Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: 10;15 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Ryoan-ji Temple

    Kyoto: 10;15 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Ryoan-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at Hotel Kyoto Premier Sanjo Kamogawa
    • 09:30 to 10;15 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 10:40 to 11:00 Sanjusangendo
    • 11:30 to 12:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 13:10 to 14:00 Nijo Castle
    • 14:15 to 15:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 15:20 to 16:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 16:15 to 16:30 Ryoan-ji Temple
    • 17:00 Dismissal at bus stop Karasuma Imadegawa

    What's an 8-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from Europe. Their wish was to visit as many places as possible within 8 hours, so that they could return on their own on another day to the spots they liked best, and we visited the seven locations listed above. The guests introduced through the travel agency did not make bold changes to the original itinerary, did not hesitate to pay the extra fee for extending the vehicle time, and made no complaints about the tour, so guiding them was always pleasant and enjoyable. Today's guests were exactly like that. I often find myself wishing that all guests could be like this.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Shichijo180JPY
    Section 3BusMuseum Sanjusangendo-mae / Kyoto City Bus~Gojozaka / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusGion / Kyoto City Bus~Nijojo-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae~Imadegawa220JPY
    Section 6BusKarasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 7BusRyoan-ji-mae / Kyoto City Bus~Karasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,560JPY

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0900 Meet at Hotel Shinmachi Annex
    • 0930 Gion ~ Shirakawa ~ Higashiyama
    • 1100 Nijo Castle
    • 1200 Tenryu-ji Temple ~ Bamboo Grove
    • 1330 Disperse at Shijo Nishinotoin

    What Is a Private Family Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Gion, the Samurai District, and the Bamboo Forest This was a private tour of Kyoto for a group visiting from Oceania. Since their requests included the Geisha area, the Samurai area, and the Bamboo Forest, I arranged the itinerary above accordingly. Some of the guests preferred not to walk very much, so at Nijo Castle they did not go inside the Ninomaru Palace. Some of the guests walked quite slowly, so I paced myself to match their walking speed. Some of the guests tended to move around quite freely, so I had to keep a careful watch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijo Nishinotoin / Kyoto City Bus~Gion / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2SubwayHigashiyama (Kyoto)~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijojo-mae~Nijo220JPY
    Section 4TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 5TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Omiya (Kyoto)250JPY
    Section 6BusShijo-Omiya~Shijo Nishinotoin / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,350JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Oct 10, 2025
    alijohn48
    Just what we were looking for
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Tomy was…

    Aug 8, 2025
    Katherine_G
    Fantastic day touring Kyoto with private tour guide & driver!
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max…

    Jul 22, 2025
    98patrickn
    early morning tour of Kyoto with guide Tomy
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We did an early…

    Jul 20, 2025
    Mark_S
    Great day in Kyoto
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a great…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:30 Hotel start
    • Travel to Suzuki Daisetsu Museum
    • AM 10:00-10:30 Visit Suzuki Daisetsu Museum
    • Travel to Kenrokuen
    • AM 10:45–11:30 Tour Kenrokuen
    • AM 11:30-PM 12:30 Kanazawa Castle Park, Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya, Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura tour, Gyokusen-in, Oyama Shrine
    • Travel to Omicho Market
    • PM 12:40-13:20 Lunch, Kanazawa curry
    • Travel to Higashi Chaya District
    • PM 13:30- 14:20 Utasu Shrine, lacquerware Kihachi Workshop, Gold Leaf Sakuda tour
    • Travel to Nagamachi Samurai District
    • PM 14:40 -15:15 Visit Takada Family House, Nomura Family House
    • Travel to hotel PM 15:30 Tour ends

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kanazawa Castle and Local Food The guests were a group visiting from North America. Initially, Kanazawa Castle had for some reason been left out of the itinerary suggested by the travel agency, so I had assumed the guests might be planning to visit it on their own. However, on the day, the guests said they very much wanted to see it, so I added it to the itinerary. As for the local Kanazawa curry at lunch, it had been requested by one of the guests, but another could not eat either beef or pork, so they made do with fruit and fruit daifuku mochi instead. During the tour, the newly assigned driver also gave a surprise gift, for which the guests were very grateful.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Yasaka Shrine & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in One Day: Yasaka Shrine & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel Classic Garden Kyoto Sanjo)
    • 9:00-9:40 Travel (Subway; Karasuma Oike→Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Train; Keihan Sanjo→Kiyomizu-Gojo)
    • 9:40-11:00 Kiyomizu area visit & stroll (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninen-zaka, Sannen-zaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Koshin-do)
    • 11:00-11:20 Yasaka Shrine visit
    • 11:20-11:40 Travel (City Bus; Gion→Higashiyama Shichijo)
    • 11:50-12:40 Lunch (near Sato・Sanjusangen-do)
    • 12:50-13:40 Sanjusangen-do visit
    • 13:40-14:10 Travel (Keihan Shichijo→Fushimi Inari)
    • 14:10-15:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha visit
    • 15:00 Tour ends after Fushimi Inari Taisha visit. After the tour, we saw them off at the subway ticket gate at Sanjo Keihan and said goodbye.

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. One of the guests had traveled to Japan before, and another was studying Japanese at school. I took them to Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, Sanjusangen-do, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. The morning was a little chilly, but from the afternoon the weather became very pleasant. During the tour, one of the guests had sore feet and skipped the final visit to Fushimi Inari, returning to the hotel alone. One of the guests especially enjoyed Sanjusangen-do, while another liked Fushimi Inari Taisha. To avoid the crowds, I moved the start of this tour earlier, from the original 10:00 to 9:00. Even so, after visiting Kiyomizu-dera, the approach to the temple and the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets were so crowded that it was hard to move at all. Under those conditions, I do not think the guests were able to fully enjoy the Kiyomizu area.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 2TrainSanjo Keihan~Kiyomizu-Gojo180JPY
    Section 3BusGion/Kyoto City Bus~Higashiyama Shichijo/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4TrainKeihan Shichijo/Princess Line~Fushimi Inari180JPY
    Total810JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Egret Himeji & Koko-en Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Egret Himeji & Koko-en Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:15 Meet up @ JR Himeji Station
    • 11:30 @ Egret Himeji
    • 11:45 @ Himeji Castle
    • 13:30 @ Koko-en Garden
    • 14:45 Disband @ Miyuki-dori Shopping Street

    Title: What's a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a solo traveler from Europe visiting Japan for the first time, and the tour proceeded very smoothly. The guest showed great interest in Japan and asked many questions throughout the day. The panoramic view of Himeji Castle from the rooftop of the Egret Himeji building was especially well received. At Himeji Castle and the Sangoku Moat, the guest was delighted to spot a white heron — the very bird that gave the castle its nickname "White Heron Castle" — and mentioned that seeing it is said to bring a year of happiness. On the way back, the guest saw one again and joked that this now meant two years of happiness. During the return route, the guest wished to buy some bananas for a light snack, so we stopped by a supermarket. Afterward, the guest wanted to have lunch before heading to Kyoto, so I guided them to a recommended restaurant, and we parted ways about 30 minutes ahead of schedule. The guest commented that all of the spots we visited were wonderful and expressed great satisfaction with the tour. The guest also kindly mentioned that a friend is considering a trip to Japan early next year and would love to make an introduction, which I greatly appreciated.

    Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Ishikawa in One Day: Kenrokuen Garden & Kazue Machi& Higashi Tea House

    Ishikawa in One Day: Kenrokuen Garden & Kazue Machi& Higashi Tea House

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
    • 9:30 -11:00 Kenrokuen Garden
    • 11:10 Kanazawa Castle Park
    • 11:20-40 Gyokusen In Maru Garden
    • 11:50 Oyama Shrine
    • 12:10 Samurai District
    • 12:20-40 Nomura House
    • 13:00 -14:00 Lunch at Coil Hakomachi
    • 14:20-50 Kazue Machi& Higashi Tea House District
    • 15:00 Hotel Hyatt Centric

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Kanazawa's Kenrokuen Garden Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today we were blessed with clear skies after a while, making it perfect weather for walking. At Kenrokuen Garden, preparations for the soon-to-begin yukitsuri (snow rope supports) were underway, and the guests watched this with deep appreciation. The autumn foliage was gradually progressing, and they savored the sight of Kenrokuen Garden in the clear autumn weather with admiration. From Kenrokuen Garden, we entered Kanazawa Castle Park, and while I shared the history of the castle, we made our way to Gyokusen'inmaru Garden. Enjoying matcha tea while gazing at the beautiful garden, the guests fully appreciated both the scenery and the matcha. For lunch, the guests chose their own preferred ingredients to make and eat sushi rolls. The guests were thoroughly satisfied and very pleased.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKanazawa Station~Kenrokuen Garden800JPY
    Total800JPY

    Hello! I’m Yumi Yostutani. I was born in Fukushima, lived in Brazil and Korea, traveled to many countries, and moved many times, even within Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Okayama and Toyama) I love traveling and I have friends around the world. I am very happy that now traveling is a part of my job. I also speak Portuguese and some French.
    I haven’t been settled in a same place because of husbands’s job, but it gave me an opportunity to get to know many places. I am a mom of a 15-year-old girl. I’ve been an English teacher in schools, and taught students from 3rd to 12th grade. I love teaching, and it was a blessing to be involved in education, but when I had to move and leave my job last time, I thought it’s time for me to try guiding which I’ve always wanted to do.
    I believe traveling is about discovering wonders. I look forward to the day when I meet you and guide you around Japan. I hope your journey will be full of wonderful discoveries and those memories would stay in your heart to add some new colors to your future life.

    Olá! Sou Yumi Yostutani. Nasci em Fukushima, morei no Brasil e na Coreia, viajei para muitos países e me mudei várias vezes, mesmo dentro do Japão (Tóquio, Osaka, Okayama e Toyama). Adoro viajar e tenho amigos em todo o mundo.
    Estou muito feliz porque viajar constitui- se, agora, em meu trabalho.

    Devido ao trabalho de meu marido, nós nos mudávamos sempre e, por essa razão, não nos estabelecemos em um único lugar. Porém, tais mudanças deram- me a oportunidade de conhecer muitos lugares.
    Por algum tempo, dei aulas de inglês em algumas escolas e confesso que adoro ensinar. Dessa forma, considero uma bênção o período em que estive atuando na Educação e, quando precisei deixar meu último emprego, decidi fazer a transição de carreira e desempenhar a função de guia turística.
    Estou apreciando bastante meu trabalho como guia. Adoro conhecer pessoas, mostrar as maravilhas do Japão e conversar sobre semelhanças e diferenças entre nossas países. Sempre acho que, na verdade, as diferenças são sutis e somos todos iguais.
    Para mim, viajar é descobrir maravilhas e se encantar com elas. Estou ansiosa pelo dia em que vou ser sua guia no Japão. E torço para que sua viagem seja repleta de descobertas maravilhosas e que suas memórias fiquem ressoando em seu coração, de modo a adicionar novas cores à sua vida.

    Com os melhores votos,

    Yumi

    Apr 4, 2026
    Dana_H
    Viator review: Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Beautiful city, but our guide Yumi made the difference
    We had…

  • Hokkaido: Otaru Sankaku Market & Sakaimachi Street

    Hokkaido: Otaru Sankaku Market & Sakaimachi Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 9:55 Otaru Sankaku Market
    • 10:30 Otaru Canal
    • 11:15 Yoichi Nikka Whisky Distillery
    • 12:20 Lunch @ Kakizaki
    • 14:15 Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura
    • 14:45 Sakaimachi Street
    • 17:00 Dismiss @ Hotel

    What Is a Private Day Tour to Otaru and Yoichi from Sapporo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. In the early hours it rained with strong winds, so the weather was a concern, but by the time we reached Yoichi the sun came out and the wind calmed down, allowing us to proceed with the tour smoothly afterward. For lunch we went to a popular restaurant in Yoichi called Kakizaki, and the guests seemed very satisfied with the fresh seafood dishes. The weather in Tokyo the previous day had apparently been quite poor, so they seemed to really enjoy the mild weather of Otaru and Yoichi on this day. The drive back to Sapporo was also smooth, and although we had a dinner reservation at 6:00, we were able to arrive at the Hotel with plenty of time to spare.

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

    Sep 2, 2025
    roxannerW1499FK
    Great experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…

  • Osaka in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Osaka in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at Osaka Port
    • 9:50 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 11:40 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 13:00 Lunch at Nishio Yatsuhashi no Sato
    • 14:00 Sanjusangendo
    • 14:55 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 16:40 Disband at Osaka Port

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group visiting from North America on a private one-day sightseeing tour of Kyoto. They were touring Japan by cruise ship. The weather was clear and perfect for sightseeing. We first visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and because we arrived early it was not too crowded, so we were able to look around at a relaxed pace, which was wonderful. They were also delighted to find souvenirs to bring home. Kinkaku-ji Temple was not too crowded either, and they were pleased to be able to take many photos. They also enjoyed the lunch spot, Nishio Yatsuhashi no Sato. They seemed very satisfied with Sanjusangendo Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine as well, which was great.

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Private Tour
    Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Ueno Park & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Ueno Park & Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 After meeting under the giant straw sandals at Sensoji Temple's Hozomon Gate, visit Sensoji Temple and Azuma Bridge
    • 11:30 Ueno Park (Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Benten-do, Hanazono Inari Shrine, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, General Grant Monument, Pokemon Manhole, Kuromon)
    • 12:50 Break at Torindo (matcha set)
    • 13:20 Stroll through Yanaka
    • 14:20 Nezu Shrine (Thirty-six Immortal Poets paintings on display)
    • 15:30 Disband at the Yamanote Line platform of Nishi-Nippori Station

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Asakusa, Ueno, and Yanaka in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report It took some time to reach the guests at first, but once we made contact through a messaging app, things went smoothly, and the meeting point was changed from the hotel to under the giant straw sandal at Senso-ji Temple. They were very experienced travelers who visit different parts of the world almost every year. After walking all around Senso-ji, we went to Ueno Park, Yanaka, and Nezu Shrine. The guests were both very sturdy on their feet and enjoyed activities such as running and dog agility competitions, so walking was no problem at all. In Yanaka, we walked from Ueno Sakuragi through Yanaka Cemetery, along the Hebi-michi (Snake Road), and on to Nezu Shrine. Since the guests loved to talk, we were chatting about something the whole time, so the time passed quickly. On the other hand, because of that, there were a few spots I forgot to introduce. We also talked about topics completely unrelated to the area, ranging widely — a family member's occupation, the disappearance of carp back home, pachinko, tattoos, elderly care facilities and money laundering, Sicily, and more. It was enjoyable, though at times I found it hard to tell whether some of the jokes were serious, and the frequent use of metaphors sometimes made things difficult to follow. Among the several suggestions I offered, the guests seemed to have decided the course, but they kept asking "Where are we going again?" and "What is this place famous for?", so it was a tour where I wasn't entirely sure why these places had been chosen. From a conversation while we were taking a break at a sweets shop, I got the impression that a garden such as Rikugien might have been a better choice than Yanaka, but since we had already ventured into Yanaka, moving elsewhere wasn't easy, so we continued on to Yanaka and Nezu. As usual, I left the photography to the guests (since I'm not good at it), and I received some of the well-taken photos. Today felt less like guiding and more like a day spent mostly in casual conversation despite all the walking, but even so, the guests seemed to have had an enjoyable time, so I think that was a good outcome. Also, I was asked what items can only be bought in Tokyo (I wonder if there are any) and about the number of vending machines, so I plan to send my answers on these questions later.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Ueno180JPY
    Section 2SubwayNezu~Nishi-Nippori180JPY
    Total360JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku 3D cat

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku 3D cat

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Meet at Hotel
    • 8:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 8:55 Shibuya, Hachiko, Scramble Crossing
    • 9:55 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
    • 10:45 Break @Mac Asakusa store (~11:10)
    • 11:55 Shinjuku 3D cat
    • 12:15 Disband at Hotel

    title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Asakusa in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report We started the tour after buying a Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass at a subway station. The weather was good and the walking pace was quick, so things went smoothly. Perhaps because it was early, Meiji Shrine had very few people, and we were able to enjoy a quiet atmosphere. The guests were interested in religion in Japan. Since the tour ended at 12:30, earlier than I had heard, we then went to Shibuya, took photos and videos of the Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue, and headed to Asakusa. I had expected few people in Asakusa because it was early, but in fact there was quite a large crowd, and I really felt how much the number of tourists has increased. After seeing the 3D cat in Shinjuku, we walked back to the Hotel and the tour ended. Received a tip.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassNishi-Shinjuku~Meiji-jingumae700JPY
    Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 3Free PassShibuya~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 4Free PassAsakusa~Shinjuku0JPY
    Total700JPY

    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.

    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…