Category: Uncategorized

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Izuhakone Bus & Hakonemachi Port

    Kanagawa in One Day: Izuhakone Bus & Hakonemachi Port

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Ryugujoden
    • 9:41 By Izuhakone Bus
    • 10:02 Owakudani, by Ropeway to Togendai
    • 12:00 Pirate Ship
    • 12:25 Hakonemachi Port
    • After shopping at Tabimonogatari, tour and shopping at Maruyama Bussan
    • Lunch at Donburi Chaya
    • 14:09 By bus from Hakone Checkpoint to Moto-Hakone
    • Stroll around Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine red torii gate
    • 15:15 Disband at Moto-Hakone taxi stand
    • Guests head to the hotel

    What Is a Private Hakone and Mount Fuji Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had just been married at a venue in the area the night before. A perfectly clear view of Mount Fuji welcomed us, and I promptly created a celebratory board and took photos. The guests were impressed by the secret puzzle boxes in Hakone and enjoyed shopping for various items. At a rice bowl restaurant, they savored Japanese cuisine. The guests were keen on photography and used several cameras to take many pictures centered on Mount Fuji and the red torii gate. They had a strong interest in Japanese culture, and we had enjoyable conversations about religion, the lifestyle of Japanese people, and kanji characters. This evening the guests will head from Odawara to Kyoto.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Section 2BusIn front of Ryugujoden / Izuhakone Bus~Owakudani / Izuhakone Bus660JPY
    Total6,660JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Tsukiji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet in front of the Toyosu Market main gate
    • 05:00-05:30 Beforehand, an explanation of related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
    • 05:30-06:00 Observe the tuna auction
    • 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-07:15 Move to Tsukiji
    • 07:15-08:00 Stroll around the Tsukiji inner market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    Title: What Is a Private Tuna Auction and Toyosu Market Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests had long worked in the food industry and was interested in Japan's tuna auctions, which was the motivation for joining the tour. For that reason, after consulting with me by email in advance, the guests applied for the lottery for the special viewing deck and were fortunate enough to win, allowing us to visit the first-floor viewing deck. However, the taxi did not arrive on time to pick them up, so the guests reached the market 10 minutes late and were unable to secure a top-priority number or a good viewing spot. In addition, there were more special viewers than usual today, and half of the reduced deck was occupied by an inspection group from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, so it was not possible to let them properly see the fresh tuna auction. Because of this, we moved early to the general deck on the third floor, where they watched the latter part of the frozen tuna auction and enjoyed the atmosphere of the bidding. Meanwhile, at Tsukiji we came across an intermediate wholesaler cutting up tuna. I purchased a pack of fresh tuna for my own home and negotiated with the wholesaler, saying, "Since I've bought the tuna, it's okay to take photos, right?" The guests were then given permission to take photos and videos, which delighted them. (My own household unexpectedly enjoyed bluefin tuna for lunch and was quite pleased, ha ha.) At a sushi restaurant in Toyosu, they enjoyed a full course of tuna, and were greatly satisfied to learn that a single tuna can offer different flavors such as lean meat, marinated tuna, medium fatty tuna, premium fatty tuna, seared tuna, and scraped meat from the bones. As inbound tourism increases toward the cherry blossom season, it is expected that the number of people at the special auction viewing will also grow, making it harder to see. When guests consult me about the lottery for special viewing in the future, I will make sure to convey today's realities clearly, so that they are not left saying, "I didn't expect this; how disappointing." Today's guests were happy, saying, "We could hardly see the fresh tuna auction, but thanks to your buying tuna from the wholesaler, we were able to record the tuna cutting," which put me at ease.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu Market/Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome/Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

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

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

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:30 Hiroshima Station – Meet
    • 08:30 Miyajima
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 13:30 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 15:30 Hiroshima Station – Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Peace Park Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. There was a train delay on the Sanyo Main Line, but we were able to start the tour without any problems. Since one of the guests had difficulty walking and was being supported while walking on Miyajima, I suggested using a taxi. Although the number of taxis was limited early in the morning, we were fortunately able to board smoothly. One of the guests was extremely knowledgeable about religion, and when I explained the goma fire ritual at Daishoin Temple, they shared the view that its origins might be connected to Zoroastrianism of the ancient Orient, which was very impressive. For lunch, the guests enjoyed okonomiyaki at a restaurant with a view of the sea, and afterwards I guided them through Peace Memorial Park while adjusting the timing. Throughout the day, we were able to conduct the tour in a calm and pleasant atmosphere.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Nishi-Hiroshima330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima~Genbaku Dome-mae240JPY
    Section 4TrainGenbaku Dome-mae~Hiroshima240JPY
    Total1,230JPY

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

  • Tokyo: 00 @Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: 00 @Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.9:00 Meet up @Hotel
    • 2.9:30 @Asakusa
    • 3:11:00 @Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 4.11:45 Lunch @Ginza Nihachi Soba Gogoan Takichi
    • 5.13:00 @Meiji Shrine
    • 6.14:00 @Takeshita Street
    • 7.14:40 @Cat Street
    • 8.15:10 @Shibuya Crossing
    • 9.16:00 @Ginza
    • 10.17:00 Disband @Ginza Six

    title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Ginza The guests were visiting Japan from Asia. They had visited Japan quite a long time ago but said they did not really understand much about it. The guests mentioned they could not speak much English, so I made a point of speaking slowly and using simple, gentle English as much as possible. The tour was originally booked for one day, but because of rain it was moved to the following day. In Asakusa, we enjoyed the view from the observation deck of the information center and made a visit to the temple. At Tsukiji, we had fish cakes, drank coffee, and enjoyed browsing various shops. For lunch, the guests wanted to try some delicious udon, so we went to a soba restaurant in East Ginza (they said the taste was decent). After that, we visited Meiji Shrine, which the guests said was very quiet and beautiful. We then walked along Takeshita Street and Cat Street to Shibuya. At the Shibuya Crossing, the guests seemed amazed by the sheer number of people. Finally, we visited Ginza, where we looked at cars at Nissan Crossing and went to the rooftop garden of Ginza Six. After that, the guests wanted to do some shopping on their own, so we ended the tour in Ginza. I was glad the weather improved. It was a pleasure to guide them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHibiya~Asakusa290JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Tsukiji290JPY
    Section 3TrainHigashi-Ginza~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Ginza210JPY
    Total1,000JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Sep 29, 2026
    W9834MZdavidn
    First Visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had an absolutely wonderful day…

    Sep 12, 2026
    Don_G
    Tokyo 6 hour Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had a great time on…

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:15 Meet up @Hotel Century Southern Tower
    • 2. 09:30 Travel∶On foot
    • 3. 09:45 Stay @LOVE Sculpture
    • 4. 09:50 Travel∶Subway
    • 5. 10:20 Stay @Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 6. 11:40 Travel∶Train
    • 7. 11:50 Stay @Meiji Shrine
    • 8. 12:50 Travel∶Train
    • 9. 13:00 Stay @Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 10. 13:30 Lunch @Subway
    • 11. 14:10 Travel∶Train, Subway
    • 12. 14:30 Stay @Tokyo Tower
    • 13. 15:40 Disband @teamLab Borderless

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Tower, and teamLab Borderless The guests were visiting from Oceania. Before the tour began, they asked me to show them where the "LOVE Sculpture" was located, as it would be the meeting point for the next day's tour, so we walked from the Hotel to Nishi-Shinjuku and headed from Nishi-Shinjuku Station to Shinjuku Gyoen. At Shinjuku Gyoen, some of the Kanzakura cherry blossoms and white magnolias were in full bloom, and the guests were able to enjoy viewing a variety of plants during a period before the crowds arrived. They also seemed interested in the greenhouse, so I spent a little more time here to guide them through the whole area. I had originally planned to show only the exterior of Tokyo Tower, but since we did not spend much time on lunch, I was able to take them up to the observation deck as well. As I had heard that they had a 16:00 reservation for teamLab Borderless, I took them from Tokyo Tower to Azabudai Hills before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku~Shinjuku-sanchome180JPY
    Section 2TrainShinjuku~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya150JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Kamiyacho330JPY
    Total810JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo: Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo: Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet @ Hotel Tokyo
    • 09:45~09:50 Take the Chiyoda subway line from Kokkai-gijidomae to Nijubashimae
    • 09:50~10:10 Tokyo Station Marunouchi exit, tour Gyoko-dori Avenue
    • 10:10~11:30 @ Imperial Palace, tour the East Gardens
    • 11:30~11:45 Take the Chiyoda subway line to Nezu
    • 11:45~11:55 Walk to Nezu Shrine
    • 12:00~12:20 @ Visit Nezu Shrine
    • 12:20~12:40 Walk to Yanaka
    • 12:40~13:40 @ Stroll and shopping at Yanaka Ginza
    • 13:40~14:10 @ Visit Lord Yoshinobu's grave at Yanaka Cemetery
    • 14:10~14:40 From JR Nippori Station, via Nishi-Nippori, take the Chiyoda line to Kokkai-gijidomae
    • 15:00 Disband @ Hotel

    What Is a Private Yanaka Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. They mentioned that they would be running in the Tokyo Marathon the following day, and that Tokyo was the last of the world's six major marathons (Chicago, New York, Boston, London, Berlin, and Tokyo) they had yet to complete, having already run the other five. They had traveled through Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka, with Tokyo as their final stop, but this was their first trip to Japan, so we coordinated the itinerary in advance by email, and I presented several options for them to choose from. Since they wanted to avoid crowded, touristy areas, they chose the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi district, which seemed to match their wishes perfectly. I also guided them along Gyoko-dori, near the Marunouchi exit of Tokyo Station, which is the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon, and seeing the preparations being made for the next day's finish setup seemed to boost their motivation. In Yanaka, I treated them to beef skewers and fried heart at Nikuno Koshizuka, and daifuku and dango at Yanaka Ginza, which they enjoyed very much and found delicious. Since we walked quite a lot (about 20,000 steps), they seemed a little tired, and with the marathon the next day, they asked to return to the hotel early, so we finished about 30 minutes ahead of schedule. They left a wonderful review, and from reading it, I believe they were very satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKokkai-gijidomae~Nijubashimae180JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Nezu180JPY
    Section 3TrainNippori~Nishi-Nippori150JPY
    Section 4SubwayNishi-Nippori~Kokkai-gijidomae210JPY
    Total720JPY

    Hi, I’m May, your guide in Tokyo. Welcome to Japan!
    I have been grown up in Tokyo and working here for more than 45 years, so I’m sure I can share the best attraction of Tokyo with you, such as food, cultural and historic sites, sub-culture, shopping, and nightlife.
    Besides the tour guide, I have been working for a travel agent for more than 30 years, I can advise you the travel plan of not only in Tokyo but all over Japan.
    I had lots of guests from all over the world here in Tokyo, and most of them gave me great and wonderful review.
    I’m sure I can meet all of your demand and expectations, and am ready to welcome you to Japan with the best “Omotenashi” mind, or hospitality.

    Sep 19, 2026
    Plumb72
    Introduction to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide ‘May’ had emailed us several times…

    Aug 31, 2026
    Charlene_E
    You get to experience…
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    You get to experience moving…

    Aug 31, 2026
    labrinir2016
    Excellent- best in class.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We booked a private tour…

    Jul 16, 2026
    fernandorM8865OM
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    Memorable day
    We had a great time. Our guide Meiji…

  • Tokyo: Hilton Tokyo & Ueno Park

    Tokyo: Hilton Tokyo & Ueno Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hilton Tokyo
    • 9:10 Asakusa
    • 10:40 Fukagawa Fudodo (goma fire ritual, Corridor of Prayer, 88 Temples of Shikoku pilgrimage)
    • 13:00 Lunch at Ootoya
    • 13:50 Nezu Shrine
    • 14:20 Yanaka (Snake Road, public bathhouse, Yanakado, sake brewery cedar ball)
    • 15:00 Yugaan (tea ceremony)
    • 16:20 Ueno Park (Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Hanazono Shrine)
    • 17:30 Disband at Shinjuku East Exit 3D cat screen

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Fukagawa Fudodo, Nezu Shrine, Yanaka and a Tea Ceremony I guided a group visiting from North America. During our advance consultation, we decided on a schedule that required careful time management: Asakusa during a quieter time slot, an 11:00 goma fire ritual experience at Fukagawa Fudodo, Nezu Shrine, and a 15:00 tea ceremony experience in Yanaka. The group had arrived the previous week because one of them was taking part in the Tokyo Marathon, and during that time they had briefly stopped by Asakusa on their own. Naturally there had been no explanation, so this time they enjoyed listening to all sorts of details about Senso-ji Temple. They said, "You really do need a guide after all." They drew omikuji fortunes and, as expected, got a "bad luck" result, which had everyone laughing and taking commemorative photos. We arrived at Fukagawa Fudodo fifteen minutes early, and each of them purchased a goma prayer stick with their own wish and took part in the fire ritual. They experienced the ohikaji blessing and walked the prayer corridor as well, and as always they gave high praise, saying it was a wonderful experience. For lunch everyone had different preferences—one especially wanted karaage—so we decided to go to a set-meal restaurant. Everyone ordered something different and nearly finished it all (one guest ordered an extra-large portion of rice, though it turned out to be a bit too much). At Nezu Shrine they enjoyed the red torii gates, and since one of the guests loves cats, they did some shopping at a cat shop in Yanaka before we arrived at the tea ceremony house we had reserved in advance. The usual tea master was not there, which was a little disappointing, but the host occasionally appeared and, in halting English, showed a real talent for entertaining. They also received a handmade souvenir (the host is also an artist), and were even lent a Japanese sword for commemorative photos, so everyone was extremely satisfied. They said, "Thank you so much for bringing us here. This was the best of the day and made a truly wonderful memory." It made me feel I have a lot to learn from that host. At Ueno Park they enjoyed the cherry blossoms, and were fascinated by the stone lanterns of Toshogu Shrine and the small shrine at Hanazono Shrine. As I heard they had an 18:15 yakiniku reservation in Kabukicho, I took them to the east exit of Shinjuku, where we parted ways. They had signed up for a Mount Fuji tour the previous day but had to cancel due to heavy rain, which left them with regret, so tomorrow they plan a Mount Fuji rematch—driving out to see Mount Fuji and then continuing on to Kyoto. The guests were very happy today, and as a guide it was a fun and enjoyable day for me as well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku~Asakusa320JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Monzen-Nakacho210JPY
    Section 3SubwayMonzen-Nakacho~Ueno180JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno~Nezu210JPY
    Section 5TrainUeno~Shinjuku210JPY
    Total1,130JPY

    Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.

    Apr 21, 2026
    Sabrina_F
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Balade riche en découvertes
    Nous avons passé un super moment avec Danda.…

    Apr 14, 2026
    davidjonesresponseen
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour with Danda in Tokyo
    Excellent walking tour, we followed our…

    Apr 10, 2026
    Anna_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour with great guide
    Excellent tour with a very good guide…

    Mar 25, 2026
    Nahmjee_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour guide and experience.
    Danda was great with my family. He…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Gion area

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Gion area

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet
    • 9:10 Itinerary confirmation
    • 10:30 Nijo Castle
    • 11:15 Gion area
    • 11:35 Honen-in Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, villa area, Yasaka Pagoda
    • 12:35 Tour ends at Kyoto Station

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report I guided guests visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had come to Japan to take part in the Tokyo Marathon, and had already sightseen in Tokyo, Hakone, and other areas. For the Kyoto tour, I had been entrusted with the itinerary, so I prepared several options and confirmed the plan when we met. Since the guests were interested in architecture and art, I took them to Nijo Castle. They were able to go inside the castle and were very moved by it. As one of the guests seemed tired after the marathon, we then continued the sightseeing by taxi from inside the vehicle. Because they wanted to catch the 2:00 PM bullet train and also have lunch, we finished about 30 minutes earlier than planned.

    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!

    Sep 13, 2026
    946jakobr
    Mizu, as your guide in Koyoto, is the perfect guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed…

    Sep 5, 2026
    Sightsee18435593786
    De moeite waard👍
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Mizu heeft een mooie rondleiding geheven er werd…

    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
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  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hotel Meet
    • 11:30 Miyajima
    • 14:30 Lunch
    • 16:30 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 18:30 Hiroshima Station, dismissal

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Miyajima and the Peace Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I had the pleasure of guiding a group of visitors from Europe on a family trip. Everyone had a calm and relaxed demeanor, and it turned out to be a peaceful day. As the guests were visiting from Europe, there was an opportunity during the day for me to share my own experiences of cycling abroad. It then came to light that some of the guests had previously lived in Europe. Since I had once stayed at a youth hostel in the same area, we found ourselves talking enthusiastically about it. Recalling shared memories such as the townscape along the river and the atmosphere of the old town, our conversation flowed and I felt the distance between us close quickly. As the tour progressed, I noticed that one of the guests seemed somewhat sensitive. With this in mind, I carefully observed the mood and expressions of the group, kept my jokes to a minimum, and made an effort to choose clear and considerate words. I also paid attention to keeping a comfortable, unhurried pace so that the group could feel at ease. For lunch, since the guests wished to prioritize sightseeing time, we bought boxed lunches at a convenience store on Miyajima and enjoyed them on the ferry. By making good use of the travel time, we were able to secure plenty of time to explore both Miyajima and the Peace Park.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Nishi-Hiroshima330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima~Genbaku Dome-mae240JPY
    Section 4TrainGenbaku Dome-mae~Hiroshima240JPY
    Total1,230JPY

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

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

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Hotel Meet (@Park Hyatt Kyoto)
    • 7:30-8:15 Travel (on foot: Hotel → Kyoto Kawaramachi/Hankyu Railway)
    • 8:20-8:35 Travel (Hankyu Railway; Kyoto Kawaramachi → Arashiyama)
    • 8:35-10:00 Arashiyama visit & stroll (Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Garden, Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Kimono Forest)
    • 10:13-10:50 Travel (Keifuku Railway; Arashiyama → Kitano-Hakubaicho, City Bus; Kitano-Hakubaicho → Kinkaku-ji-michi)
    • 11:00-11:50 Kinkaku-ji visit
    • 11:50-12:10 Travel (City Bus; Kinkaku-ji-michi → Nijo-jo-mae)
    • 12:10-13:30 Nijo Castle visit
    • 13:30 The tour ended and we said goodbye to the guests in front of Nijo Castle.

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Including Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Some of the guests were visiting Kyoto for the second time, while others were visiting for the first time. I took them to Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple [Sogenchi Garden and Hyakka-en], the Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine, and Kimono Forest), Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Nijo Castle. Originally, in addition to this schedule, we had planned to visit Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, but we were unable to go there because it was closed. Because of that, we were able to allocate plenty of time at Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo Castle. Although the forecast had predicted sunny weather, it was actually a light drizzle, and we were rained on in some places. The guests said that Nijo Castle, which we visited last, was their favorite. They said they really felt a strong sense of history there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto Kawaramachi~Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Kitano-Hakubaicho / Kyoto City Bus250JPY
    Section 3BusKitano-Hakubaicho / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Nijo-jo-mae230JPY
    Total950JPY

    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.…