Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Ryoan-ji Temple

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Ryoan-ji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the hotel, confirm schedule
    • 10:12〜10:35 Bus
    • 10:45〜11:40 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 1152〜12:00 Bus
    • 12:00〜12:40 Ryoan-ji Temple
    • 12:55〜13:17 Train
    • 13:17〜14:20 Arashiyama, Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Arashiyama While waiting for the bus, I talked about Gion, which was a candidate destination but was not included in the tour. The guests listened with great interest to stories about geisha and maiko. At Kinkaku-ji, the guests were interested in the building, the garden, and the carp in the pond, and took many photos. At Ryoan-ji, the guests were interested in the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism and in the Jizo statues. We viewed the rock garden and I spoke about Zen and mindfulness. The guests listened attentively. In Arashiyama, the guests were interested in the wild monkeys and cormorant fishing. We admired the garden of Tenryu-ji and walked through the bamboo grove. We parted in front of a restaurant.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShinmachi Oike / Kyoto City Bus～Sakuragicho / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Ryoanji-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3TrainRyoan-ji Temple～Arashiyama (Keifuku Line)250JPY
    Total710JPY

    Tour Report by Hiromi

    I would like to show you Japanese old temples, shrines and castles. Kansai area that covers Kyoto, Nara and Osaka has a long history. Each sites has a old interesting story. Let me tell you about it. And I will show you unique local landscapes.
    Japan is proud of its culture. I have learned tea ceremony, Japanese archery, calligraphy and Japanese dancing. I will tell you some parts of them.
    I love nature. Japan is also a country of beauiful nature. Since I love bird watching and growing plants, I would like to see flowers, trees and birds with mountains and rivers.
    I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been working as a tour guide for many years. I enjoy guiding my guests in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. I am waiting for you!

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    Apr 5, 2026
    Climber41386953072
    Perfect personalized Tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    It was a great private Tour with a kind…

    May 13, 2025
    G1042AProbertg
    Fantastic Way to See Kyoto with a Local!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiromi was such a…

    Apr 18, 2025
    Emma C
    Wonderful day with Hiromi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful day with Hiromi!…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @InterContinental Tokyo Bay
    • 10:10 Tsukiji: Fish Market, Outer Market, Honganji Temple
    • 11:50 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 13:20 Asakusa: Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Yogodo Hall, Okuyama, Hoppy Street, Denboin Street
    • 14:15 Disband @Asakusa Kannon Dori

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tsukiji, Imperial Palace, and Asakusa Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe, having arrived the previous day. One of the guests was quiet at first due to jet lag, but later became very lively and talked energetically with a regional accent; although I am used to it, it had been a while since I had heard that particular accent, and it caught me a little off guard. At Tsukiji Outer Market, the group bought boiled king crab legs and a variety of tuna sushi, which they enjoyed on the third floor. Outside, they also enjoyed strawberry sweets. At the Imperial Palace, I explained the history from the Edo period through the Meiji era and beyond, as well as the imperial family. The group seemed to especially like the Ninomaru Garden. The trees had suddenly begun to change color, creating a lovely atmosphere. In Asakusa, they first purchased a goshuincho (temple stamp book). I gave a light introduction to the highlights of Asakusa, including Yogo-do. Regarding how to spend the following days in Tokyo, I asked about their interests and what they wanted to do, then recommended Shimokitazawa, Gotokuji, Nakano Broadway, and Ura-Harajuku (shops such as BAPE and Onitsuka Tiger), explained how to get there, and we parted ways. The guests stayed in Asakusa to continue exploring.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa180JPY
    Total360JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

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    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park & Peace Memorial Museum

    Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park & Peace Memorial Museum

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Welcome at Hotel Hiroshima
    • 9:00-9:30 Transfer to Peace Memorial Park by taxi
    • 9:30-11:00 Peace Memorial Park
    • 11:00-11:45 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 11:45-13:00 Walk to Hiroshima Station via Peace Memorial Park – Hiroshima Castle – Shukkeien Garden
    • 13:00 See-off at the Shinkansen ticket gate of Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had researched information about the monuments in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in advance and asked a wide range of questions. This led to many related conversations, so the explanation at the park, which had originally been planned for one hour, ended up taking about one and a half hours. As a result, for the rest of the itinerary we walked from Hiroshima Castle to Shukkeien Garden and on to Hiroshima Station, enjoying the natural scenery as the autumn leaves were beginning to turn. The guests continue to enjoy sports and physical activity, and we ended up enjoying an unusually brisk-paced tour unlike any I had led before.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMiyajimaguchi～Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainHiroshima Station / Hiroshima Bus～Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima / Hiroshima Bus240JPY
    Section 3TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Total1,080JPY

    Tour Report by Hiroshi

    Welcome to Hiroshima.
    My name is Hiroshi Tsuji, a licensed guide based in Hiroshima and Miyajima. My family has been connected to Miyajima for more than 300 years, and I am pleased to share the history, culture, and daily life of this unique island with visitors from around the world. Please feel free to call me Hiroshi.
    With a background in outdoor sports—including rock climbing, scuba diving, and long-distance triathlons—I have completed several Ironman races abroad. I studied in Kyoto and later worked in management at a publicly listed company, which allowed me to live in many different regions of Japan and develop a deeper understanding of the country’s diverse culture and history.
    In Hiroshima, I guide guests through the Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and share perspectives on the history of Hiroshima and modern Japan.
    In Miyajima, I introduce Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, the island’s beautiful scenery, and its local cuisine. As someone whose family has been connected to Miyajima for generations, I also enjoy sharing local insights and experiences that offer a more personal connection to the island’s culture and way of life.
    I look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima and Miyajima.
    Hiroshi

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    Jul 31, 2026
    Helene R
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Experienced guide Hiroshi
    Hiroshi was a great experienced…

    Jul 26, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Miyajima Half-Day customized tour with licensed local guide (Hiroshi)
    We went…

    Jul 17, 2026
    oswaldom406
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour, Fantastic guide!
    We had an absolutely wonderful…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Jennifer L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Perfect day in Miyajima and Hiroshima
    Hiroshi is…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Tokyo Tower Top Deck

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Tokyo Tower Top Deck

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:25　Meet up @ Toei Shinjuku Line Morishita Station
    • 10:30　Toei Oedo Line ⇒ Transfer at Bakuroyokoyama ⇒ To Asakusa via Toei Asakusa Line
    • 11:10　@ Asakusa (Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 12:30　To Daimon via Toei Asakusa Line
    • 13:00　Walk from Daimon to Sushimon
    • 13:15　Lunch @ Hamamatsucho, Sushi, Sushimon
    • 14:00　Walk to Zojoji Temple
    • 14:10　@ Zojoji Temple
    • 14:30　@ Tokyo Tower Top Deck
    • 15:30　Toei Mita Line Shibakoen ⇒ Transfer at Jimbocho
    • 16:00　Disband @ Jimbocho Station

    What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour of Asakusa and Tokyo Tower? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. As they were staying in the Morishita area of Koto Ward, slightly away from central Tokyo, the meeting point was initially set as Tokyo Station, but after further communication it was arranged that I would pick them up at Morishita Station. Since I learned that Tsukiji Market was included in the next day's tour itinerary, we first visited Asakusa. I bought them kibi dango and rice crackers at Nakamise, which they were delighted with. After that, I recommended Tokyo Tower, and since it was not on their plans for the following days, they decided on Tokyo Tower and we headed toward Shibadaimon. Because one of the guests had a soy allergy, choosing a lunch spot was challenging, but since sushi can be eaten without soy sauce, we went into a privately run sushi restaurant in a residential area of Hamamatsucho. The chef was very accommodating, flexibly changing the marinated tuna to sea urchin and offering alternative menu items that did not use soy, which greatly impressed the guests. (This kind of individual attention is something a chain restaurant could never provide.) Afterwards, we went up to the observation deck of Tokyo Tower and the guests enjoyed the view of Tokyo from the sky before heading back. As Morishita Station can be difficult to navigate, I saw them off at Jimbocho Station, a transfer point along the way, and they expressed their gratitude. As they also mentioned in their review, I believe they were satisfied with the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMorishita (Tokyo)～Asakusa180JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Daimon (Tokyo)220JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibakoen～Jimbocho220JPY
    Total620JPY

    Tour Report by May

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

    Jul 11, 2026
    912courtneyp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great family guide
    May was a great tour guide.…

    Jun 27, 2026
    LPMarchica
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 Recommend
    We had an incredible time exploring Tokyo with our guide,…

    Jun 11, 2026
    Alisha_W
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    May was an enthusiastic…
    May was an enthusiastic and well informed guide.…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Confirm itinerary & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Confirm itinerary & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:50 Meet at hotel
    • 9:55 Confirm itinerary
    • 10:20 Nijo Castle
    • 12:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 13:10 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 14:15 Tour ends at Kiyomizuzaka

    What's a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera I guided guests who were visiting Japan for the first time. Some of the guests were studying Japanese and were very excited to have finally realized their long-held wish of coming to Japan. Coming from Asia, they remarked how they envied Kyoto for still having so many historic buildings preserved. Collecting goshuin stamps, station stamps, and taking lots of photos were absolute must-dos, so to save travel time I suggested taking a taxi from Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera. At Kiyomizu-dera I was able to show them the entire site at a relaxed pace. They also enjoyed shopping along Kiyomizu-zaka, and along the way I explained how to get back to their Hotel before concluding the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae～Kyoto260JPY
    Section 3TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Total630JPY

    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.…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    October, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:55　Meet up @ Sunroute Plaza Tokyo
    • 12:00　Walk to Shinjuku subway station
    • 12:10　Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line ⇒ transfer at Ginza ⇒ to Tsukiji
    • 12:30　@ Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 12:50　@ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 13:30　Lunch @ Sushi Take
    • 14:15　Walk to Higashi-Ginza
    • 14:25　Commemorative photo in front of Kabukiza Theatre
    • 14:30　Toei Subway Asakusa Line to Asakusa
    • 15:00　@ Asakusa (Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 16:00　Tokyo Metro Ginza Line ⇒ transfer at Akasaka-mitsuke ⇒ Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku station
    • 17:00　Disband @ Hotel Sunroute Plaza Tokyo

    What Is a Private Tsukiji and Asakusa Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family visiting from Asia. Since we had exchanged the itinerary by email beforehand, the tour proceeded smoothly on the day. There were no particular dietary restrictions, and the guests enjoyed a sushi lunch at Tsukiji. At Tsukiji Market, I bought some shine muscat grapes and tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) for them, which they were delighted with. Because we included lunch, four hours was not quite enough time, and the end time arrived while we were sightseeing in Asakusa. However, since it was on the way back, I saw them off at their hotel and the tour concluded. As a souvenir, I gave some Japanese tenugui hand towels to two of the guests, and they were very pleased with these as well. Overall, I believe the guests were satisfied with the tour. (I repeatedly asked them to write a review and they kindly agreed, but in the end they did not post one.)

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku (Tokyo Metro)～Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 2SubwayHigashi-Ginza～Asakusa210JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro)260JPY
    Total680JPY

    Tour Report by May

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

    Jul 11, 2026
    912courtneyp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great family guide
    May was a great tour guide.…

    Jun 27, 2026
    LPMarchica
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 Recommend
    We had an incredible time exploring Tokyo with our guide,…

    Jun 11, 2026
    Alisha_W
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    May was an enthusiastic…
    May was an enthusiastic and well informed guide.…

  • Kanagawa in Half a Day: Cup Noodles & Shin-Yokohama Ramen

    Kanagawa in Half a Day: Cup Noodles & Shin-Yokohama Ramen

    Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Tokyu
    • 10:10 Cup Noodles Museum
    • 12:00 Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
    • 14:00 Hotel Tokyu

    What's a Private Yokohama Food Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Cup Noodles Museum and Ramen Museum I guided a group visiting from North America. After their first trip to Japan last spring, this was their second visit, and they planned to travel around Hokkaido, Yokohama, and Kanazawa. We visited two places the guests had chosen. At the Cup Noodles Museum, the guests had made a reservation for the My Cupnoodles Factory, and we took part together. They watched the introductory video about Momofuku Ando, learned the story of how instant ramen was created, and enjoyed it very much. They approached making the cup noodles rather calmly, but they purchased some goods at the souvenir shop. At the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, the guide could enter for free and received a coupon for one free bowl of ramen. They chose ramen from Rishiri Island and were very satisfied, saying the soup was delicious. I had assumed they might stop at one more place, but they held back in preparation for sushi in the evening, so I saw them off at the Hotel and finished the tour. At the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, some of the Cup Noodles Museum souvenirs were being sold, and surprisingly the prices were lower. The guests said they did not mind, but I felt a little sorry about it. They were both calm and lovely, and we talked about many things, such as the differences between Japan and other countries. They seemed to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Yokohama, which is different from Tokyo, and that made me happy.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSakuragicho～Shin-Yokohama180JPY
    Section 2TrainShin-Yokohama～Minatomirai530JPY
    Total710JPY

    Tour Report by Takako

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Guide through Sumida River

    Tokyo in One Day: Guide through Sumida River

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet at the lobby of Hotel.
    • 09:15-10:45 Guide through Sumida River → Kaminarimon → Nakamise Shopping Street → Hozomon → Main Hall → Stone Bridge → Asakusa Shrine → Kannon Street. After finishing, head to Ameyoko.
    • 11:00-11:20 Guide through Ameyoko Street. After finishing, move to Tsukiji Outer Market.
    • 11:50-12:30 Guide through Tsukiji Outer Market. After finishing, move to Shibuya.
    • 13:15-13:50 Lunch at "Oreryu Shio Ramen" on Center Street. After finishing, guide through Animate Shibuya, Pokemon Center Shibuya, and Nintendo Shibuya Store. There, they finished shopping for their two children (a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old boy).
    • 14:40 After finishing shopping, having just arrived in Japan from Texas yesterday on the 3rd, they seemed quite tired from the jet lag, so they decided to return to the hotel by taxi, and we parted in front of Shibuya PARCO.

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Covering Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Shibuya Anime Shops? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from North America who came to Japan for business meetings with a subsidiary in Japan. Having arrived at Haneda on November 3, the day before the tour, and with only one free day available on November 4, the guest applied for a tour. The route we had discussed in advance was Sensoji Temple → Ameyoko shopping street → lunch (ramen) → Tsukiji Outer Market → the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, but during the tour the guest asked, "Is there somewhere I can buy souvenirs related to Japanese animation, Pokemon, and Nintendo games?" Since everything could be found in Shibuya, we decided to skip the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and instead visit Animate Shibuya, Pokemon Center Shibuya, and the Nintendo Shibuya store. The guest purchased about ten anime-related goods and Nintendo character goods in total, and was very satisfied to have been able to buy the most important souvenirs the day after arriving in Japan. I was glad to receive words of heartfelt thanks.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTakanawadai～Asakusa900JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa～Ueno0JPY
    Section 3Free PassUeno-hirokoji～Tsukiji0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTsukiji～Shibuya0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Tour Report by MINORUASAI

    I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.

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    Aug 1, 2025
    8
    898kendrap
    Great first day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Asai, our tour guide, made our…

    Jul 14, 2025
    Anette_V
    Perfect
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…

    Jun 30, 2025
    liammL2246HL
    Amazing experience
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…

    Jun 26, 2025
    394milesd
    Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A perfect day, tailored…

  • Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle Keep & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle Keep & Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet near Kitahama Station
    • 9:30 Visit Osaka Castle Keep
    • 11:45 Dotonbori (lunch)
    • 12:45 Doguyasuji Shopping Street
    • 13:30 Kuromon Market
    • 14:30 Shitennoji Temple
    • 15:00 Disband at Shitennoji Temple

    What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shitennoji The guests were visitors from North America. For one of them it was the first visit to Japan, while the other was on a second visit. The weather that day was neither too hot nor too cold, making it perfect conditions for the tour. Both of the guests were interested in many different aspects of Japan. Inside the main keep of Osaka Castle, they enthusiastically explored every floor, and were especially impressed by how Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose from being born the child of a farmer to become the leader of Japan. During the tour, I also received quite challenging questions about Japan's welfare and insurance systems, as well as government subsidies for universities. After leaving Osaka Castle, both of the guests said they were hungry, so we changed the plan and went to Dotonbori first for lunch. After that, one of the guests said they wanted to buy a kitchen knife as a souvenir, so we went to Doguyasuji to visit a knife shop. The tour progressed at a relatively relaxed pace overall. As a result, after visiting Kuromon Market, there was not much time left, and after seeing Shitennoji Temple, we parted ways on site. After the tour ended, the guests enjoyed an "omakase" course from 8:00 p.m. at a sushi restaurant that I had reserved for them.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKitahama～Tanimachi 4-chome820JPY
    Section 2Free PassTanimachi 4-chome～Namba0JPY
    Section 3Free PassNippombashi～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka0JPY
    Total820JPY

    Tour Report by Yoshi

    I am Yoshi, a Nara Local Government Licensed Guide Interpreter and also, a National Government Licensed Interepreter.
    Let’s go out! The Kansai region was the center of Japan for a long time. It was from the 4th century to 19th century. Thus the Kansai region is rich in scenic and historic interest. Why don’t we see, feel, and find so many attractions in Nara Kyoto and Osaka. I was born and raised in Nara. Also I have been to Osaka and Kyoto for working, shopping and dining. I can show you not only major tourist spots but also shops and delicious food that only locals know. I am looking forward to sharing wonderful moments with you!

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    May 29, 2025
    Dana_K
    Get ready to climb and explore
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    There is a lot of climbing…

    Aug 16, 2024
    Dylan_N
    Yoshi was a great tour guide
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with…

    Jun 9, 2024
    Tour39164063770
    Tolle Stadtführung mit erfahrenem Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Auf unserem Trip durch Japan hatten wir…

  • Hiroshima: hypocenter & Shukkeien Garden

    Hiroshima: hypocenter & Shukkeien Garden

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    October, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at Hotel
    • 09:05 Move to the hypocenter
    • 11:15 Visit the hypocenter, Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Park, and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
    • 11:15 Stroll along Hondori
    • 12:00 Move to Shukkeien Garden
    • 12:15 Visit Shukkeien Garden
    • 13:15 Disband at Kamiyacho

    Title: What Is a Private Guided Tour in Japan Like When Booked Through an Overseas Agency? A Guide's Report The hotel change was communicated early on through a travel agency. I had felt reassured that a messaging app connection worked well in case of emergencies, but I was surprised to learn late the night before the tour that it actually belonged to the travel agency. Even so, I was relieved to somehow obtain the guests' email address and phone number just in case. Early the next morning, an email arrived under a name different from the one used for the booking, which puzzled me, though I later understood the situation. We met successfully at the hotel entrance, and everything went smoothly from there. I was glad that the guests enjoyed the experience.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHatchobori～Shukkeien-mae240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Tour Report by Emmy

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

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

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

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

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