Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyo Asakusa-Tawaramachi
    • 9:40 Tsukiji. Shopping at the market, dining on the rooftop. Also food tasting outside the market
    • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 13:15 Akihabara. Stay at Super Potato and others
    • 14:05 Asakusa
    • 15:00 Disband at Asakusa

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was cloudy, but the tour proceeded smoothly. At Tsukiji, the guests had been looking forward to it, and they bought sushi for the group along with sashimi and enjoyed them at the food court on the third floor, then also had beef and other items at the outer market. We proceeded to Meiji Shrine and Harajuku's Takeshita Street, where the guests were very interested in the Fender Guitar shop, but since they were carrying food and drinks, they only took photos from the outside. At Akihabara, they spent some time playing arcade games at Super Potato. At Asakusa, they enjoyed shopping along Nakamise and drawing omikuji fortunes. The tour concluded on the temple grounds as planned.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTawaramachi~Tsukiji700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTsukiji~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Shin-ochanomizu0JPY
    Section 4Free 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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku JR Blossom Kyushu & Tsukishima Monja Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku JR Blossom Kyushu & Tsukishima Monja Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 6:00 Shinjuku JR Blossom Kyushu
    • 6:40 Tsukiji Market
    • 9:00 Akihabara
    • 9:50 Nippori
    •   Yanaka Cemetery Yanaka Ginza
    • 10:50 Sendagi
    • 11:10 Nezu Shrine
    • 11:40 Tsukishima Monja Street
    • 12:00 Disband at Monja Maguro Restaurant

    What Is a Private Tokyo Food and Walking Tour Like in Tsukiji, Yanaka, and Nezu? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. During their trip to Japan, they enjoyed skiing in Niseko, visited Kyoto, and spent their final days sightseeing in Tokyo. They were very calm and easygoing. They love cats and had read a translation of Soseki's "I Am a Cat." At Tsukiji, they tried yakitori, tamagoyaki, and miso soup, and they were delighted with the monjayaki I took them to at the end. In Yanaka and Nezu, they were able to see early-blooming cherry blossoms and even managed to photograph a Japanese bush warbler perched on a branch, which made them very happy. In addition to the food tour, they thoroughly enjoyed Yanaka Cemetery and Nezu Shrine, and they were very pleased with the experience.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku~Tsukiji Market280JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Akihabara180JPY
    Section 3TrainAkihabara~Nippori200JPY
    Section 4SubwaySendagi~Nezu180JPY
    Section 5SubwayNezu~Tsukishima210JPY
    Total1,050JPY

    My name is Kris,
    Before becoming a tour guide, I worked for a major steelmaking company as an engineer for many years. During my career, I lived and worked in both Germany and the United States for a total of five years. These experiences helped me understand different cultures and ways of thinking, which now helps me connect easily with guests from around the world.

    After retirement, I chose a second career as a tour guide because I truly enjoy meeting people from different countries and sharing Japanese culture, history, and daily life. I have been working as a guide for more than nine years and continue to enjoy every tour.

    I currently live in Tokyo, but I was born and raised in Kobe, near Osaka, and my family roots are in Kyoto. As a result, I have extensive knowledge not only of Tokyo but also of Kyoto, Osaka, and many other parts of Japan. I enjoy introducing both famous landmarks and hidden local gems that many visitors might otherwise miss.

    I am energetic, friendly, and very sociable. I always try to create tours that are relaxed, flexible, and tailored to my guests’ interests.

    Travel is one of my greatest passions, especially visiting hot spring resorts. I have visited more than 80 onsen destinations throughout Japan, giving me a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and regional traditions.

    Whether you are visiting Japan for the first time or returning for another adventure, I would be delighted to help you discover the real Japan from a local perspective.

    I look forward to meeting you and helping you create wonderful memories in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.

    See you in Japan!

    Kris

    May 10, 2026
    Matt_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful Introduction to Tokyo
    We were so lucky to have Kris-San…

    Apr 29, 2026
    Rebecca_M
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour
    We had such a wonderful…

    Apr 21, 2026
    jacquir581
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We love Kris
    Kris was awesome! He was very flexible when our…

    Apr 2, 2026
    Frank_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A great day in Tokyo
    Great tour with an excellent guide, Kris.…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    • 2. 10:30 Asakusa (Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple)
    • 3. 11:40 Ueno (Ameyoko Shopping Street, Ueno Park)
    • 4. 12:30 Yanaka Ginza
    • 5. 12:45 Lunch at Daikokuya
    • 6. 13:30 Nezu Shrine
    • 7. 14:20 Odaiba
    • 8. 15:30 Dismissal at Grand Hyatt Tokyo

    What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Yanaka, Odaiba, and More The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Japan the previous day and were set to join a cruise ship tour starting the next day, so they dedicated their single day in Tokyo to this tour. This was a case in which the guide had been changed partway through, and the previous guide had already created an itinerary. However, after listening to the guests' requests, I made some adjustments before guiding them. In the end, they were very pleased, so I feel it went well. For food, the original plan was to do a bit of eating while strolling through Yanaka Ginza, and later to have monjayaki at Tsukishima Monja Street. However, upon arriving at Yanaka Ginza, the guests expressed a wish to sit down and have a leisurely meal, so I took them to "Daikokuya" in Sendagi. As a result, they were not hungry even in the latter half of the tour, so I changed the plan on the spot and took them to Odaiba, where they could enjoy the beautiful view of the Tokyo cityscape across Tokyo Bay. After that, the guests appeared tired and wished to return to the hotel early, so I took them to the hotel and ended the tour. At first, the guests seemed a little reserved, but as they gradually opened up, they became very friendly.

    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…

    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 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.…

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at Itsukaichi Station
    • 09:10 Travel to Miyajima
    • 09:50 Miyajima sightseeing
    • 12:10 Travel to Hiroshima
    • 13:30 Sightseeing at Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Park, Peace Memorial Museum, hypocenter, and Hondori
    • 16:15 Travel to Itsukaichi Station
    • 16:45 Disband at the Itsukaichi Station shuttle bus stop

    The meeting point remained unknown for a long time, and it was only just before the tour that I learned the guests would arrive by cruise ship. Since a messaging app had been set up, I asked them to take the shuttle bus from the ship and confirmed that we would meet at JR Itsukaichi Station. However, on the 14th, a request came in asking me to come all the way to Itsukaichi Port instead. Unlike Ujina Port, using Itsukaichi Port requires application documents and a permit from the prefectural office, but government offices are closed on weekends and it was impossible to obtain these on short notice. I explained this along with the shuttle bus timetable that had just been announced, and I was relieved that the guests understood. Once we met, they were very pleased with both Miyajima and Hiroshima, which made me very happy.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainItsukaichi~Miyajimaguchi200JPY
    Section 2OtherMiyajimaguchi~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Section 3OtherHatchobori Station~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Section 4TrainHiroshima~Itsukaichi240JPY
    Total920JPY

    Hi, nice to meet you! I am Emmy. I am so honored and happy to be your guide.
    I had been teaching at a local university in Hiroshima. After I got retired in March 2023, I started guiding. I was born and raised in Hiroshima. I love communicating with people all over the world more than anything, so I have been involved in home visit, homestay, volunteer guide for people from foreign countries.
    I always hope that our guests will take away lots of positive energy from Hiroshima, a city that was resilient and revived like a phoenix, in spite of its sad history.
    While realizing customers’ wishes, I will introduce you the beauty of Hiroshima, Miyajima and so on, which are tranquil and peaceful places with a unique charm that cannot be found in big cities.
    I am happy to answer any questions about things Japanese.
    I look forward to meeting you in person soon!!

    Jul 3, 2026
    715rachnak
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Such a great experience in Hiroshima and Miyajima!
    We…

    Jul 2, 2026
    Janine_P
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Worth the money!
    From the moment we booked our…

    May 7, 2026
    Diane_F
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour and guide
    Our tour guide Emmy was…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Curious613511
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    We did a 4 hour walking tour through Hiroshima where…

  • Takayama Local Food & Sake Culture Tour

    Takayama Local Food & Sake Culture Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • "11:00 集合場所でツアー開始
    • 11:15 陣屋前朝市
    • 11:30 昼食:地元の料理
    • 12:30 高山陣屋
    • 13:45 三町筋
    •  (小野屋醸造:味噌)
    •  (原田酒造:日本酒)
    • 15:00 雛祭り
    • 16:00 桜山八幡宮・高山祭屋台会館
    • 17:00 最終地点でツアー終了"

    Title: What Is a Private Tour Starting Late Morning Like in Japan? A Licensed Guide's Report About a week before the tour date, the travel agency provided the guest's phone number, so I sent the proposed itinerary via a messaging app, but I received no reply by the day before. Since the start time was relatively late at 11:00 a.m., I was a little concerned about how the flow of the itinerary would work around lunch. First thing in the morning, I sent a message saying I would come to the Hotel at the scheduled time, and I was relieved to receive an immediate confirmation. Right after meeting the guests, I checked about lunch and found that one of the guests had certain dietary needs, and for that reason had not been able to eat much breakfast either. So, before entering the first facility after meeting up, I guided the guests to a dining place suitable for them, and after lunch, once everyone felt settled, we began touring the facility. It is easier to guide when I understand things like the timing of the start and dietary matters in advance, so it was a little disappointing that this could not be fully arranged beforehand. As for the tour itinerary itself, the guests seemed to have understood it in advance, and I believe they were able to enjoy it without any particular problems.

    I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English).
    I have lived in Takayama city more than 30 years and worked for the city office, mainly at sectioin of cultural preservation and at local museums. So, I’ve enjoyed learning about traditional lifestyles and peopple’s history of Takayama and its surrounding areas for last few decades. Let’s enjoy them while you are walking with me! I would like to take you to popular spots such as Takayama Jinya, a national historic landmark, and old town atmosphere, morning markets, and The Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall in the city. And I also take you to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Kamikochi, a famous mountain resort as well.
    I love to communicate with foriegn visiters and share our Japanese traditonal ideas with you!

    May 24, 2026
    benhJ5330ZF
    Tripadvisor review: Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Enjoying a morning in Takayama
    Micasa was an excellent and knowledgeable…

    Apr 26, 2026
    Abbie_O
    Viator review: Takayama Local Cuisine, Food & Sake Cultural Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent Tour
    Micasa was an excellent tour guide.…

    Apr 19, 2026
    Richard_S
    Viator review: Takayama Local Cuisine, Food & Sake Cultural Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Connection to Japanese history and culture
    An exceptional…

    Apr 7, 2026
    Jon_S
    Viator review: Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Cold Weather, but Warm Tour Guide
    Our tour guide, Micasa-san, had…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Station & Ueno Toshogu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Station & Ueno Toshogu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Yokohama Port Osanbashi Pier
    • 9:00 Tokyo Station
    • 9:15 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 10:25 Yasukuni Shrine and Yushukan Museum (until 12:00)
    • 12:30 Tokyo National Museum (until 13:45)
    • 13:55 Ueno Toshogu Shrine
    • 15:25 Disband at Yokohama Port Osanbashi Pier

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Central Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Yasukuni Shrine, and Tokyo National Museum The weather was fine, and the tour proceeded smoothly. We got off the Tokaido Line at Tokyo Station and walked to the East Gardens. It was a pleasant morning, but there were many joggers, so we had to be careful. At the Imperial Palace East Gardens, there were three or four cherry trees in bloom, which the guests enjoyed. From Yasukuni Shrine, I took them to the Yushukan Museum as they had requested. They looked around very attentively. One of the guests had a strong interest in history and knew even fine details very well. At the Tokyo National Museum they also toured enthusiastically and asked many questions. It was unfortunate that the ukiyo-e exhibition was closed. I saw them off at Osanbashi Pier, and the tour ended. I received a tip.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNihon-odori~Tokyo760JPY
    Section 2TrainTakebashi~Kudanshita180JPY
    Section 3TrainKudanshita~Ueno180JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno~Nihon-odori850JPY
    Total1,970JPY

    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…

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at the hotel 9:30 Todaiji Temple 10:30 Nara Park 11:15 Lunch (tonkatsu) 12:40 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 13:40 Naramachi (Nigiwai-no-Ie, Karakuri Toy Museum)
    • 15:10 Depart Nara 16:20 Drop off at Kiyomizu-dera Temple and end the tour

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Todai-ji and Nara Park The guests were a group visiting Japan. Today the weather was fine, and it became quite warm around midday. The highlight of the day was, as expected, Todai-ji Temple. The guests were deeply moved by the Great Buddha. At Nara Park, they also enjoyed feeding the deer. After visiting the Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie, one of the guests felt unwell, so we took a short rest at a nearby cafe. Fortunately, they recovered afterwards, which was a relief. After returning to Kyoto, the guests mentioned that they would go to Kiyomizu-dera Temple on their own. I saw them off there, and the tour came to an end. The photo was taken at Todai-ji Temple.

    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…

  • Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour

    Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hotel 10:15 Depart from Hotel bus stop Via Kowakidani Mountain Railway The Hakone Open-Air Museum 11:00 Entry After strolling 12:30 Exit From The Hakone Open-Air Museum Mountain Line Via Gora 13:03 By cable car Sounzan After a 30-minute wait for the ropeway Owakudani Due to dense fog, immediately took the ropeway to Togendai Over capacity at 14:30 Could not board the pirate ship 15:05 Boarding 15:45 Motohakone Port Disembark Hakone Shrine Sightseeing After that Shopping at a Motohakone marquetry shop 17:30 From Motohakone Boarded the bus Disband 
    • :

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Open-Air Museum, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine The guests were a cheerful group visiting from North America, and it was a lively, friendly party throughout the day. Considering the weather, we first visited the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which turned out to be a delightful surprise for the guests, and they also enjoyed the foot bath there. One of the guests had visited Owakudani about ten years earlier but could see nothing due to the fog. Today we tried shifting our timing, but the conditions were exactly the same, so I apologized for the poor visibility. Perhaps because of this, visitors concentrated on the sightseeing boat, and it became so crowded that we had to let one boat go and wait for the next. The guests thoroughly enjoyed Hakone Shrine and shopping for traditional marquetry woodwork. Although we were not blessed with good weather, it was a fun day, including the stories I shared along the way.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara~Odawara6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Aug 24, 2026
    Deb_K
    Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Well organised tour
    Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Marcus_J
    Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing day with…
    Had an amazing day with Hiro.…

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari & Gion

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:15 Meet at Granvia Kyoto
    •   ※11:42 Received a message from the guest that they would be 30 minutes late, so waited in the hotel lobby from 11:30 to 13:15
    • 14:00 Fushimi Inari
    • 15:20 Gion
    • 16:00 End at Gion

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. I learned when we met that they were making a day trip from Tokyo. The meeting point was the lobby of a hotel that the guests had specified, so I waited there for over about an hour and a half. It seemed the Shinkansen they had booked was scheduled to arrive later than the meeting time, and as walking was quite slow, this led to a significant delay. The reason was not clearly explained to me. One of the guests could not walk without a cane, and although Kiyomizu-dera had originally been planned, it appeared to be too difficult, so I suggested Gion, and we sightseed there instead. At Fushimi Inari, that guest chose to wait at the entrance rather than sightsee. We tried to minimize walking as much as possible. At the end, I suggested resting at Gion Tsujiri, and we concluded the tour there. The guests preferred to go at their own pace throughout.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Gion-Shijo330JPY
    Total480JPY

    Hi I am Kunihiro ARAKAWA, National government licensed tour guide.
    Please call me first name Kuni.
    My original city is Nagoya, but I lived in Tokyo for 20 years,
    and also lived in London and Paris for work.
    Now I live in Kyoto city. I moved here because I love Kyoto.
    I like taking photos and also sell my own photos on website.
    I’d love to take memorable photos for you at great photo spots.
    I also like history and gourmet food.
    I’d love to introduce some local recommendations.
    I’ll ask your request and create your special tour.
    Please feel free to let us know your thoughts.
    Looking forward to meeting you !

    Kuni

    Aug 18, 2026
    janetaF288XA
    Wonderful tour filled with history, insights and great photos!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Jul 18, 2026
    M2443VKandrewl
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Excellent guide and support
    Kuni-san was an excellent guide and…

    Jun 9, 2026
    Gail M
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Kyoto Sights; Private Guide & Driver
    The…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Rick_S
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An afternoon in Kyoto
    We had a great time exploring Kyoto. Our…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Kiyosumi Garden & Yoyogi National Gymnasium

    Tokyo in One Day: Kiyosumi Garden & Yoyogi National Gymnasium

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet guests at the hotel
    • 9:40 Kiyosumi Garden
    • 10:40 Reiganji Temple
    • 10:50 Fukagawa Edo Museum
    • 11:50 Harajuku (lunch)
    • 12:40 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:40 Takeshita Street
    • 14:00 Yoyogi National Gymnasium
    • 14:40 Shibuya, in front of Hachiko
    • 15:00 Tour ends

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyosumi Garden, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from North America. After traveling by subway, we strolled through Kiyosumi Garden. The park was uncrowded, and the guests enjoyed a full loop of the grounds, including crossing the stepping stones along the pond. We then walked around the surrounding area, where I explained the Six Jizo statues and the grave of Matsudaira Sadanobu at Reiganji Temple, and talked about the blessings of Shusse Fudo before moving on to the Fukagawa Edo Museum. At the museum, the guests came to understand the daily life of people during the Edo period through the exhibits. We then took the subway to Harajuku, and since the guests had requested a meal, we had lunch at a restaurant I had researched in advance. At Meiji Shrine, I spoke about Emperor Meiji, the history of the shrine, and the differences between shrines and temples, after which we paid our respects. We then passed through Takeshita Street, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, and the area in front of Shibuya Station, and finally took a commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko statue, ending the tour in front of the Ginza Line station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKokkai-gijidomae~Kiyosumi-shirakawa210JPY
    Section 2SubwayKiyosumi-shirakawa~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Total420JPY

    I am a certified guide-interpreter based in Tokyo.
    I was born and raised in Tokyo, so I am familiar with Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Please leave anything related to the Tokyo area to me.
    Tokyo is not only full of Japanese charm but also has many unique aspects.
    The always-bustling Tsukiji Outer Market conveys Japan’s food culture.
    Asakusa conveys Japanese traditions and culture through old temples, shrines and long-established stores.
    Shibuya spreads Japanese pop culture.
    You can immerse yourself in history and culture in the quiet natural surroundings such as the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or Meiji Shrine.
    Tokyo is a treasure trove of attractions for travelers. Please come and experience the wonderful Tokyo with me.

    Sep 29, 2026
    532yeldarbs
    Insights to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We were fortunate to have had…

    Sep 28, 2026
    G3219WFjoshp
    A great day with Shigeru!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Shigeru is a fantastic…

    Sep 28, 2026
    E8957WUnathanb
    Great day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Shingeru was great and very…

    Sep 23, 2026
    scottmR2068WG
    Tokyo walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an excellent time being…