Category: Uncategorized

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet. At customer's request, 10:15 from the bus stop near the hotel, taxi, Hakone, Old Cedar Avenue, Maruyama Bussan, 11:55 from Hakonemachi Port, Pirate Ship 12:35 Togendai, Ropeway, 13:15 Owakudani, Ropeway, by Cable Car 14:25 Gora, by train 14:55 Hakone Open-Air Museum, 15:55 Open-Air Museum, by train 16:25 arrive at Hakone-Yumoto. After explaining how to return to the hotel, disband at 16:35. The customer will have dinner at 808 Monsmare.

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a friendly and cheerful group visiting together. One person had been worried about seasickness, but there was no problem at all. The cedar avenue and Moto-Hakone were places added at the last minute, but they were unexpected experiences that delighted everyone. At the cedar avenue they enjoyed feeling like samurai, and at Moto-Hakone they did a lot of shopping. The black eggs were something they were hearing about for the first time and they were a bit hesitant at first, but after seeing everyone else eating them and trying one themselves, they were surprised by how unexpectedly delicious it was. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. Perhaps because they were all quite health-conscious, they walked very fast, and I had to walk hard to keep up and not fall behind. We could not see Mount Fuji, but everyone had such a great time that they forgot all about it.

    Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station～Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Request Booking

    Aug 24, 2026
    Deb_K
    Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Well organised tour
    Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Marcus_J
    Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing day with…
    Had an amazing day with Hiro.…

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

  • Kanagawa: Fuji Sengen Shrine & Oshino Hakkai

    Kanagawa: Fuji Sengen Shrine & Oshino Hakkai

    Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:00 Fuji Sengen Shrine
    • 11:30 Kawaguchiko Ropeway
    • 12;30 Oishi Park
    • 14:00 Oshino Hakkai
    • 16:30 Tour ends at the hotel

    Title: What Is a Private Fuji and Kawaguchiko Day Tour from Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe. They had come to Japan after spending four days in Asia, and had already stayed in Tokyo for several nights before heading to Hakone. After this, they planned a long journey continuing on to the Kansai region and then to other destinations in Asia. Their impression of Tokyo was extremely positive, even exceeding their expectations. During our prior consultation, since they would be staying in Hakone for several nights, we decided to save the Hakone sightseeing loop for the next day and instead head to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi today by rental car. During the drive, we exchanged a variety of topics, including Japanese culture and politics. At Fuji Sengen Shrine, I explained the origins of the shrine and the differences between shrines and temples while they observed everything firsthand. They seemed newly impressed to learn how the shrines and temples they had previously viewed without understanding their meaning had influenced Japanese culture. Afterwards, we admired Mount Fuji from the summit via the Kawaguchiko Ropeway, but unfortunately the sky was cloudy and only the area near the peak was visible, which was a bit disappointing for them. We then visited Oishi Park and Oshino Hakkai, allowing them to enjoy Mount Fuji from various angles. As expected, they seemed to hold a special sense of admiration for Mount Fuji as a symbol of Japan.

    Click here for more details: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    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.

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Gion

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Gion

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia
    • 08:30 to 09:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 09:50 to 10:40 Sanjusangendo
    • 11:20 to 12:20 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 12:50 to 13:20 Gion
    • 13:30 to 14:00 Lunch (Udon)
    • 14:00 Dismissal at Gion

    What Can You See in One Day in Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. Due to their schedule, they could only sightsee in Kyoto for a single day, so I arranged a tour covering Kyoto's most popular spots. After we parted ways in Gion, they planned to head to Kinkaku-ji on their own. The autumn leaves have begun to change color, but along with that, traffic within Kyoto City has been increasing, making it harder to get around. In particular, the buses heading to Kiyomizu-dera were so crowded that we let two of them pass. The guests were surprised, saying it was the first time they had seen buses that packed.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari～Shichijo180JPY
    Section 3BusShichijo Keihan-mae／Kyoto City Bus～Museum Sanjusangendo-mae／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusMuseum Sanjusangendo-mae／Kyoto City Bus～Gojozaka／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKiyomizu-michi／Kyoto City Bus～Gion／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,020JPY

    Tour Report by Haru

    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 !!

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour

    Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour

    Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • Depart Marine Port Kagoshima 08:35 >> Arrive Sakurajima Ferry Terminal 09:05, depart 09:20 >> Arrive Sakurajima Visitor Center 09:45, depart 10:15 >> Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Promenade >> Arrive 10:20, depart 10:35 >> Sakurajima Nagisa Park Foot Bath, arrive 10:35, depart 10:55 >> Arrive Sakurajima Ferry Terminal 11:00, depart 11:05 >> Yakiniku Nabeshima Yojiro Branch, arrive 11:45, 13:00 >> Along the way, view from the car window with explanations passing ○Terukuni Shrine ○Statue of Saigo Takamori ○Goromon Gate >> Arrive Satsuma Kiriko Glass Workshop 13:40, depart 14:15 >> Arrive Sengan-en 14:25, depart 15:50 >> Arrive Marine Port Kagoshima 16:20

    What Is a Private Sakurajima and Sengan-en Tour in Kagoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report It started raining from the morning departure. At Sakurajima, we walked between the lava fields to reach a foot bath. Since it was a little chilly in the rain, everyone warmed up nicely at the foot bath, and the guests all seemed to enjoy it. We were able to catch a ferry one departure earlier than planned on the way back, so we arrived at the yakiniku restaurant 30 minutes early, and the guests were able to relax and enjoy lunch with some alcohol. Some of the guests had wanted to visit a Satsuma Kiriko glass workshop, and they watched the glass-blowing process with great interest. At the adjoining shop, they bought quite a lot. At the photo spot in Sengan-en, everyone was in high spirits in the now-light rain, joined even by some other guests who spontaneously jumped in.

    Click here for more details: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Tachi

    Dear Guest

    I am Guide for your Kagoshima Tour.
    My nickname is Tachi, short hair, 69 years old, wearing glasses and quite small.

    In Kagoshima, we can see many things in “What to expect”, like Sengan-en, Reimeikan, Terukuni Shrine, etc.
    Could you please select must-see spots from the list and let us know, we will create your customised itinerary.

    in addition, Could you please advise what kind of food/materials you want to eat for lunch?
    and also if you have, what food/materials you can not eat, or what food/materials are prohibited to eat ?

    thank you for your request
    best regard

    Hideto Tachimoto

    Request Booking

    Apr 4, 2026
    Giovanni_M
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
    Fantastic
    Our experience was great and our guide Tachi was…

    Apr 3, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Kagoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable Guide around Kagoshima
    Tachi is an experienced, helpful and well organised…

    Mar 28, 2026
    James_M
    Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
    Great tour guide
    Great tour guide. Friendly and went out…

    May 8, 2025
    Louann710
    Great day in Kagoshima!
    Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
    Tachi was very responsive during the…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Egret Himeji Rooftop & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Egret Himeji Rooftop & Nadagiku Sake Brewery

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet @ JR Himeji Station
    • 11:15 @ Egret Himeji Rooftop
    • 11:30 @ Himeji Castle
    • 13:45 @ Koko-en Garden
    • 14:30 @ Nadagiku Sake Brewery
    • 15:30 Disband @ JR Himeji Station

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle and Sake Brewery Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe who had a strong interest in Japan and were able to hold simple conversations. Under clear skies, we were able to travel very smoothly. The first place we visited was Egret Himeji, and as always, the guests seemed very satisfied with the panoramic view of Himeji Castle from its rooftop. This facility was apparently once quite lively, but since many shops and restaurants closed during the pandemic, it seems many people now assume the entire facility is closed, so it is always quiet; on the plus side, this means one can enjoy the view leisurely from the rooftop. At both Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden, the guests observed everything with great interest and asked many questions. At the final stop, Nadagiku Sake Brewery, they also toured with interest, experienced a tasting, and purchased some sake as souvenirs. I presented them with a handmade drawstring pouch, which they were delighted to receive. They also gave me some unusual sweets from their home region. I was able to hear rare and interesting stories about their home region that one does not usually get to hear, which made the day very meaningful and enjoyable.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Yama

    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

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto: Village Kiramachi & Kenninji

    Kyoto: Village Kiramachi & Kenninji

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Village Kiramachi
    • 08:40 Fushimiinari (0) by subway & JR train
    • 10:00 Tofukuji (1000) by walking
    • 11:40 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • 13:00 lunch (Ganso Tokkyu Ramen Kan) by walking
    • 14:50 Ippodo matcha shop by taxi
    • 　　Teranachi Shopping Arcade
    • 15:20 Gion by walking
    • Tatsumibashi bridge
    • Hanamikoji
    • 15:45 Kenninji
    • Gion Shopping Arcade
    • 16:20 End of the tour

    Title: What Is a 2-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the East and West Sides The guests were a group visiting from Europe. As they had two consecutive days on November 11–12, we decided to explore the eastern side of Kyoto on the first day and the western Arashiyama and Sagano areas on the second day. Some of the guests did not eat meat or fish, which limited the lunch options, but fortunately we were able to get into an available ramen shop, where they enjoyed a vegan ramen. Afterwards, we went to Ippodo in Teramachi, where the guests both enjoyed thick matcha (koicha). We walked through Teramachi from Oike to Shijo, and I provided information about various shops along the way. Finally, we walked to Gion, extending our route to Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji, and Kenninji Temple. We concluded the tour at a pepper specialty shop in the Gion shopping street, where the guests enjoyed some samples and did a bit of shopping.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Total370JPY

    Tour Report by Kazz

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

    Request Booking

    Sep 25, 2026
    Marvin_F
    Kazz is an outstanding…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly…

    Sep 21, 2026
    Laura_K
    Day in Kyoto with Kazz
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazz was an amazing…

    Aug 27, 2026
    M6034YWthomasm
    Worth it
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    The day went by so quickly, a…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience
    Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…

  • Tokyo in One Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

    Tokyo in One Day: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet up @Mitsui Garden Ginza Premier
    • 8:15 Tsukiji: Former market site, fish market, outer market, Honganji Temple
    • 9:45 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 11:45 Lunch @Yakiniku Like Asakusa Branch
    • 12:15 Asakusa stroll: Kaminarimon Gate, Ura-Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Okuyama, Hoppy Street, Shin-Nakamise
    • 14:30 Disband @Mitsui Garden Ginza Premier

    **Title:** What Does a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had arrived the previous evening and were scheduled to board a cruise the following day. Since they left the itinerary up to me, I planned a standard route. We walked from their hotel to Tsukiji, where I showed them the site of the former market and explained the relocation to Toyosu. They found the fish market area very interesting. At the Imperial Palace, I talked about the history from the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration; they had studied well in advance and were already familiar with topics such as the daimyo system, which made the explanation rewarding. Since they planned to visit Kenrokuen during their cruise, I also gave them some background knowledge about Japanese gardens. In Asakusa, we avoided the crowds by taking the back streets behind Nakamise, and they showed great interest in the utility poles and overhead wires, taking many photos. We had also planned to look at kitchen knives at Kappabashi, but as time was tight, I took them to the Shin-Nakamise branch of MUSASHI instead. I made a dinner reservation for them at a teppanyaki restaurant in Ginza, and the tour concluded.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Shimbashi220JPY
    Total580JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

    Request Booking

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Ibis Styles Ginza & Hamarikyu Gardens

    Tokyo in One Day: Ibis Styles Ginza & Hamarikyu Gardens

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Ibis Styles Ginza
    • 8:50 Tsukiji Hongwanji, Outer Market, Fish Market, Namiyoke Shrine
    • 10:30 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 12:10 Ueno Park, Toshogu Shrine, Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Statue of Saigo Takamori
    • 13:00 Lunch
    • 14:30 Sakuradamon Gate, Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge
    • 15:00 Dismissal @ Hibiya Station

    What Is a Private First-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Hamarikyu, and Ueno I guided a group visiting from Oceania on their very first day in Japan. Everyone was friendly and responsive, showing genuine excitement at each stop, which made for a very smooth and enjoyable tour. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed tuna, grilled sirloin skewers, and strawberries and muscat grapes. The matcha and sweets break at Hamarikyu Gardens was also very well received. Since they said anything would be fine for lunch, we went to a set-meal restaurant, where they ordered the miso teriyaki chicken set and were very satisfied. Some of the guests had watched a historical drama and showed strong interest in Japanese history. They mentioned they planned to return to Ueno the next day to visit the museums and do some shopping. As one of the guests had a little difficulty walking, I used the bus to reduce the walking distance and made sure to include rest stops. At the end, at the subway ticket gate, I handed them a note explaining how to get back to their accommodation and gave them directions. They expressed a great deal of gratitude, and the tour came to a close.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusGinza 4-chome / Toei Bus～Tsukiji 3-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi～Ueno170JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno～Kasumigaseki (Tokyo)180JPY
    Total560JPY

    Tour Report by Takako

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Request Booking

    Sep 30, 2026
    16shelleyb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Great day in Toyko
    Four of us spent an…

    Sep 29, 2026
    982marvf
    Yokohama Experience
    Tripadvisor review: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Takako is an outstanding tour guide who knows Yokohama…

    Sep 24, 2026
    marshad422
    A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
    Tripadvisor…

    Sep 18, 2026
    7
    770stefanieg
    Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Takako, our guide…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Chawanzaka & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in One Day: Chawanzaka & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Meet(@Hotel Keihan Kyoto)
    • 10:00-10:30 Travel (Taxi; Kyoto Station → Kiyomizu / Chawanzaka)
    • 10:30-10:50 Shopping at Chawanzaka (ceramic cups & cat figurines)
    • 10:50-12:10 Kiyomizu area visit & stroll (Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Koshindo)
    • 12:10-12:40 Yasaka Shrine visit
    • 12:40-12:55 Travel (City Bus; Gion-mae → Higashiyama-Shichijo)
    • 13:00-13:50 Lunch (@Sato / near Sanjusangendo)
    • 14:00-14:50 Sanjusangendo visit
    • 14:50-15:10 Travel (Taxi; Sanjusangendo → Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • 15:10-16:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha visit
    • 16:00 Said goodbye at JR Fushimi Station

    **Title:** Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Covering Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari? A Licensed Guide's Report **Body:** The guests were an older group from Europe. They had traveled to many countries around the world, but this was their first time visiting Japan. It had become a little chilly, but the daytime temperature was pleasant for walking, and the autumn foliage was gradually deepening at the places we visited. I took them to Kiyomizu-dera (including the Yasaka Pagoda and Koshin-do), Yasaka Shrine, Sanjusangen-do, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. As the guests wished to travel efficiently, we used taxis for most of our transfers, with some exceptions. The guests said that Sanjusangen-do left the strongest impression on them. One of the guests also purchased a cup and a cat figurine on Chawanzaka, and seemed very satisfied.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusGion / Kyoto City Bus～Higashiyama-Sanjo / Kyoto Bus230JPY
    Total230JPY

    Tour Report by Michi

    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 !

    Request Booking

    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.…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Museum of Art and gardens

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Museum of Art and gardens

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:16 Take the bus to Sengoku, heading to Choanji.
    • 09:35 approx. Arrive at Choanji, worship, stroll.
    • 10:15 Take the bus to Togendai.
    • 10:40 Arrive at Togendai, board the Lake Ashi Pirate Ship.
    • 11:20 Arrive at Motohakone, walk to Hakone Shrine.
    • 12:45 After visiting Hakone Shrine, return to Motohakone Port and board the pirate ship again.
    • 13:10 Arrive at Togendai, line up for the ropeway.
    • 13:45 approx. Take the ropeway to Owakudani.
    • 14:05 Arrive at Owakudani. Sightseeing and lunch.
    • 15:20 Take the ropeway to Sounzan. Transfer to the cable car and get off at Koen-kami.
    • 15:50 Visit the Hakone Museum of Art and gardens.
    • 16:30 Walk back to Gora and disband.

    Title: What Is a Private Autumn Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests seemed to enjoy the autumn foliage, marveling at the beauty of Chokoji Temple, the view of the shore of Lake Ashi from the pirate ship, and the garden of the Hakone Museum of Art. In the afternoon, when the clouds cleared and Mount Fuji became visible, the guests were delighted, saying it was the first time they had seen it since arriving in Japan. For lunch, they had katsu curry at Owakudani (the roux also contained minced pork), and since they liked pork, they were satisfied. They had been looking forward to the matcha and Japanese sweets at the Hakone Museum of Art, but unfortunately we did not make it in time (tea service ended at 15:30). I felt sorry about this, but they did not seem too disappointed, saying they would like to try it somewhere during their stay in Japan. (Since they are heading to Kyoto after this, there should be plenty of opportunities.) It was a group trip, and although one of the guests had caught a cold after arriving in Japan and was not feeling well, they were recovering, so there was no particular problem. Impressions: In Hakone, buses are used frequently, and since the service tends to run late, it is difficult to keep the tour on schedule. This time as well, the bus from Sengoku to Togendai was nearly 15 minutes late, and we almost missed the pirate ship we had planned to board. Also, even when you know the bus will be late, you still have to be at the stop on time, which is somewhat frustrating. In this case, the stay at Chokoji Temple was 20 minutes, and even though I had the guests hurry, we then waited at the bus stop for the same 20 minutes. (I had factored in some waiting time for the ropeway to a certain extent. Since the direction from Sozan toward Togendai seems to have somewhat less waiting time than the reverse, careful route planning is needed during crowded seasons.)

    Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassIn front of Gora Station～Sengoku6,000JPY
    Section 2Free PassSengoku～Togendai0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTogendai Port～Motohakone Port0JPY
    Section 4Free PassMotohakone Port～Togendai Port0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTogendai～Owakudani0JPY
    Section 6Free PassOwakudani～Sounzan0JPY
    Section 7Free PassSounzan～Koen-kami0JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    Tour Report by Toshi

    I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.

    Request Booking

    Apr 16, 2026
    127dougg
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…

    Oct 25, 2025
    Julia_G
    Tokyo gardens and museums.
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…

    Oct 14, 2025
    M
    Manohar_S
    Superb must see
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…

    Oct 7, 2025
    Robert_H
    Lots of walking. We are…
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Lots of walking. We are…