Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00 Meet up @ the b asakusa
    • 2. 8:10 @ Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Azumabashi Bridge
    • 3. 9:30 @ Ginza (4-chome intersection, Chuo-dori)
    • 4. 10:00 @ Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 5. 10:30 @ Tokyo Station (station plaza, station building)
    • 6. 11:15 @ Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    • 7.13:10 @ Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 8. 14:15 Disband @ in front of Shinjuku LUMINE2

    A Private Tokyo Walking Tour of Koishikawa Korakuen and Meiji Shrine: A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were retired visitors from North America who now live in Europe, returning to North America seasonally and traveling around the world. It was their first visit to Japan, but they had long been interested in the country after hearing stories from a friend who had exchanged letters with a pen pal in Japan. This tour was the final part of their Japan trip, spent sightseeing in Tokyo after they had already traveled to many parts of the country. They had specifically wished to visit Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, and they were very satisfied strolling through it. Unfortunately, the Tsutenkyo Bridge was covered for restoration, so only the picture painted on the cover could be seen, but the guests marveled at the Engetsukyo Bridge, the Seiko Embankment, the large pond, Horaijima Island, the Tokudaiji Stone, the pine trees, the Karamon Gate, and the Shiraito Waterfall, taking many photographs. In particular, one of the guests had brought a fine camera in addition to a smartphone and photographed enthusiastically, while the other took selfies of the two of them with a smartphone. The guests also listened intently to explanations about the story of Mito Komon, the meaning behind Korakuen, and the background story of Tokujindo, and were impressed by the philosophy behind them. Since the guests planned to visit Shinjuku after this tour and we had a little extra time, I additionally guided them to Meiji Shrine, where they thoroughly enjoyed the solemn forest surrounding the shrine. Afterward, I saw them off to Shinjuku and said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station~Ginza Station700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station~Korakuen Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Korakuen Station~Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae Station~Shinjuku-sanchome Station0JPY
    Total700JPY

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

    Jul 3, 2026
    Jody D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Best Post cruise tour ever
    It was…

    June 19, 2026
    Alec T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in 4 hours
    Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely experience. My…
    Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

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

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto
    • 10:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 12:30 Nijo Castle
    • 13:50 Lunch at Ukiya Pontocho Main Store
    • 14:45 Disband at Shijo Station

    From Oceania: A Private Kyoto Day Tour Report Visiting Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Pontocho Today's guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They had originally booked for a larger party, but as some of the group had fallen ill, only part of the group was able to join. They had a strong interest in history and culture, so I took them to Fushimi Inari Taisha and gave detailed explanations, which they greatly appreciated. Interestingly, some of the guests did not show much interest in the Senbon Torii, which surprised me. They had watched the drama "Shogun," so I took them to Nijo Castle, which they very much enjoyed. They said they would love to visit a restaurant recommended by the guide for lunch, so I took them to Ukiya in Pontocho, and they were delighted. The night before, when they had done a Gion tour, they had been caught in heavy rain and had a rough time, but today there were relatively few people and no rain, so they truly enjoyed themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShijo (Kyoto Municipal)~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari~Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)240JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo Keihan~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 6SubwaySanjo Keihan~Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)220JPY
    Total1,270JPY

    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 Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 13:00 Meet at Intercontinental The Strings Tokyo By IHG
    • 2. 13:50 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 3. 15:20 Ueno Park (Ueno Toshogu Shrine, etc.)
    • 4. 16:30 Ginza (Kyukyodo, Mitsukoshi, ITO-YA)
    • 5. 17:20 Dismissal (Yurakucho Station)

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Asakusa, Ueno, and Ginza in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Since we could not meet in the hotel lobby exactly at the meeting time, I called via a messaging app to meet up, and we departed a few minutes late. At Keikyu Shinagawa Station we bought PASMO cards together and headed to Asakusa. The weather in Asakusa was very nice, so we first enjoyed the view from Azuma Bridge before going to Kaminarimon Gate. There was no particular shopping on Nakamise Street, and while talking about history and other topics, we visited Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine. The guests listened with great interest to my explanations of Shinto and Buddhism. At Ueno Park, they were also interested to hear about its history, the origins of the National Museum of Western Art, and Ueno Toshogu Shrine. They were surprised when I told them there are two giant pandas at the zoo. Since one of the guests had worked in education, when we saw groups of junior high school students in both Asakusa and Ueno and I explained things about schools in Japan (the new school year begins in April, etc.), their eyes became sharp and serious. As I knew from the start that there would not be much time for Ginza, rather than accompanying any shopping, I limited it to an introduction. The reaction at the stationery shop was somewhat lukewarm, so I took them to the basement food floor of a department store, and they were impressed. They said they would come back another day to look more carefully, including at a stationery store, so I took them to Yurakucho Station, which is convenient for returning to the hotel in Shinagawa. I explained which platform to take and to get off at JY25, handed them a paper I had prepared in advance, and after seeing them go through the ticket gate, we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa~Sengakuji150JPY
    Section 2SubwaySengakuji~Asakusa280JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Ueno180JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno~Ginza180JPY
    Total790JPY

    Hello, I’m Masaaki Kurata. I have been conducting walking tours in Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka and the East Garden of Imperial Palace since I joined an English guide volunteer club in 2016. I worked for 2 U.S. based companies in Tokyo for 41 years and retired in 2023. I developed good communication skills with people from other countries in my long career in those 2 companies. I was born in the suburb of Tokyo and I’m familiar with Tokyo pretty much. Since I retired and do not work for a company any longer, I can be flexible in making itineraries. I really want to make tourists happy by making fun and interesting communication.

    Jun 5, 2026
    Flyer544764
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Extraordinary submersion into Japanese history and culture~
    What an extraordinary 6 hr…

    Apr 27, 2026
    Eric_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mac was a very good tour…
    Mac was a very good tour…

    Apr 23, 2026
    O4598GUpatriciat
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional Private Guide – Discovering the Hidden Side of Tokyo
    We had…

    Apr 2, 2026
    V742WEsusans
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommended tour
    Excellent friendly guidance from Mac. He greeted us at…

  • Aomori in One Day: Seiryu-ji Temple & Warrase Museum

    Aomori in One Day: Seiryu-ji Temple & Warrase Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 【Itinerary】
    • 10:00 Hotel Aomori
    • We will initially meet at 10:00 at Hotel Aomori then we will take the chartered van-type taxi to Seiryuji Temple housing a five-storied pagoda.
    • 10:30 Seiryu-ji Temple
    • * Showa Daibutsu (Showa Great Buddha)
    • – the tallest bronze sitting statue of Buddha in Japan (21 meters)
    • *Five-Storied Pagoda – the 4th highest in Japan (39.5 meters)
    • *Zen Garden (Dried Landscape Garden – Sand garden)
    • *(Admission fee : 400 yen/one-person)
    • 11:30 Activities – Apple picking at Aomori apple orchard
    • 12:30 Lunch – Nokkedon at Aomori Gyosai Center
    • Aomori Gyosai Center (Fishery and Vegetable Market) Center
    • OR Maruo Sushi Restaurant in “Shinsen Fishery Market” OR Ramen shop OR other Japanese style restaurants.
    • 14:00 Warrase Museum
    • This Museum introduces “ Aomori Nebuta Festival – Nationally Designated Important Folk Cultural Property- displaying the Nebuta Float made by Japanese paper, wire, and electric fluorescent or LED lamps with the size of 9 meters in width, 7 meters in depth, and 5 meters in height.
    • *Aomori Sumer Nebuta Festival- Every year three million spectators gather for the Aomori Summer Nebuta Festival. Large dolls (nebuta) made of wood, wire and Japanese paper with lights inside, march through town. Dancers called haneto, dance wildly to call of “rassera, rassera” for a very energizing performance. Anybody can participate if they wear the haneto outfit so don’t just watch, be a part of the festivities yourself!
    • *(Admission fee: 620 yen/one-person)
    • Ending Point
    • 16:00 Hotel Aomori
    • Best regards,
    • Tomohiko Kudo

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Aomori City Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide C led a private day tour of Aomori City for a group visiting from North America. It was their first time in Japan, and their overall itinerary ran Tokyo → Morioka → Aomori → Kyoto → Hakone → Tokyo. The private tour in Aomori covered Seiryuji Temple, an Aomori sightseeing apple orchard, lunch featuring nokke-don, the Auga underground fresh market, and the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE. Aomori is blessed with rich nature, though there have been ongoing incidents of bears causing harm to people, including damage at apple orchards. At the Auga underground fresh market, one exchange stood out. The guests remarked, "There are so many fresh and delicious-looking fish here! Salmon and trout! Back home, bears love the salmon and trout that swim upstream. Is it the same in Aomori? Do bears come here looking for salmon and trout?" Everyone at the market laughed at the joke.

    My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
    I live in Aomori city.
    I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
    After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
    Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
    Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
    Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
    Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
    I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
    If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
    What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.

    Jun 2, 2025
    413maryannb
    Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…

    Apr 30, 2025
    Jacqueline_F
    Great Guide, great tour
    Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…

    Dec 30, 2024
    Scenic33296385055
    Warm and professional guide
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…

    Aug 3, 2024
    Monika R
    Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We were 3…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • ②9:00〜9:50 Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street
    • ③10:00〜11:00 Sumida River Cruise Water Bus
    • ④11:00〜11:40 Odaiba
    • ⑤11:40〜12:30 Travel from Odaiba to Nezu
    • ⑥12:30〜13:15 Nezu Shrine
    • ⑦13:15〜15:00 Yanaka area stroll (Ueno Sakuragi, Yanaka Cemetery, Isetatsu, Yanaka Ginza, Yuyake Dandan) Dismissal

    What Can You See on a 6-Hour Private Walking Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived the previous night, and today was their first day of sightseeing, with plans to stay a total of about two weeks including a visit to Kyoto. Today, in addition to strolling through the Asakusa, Nezu Shrine, and Yanaka areas as they had requested, they enjoyed a Sumida River cruise on a water bus and also stopped by Odaiba. On the way back, they took the monorail and enjoyed the views of Tokyo Bay. They were energetic and walked the full six hours, taking only a light lunch of sandwiches, and we parted ways upon arriving at the Yuyake Dandan steps as they had specified. Afterward, it seemed they would continue on toward the Ueno area on their own. I gave them a Tokyo guidebook and pointed out other sights to see. At a traditional paper shop, they took a liking to some beautiful chiyogami decorative paper and purchased it.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherAsakusa~Odaiba2,000JPY
    Section 2TrainOdaiba Kaihin Koen~Shimbashi330JPY
    Section 3TrainShimbashi~Yurakucho150JPY
    Section 4TrainHibiya~Nezu180JPY
    Total2,660JPY

    Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
    I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Certification
    Certified Travel Services Manager
    Authorized Tour Conductor
    Kyoto Expert Certification

    Jul 23, 2026
    svendulrikr
    Tripadvisor review: Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
    Best of Nara
    Amazing trip to Nara with the most…

    Jul 10, 2026
    valerianos862
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Private tour of Tokyo.
    Our guide Sam is very…

    Jun 20, 2026
    Sarah B
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learned how to ride the trains and we went to…

    Apr 14, 2026
    MDMallory
    Tripadvisor review: Yokohama and Kamakura 6hr Private Trip Government-Licensed Guide
    The Natural Beauty of Kamakura
    Our guide, Sam, was very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Great Buddha of Kamakura & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

    Tokyo in One Day: Great Buddha of Kamakura & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 8:40 After guiding through the grounds of Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, head to Ofuna via Shimbashi
    • 10:00 From Ofuna, take the monorail to Shonan-Enoshima
    • 11:00 Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
    • 12:30 Visit Hasedera Temple
    • 14:30 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
    • 16:00 From Kamakura to the hotel. Tour ends in the car

    Title: What's a Private Kamakura and Enoshima Day Tour Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Tokyo just the night before. Since they had only just arrived, I first gave them a full tour of Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, near their hotel. They were amazed that such a wonderful place existed so close to their hotel, and said they would like to visit again on their own after the tour. From Ofuna, we took the monorail toward Shonan Enoshima, and they seemed to greatly enjoy the unique ride. It was a weekend in Kamakura, so both the Great Buddha of Kamakura and Hase-dera Temple were quite crowded with tourists, but the guests appeared delighted by these distinctly Japanese scenes. Finally, we headed to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, where we happened to see a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony taking place, and the guests were captivated by this classic Japanese ritual.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

    May 27, 2026
    jackie m
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Our guide was really interesting and had…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Lindsey_W
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Atsushi, was…
    Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Arashiyama

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Arashiyama

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meeting point: Hotel Al Kyoto Sanjo Kiyamachi-dori
    • 09:40 Sightseeing ①: Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ②: Nijo Castle
    • 12:20 Sightseeing ③: Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove)
    • 13:00 End

    Can You Do a Private 4-Hour Walking Tour of Kyoto in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Prior communication about adjusting the destinations was handled with one member of the group. The group planned to stay in Kyoto and to also visit Nara at the end of their trip. They had listed many places they wanted to see, including Nijo Castle, Gion, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Tofuku-ji, Arashiyama, Katsura Imperial Villa, and Gio-ji, and their enthusiasm to fully experience the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara was clear. However, since the tour I guide was the shortest "4-hour course," I proposed a compact itinerary of "Kyoto Imperial Palace ⇒ Nijo Castle ⇒ Arashiyama" that captures the essence of Kyoto from the perspectives of (1) Kyoto's history and culture and (2) the beauty of Kyoto's nature, and the guests agreed. On the day, I met the guests almost exactly on time, introduced myself, and gave a brief explanation of the itinerary, which they understood. It had been rainy since the morning, but since the earlier destinations were indoors and we traveled by subway and JR, I was able to continue guiding from start to finish without ever using an umbrella myself. At the Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, I explained the long history of Japan's imperial system, including the mythological era. At the next stop, Nijo Castle, I introduced the history of how, even under the imperial system, actual political rule had been carried out by the samurai class, and I helped them understand that Nijo Castle is a historically and symbolically significant place as a building representing the Tokugawa shogunate system. The guests showed strong interest in the historical significance and unique culture of each place, and asked many questions. The final stop, Arashiyama, was also rainy, but it was the place the guests had most looked forward to (especially the Bamboo Path). Walking through the bamboo grove in the light rain, they enjoyed the green tunnel and took many photographs. Because one member of the group had an injured ankle and we walked a little more slowly, we were unable to visit Tenryu-ji temple, which had been planned after the bamboo grove, but all of the guests seemed satisfied. It had been a while since I had guided such a group, but with constant chatting and laughter, it turned out to be a fun and enjoyable tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall~Imadegawa260JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Nijo220JPY
    Section 3TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Total680JPY

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • PM15:35  Start from Hotel
    • Transport by train to Fushimi Inari
    • PM 16:15-17:00 Visit Fushimi Inari, up to Okusha
    • Transport by TAXI to Kiyomizu-dera
    • PM 17:20-18:00 Visit Kiyomizu-dera
    • Transport on foot: Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, from Gion to Pontocho, shopping along the way
    • PM 19:10 Tour ends at Pontocho with the guest's consent

    Title: What's an Afternoon Private Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Although the assigned meeting point was one hotel near Kawaramachi Oike, the local travel agency's documents listed a different hotel near Nijo Castle, and the guests had gathered there. Their actual accommodation, however, was yet another hotel near Nishi Hongan-ji. This became clear through communication right before the tour started. Since the hotels were relatively close, I quickly moved from the first hotel to meet them, and everything worked out fine. The guests were visiting from North America, and their native language was Spanish. Because the tour started at 15:30, I had informed them in advance that we would use a taxi to travel from Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera, and we managed to arrive at Kiyomizu-dera before its closing time, so they enjoyed the visit. After walking through Sannenzaka, the Yasaka Pagoda, and Gion, the guests enjoyed some shopping in nighttime Kyoto. I then guided them along Pontocho, and with the guests' agreement, the tour ended at 19:10.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall Front~Nijo Castle Front220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijo Castle Front~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 3TrainSanjo Keihan~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Total680JPY

    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。

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shiomi Station & Ginza Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shiomi Station & Ginza Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meeting place: Hotel
    • 8:40 Depart Shiomi Station
    • (JR Keiyo Line)
    • Hatchobori Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • Ueno Ueno Station / Eki Tabi Concierge
    • 9:30 Depart Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 9:40 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 10:30 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 10:50 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 11:30 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 11:50 Arrive Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • Nijubashi Bridge
    • 12:40 Depart Nijubashimae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 13:00 Arrive Ginza Station
    • Ginza Ginza 4-chome Mitsukoshi and others
    • 14:00 Depart Ginza Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    •   Hatchobori Station
    • (JR Keiyo Line)
    • 14:30 Arrive Shiomi Station
    • 14:30 Disband: Shiomi Station

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for Senior Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, coming to Japan for the first time. This visit was part of a 14-day trip. They planned to stay in Tokyo, then travel to Hakone, Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, before returning to Tokyo and heading home. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous evening and taken a pre-booked taxi to their Hotel. However, due to heavy rain, they arrived much later than planned, finally reaching the Hotel around 21:00. They mentioned, "Tomorrow we are planning to visit Odaiba." The tour took place under cloudy skies, with occasional light rain. First, they wanted to activate their JR Pass, make Shinkansen reservations, and purchase a Suica card. They had been told by a travel agency that "the guide can take care of everything." So we headed to the travel concierge counter at Ueno Station. However, since the itinerary details (dates, train times, etc.) had not been finalized, it took considerably more time than usual before everything was completed. From there, we went to Asakusa. Starting in front of the Kaminarimon Gate, I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "the purpose of the five-story pagoda," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos at the Kaminarimon Gate, in front of the five-story pagoda, and at various other spots. We strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street. They asked, "What are the major religions in Japan?" "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?" and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?" Next, we went to Tsukiji. As always, it was extremely crowded with tourists. I explained about "the history of Tokyo's fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." They asked and commented, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's very crowded—are these locals or tourists?" They purchased and tasted some matcha ice cream. We then moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. I explained about "Japanese history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "the Tokyo air raids." They asked, "What happened to the shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?" and "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold any political power?" We moved on to Ginza. In the light rain, we strolled around Mitsukoshi, Ginza Six, the Nissan showroom, and other spots. They commented and asked, "Japanese people are all so quiet and polite," "There are no homeless people to be seen in the city," "The streets are clean and there is no litter," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" I saw them off at Shiomi Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShiomi~Hatchobori (Tokyo)170JPY
    Section 2TrainHatchobori (Tokyo)~Ueno180JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa~Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 5TrainAsakusa~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 6TrainNijubashimae~Ginza180JPY
    Section 7TrainGinza~Hatchobori (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 8TrainHatchobori (Tokyo)~Shiomi170JPY
    Total1,450JPY

    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
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  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangendo & Gion Explanation about Gion

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangendo & Gion Explanation about Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet the guests at Hotel Kyoto
    • 10:10 Depart from the hotel
    • 10:20 Arrive at Sanjusangendo
    • 11:00 Depart from Sanjusangendo
    • 11:30 approx. Arrive at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 12:20 approx. Depart from Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • Via Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka, Ichinen-zaka, Nene-no-michi, and Ishibe-koji
    • 13:30 Arrive at Yasaka Shrine
    • 13:40 Depart from Yasaka Shrine
    • 13:45 Arrive at Gion Explanation about Gion
    • 14:00 Say farewell and disband

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion The guests were visitors from North America on their first trip to Japan, and they mentioned that they would hike Fushimi Inari the next day before leaving for another destination in Asia. At the start of the tour, I shared that I myself had once lived in North America. When I took them to Sanjusangendo, they looked at the Buddhist statues very attentively and asked me many questions. After that, we took a taxi to Kiyomizu-dera and enjoyed sampling treats such as yatsuhashi. After visiting Kiyomizu-dera, we had a light meal on Kiyomizu-zaka, and they purchased tea and a teapot as souvenirs. They mentioned wanting to buy Japanese-made chocolate, but we were not able to find any. Finally, in Gion, they had questions about maiko and geiko, which I answered, and the tour came to a close.

    Hello, I’m Yuko, a nationally licensed tour guide in Japan.
    My passion for guiding began in my twenties, and was deepened by the eight years I spent in New York, where I studied art criticism and volunteered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These experiences taught me the joy of cultural exchange and the value of warm hospitality. I love solo travel, art history – especially the Renaissance – and the Japanese tea ceremony, which I’ve studied under the Urasenke school. Wearing kimono and practicing tea ceremony brings me peace and mindfulness that I enjoy sharing with visitors.
    I look forward to being your bridge to Japan’s culture, history and traditions.