Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Shinsen-en & Shijo

    Kyoto in One Day: Shinsen-en & Shijo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @Hyatt Place Kyoto
    • 9:20-9:50 Shinsen-en sightseeing
    • 10:12-10:19 Nijo→Saga-Arashiyama JR 200 yen
    • 11:15-12:30 Arashiyama area sightseeing (Bamboo Grove Path, Kimono Forest, Tenryu-ji, etc.)
    • 12:00-12:50 Lunch @Tenryu Ramen
    • 13:00-13:50 Monkey Park Iwatayama sightseeing
    • 14:14-14:32 Arashiyama→Karasuma Hankyu 240 yen
    • 14:40-14:49 Shijo→Marutamachi 220 yen Subway
    • 15:00 Disband @Hyatt Place Kyoto

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like with a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report on Arashiyama and More The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Throughout the planning, the main contact worked hard to keep everyone engaged and entertained during the tour. It was unexpected that Nijo Castle was closed, but we visited nearby Shinsenen, where we watched the large carp while I talked about Shinto and Buddhism. After that, we moved to Arashiyama, where I guided them through the Bamboo Grove path, Tenryuji Temple, and the Kimono Forest, and we had ramen for lunch. Then we went to the Monkey Park, where they enjoyed interacting with the wild monkeys. Since they had already visited Nishiki Market the day before, we skipped it and returned to the hotel.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)~Karasuma240JPY
    Section 3SubwayShijo (Kyoto Municipal)~Marutamachi (Kyoto Municipal)220JPY
    Total660JPY

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Kegon Falls & Rinnoji Temple

    Tochigi in One Day: Kegon Falls & Rinnoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet with customer
    •  10:05~10:50 Bus Tobu Nikko Station~Chuzenji Onsen
    •  10:50~11:20 Kegon Falls sightseeing 
    •  11:50~12:15 Lunch
    • 12:25~12:54 Chuzenji Onsen~Shinkyo Bridge
    • 12:55~13:05 Shinkyo Bridge sightseeing
    •  13:15~15:15 Toshogu Shrine sightseeing
    •  15:15~15:55 Rinnoji Temple sightseeing
    •  16:00 Tour ends Dismissal on site

    What Is a Private Day Tour to Nikko's Kegon Falls and Toshogu Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests this time were visitors from Europe. At their request, we planned a tour to visit Kegon Falls and Toshogu Shrine. They were very fit and curious, and they listened attentively to my explanations. At Kegon Falls, they were amazed by its grandeur, and at Toshogu Shrine, they enthusiastically explored its beauty and learned about the meaning of each historic site. They were very cheerful and open. Since there was about an hour left after the tour ended, I advised them on sightseeing routes for the rest of their day and we parted ways on site.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTobu Nikko Station~Chuzenji Onsen2,300JPY
    Section 2Free PassChuzenji Onsen~Shinkyo Bridge0JPY
    Section 3Free PassShinkyo Bridge~Tobu Nikko Station0JPY
    Total2,300JPY

    I am a licensed guide based in the Nikko area of Tochigi Prefecture, with a passion for sharing the depth and beauty of this remarkable region.
    In particular, I take great pride in introducing the magnificent World Heritage area, home to Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, and the iconic Shinkyo Bridge. The rich history, spiritual atmosphere, and masterful craftsmanship found there are truly inspiring.
    But Nikko has much more to offer beyond the World Heritage zone. The region is uniquely spread across three different elevation zones: the central town area, the Lake Chuzenji area at higher altitude, and the remote Yumoto Onsen area in the mountains. Each of these areas offers a different charm—from historic sites and sacred spaces to scenic lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs.
    However, due to the area’s wide geography, limited public transit options, and seasonal congestion, even navigating efficiently within a single area can be challenging without local knowledge.
    That’s why local expertise is essential. With in-depth knowledge of Nikko’s layout, transportation network, and crowd patterns, I help my guests make the most of their time, while focusing on the area that suits their interests best.
    I don’t just recite what’s written in guidebooks—I offer deeper insights rooted in Japanese history, religion, and culture. From the legacy of Tokugawa Ieyasu to the spiritual symbolism behind shrine architecture, I aim to provide meaningful and memorable experiences.
    If you’re looking to discover the real Nikko, from its iconic landmarks to hidden gems, I’d be honored to guide you.

    Sep 5, 2026
    Adventure06097262461
    Wonderful day in Nikko
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This tour was a truly…

    Aug 30, 2026
    inbyten
    A perfect day in Nikko with Taka
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Taka crafted…

    Jul 27, 2026
    Onno_P2000
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Very interesting and joyful day trip with Taka
    We…

    Jun 30, 2026
    Rolando_A
    Viator review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A fantastic day!
    We had an amazing day. Our guide was Taka.…

  • Nagasaki: Urakami Cathedral & Glover Garden

    Nagasaki: Urakami Cathedral & Glover Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet at the port
    • 09:50 Hypocenter Park & Peace Park
    • 11:10 Urakami Cathedral
    • 11:40 Nagasaki Stadium City
    • 13:00 Oura Cathedral
    • 14:00 Glover Garden
    • 15:30 Disband at Glover Garden

    What's a Private Walking Tour of Nagasaki's Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Sites Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I was very flustered when I heard from another guide that the Atomic Bomb Museum was closed for the New Year holidays. I felt that I should research information especially carefully during the New Year period. To make up for the time we would have spent at the museum, and because the guests were not able to visit it, I made a conscious effort to describe the situation at the time of the bombing in detail at the Peace Park and the Hypocenter Park, as if we were actually visiting the Atomic Bomb Museum. After that, we visited Urakami Cathedral instead of the museum. At Nagasaki Stadium City, some of the guests who love soccer were absolutely delighted, which made me very happy.

    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 🙂

    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…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:00 Toyosu Market
    • 10:00 Take the Yurikamome to Odaiba.
    • 11:00 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 12:30 Tour ends at Shimbashi Station

    Tour title: What's a Private Toyosu and Tsukiji Market Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had arrived in Japan the previous night and planned to stay at a ryokan deep in the mountains of Nagano later, traveling by car. They were spending only three days in Tokyo before that. Since they disliked the crowds of big cities and wanted to visit a more local, down-to-earth market, they chose the Toyosu and Tsukiji Market tour. However, the first stop, Toyosu Market, turned out to be a modern, factory-like facility that differed from what they had expected, and they were a little disappointed. On the way to the next destination via the Yurikamome line, they spotted the Gundam statue in Odaiba and, on the spur of the moment, asked to visit it, so we got off along the way. Being big fans of such figures due to their love of anime, they were delighted to see the life-sized statue. At Tsukiji Market, being the end of the year, it was so crowded that it was almost impossible to walk properly, but they were very pleased to experience such a lively, local place. At the Namiyoke Shrine outside the market, I explained Shinto and how to worship, and afterward we also visited Higashi Honganji Temple so they could understand the differences with Buddhism, allowing them to enjoy the uniquely Japanese atmosphere. It was memorable that they were very interested to learn that Shinto shares various points in common with certain religious traditions they were familiar with.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Tsukimawariya Ryokan in Miyanoshita→10:15 Pirate Ship from Motohakone Port→Togendai→Ropeway→11:20 Owakudani→Ropeway→12:20 Lunch in Gora→13:30 Matcha experience at Gora Park→14:30 Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora Station→Hakone-Yumoto Station→15:30 See off at Odawara Station.

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fuji Views, Owakudani, and Gora I met the guests at their traditional Japanese ryokan where they were staying. As it was the year-end travel season, the bus heading to Motohakone Port was extremely crowded. However, from there on everything went smoothly, and we enjoyed the view of Mount Fuji from the ropeway. At Owakudani we picked up black eggs as a souvenir before descending by ropeway. For lunch in Gora, we savored the medium-fatty tuna cut from a whole tuna sourced by the inn's proprietress. Afterward, at the tea house in Gora Park, we admired matcha prepared according to traditional etiquette, allowing the guests to fully experience Japan through its scenery, cuisine, and culture.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassBus Stop Kamisokokura~Bus Stop Motohakone6,000JPY
    Section 2Free PassMotohakone Port~Togendai Port0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTogendai Port~Sounzan0JPY
    Section 4Free PassSounzan~Gora0JPY
    Section 5Free PassGora~Hakone-Yumoto0JPY
    Section 6Free PassHakone-Yumoto~Odawara0JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    My name is Kazunori Honma, I live in Odawara city near Hakone facing Pacific Ocean, so I am familiar with Mt. Fuji and Hakone area. In particular, nature, history, culture and food in the region are my specialty. I know a lot of Shinto shrines, temples, and hiking trails. Plus, I love art, so I am able to guide you to a wide variety of art museums in Mt. Fuji and Hakone area. If you are an art lover, you will be able to spend a fulfilling time with me.
    I thoroughly make preparations for your interests and needs to satisfy you with all my effort in advance. I’m sure you will definitely be happy with spending a day with me.

    Sep 25, 2026
    scottrE3713WR
    Great Mt. Fuji experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kaz was amazing! Great communication before…

    Aug 27, 2026
    H694KFjoannet
    Great Day in Shimizu
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with…

    Jun 4, 2026
    Companion12422328239
    Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Great views of Mt Fuji and local tea
    We had…

    May 28, 2026
    kam_g
    Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
    The guide was very nice…
    The guide was very…

  • Tokyo: Shibuya & Tokyo Tower

    Tokyo: Shibuya & Tokyo Tower

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Hotel
    • 13:30 Shibuya
    • 14:00 Imperial Palace
    • 15:00 Asakusa
    • 16:15 Tokyo Skytree
    • 17:30 Tokyo Tower
    • 19:30 Hotel

    What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour by Taxi? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Asia, including a young child and other members of the group. The original plan, communicated in advance, was to visit Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, the Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Tower in that order, but the guests wanted to see the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue first, so we started with that route. The taxi driver was very kind and accommodating to our requests, which allowed us to proceed through the course smoothly. In Asakusa, after strolling through Nakamise, it took about one hour to visit Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine. At Tokyo Skytree, the guests explored Solamachi and enjoyed the sunset. At the Imperial Palace, they viewed the Nijubashi Bridge and admired the vast grounds and the view of Tokyo's buildings. At Tokyo Tower, they went up to the observation deck and enjoyed the night view of Tokyo. We were able to proceed almost exactly on schedule. Since the young child was hungry, the group had dinner together at the Tokyo Tower food court, which extended the tour by 30 minutes. After that, we returned to the hotel and parted ways.

    Self-Background

    During my university years, I lived in a dormitory for four years and had the opportunity to live with many international students.
    Of course, we spoke English.
    After graduating from university, I started working as an English teacher at a junior high school.
    I was able to have a fun teaching life while interacting with many students. During that time, I continued to study English on my own and obtained the pre-1st grade English proficiency test.
    After that, I worked for the Board of Education as a supervisor in charge of English education, and then managed a school as a vice principal, and later principal.
    After retiring from teaching, I took the TOEIC (L&R) and achieved my highest score of 945.
    I also obtained a license as a national guide-interpreter, and began working as a guide for overseas visitors in English.
    Currently, I guide tourists to several places around the country.
    Many customers have told me that I am a good guide, saying that my guidance is easy to understand and that I have a lot of knowledge about sightseeing spots and history.
    Furthermore, I will continue to improve my skills and make efforts to give you a better experience in Japan, so please come and enjoy your trip in Japan with me.

  • Nara in One Day: Kintetsu-Nara Station & Todaiji's Nandaimon

    Nara in One Day: Kintetsu-Nara Station & Todaiji’s Nandaimon

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Kintetsu-Nara Station (Start of Tour)
    • (bus)
    • 11:00-50 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park
    • We will be in the park almost to the end of tour
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 12:00-30 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • entrance 700 yen (cash only) (walk 10 minutes)
    • 12:50-14:00 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill
    • Lunch at Shiroganeya
    • former katana sword manufacturer's, craft shop etc.
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 14:20- Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • 14:20-50 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • Eat light lunch or snack we bring at Chadokoro
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 15:00-10 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 15:30-16:00 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • World's largest bronze statue from 8th century
    • entrance 800 yen (cash only)
    •    (walk 5 minutes)
    • 16:10-20 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate):
    •    (walk 5 minutes and bus)
    • 17:10 back at Kintetsu-Nara Station (End of Tour)

    What Is a Private Nara Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report The travel agency involved was extremely disorganized: they never even identified themselves as the agency, sent no replies until the day before the tour, and as a result I could not contact the guests until the day before and had no information at all. Late the previous night it turned out that the initially notified meeting place and time were inconvenient given the guests' hotel. The messaging app exchanges to make adjustments did not finish until after 10 p.m. The group was a large party of guests from Asia. They were naturally divided into three subgroups. The middle group and the youngest members stayed together fairly well, but some of the guests kept falling behind, playing with the deer and taking photos. It was quite difficult to manage as a guide, but I had a good impression of everyone. What was interesting was that they spoke a language from their home region that, like another related language, is said by some to have grammar very similar to Japanese. All of the guests followed the same faith, but one of them woke up every morning at 3:30 to do meditation and was very knowledgeable about early Buddhist teachings. It was an enjoyable day. My thanks both to the guests and to the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) staff. As for the travel agency—a curse doll and a nail! Ha ha.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKintetsu-Nara Station / Nara Kotsu~Todaiji Daibutsuden・Kasuga-taisha-mae / Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Section 2BusTodaiji Daibutsuden・National Museum / Nara Kotsu~Kintetsu-Nara Station / Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Total500JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Sendai ~ 9:05 @ The City Bakery (buy lunch) ~ 9:28-10:10 Travel from Aobadori Station to Matsushimakaigan Station ~ 10:20 @ Oshima ~ 11:10 @ Godaido ~ 12:00 @ Matsushima Sightseeing Boat ~ 13:00 @ Lunch at free rest area ~ 13:30 @ Fukuura Bridge & Fukuura Island ~ 14:20 @ Zuiganji Temple ~ 15:00 Disband at Matsushimakaigan Station

    Title: What Is a Private Matsushima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. Since they wished to spend as much time as possible in Matsushima, we stopped by a bakery near the Hotel to buy bread to eat on the boat. As we were able to catch an earlier train than planned, we decided to take our time exploring Oshima Island. There were photo spots at several viewing platforms, and the guests said the scenery was beautiful and took many photos. Requests to visit Oshima have been frequent lately, and each time I explain in detail the little-known stories about the origins of Matsushima. It is a place where the traces of the anti-Buddhist movement can clearly be seen, and I often share the story that connects it to the present day. The Matsushima pier was as crowded as during peak season, and even the boat operator that is not usually busy was packed with people, so the guests did not eat on the boat. Aboard the sightseeing boat, a staff member gave a firsthand account of the earthquake, which I interpreted simultaneously. After getting off the boat, I suggested we eat the lunch we had bought earlier at the free rest area across from the rest house. This free rest area has no view, but it is a hidden gem where anyone can bring food and relax. While we ate, I listened to their thoughts about this visit to Japan, and they asked for recommendations for after the tour. Since there is nothing castle-like remaining at the Sendai Castle ruins, I suggested it might be better to see Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima, which is said to be a second Sendai Castle, and proposed visiting Zuiganji after Fukuurajima Island. However, since that would mean staying in Matsushima until 15:00 and the tour would end at Matsushima-Kaigan Station, I asked how they would like to proceed. After discussing it among themselves, they decided to go to Zuiganji. Some of the walking paths on Fukuurajima Island were closed. Perhaps some tourists had gone too close to unstable footing and caused a problem. It was a shame, as we had been able to walk there until last year. At Zuiganji, there is a statue of Date Masamune, a central figure in Miyagi tourism, so I also talked about the relationship between the Date family and Zuiganji Temple. We left Zuiganji right on time, and I handed them a map of Sendai and a map of vegetarian-friendly restaurants, then we boarded the planned train and parted ways on board.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAobadori~Matsushimakaigan420JPY
    Total420JPY

    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!

    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 Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet up @ The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, Hotel
    • 2. 10:30 @ Takanawa Gateway Station + surrounding commercial facilities (NEWoMan)
    • 3. 11:30 @ Sengakuji Temple
    • 4. 12:30 @ Zojoji Temple
    • 5. 13:00 @ Tokyo Tower
    • 6. 13:30 Lunch @ Roppongi Hills
    • 7. 14:30 @ Aoyama Cemetery
    • 8. 15:00 @ Tokyo Midtown Roppongi
    • 9. 16:00 Disband @ The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, Hotel

    # What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Repeat Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. Having visited Japan the previous year and enjoyed it, they returned again this time. On their earlier trip they had toured Kyoto and Osaka, but this time they planned to spend about a week in Tokyo before continuing to Hokkaido in early January to enjoy skiing. Since they had already visited most of the major sightseeing spots, when I met them on the morning of the tour, we discussed and agreed on an itinerary focused mainly on places they had not yet seen. First, we purchased a PASMO card and took the subway and the Yamanote Line, transferring to reach Takanawa Gateway Station. After viewing the uniquely designed station building, we found a mobile robot to stand and ride on right after exiting the ticket gates. The three of us chatted and enjoyed the ride, and one of the guests was thrilled and delighted. Next, I introduced the restaurant floor on the upper level of NEWoMan, a large commercial facility that had recently opened. In one section resembling a botanical garden with fine views, music was added for an immersive experience, and they took many photos. After descending to ground level, I pointed out the explanatory panels of the Takanawa embankment and introduced how this futuristic place is connected to the history of modern Japan. We then walked about ten minutes to Sengakuji Temple, famous for the graves of the Ako Roshi. The guests offered incense at the graves of the 47 samurai. When I explained this event, including the values of the samurai, one of the guests was deeply impressed and repeatedly explained it to the other, who had found it a little difficult to understand. Listening beside them, I could tell it had been understood extremely accurately. One of the guests mentioned that they could relate to the values of the Ako Roshi's loyalty to their lord, and also practiced martial arts. Next, we visited Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower, then walked to Azabudai Hills, where by coincidence they mentioned they had visited Azabudai Hills the previous day for about a 15-minute stay. At that time, they had not realized that this commercial facility was right next to Tokyo Tower. We took the Hibiya Line to Roppongi and had lunch first at Roppongi Hills. Among several options I presented, they chose sushi and kept exclaiming how delicious it was. They said there are many sushi restaurants in their home region as well, but that it is completely different from the sushi in Japan. At Aoyama Cemetery, we viewed the foreign section and the grave of Dr. Ueno, which has the memorial stone of Hachiko, then moved on to Tokyo Midtown Roppongi. Being very fond of good food, the guests were drawn to a high-end fruit shop I had not planned to mention, and immediately bought strawberries and a strawberry cake. During lunch, a question had come up about what grated daikon was, so I showed them an actual daikon radish at a supermarket. The guests also found Japanese sweets such as daifuku and, wanting to try them, once put them in the basket, but since they had already bought cake and fruit, they gave up, deciding to come back and try them next time. Finally, at a free table overlooking the garden of Midtown, we all enjoyed the cake we had purchased together.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Akasaka-mitsuke Station~Shimbashi Station900JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi~Takanawa Gateway170JPY
    Section 3TrainTakanawa Gateway~Hamamatsucho150JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station~Roppongi Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Roppongi Station~Marunouchi Line Akasaka-mitsuke Station0JPY
    Total1,220JPY

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

    Sep 10, 2026
    Sonal_G
    Noripy is just the best
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  • Tokyo: Westin Tokyo & Ginza

    Tokyo: Westin Tokyo & Ginza

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 The Westin Tokyo
    • 9:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:40 Imperial Palace Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Statue of Kusunoki Masashige
    • 11:40 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:30 Ameyoko
    • 13:00 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Sensoji Temple, Don Quijote
    • 14:30 Ginza
    • 15:05 Dismissal @ In front of Kimuraya

    Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? Ginza, Ameyoko, Asakusa and Nezu — A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from Oceania. They were a pleasant group who listened attentively to my explanations. Since they had visited Tokyo Tower the previous day, we decided to end the tour in Ginza, and as we had extra time, we stopped by Ameyoko. However, it was packed with year-end shoppers, which unfortunately left the guests even more tired. Along the way, they purchased sanshoku dango and lip balm. I introduced them to the Kintaro candy shop in Nezu, where they bought some candy and wished to give a tip to the elderly shop owner, but he politely declined. I had looked up a halal restaurant in Asakusa in advance, but since the guests had dinner plans, they said they did not need lunch, so we did not go. As they were not used to walking long distances, after viewing Sensoji Temple from the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, some of the guests said they could walk no further, so they called an Uber and returned to their hotel. After that, I continued the tour with the remaining guests. One of the guests wanted to buy various flavors of Kit Kat, so I took them to Don Quijote. They also reacted to melon bread and enjoyed eating some. Since the group was somewhat large, a pointer with a mascot attached in place of a flag was very useful. In Ginza, we walked toward a fried sandwich shop that one of the guests had seen on social media, but there was a long line, so we gave up. We returned to Chuo-dori to go to Uniqlo, and although it was still early, the guests said they wanted to explore on their own from there, so I introduced them to Kimuraya and we parted ways in front of the shop. It was scheduled as an 8-hour tour, but everyone seemed tired and did not wish to visit other places, so it ended two hours early.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainEbisu~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Kasumigaseki (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijubashimae~Nezu180JPY
    Section 4BusNezu Shrine Entrance / Toei Bus~In front of Ueno Matsuzakaya (Chuo-dori) / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 5SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 6SubwayAsakusa~Ginza210JPY
    Total1,110JPY

    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!!

    Sep 30, 2026
    16shelleyb
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    Great day in Toyko
    Four of us spent an…

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    A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
    Tripadvisor…

    Sep 18, 2026
    7
    770stefanieg
    Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
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    Takako, our guide…