Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Fukagawa Fudodo & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Fukagawa Fudodo & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hotel Ryogoku by HULIC
    • 10:30 Fukagawa Fudodo (watching the goma fire ritual)
    • 11:50 Kiyosumi Garden
    • 12:50 Montbell
    • 13:10 Lunch at Matsuya
    • 13:30 Ameyoko (currency exchange, Jogyo Bosatsu, Futatsugiya, insect food vending machine)
    • 14:00 Ueno Park (Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Benten-do, Hanazono Inari Shrine, Ueno Buddha, Ueno Toshogu, Pokemon manhole, Kuromon)
    • 14:40 Yanaka
    • 15:40 Nezu Shrine
    • 16:30 Disband at Nishi-Nippori Station

    What Is a Private Old-Town Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided guests visiting from North America. Beforehand, I had introduced three options — old-town streetscapes, a mix of styles, and major tourist spots — and they said they would love to see the old townscapes. While we were exchanging these messages, they suddenly told me they had forgotten to notify me about a hotel change, so the accommodation was changed at the last minute. We started at Fukagawa Fudodo, where the guests purchased goma prayer sticks for "good health" and "warding off misfortune," wrote their names and ages, took commemorative photos, walked once around the hall, and then watched the goma fire ritual. They also had their belongings purified along the way, and they were delighted to experience a traditional Buddhist ceremony from a front-row spot with a full view of everything. That said, perhaps because they could see the whole thing, there was none of the usual startling moment, which left me personally feeling a little wistful. At the next stop, Kiyosumi Garden, they were captivated by its beauty and took many photos, though it was a shame that it started to rain and we had to take temporary shelter for a while. Still, since they had been looking forward to the autumn foliage, they made sure to photograph the leaves that had just started to change color (at Lake Kawaguchiko they had been hoping to see a snow-capped Mount Fuji together with autumn leaves). Because there were requests to eat, to find an extra-large rain jacket, and to exchange currency, we headed to Ameyoko. At Montbell they found an XXL item they liked, but gave up on it because the chest size was too large; they were pleased that the exchange rate was two yen better than in Ginza; for lunch, to save time, they finished a meal at a Matsuya they happened to spot; and at Futaki-ya, which they had only intended to pass through, they ended up buying lots of sweets — thoroughly enjoying Ameyoko. At Jogyo Bosatsu, one of the guests scrubbed the back for the hips and another scrubbed the feet with a brush after getting blisters from wearing brand-new shoes for the trip. Since the guests did not seem particularly interested in history, I kept our visit to Ueno Park brief. They mentioned that among their acquaintances it was trendy to give dogs Japanese names, and they knew that "inari" refers to a fox. While riding the train, one of the guests was always playing Pokémon GO, proudly showing me the screen and saying, "In nine years I've already caught over 100,000 Pokémon and traveled 50,000 km." When I pointed out the two Pokémon manhole covers in Ueno Park, they happily said, "I'd like to photograph them when I go to other places too," and took pictures. After that, we continued along my usual route from Yanaka to Nezu Shrine, and they liked the atmosphere so much that they said, "Let's come back again when we visit the Tokyo National Museum," checking the photos and locations of several shops such as Kayaba Coffee, Yuga-an, and Nonbiri-ya. They were also very curious about Ogyo-ko, and when I said I was too scared to ever go in, they innocently asked, "Why?" and, finding its unique appearance amusing, took photos. They loved the old townscape with few foreign tourists, giving it the highest rating of the day and thanking me with, "Thank you for bringing us here." They were lovely guests.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayRyogoku～Monzen-nakacho180JPY
    Section 2SubwayMonzen-nakacho～Kiyosumi-shirakawa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayKiyosumi-shirakawa～Ueno-okachimachi220JPY
    Section 4SubwayNezu～Nishi-Nippori180JPY
    Total760JPY

    Tour Report by Danda

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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto: Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Gather at Genji Kyoto
    • 9:00 Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 9:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove walk ~ Tenryu-ji Garden
    • 10:20 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 11:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:00 Lunch at Gontaro Kinkaku-ji branch
    • 13:25 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 14:30 Disband at Token Kaiyodo

    What's a Private Family-Friendly Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided the guests, a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had their own cameras and the whole group took many photos together, which made them a lovely group to be with. Early in the morning, the Togetsukyo Bridge was not crowded, and they enjoyed taking photos. On the driver's recommendation, we visited Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, and I was very surprised to find it overflowing with international visitors. Kinkaku-ji was relatively uncrowded today, which made it easy to get around, and that was a pleasant surprise. At the lunch restaurant, they were delighted because they enjoyed udon broth. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, some of the guests earnestly counted the number of torii gates, which was charming. Since they planned to visit a sword shop afterward, I took them there directly and we parted ways. I believe they enjoyed the tour.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    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.

    Request Booking

    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: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 05:30 Watch the tuna auction at Toyosu Market
    • 06:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 08:00 Disband at the hotel

    Title: What's a Private Tsukiji Fish Market and Tuna Auction Tour Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, in Japan for a trip. At the group's request, the tour was arranged to prioritize the preferences of some of the guests. Everyone watched the tuna auction with great interest and enjoyed the lively atmosphere. During the sushi breakfast after the auction viewing, the guests were delighted, saying it was the best sushi they had ever eaten. One of the guests mentioned not being fond of mackerel, but after tasting fresh mackerel, they were surprised by how delicious it was. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, I first guided the group to a wholesaler's shop, where a shop happened to be preparing to butcher a whole fresh tuna, so the guests were able to see raw tuna up close, which they enjoyed. I also explained the different cuts of another tuna that had already been butchered, and I believe they came to understand how tuna is eaten. At a shop specializing in dashi (soup stock), the guests tasted three types of dashi and were pleased to purchase a premium dashi. Because of the hotel checkout timing, the group wished to return to the hotel by 8:00, so I guided them back to the hotel and concluded the tour.

    Click here for more details: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijomae Station front / Toei Bus～Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 2TrainHigashi-Ginza～Shinagawa370JPY
    Total580JPY

    Tour Report by Toru

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Request Booking

    Sep 25, 2026
    robert_s
    Fantastic experience!
    Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a tour booked with Toru…

    Sep 24, 2026
    Pamela_S
    Ask for Toru!
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our travel date for this tour…

    Sep 13, 2026
    S4579HLmaxf
    An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    Outstanding experience at the…

    Sep 7, 2026
    Victor_G
    All the temples and…
    Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up
    • Mimaru Akasaka
    • 10:00 Tsukiji
    • 12:00 Asakusa
    • 13:45 Disband @ Asakusa Station

    Title: What Is a Private Tsukiji and Asakusa Family Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, who came to Japan during a school break. The guests were friendly, polite, and very easy to guide. Although they attended a school where French was the primary language and seemed more comfortable in French, they had no trouble with English and spoke only English even among themselves while with me. I had asked in advance for children's Suica cards to be purchased at the airport, which made guiding on the day very smooth. I had been a little concerned about whether one of the younger members of the group would be able to walk the whole way, but they never complained once during the tour. When I praised them for doing so well, they told me they had practiced walking back home in preparation for the trip to Japan. At the guests' request, I showed them around Tsukiji and Asakusa. Along the way, I helped them purchase Shinkansen tickets at Ueno Station. To make sure the tour was enjoyable, we visited a sweets shop in Tsukiji, and in Asakusa we went to a character goods store and a goldfish scooping stall. One of the group had a peanut allergy, so I made sure to check at every shop we visited. The goldfish scooping was a big hit, and they took the challenge very seriously, managing to catch a goldfish successfully even though it was their first time. At first I had thought we might part ways in Asakusa so the group could have lunch on their own, but as it was the first day of sightseeing, they seemed tired and said they wanted to return to their accommodation. I explained the way back to the Akasaka area and said goodbye at the ticket gate of Asakusa Station.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka (Tokyo)～Tsukiji180JPY
    Total180JPY

    Tour Report by Yoko

    I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
    I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
    I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.

    I live with my husband and one teenage son.
    I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Request Booking

    Sep 22, 2026
    grenfell69
    Half-day tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    While visiting Tokyo we chose the Customized…

    Jun 2, 2026
    ericahT6840AD
    Awesome!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…

    May 20, 2026
    CharKris17
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Walking Tour
    We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…

    May 3, 2026
    jefftK1794VZ
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
    This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…

  • Nagasaki in One Day: Dejima & Oura Church

    Nagasaki in One Day: Dejima & Oura Church

    Nagasaki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet at Nagasaki Station
    • 09:00 Dejima
    • 11:00 Lunch in Chinatown
    • 12:00 Tojin Yashiki (Chinese Residence)
    • 13:00 Glover Garden
    • 13:45 Oura Church
    • 14:30 Disperse near Oura Church

    Title: What Is a Private History-Focused Tour of Nagasaki Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests had a strong interest in history, and sharp questions came up during the tour, such as "Why Protestant and not Catholic?" and "Indonesia was a Dutch colony, so why didn't Japan become one?" I also took the guests to the Chinese Quarter (Tojin Yashiki) and explained the historical connections between Nagasaki and China. At Oura Church, I shared the ties between Nagasaki and Poland as well.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNagasaki Station～Dejima150JPY
    Section 2TrainMedical Center～Ishibashi (Nagasaki Prefecture)150JPY
    Total300JPY

    Tour Report by Coco

    Hello, I’m Rikako, but please call me Coco. It would be my absolute pleasure to show you around my hometown of Nagasaki. Having performed in the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival in my childhood, I developed a deep interest in history and cultural exchange. This motivated me to become a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter during my university years. Since then, I have gained valuable experience—from assisting ambassadors at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony to handling a wide variety of tours, including private and coach tours, site inspections, international conference support, and VIP hospitality.
    Explaining about Nagasaki’s history and culture is the most important to me. It is not only about this. I would love to provide genuine care so that your time in Nagasaki remains in your heart forever.
    I’m truly looking forward to guiding you in Nagasaki 🙂

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    Dawnery_V
    Viator review: Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful city. Great guide.
    Rikako was a great guide. She…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Todd_C
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Had a very nice…
    Had a very nice experience. Coco was very…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Explore34946025848
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nagasaki
    Really good day out with a local guide, very informative about…

    Apr 4, 2026
    Giovanni_M
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Good
    Nagasaki is a very interesting tour
    I would recommend…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji

    Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet up at the hotel in Shinagawa, take the Keikyu Main Line via Higashi-Ginza Station to Tsukiji
    • 8:30 Arrive at Tsukiji, sightseeing
    • 10:00 Depart Tsukiji, take the Hibiya Line and Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa
    • 10:20 Arrive at Asakusa, sightseeing along Nakamise-dori
    • 11:35 Visit Senso-ji Temple, disperse

    What Is a Private Tokyo Food Tour of Tsukiji and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I met the guests on time at the Hotel and we headed to Tsukiji. The crowded morning train seemed to be a new experience for them, and they were surprised, but they were impressed that everyone in Japan rides so quietly. The guests were from North America and had mentioned that they even cook Japanese food at home. They had many requests, and in Asakusa they enjoyed a variety of Japanese foods such as beef bowl, matcha latte, otoro sushi, and wagyu skewers. They especially seemed to love the wagyu skewers. They also purchased souvenirs such as an eco bag. After that we moved to Asakusa, where I explained about ningyo-yaki and ukiyo-e along Nakamise Street, and they further enjoyed items like dango and zha ji pai. Finally we visited Sensoji Temple and parted ways. They seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese cuisine. After the tour, I sent the photo we took together and asked for a review, and they said, "Thank you for the wonderful tour! I'll write the best review." They also gave the OK to post the photo. They seemed to have had a great time.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa～Tsukiji440JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji～Asakusa290JPY
    Total730JPY

    Tour Report by Kanako

    Hi everyone! My name is Kanako. It might be difficult for you to remember my name, so just think my name is “Can of Coke”.
    I enjoy traveling, exploring cafés, and visiting museums. Since I live close to Tokyo, I often visit there in my free time.
    Do you like Japanese culture? Lately, people from many countries have shown interest in it, and I truly feel happy about that. Especially after the pandemic, even more visitors have been coming to Japan.
    Japan is a country with traditions that span thousands of years, while also embracing some of the most advanced technologies in the world. For example, you might come across a café with a sleek, modern interior hidden inside a building that looks like a traditional Japanese house from the outside. That’s quite common here. It reflects Japan’s spirit of “learning new things by studying the old.”
    Personally, I often discover something new just by walking through the streets. From famous tourist spots to hidden gems off the beaten path, let’s explore the essence of Japan together!

    Request Booking

    Mar 17, 2026
    C1482AUdave
    Perfect Hakone Day with a Fantastic Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00　Meet up @ Hotel Asakusa
    • 10:50　Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 11:20　Meiji Shrine
    • 13:10　Lunch @ Aoyuzu Tora (Marunouchi Building)
    • 13:50　Imperial Palace
    • 14:40　Akihabara
    • 15:30　Sensoji Temple
    • 16:15　Disband @ Asakusa

    What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe, and it was their first time in Japan. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. At the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, they enjoyed taking photos from the second floor of a coffee shop. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was greatly different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. In Akihabara, one of the guests purchased an anime figure as a souvenir. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as about the Kaminarimon Gate. Although the weather was unfortunately rainy today, I responded according to the guests' wishes, so I believe they were satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa～Shibuya260JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 4SubwayNijubashimae～Shin-Ochanomizu180JPY
    Section 5TrainOchanomizu～Akihabara150JPY
    Section 6SubwaySuehirocho (Tokyo)～Asakusa180JPY
    Total1,130JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Request Booking

    Sep 27, 2026
    jonaJ5014ZK
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…

    Sep 11, 2026
    M7402TTsharonp
    Higly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…

    Sep 8, 2026
    OnAir57127583503
    Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…

    Sep 4, 2026
    B2319ZKjoseo
    Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a great time learning about…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1)8:30 　　　　Meet at the hotel, then take the subway to Nijo Castle
    • 2)8:50～10:00　Nijo Castle, then take the bus to Kinkaku-ji
    • 3)10:40～11:30　Kinkaku-ji, then take the bus and subway to Nishiki Market
    • 4)12:10～12:30　Nishiki Market, then lunch
    • 5)12:40～13:50　Lunch, then take the Keihan Line to Sanjusangendo
    • 6)14:20～15:20 　Sanjusangendo, then guide partway on foot
    • 7)Around 15:30　　　　　Guide to a spot where Kyoto Tower can be seen, then say goodbye

    What's a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Sanjusangendo It happened to be a rainy day, but the guests walked without umbrellas, saying that this level of rain was fine and wearing windbreakers. The guests seemed to enjoy the wall paintings and other features of the Ninomaru Palace at Nijo Castle. One of the guests appeared to enjoy photography and took many photos of the Karamon Gate and the Ninomaru Garden in the rain. They also took many photos at Kinkaku-ji. Looking at the beautiful colored autumn leaves, one of the guests said it was beautiful. Over lunch, we talked about topics such as Japanese politics and family. They said it was a nice restaurant. The afternoon itinerary was scheduled to include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but since it has many ups and downs and would be slippery in the rain, I suggested Sanjusangendo, where they could spend time indoors, and we decided to go there instead. As a result, the guests seemed to like Sanjusangendo very much and said I had taken them to a wonderful place. After the visit, I asked what they planned to do next, and they said they would return to their hotel but asked about using public transportation. Since their hotel required taking the subway, I suggested walking to Kyoto Station and taking the subway back, guided them to a spot where Kyoto Tower was visible, and said goodbye. After returning home, I received a thank-you email from the guests. It seems they enjoyed the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarutamachi (Kyoto Municipal)～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2BusNijojo-mae／Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi／Kyoto City Bus～Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKitaoji～Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)260JPY
    Section 5TrainGion-Shijo～Shichijo180JPY
    Total1,120JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    Nice to meet you.
    My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
    Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
    I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.

    I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
    How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.

    By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.

    My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
    You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.

    I look forward to meeting you.
    Best regard.

    Request Booking

    Nov 27, 2024
    Julianne_A
    Book it
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Himeji Castle & Egret Himeji Rooftop

    Hyogo in One Day: Himeji Castle & Egret Himeji Rooftop

    Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet at 10:45 @ JR Himeji Station
    • 11:00 @ Himeji Castle
    • 13:15 @ Kokoen Garden
    • 14:30 Lunch @ Il Ricciolo
    • 15:30 @ Sosha Shrine
    • 16:15 @ Egret Himeji Rooftop
    • 16:45 Disband @ JR Himeji Station

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an older group from North America. They moved around smoothly throughout the day. On this day, a large-scale disaster preparedness drill was being held in and around JR Himeji Station, our meeting point, creating a lively and somewhat chaotic atmosphere that surprised both the guests and myself. The guests took many photos, saying this too would make a good memory. Despite the poor weather, Himeji Castle was crowded with many visitors, and entry was partially restricted. The guests commented that they were satisfied with all the spots we visited. The guests spoke some simple Japanese and were quite knowledgeable and well-versed in Japanese history and culture. As a result, they asked many in-depth questions, some of which I was unable to answer. There had been a request for lunch in advance (with a plant-based preference for part of the group), so I guided them to a restaurant I had researched online. They were satisfied in the end, which was a relief. It had been rainy since the morning, but perhaps because of that, the view from the rooftop of Egret Himeji was something I had never experienced before as a guide — reminiscent of a castle floating on a "sea of clouds," which I believe the guests found very satisfying. At a popular handmade "beckoning cat" shop in the shopping street near the castle, they purchased souvenirs. I presented them with a handmade drawstring pouch, and the guests were very pleased.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day 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: Dhawa Yura Kyoto & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Dhawa Yura Kyoto & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    November, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Dhawa Yura Kyoto
    • 9:20-10:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
    • 10:25-11:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:30-12:00 Nijo Castle
    • 12:10-13:30 Lunch (Creative Cuisine Wa)
    • 14:00-14:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 15:00 Dhawa Yura Kyoto

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Regarding the itinerary, we had consulted in advance and initially confirmed a plan that included Ryoanji Temple, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Sanjusangendo Temple. However, late the night before, there was a request to change it, so the revised route became: Hotel → the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Kinkakuji Temple → Nijo Castle → lunch (a creative cuisine restaurant) → Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine → Hotel. At each sightseeing spot, they repeatedly exclaimed "beautiful, beautiful," and were deeply moved by the scenery of the bamboo grove, the Golden Pavilion, and the thousands of torii gates. Since lunch was, in the guests' words, "a big part of our trip," and they said they wanted to have the kind of everyday meal that Japanese people eat, I took them to a creative cuisine restaurant offering a set meal with many dishes and excellent hospitality, and they were very delighted. During the drives and along the way, I was constantly asked questions by one member of the group or another. In addition to questions about everyday Japanese meals, real estate prices, the income gap between a company president and a new employee, Japanese views on religion, the Emperor's involvement in politics, the relationship between the Emperor and the shogun/prime minister, and the declining birthrate issue, the threat of AI came up several times, and it became a time of sharing a vague sense of unease about whether humans and society might be absorbed by AI.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Masaki

    My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

    Request Booking

    Jun 3, 2026
    Nikki G
    Wonderful experience with a great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaki was our guide through…

    May 24, 2026
    Pamela_C
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!…

    May 4, 2026
    TravelersHigh77
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
    Masaki was s wonderful and patient…

    Nov 29, 2025
    vsairamkumar
    Kyoto guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…