, they asked to change the destinations. We were able to communicate through a messaging app, but they wanted to decide on the destinations again before the tour the next day. Because it was an early-morning tour and the available destinations were limited, I prepared three alternative plans and went into the early-morning meeting. I proceeded with the tour based on what was decided there, but Ryoanji, which we had agreed on this morning, was skipped, and we changed to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where no admission fee applies. The guests also expressed a wish to do some shopping, so at the end I took them to Shinkyogoku before parting ways. Although it seemed like a difficult request the day before, I made sure to arrange things so that they would not visit the same places again. Some of the guests said they liked Fushimi Inari best, some preferred the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and others enjoyed Nijo Castle the most.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike～Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)220JPY
    Section 2TrainSanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari～Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)240JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae～Imadegawa220JPY
    Section 6SubwayImadegawa～Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)260JPY
    Total1,400JPY

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kimono Forest

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kimono Forest

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet up @ Mimaru Kyoto Nijo Castle
    • 9:15-10:15 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannen-zaka, Hokan-ji Temple, Yasaka Koshin-do, Nene no Michi, Yasaka Shrine
    • 12:20-13:00 Lunch @ Kotokiki Chaya
    • 13:00-14:10 Kameyama Park → Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Nonomiya Shrine
    • 14:20-14:30 Kimono Forest
    • 14:30 Disband @ Keifuku Arashiyama Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, and More The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. As they had requested the itinerary above, we first traveled by bus to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Since they came from Oceania, our conversation moved from a major earthquake in their home region in 2011 to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and I mentioned that just yesterday marked its 30th anniversary. As Shijo Street has many points of interest, I used photos I had on hand to explain kabuki and, with a photo of a geisha, to explain the entertainment districts. When we arrived at Kiyomizu-dera, the guests were moved, saying, "We've never seen such a huge temple." I had thought people of their age were not usually so impressed by temples, so I told them that hearing those words made me happy as well. They also enjoyed the beautiful view from above. We entered the main hall, and one of the guests was especially eager to try everything, taking on the challenge of lifting the 96 kg staff, ringing the keisu bell, and offering incense. Then we left Kiyomizu-dera and headed to Hokan-ji Temple via Sannenzaka. They climbed the five-story pagoda and were delighted to find the peephole on the second floor in particular. After that, we arrived at Yasaka Shrine via Yasaka Koshin-do and Nene-no-michi. They seemed to have visited Meiji Shrine in Tokyo but without really understanding it, so I explained the etiquette for worshipping at a shrine, and we actually washed our hands and paid our respects together. Then we walked to Hankyu Kawaramachi Station and traveled to Arashiyama. As they wanted to have lunch before going to the bamboo grove, I guided them to Kotokikichaya, which usually has good turnover. Everyone loved ramen, and all but one of the guests ordered the "Kotokiki ramen." One of the guests looked at the kamaboko fish cake in the ramen with curiosity, so I explained what it was made of and so on. They also sprinkled on the shichimi that was on the table. Then we moved from Kameyama Park to the bamboo grove. Most guests enjoy the scenery and taking photos, but this group observed the inside of the bamboo grove closely, and were particularly interested in the fact that the palm fibers surrounding the grove were also held in place by bamboo. When I asked if they wished to visit Tenryu-ji Temple, they said they did not, so I guided them to Nonomiya Shrine, and on the way to Kimono Forest at the end, one of the guests had cotton candy in front of Burari Arashiyama. Afterward, a long line formed behind them, so I remarked, "That's good advertising for the cotton candy shop." Then we arrived at Kimono Forest. Everyone seemed to like it very much. Finally, there is a pool of water with an explanation to the effect that "the dragon of Mount Atago descended here," and since the explanation also said "if you touch the water, your wish will come true," all but one of the guests actually did so, and I joined them. As we were discussing what to do next, at first they said they would stroll around Arashiyama and then return, so I had told them where the JR station was, but since the Randen tram was right in front of us, they said they would take the Randen back to their hotel, and there we concluded the tour. The attached image shows two of the guests offering incense in front of the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijo Horikawa / Kyoto City Bus～Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto Kawaramachi～Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Total470JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

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    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…

  • Kyoto: Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at The Blossom Kyoto
    • 09:00 to 09:40 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 10:00 to 10:30 Sagano Bamboo Grove
    • 11:15 to 12:10 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 12:30 to 13:25 Nijo Castle
    • 13:30 to 14:15 Lunch near Nijo Castle (Ramen)
    • 14:30 to 15:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 16:00 Disband at JR Kyoto Station

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were great admirers of Japan and had a deep interest in Japanese history and culture, so they had been very much looking forward to visiting historically significant sites such as Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. However, after finishing Nijo Castle, one of the guests suddenly felt unwell, so it was decided to return to the hotel, and the rest of the group continued on to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Since sightseeing in Japan involves a lot of walking, they seemed to have grown tired. The tour was guided by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal Subway)～Uzumasa Tenjingawa260JPY
    Section 2TrainRanden Tenjingawa～Arashiyama (Keifuku Line)250JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)～Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 4BusKitano-Hakubaicho～Karasuma Imadegawa (Imadegawa Subway Station) / Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Section 5SubwayKarasuma Imadegawa (Imadegawa Subway Station) / Kyoto Municipal Bus～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 6SubwayNijojo-mae～Kyoto260JPY
    Section 7TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 8TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Total1,770JPY

    Tour Report by Haru

    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 !!

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    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
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    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
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    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
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    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…

  • Kyoto: Kintetsu train for Nishinokyo departs & Kyoto Station

    Kyoto: Kintetsu train for Nishinokyo departs & Kyoto Station

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Pick up at Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia (→end of tour 17:30)
    • 9:41 Kintetsu train for Nishinokyo departs
    • 10:24-11:30 Nishinokyo station
    • Yakushiji temple (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • Pagoda: one of the world's oldest wooden buildings
    • Medicine Buddha
    • 11:30 Nishinokyo station　 via Kintetsu railway
    • 12:00 Kintetsu-Nara station
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 13:00-30 Kofukuji Buddhist Temple (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • walk 20 minutes
    • 14:00-30 Kasuga-taisha Shinto Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • (Lunch at Mizuya Chaya)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 14:40 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 14:50- Todaiji Buddhist Temple (UNESCO World Heritage):
    • 14:50-15:20 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 15:30-40 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 15:50-16:20 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 16:30-40 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 17:00 Kintetsu-Nara Station
    • 18:00 Kyoto Station

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Tour with a Philosophy-Focused Guide Like? A Licensed Guide's Report A very rewarding day! The guests, visitors from North America, were deeply interested in both Shinto and Buddhism and asked many precise, thoughtful questions. Within the limited time available, and even while enjoying the deer, I was able to explain everything to my heart's content. When I mentioned that phenomenology is fundamentally the same as the concept of "form is emptiness" (shiki-soku-ze-ku) in the Heart Sutra, the guests were both surprised and delighted. I promised to look for English materials on the Prajnaparamita sutras and send them. I would be very happy if I could be of help to philosophical research in North America. A tour spent discussing philosophy all day long may be something only possible in Nara. I confirmed once again that, from a Western perspective, the content of the sutras is closer to philosophy than to religion.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Nishinokyo760JPY
    Section 2TrainNishinokyo～Kintetsu-Nara300JPY
    Section 3TrainKintetsu-Nara～Kyoto760JPY
    Total1,820JPY

    Tour Report by Junichi

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

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    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Egret Himeji Rooftop & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Egret Himeji Rooftop & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet at 11:30 @ Dormy Inn Himeji
    • 11:45 @ Egret Himeji Rooftop
    • 12:00 @ Himeji Castle
    • 14:30 @ Nadagiku Sake Brewery
    • 15:15 Disband at Dormy Inn Himeji

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The group moved along smoothly throughout the tour. Some of the guests had spent time in Japan before but understood very little Japanese, and this was their second visit to Himeji. Everyone was deeply impressed by the panoramic view of Himeji Castle from the rooftop of Egret Himeji. At Himeji Castle, the group toured with great interest and enthusiasm. At Nadagiku Sake Brewery, they enjoyed a tasting and purchased souvenirs, and one of the guests especially enjoyed Japanese sake. I presented one of the guests with a handmade drawstring pouch made by my sister, which was very warmly received. Since the group wished to return to the hotel a little early, we parted ways with about 15 minutes remaining.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

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    Jul 25, 2026
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    A wonderful time!
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