Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Walk from Hotel New Otani, passing along Sophia Street beside Sophia University, heading to Yotsuya Station.
    • 10:45 Take the subway from Yotsuya Station toward Tokyo Station.
    • 11:00 From Tokyo Station, head to the Imperial Palace. At a glance, Inui Street, which was open to the public for a special viewing, seemed extremely crowded, so we headed to the East Gardens instead.
    • 11:45 After strolling through the East Gardens, exit through Kitahanebashi Gate and head to Takebashi Station.
    • 12:00 Take the subway from Takebashi Station to Asakusa.
    • 12:30 Arrive at Asakusa. First, go up to the observation terrace on the 8th floor of the Tourist Information Center, then have lunch at a restaurant.
    • 13:30 After lunch, visit Kaminarimon, Nakamise, and Sensoji Temple.
    • 14:30 Take the subway from Asakusa toward Meiji-jingumae.
    • 15:30 Visit Meiji Shrine.
    • 16:30 After finishing, head to the hotel.
    • 17:00 Get off at Akasaka-mitsuke Station, walk to the hotel, and disband.

    Title: What Is a Private First-Time Tour of Japan Like for a Family? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were making their first visit to Japan, and they toured cheerfully and enjoyed the day together, appearing to be a close-knit group. They asked me many questions, which I answered as appropriate, though one question — "Who is more important, the Emperor or the female Prime Minister?" — made me smile wryly. At every place we visited, the guests were moved and found everything beautiful. For lunch, everyone ordered the teriyaki chicken lunch, and they all said it was delicious as they ate. They also seemed satisfied with my explanations, and told me it had been a great day. Everywhere was extremely crowded, but the guests did not wander off in different directions, which was very helpful for me as their guide.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassYotsuya～Tokyo700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTakebashi～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 3Free PassAsakusa～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 4Free PassMeiji-jingumae～Akasaka-mitsuke0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Tour Report by Toshi

    I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.

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    Apr 16, 2026
    127dougg
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…

    Oct 25, 2025
    Julia_G
    Tokyo gardens and museums.
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…

    Oct 14, 2025
    M
    Manohar_S
    Superb must see
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…

    Oct 7, 2025
    Robert_H
    Lots of walking. We are…
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Lots of walking. We are…

  • Kyoto: Arashiyama & Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka

    Kyoto: Arashiyama & Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka

    Kyoto Japanese Gardens Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet up @ in front of Saihoji Temple (Moss Temple)
    • Travel by taxi
    • 11:50-12:30 Lunch @ Gyatei
    • 12:30-13:30 Arashiyama sightseeing (Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Grove Path, Kimono Forest, etc.)
    • 13:53-14:15 Arashiyama → Ryoanji Temple, Keifuku Railway 250 yen
    • 14:25-15:15 Ryoanji Temple sightseeing
    • Travel by taxi
    • 16:15-16:30 Stroll around Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
    • 16:40 Disband (near Yasaka Pagoda)

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Garden and Temple Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. As they were fond of gardens, they had applied online in advance to visit Saihoji Temple, and the tour began after that visit was completed. We traveled by taxi to Arashiyama and had lunch at a restaurant. The guests were very satisfied, saying it was the most delicious meal they had ever had. After lunch, we walked through the bamboo grove into Tenryuji Temple, where they enjoyed the seasonal flowers and the beautiful gardens. We then took the Keifuku Line to Ryoanji Temple, and when I explained the rock garden and the tsukubai water basin, they listened with great interest. After that, we moved by taxi near their accommodation, and I guided them to Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka before parting ways there.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Japanese Gardens Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)～Ryoanji Temple250JPY
    Total250JPY

    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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    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    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.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya Station & Asakusa Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya Station & Asakusa Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the Hotel, walk to Sakashita Gate
    • 9:20 Public opening of the Imperial Palace Inui Street from Sakashita Gate (cherry blossom viewing), from Inui Gate to Takebashi Station
    • 11:00 Arrive at Meiji-jingumae Station, sightseeing (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street), to Harajuku Station
    • 13:00 Arrive at Shibuya Station, sightseeing (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue)
    • 14:00 Arrive at Asakusa Station, sightseeing (Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple)
    • 15:15 Arrive at Ginza Station, disband at Hibiya Crossing

    What Can You See on a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group of visitors from North America. The entire group had just arrived in Japan the day before, so this was sightseeing during the early part of their stay. After leaving the Hotel, we walked to the Sakashitamon Gate of the Imperial Palace and viewed the limited-time public opening of the Inui Street of the Imperial Palace. The cherry blossoms were at their peak, and the guests appeared deeply moved by their beauty. As this was a special opportunity to see inside the Imperial Palace, an area normally closed to the public, it seemed to be a memorable experience for everyone. Next, we took the subway to Meiji-jingumae Station and visited Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street. The guests showed strong interest and surprise at the contrast between the quiet and solemn atmosphere of Meiji Shrine and the lively Takeshita Street bustling with young people, separated only by the Yamanote Line tracks. We then took the Yamanote Line to Shibuya to see the Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue. They were fascinated by the sheer number of people and the dynamic movement at the crossing, and upon hearing the story of Hachiko, they commented that he was "a wonderful dog." Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. After that, we rode the entire Ginza subway line to Asakusa. Although our time there was limited, they were able to experience temple culture and the lively atmosphere of the Nakamise shopping street. Finally, rather than returning to the Hotel, we parted ways near the Hibiya intersection. After the tour, the guests planned to split up and continue separately. At each destination, the guests showed strong interest, and overall it was a highly satisfying tour. In particular, the visit to the Inui Street of the Imperial Palace seemed to be highly appreciated as a special experience in a place that is normally inaccessible.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTakebashi～Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku～Shibuya160JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya～Asakusa260JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Ginza210JPY
    Total840JPY

    Tour Report by Toshi

    Self-Background

    During my university years, I lived in a dormitory for four years and had the opportunity to live with many international students.
    Of course, we spoke English.
    After graduating from university, I started working as an English teacher at a junior high school.
    I was able to have a fun teaching life while interacting with many students. During that time, I continued to study English on my own and obtained the pre-1st grade English proficiency test.
    After that, I worked for the Board of Education as a supervisor in charge of English education, and then managed a school as a vice principal, and later principal.
    After retiring from teaching, I took the TOEIC (L&R) and achieved my highest score of 945.
    I also obtained a license as a national guide-interpreter, and began working as a guide for overseas visitors in English.
    Currently, I guide tourists to several places around the country.
    Many customers have told me that I am a good guide, saying that my guidance is easy to understand and that I have a lot of knowledge about sightseeing spots and history.
    Furthermore, I will continue to improve my skills and make efforts to give you a better experience in Japan, so please come and enjoy your trip in Japan with me.

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  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Kyoto
    • 9:20-11:20 Nijo Castle sightseeing
    • 11:43-11:50 Nijo → Saga-Arashiyama JR 200 yen
    • 12:00-13:00 Arashiyama sightseeing (Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Grove Path, Kimono Forest, etc.)
    • 13:10-14:00 Lunch @ Gyaatei
    • 14:27-14:49 Arashiyama → Kyoto-Kawaramachi Hankyu 240 yen
    • 15:00-15:20 Nishiki Market stroll
    • 15:30 Dismissal @ Hotel Kyoto

    What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle and Arashiyama The guests were visitors from North America. In the morning, we visited Nijo Castle, where the group deeply enjoyed Japan's history and the authority of the shogun through the nightingale floors and the magnificent architectural beauty. For lunch, we offered colorful obanzai at "Gyatei" in Arashiyama. The guests were very pleased to be able to enjoy a variety of Japanese flavors little by little. During the afternoon stroll through Arashiyama, we visited the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, the bamboo grove path, and the Kimono Forest, taking many photos against the backdrop of Kyoto's characteristic nature and traditional beauty. To conclude, we visited Nishiki Market, where the guests experienced the lively local food culture and enjoyed choosing souvenirs.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNijo～Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)～Kyoto-Kawaramachi240JPY
    Total440JPY

    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

    Request Booking

    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    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.…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　09:30　Hotel Granvia Kyoto
    • ②　09:35　Itinerary explanation and history of Kyoto
    • ③　10:27　Depart from JR Kyoto Station ~ To Umahori Station
    • ④　11:30　Depart from Torokko Kameoka
    • ⑤　11:53　Arrive at Torokko Arashiyama ~ To Bamboo Grove & Nonomiya Shrine
    • ⑥　12:45　Tenryu-ji Temple ~ Togetsukyo Bridge
    • ⑦　14:30　Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • ⑧　15:30　Disband in front of Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji The guests were a group from North America, who had immigrated from Europe about 40 years ago. This was their first trip to Japan. They came to Kyoto from Asia, and planned to continue on to Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, and Tokyo. They had apparently tried to go to Nara the day before, but took a wrong turn and ended up somewhere completely different, wasting the whole day. Even when I asked the name of the place they had gone, it was not entirely clear. So from the very start of the morning, they put pressure on me, saying they were really counting on today's Kyoto tour. One of the guests had a friend who had visited Kyoto the previous year and enjoyed it very much, and their itinerary this time was exactly the same as that friend's route. Given that, I added Tenryu-ji temple to the plan. I'm sure they will boast about it. They were such a delightful group. It had been a while since I guided anyone on the Sagano Romantic Train. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms were still only about 30% in bloom. Their questions were interesting. They were very interested in Onmyodo (the way of yin and yang), and I answered as they asked. When I explained the connection between the title "Shogun" and Onmyodo, they were delighted. While I was explaining the cherry blossoms, they suddenly asked me what I honestly thought of President Trump, which put me at a loss for an answer, but I answered honestly. At Kinkaku-ji, as I was telling the story of how it had burned down completely 70 years ago and was rebuilt, one of the guests said, "Kaz, I have a question — gold doesn't burn. When it burned down 70 years ago, where did the gold go?" I couldn't answer well at the time, and the tour ended without a clear answer, so afterward I kept wondering about it, and later looked it up at home and replied by email with the details. In short, over the roughly 600 years that had passed, the outer surface of the building — whether gold leaf or lacquer — had weathered away in the wind and rain, so that by the time of the fire 70 years ago almost no gold leaf remained and the bare wood was exposed, with only a little gold leaf remaining on the phoenix atop the roof. But the phoenix had happened to be removed for maintenance a few days before the fire and thus escaped harm. Gold begins to melt at 1,064 degrees Celsius. Intense flames such as those in a fire can reach over 1,000 degrees, and indeed gold does not melt, but since gold leaf is extremely thin — only about 0.1 to 0.2 microns — it is thought to have scattered along with the wood in the force of the flames during the fire. In my own view, it may have sunk into the pond along with the rubble. The tour ended and we parted at Kinkaku-ji, but since they said they wanted to buy a Japanese knife, and since they had been moving around all day without lunch, I went back with them to Sanjo, introduced them to a traditional knife shop and a restaurant, and said goodbye.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Umahori320JPY
    Section 2TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Nijo200JPY
    Total520JPY

    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 Shrine & Kodaiji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Kodaiji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Meet up @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen Central JR Transfer Gate
    • 7:20-8:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 9:00-10:00 Nijo Castle
    • 10:20-10:40 Break @ Starbucks Subway Karasuma Oike Store
    • 11:00-12:00 Nishiki Market
    • 12:10-12:35 Gion Hanamikoji
    • 12:30-12:50 Kodaiji Temple
    • 13:00 Disband @ Yasaka Pagoda

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like, from Fushimi Inari to Kodai-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. It was difficult to reach them until fairly close to the tour date, and in addition to the planned itinerary they had also requested a stroll along Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, as well as a walk along the Philosopher's Path. The meeting time had originally been assigned as 8:30, but because they wished to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha early in the morning, it was changed to 7:00. It seems everyone had the same idea, as Fushimi Inari Taisha was already crowded with many tourists, which surprised the guests as well. Next we visited Nijo Castle. One of the guests was particularly interested in the history of the shogun and asked all sorts of questions even on the way to Nijo Castle. Regarding Nijo Castle, they asked many enthusiastic and detailed questions, such as "If I had come from Tokyo to meet the shogun, where would I have stayed?", which was quite tiring. We then moved to Karasuma Oike to go to Nishiki Market. The guests had said from the start that they wanted to take a coffee break, and since a Starbucks was found in the basement of Karasuma Oike Station, we decided to rest there for a while. As I had also grown a bit tired from the barrage of questions, it made for a welcome break. We then walked to Nishiki Market, and since one of the guests was especially interested in food, they took the lead and set off as if transformed. At Nishiki Market, each of the guests enjoyed sampling foods to their own liking, such as yakitori, sushi, dashimaki, and dango. Finally I introduced Nishiki Tenmangu, and when I showed them the mechanical lion omikuji, one of the guests happily drew a fortune. We then walked to Hanamikoji. Along the way, the cherry blossoms along the Takase River were beautiful, and one of the guests happily took photos. We then passed by Yasui Konpira Shrine and moved to our final destination, Kodai-ji. It seemed the temple itself was not really the goal, but rather they wanted to see the bamboo grove; they did not go up to the hojo, nor did they see the Kaisan-do or Otama-ya, and simply walked straight toward the bamboo grove. They had been talking about the bamboo grove insistently from the beginning, so when I asked whether they were satisfied with it, they said that bamboo does not exist where they are from, and that they had wanted to see the ecology of bamboo. When one of the guests showed me a photo of the Yasaka Pagoda and said "This is where I want to go," we decided to walk there. At this point it was just about 1:00, so we parted ways. Because the guests asked so many questions, I was not able to provide much guidance myself, but I was able to learn about various people's perspectives, which I feel was a truly valuable experience. For the photo, the cherry blossoms in front of the shrine office at Fushimi Inari Taisha were beautiful, so I took a picture.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Section 3TrainKyoto～Nijo180JPY
    Section 4TrainNijo～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5TrainNijojo-mae～Karasuma Oike220JPY
    Total920JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 54-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: Fushimi Inari & Togetsukyo Bridge

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Togetsukyo Bridge

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel Kyoto – Departure
    • 10:15 Fushimi Inari
    • 11:00 Travel
    • 11:20 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 12:00 Travel
    • 12:15 Lunch (Conveyor Belt Sushi Kura Sushi)
    • 12:45 Travel
    • 13:15 Arashiyama Monkey Park
    • 14:30 Togetsukyo Bridge → Nonomiya Shrine → Bamboo Grove
    • 15:10 Travel
    • 15:30 Hotel

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The schedule was quite tight. At the start, there was heavy traffic on the way to Fushimi Inari, which took a lot of time and caused some concern, but the taxi driver was very cooperative, and we were able to visit all of the planned destinations. For lunch, the guests said they were not particular and that anything would be fine, so following the taxi driver's recommendation, we chose a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. The guests were also very cooperative with the timing and finished lunch in 30 minutes, which I truly appreciated. We were blessed with good weather, the cherry blossoms were in bloom, and I believe the guests enjoyed themselves. The monkey park in particular seemed to be a lot of fun for the group. Thank you very much for all your support. I look forward to working with you again.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Yoko

    Hello. Thank you for your interest in Japan. I am a guide in Kansai area, the west part of Japan. There are many World Heritage sites in the west area. If you are interested in Japanese history and traditional culture, Kyoto and Nara are the two best places to visit. There are many temples. Osaka has many recreational places. Hyogo prefecture has one of the greatest castles in Japan called Himeji Castle and sake breweries. Hiroshima is famous for the Peace Memorial Park and a beautiful shrine. Also, you can taste different Japanese cuisines in each place. l will be very happy to guide families, couples, and solo travelers. I love children. I’ll do my best to make your time here unforgettable.

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  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel
    • 9:45 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:30 Shibuya & Cafe Time
    • 14:30 Asakusa Stroll
    • 15:30 Lunch (at Kanaya)
    • 16:30 Dismissal

    What Is a Private One-Day Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were friends visiting Japan for the first time from Asia. They mentioned that the night before, they had trouble using the air conditioner at their hotel and could not sleep well due to the heat. Shinjuku Gyoen required advance reservations that day, but since entry before 10:00 did not require a reservation, we changed the meeting time to 9:00. As the guests had already purchased PASMO cards, we were able to enter smoothly. Shinjuku Gyoen was in full bloom, and the guests seemed very satisfied. After that, we went from Meiji Shrine to Shibuya. At the Starbucks in Shibuya, despite waiting in a long line, cash could not be used, so we moved to a different cafe. The guests seemed quite tired, so we took a cafe break for a rest. Asakusa was very crowded, and after strolling around the main highlights, we had lunch at an udon restaurant. I also assisted with purchasing medicine at a drugstore, and although the tour ran significantly over the scheduled time, the guests were very pleased.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShinjuku 3-chome～Shinjuku Gyoen700JPY
    Section 2Free PassShinjuku 3-chome～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Shibuya160JPY
    Section 4Free PassShibuya～Asakusa0JPY
    Total860JPY

    Tour Report by AYAKA

    Hello! My name is Ayaka.
    I originally come from Osaka, but now live in Saitama . I have a 19-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son.
    My hobbies are cooking, baking sweets, playing the piano and watching movies.

    On weekdays, I work as a part-time English teacher at a boys’ junior high school and a high school. Since 2023, I have started working as a tour guide on weekends and long vacations. It is mainly private tours for small groups.

    I strongly believe that it is my calling to tell the greatest points of Japan to many foreigners. Through my guiding, I will do my best to give you as good an impression of Japan as possible.

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    Mar 28, 2026
    Destination424937
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Japan
    Ayaka was knowledgeable and she took us to some historical highlights of Tokyo .

    Mar 19, 2035
    L9685HWdianan
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nishiki Market

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto Meet up
    • 9:25 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:10 Gion Tatsumi Bridge
    • 12:00 Lunch at Tonkatsu Katsurai
    • 13:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:30 Nishiki Market
    • 15:00 Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour in Cherry Blossom Season Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group visiting from North America. The weather was perfectly clear and the cherry blossoms were very close to full bloom, making it an ideal day for sightseeing. Knowing that Fushimi Inari Taisha would become very crowded, we went there first, but it was still quite busy. After that, we went to the area around Tatsumi Bridge in Gion. The cherry blossoms were very beautiful, and large crowds had gathered. We then had lunch at a tonkatsu restaurant. The guests were amused by the process of grinding sesame seeds and enjoyed it very much. Kinkaku-ji afterward was also extremely crowded, and even taking photos was a challenge. Nishiki Market was much the same. Nevertheless, I believe everyone had a wonderful time.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Kaeko

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

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
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    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

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  • Kyoto: Ginkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto: Ginkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    March, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet at KyohotelKishotei Goshominami
    • 09:15 to 10:15 Strolling around Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and Yasaka Pagoda
    • 11:00 to 11:45 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:00 to 13:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 13:15 to 14:00 Lunch at Tenkaippin
    • 14:15 to 15:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 15:50 to 16:30 Nijo Castle
    • 16:30 Disband at Nijo Castle

    What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Tour in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from Europe. The group appeared to be enjoying their trip very much. To brighten the mood, I thought that seeing cherry blossoms might help, so I took the group to famous cherry blossom spots such as Maruyama Park and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where they happily took many photos. In the end, the tour concluded on a cheerful note, and I was very glad about that.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 2TrainSanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Gion-Shijo180JPY
    Section 3BusGion / Kyoto City Bus～Ginkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusGinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Karasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKarasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) / Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Nijojo-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,320JPY

    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
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