Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike
    • 10:30-11:30　Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:15-13:15　Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 13:30-14:00　Lunch @ Champon-tei
    • 14:30-15:30　Nijo Castle
    • -16:00　Travel
    • (Continued in JGA-T112649680)

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report from Kinkaku-ji to Gion Since it was the guest's first time in Kyoto, at the guest's request, the tour was extended by three hours. The guest was in Japan to attend an academic conference beginning on a later date at the Kyoto International Conference Center, and, perhaps feeling uneasy about traveling alone, requested to be escorted all the way to the hotel. There were no particular requests other than Gion, and since the guest wished to learn about the history and culture of Kyoto, I selected the classic options of Kinkaku-ji, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Nijo Castle. The guest did not ask many questions, but nodded and said "OK" to the things I explained. The guest photographed the beautiful scenery everywhere, and seemed to especially like the Oike Garden at the Imperial Palace. The guest was fairly good at walking, so for lunch we walked to Karasuma Marutamachi and went into a ramen shop there. The guest seemed to enjoy the meal. We then moved by bus and got off at Horikawa Marutamachi. Since a sign indicated that Nijo Castle was 0.3 km away, the guest remarked that it seemed within walking distance, so we decided to walk. The guest also wished to walk around the entire perimeter of Nijo Castle, so we did so. It seemed the guest actually wanted to request my guiding for the following day as well, but as I already had another commitment arranged in advance, I regretfully had to decline. Since the guest seemed anxious about traveling alone the next day, I made an effort to explain transfers and similar details as carefully as possible. The guest took many photos of the stations. I am not entirely sure of the details, but the guest mentioned feeling anxious because the mobile phone internet would not connect. Originally we had planned to head straight to Gion, but since the guest wished to participate in a tea ceremony, I recommended the tea ceremony at Nanzen-ji. As the guest's walking pace was quick, there was not enough time to go all the way into Nanzen-ji, but we went a little further and got off at Keage, where I explained an overview of Nanzen-ji and the location of the tea ceremony. Since Gion was within walking distance, I proposed visiting Nanzen-ji before heading to Gion, and the guest agreed, so we proceeded that way. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji. I accidentally took it in portrait orientation. My apologies.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKokusaikaikan～Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Kitaoji Subway Station)／Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi／Kyoto City Bus～Karasuma Marutamachi (Marutamachi Subway Station)／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusKarasuma Marutamachi (Marutamachi Subway Station)／Kyoto City Bus～Horikawa Marutamachi／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5TrainNijojo-mae～Keage260JPY
    Total1,210JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

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    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…

  • Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour

    Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour

    Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • Tsukiji: 820～1000
    • Nippori～Nezu: 1020～1220

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tsukiji, Yanaka, and Nezu Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. We arranged to meet at Tsukiji Shijo Station, but there was a 20-minute delay because one of the guests had left a wallet at the hotel and went back to retrieve it. Since we could stay in touch through a messaging app, everything worked out fine. At Tsukiji Market, the guests purchased grilled wagyu skewers and salmon sashimi. At a greengrocer, one of the guests asked, "Why is Japanese salad the same as in the West?" and I answered, "Before the Meiji era, Japan did not have a custom of eating vegetables raw." At Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, we happened to encounter a funeral, and one of the guests said, "I saw temples in Kyoto and Nara, but this is the first funeral I've seen. It was a valuable opportunity." When asked, "Which religion do you believe in?", I explained, "Japanese people make their first shrine visit of the year at Shinto shrines, hold weddings at churches, and hold funerals at temples. We use religions conveniently for different purposes, and we don't think much about which religion we belong to." In Yanaka, we visited the Asakura Museum of Sculpture, and one of the guests said, "From the outside I didn't think it was that big, but I was surprised how spacious it was inside. It was wonderful." At the "Warakichi" hand-puppet theater, there was already a puppet of the current prime minister on display. One of the guests knew about this, saying, "That's the person who came to work at 3 a.m. and troubled the bureaucrats, right?" As we walked, I mentioned that I had once worked in the import of feed ingredients, and one of the guests asked, "How is the feed industry responding to global warming?" I answered, "It is difficult to address that through feed." One of the guests asked, "There were many fires since the Edo period, so why weren't houses built of stone?" I answered, "Because there are many forests, wood was cheaper." Later I researched further and added, "First, wood is less likely to collapse in earthquakes than stone. Second, because of the high humidity, stone houses would be unbearable in summer." At Nezu Shrine, one of the guests said, "Japanese people seem to enjoy making all sorts of wishes with amulets and ema plaques." I replied, "In Japan there is even a proverb, 'People turn to the gods in times of trouble.'" Finally, at a traditional scrubbing-brush shop in Nezu, the guests purchased a body-scrubbing brush and a Christmas tree made from the same brushes.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji～Ueno180JPY
    Section 2TrainUeno～Nippori150JPY
    Total330JPY

    Tour Report by Lance

    I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
    Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
    I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!

    Request Booking

    Jul 4, 2026
    317roxaneh
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great time in Tokyo!
    We had a great day with Lance! He…

    Jul 1, 2026
    Voyager795644
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo private family tour
    Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…

    Jun 26, 2026
    Leslie_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
    This tour is amazing and…

    Jun 17, 2026
    JKing275
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo
    Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:00 Tour starts from the hotel
    • Transfer by bus to Hirokoji
    • AM 09:20 -09:45 Nishi Chaya District, visit Nishi Chaya Museum
    • AM 09:50-10:45 Participate in Myoryuji Temple tour
    • Transfer by bus to Hondamachi
    • AM 11:00-11:30 Visit Suzuki Daisetsu Museum
    • Transfer on foot to Seisonkaku
    • AM 11:50-PM12:40 Visit Seisonkaku
    • Transfer by bus to Korinbo
    • PM 13:00-13:50 Lunch at ramen shop
    • PM 13:50 -15:00 Nagamachi Samurai District area, visit Nomura Family Residence, Takada Family Residence, and Ashigaru Museum

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. One of them had been to Tokyo several times before, while the other was visiting Japan for the first time. Since they had already visited Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa Castle, and Kenrokuen Garden the previous day, this [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) private tour focused on taking time to visit the D.T. Suzuki Museum, Myoryuji Temple, Seisonkaku, and the Nagamachi Samurai District. The guests were delighted that the autumn foliage was beautiful at each spot and that they were able to take great photos. They planned to travel from Kanazawa to Nara the next day, and since they asked for recommendations in Kyoto, I offered some suggestions before ending the tour.

    Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusMinamicho, Oyama Shrine / Hokuriku Railway Bus～Hirokoji (Kanazawa City) / Hokuriku Railway Bus210JPY
    Section 2BusHirokoji (Kanazawa City) / Hokuriku Railway Bus～Hondamachi / Hokuriku Railway Bus210JPY
    Section 3BusHirosaka, 21st Century Museum / Hokuriku Railway Bus～Korinbo / Hokuriku Railway Bus210JPY
    Total630JPY

    Tour Report by YOSHI

    Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
    I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
    Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
    Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
    ” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

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    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Incredible tour, one of the highlights of my…

    Jul 18, 2026
    Geert73
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Well-Organized and Informative Tour of Kanazawa
    We, a…

    Jul 15, 2026
    G5010ZVmelodys
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour with Licensed Guide
    Number one guide for personalised touring of Kanazawa
    Our…

    Jul 11, 2026
    rikkes490
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Rigtig god guidet tur
    Rigtig god oplevelse og gode forklaringer

    とても良いガイドツアーでした。
    とても良い体験でした。説明も分かりやすく、とても良かったです。

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hotel Osaka
    • 11:00 Osaka Castle
    • 12:30 Shinsekai
    • 13:30 Doguyasuji
    • 14:00 Kuromon Market
    • 14:30 Dotonbori

    What Does a Private Walking Tour of Osaka's Namba and Shinsekai Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe. They travel often but were visiting Asia for the first time. They were very friendly and easygoing, and our conversations along the way flowed naturally, making for a very enjoyable time. In Shinsekai they ate taiyaki, and along Doguyasuji they purchased plates, teacups, and small soy sauce dishes. At Kuromon Market, they commented that seeing fruit packed in plastic boxes and bags was something unthinkable back home. They also had chu-toro sashimi and sushi at a tuna specialty shop, and commented that it was the most delicious tuna they had ever eaten. In Dotonbori we visited Hozenji Temple to pay our respects, and we parted at the entrance to the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade. When asked whether we had visited all the places one should see in Osaka, I answered yes.

    Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHigobashi～Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Ebisucho240JPY
    Section 3SubwayDobutsuen-mae～Namba (Subway)180JPY
    Total610JPY

    Tour Report by Naoki

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Nunobiki Herb Garden & Nankinmachi

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Nunobiki Herb Garden & Nankinmachi

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet @ Kobe Port Terminal
    • 10:00 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 11:30 @ Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
    • 12:15 @ Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
    • 13:00 @ Sannomiya Center Street・Hankyu Department Store
    • 13:45 Disband @ JR Shin-Kobe Station

    Title: What Is a Private Kobe Day Tour Like for a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report The guests were somewhat older visitors from North America. Before the tour, there was very little response to the emails and messages sent (eight contacts with only two replies), so the itinerary had to be confirmed only on the day itself. They did not seem particularly interested in the sightseeing spots. The wishes within the group often differed, which was quite confusing. In addition, they frequently needed to use restrooms, and there were many requests such as wanting to buy kitchen knives, secondhand wristwatches, and chocolate cake. (I guided them to several shops, but they did not make purchases, perhaps not finding anything to their liking.) They expressed a wish to eat "Kobe beef," so I introduced a restaurant in Nankinmachi and helped make an evening reservation. After the tour, they said they wanted to go to Osaka (their goal being to ride the Shinkansen), so we headed to Shin-Kobe, but at the point of buying tickets they said, "Let's skip Osaka and go to Nankinmachi instead." I guided them to the taxi stand, told the driver their destination, and we parted ways there. I was a little concerned about whether they would actually use the reserved restaurant. They were very pleased with a handmade drawstring pouch made by my sister. Although today's tour was very tiring, it did not leave a strong sense of satisfaction. I truly believe the itinerary should be confirmed in advance by all means.

    Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal～Sannomiya (Kobe New Transit)210JPY
    Section 2SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)～Shin-Kobe210JPY
    Section 3SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)～Shin-Kobe210JPY
    Total630JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Nara in One Day: JR Nara Bus & Naramachi Bus

    Nara in One Day: JR Nara Bus & Naramachi Bus

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 JR Nara Bus
    • 9:40 Ukigumo Enchi (Nara Park)
    • 10:10 Todai-ji Nandaimon Gate
    • 10:30 Great Buddha Hall
    • 11:10 Bell Tower
    • 11:30 Nigatsu-do, Tamukeyama Hachimangu
    • 12:20 Wakakusayama Foot
    • 12:30 Mizuya Chaya
    • 13:00 Kasuga Taisha Shrine→Old Shake Town→Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 14:00 Naramachi (Tanaka-cho) Bus
    • 15:20　JR Nara

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Nara's Kasuga Taisha Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Since they enjoyed the outdoors and were keen to try sake tasting, I included in the course a wooded path near the shrine houses of Kasuga Taisha that is not usually part of the route. As we walked, I was able to share many stories while receiving interested questions from the guests: how, during the anti-Buddhist movement of the Meiji era, Todaiji had all of its temple lands confiscated by the Meiji government; how Shinto too was placed under the control of the Meiji government, with the hereditary shrine families who had long served as priests at Kasuga Taisha being expelled; and how the original teachings of the Buddha differ from Japanese Buddhism today. This is the message I received after the tour: Thank you so much for the amazing afternoon and showing us Nara! We had such a special trip because of you 🙏

    Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nara Station／Nara Kotsu～Todai-ji Daibutsuden・Kasuga Taisha-mae／Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Section 2BusTanaka-cho／Nara Kotsu～JR Nara Station／Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Total500JPY

    Tour Report by Junichi

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    Request Booking

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ Hoo Café
    • 10:15 ~ Visit Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace, gardens)
    • 13:00~ Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 14:00 Disband @ Imperial Palace

    What Is a Private Kyoto History Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from North America on a solo trip, visiting Japan for the first time. During a long stay in Japan that included several nights in Kyoto, they were planning to continue on to Osaka, the Kiso Road, and Tokyo. On previous trips abroad the guest had always traveled with a particular theme in mind, and this time the theme was Japanese history, culture, architecture, and gardens. Today the guest especially wanted to learn about the relationship and history between the Emperor and the Shogun (samurai), so we focused on the two facilities mentioned above, which led to the itinerary described here. The guest seemed to have studied a great deal in advance and kept me busy with questions throughout the tour, which was tiring, but I was relieved and grateful to receive kind words that I had been the ideal guide for today's tour.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Tour Report by Shoji

    My name is Shoji and I’m a tour guide in Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan for more than one thousand years until the mid 19th century.
    I have been doing this work since 2019 covering not only Kyoto but also its surrounding areas like Nara , Osaka and Shiga.
    I am very much interested in Japanese history, culture and traditional arts.
    Kyoto and the Kansai region are rich with many heritage sites of historical and cultural features.
    I am sure that I can provide the guests with good insight and help them appreciate the charms of our wonderful city.

    Request Booking

    May 23, 2026
    Amber_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great walking tour in Kyoto!
    Shoji was a great guide around Kyoto.…

    Jun 25, 2025
    Safari35155142765
    Peaceful and perfect temple guided tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant private guided tour of Kyoto…

    Jun 22, 2025
    Global136391
    Shoji Ogawa Made Kyoto Come Alive!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    If you’re ever in Kyoto, you…

    Jun 9, 2025
    Amy_R
    Wonderful Nara tour
    Viator review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Kyoto Departure)
    We had such a wonderful…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Kobe Port Terminal & Nankinmachi

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Kobe Port Terminal & Nankinmachi

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Kobe Port Terminal
    • 10:30-11:45 Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 12:30-13:00 Ikuta Shrine
    • 13:30-14:00 Nankinmachi (Chinatown)

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nunobiki Herb Garden and Nankinmachi Chinatown At the Nunobiki Herb Garden the weather was fine, and the guests walked down from the top to the middle station and seemed to enjoy the view from the Green House. We also played a little game and practiced how to fold origami paper cranes. The guests were delighted and even recorded videos. At Ikuta Shrine there were many families visiting for Shichi-Go-San celebrations, which the guests seemed to enjoy watching. I helped them purchase hay fever medicine at a nearby drugstore, and then we headed to Chinatown, where they bought a haori jacket at a vintage clothing shop, and we ended the tour there. We had originally planned to visit the Port Tower, but we ran out of time, so we skipped the Port Terminal.

    Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal～Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2SubwaySannomiya (Kobe Municipal)～Shin-Kobe210JPY
    Section 3SubwayShin-Kobe Station / Kobe Municipal Bus～Sannomiya (Kobe Municipal)210JPY
    Total630JPY

    Tour Report by Harumi

    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.

    Request Booking

    Jul 11, 2026
    Rahul_P
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Tour
    Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour…

    Jul 7, 2026
    782MarkS782
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Harumi and Kyoto
    This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…

    Jun 25, 2026
    JenCBear
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great visit with a great guide Harumi
    Harumi was a fantastic guide…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Andrew_M
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Amazing guided experience
    Harumi is an amazing guide.…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00 Meet at Hotel New Otani Tokyo Executive House Zen
    • 2. 8:30 Imperial Palace Outer Garden
    • 3. 9:45 Ueno Park
    • 4. 11:00 Asakusa
    • 5. 12:00 Lunch (Asakusa Kanoya)
    • 6. 13:00 Inaricho (D.Anda Ueno Branch)
    • 7. 13:30 Disband at Shimbashi (Standing Sushi Akira Shimbashi Branch)

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour of the Imperial Palace, Ueno, and Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of three from North America. Some of the group had visited Japan before for work, but this was their first time sightseeing here, and it was a first visit to Japan for one of them. They had arrived in Japan about a week earlier, traveled around Kyoto and Osaka, and come to Tokyo the previous day. They planned to return home in a couple of days. At the time of assignment the meeting point had not yet been decided, but once it was confirmed that their accommodation was a Hotel, we met there. I guided them around the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Ueno Park, and Asakusa. They enjoyed taking photos at each spot and listening to the explanations. Some of the guests had goshuin stamp books, and they received stamps at Kiyomizu Kannon-do in Ueno, Toshogu Shrine, and Asakusa Shrine. Since I had heard that some of the guests had a lunch reservation after the tour, I confirmed in advance whether lunch would be needed during the tour, and they requested something light. We stopped at a handmade udon shop in Asakusa. One of the guests had a 13:00 reservation for a perfume-blending experience at a shop in the Inaricho area, so I guided them to the shop entrance. Others had a 13:45 reservation at a standing sushi restaurant in Shimbashi, and I guided them to the front of that shop as well. Since I had been told that an early end to the tour would be fine, we parted ways here.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassNagatacho～Sakuradamon700JPY
    Section 2Free PassOtemachi～Ueno0JPY
    Section 3Free PassUeno～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 4Free PassAsakusa～Inaricho0JPY
    Section 5Free PassInaricho～Shimbashi0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Tour Report by Haru

    Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
    I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
    I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!

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    Jul 13, 2026
    529gregj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
    Haru (Haruhiko…

    Jul 12, 2026
    Felice R
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…

    Jul 9, 2026
    mariee530
    An incredible walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This tour was beyond expectations!…

    Jun 30, 2026
    simonegN55VE
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fabulous walking tour with Haru
    Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Pontocho & Arashiyama area

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Pontocho & Arashiyama area

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at hotel
    • 8:40 Pontocho
    • 9:15 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 10:45 Arashiyama area
    • 12:30 Tour ends

    What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama The guests were visiting Japan to mark a special anniversary. The day before, I received a message that one of them was not feeling well and might have to join alone, which concerned me, but the guests were able to join the tour today. Ponto-cho had not been part of the planned itinerary, but since the guests showed interest, I added it to the tour. Fushimi Inari Taisha was less crowded than usual, so I was able to take photos of just the guests. They also enjoyed the Omokaru-ishi (lifting stone). In Arashiyama, they enjoyed the Kimono Forest, the bamboo grove, the Tenryu-ji temple garden, the observation deck, and the Togetsukyo Bridge. It was very crowded, but when I explained that the autumn leaves were at their peak and it was the first day of a three-day weekend, they understood. We ended the tour at Katsura Station, which was on the way to the station nearest their hotel.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGion-Shijo～Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)～Katsura200JPY
    Total680JPY

    Tour Report by Mizu

    Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
    I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
    In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
    In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
    In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
    Every city has a unique charming point.
    The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
    I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
    And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
    I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
    I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
    Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
    Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

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    Jul 27, 2026
    OscarBrisenoJr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Awesome tour of Kyoto
    Seeing the temples and shrines…

    Jul 21, 2026
    MarcL3556
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful and Memorable Tour of Osaka with Mizu…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Ranvt
    Local tour kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I had a great experience on this local…

    Jun 11, 2026
    MamaL843
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
    Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…