Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 10:30 Imperial Palace (Outer Garden, East Garden)
    • 3. 13:15 Lunch at Asakusa Umaimon Azuma
    • 4. 14:30 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple)
    • 5. 15:30 Shibamata Taishakuten
    • 6. 16:15 Disband at Keisei-Takasago Station

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who, after staying in Tokyo, were going to join a cruise ship tour. Just before the tour, I received information that one of the guests could not remove their shoes due to a previous surgery, so I skipped the originally planned Yamamoto-tei in Shibamata. Otherwise, I guided the group carefully at their own pace, and I believe they were satisfied. For lunch, I was a little concerned because there were some foods the guests could not eat, but I took them to "Asakusa Umaimon Azuma," which offers many choices, and they were able to find and order what they liked without any problems. Although it was a little cold that day, we were blessed with good weather, and I believe the guests were able to make wonderful memories.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi~Hibiya180JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Shibamata380JPY
    Section 4TrainShibamata~Keisei-Takasago150JPY
    Total890JPY

    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…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:35 Meet 8:45 Gora Station By cable car to Sounzan By ropeway to Owakudani 10:00 From Owakudani by ropeway to Togendai 10:45 Pirate ship
    • 11:25 Motohakone Lakeside stroll and Hakone Shrine red torii gate 12:15 By bus to Hakone Checkpoint Lunch at Donburi Chaya Maruyama Bussan Passing through Hakone Checkpoint Old cedar avenue Then from in front of Onshi Park 14:15 Bus Renaissance 14:40 Via bus 14:50 Arrive at Gora Dismiss here Customers return to Kansuiro on foot.

    What Can You See on a Private Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report Mount Fuji was visible from Tokyo, but the guests' top priority was to see it from Hakone. Very fortunately, about 15 minutes at Owakudani, the summit barely appeared, which was a great relief. After that it became hidden and could not be seen at all, even from Moto-Hakone. The red torii gate was also one of the targets, so we photographed it both from the boat and from up close. Something unexpected for the guests was the secret box from a local specialty shop. Since I had introduced it in advance, they already had some background knowledge, but the presentation drew cheers, and they purchased a secret box as a souvenir. We enjoyed our meal while talking about Shinto, Buddhism, and our lifestyle. They enjoyed curry-flavored udon.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
    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 One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Gion

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel)
    • 9:00-9:35 Travel (Subway; Gojo→Kyoto Station, JR; Kyoto Station→Inari)
    • 9:35-10:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit
    • 10:30-11:20 Travel (Keihan Train; Fushimi Inari→Gion-Shijo, Hankyu Train; Kyoto-Kawaramachi→Arashiyama)
    • 11:20-12:40 Arashiyama stroll (Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park, Bamboo Grove)
    • 12:40-13:30 Lunch (@Ajio)
    • 13:40-14:30 Travel (Keifuku Train; Arashiyama→Kitano-Hakubaicho, City Bus; Kitano-Hakubaicho→Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 14:30-15:00 Kinkakuji Temple visit
    • 15:00-15:50 Travel (City Bus; Kinkakuji-michi→Shijo-Takakura)
    • 15:50-16:20 Nishiki Market stroll
    • 16:20-16:35 Pontocho stroll
    • 16:35-17:00 Gion stroll (Hanamikoji, Gion Shirakawa)
    • 17:00 Tour ends   Said goodbye to the guests in Gion

    Title: What Can You See on an 8-Hour Private Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. The tour was originally planned for 6 hours, but the guests extended it by 2 hours, changing it to an 8-hour tour. It was their first time in Japan, and starting the day after the tour, they were scheduled to join a 15-day cruise visiting various cities in Japan. I took them to Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park, the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, and the Kimono Forest), Kinkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and Gion (Hanamikoji and Gion Shirakawa). The mornings and evenings were a bit chilly, but during the day the sunshine was warm, so we were able to proceed with the tour relatively comfortably. Some of the guests especially enjoyed the bamboo grove in Arashiyama, while others liked Kinkaku-ji best. The Japanese lunch (shokado bento) was a first-time experience for the guests, but they seemed to enjoy it and ate almost everything. (I apologize that I could only take photos of the guests in crowded areas.)

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal)~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari~Gion-Shijo240JPY
    Section 4TrainKyoto-Kawaramachi~Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Section 5TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 6BusKitano-Hakubaicho~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Section 7BusKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto Municipal Bus~Shijo-Takakura/Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Total1,560JPY

    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 Half a Day: Kappabashi

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Kappabashi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 12:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens & Nijubashi Bridge
    • 14:00 Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
    • 15:15 Kappabashi
    • 15:40 End of tour at Kappabashi

    Title: What Can You See on a One-Day Private Tokyo Tour by Taxi? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They had just arrived at Tokyo Port this morning after finishing a cruise, and since they would be returning home the next day, this was a one-day Tokyo tour for that day only. Because a wheelchair was in use, after discussing with the guests we decided to travel by taxi, and we first headed to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Here they were deeply impressed by the beauty of the Japanese garden, and they also wished to see the palace itself, but after I explained that it could only be viewed from the outside, we went to the front of Nijubashi Bridge. They seemed captivated by the very solemn and beautiful scenery and were greatly pleased. Asakusa and Sensoji Temple were as crowded as ever, but they happily walked around the temple grounds, enjoying the truly Japanese atmosphere. They also wished to buy a kitchen knife as a souvenir, so I took them to Kappabashi, where they enjoyed shopping. We ended the tour at this point, and I saw them off to the Hotel by taxi.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Aug 18, 2026
    Heather_C
    Private tour for 4 in Tokyo – highly recommend
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Aug 8, 2026
    victoriahD2588SK
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    An action packed visit to Hakone!
    Atsushi was an…

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel 900→1000 Fushimi Inari Taisha 1100→1130 Kiyomizu-dera 1230→1240 Lunch time 1340→1345 Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka 1420→1440 Yasaka Shrine 1500 Disband on site

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. Although the tour was originally planned for six hours from 10:00 to 16:00, it was moved one hour earlier at the guests' request. When choosing the itinerary, the guests had researched thoroughly in advance about the places they wanted to visit, and after exchanging messages many times through a messaging app, we finalized and carried out the planned route. The guests all enjoyed a relaxed itinerary, including lunch and shopping along Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannen-zaka, and Ninen-zaka after visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple. I also used a map I had prepared to advise them on how to get around Kyoto on their own the following day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo (Kyoto)~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Kiyomizu-Gojo240JPY
    Total480JPY

    Since I completely retired from my position at a railway company and started being involved in the tour guide interpreter business, I have experienced almost all types of guiding through FIT, Long Group Tours, Cruises (Shore Excursions), Incentive Tours, Special Interest Tours (Railway Travel, Pilgrimages), Familiarization Tours (Sales Promotion Tours) etc.
    However, I noticed that I am not fully satisfied to only be a general guide who just manages a tour itinerary provided by tour agents/clients.
    High-end guests have sometimes requested me to answer some enquiries that are actually challenging to answer for Japanese nationals. However, I appreciated those because they provided such a challenge and I felt that they wanted to understand my sense of beauty/values as a guide concerning a new culture for them.
    Every time I host my guest I do my best to prepare the most appropriate information based on three travel elements (appetite, logistics, accommodation). Nevertheless, I decided to aim for higher guiding skills after I was motivated by senior guides whose guiding strategies and gestures were particularly impressive.

    Aug 7, 2026
    D1494MYdanielleg
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    One day walking tour in Tokyo
    Yoshi was great!…

    Aug 6, 2026
    dg89
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Private Führung in Kyoto
    Die Tour mit Yoshi war…

    Aug 3, 2026
    PaulaLondon2017
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A customized tour with guide around Kyoto
    We had…

    Jul 5, 2026
    788amarpals
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Top 7 Sights Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Private tour Guide in Kyoto- Mr Yoshi
    Mr.…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Namiyoke Shrine

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Namiyoke Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 5:00Hotel
    • 5:30Toyosu Market
    • 7:00Tsukiji Market
    • 7:40Namiyoke Shrine
    • 8:00Disband inside Tsukiji Market

    Title: What Is an Early-Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came from Oceania and had visited Japan mainly for skiing. For their last day in Tokyo, they joined a tour because they wanted to see the tuna auction. We viewed the tuna auction starting at 5:30, and I answered questions such as what the average weight of the tuna was. After that, we toured the intermediate wholesalers' market and then headed to Tsukiji Market by bus. At Tsukiji Market, the guests enjoyed some recommended foods, such as tuna nakaochi and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet). Then, at Namiyoke Shrine, I explained about Japanese views on religion. After that, I shared some recommended shops with them and we parted ways at around 8:00. The guests seemed satisfied that they were able to ask various questions and enjoy the food.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijomae Station / Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello!! My name is Mami. I was born and raised in Tokyo. I enjoy watching Japanese baseball games. I became a Certified guide in 2020. After the Pandemic, I resumed my guiding work in earnest, conducting approximately 80 tours in 2023 and over 100 tours in 2024. Please feel free to ask me anything about Tokyo! Not only information about tourist attractions, but I also love to eat, so I can suggest various restaurants! I live in an area called Yanesen, and the Yanesen area and Asakusa are my go-to walking areas. I also love exploring markets and discovering delicious restaurants at places like Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Market. Why don’t you come with me and walk through the small alleys that only the residents know about? I’m cheerful and can get along with anyone. Let’s have a fun trip together!

    Mar 30, 2026
    569RickJ
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Top Notch/Highly Recommended Fish Market Tour
    This…

    Mar 13, 2026
    mchapman24
    Fish market and auction
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Auction and…

    Jun 17, 2025
    Desiree_V
    Unieke ervaring
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Vroeg opstaan maar dan heb…

    May 24, 2025
    Michael_H
    Incredible Time
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    This tour was amazing. Our…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel meet 9:10 Fushimi Inari 11:10 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 12:15 Lunch 13:00 Kinkaku-ji 14:10 Gion  14:45 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Kinkakuji The guests were visiting Japan from North America. One of them had first come to Japan for a trip more than 30 years ago and had once spent a day sightseeing in Kyoto, faintly remembering a visit to Kinkakuji. The day began with clear skies, and it felt a little warm from around midday. At Fushimi Inari, the guests spent some time watching a kagura performance, so they stayed longer than planned. As a result, we missed one JR train and gradually fell behind schedule. The guests had no problem walking but preferred a slower pace, so our movements were relaxed. At the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Kinkakuji, they took fewer photos than I had expected. After lunch at a sushi restaurant, we discovered that a smartphone was missing. Since we had taken a taxi to the lunch spot, I was a little worried it might have been left in the taxi, but a staff member found it at the seat inside the restaurant, which was a relief. The check when leaving the seat had been insufficient, and I want to be more careful about this in the future. We used a taxi from JR Enmachi Station to the meal location, and from Kinkakuji to the subway "Nishioji Oike Station." The photo was taken at the Arashiyama bamboo grove.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKeage~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 2OtherSanjo (Kyoto)~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Emmachi180JPY
    Section 5OtherNishioji Oike~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 6OtherHigashiyama Sanjo~Gion230JPY
    Total1,370JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet up @Hotel Glad One Kyoto Shichijo by M's
    • 2. 10:40 Nijo Castle
    • 3.12:50 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 4.13:50 Ryoan-ji Temple
    • 5.14:05 Disband @Ryoan-ji Temple

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Ryoan-ji The guests were visitors from Europe, and the itinerary above was arranged through prior consultation. They took their time exploring Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji. To save time, they used a taxi from Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji, but unfortunately there was very little time for guiding at Ryoan-ji. Before they entered the temple, I explained the rock garden and the tsukubai (stone water basin), and since they were then heading to Arashiyama, I explained the route to the Randen tram station and we parted ways. I believe they enjoyed the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKawaramachi Shomen/Kyoto City Bus~Kawaramachi Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2BusKawaramachi Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus~Horikawa Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusHorikawa Marutamachi/Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total690JPY

    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: Hyatt Place Kyoto & Samurai Ninja Experience Museum

    Kyoto: Hyatt Place Kyoto & Samurai Ninja Experience Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hyatt Place Kyoto
    • 8:30-9:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 9:50-10:40 Nijo Castle
    • 10:55-11:45 Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
    • 12:00-12:40 Lunch (Kura Sushi)
    • 12:50-13:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 13:50-14:10 Gio-ji Temple
    • 14:25-15:20 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 15:50 Samurai Ninja Experience Museum

    Title: What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Because we started at Fushimi Inari Taisha early in the morning, it was very uncrowded and we were able to move through faster than planned. At Nijo Castle, there were many questions from one of the guests, covering a wide range of topics such as samurai, shoguns, and emperors. At Kitano Tenmangu, some of the guests were not interested in the plum garden, so they spent time with the guide at the shrine and along the approach, taking many photos. Lunch at a kaiten sushi restaurant was well received, and there was a request to find a similar place near the Hotel. At Kinkaku-ji, after lunch the younger guests regained their energy and enjoyed running around while sightseeing. At Gio-ji, the moss was starting to turn brown, perhaps due to lack of moisture, so it did not feel as refreshing as usual. The guests were very impressed by the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and in the garden of Tenryu-ji they took photos of the flowers in bloom. With a little time to spare, we took photos at Togetsukyo Bridge and then headed to the Samurai Ninja Experience Museum, arriving ten minutes early, where the tour concluded.

    Hello, my name is Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.

    Sep 29, 2026
    H1282JBkarinas
    Customizable tour with Harumi-san
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Harumi…

    Sep 28, 2026
    Coastal07335209891
    Kobe Delight with Harumi
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour was definitely customized and our…

    Sep 27, 2026
    kakeelma
    Learning is fun with Harumi san!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    My husband and I…

    Sep 23, 2026
    Cosmopolitan580857
    We had a great time! Kyoto is a beautiful city.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meet at DoubleTree by Hilton Tokyo Ariake
    • 2. 09:50 Imperial Palace (Outer Garden, East Gardens)
    • 3. 12:00 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple)
    • 4. 13:00 Lunch at Ramen Watanabe
    • 5. 14:00 Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue)
    • 6. 14:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 7. 15:10 Disband at Takeshita Street

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of friends visiting from North America, staying for about three weeks and planning to travel around Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and other places. They were quite familiar with Japan and listened attentively to my explanations, but once they started talking among themselves the conversation flowed continuously, so it was a bit challenging to find a moment to join in. Since they said they wanted something typically Japanese for lunch, I guided them to a ramen restaurant nearby, and they were very pleased with it. The day was a little cold but the weather was fine, and I believe they were able to relax and enjoy the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAriake (Tokyo)~Yurakucho440JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Total1,030JPY

    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…