Category: Uncategorized

  • Okayama in One Day: Korakuen & Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

    Okayama in One Day: Korakuen & Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

    Kurashiki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Okayama Station West Exit
    • 11:30 Korakuen (Free admission on New Year's Day)
    • 12:10 Okayama Prefectural Museum (Free admission on New Year's Day)
    • 12:40 Okayama Castle (Free admission on New Year's Day)
    • 13:50 Lunch at Okayama Station
    • 15:00 Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
    • 17:00 Disband at Okayama Station

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Okayama and Kurashiki Like? A Licensed Guide's Report We met smoothly at the west exit of Okayama Station. It was a one-day sightseeing trip to Okayama and Kurashiki, with the guests staying overnight in Osaka. The weather was clear and not too cold, making it a perfect day for sightseeing. The guests were a group traveling together. At Korakuen Garden, the beauty of the garden and a koto performance were very well received. Okayama Castle was something the guests had been looking forward to. For lunch, we split up between a ramen restaurant and a tonkatsu restaurant inside the Sante shopping area at Okayama Station. Both the ramen and the tonkatsu were very popular. After that, we moved to Kurashiki and strolled through the Bikan Historical Quarter. Along the way, some of the guests enjoyed strawberry candy. The scenery of the Bikan Historical Quarter in Kurashiki was calm and very well received. We traveled together from Kurashiki back to Okayama and parted ways in front of the Shinkansen ticket gates. Since it was New Year's Day, lunch options were limited, so I did thorough advance scouting. (The shops in the Chika Ichibangai underground street were closed, while the shops in Sante were open.) On New Year's Day, Korakuen Garden, the Okayama Prefectural Museum, and Okayama Castle were open to the public free of charge, which I thought was wonderful.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherOkayama Station Front～Shiroshita160JPY
    Section 2TrainOkayama～Kurashiki330JPY
    Section 3TrainKurashiki～Okayama330JPY
    Total820JPY

    Tour Report by Naoki

    English / Guide in English and German / Guiding areas are in Tokyo, Yokohama and my home town Okayama. (Since I’m based in Tokyo, I might not be able to guide in Okayama, depending on the timing.) My profile in German follows!
    First of all, thank you very much for your taking time to have a look at my profile. My name is Naoki Shimono. Naoki would be fine. I’m a certified tour guide in English and German. After long years of work at Japanese electronics manufacturer, always in charge of international marketing, I’m focusing on tour guide and interpreter. As of now, I did tour guide more than 50 times in English and more than 50 times in German. Not only in Tokyo but also other cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakodate, Niigata, Shimizu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha etc. It is always a big pleasure for me to show around Japan to guests from abroad. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Japan!

    Deutsch / Reiseleiter auf Deutsch und Englisch / In Tokio und Yokohama sowie in meiner Heimatstadt Okayama. (Da ich in Tokio ansässig bin, kann ich je nach Zeitpunkt möglicherweise nicht in Okayama als Reiseleiter tätig sein.)
    Zunächst einmal vielen Dank, dass Sie sich die Zeit genommen haben, mein Profil anzusehen. Mein Name ist Naoki Shimono. Naoki wäre schön. Ich bin zertifizierter Reiseleiter in Englisch und Deutsch. Nach langjähriger Tätigkeit bei einem japanischen Elektronikhersteller, wo ich stets für das internationale Marketing verantwortlich war, konzentriere ich mich nun auf die Reiseleitung und Dolmetschertätigkeit. Bisher habe ich über 50 Mal auf Englisch und über 50 Mal auf Deutsch als Reiseleiter gearbeitet. Nicht nur in Tokio, sondern auch in anderen Städten wie Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakodate, Niigata, Shimizu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha usw. Es ist mir immer eine große Freude, Gästen aus dem Ausland Japan zu zeigen. Ich freue mich darauf, Sie in Japan zu sehen!

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    Oct 16, 2025
    Songqi_L
    Highly recommend!
    Viator review: Okayama Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Naoki san is a great guide. He’s very friendly, adaptive,…

    Oct 11, 2025
    Gizelle K
    Wonderful Experience
    Tripadvisor review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    A very organise tour, from the prompt pick up…

  • Nagasaki: Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum & Oura Cathedral

    Nagasaki: Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum & Oura Cathedral

    Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:40 Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
    • 10:50 Hypocenter Park & Peace Park
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 13:30 Oura Cathedral
    • 15:00 Disband at Nagasaki Station

    What Happens If Guests Change Their Hotel Before a Private Tour in Japan? A Licensed Guide's Report The meeting point was supposed to be at a hotel, but the guests had apparently changed to a different hotel, so we could not meet at the original hotel. After contacting the guests through a messaging app, it turned out they were staying at a different hotel. Both the driver and I had been waiting at the original hotel, and neither of us had caught up with the updated information. There had been no notification from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and I had not received any notice of the change from the guests either. We were able to meet at the other hotel in the end, but it was a nerve-wracking moment. The weather was poor with snow during the tour, but the guests enjoyed themselves.

    Click here for more details: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Coco

    Hello, I’m Rikako, but please call me Coco. It would be my absolute pleasure to show you around my hometown of Nagasaki. Having performed in the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival in my childhood, I developed a deep interest in history and cultural exchange. This motivated me to become a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter during my university years. Since then, I have gained valuable experience—from assisting ambassadors at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony to handling a wide variety of tours, including private and coach tours, site inspections, international conference support, and VIP hospitality.
    Explaining about Nagasaki’s history and culture is the most important to me. It is not only about this. I would love to provide genuine care so that your time in Nagasaki remains in your heart forever.
    I’m truly looking forward to guiding you in Nagasaki 🙂

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    Jul 21, 2026
    Dawnery_V
    Viator review: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful city. Great guide.
    Rikako was a great guide. She…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Todd_C
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Had a very nice…
    Had a very nice experience. Coco was very…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Explore34946025848
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nagasaki
    Really good day out with a local guide, very informative about…

    Apr 4, 2026
    Giovanni_M
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Good
    Nagasaki is a very interesting tour
    I would recommend…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station/Miyajimaguchi & Atomic Bomb

    Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station/Miyajimaguchi & Atomic Bomb

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel
    • 9:24/9:46 Hiroshima Station/Miyajimaguchi
    • 10:00/10:10 Miyajima Ferry
    • Miyajima walk (along the coast, torii gate, from outside Itsukushima Shrine, giant rice scoop, Machiya-dori Street)
    • 11:40/11:50 Miyajima Ferry
    • 12:03/12:27 Miyajimaguchi/Shin-Hakushima
    • 12:53/13:00 Shin-Hakushima/Kenchomae Astram Line
    • 13:00/14:30 Peace Park (Dome, ground zero)
    • 14::30/15:10 Okonomiyaki
    • 15:10/15:30 Cenotaph tour and tea
    • 16:30/17:00 Atomic Bomb Museum

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Peace Park In the afternoon, it began to snow more heavily than forecast. Some of the guests said they were seeing snow for the very first time and were amazed and delighted by it. Some of the guests opened their mouths toward the sky to catch the snowflakes, clearly having fun. One of the guests twirled again and again in the snow. Before long, another of the guests also began to taste the snow and enjoyed the moment. There was a strong request today to focus on guiding through the Peace Memorial Park, so we wrapped up Miyajima a little early, which gave us time to walk through the entire park. While guiding the western side of the park, one of the guests wondered, with some regret, why so few people visit a place with so many historically important memorial monuments. At the atomic bomb-related sites, one of the guests could not hold back tears. In particular, the emotions ran very high when I explained that at the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound there are remains whose names are known but who have never been claimed, and when the guests saw the computer graphics in the museum showing the city before and after the bombing. As I heard the guests would be staying in Hiroshima again tonight, I suggested entering the Atomic Bomb Museum from 4:30. The tour ended at 5:00, but the guests continued to view the museum until 6:00 afterward. Since it was not a crowded time, I believe they were able to take their time and see it slowly. The guests thoroughly enjoyed the okonomiyaki they had been looking forward to since we met that day, and they were also able to take their time visiting the museum and memorial monuments, which had been a strong wish of one of the guests. The materials from Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) noted dietary needs, so I was a little concerned about the meal, but the guests had okonomiyaki made with special udon, and everyone enjoyed it greatly, saying how delicious it was. The guests were cheerful, and waved to me many times as we parted. There were also many questions about peace and the atomic bomb, and I shared information to the extent I was able to answer. It was a truly enjoyable time spent with the guests. That is all.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi～Shin-Hakushima330JPY
    Section 3OtherShin-Hakushima～Kenchomae220JPY
    Total970JPY

    Tour Report by miki

    Dear guests,
    Hello! My name is Miki. I was born and brought up in Hiroshima. I enjoy traveling around Inland Sea areas and I enjoy chatting with guests from overseas!

    In Hiroshima, you can see many beautiful rivers and old bridges. Lately, I often take photos of Hiroshima city including bridges and rivers. There are not many tall buildings here, but I know some places you can visit and see the view for free. By the atomic bomb dome, there is a building called Orizuru(paper crane) Tower. You need to pay to go up to the top floor but you can see the view of Hiroshima city and the Miyajima Island(Itsukushima).

    Many tourists from overseas as well as Japan want to visit Miyajima Island. You can see a beautiful shrine from Heian Period which is around 12th century and a huge Torii gate in front of the shrine and it is in the water. There are several ways to visit the island from Hiroshima city. If you are going to stay near JR Hiroshima Station, we will visit the island by JR train and JR ferry. If you are staying in the city area, we can go there by streetcar and ferry, or there is a high-speed boat from Peace Memorial Park pier directly to the island and vise versa.

    Hoping to see you in the near future!

    Miki
    Your tour guide in Hiroshima

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    May 20, 2026
    Barbgal
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Hiroshima – 4 hours
    It was a…

    May 16, 2026
    E8055FUjamesg
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great day in sunny Hiroshima
    We were with Miki Nakashima,…

    Apr 5, 2026
    jacquid804
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miki was amazing
    Miki was fabulous very informative and knowledgeable…

    Aug 19, 2025
    J
    Jemma H
    Excellent tour of Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miyuki was a very…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　11:00　Meet at Hotel Kyoto Shijo
    • ②　11:05　Explanation of today's itinerary and about the history of Kyoto
    • ③　12:10　Sanjusangendo
    • ④　12:45　Daitoku-ji Temple, Obai-in
    • ⑤　14:30　Saga Daikaku-ji Temple
    • ⑥　15:15　Tour ends at Arashiyama
    • ⑦　15:45　Disband at the hotel

    What Is a Private Kyoto Temple and Shrine Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a solo traveler from Europe. They mentioned being very busy with work but always able to take a proper break around the year-end and New Year holidays, which they use to travel around the world. When I asked how many countries Japan ranked among their travels, they said they weren't sure but probably somewhere around the 30th to 40th. They listened attentively to explanations about religious teachings and doctrines. They were very interested in Japan's blended religious culture of Buddhism and Shinto, and when I said that I feel Buddhism and Shinto in Japan are less like religion and more a part of daily life, they responded that Christian culture in Europe is quite similar, with many people not being practicing believers. European history spans several thousand years, whereas the history of Kyoto's temples and shrines ranges from a few hundred years up to about 1,500 years at most. So, unlike when I explain to visitors from North America, with European guests I often describe things as being "only" 800 years old. Today's guest laughed at this, but noted that since they are interested in learning about the national character rooted in religion from its history, they don't really mind the number of years. They were amazed by the 1,002 statues of Kannon at Sanjusangendo and asked many questions, such as why so many Buddhist statues are concentrated in one place, the meaning of the 1,002 figures, and the meaning of the number thirty-three. They were also deeply moved by the dry landscape garden. Although traveling alone this time, they shared that others in their life are involved in busy work, currently traveling around various African countries. There really are all sorts of people in the world, and it is truly fascinating. Talking about Japanese history and religion is of course interesting, but hearing various stories is equally fascinating. Attending to guests traveling solo often turns out like this.

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

    Tour Report by Kazu

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

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    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at Ryokan Ginkaku Kyoto, departure　➡　By train, Fushimi Inari Taisha (9:10~10:10)　➡　By train and bus, Kasuga Taisha (11:30~12:20)　➡　On foot, Nigatsudo→Todaiji→Nara Park (12:40~14:40)　➡　Lunch at an izakaya in Higashimuki Shopping Street (15:00~16:00)　➡　On foot, Naramachi→JR Nara Station　➡　Disband at JR Nara Station (16:30)

    **Title:** Can You Add Fushimi Inari to a Private Nara Day Tour from Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report **Body:** The guests were a group visiting from North America. During our advance communication, they asked whether the Arashiyama bamboo grove could be added to a Nara sightseeing tour, but since Arashiyama is in the opposite direction from Nara, I suggested Fushimi Inari Taisha instead. At the guests' request, we departed 30 minutes earlier than planned. Both Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kasuga Taisha were extremely crowded, but the special New Year decorations made the visit enjoyable. At Fushimi Inari Taisha we climbed up to Mitsutsuji, and at Kasuga Taisha the guests were charmed by the adorable young deer and took many photos. Since lunch came after a great deal of walking, everyone was very hungry, and at the izakaya they ordered plenty of small dishes. The menu was rich and varied, and they seemed to discover a new side of Japanese cuisine.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Nara Station／Nara Kotsu～Kasuga Taisha Omotesando／Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Total400JPY

    Tour Report by Emi

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

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    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet @ Hotel Monterey Sendai ~ Taxi to Matsushima (via Sanriku Expressway) ~ 11:40 @ Oshima ~ 12:40 @ Kanrantei ~ 13:30 @ Zuiganji Temple ~ 14:10 @ Godaido ~ 14:30 Take a taxi from in front of Matsushima Rest House & travel to Sendai (via Sanriku Expressway) ~ 15:30 @ Arcade stroll (Fujisaki ~ Marble Road Omachi ~ Clis Road Sendai ~ Mitakisan Fudoin ~ Hapina Nakakecho ~ Currency Exchange ~ Don Quijote) ~ 16:10 @ Disband at Hotel Monterey Sendai

    What Is a Private Matsushima and Sendai New Year Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an older group visiting from North America. They had visited Matsushima some 60 years ago and chose it again out of nostalgia. On the day, they arrived in Sendai after taking the Shinkansen from Hiraizumi, where they had stayed the previous night. They wanted to experience the New Year atmosphere in Japan, and up until the day itself there were ongoing communications with the taxi company and the guests to finally make it happen. On the day, I asked the driver, "Would shrines be difficult?" and he replied, "During the first three days of the New Year the areas around shrines are extremely crowded, so I'd prefer to avoid getting close if possible." The guests understood this, but I felt bad that they had extended the tour by an hour only to spend it mostly on travel time. Anticipating an early return to Sendai, I told the driver that we would have to be flexible, and that if we had time to spare I wanted to be dropped off in front of the arcade (in front of Fujisaki) so I could walk the guests to the hotel while showing them the New Year "hatsuuri" first-sale scenery. One of the guests was not very steady on their feet, so at Oshima we avoided the steeper stairways. The guests knew about Koyasan, so they were impressed that this distinctive landscape is called "the Koyasan of Oshu." Having seen Chusonji the previous day, they seemed to have developed an interest in the Buddhist world. There is a bit of a distance from Oshima to Kanrantei, but since the roads in Matsushima were congested and would eat into travel time, we decided to see everything on foot until 2:30. I also made adjustments such as choosing slopes over stairs wherever possible. After walking at Oshima, Kanrantei was a good place for a rest, and the guests enjoyed a matcha set with zunda mochi, a Sendai specialty. Because we proceeded slowly through Zuiganji and Godaido, I felt Fukuurabashi would be difficult, so I contacted the taxi driver to say, "We're running about 10 minutes behind, so we'll get back in the car around 2:40." I also explained to the guests that visiting Fukuura Island requires at least 40 minutes to go and return, and that a full photo of Fukuurabashi could be taken from Godaido, so we could omit the visit, which they understood. While riding the taxi back toward Sendai, they asked about visiting the fox village the next day, so I told them the easiest and quickest way was Shinkansen plus taxi, and sent them a link by message. Central Sendai was terribly congested, but even so we arrived 30 minutes early, and they experienced the atmosphere of the Sendai first-sale by walking through the arcade. They were surprised to learn that the first-sale tradition originated in Sendai, and that this year a Ferrari and a trip to North America were among the department store's lucky bags. Wanting them to experience the atmosphere of the first shrine visit of the year, we also stopped by Mitakisan Fudoin. It was crowded, but they seemed satisfied to make their visit. They also wanted to exchange dollars (cash) into yen, so I took them to a currency exchange in the arcade that was open even on the holiday. They had also been asked by a relative to buy a snack called dondonyaki, and when we inquired at the nearby Don Quijote it turned out to be in the traditional sweets section, and they were delighted to find it. We walked slowly to the hotel, running a little over time, but I saw them off safely. They asked about places for dinner, so I let them know there is a restaurant area in the basement of Sendai Station and suggested a few recommended spots. I hope tomorrow's trip to Shiroishi goes well. Lastly, thank you again for your continued support this year.

    Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Riko

    Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
    I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
    I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!

    Request Booking

    May 10, 2026
    Nate_K
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun Day in the bay!
    Be ready to walk briskly…

    Apr 30, 2026
    Tanakainmaui
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko-san is the best guide!
    I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…

    Mar 31, 2026
    NHDBuilder
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
    This is our…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    This was a great tour with Riko
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko was…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Tower & Shinjuku

    Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Tower & Shinjuku

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09：25　Meet up @ Hotel
    • 09：50　Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 10：40　Tokyo Tower
    • 12：15　Lunch @ Sushizanmai (Shimbashi SL Square Front Branch)
    • 13：20　Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 14：45　Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho・Kabukicho, etc.)
    • 15：35　Disband @ Hotel

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to go skiing in Hakuba. At Shibuya, they were amazed by the lively atmosphere of the Scramble Crossing. At Tokyo Tower, they were impressed by the magnificent views of Tokyo. For lunch, they enjoyed sushi. At Hamarikyu Gardens, they seemed impressed by the quiet and beautiful Japanese garden. In Shinjuku, they showed great interest in the 3D cat screen, the Godzilla head, and the eateries in Omoide Yokocho. Since I responded to the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku～Shibuya170JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Ebisu150JPY
    Section 3SubwayEbisu～Kamiyacho180JPY
    Section 4SubwayKamiyacho～Shimbashi180JPY
    Section 5SubwayShimbashi～Shinjuku-sanchome210JPY
    Total890JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

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    Sep 27, 2026
    jonaJ5014ZK
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…

    Sep 11, 2026
    M7402TTsharonp
    Higly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…

    Sep 8, 2026
    OnAir57127583503
    Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…

    Sep 4, 2026
    B2319ZKjoseo
    Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a great time learning about…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Bay area on the Yurikamome & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Bay area on the Yurikamome & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:30 Tour around Tokyo Bay area on the Yurikamome
    • 12:30 Shinjuku Godzilla Head
    • 14:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 15:30 Tour ends in Ginza

    Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Tokyo Day Tour Like During the New Year Holidays? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They mentioned that they had come to Hokkaido to ski but were visiting Tokyo for the first time. Since it was during the first three days of the New Year, many facilities and shops were still closed, and the tour proceeded with this understood in advance. We first traveled along the Tokyo waterfront from Toyosu on the Yurikamome line, and the guests enjoyed the wonderful scenery. They were very intrigued by the Gundam statue we found in Odaiba, so we made a spontaneous stop there, where they happily took many photos. Because the tour naturally became oriented toward a family with young ones, it was tailored accordingly. In Shinjuku's Golden Gai area, the guests enjoyed seeing the Godzilla head and the 3D cat advertisement, and they savored the ramen they had been looking forward to. We then headed to Meiji Shrine, but due to the large crowds during the New Year holidays, we gave up on visiting for prayer and moved on to our final destination, Ginza. As crowded places were not suitable for one of the guests, the group decided to end the tour early.

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

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Higashi Honganji Temple & Kenninji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Higashi Honganji Temple & Kenninji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hotel Granvia Kyoto
    • 9:30-10:30 Higashi Honganji Temple
    • 11:00-12:00 Sanjusangendo Temple
    • 12:00-12:30 Toyokuni Shrine
    • 13:15-13:45 Lunch at Tokkyu Ramen Kan
    • 14:00-14:45 Kenninji Temple
    • 14:45-15:30 Stroll through Hanamikoji, Minamiza, and Shijo Ohashi Bridge
    • 15:30 Disband at Kyoto Kawaramachi Garden

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashi Honganji, Sanjusangendo, and Gion The guests had initially requested Kinkakuji and Kiyomizudera before the tour. However, I explained that during the New Year holiday period another guide had waited 20 minutes just to buy tickets for Kinkakuji, and that I myself had found Kiyomizudera very crowded during a year-end tour. When the guests asked whether there were other good places to visit, I suggested the destinations described below. At Higashi Honganji, I explained the relationship between the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the ornate decoration, and the scale of the buildings, and the guests found this very convincing. After finishing the visit, they looked at the food stalls in front of the gate, found something they liked, and said they intended to return later. Next we walked to Sanjusangendo. The guests were a delightful group, and there was constant laughter along the way. When I mentioned that a recently deceased American actor had a name I couldn't quite recall, the guests began listing various actors' names, and eventually we arrived at "Robert Redford." One of the guests apparently didn't recognize the name and searched for it online. At Sanjusangendo, everyone was fascinated by things such as what each of the thousand-armed Kannon statues was made of, and one of the guests in particular seemed very interested and looked at them slowly. It was also my first time visiting Sanjusangendo in the New Year, and the front of the hall was decorated in a festive New Year style. One of the guests also discovered that the foxes at the Inari shrine had red scarves wrapped around them. I then suggested visiting Toyokuni Shrine since we were nearby, and spoke about Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Perhaps because it was the New Year, a gate that is usually closed was open, and I explained that today was a special occasion. Next we took a bus to Gion. The bus was extremely crowded, which surprised everyone, and one of the guests took a selfie of the scene. Since one of the guests followed a vegetarian diet, another of the guests searched online for a vegetarian restaurant on the spot. We headed to a restaurant, but the menu posted outside clearly featured dishes using beef, so I asked the staff, who told us they no longer serve vegetarian meals. In case any guide is not already aware of this, I wanted to share it here. Next they found a ramen shop, and we walked there. It indeed served vegetarian ramen, which the guests enjoyed, though I learned the correct reading of the master's name is different from what I had assumed — his name is written with a character that is read one way but has apparently come to be pronounced differently over time. We then moved on to Kenninji. Here too the guests especially enjoyed the gardens and paintings, taking many photos. One of the guests, who apparently aspires to become a film director and enjoys photography, took pictures through the flame-shaped windows. Afterward we strolled along Hanamikoji, and since we still had some time, we passed by Minamiza. When one of the guests wanted to use the restroom, we arrived at Kyoto Kawaramachi Garden at just the right time, and we said our goodbyes there. Overall, the guests were a wonderful group, polite and eager to listen to my explanations. I believe this was one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever had the pleasure of guiding.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusMuseum Sanjusangendo-mae / Kyoto City Bus～Gion / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total230JPY

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 54-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…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya
    • 11:55 Asakusa After taking photos of Skytree, the temple visit was slow. Snacks after visiting the temple
    • 13:45 Lunch @Nikujiru Gyoza no Dandadan Asakusa branch
    • 15:45 Shibamata Taishakuten and the shopping street in front of the gate
    • 17:00 Disband at Shibuya MEGA Don Quijote

    Title: What Is a Private New Year's Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Shibamata The weather was fine, but the planned route of Asakusa > Shibamata > Tokyo Daijingu > Shibuya had to be adjusted, as Sensoji Temple was extremely crowded and Shibamata was slow-going, so Tokyo Daijingu was dropped and we went directly from Shibamata to Shibuya, where we parted ways. At Asakusa, the guests enjoyed taking photos of the Skytree. Sensoji Temple was extremely crowded and it took a great deal of time to reach the main hall, but the guests did not seem particularly upset (I received an email this morning saying that it could not be helped since it was January 1st). After paying their respects, the guests enjoyed snacks from the street stalls, and since they wanted to eat gyoza, I guided them to a restaurant where they ate quite a lot. At the end of the tour, I received a tip.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya～Asakusa260JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa～Shibamata380JPY
    Section 3TrainShibamata～Shibuya530JPY
    Total1,170JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…