Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Shibuya Crossing

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Shibuya Crossing

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza
    • 9:20 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street > Ura-Harajuku > Cat Street
    • 13:25 Shibuya Crossing
    • 13:45 Disband at Shibuya Sky entrance

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya Sky The day before the tour, I received word that a Shibuya Sky reservation had been secured for the 14:00–14:20 slot, so I moved the start time earlier to 9:00. The guests had a Welcome Suica, which allowed the tour to proceed smoothly. It rained almost the entire day and was a little cold, so the sightseeing was quite brisk. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, five varieties of cherry blossoms were in bloom and the camellias were also at their best, and the guests enjoyed taking many photos. At Meiji Shrine, we caught a glimpse of a wedding ceremony taking place. On Takeshita Street, there were no purchases or stops at all, so we were ahead of schedule. On Cat Street, I guided them to places such as Candy Show Time. They took photos and videos at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and after showing them to Shibuya Sky, the tour came to an end. A tip was received.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGinza~Takebashi180JPY
    Section 2TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Total390JPY

    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 Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet 9:35 Fushimi Inari 11:00 Kinkaku-ji 12:20 Lunch (Sushi) 14:00 Nanzen-ji 15:30 Yasaka Pagoda・Ninenzaka・Ishibei-koji・Yasaka Shrine
    • 16:40 Tour End

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. On the day, one member of the group rested at the hotel due to feeling unwell, so the tour proceeded with the rest of the group. Their flight from Europe had been cancelled due to the attack on Iraq, and their trip was rescheduled from the 12th to the 20th. Everyone was friendly and approachable, which made it easy for me to strike up conversation as well. The weather was fine, and by the afternoon it felt slightly warm. As it was the first day of a three-day weekend, everywhere was very crowded, including with Japanese tourists. If I had not made a reservation at the lunch restaurant, I believe we would have had to wait about an hour. The bus heading toward the Higashiyama area skipped one of its stops (Gojozaka) due to the large number of tourists. There were also Japanese drivers touring by private car up the slope toward Yasaka Pagoda (with Shiga license plates), which caused quite a bit of confusion. They seemed unfamiliar with the roads. Private car sightseeing during this season should really be avoided. We used taxis from Kinkaku-ji to Nishioji-Oike and from Nanzen-ji to Higashiyama-Sanjo. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusOmiya Gojo / Kyoto City Bus~Kyoto Station / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 4BusEnmachi~Kinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5OtherNishioji Oike~Keage260JPY
    Section 6BusHigashiyama Sanjo (Subway Higashiyama Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,300JPY

    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…

  • Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30: To meet guests at Tobu Nikko station –> 10:00 to 11:30: To sightseeing Tamosawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park –> 11:45 to 12:50: To have lunch at Takumi-an –> 13:00 to 13:25: To sightseeing Kanmangafuchi Abyss –> 13:45 to 14:10: To walk by Taiyuin Mausoleum and to sightseeing Futarasan Shrine –> 14:15 to 15:55: To sightseeing Toshogu Shrine –> 16:00 to 16:05: To sigthseeing Shinkyo Bridge –> 16:10 to 16:40: To enjoy Japanese sweet (Dango and Matcha) –> 16:40: Tour ended and broke up

    What Is a Private Nikko Tour to Toshogu Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were very cheerful and had a strong interest in the shogun, so they seemed to thoroughly enjoy Toshogu Shrine. Prior to that, they also showed great interest at Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, becoming fascinated by its history as a summer retreat used by Emperor Taisho and as a place where the imperial family lived. When I shared some simple anecdotes, the history of the buildings, and stories of difficult times in the past, they expressed their appreciation for this as well. Toshogu Shrine was very crowded, which caused a bit of stress, but when we finished touring Toshogu Shrine and they said, "This was the most impressive thing I have ever seen. Thank you for all your explanations," I was truly delighted. Because they had a genuine interest in the shogun and the Tokugawa shogunate family and had gathered a variety of information in advance, their questions were not superficial but precise, and many of them made me feel that they were truly interested. In that sense, the conversation never stopped, and I felt it was a tour where we could both enjoy stimulating exchanges. They were also able to collect many goshuin (shrine seals) and seemed to feel a real sense of accomplishment.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTobu Nikko Station~Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park~Tobu Nikko Station0JPY
    Total600JPY

    I am more than happy to take you to attractive tourism resources scattered in Nikko. I will prepare for your trip enough to satisfy your requests and provide you with the memorable tour. When I was a company employee, I lived abroad for 5 years in Los Angeles, 11 and a half years in Washington D.C. and 2 and half years in Brussels. Despite 19 year long stay abroad, I remain charmed by Japanese things, such as culture, custom, spirit, martial art etc. I am glad if I can be of help you understand Japan as well as Nikko through my guide. I am interested in Japanese martial arts: I own the third grade in Japanese archery, known as Kyudo and I have passed a certification examination (1st grade) for Sumo wrestling conducted by the Japanese Sumo Promoting Association.

    May 22, 2026
    michaeliI2370UG
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nikko with Ichiro Amazing!
    Ichiro was an awesome tour guide and made…

    May 15, 2026
    Laurent S
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    excellent
    Ichi was very patient, indulgent, super nice, always had an…

    May 12, 2026
    H4725BUbarbarab
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ichi memorable tour
    Ichi made our trip to Nikko very memorable. He…

    Apr 5, 2026
    EmilioP6
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Great day with Ichi
    Our day in Nikko with Ichi was…

  • Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 ベネッセハウス パーク ロビー【集合】
    • 「黄色いかぼちゃ」を見学
    • 10:02 ベネッセハウス パーク バス停
    • ベネッセハウス無料送迎バスにて
    • 10:09 地中美術館 バス停
    • 10:30~11:30 地中美術館
    • 11:40 地中美術館 バス停
    • ベネッセハウス無料送迎バスにて
    • 11:42 李禹煥美術館 バス停
    • 11:45~12:15 李禹煥美術館・ヴァレーギャラリー
    • 12:17 李禹煥美術館 バス停
    • ベネッセハウス無料送迎バスにて
    • 12:19 ベネッセハウス ミュージアム バス停
    • 12:20~14:20 ベネッセハウス ミュージアムおよび屋外アート作品(美術館カフェでの昼食を含む)
    • 14:29 ベネッセハウス ミュージアム バス停
    • ベネッセハウス無料送迎バスにて
    • 14:32 ベネッセハウス パーク バス停
    • 14:37 本村 バス停
    • 徒歩
    • 14:50~15:30 直島新美術館
    • 家プロジェクトの各所を外観から見学
    • 16:05 本村 バス停【解散】

    Title: What's a Private Art Tour of Naoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. They were staying during March and traveling a route that covered Tokyo, Yufuin, Naoshima, Kyoto, and back to Tokyo. Since one member of the group needed to avoid stairs, we skipped the Lee Ufan Museum and the Naoshima New Museum, and I guided the rest of the group there. The guests were consistently in good spirits throughout the tour. Everyone was very pleasant, and it was a joy to guide them. They appeared to thoroughly enjoy the art, nature, and architecture of Naoshima.

    Hello. My name is Hisao Kaji. I was born in 1945. I was raised in Takamatsu City from 3 years old. So, I have been living in Takamatsu for around 75 years. I believe I know Takamatsu City and the Kagawa prefecture area very well. If you come to Takamatsu, Kagawa I think you can enjoy your tour with me. I started a Government Licensed Guide in 2019. So, I have been a licensed guide for about 5 years. My favorite destinations are Naoshima, Teshima, Ritsurin Garden, the top of Mt. Yashima and so on. I always show you an itinerary about one month before your tour date, and I will accept any questions, other favorite places you want to visit. Communicating with you, I would like to accommodate your request for your tour. I always listen to NPR on the internet to know how the world is moving and improve my English. I like conversation based upon it with my life. I stayed in the USA for 8 months for a Power Systems Engineering Course conducted by General Electric in New York State when I was 28 years old. I sometimes talk about my memory of those days with the guests. I am very happy to guide tourists because I can see the guests become happy and enjoy themselves when I am guiding better. Nothing is more wonderful than that. I welcome your visit to Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture. I believe you will have a pleasant time through my guide.

    Apr 19, 2026
    2Pippin2
    Tripadvisor review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A day to remember
    Perfect day! Our tour guide, Kaji,
    added so…

    Oct 23, 2025
    C
    Calli_C
    This was a great day tour…
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a great day…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Vanessa_A
    Lovely day on Naoshima Island
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    It was great to relax and leave…

    Jun 1, 2025
    Pamela_F
    Highly recommend the half…
    Viator review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend the half day tour and our…

  • Osaka in One Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Osaka in One Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Hotel Meet (@The park Hotel at Universal Studio Japan)
    • 7:00-8:00 Transfer (JR Yumesaki Line & Loop Line; Universal City → Osaka Station → Kyoto Station)
    • 8:00-8:45 Transfer (Subway; Kyoto → Nijo Castle)
    • 8:45-9:55 Visit Nijo Castle
    • 9:55-10:30 Transfer (City Bus; Nijojo-mae → Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 10:30-11:20 Visit Kinkakuji Temple
    • 11:20-12:00 Quick Lunch (@McDonald's)
    • 12:00-12:35 Transfer (City Bus; Waratenjin-mae → Imadegawa)
    • 12:35-13:25 Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 13:25-14:00 Transfer (Subway; Imadegawa → Kyoto Station)
    • 14:00-14:40 Transfer (JR; Kyoto → Osaka)
    • 14:40-15:00 Transfer (JR; Osaka → Nishikujo → Universal City)
    • 15:00 Tour End  Said goodbye to the guests at Universal City Station

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of visitors from North America. This was a Kyoto tour that started with an early 7:00 a.m. pickup at a hotel in Osaka. One of the guests had visited Japan and Kyoto several times before and had even studied The Tale of Genji, so they were quite well versed in Japanese culture. At this guest's request, this time I took the group to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, places they had not yet been able to visit. The weather was perfect for sightseeing. However, I felt very sorry that during the bus rides (Nijo Castle to Kinkaku-ji, and Waratenjin to Imadegawa/Kyoto Imperial Palace) the buses were extremely crowded, which made getting on and off quite difficult for them. (Fortunately, they were able to sit down partway through the rides, which was a relief.) It was an 8-hour tour, but since the transfer between the hotel and Kyoto took about an hour each way, the actual Kyoto sightseeing menu covered around 6 hours. All of the guests said that Kinkaku-ji left the strongest impression on them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUniversal City~Kyoto840JPY
    Section 2SubwayKyoto~Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Section 3BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusWaratenjin-mae / Kyoto City Bus~Imadegawa230JPY
    Section 5SubwayImadegawa~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 6TrainKyoto~Universal City840JPY
    Total2,630JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet up with guests at the hotel
    • 09:30 Stroll around Asakusa
    • 10:45 Stroll around Ueno Park
    • 11:30 Stroll around Ameyoko
    • 12:00 Lunch at a robatayaki restaurant in Ameyoko
    • 14:00 Stroll around Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    • 15:00 Disband at Iidabashi Station

    Can You See Cherry Blossoms on a Private Tokyo Walking Tour in Early April? A Licensed Guide's Report 1. The tour and the guests' reactions The guests were visiting Japan from North America. Their native language was Spanish, but they spoke very fluent English, which made for lively and easy conversation. They were looking forward to seeing cherry blossoms, and since they were returning to Tokyo in early April, I chose Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park, and Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, where the currently blooming weeping cherry trees could be seen, so they could enjoy the early-blooming weeping cherry blossoms. For lunch, I recommended a popular robatayaki spot in Ameyoko, where they enjoyed classic izakaya dishes such as primitive-style grilled salmon, toro-taku, oden, and edamame. It was their first time trying oden, and they were impressed by the richness of the broth and the daikon that had soaked up all that flavor. One of the guests had shochu made from sweet potato mixed with soda, and the other had chilled junmai sake, and they seemed very satisfied. 2. Other impressions, notes, and requests It was a cold, rainy day, so it was a bit challenging for outdoor walking. They had brought raincoats, so there was no problem with walking, but they were a little surprised by the temperature gap compared to the spring-like days. Although it is spring on the calendar, there are still cold days, so going forward I will continue to pay attention to the weather on the day and consider tour routes that are not too demanding.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyobashi (Tokyo)~Asakusa210JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Ueno180JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno~Suidobashi200JPY
    Total590JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 25, 2026
    robert_s
    Fantastic experience!
    Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a tour booked with Toru…

    Sep 24, 2026
    Pamela_S
    Ask for Toru!
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our travel date for this tour…

    Sep 13, 2026
    S4579HLmaxf
    An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    Outstanding experience at the…

    Sep 7, 2026
    Victor_G
    All the temples and…
    Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Meet up @Hotel Okura Kyoto
    • 2. 8:45 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 3.10:35@Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 4.12:20@Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 5.13:15 Lunch @"Menmenkaku" in front of Kinkakuji-michi bus stop
    • 6.14:00 Dismiss @Kinkakuji-michi bus stop

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion Body: The guests were a group visiting from North America. In our correspondence beforehand, the itinerary had also included Gion and Nishiki Market, but in our email exchanges I had only told them that I would do my best to accommodate their wishes as much as possible. When we met today, I showed them a map and explained the options, and they narrowed down their top priorities to three places. Although I guided them to Kiyomizu-dera, they were satisfied simply after purchasing tickets without going in to view the temple. At Kinkaku-ji, they did go in and viewed the temple. After finishing at Kinkaku-ji, they appeared quite tired and asked, "Is there a ramen shop nearby?" so I took them to "Menmenkaku" at the Kinkakuji-michi bus stop. They ordered ramen themselves and enjoyed it. Finally, they wished to go to Gion, so I directed them to take bus number 12, which goes to Gion without any transfers. After they boarded, I saw them off and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Tofukuji150JPY
    Section 4BusTofukuji~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Higashiyama-Sanjo (Subway Higashiyama Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6SubwayHigashiyama (Kyoto)~Nishioji-Oike / Kyoto City Bus260JPY
    Section 7BusNishioji-Oike / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,510JPY

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nishiki Market & Fushimi Inari

    Kyoto in One Day: Nishiki Market & Fushimi Inari

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Meet at Hotel
    • 12:30 Nishiki Market
    • 13:45 Takashimaya
    • 14:40 Fushimi Inari
    • 16:30 Disband at Hotel

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Day Tour from a Cruise Stop? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America as part of a cruise that departed from Oceania, stopped in several countries across Asia, and made Japan its final port of call. As soon as we met, we had a lively conversation about current events and about the cherry blossoms along a river back in their home region. From our talk it turned out that they had spent half a day in Kyoto the previous year, and that some of the destinations planned for this visit were places they had already seen. They also mentioned wanting to shop at the Nintendo store, so I quickly adjusted the itinerary accordingly. Wherever we went, however, there were huge crowds, and as this was near the end of a long journey, the guests appeared tired. I had planned to visit Nanzen-ji Temple near the hotel, but as the guests preferred to rest at the hotel, I saw them back to the hotel and said goodbye there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKeage~Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)260JPY
    Section 2TrainGion-Shijo~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari~Sanjo (Kyoto)240JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo (Kyoto)~Keage220JPY
    Total960JPY

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu Temple & Gekkeikan Sake Brewery

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu Temple & Gekkeikan Sake Brewery

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel
    • 9:30 Kiyomizu Temple
    • 10:30 Kodaiji temple
    • 11:30 Lunch at Ishi soba noodle with tempura
    • 13:00 Fushimi Inari shrine
    • 14:20 Chokenji Temple
    • 14:30 Gekkeikan Sake Brewery
    • we finished this tour at Gekkeikan

    What's a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto Like in Cherry Blossom Season? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and I believe they enjoyed the tour very much. They seemed to like the tempura soba we had for lunch. This time, I needed to bring them to the Gekkeikan sake facility by 3:00, so I kept an eye on the time as we went around, but the guests walked well and we were able to proceed more smoothly than expected. Thanks to the clear weather, the cherry blossoms were blooming here and there, a little at a time. It seemed that in about another week it would be peak season. As one might expect, they looked delighted whenever they spotted a dog or cat.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGion-Shijo~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Chushojima240JPY
    Total480JPY

    Bye bye smart phone!! Let’s enjoy Japan without bothering to check up your phone all the time with not AI but a local guide like me. Hi, my name is Mimmy. You may think this sounds like a kitten’s name.
    I use this nickname because it sounds cute and easy to remember. However,
    I actually look rounded, a middle aged woman more like a yellow character of M&Mchocolate, which reminds you of my name easily when you see me.
    I was born in Osaka, went to school in Kobe, went to work in Kyoto and married but still live in Osaka. I am a local, native Osakan. My 3 children are all grown up and live separately except one son. Now I live with one son and a husband in suburbs of the Osaka city.
    I like travelling, walking around the town and anything new.
    I got my guide license in 2017 and started guiding after that. I wasn’t able to work during Covid period but start guiding in 2022 again. I guide Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe and have experienced more than100 tours including bus tours.
    I would like to tell you about the itineraries I usually have in each area.
    In Osaka, we usually go to Osaka castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori Namba area.
    I think most important part you should see is Dotonbori Namba in Osaka.
    This place is vibrant , energetic, full of 3D signs and different from any other place in Japan.
    In Kyoto, we cannot see all famous sightseeing spots in one day.
    It will be better to visit each area respectively. I recommend guests who come to Kyoto first time to visit East area, Kiyomizu Temple>Sannenzaka>Ninenzaka>Ishibeikouji>Yasaka shrine> Gion area. This area has an atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto. The most Kyoto like places which suit Kimono. You can rent Kimono in a lot of places around here.
    The second place I recommend you is West area: Golden temple and Arashiyama area where Bamboo forest , Tenryuji temple, mountains and a river. There are several nice gardens in this area. If you want to enjoy the nature quietly, you
    should come here when it is not crowded (Winter is the most quiet)
    In Nara which used to be a capital even older than Kyoto, we visit Todaiji Temple where a huge Buddha is sitting inside of one of the largest wooden hall and you can play with deer everywhere in Nara. Naramachi: a small town in this area is a local place where small interesting shops are.
    In Kobe, a port city, you can visit Japanese Sake breweries, Herb garden and the top of Mt.Rokko for viewing Kobe city. A small China town is there, too.

    Now I bet you want to leave home to explore somewhere else you do not know.
    Not only going to somewhere else, we can help you to do several experiences: making tea, making Japanese sweet, making Takoyaki(food), wearing Kimono, making food samples, attending a tea ceremony, throwing Shriken like Ninja, Using bow and arrow like Samurai, , , ,
    I am very happy indeed if I can help you find things impressive enough and have once in a life time experience during our tour.
    I am looking forward to sharing a good time with you.

    Mar 24, 2025
    Jennie_N
    Ask for Mimmy
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A must if visiting the first time. Will save…

    Mar 15, 2025
    Eric B
    Wonderful Osaka castle and tour
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    Mimmy was a wonderful…

    Mar 12, 2025
    williampP2709MA
    Amazing time in Osaka with Mimmy
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    Mimmy was an amazing tour guide!…

    Oct 30, 2024
    Niaz_M
    Great choice if you have limited time in Kyoto
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  • Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen & Sensoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:55 Meet @ Hotel Tokyo Otemachi
    • 09:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko Statue
    • 10:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:20 Imperial Palace
    • 12:00 Tsukiji Market
    • 12:30 Lunch @ Sushisei Shinkan
    • 13:50 Sensoji Temple
    • 15:00 Dismissal @ Hotel Tokyo Otemachi

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Senso-ji The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the second time. The booking information listed a larger number of participants, but due to circumstances the group ended up being smaller than originally planned. Before arriving in Tokyo, they had already visited Seoul, and they planned to return home the next day without visiting Kyoto or other cities. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they were delighted to see early-blooming cherry blossoms. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Tsukiji Market, they enjoyed a sushi lunch. At Senso-ji, they listened with interest to explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon gate. I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied. Since this tour included a vehicle, there were no guide transportation expenses to be reimbursed.

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

    Sep 27, 2026
    jonaJ5014ZK
    Walking tour of Tokyo
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    Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…

    Sep 11, 2026
    M7402TTsharonp
    Higly recommend
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    Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…

    Sep 8, 2026
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    Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
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    Sep 4, 2026
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    Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
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    We had a great time learning about…