Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 14:00 Meet at Hotel Annex Rokku, buy the Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass at Tawaramachi and start
    • 14:50 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 16:10 Meiji Shrine
    • 17:45 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 18:35 Akihabara, buy figures at Radio Kaikan
    • 19:30 Asakusa
    • 20:00 Disband at Hotel Annex Rokku

    What Is a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report It rained almost the entire day, and it was a chilly day. There were moments when walking was slow and things took extra time. At the stations we used elevators whenever possible, so places like Shibuya took a while. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, despite the rain, the guests enjoyed seeing various kinds of cherry blossoms. At the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, they eagerly took video in the passageway leading from the Inokashira Line to the subway. In Akihabara, they purchased anime figures at the Radio Kaikan building. In Asakusa, almost all of the Nakamise shops were closed, but I gave a brief overview. I saw them off at their hotel, and the tour ended.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTawaramachi~Takebashi700JPY
    Section 2Free PassOtemachi~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 4Free PassShibuya~Kanda0JPY
    Section 5Free PassSuehirocho~Asakusa0JPY
    Total700JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Nagasaki: Atomic Bomb Museum & Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum

    Nagasaki: Atomic Bomb Museum & Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet at the port
    • 08:45 Visit the Atomic Bomb Museum
    • 10:00 Hypocenter Park and Peace Park
    • 10:30 Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum
    • 11:30 Lunch at Chinatown, buy medicine at a nearby drugstore, buy a limited-edition cup at Starbucks
    • 13:30 Disband at the port

    What Is a Private Nagasaki Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report At the Atomic Bomb Museum, the guests viewed each exhibit slowly and carefully. Since there were fewer visitors than usual, I was able to provide guiding about the lives of the atomic bomb survivors on display, as well as about Takashi Nagai. One of the guests showed strong interest in Takashi Nagai, so after getting the agreement of the others, I added the Takashi Nagai Memorial Museum to the itinerary. The guests also wanted to walk around Chinatown, but I explained that Chinatown is very popular and securing seats can be difficult, so I focused on reserving a table as early as possible. The guests were very satisfied with the restaurant. Afterward, they mentioned they wanted to buy some pain relief medicine, so I guided them to a nearby drugstore, and since they also wanted to visit Starbucks, I took them there before we parted ways at the harbor.

    Hello, I’m Rikako, but please call me Coco. It would be my absolute pleasure to show you around my hometown of Nagasaki. Having performed in the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival in my childhood, I developed a deep interest in history and cultural exchange. This motivated me to become a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter during my university years. Since then, I have gained valuable experience—from assisting ambassadors at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony to handling a wide variety of tours, including private and coach tours, site inspections, international conference support, and VIP hospitality.
    Explaining about Nagasaki’s history and culture is the most important to me. It is not only about this. I would love to provide genuine care so that your time in Nagasaki remains in your heart forever.
    I’m truly looking forward to guiding you in Nagasaki 🙂

    Jul 21, 2026
    Dawnery_V
    Viator review: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful city. Great guide.
    Rikako was a great guide. She…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Todd_C
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Had a very nice…
    Had a very nice experience. Coco was very…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Explore34946025848
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nagasaki
    Really good day out with a local guide, very informative about…

    Apr 4, 2026
    Giovanni_M
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Good
    Nagasaki is a very interesting tour
    I would recommend…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at OMO3 AKASAKA
    • 10:05 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 12:00 Lunch @ Nagoya Binchou (Marunouchi Building)
    • 13:00 Kokyo Gaien National Garden
    • 13:30 Imperial Palace Inui Street
    • 14:10 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 15:15 Asakusa
    • 15:30 Dismiss at Sumida Park

    What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan from North America. On a previous trip to Japan, they had been unable to see the cherry blossoms, so this time they came looking forward to seeing them. They had wished to stay in Asakusa, but it turned out during our correspondence that they had mistakenly booked a Hotel in a different part of the city under the same chain, so there were moments when some adjustments were needed. As is the case every year, when the cherry blossoms are just beginning to bloom, it is often impossible to know the actual flowering conditions without checking on-site, so the preliminary scouting took a considerable amount of time. During the actual tour, while the guests kindly understood that places such as the Imperial Palace Inui Street might require changes if crowded, we were able to visit all the locations they had hoped to see, and the guests exclaimed at the beauty of the cherry blossoms throughout the day. I would be delighted if they were able to spend a memorable day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAkasaka-mitsuke~Sendagaya340JPY
    Section 2TrainShinjuku-gyoemmae~Tokyo210JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Total730JPY

    Hello, I’m Miho Ozawa, and I’ve been working as a government licenced guide interpreter for six years in Tokyo. I live in east Tokyo with my family, including my three children, and I love art, gardens, photography and traveling.
    It’s such a pleasure to explore this fascinating city Tokyo with you. There are so many things you can do, although sometimes it’s hard to choose what to do within a limited time. I would really appreciate if you could let me know what you would like to do or where you would like to visit in Tokyo. I would be happy to help you plan to make your trip a memorable one. I’m forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon!

    Apr 18, 2026
    CRM
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day 1 Japan Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
    Miho was an amazing tour guide.…

    Mar 31, 2026
    M
    maaz06
    Private Half Day tour with Government Licenced Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our half day…

    Mar 31, 2026
    Maria_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant half Day Private tour customized to see the beautiful Cherry Blossoms…

    Mar 31, 2026
    Rick_G
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun day out with Miho
    We had a great time exploring the…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & JR Ferry

    Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & JR Ferry

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel pickup
    • 9:23 Depart Hiroshima Station
    • 9:50 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 10:00-10:10 JR Ferry
    • 10:10-14:20 Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, other historical buildings, etc., lunch
    • 14:20-15:05 World Heritage Sea Route, Miyajima – Peace Park
    • 15:10-17:00 Peace Memorial Park & Museum
    • 17:00 Tour ends

    What Is an 8-Hour Private Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania who have been traveling around the world as a pleasure and were clearly enjoying their first days in Japan. One of the guests enjoys photography, particularly capturing and collecting landscape images, and was deeply moved on this warm day as the cherry blossoms on Miyajima were just beginning to reach their peak. Since walking was somewhat difficult, this 8-hour tour was planned along flat paths as much as possible. At the Peace Memorial Park, the guests asked many earnest questions, and their sincere and thoughtful attitude toward the events that took place here left a strong impression on me.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1JGA Pre-Approved FeeMiyajima~Peace Park1,200JPY
    Section 2TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Total1,620JPY

    Welcome to Hiroshima.
    My name is Hiroshi Tsuji, a licensed guide based in Hiroshima and Miyajima. My family has been connected to Miyajima for more than 300 years, and I am pleased to share the history, culture, and daily life of this unique island with visitors from around the world. Please feel free to call me Hiroshi.
    With a background in outdoor sports—including rock climbing, scuba diving, and long-distance triathlons—I have completed several Ironman races abroad. I studied in Kyoto and later worked in management at a publicly listed company, which allowed me to live in many different regions of Japan and develop a deeper understanding of the country’s diverse culture and history.
    In Hiroshima, I guide guests through the Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and share perspectives on the history of Hiroshima and modern Japan.
    In Miyajima, I introduce Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, the island’s beautiful scenery, and its local cuisine. As someone whose family has been connected to Miyajima for generations, I also enjoy sharing local insights and experiences that offer a more personal connection to the island’s culture and way of life.
    I look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima and Miyajima.
    Hiroshi

    Sep 25, 2026
    philiprA2432ZA
    Hiroshima & Miyajima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Our guide Hiroshi picked us up…

    Sep 23, 2026
    Sygeplejersken78
    The best guide – Thank you 🙏🇯🇵🇩🇰
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had…

    Sep 21, 2026
    Pioneer19650761736
    You Won’t Regret Booking with Hiroshi
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had the most amazing…

    Sep 11, 2026
    stephanie782022
    Fantastic tour experience
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had such a fantastic day with Hiroshi,…

  • Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Higashi-Shinjuku Kabukicho East
    • 9:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:45 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 12:45 Lunch @ Inataya Palace Building branch. After eating, discuss arrangements for tickets for the next day and beyond
    • 14:10 Ueno Station, purchase Welcome Suica and subsequent JR tickets
    • 15:10 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
    • 16:40 Meiji Shrine
    • 17:45 Disband at Hotel Higashi-Shinjuku Kabukicho East

    It rained until around 3 p.m., so unfortunately the weather was not ideal. The guests did not seem to mind much, which was a good thing. I provided a folding umbrella, and they used it throughout the day. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they were surprised to see so many different kinds of cherry blossoms. For lunch, they tried soba for the first time and reacted that it was delicious. From the beginning, the guests had expressed a wish to buy a JR pass for their stay in Japan, so we discussed it starting from mealtime and purchased the ticket at Ueno as planned, though it took quite a lot of time. After that, things proceeded according to plan, but the tour ran significantly over the scheduled time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassHigashi-Shinjuku~Shinjuku-sanchome700JPY
    Section 2TrainSendagaya~Iidabashi200JPY
    Section 3Free PassIidabashi~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 4Free PassOtemachi~Ueno0JPY
    Section 5Free PassUeno~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6Free PassAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 7Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Higashi-Shinjuku0JPY
    Total900JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 09:00 Demachi 2 By Japan Experience Meeting
    • ② 09:20 Itinerary explanation and about the history of Kyoto at the Daitoku-ji temple grounds
    • ③ 10:15 Obai-in Temple, Daitoku-ji
    • ④ 12:30 Nijo Castle
    • ④ 14:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • ⑤ 15:00 Disband at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Tour of Fushimi Inari and Zen Gardens? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, experiencing Japan for the first time. In the taxi they spoke among themselves in a language I could not understand at all. Their requests were clear from the start: they wanted to see a dry landscape (karesansui) garden and hear an explanation of its underlying philosophy, visit a shrine and learn about Shinto, and cover the basics of Japanese history. Because of these clear requests, the destinations for the day were decided right away. One of the guests was extraordinarily enthusiastic, with an incredible level of energy. I was a little taken aback by such intensity, but as a guide it made the day truly rewarding. No matter how much I explained, there was never any sign of losing interest; instead, questions came one after another, as if every point I made prompted an immediate response. Another of the guests was very quiet throughout, which required some attention on my part. Another was somewhere in between — reserved in manner, but with rather sharp questions. For example, one of the guests pointed out that while I said red is an important color in both Shinto and Buddhism in Japan, the color of the torii gates here at Fushimi Inari looked more like orange than red, and asked why. Rather than simply saying it was the color of the wood preservative, which would not have been very interesting, I gave my own explanation. They mentioned they had become fond of Japanese-style curry rice, and asked whether there was a good place to eat curry that was more like rice-and-curry rather than authentic Indian-style curry. I told them there was a delicious spot — a chain restaurant — and introduced them to a curry chain restaurant right near Sanjo Ohashi Bridge. I imagine that kind of flavor is exactly what they enjoy. After we said our goodbyes at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge, the group headed off together right away.

    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

    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 Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:15 Hotel Meet 11:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 12:20 Ryoanji Temple 13:25 Lunch (Sushi) 14:10 Kinkakuji Temple 15:15 Kyoto Imperial Palace  16:15 Drop off at hotel, tour ends

    What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Both were very quiet and reserved. Before the tour started, they visited a nearby shrine and it took some time to order a goshuin stamp, so they returned to the Hotel later than planned, which delayed the start of the tour. Cherry blossoms were in bloom at every place we visited, and the arrival of spring could really be felt. In the afternoon it became warm enough to feel slightly hot. Every sightseeing spot was crowded, and when we tried to take a bus from Kinkaku-ji to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, there was an unusually long line. After discussing it with the guests, we decided to take a taxi to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. At the Imperial Palace, we were able to see a special exhibition, which was wonderful. The cherry blossoms inside the palace grounds were blooming beautifully, and one of the guests took many photos with a single-lens reflex camera. The photo was taken at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherSanjo Keihan~Uzumasa Tenjingawa260JPY
    Section 2OtherRanden Tenjingawa~Randen Arashiyama250JPY
    Section 3OtherRanden Arashiyama~Ryoanji Temple250JPY
    Section 4BusRyoanji-mae/Kyoto City Bus~Waratenjin-mae/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5OtherImadegawa~Sanjo Keihan260JPY
    Total1,250JPY

    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.

    Sep 28, 2026
    Miguel_E
    Amazing Service
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

    Sep 27, 2026
    T
    TrailBlazer47194
    Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

    Sep 1, 2026
    Steve6172014
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 7, 2026
    Pascale_Q
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We had…

  • Shizuoka: Shimizu Port & Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

    Shizuoka: Shimizu Port & Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:40. Shimizu Port
    • 13:20-13:50 Hotel
    • 14:30-15:15 Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
    • 15:25-16:50 Sunpu Castle Park, Momijiyama Garden
    • Via Ichigo Coast Road
    • Shimizu Port

    Because the ship arrived late, there was a bit of confusion, but thank you for arranging a taxi so quickly once the information came in from the guests. Having this kind of support when schedule changes occur is very reassuring. Mr. Hara of Shizutetsu Taxi accommodated our requests very flexibly. The delay was due to rough seas, so the guests may have been tired, but the group seemed to enjoy their day in Shizuoka. We had planned to have lunch at the Hotel and had made a reservation, but even though we canceled on the day, it was accepted without any trouble. That is truly impressive for the Hotel (I have already decided that I will personally go there for lunch in the near future).

    I am relatively a novice guide but probably I am interested in quite a range of cultural and historical aspects of Japanese pursuits. After living in Tokyo for more than 20 years followed by seven year life in Britain, I have lived more than twenty years in Shizuoka and I now appreciate life in this mild, gentle and resourceful Shizuoka. I believe these will help me to talk about Shizuoka and Japan. My tea master is a distinguished man of learning and taste; the Kyonui (Japanese embroidery) master with whom I learn needlework is an extraordinary person. My academic field is eighteenth-century Britain. And I am involved in some projects that are supported by Shizuoka University and local entrepreneurs.

    Jun 5, 2026
    Voyage28079731367
    Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
    Mika: an excellent guide in Shimizu
    We had a…

    Sep 6, 2025
    Amee_H
    Mt Fuji
    Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
    Great opportunity to see such a beautiful…

    Aug 7, 2025
    Scott_D
    Perfect Day with Expert & Generous Tour Guide in Shimizu
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Omiya
    • 10:20 -11:50 Kyoto Gyoen, Imperial Palace
    • 12:20 -13:50 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:00 Disband around Hanamikoji ~ Yasaka Pagoda area

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from Europe on a private walking tour of Kyoto. Since the guests said they wanted to visit places that are not too crowded, I took them to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which is spacious and relatively uncrowded even when there are many people. The cherry blossoms were beautiful, and there was a special opening as well, so it took more time than expected. As it was their first time in Japan, I also guided them to the classic highlights of Kinkaku-ji, Hanamikoji Street in Gion, and the Yasaka Pagoda. Since the guests had no plans after the tour, I extended the tour by nearly an hour and we parted ways near the Yasaka Pagoda. We walked a great deal, but as they were a group who enjoy hiking, I believe they had a good time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOmiya (Kyoto)~Karasuma170JPY
    Section 2SubwayKarasuma~Imadegawa260JPY
    Section 3SubwayImadegawa~Kitaoji220JPY
    Section 4BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Nishioji Shijo (Hankyu・Randen Sai Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6TrainSai (Hankyu Line)~Kyoto Kawaramachi170JPY
    Total1,280JPY

    Hello. I’m YUASA Katsura. Call me just K(Kei). I have been a national government licensed guide interpreter since 2024. I am also teaching English at a university in Nara, so I’m good at explaining even complicated things plainly so that everyone can understand. I hope you will choose me if you would like to learn about Japanese history and traditional culture. I can not only guide you to major tourist sites such as Golden Pavillion in Kyoto and the Great Buddha in Nara but also introduce you hidden gems in Kyoto and Nara. I’m fascinated with charms of these ancient cities. Let’s make your travel to Japan enjoyable and memorable together.

    Jul 29, 2026
    Charlotte_C
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kei was a wonderful guide…
    Kei was a wonderful…

    May 23, 2026
    allenk947
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoughtful tour with excellent support and service
    The experience and…

    Mar 11, 2026
    K
    ketchbaw
    Great Guide excellent Tour recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Excellent Guide fun Tour…

    May 1, 2026
    C3857WLstevenk
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour
    My wife and I had a 4hr private tour with…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Ikuta Shrine

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Ikuta Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Port Terminal
    • 10:00 Ikuta Shrine
    • 11:40 Kikumasamune Museum, Sakuramasamune Museum
    • 13:20 Chinatown, Kobe Beef Restaurant
    • 13:30 Dismissal

    What Is a Private Cruise-Stopover Tour of Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a cruise trip for guests from Africa. As I was entrusted with the itinerary, I planned a way for them to enjoy Kobe in a short amount of time. First, I introduced them to Japanese Shinto at Ikuta Shrine. By chance, they were able to see a Shinto ritual, which they found very interesting. I believe they also enjoyed visiting the various shrines within the precincts. At the Nada Sake Museum, they listened attentively and purchased many souvenirs. They had also requested Kobe beef, so I made a reservation at a restaurant near Chinatown. They were very much looking forward to it. I guided them to the shuttle bus stop for the port, and we parted ways there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal~Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2TrainSannomiya~Uozaki200JPY
    Section 3TrainUozaki~Motomachi (Hyogo Prefecture)250JPY
    Total660JPY

    Hello, I am a tour guide, Chiyuki. If I write my name in Japanese, it means one thousand happiness. Please call me Chiyuki. I am looking forward to seeing you.
    I have been guiding many visitors from all parts of the world since I became a tour guide.
    I hope Japan can attract many people with beautiful scenery, culture, historical buildings, food and so on. What are you interested in?
    And I couldn’t be happier if I can help you to create memories of a wonderful trip.
    I will make my best effort to satisfy my guests. See you soon. Thank you very much. Chiyuki

    Aug 9, 2026
    Angelika_H
    Viator review: Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide
    Tour
    Super Tour who was Shaped for us…

    Jul 9, 2026
    727tessv
    We had the best time in Kobe
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide Chiyuki was…

    Jun 21, 2026
    M9524SIphilippel
    Tripadvisor review: Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sake tour in Kobe
    Chiyuki is one of the…

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    Pinoy V
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very interesting and informative.
    Chiyuki kept us informed on our itinerary…