Category: Uncategorized

  • Hyogo: Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo & Daimaru Department Store

    Hyogo: Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo & Daimaru Department Store

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at JR Sannomiya Station
    • 11:30 @ Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo
    • 12:15 @ Sakuramasamune Memorial Hall "Sakura-en"
    • 13:00 @ Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Memorial Hall
    • 13:45 @ Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
    • 15:00 @ Nankinmachi
    • 16:15 @ Daimaru Department Store
    • 16:30 Disband @ Daimaru Department Store

    Title: What's a Private Sake Brewery Tour in Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and the tour proceeded smoothly. They seemed very interested in Japan, and because they especially love Japanese sake, this tour was arranged around that theme. They listened very attentively to the guide's explanations about sake and asked many detailed questions. For questions the guide could not answer, I confirmed with the on-site staff before responding. At every brewery, they enjoyed the free tastings along with many paid tastings, and they purchased several kinds of sake as souvenirs. In Nankinmachi, they bought pork buns at "Roushouki," said to be the birthplace of pork buns in Japan, and were very satisfied. They also enjoyed taking photos in front of the zodiac animal statues set up in the center of Nankinmachi. Since we visited all the spots with time to spare, I guided them to the food shops in the basement of the nearby Daimaru department store, where they purchased items such as Japanese tea and freeze-dried miso soup. The guests were truly friendly and warm toward me. They responded almost enthusiastically to the guide's jokes. At the end, they gave me warm words, saying, "We have come to love Kobe and would love to visit again, and when we do, we will definitely ask you to be our guide," which I felt very grateful for.

    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

    Sep 27, 2026
    Ross_W
    Fun with Hidden Gems
    Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yama was so…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 12:00 Meeting point: Tokyo Teleport Station
    • 2. 12:00 Lunch: Heijoen (DiverCity Tokyo)
    • 3. 13:30: DiverCity Tokyo, Legoland, Madame Tussauds Tokyo, etc.
    • 4. 16:30: teamLab Toyosu
    • (After consulting with the guests, we finally decided to meet at Odaiba at 12:00.)

    What Is a Private Odaiba and teamLab Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Continuing from the first day, I guided the group again. After discussing the start time and location the day before, we met at Odaiba at 12:00. After visiting Rainbow Bridge, Legoland, and other spots, we finally headed to teamLab. All members of the group had a strong interest in art and had mentioned that they were studying photography, so it was wonderful to see them thoroughly enjoying teamLab. In the athletic section, the guests took on the challenges with great energy, and watching them made me happy as well.

    Hello, my name is Yui, and I am a licensed tour guide interpreter.

    I mainly guide visitors in and around Tokyo, where you can experience both the excitement of modern city life and the charm of traditional culture. Japan is a country where history and the present exist side by side, and this unique balance makes every visit full of discoveries. I believe there is always something that will capture your heart, whether it is food, fashion, history, or daily life in Tokyo.

    Since I also work as a Japanese language teacher, I can help you learn a few simple phrases during the tour if you are interested. Using Japanese to greet or chat with locals will surely make your trip even more enjoyable and memorable.

    I hope you will take home wonderful memories, and I sincerely wish you enjoy your stay in Japan.

    Apr 18, 2026
    Brent_M
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuiko was a great guide for our day in Tokyo.
    We had…

    Oct 14, 2025
    797JaneM
    A wonderful day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful tour. My guide, Yui, was…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:15 Meeting point: The Royal Park Canvas Ginza Corridor
    • 2. 8:40 Imperial Palace (participate in the general tour) and stroll around the surrounding area
    • 3. 12:00 Asakusa
    • 4. 13:15 Skytree & Lunch: Skyscraper
    • (Although it could not be selected in the "Tour Start Time" above, the actual tour time was 8:15-14:15.)

    What Is a Two-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace The guests were a group of three, and this was the first of two days they had booked. They wished to join the general tour of the Imperial Palace, so we lined up for the numbered tickets for the morning session. As it was the first day of a three-day holiday weekend, I was unsure how long the line would become, but I was relieved to obtain the numbered tickets without any trouble. One slightly disappointing point was that there were so many visitors that it was difficult to hear the explanations of the English-language guide for the general tour. Since the guests were interested in systems and concepts unique to Japan, such as the imperial family and the shogunate, and Shinto and Buddhism, I showed them reference materials I had brought along as supplementary explanations while we walked around.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Total180JPY

    Hello, my name is Yui, and I am a licensed tour guide interpreter.

    I mainly guide visitors in and around Tokyo, where you can experience both the excitement of modern city life and the charm of traditional culture. Japan is a country where history and the present exist side by side, and this unique balance makes every visit full of discoveries. I believe there is always something that will capture your heart, whether it is food, fashion, history, or daily life in Tokyo.

    Since I also work as a Japanese language teacher, I can help you learn a few simple phrases during the tour if you are interested. Using Japanese to greet or chat with locals will surely make your trip even more enjoyable and memorable.

    I hope you will take home wonderful memories, and I sincerely wish you enjoy your stay in Japan.

    Apr 18, 2026
    Brent_M
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuiko was a great guide for our day in Tokyo.
    We had…

    Oct 14, 2025
    797JaneM
    A wonderful day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful tour. My guide, Yui, was…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:44     Shinkansen (Kyoto Station) Platform Meet
    • 10:00-10:30 Transfer (contracted car; Kyoto Station→Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • 10:30-11:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha visit
    • 11:30-12:30 Transfer (contracted car: Fushimi Inari Taisha→Restaurant CoCo Kana/near Kinkaku-ji)
    • 12:30-13:20 Lunch (@CoCo Kana)
    • 13:20-13:30 Transfer (contracted car; Restaurant→Kinkaku-ji)
    • 13:30-14:10 Kinkaku-ji visit
    • 14:10-15:00 Transfer (contracted car: Kinkaku-ji→Torokko Arashiyama Station) *Stop at a matcha specialty shop for shopping during the transfer
    • 15:00-15:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove stroll
    • 15:30-16:00 Transfer (contracted car: Arashiyama→Kyoto Station)
    • Said goodbye to the guests at Kyoto Station.

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had booked a one-day private tour of Kyoto, traveling from Tokyo by bullet train and returning the same day. It was everyone's first visit to Kyoto. At the guests' request, I took them to Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and the Arashiyama bamboo grove. The weather was ideal for sightseeing, but because it was a weekend during peak tourist season, every place we visited today was extremely crowded. In addition, heavy traffic congestion around the Fushimi Inari area meant that getting around took considerably longer than expected. To make up for this, we kept our time at Kinkaku-ji and the bamboo grove somewhat shorter. Since one of the guests strongly wished to purchase matcha, I consulted with the driver, and we stopped by Marukyu Koyamaen on the way to Arashiyama, where the matcha was purchased. The guests were very pleased to be able to buy authentic matcha. I feel that the guests would have enjoyed the tour even more if it had not been so crowded.

    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 !

    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    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.…

  • 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
    • 2.10:30 @ Tsukiji
    • 3.11:40 @ Asakusa
    • 4.12:30 Lunch @ Kura Sushi Asakusa
    • 5.14:00 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 6.14:40 @ Takeshita Street
    • 7.15:20 @ Shibuya
    • 8.16:00 @ The Prince Gallery Tokyo

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had already traveled to places such as Singapore and were spending their final days in Tokyo before returning home. It was their first time in Japan, and they had arrived in late in the month. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed tuna and beer, and since one of the guests loved matcha, they purchased matcha and black soybeans and enjoyed exploring the outer market. In Asakusa, they visited Senso-ji Temple and also enjoyed some delicious conveyor-belt sushi. They remarked that Meiji Shrine was very beautiful, and they found the children dressed for Shichi-Go-San celebrations adorable. On Takeshita Street, they enjoyed ice cream and had fun seeing micro pigs, and in Shibuya they crossed the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, took photos from Starbucks, and then returned to the Hotel. The weather was wonderful and they said it was great to be able to visit so many different places, so I believe they truly enjoyed the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAkasaka-mitsuke~Tsukiji180JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji~Asakusa290JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Section 4TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya180JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya~Akasaka-mitsuke180JPY
    Total1,090JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Sep 29, 2026
    W9834MZdavidn
    First Visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had an absolutely wonderful day…

    Sep 12, 2026
    Don_G
    Tokyo 6 hour Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had a great time on…

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

  • Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Naoshima Art Island in 1 Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Uno Port – 8:42 Miyanoura Port – 9:00 Honmura – 8:40 Tsutsujiso – 9:20 Benesse House Museum – 10:40 Valley Gallery 11:10 Lee Ufan Museum – 11:40 Chichu Art Museum – 13:10 Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery 14:15 New Naoshima Museum of Art – 15:15 Honmura Area Art House Project – 16:35 Miyanoura Port – 16:55 Uno Port

    What Is a Private Naoshima Art Island Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were from North America. They had been close friends since their university days. The original meeting point had been set as a hotel in Tamano City, but after communicating carefully in advance, it turned out that they were not actually staying there, and Uno Port, the ferry departure point, was more convenient, so we met at Uno Port. Since there was nearly 30 minutes before the ferry, I showed them the art projects around Uno Port. After that, we took the ferry to Naoshima, went to the Honmura district by town bus, and, ahead of our afternoon visits, walked around to get a quick overview of the destinations and made a concrete plan. We then headed to the Benesse House Museum, but before that we walked around and saw about ten nearby artworks. We stayed at the museum for about an hour, then went to the Valley Gallery, and next to the Lee Ufan Museum on the opposite side of the road. After that we went to the Chichu Art Museum and thoroughly enjoyed the works. Keeping an eye on the time, we then extended our walk to the Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery, where we admired the artworks in the garden while enjoying a set of sencha green tea and Japanese sweets. We then had to move a little more quickly and headed to the Naoshima New Museum of Art, which opened in May of this year. Before dusk approached, we purchased viewing tickets for the Art House Project in the Honmura district and managed to walk through and see all five sites. On the bus heading to Miyanoura Port, we met someone I had met before who has lived on Naoshima for five and a half years. This person, who has settled on Naoshima and works as a guide while running a bookshop, is a wonderful individual who can, in a sense, explain the appeal of Naoshima even better than the islanders themselves, and deepening this acquaintance made for a very meaningful tour. Tonight we would return to a hotel in Kurashiki, but since the guests wished to have sushi for dinner in Okayama City, I guided them to a reliable sushi restaurant and explained the local Okayama specialty, barazushi.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusMiyanoura Port (Naoshima)~Naoshima Port / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture100JPY
    Section 2OtherNokyo-mae~Tsutsujiso / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture100JPY
    Section 3OtherTsutsujiso / Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture~Momoyama100JPY
    Section 4OtherNokyo-mae~Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)100JPY
    Section 5OtherUno Port~Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)600JPY
    Total1,000JPY

    My name is Susumu Hiramatsu. I am a national government licensed guide interpreter. I became a guide interpreter in 1992. My educational background started with a BA in law, then an MA in English language education, and completed a doctoral course without a degree in English language teaching. My occupational career began with a bank officer, then shifted to a translation and interpretation company, finally became a freelance translator, interpreter, and college teacher. I handle conference interpretation, namely simultaneous interpretation. As for the guide interpreter, my interest covers wide areas including politics and business, but I deem cultural aspects to be fundamental. I am always encouraging myself to be filled with Japanese hospitality.

    Jun 20, 2025
    NinjaTwins2013
    Kurashiki walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kurashiki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed our walking tour of Kurashiki. Our guide…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel Kyoto Station
    • 8:50 Fushimi Inari
    • 10:00 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:20 Gion
    • 11:50 Nijo Castle
    • 12:30 Dismissal at Nishiki Market

    What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Kyoto Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had worked together at the same workplace for many years. One of them planned to travel on to Tokyo after visiting Kyoto. The destinations were requested by the guests, and although I felt four hours might not be enough time, we managed to complete the planned itinerary, even if the guiding at each site had to be somewhat condensed. Both guests walked briskly, and we also caught the buses at good timing, which helped a great deal. The stage of Kiyomizu-dera with its traditional kake-zukuri construction and the townscape of Sannenzaka seemed to leave a strong impression on them. They were scheduled to join a sake tasting tour from 4:30 pm, so I recommended they stroll around the Nishiki Market area until then, walked them to the market entrance, and said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Tofukuji150JPY
    Section 3SubwayTofukuji~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusKiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Gion / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusGion / Kyoto City Bus~Nijojo-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6SubwayNijojo-mae~Shijo (Kyoto City Subway)220JPY
    Total1,210JPY

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani Station & Chokoku-no-Mori Station

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani Station & Chokoku-no-Mori Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meeting place: Hotel, 256-1 Yumoto, Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan
    • 8:35 Hotel
    • (Taxi)
    • 9:00 Arrive at Owakudani Station
    • Owakudani Owakudani Kurotamago-kan
    • Hakone Geomuseum
    • 9:50 Depart Owakudani Station
    • (Hakone Ropeway)
    • 10:05 Arrive at Togendai Station
    • 10:10 Depart Togendai Port
    • (Hakone Pirate Ship)
    • 10:55 Arrive at Moto-Hakone Port
    • 11:10 Depart Moto-Hakone Port
    • (Taxi)
    • 11:30 Hakone Shrine Hakone Shrine
    • 12:30 Depart Hakone Shrine
    • (Taxi)
    • 12:50 Arrive at Chokoku-no-Mori Station
    • Chokoku-no-Mori (Open-Air Museum) Lunch: Nakamura
    • Chokoku-no-Mori (Open-Air Museum)
    • 13:50 Depart Chokoku-no-Mori
    • (Taxi)
    • 14:30 Arrive at Hotel
    • 14:30 Disband: Hotel

    Title: What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like for a Family Reunion Group? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, made up of relatives who had emigrated from Kurashiki City, Tottori Prefecture, in the 1900s. This visit to Japan was described as an important trip for a family reunion. Each part of the group had come to Japan separately, and some had visited Kurashiki City to meet with distant relatives. The night before, everyone had gathered in Hakone, and they planned to hold a banquet together that evening. Originally the plan was to split into two groups and sightsee separately in two taxis, but at the strong request of the guests, both groups followed the same itinerary and proceeded together at the same time. I was in charge of one part of the group, staying at a nearby B&B rather than at the Hotel. A [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide was in charge of the other part of the group. For everyone, the top request was a view of Mount Fuji. Some of the guests had difficulty walking, so we proceeded slowly and at a gentle pace. It was a clear day (Hakone had reportedly been rainy the day before), and the tour took place in weather that was almost a little cold. First, we went directly from in front of the Hotel to Owakudani. I explained the formation of Hakone and gave an overview of the history of Owakudani. There were questions such as "When were the volcanic mountains of Hakone formed?", "Is Owakudani an active volcano? Has it ever erupted?", and "Is Mount Fuji also an active volcano?" Everyone purchased the famous black eggs and also bought various souvenirs at the shop. Each person moved around at their own pace, so it was difficult to keep the whole group together, and I had some trouble controlling the flow of the itinerary. We took the ropeway to Togendai. After a short wait, we boarded the "pirate ship," which was packed with tourists. Despite the cold wind, some of the guests stayed on the upper deck the whole time, taking commemorative photos again and again. There were questions such as "How deep is Lake Ashi? What is the water temperature?", "Can you swim in it?", and "Can you fish here?" We disembarked at Hakone Motomachi Port and went to Hakone Shrine. I explained the history of Hakone Shrine. After visiting the main hall, we went to the torii gate on the lake. Regarding the torii, there was a question: "Why are so many people lined up to take photos?" We took a taxi to a soba restaurant in front of Chokoku-no-Mori Station. Despite the large number of people, we managed to secure seats, but each family ordered separately. Some also ordered an additional dish after everyone had finished eating, so it took more time than expected. After this, we went to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. I explained the origins of the museum. However, only two of the guests entered the grounds, while the others waited at the entrance. After this, everyone returned to their accommodation. There were comments such as "Everywhere in Japan, the towns are so orderly," "There's no litter on the ground," and "Everyone is so polite." We parted ways in front of the Hotel.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherOwakudani~Togendai2,000JPY
    Section 2OtherTogendai~Hakone Motomachi Port1,700JPY
    Total3,700JPY

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1) 10:00 Meet up @ Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
    • 2) 10:05 Sensoji Temple <Nakamise Shopping Street → Sensoji Temple → Metro Street → Kannon Street>
    • 3) 10:50 Akihabara <Yodobashi Camera Akihabara Store → Radio Kaikan>
    • 4) 12:00 Hibiya Park 
    • 5) 12:40 Imperial Palace Main Gate・Nijubashi Bridge
    • 6) 13:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 7) 14:00 Disband @ Jingu Bridge (Jingumae 6-chome Bridge, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Akihabara, and Autumn Leaves Body: [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of Tokyo for guests visiting from Europe. In the pre-tour communication, after I sent a proposed itinerary, the guests requested four locations — Asakusa/Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine — plus autumn leaf viewing, and replied that they were happy to meet at the first destination rather than the hotel if it meant more time for the tour. When I suggested the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center as a meeting point, the guests gladly agreed. On the day, we met at the Hotel to reconfirm the itinerary and start the tour (the guests had already purchased Welcome Suica cards). When I asked about their travels, I learned they had already visited central Japan (Kanazawa, Toyama, Tsumago, Magome), the Kansai area (Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Wakayama), and Hiroshima. Simply hearing words like a cooking experience in Kyoto, the Kumano Kodo (where they said there seemed to be many visitors from North America), Kii-Katsuura, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and a sake brewery in Tateyama gave me a wonderful sense of how the guests enjoy their travels. Having experienced many shrines and temples during their trips in Japan, they seemed quite accustomed to them, but they continued to listen attentively to my explanations wherever we went and asked many questions. In Akihabara, since one of the guests loves games and Monchhichi, I guided them to Yodobashi Camera and the Radio Kaikan building. While moving around, they asked me for recommendations on observation decks in the city, an udon restaurant (which they had not yet tried), and places to enjoy nighttime autumn leaf illuminations, so I shared Google Maps and recommended links via a messaging app. One of the guests, who works in marketing, had an amazing memory for films and all sorts of things, and shared plenty of information about Oxford (where they likely spent their student days) and other historic sites. At Hibiya Park, the SAKANA JAPAN FESTA 2025 began that day, and even though it was a weekday it was very lively; the ginkgo leaves had turned a magnificent color, and the guests quietly gazed at the carpet of fallen leaves and the leaves drifting down, enjoying taking videos and photos. At the Imperial Palace, we exchanged views while chatting about royal gossip on both sides. At Meiji Shrine as well, we talked about many things (films, music, their future dreams, and more), and the time flew by. Before we knew it, it was time to part ways, and we said a smiling goodbye at Jingu Bridge.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Suehirocho (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2SubwayAkihabara~Hibiya180JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijubashimae~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Total570JPY

    Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!

    Sep 6, 2026
    Paullyb
    Highly professional and relaxed tour exceeding our expectations
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tachi…

    Jun 19, 2026
    Daniel_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 would do again!
    Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…

    May 24, 2026
    Meander63637687943
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour guide Tachi is the best!
    A most enjoyable and…

    May 19, 2026
    Jai_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    I would definitely…
    I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 10:00 Meet at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
    • ② 10:05 Discuss today's itinerary and about the history of Kyoto
    • ③ 10:50 Nijo Castle
    • ④ 12:00 Obaiin (Daitokuji Temple) ~ Stroll through the Daitokuji Temple grounds
    • ⑤ 13:30 Lunch
    • ⑥ 14:40 Kinkakuji Temple
    • ⑦ 16:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ~ Nonomiya Shrine
    • ⑧ 16:30 Tenryuji Temple
    • ⑨ 17:45 Disband at the hotel

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto History and Zen Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from the Middle East. They mentioned that they live in a place with subtle geography, where a small canal connecting two seas divides the land, with one side belonging to Asia and the other to Europe. I knew it was a politically and religiously complex region, and hearing their stories confirmed just how complicated the area truly is. They came to Japan for travel and, after a brief look around Tokyo, headed to Kyoto. They planned to enjoy Kyoto for three days before flying back home from Tokyo. Since they were especially interested in history, they asked me to talk about Japanese history, and they also wished to see karesansui (dry landscape gardens), which shaped the itinerary for this tour. In the hotel lobby first thing in the morning, when I said, "Then let me begin with a brief overview of Kyoto's history," one of the guests leaned forward and listened intently, which I found both amusing and gratifying, and I spent the whole day explaining a wide range of topics. As part of their customs, they observe certain religious practices, and I was able to hear some fascinating stories. Since this was their first visit to Japan and Kyoto, they were delighted with every view we saw, finding each one wonderful. Whenever I took photos of the group, they were always so warm and affectionate with each other. The photo I uploaded is the only one where the surroundings were not crowded with people. I received a review from them right away today. Tomorrow they said they would like to watch a maiko perform Kyoto-style dance in Gion and have a meal at Nishiki Market. I hope they will enjoy their time.

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

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

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

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

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