Title: What Is a 6-Hour Private Tour of Southern Okinawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. The tour was a 6-hour private tour of southern Okinawa Main Island, from 12:00 to 18:00, with vehicle transportation. The weather was cloudy then sunny, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 18°C. Everyone disembarked on time at the Second Cruise Terminal, and we departed immediately to visit each sightseeing spot. The guests were friends from a dance school and got along very well; they were also physically fit, which allowed us to move smoothly through the itinerary. They asked many questions, and since it was their second visit to Okinawa, we were able to have deeper conversations. No injuries. No one left the group.
Hello from Japan!
I’m Yoshi, 55 years old, male.
I was born in Tokyo and I’ve lived in Okinawa for over 30 years.
I have been a language teacher, musician, interpreter, diving instructor, and tour guide for so many years.
As an English guide, I enjoy visiting all the beautiful places in all over Japan, talking about Japan, also learning something new from you.
I always learn something new every time I go on the tour.
Not only I give you information of Japan, but at the same time, I can learn about Japan from your perspective.
This is the joy I get when I go with you.
I will try my best to make your tour a memorable one for you.
Let’s start from here together to plan your tour.
Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Aug 14, 2024
Shubha_I
Great Okinawa intro
Viator review: Naha 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best. Super accommodating and flexible.…
Aug 14, 2024
Shubha_I
Great Okinawa intro
Viator review: Naha 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best. Super accommodating and flexible. He was an amazing guide and
very kind. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him
Meet at the lakeside hotel 10:20 Arakura Sengen Shrine 11:30 Oshino Hakkai 12:30 Kitaguchi Hongu Sengen Shrine 13:15 Sengen Chaya 14:30 Oishi Park 15:15 Lake Shoji 16:00 Disband at the hotel
Title: What's a Private Fuji Five Lakes Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting the area. The weather was fine, and we explored shrines and the Oshino Hakkai springs while talking about the origins of Mount Fuji and about Shinto. At first I had thought we would have lunch around Oshino, but the guests had eaten a large breakfast, so after the next spot we enjoyed hoto noodles at the pleasant Sengen Chaya. Since the menu also offered Koshu beef rice bowls, some of the guests chose that, which may have worked out even better. The guests listened with great interest, and they were also very pleased with Lake Shoji, which I had suggested.
Hello! Thank you for you interested to visit Japan.
My name is Masako.
I had started guide work from 2023.
Already I had many guide work at foot of Mt.Fuji area.
I love nature, mountain trekking, camping,playing instrument and cooking.
Yamanashi prefecture is very attractive place!
You’ll see amazing magnificent nature even 90min from Tokyo.
In this area I can take you to historical shrine, lakes, forest, with Mt.Fuji view and nice local restaurant.
I will do my best that you’ll having great time in your trip.
I’m really looking forward to see you face to face.
Thank you.
Apr 14, 2025
Ramona_D
Top 3 highlight of our Japan trip
Viator review: Mt. Fuji Aokigahara Jukai Forest Private Tour with Licensed Guide
We were…
Apr 14, 2025
Ramona_D
Top 3 highlight of our Japan trip
Viator review: Mt. Fuji Aokigahara Jukai Forest Private Tour with Licensed Guide
We were lucky to have Masako as a guide for this tour. Very knowledgeable about the area, and also flexible to adapt the itinerary according to what we prefer, so we got to see all the secret spots without any crowds! Sakura was in full bloom, and it was super relaxing walking around and taking photos without all the TikTokers around 😝
We travelled from Tokyo to Kawaguchi Station on the expressway bus from Shinjuku- easy & cheap. Masako was at the station waiting for us, so we had zero hassle.
We opted for the caves, 2 gorgeous Shinto shrines (one of which with a magnificent 1,000+ years old cedar tree) and a 1 hr trek to the Sanko-Dai panoramic platform. The climb is quite steep so make sure you’ve got good walking shoes & you’re in decent shape. This was probably my favorite part of the tour as we got uninterrupted views of Mt Fuji and there was no-one else at all.
We finished with a stop at Lake Shoji, with a cute view of Fuji holding the ‘baby’ mountain (this can only be seen from this lake).
All in all this tour was perfect – a guide that knows the best spots, crowd-free & flexible (plenty of conbini & bathroom breaks available). Thank you Masako!
PS – Kawaguchiko is the site of the famous Lawson/Fuji shot, if you’re that way inclined. And as you may guess, the locals just don’t get the fuss, especially with so many better Fuji views so close by!
★★★★★
Mar 29, 2025
Toby_B
All the lakes and mountains
Viator review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Area Private Tour with Licensed Guide(Kawaguchiko area Dep)
The guide…
Mar 29, 2025
Toby_B
All the lakes and mountains
Viator review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Area Private Tour with Licensed Guide(Kawaguchiko area Dep)
The guide was experienced and ready for a long day of visiting every site I requested. I kept
pace that was matched by each challenge and attraction visited. I wish her next trips and
changes are just as easy as this day was for me.
★★★★★
Mar 10, 2025
James_W
Best of the Best
Viator review: Mt. Fuji Aokigahara Jukai Forest Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Masako was amazing. You could…
Mar 10, 2025
James_W
Best of the Best
Viator review: Mt. Fuji Aokigahara Jukai Forest Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Masako was amazing. You could not have a better guide. Mt Fuji is very scenic and temples
were great
10:00 Hotel meetup 10:25 Fushimi Inari 12:05 Lunch (sushi) 13:00 Kinkaku-ji 13:50 Ryoan-ji 15:00 Nijo Castle 16:00 Tour ends
What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. At home they speak Spanish. They were a very friendly group and a pleasure to guide. At Fushimi Inari, there were still many people lined up to receive New Year's blessings. As it was still the winter holidays, many junior high and high school students could be seen. However, since the school excursion season had not yet begun, areas other than Fushimi Inari were relatively uncrowded. At Nijo Castle, the guests were amused to see the palm trees wrapped in straw to protect them from the winter cold. Because bus connections from Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji are inconvenient, we used a taxi. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.
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 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 knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
★★★★★
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 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 on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
★★★★★
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…
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 some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.
05:00 Meet in front of the main gate of Toyosu Market
05:00-05:30 Advance explanation of related information such as how the tuna auction proceeds, how tuna is collected, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
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
What Is a Private Early-Morning Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions
The guests were a cheerful group visiting Japan from Oceania. They had chosen this tour for the final day of their trip and had been looking forward to it. They were amazed by the unique atmosphere of the Toyosu auction — rows of large frozen tuna, intermediate wholesalers carefully inspecting the quality of the tuna in advance, and each tuna auction concluding within five seconds — and were impressed by how systematically everything proceeded.
When I explained that on the previous day's first auction of the year, a tuna had sold for over 500 million yen — an exceptionally high market price — they were very surprised. It was won by Kiyomura, the company behind "Sushizanmai," and in front of the Sushizanmai main store in the Tsukiji Outer Market, which I guided them to in the latter half of the tour, they enjoyed taking photos with the banner advertising the record-high winning bid and the figure of Kiyomura's president in the background.
The guests told me the whole family enjoys fishing and cooking fish, and they were delighted by the deliciousness of the sushi at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market. Since it is a restaurant I frequent, the head chef kindly agreed to a commemorative photo, and the guests were satisfied not only with the taste but also with the service.
In the Tsukiji Outer Market, we first looked at the intermediate wholesalers' shops. Since fresh tuna in the process of being butchered was on display at a shopfront, the guests were able to understand how tuna is processed. At a specialty shop for dried goods used for making dashi, I explained the various dried ingredients (iriko, katsuobushi, ago, kombu, shiitake, and so on), and how dashi is prepared differently across various regions of Japan. When I told them that, since I am from Shikoku I prefer iriko dashi while another member of my household from Tokyo prefers katsuo dashi, and that we argue over which dashi to use for our New Year's ozoni, they laughed heartily. Since there was a request for tableware and for a yanagiba knife for sashimi, I guided them to two shops. As they wanted to take their time selecting tableware, they briefly looked around the shop and planned to return after the tour to leisurely choose their favorite pieces. As for the yanagiba knife, since such knives are not available in Oceania, they took their time listening to the explanation before selecting. Because the whole family enjoys fish, they purchased five yanagiba knives, one for each family member.
Since one of the guests was fond of oysters, at the end we stopped by a seafood shop I recommend, where they enjoyed a large rock oyster from Iwate. They were amazed by the raw oyster, about the size of a palm, and the moment it was eaten in one go was captured on video.
2. Other impressions and notes
Because the guests kindly agreed to meet at Toyosu Market at 5:00, we were able to secure the best spot and watch the auction at leisure. The guests said, "We're glad we followed your recommendation and came to the market at 5:00," and being able to provide the finest auction viewing experience is truly a guide's reward.
At the knife shop in the Tsukiji Outer Market that I always favor, it was the first time they had a customer buy five of the same yanagiba knife at once, and the staff told me, "Thank you for bringing such an auspicious customer right at the start of the new year," which allowed me to deepen my relationship with the people at that shop.
Thanks to the proprietress of the raw oyster shop remembering my face, she specially allowed us to take photos holding an oyster that was for sale, which delighted the guests.
Since last September I have been in charge of Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)'s (https://www.j-g-a.org/) Toyosu tours, and in the four months through last December I handled about 20 Toyosu tours. Thanks to this, I have become familiar not only with the sushi restaurant I had long frequented, but also with the knife shop, the seafood shop with delicious raw oysters, the dashi specialty shop, and the tuna wholesalers, and I have come to be able to let guests enjoy shopping and dining in a good atmosphere at these shops. Also, the security guards I meet every time at Toyosu Market now remember my face, and this time I received a New Year's greeting from one of them.
Thanks to being in charge of Japan Guide Agency (https://www.j-g-a.org/)'s Toyosu tours, I have had more frequent opportunities to visit the early-morning market, become friendly with the people there, and create a friendly atmosphere for guests to enjoy, and I am grateful to Japan Guide Agency (https://www.j-g-a.org/). I truly feel that I have been able to improve my skills and know-how as a guide, which is a great joy. Thank you.
Lastly, Happy New Year. I will continue to work hard to create enjoyable tours, and I look forward to your continued support.
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/
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru was an AMAZING host and tour guide. He went above and beyond with communication prior, during, and after to make sure my Son and I had an incredible experience. He was unbelievably knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we wanted as well. The sushi breakfast was unreal! Learning all about both Toyosu and Tsukiji markets was an experience we will never forget. 10 out of 10 for sure!!
★★★★★
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 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
This was our first time visiting a fish market, and from the time we booked the experience, Toru-san has been amazing. He helped us get to Toyosu market, where the tuna auction takes place, at the right time to get the best views and explained everything about how the auction works and made sure we didn’t miss anything. (You will need a knowledgeable tour guide because everything happens so fast and you might miss it!) We learned so much during such a short time about how the delicious tuna you eat at a sushi restaurant ends up in front of you. After the auction Toru-san took us to Okame, a great sushi restaurant, where we got to experience delicious sushi breakfast. Our next stop was Tsukiji market, and again we got to try all sorts of food and learn more about the market and got to meet some of the vendors. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. If you are interested in cooking, Japanese cuisine, or know someone home, this tour will give you the opportunity to do some shopping for unique souvenirs.
We had to get to Toyosu market before 5 am, and while you might think it’s too early, but why not do something fun and delicious with your jetlag? It was so worth it and I’m glad we chose to spend our first morning in Tokyo with Toru-san. The other advantage of being so early was that the market was not as crowded and we got to enjoy our time without having to wait in line.
Thank you, Toru-san!
★★★★★
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…
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 and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
The tour was great. We got to learn a lot about sushi and really enjoyed our time in the
market as well.
★★★★★
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…
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 a fantastic guide and made our experience one to remember. He picked us up
from the hotel and clearly knew how to be there early to get a good view. He also took us to
a delicious sushi place thereafter which the whole family enjoyed.
What Is a Private Kobe Sake Brewery Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Today's guests were visitors from North America making their first trip to Japan (they mentioned they originally came from South America). During this tour, the meeting point changed several times, which was surprising. The first meeting point was a hotel on Rokko Island. However, the day before the tour, I received a message that they would not be staying at that hotel, and the meeting point was changed to JR Sannomiya Station. On the day of the tour, while I was heading to the meeting point by train, I received another message saying that they would not make it in time to Sannomiya Station and would instead take a taxi directly to the first destination, the Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum.
For this reason, we met at the Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum. Here, in addition to touring the brewery, we visited a sake barrel-making demonstration (which had been reserved) and a sake cup exhibition hall, and sampled various kinds of sake, both paid and free.
Next was the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. Here too, after learning about the sake brewing process of both the past and the present through a video, we sampled various kinds of sake. The guests were extremely enthusiastic about sake.
Next, we had a meal at a restaurant operated by Kobe Shushinkan. The guests ordered many dishes and sake, enjoyed their meal, and were delighted, saying that Japanese cuisine is the best in the world.
After the meal came a brewery tour and tasting. At this time, a staff member originally from South America came in and handled the tasting. They conversed with the guests in Portuguese, and the guests were able to sample various kinds of sake that are not normally offered. Since the guests wished to end the tour here, we concluded the tour. The guests were very pleased with this tour, and on my way home they sent me a message saying, "It was a wonderful day. Thank you."
Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.
My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.
In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.
Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.
If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Jul 7, 2026
77guye
The best way to experience Himeji Castle
Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
What a great way to…
Jul 7, 2026
77guye
The best way to experience Himeji Castle
Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
What a great way to visit and see Himeji Castle and the Kokoen Gardens. Our private guide
Norio was so knowledgeable and accommodating. He made our visit to Himeji such a
memorable and awesome experience. Arigato gozaimasu Norio-san.
★★★★★
May 30, 2026
karenpG5549XU
Loved our tour
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a great tour with Norio, would highly…
May 30, 2026
karenpG5549XU
Loved our tour
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a great tour with Norio, would highly recommend him! He was very friendly and knowledgeable!
★★★★★
May 28, 2026
TrailBlazer741528
Kobe Variety.
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our delightful guide, Norio, was knowledgeable and a master at…
May 28, 2026
TrailBlazer741528
Kobe Variety.
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our delightful guide, Norio, was knowledgeable and a master at train negotiation! A highlight of the tour was the Herb Garden and Ropeway visit. The Sake Brewery and Museum was interesting with fabulous explanation from Norio combined with outstanding exhibits and tastings! He then left us to wander at our leisure in Chinatown.
★★★★★
May 23, 2026
sarahpR5911DJ
Himeji castle with Norio
Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We learnt lots about Himeji castle and it…
May 23, 2026
sarahpR5911DJ
Himeji castle with Norio
Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We learnt lots about Himeji castle and it was very interesting. The gardens were beautiful and it was great to see all the Koi fish. Norio made sure to take us to the best places and even took us to a great local sake place we asked for 🙂
Would recommend this tour
What Can You See on a Private Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Shinjuku Day Tour in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They had arrived the previous night and planned to stay in Tokyo for several nights, after which they would enjoy a week of skiing in Hokkaido.
We first headed to the Tsukiji Outer Market, where I introduced them to "Sushizanmai," the restaurant known for winning the bid on the "500-million-yen tuna" that they had reportedly seen on the news that morning. They were soon sampling food at the outdoor stalls.
The large strawberries sold within the market seemed to be a novelty for the younger members of the group, who repeatedly exclaimed how delicious they were.
At Meiji Shrine afterward, the group became very interested in Shinto, and everyone offered a proper prayer together. They also purchased many omikuji fortune slips and were delighted by the experience.
On Takeshita Street, the group thoroughly enjoyed a capybara cafe and crepes, and at our final stop in Shinjuku they were thrilled to find the Godzilla Head.
The tour was mainly oriented toward the younger members of the group, but everyone seemed to fully enjoy their first day in Tokyo.
I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.
I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.
Jul 26, 2026
Kevin_B
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tokyo Tour
Highly recommend this tour for first time…
Jul 26, 2026
Kevin_B
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tokyo Tour
Highly recommend this tour for first time visit to Tokyo. Our guide Atsushi took great care to acclimate us with navigating through busy train stations efficiently with a group of eight family members. Along the way and at each site he explained various cultural practices and associated histories that made the tour very immersive and enjoyable. We will highly recommend Atsushi and Viator to our family and friends for future tours.
★★★★★
Jun 22, 2026
Ashish_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best Tour for a Short Visit
Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…
Jun 22, 2026
Ashish_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best Tour for a Short Visit
Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and friendly tour guide. His knowledge allowed us to explore and get to the historical significance of the various locations we visited. His explanations were simple but comprehensive. The six hours flew by and included some off-the-beaten opportunities including coffee at a very austere but memorable location near the fish market. I would highly recommend him as well as this tour for anyone with limited time in Tokyo wanting see as much as possible
★★★★★
May 27, 2026
jackie m
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking tour of Tokyo
Our guide was really interesting and had…
May 27, 2026
jackie m
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking tour of Tokyo
Our guide was really interesting and had an amazing knowledge of culture and attractions!
We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon walk! We also navigated through the Shinjuku station
which was no walk in the park! Thank you to Atsushi!
★★★★★
Apr 9, 2026
Lindsey_W
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide, Atsushi, was…
Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…
Apr 9, 2026
Lindsey_W
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide, Atsushi, was…
Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met us at our hotel in Hakone and took us clockwise to tour all the sites. He was informative and taught us a lot. Our group was two adults and a 14 year old. We saw Mt Fuji from the rope way, but unfortunately the pirate ship was canceled because of high wind. We would absolutely use Atsushi again for this tour, or any other tour he provides.
What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya and Beyond
The guests were visitors from Europe and the Middle East, one of whom had visited Japan several times before, while the other was visiting for the first time. They planned to stay in Japan and, in addition to Tokyo, spend some nights in Kyoto. They had shared their preferred destinations in advance, so on the day I guided them accordingly. Both of them had a good deal of knowledge about Japanese culture and history, and they seemed to understand my explanations very well. It was unfortunate that, after we finished the Shibuya portion of the itinerary, one of the guests felt unwell and returned to the hotel, but the weather was fine, and I believe they were able to fully enjoy the tour.
Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
Nobu
Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…
Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He showed us the hight lights of Tokyo and was very
helpfull with getting us a Suica card.
★★★★★
May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…
May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide who showed us around our selected 4
destinations and their surroundings.
★★★★★
May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…
May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide. It was a great introduction to Tokyo – a busy and vastly interesting city. We learned about Japanese history and toured some of the major sites including the Imperial gardens, a Buddhist temple, a Shinto shrine, and the bustling Shibuya Crossing. Nobu helped us get familiar with the subway system and explained some of Japanese cuisine. We greatly enjoyed our tour and recommend it to others!
★★★★★
Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…
Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable and patient. Perfect start to our
Japan trip.
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Toji Temple and Nishiki Market
Today's guests were the group visiting Kyoto from North America. They came to Japan for a trip, and being fans of Japan, they very much wanted to visit Kyoto as the heart of Japanese culture. Having arrived in Kyoto the previous evening, this was the first day of their Kyoto tour, and they chose the spots mentioned above. We were fortunate that the interior of the five-story pagoda at Toji Temple was open for a special viewing, which delighted them greatly. Finally, in accordance with their wishes, we parted at the entrance to Nishiki Market.
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
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 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 the history of the sites on our tour. He even prepared a book that helped explain the historical significance of each site we visited. He was really fantastic, funny and engaging and connected with every member (young and old) in our group. We all learned a lot! Thank u Haru!
★★★★★
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 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 very knowledgeable about the various cites and came prepared with a binder and useful images. He was organized and even found a delicious ramen place for our family of 6 (not an easy task in the middle of busy Nara). He really cared about the cites and the history of the temples and spoke great English. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
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 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 Government-Licensed Guide
We were able to customize our trip to the top places we wanted to see. We were able to get to all of them. Our guide Haru was great and the places we visited were amazing and interesting. Our guide gave us a lot of history around the different sites. Our favorites were Kiyomizudera temple, Sanjyu Sangendo Temple and Kinkakuji Temple. We also visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine which was pretty great. We did a lot of walking and public transportation to get around. All in all it wasn’t bad and our guide got us to all the sites with ease. Haru was great as he took most of our family pictures. He did a great job.
★★★★★
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…
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 added a lot to our trip and
allowed us to experience a lot in the limited time we had available.
10:00 Meet at Kyoto Station Central Exit 10:25 Fushimi Inari 11:50 Sanjusangendo 13:00 Yasaka Pagoda 13:30 Lunch 14:10 Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Ishibei-koji, Yasaka Shrine
15:15 Gion 16:00 Tour ends
What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sanjusangendo and More
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They were a very close-knit group. Throughout the tour, they kindly said "I will follow you." many times, which I greatly appreciated. Both of them asked many questions. At each destination, there were no school excursion groups, so it was relatively easy to move around. Sanjusangendo has recently attracted many tourists, both Japanese and international. Although it is a small temple, the more than 1,000 statues of Kannon are magnificent and spectacular, and since I had long wished that more people would come to see them, I felt somewhat glad. At the end of the tour, they purchased sleeping medication at a pharmacy. Both of them seemed to be struggling quite a bit with jet lag. The photo was taken in the garden of Sanjusangendo.
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 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 knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
★★★★★
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 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 on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
★★★★★
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…
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 some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.
What Is a Private Kyoto Tour of Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The tour was scheduled to start at 9:30, but we met at the Hotel at 10:00. At the request of the group, who found it difficult to walk long distances, we traveled by taxi. The weather was fine, and the guests admired the beautiful vermilion color of Fushimi Inari Taisha. Wishing to find items available only in Japan and something special, they purchased many ema (votive plaques). I had the guests look for fox figures around the shrine. At Kiyomizu-dera, they were amazed by the wooden stage. After shopping along the approach, we parted ways.
Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
Every city has a unique charming point.
The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!
Jul 27, 2026
OscarBrisenoJr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Awesome tour of Kyoto
Seeing the temples and shrines…
Jul 27, 2026
OscarBrisenoJr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Awesome tour of Kyoto
Seeing the temples and shrines and other Kyoto’s surrounding areas were amazing to see and experience. Mizu was very kind and patient with my two daughters since they wanted stamps/seals of each shrine/temple that we visited in their books. Mizu even helped them to get stamps at each train station. She arranged our trip to be efficient and asked me prior to the trip which sites weee important for me to see and gave us her recommendations of what was feasible to see within the 6 he time frame. She was able to pick a nice restaurant to eat at for lunch. Overall I was very pleased with the private tour!
★★★★★
Jul 21, 2026
MarcL3556
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A Wonderful and Memorable Tour of Osaka with Mizu…
Jul 21, 2026
MarcL3556
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A Wonderful and Memorable Tour of Osaka with Mizu
We had a wonderful tour of Osaka with Mizu and can highly recommend her as a guide. From the very beginning, she was friendly, welcoming, and extremely well prepared. The entire tour was well organized, informative, and perfectly matched our expectations.
The sights and areas she selected gave us a great impression of Osaka and its unique character. We particularly appreciated the balance between famous attractions, local culture, history, and everyday life in the city. Mizu provided us with a lot of interesting background information and explained everything in a clear and engaging way. We learned much more about Osaka than we would have discovered on our own.
Her English was excellent, and communication was easy and natural throughout the entire tour. She was always happy to answer our questions and made sure that everyone in our group felt comfortable and included. We got along with her very well, and the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable from start to finish.
Mizu was also very attentive to our interests and adjusted the tour whenever necessary. We never felt rushed, and there was always enough time to take photos, look around, and enjoy the different places. Her warm personality, local knowledge, and enthusiasm for Osaka made the experience particularly memorable.
Overall, the tour was one of the highlights of our stay in Osaka. We would gladly book another tour with Mizu and recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and personable guide. Thank you, Mizu, for such a fantastic and memorable day in Osaka!
★★★★★
Jul 8, 2026
Ranvt
Local tour kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
I had a great experience on this local…
Jul 8, 2026
Ranvt
Local tour kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
I had a great experience on this local tour in Kyoto. It was very educational and informative, and our guide, Mizuho, was incredibly knowledgeable about the city. She was friendly, helpful, and happy to answer every question we had. She is very passionate for kyoto I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kyoto who wants to learn more about the city’s history and culture!
★★★★★
Jun 11, 2026
MamaL843
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…
Jun 11, 2026
MamaL843
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto. There was SO much to do and see in this
beautiful area of Japan, but Mizu was able to adjust on the fly because… well, young adult
sons 🤷🏻
