Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo: ZOJOJI TEMPLE & Edo Calligraphy Workshop

    Tokyo: ZOJOJI TEMPLE & Edo Calligraphy Workshop

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
    • 9:30 1 ZOJOJI TEMPLE
    • 10:45 2 FUKAGAWA EDO MUSEUM
    • 11:30 3 KIYOSUMI GARDENS
    • 12:30 4 Edo Calligraphy Workshop
    • 15:00 See off at the Imperial Palace Starbucks

    What Is a Private Edo-Tokyo Themed Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This was my first time leading the Edo-Tokyo program, and since I had no prior experience with it, going on a preliminary visit one week beforehand allowed me to guide with confidence. However, two of the sites listed in the standard What to See could not be visited due to renovations and other reasons, and despite the Edo-Tokyo theme, a key attraction was closed. I believe the OTC needs to improve its handling of such cases. I also had some difficulty in the advance correspondence with the guests. As a result, I booked and guided an Edo-moji calligraphy workshop that was not on the What to See list, and one of the guests was so delighted that they were moved to tears at the end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Shiba Park390JPY
    Section 2SubwayOnarimon~Kiyosumi-shirakawa290JPY
    Section 3SubwayKiyosumi-shirakawa~Kinshicho180JPY
    Section 4SubwayKinshicho~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total1,070JPY

    Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.

    Who am I?
    I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
    I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
    I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.

    What can I be expected?
    I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
    and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
    I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
    As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
    I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.

    What do I love?
    Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
    I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.

    How do I spend my spare time?
    I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
    I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.

    I look forward to meeting you soon.
    Thank you.

    Sep 21, 2026
    judygU2038FZ
    A wonderful time in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had such a…

    Jul 21, 2026
    Sandra_U
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Individualized Tour!
    Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Celal_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour even…
    We had a great tour even…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Johanna H
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
    We booked the 6…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 5:00 Meet @Hotel
    • 6:20 @Toyosu Market
    • 7:20 @Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 8:00 Disband @Tsukiji Outer Market

    Can You Visit Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market on a Private Tokyo Tour? A Guide's Report I guided a group visiting Japan for the first time to Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. One of the guests enjoys sushi, and their favorite is medium-fatty tuna (chu-toro), so at Toyosu Market they watched with great excitement as many tuna were auctioned off one after another. The tuna auction viewing had been one of the top items on their sightseeing list, and they were very satisfied with it. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, I gave an overview of the shopping street, recommended several shops for tuna and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), and then we parted ways on site.

    Hi friends, I’m Seky, a tour guide in Tokyo, but I cover all over Japan, namely from Hokkaido to Kyushu. I have lived overseas for more than 15 years in total, such as US, UK, Singapore and others, and enjoyed local culture there. Back in Japan, I wish I could help travelers to Japan enjoy Japanese culture, and this is why I became a tour guide.
    In Tokyo, my favorite places are Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, and if you are interested in fish market, I’d love to take you to the world largest Tuna auction and/or if you are sports lovers, I’ll go to ball games (baseball) too.

    May 8, 2025
    J
    jeanne_c
    Sell was very…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sell was very knowledgeable and willing to talk…

    Mar 2, 2025
    Joe_F
    Excellent Custom Tokyo Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour, customized to my interests, Edo period…

    Mar 1, 2025
    R2911ISjoef
    Excellent Custom Tours, Great Guides, Reasonable Prices.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a friendly…

    Oct 27, 2024
    Jennifer_G
    Great day touring Tokyo !
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
    We had…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace and East Gardens

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace and East Gardens

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the Marunouchi side, north exit of Tokyo Station, then walk to Otemon Gate and the East Gardens
    • 10:15-11:30 Stroll through the Imperial Palace and East Gardens.
    • 11:50-12:50 Stroll through Ueno Ameyoko, then have lunch at a sushi restaurant
    • 13:00-13:50 Stroll around Shinobazu Pond, Kaneiji Temple, and the campus of Tokyo University of the Arts
    • 14:15-15:30 Sightseeing in Asakusa. Guide around Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, and the surrounding area.
    • 16:00 Guide to Kagurazaka Station near the accommodation, then part ways.

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour of Ueno and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had a strong interest in Japanese history and culture, and asked some remarkably in-depth questions. They listened attentively to my explanations. When I took the group to a sushi restaurant in Ueno that I often visit, everyone was truly impressed. Ameyoko was very crowded, but they said they felt they were seeing the real face of Japan. In Asakusa, we spent a good deal of time, exploring not only Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine but also the surrounding area. They showed great interest in the history of Asakusa and in religious topics such as honji suijaku.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
    Section 2TrainUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Kagurazaka210JPY
    Total560JPY

    I am certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
    Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
    Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
    Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
    Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
    Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.

    Jul 7, 2026
    Ruppa_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
    It was our first time…

    Jun 8, 2026
    TAMARA_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience!
    Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…

    May 7, 2026
    Marianela25
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
    Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…

    Apr 29, 2026
    163neilh
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
    We had a fantastic…

  • Hokkaido in Half a Day: Odori Park & Sapporo Beer Museum

    Hokkaido in Half a Day: Odori Park & Sapporo Beer Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:55 Meet up @ Nijo Market
    • 13:40 Odori Park
    • 14:20 Former Hokkaido Government Office
    • 16:10 Sapporo Beer Museum
    • 17:00 Tour ends @ Sapporo Beer Museum

    **Title:** What Is a Private Walking Tour of Sapporo Like in Winter? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. Having personally enjoyed and visited their home region several times in the past, I was glad to be able to talk quite a lot about that area, which helped build a good rapport. On this day, the temperature had dropped suddenly after a warm day the day before, making the roads slippery, so we walked with great care. We took a taxi from the former Hokkaido Government Office to the Sapporo Beer Garden, but the roads were slippery there as well, so the trip took longer than usual. Originally I had planned to also visit the Sapporo Clock Tower, but since we ended up spending quite a long time outdoors and one of the guests appeared to feel the cold, I decided to skip that stop and instead moved to the former Hokkaido Government Office by walking through the underground shopping arcade.

    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.

    Aug 15, 2026
    I654RPsandib
    Great experience
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We thoroughly enjoyed our 6 hours touring Sapporo with…

    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…

  • Nara in One Day: Kintetsu-Nara Station's EAST ticket gate & Nara-machi

    Nara in One Day: Kintetsu-Nara Station’s EAST ticket gate & Nara-machi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:18 の予定がゲストの電車乗り換え間違いで
    • 10:30 Kintetsu-Nara Station's EAST ticket gate (Start of Guided Tour)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 10:35 Nakatanidou
    • 10:40-11:10 Kofukuji Buddhist Temple Museum entrance 900y
    • walk 20 minutes
    • 11:40-12:10 Kasuga-taisha Shinto Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 12:20-30 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:
    • Former katana sword manufacturer's, etc.
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 12:40- Todaiji Buddhist Temple (UNESCO World Heritage):
    • 12:40-13:10 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall (Lunch at Emado Chaya)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 13:20-30 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 13:40-14:10 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 14:20-30 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • walk 15 minutes
    • 15:20- Nara-machi (Old Quarters of the town):
    • Sake tasting, shopping street etc.
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 17:00 (End of Tour) back at Kintetsu-Nara Station

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Tour Like with a Licensed Guide? A Japan Guide Agency Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests spoke several languages, including English, Russian, Kazakh, Hebrew, and a little Yiddish, while others in the group were bilingual in English and Russian and also understood a fair amount of Chinese. Our conversation ranged widely and never ran dry — we talked about Nara, Einstein, and Buddhism, about how "Fiddler on the Roof" enjoyed a record-breaking long run in Japan, and the story of the world-renowned violinist David Oistrakh, who, after seeing the Japanese production of "Fiddler on the Roof," assumed that its leading actor was Jewish. I learned a great deal from them. The way one of the guests spoke was logical, assertive, concise, and clear. I am told they would love to visit Nara again.

    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…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kiyomizu-dera

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 09:15 to 10:05 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 10:40 to 11:30 Kinkaku-ji
    • 12:00 to 12:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 12:35 to 13:20 Lunch at Washoku Sato
    • 14:00 to 14:50 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 15:00 Disband at Kyatt Regency Kyoto

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group of seven visiting from North America. The tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides serving all 47 prefectures. Some of the guests had come from a warmer region and some from a colder region, so their preferences for the car's air conditioning differed considerably. Those used to warmer weather found Kyoto cold and wanted the heating on, while those used to colder weather felt warm and preferred light air conditioning. There was some friendly disagreement, and at first the group settled on light air conditioning for a while. However, at the request of the driver and myself, we eventually switched to light heating. Kyoto today was cold even for me. The tour was able to cover all of the requested spots within the allotted time, just as the guests had hoped.

    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…

  • Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour

    Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meet @ Himeji Station Central Ticket Gate
    • 2. 09:05 @ Castle View
    • 3. 10:20 @ Mount Shosha Engyoji Temple (Maniden Hall, Daikodo Hall, Jogyodo Hall, Jikido Hall)
    • 4. 12:40 Lunch @ Otemon Chaya
    • 5. 13:30 @ Himeji Castle
    • 6. 15:00 Disband @ Himeji Station Shinkansen Transfer Gate

    What's a Private Day Tour of Himeji Castle and Engyoji Temple Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a family group visiting Japan from North America. After explaining the historical background of Himeji Castle's construction at Castle View, we headed to Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha. At Engyoji Temple, the guests enjoyed many activities, such as lighting candles and incense, buying omamori charms, and writing wishes on ema plaques. After Engyoji Temple, we had a meal at Otemon Chaya and then headed to Himeji Castle. The reason we skipped Koko-en Garden was that the guests had return Shinkansen tickets and there was not enough time, and also because they gave top priority to Himeji Castle, so this was how the plan worked out. Tours with a larger number of participants tend to run longer, but the guests enjoyed the tour at every destination we visited.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHimeji Station (North Exit) / Shinki Bus~Mount Shosha Ropeway / Shinki Bus320JPY
    Section 2OtherEngyoji Temple Microbus Round Trip (Shinnojo Ropeway Summit Station~Maniden Hall)500JPY
    Section 3OtherMount Shosha Ropeway / Shinki Bus~School for the Deaf・Kokoen / Shinki Bus320JPY
    Total1,140JPY

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 29, 2026
    X
    X1794ZGstevew
    Kobe 4hr guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Norio pickup us up ontime &…

    Sep 17, 2026
    jacquelinecI8863UY
    No rush beautiful walking tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Norio…

    Sep 15, 2026
    niy679
    Kobe day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Norio. He…

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa Station & Shibuya Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:45 Guide arrives at Toyama Century (meeting place: 7-3-36 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
    • 10:00 Meet the guests at the meeting place
    • 10:10 Depart from the meeting place, walk to Higashi-Shinjuku Station
    • 10:20 Depart from Higashi-Shinjuku Station, take the Toei Oedo Line toward Aoyama-itchome via Tochomae
    • 10:50 Depart from Aoyama-itchome Station, take the Ginza Line toward Asakusa Station
    • 11:18 Arrive at Asakusa Station
    • 11:25-12:20 Guide through Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street (Hozomon Gate, Five-Story Pagoda, Big Straw Sandal, Omikuji fortune, incense burner, purification fountain, main hall, Asakusa Shrine, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center 8F observation deck)
    • 12:30-13:30 Lunch at Yakiniku Heiseien Asakusa Main Store restaurant
    • 13:36 Depart from Asakusa Station, take the Ginza Line toward Shibuya
    • 14:10 Arrive at Shibuya Station
    • 14:10-14:30 Guide through Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko
    • 14:30 End at Shibuya Station

    Title: What Is a Private 4-Hour Asakusa and Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from Europe visiting Japan for the first time, arriving after traveling in another part of Asia. It was a warm and friendly family tour throughout. The guests took many photos at Senso-ji Temple. They learned the differences between temples and shrines, mastered the respective ways of praying at each, and gained an understanding of Japanese history and culture. Since one of the guests does not eat fish or seafood, I made a reservation for them at a yakiniku restaurant in Asakusa, and everyone seemed to enjoy the meal. They planned to visit teamLab in Toyosu on their own tonight, so I explained how to get there. They also planned to take a bus from Tokyo Station to the 5th Station of Mount Fuji the next day, so I explained the routes and meeting points for each. The four hours passed in the blink of an eye, and the guests thoroughly enjoyed the first day of their Tokyo tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHigashi-Shinjuku~Asakusa320JPY
    Section 2OtherAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    Total580JPY

    Hello and how do you do?
    My name is Nobuo Kokure, and please call me Nobby for short, if you want.
    Let me introduce myself. I was born in Hayama, a beach resort area, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. And I’m now living in Saginuma, Kawasaki city.
    When I was a university student, I had the opportunities of doing a home stay with a family In U.S.A., Australia, and England, as a youth exchange student.
    After graduation from the university, I started working at American Life Insurance Company, Japan (Alico, Japan), which is a group member company of AIG, now MetLife Insurance Company. I could have a chance to visit the head office and the field offices of U.S.A., Wilmington in Delaware, New York, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Los Angeles, while I was working for Alico, Japan (Now, MetLife Insurance company).
    I had been working for MetLife Insurance Company for about 38 years, in total.
    After retiring from the life insurance company, I started working as a tour guide, because I wanted to become a tour guide to introduce culture, history, and manners and customs of Japan in English. It’s so different between my previous job and the guide business, but I like guide business a lot.
    I can meet so many people from all over the world and the guide business has been thriving after the pandemic.
    I have implemented the tour over 240 times, introduced Japan to more than 4900 tourists from 54 countries.

    Not only Tokyo, but I have experienced touring around Nikko, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji & Hakone area, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, etc. which are all very famous as a tourist spot in Japan.
    If you go on a tour in Tokyo, you must see and visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo with histories and Nakamise Shopping Street where you can buy the souvenirs and try to taste Japanese sweets, such as doll cake which is the sponge cake in various shapes filled with red bean paste and Japanese powdered tea ice cream. Another my recommendation in Tokyo to visit is Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest shrines in Japan with quiet and peaceful atmosphere and magnificent site.
    Harajuku and Shibuya are both fun to visit for shopping and experience the Shibuya Crossing.
    I usually propose my tentative itinerary and ask if my plan is all right with the customer or not. My hobby is traveling around Japan and foreign countries and going to the gym for exercise.
    I would like to work as a guide as long as possible if I’m in good health and my legs are strong, because I love this job.
    I put my importance on the mind of OMOTENASHI which means sincere hospitality, though safety during the tour takes precedence, number one priority, before anything else.

    I’m very looking forward to seeing you and touring with you in Japan soon.
    Thank you!

    Best regards,

    Nobuo Kokure (Nobby)

    Sep 29, 2026
    jeffbM3390PI
    Nuobo was awesome as our Tokyo tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Jeff…

    Sep 25, 2026
    skipcooney
    Customized private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Nobby was very flexible…

    Sep 22, 2026
    duncans746
    Great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Nobuo was fantastic, very knowledgeable and shaped…

    Sep 13, 2026
    Culture25230012656
    Very knowledgeable
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    I enjoy every step of the tour.…

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel meeting (changed to Hilton Kyoto) 10:35 Todaiji Temple 11:15 Nara Park 11:40 Lunch 12:45 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 13:35 Naramachi Koshi-no-ie (Lattice House)
    • 14:15 Harushika Brewery (sake tasting) 15:00 Shopping 15:50 Depart Nara 17:00 Arrive at hotel

    What's a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and Sake Tasting The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. They were relatively quiet and a close-knit group. The questions were mainly asked by one of the guests. One of the guests took on the challenge of squeezing through the hole in the pillar at Todai-ji Temple, and although it took a little time, they managed to pass through beautifully. It was surprising that the others did not attempt it. They spent time getting along very well with the deer. Recently, more of the deer have been bowing, so the guests found this amusing and bowed to them many times. The sake tasting at Harushika Sake Brewery ended very quickly because they drank each cup in one go. Thanks to the absence of school excursion groups and the poor weather, all the sightseeing spots were uncrowded. In particular, only two tour buses were parked at Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The photo was taken in front of the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple.

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

    Sep 28, 2026
    Miguel_E
    Amazing Service
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

    Sep 27, 2026
    T
    TrailBlazer47194
    Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

    Sep 1, 2026
    Steve6172014
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 7, 2026
    Pascale_Q
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We had…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10.00-1110 Sensouji Temple 
    • 2.11:30-11:50 Lunch
    • 3.11.50-12.50 Imperial Palace Garden
    • 4.13.20-14.10 MeijiJinguShrine 
    • 5.14.40-15.10 Gotokuji Temple
    • 6.15:30 disband at Yoyogi Uehara Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the East Gardens, Meiji Shrine, and Gotokuji Temple The guests were a group visiting from North America. Their home region is a Spanish-speaking area where the pharmaceutical industry is well developed, and I learned that roasting a whole pig is a traditional Christmas dish there. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, one of the guests asked, "Are the descendants of the Tokugawa family still alive?" I answered, "Yes, they are still living, and there have been calls to reconstruct the castle keep." The response was, "That makes sense — it would be a great tourist attraction." I jokingly added, "Osaka Castle still stands today, but it is said to have been built by the Obayashi Corporation." One of the guests then asked, "Who was more highly regarded, ninja or samurai?" I explained, "There was a class system of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants, and ninja were considered below that." The guests looked surprised. At Meiji Shrine, I was asked, "Is Meiji the name of an emperor?" I answered, "It is a name based on the era called the Meiji period. The current emperor's name is Naruhito, but he could also be referred to as the Reiwa emperor." At Gotokuji Temple, I asked, "Remember how I said I would give you a quiz later, since you often see beckoning-cat souvenirs in Asakusa? Can you tell the difference from the cats in Asakusa?" I explained, "The cat at Gotokuji does not hold a gold coin. Money does not necessarily bring happiness, but meeting people brings true happiness." The guests nodded deeply in understanding. When we parted at Yoyogi-Uehara, the tip was given in dollars.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTakebashi~Takadanobaba180JPY
    Section 3TrainTakadanobaba~Harajuku170JPY
    Section 4TrainMeiji-jingumae~Miyanosaka490JPY
    Section 5TrainMiyanosaka~Yoyogi-Uehara330JPY
    Total1,350JPY

    I have been working as a tour guide once a week since 2024.
    I grew up in Osaka and studied in Kyoto,
    I have been working for the lvestock division of the national organization of agricultural cooperatives.
    Japan depends on imports for most of its livestock feed ingredients.
    I visited 10 countries on business and stayed in New Orleans working for a subsidiary company for 3 years.
    I visited 10 other countries with my wife for sightseeing.
    I also started writing Haiku, Japanese traditional poem, after retiring.
    One of my favorite is ” Bundled up, you are like a Matryoshka.”
    Looking forward to see you!

    Sep 24, 2026
    benoitlJ9021HN
    Perfect guide tour in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Lance was very nice…

    Sep 19, 2026
    H1282JBkarinas
    Great tour with Lance from Japan Guide Agency!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Lance our tour…

    Sep 10, 2026
    Silver_F
    amazing 8-hour walking tour with Lance!
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Lance was our…

    Jul 4, 2026
    317roxaneh
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great time in Tokyo!
    We had a great day with Lance! He…