Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: Tour start & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path

    Kyoto: Tour start & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:45 Tour start
    • 9:05-10:20 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 10:40-11:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 12-10-12:50 Lunch
    • 13:05-13:35. Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:00-14:30. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
    • 15:00 Tour ends near Kyocera Museum of Art

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera and Local Crafts The guests were very lovely visitors from North America, and they purchased a lot of Kiyomizu-yaki pottery in the area around Kiyomizu-dera. It took some time to wrap the items, but they were very satisfied. For lunch, I took them to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, where they enjoyed the "Bikkura Pon" lottery game, something they could not experience back home. At each place we visited, they received goshuin (temple/shrine seal stamps) and also purchased prayer beads. They were pleasant guests, and they said they would be staying in Osaka for the next three days to visit the Expo. Although it looked like rain, it was light enough that umbrellas were not needed, so we were lucky.

    Hello, my name is Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Rahul_P
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Tour
    Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour…

    Jul 7, 2026
    782MarkS782
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Harumi and Kyoto
    This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…

    Jun 25, 2026
    JenCBear
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great visit with a great guide Harumi
    Harumi was a fantastic guide…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Andrew_M
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Amazing guided experience
    Harumi is an amazing guide.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Takeshiba Station & Shimbashi Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Takeshiba Station & Shimbashi Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meeting place: Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
    • 10:10 Depart Takeshiba Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • Shimbashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ginza Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 10:40 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 11:30 Tsukiji
    • (Walk)
    • 11:40 Shiodome
    • Shiodome Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 12:30 Depart Shiodome Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • 13:00 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho
    • Kabukicho
    • Shinjuku Golden Gai
    • 14:10 Depart Shinjuku-sanchome Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line)
    • 14:30 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Jingu
    • Break: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
    • Takeshita Street
    • 15:30 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 15:50 Shimbashi Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • 16:00 Arrive Takeshiba Station
    • 16:00 Disband: Takeshiba Station

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Shinjuku, and Harajuku The guests were a group of three visiting Japan from North America. It was the first visit to Japan for all of them. Some of the guests worked in the IT industry. They mentioned that a previous generation of the family had once run a trading business in Kobe before the war but returned overseas just before the war began. This was a 13-day trip to Japan. They had arrived at Narita Airport two days earlier and taken a taxi to their hotel. The previous day, they had gone to Asakusa and Shibuya by taxi. They planned to visit Disneyland the next day. Today, their request was to see the notable spots around the city. It felt like the beginning of autumn, though the temperature was still quite high during the tour. First, we went to Tsukiji. We strolled through the Tsukiji Uogashi and then to the Outer Market. I explained the history of Tokyo's fish market dating back to the Edo period, as well as the difference between the Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. There were questions and comments such as, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it does seem like there are a lot of tourists." At the request of one of the guests, they purchased and sampled grilled king crab, tuna sushi, and matcha ice cream. They also bought dashi stock and dried soybeans. One of the guests said the fish market brought back fond memories, as there were many fish markets back home. From there, we walked to the Hamarikyu Gardens. Comments included, "We could see it from the hotel, but walking through it is wonderful," and "There is a Japanese garden back home, but this one is far more beautiful." Next, we moved to Shinjuku. I explained the origins of Shinjuku, the difference between its east and west sides, and the history of Kabukicho. The guests especially liked the Godzilla Head and the cat billboard, filming them enthusiastically on video. One of the guests also purchased cosmetics at Don Quijote. We then moved to Harajuku, starting with Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, and why sake barrels and wine barrels are displayed there. There were questions such as, "How is Buddhism different from Shinto?" We took a break for a while at the Cafe Terrace at Meiji Shrine. Afterward, at one of the guests' request, we went to Takeshita Street. There were comments and questions such as, "Tokyo feels clean and safe," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" and "There are no homeless people to be seen." Saying they were tired and wanted to return to the hotel, and that they were not yet used to the subway, I saw them off at Takeshiba Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTakeshiba~Shimbashi190JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi~Tsukiji180JPY
    Section 3TrainShiodome~Shinjuku220JPY
    Section 4TrainShinjuku-sanchome~Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 5TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shimbashi180JPY
    Section 6TrainShimbashi~Takeshiba190JPY
    Total1,140JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Memorial Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Memorial Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 9:45-10:30 Travel to Miyajima
    • 10:30-13:20 Miyajima
    • 13:30-14:50 Travel to Shukkeien Garden
    • 14:50-15:30 Shukkeien Garden
    • 15:45-16:00 Travel to Peace Memorial Park
    • 16:00-17:20 Peace Memorial Park
    • 17:30-18:00 Travel to Hiroshima Station
    • 18:00 Dismissal

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan from North America. Since one of the guests was interested in Japanese gardens, I took the group to Shukkeien Garden, which had not been part of the original requests during the pre-tour arrangements. On the day of the tour, the Peace Memorial Museum was extremely crowded with school excursion students, even though it was a weekday. Even after passing through the museum gate, there was a wait of more than ten minutes just to enter the main building, and the guests seemed quite tired by this. It is difficult to predict the level of crowding in advance, but I felt that some kind of response is needed, such as informing guests before entering when it looks likely to be crowded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima420JPY
    Section 3BusHiroshima~Shukkeien-mae240JPY
    Section 4BusShukkeien-mae~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Section 5BusPeace Memorial Park/Hiroshima Bus~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total1,560JPY

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. After completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima—and have now lived here for over 42 years. I earned a Ph.D. through a national university’s professional program while working at Mazda Motor Corporation. Five years before retiring from the company, I was seconded to Hiroshima University, a national university, where I served as a specially appointed professor. In addition to my domestic career, I spent a total of about five and a half years living and working abroad. These international experiences have given me valuable cross-cultural understanding and the ability to connect comfortably with guests from around the world. Currently, as a Hiroshima Prefectural Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, I introduce visitors not only to famous attractions such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, but also to the local lifestyle, culture, and culinary delights, tailored to your interests. I hope to provide each guest with a memorable experience that stays in your heart.
    I look forward to meeting you here in Hiroshima!

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Thomas L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with a Great Guide
    Our guide Kazuhisa…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima via Hiroshima & Peace Memorial

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima via Hiroshima & Peace Memorial

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:10-10:30 Move to Miyajima via Hiroshima Station
    • 10:30-12:45 Miyajima
    • 12:55-13:50 Move to Hiroshima Station
    • 14:00-14:50 Lunch
    • 15:00-15:10 Move to Peace Memorial Park
    • 15:10-15:40 Honkawa Elementary School Museum
    • 15:50-17:20 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 17:20-17:30 Move to the hotel
    • 17:30 Dismissal

    Title: What's a Private Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. Upon learning that they had taught children about the novel featuring Sadako and the paper cranes, I decided to take the group to the museum at Honkawa Elementary School. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides regularly lead private tours in Hiroshima that include sites related to the atomic bombing. At Honkawa Elementary School, I explained that at the time of the atomic bombing, about 400 children and staff were said to have been in the schoolyard, and that most of them lost their lives, allowing us to share an understanding of the tragedy of the atomic bomb. For lunch, there was a request for okonomiyaki, so I took the group to a popular restaurant near Hiroshima Station. The guests were satisfied with the taste, but the portions were large and there seemed to be some reluctance to leave food uneaten. In the future, I would like to be more considerate by ordering smaller portions in advance where possible.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShirakami-sha-mae / Hiroshima Bus~Hiroshima240JPY
    Section 2TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima420JPY
    Section 4BusHiroshima~Genbaku Dome-mae / JR Bus Chugoku240JPY
    Total1,320JPY

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. After completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima—and have now lived here for over 42 years. I earned a Ph.D. through a national university’s professional program while working at Mazda Motor Corporation. Five years before retiring from the company, I was seconded to Hiroshima University, a national university, where I served as a specially appointed professor. In addition to my domestic career, I spent a total of about five and a half years living and working abroad. These international experiences have given me valuable cross-cultural understanding and the ability to connect comfortably with guests from around the world. Currently, as a Hiroshima Prefectural Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, I introduce visitors not only to famous attractions such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, but also to the local lifestyle, culture, and culinary delights, tailored to your interests. I hope to provide each guest with a memorable experience that stays in your heart.
    I look forward to meeting you here in Hiroshima!

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Thomas L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with a Great Guide
    Our guide Kazuhisa…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Arashiyama

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Arashiyama

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet
    • 9:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 10:45 Sanjusangendo
    • 12:30 Kennin-ji Temple
    • 13:45 Arashiyama
    • 15:15 End at Hankyu Katsura Station platform

    What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time. Their stay in Kyoto lasted two days, and the tour day was their main day for sightseeing. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, they were very surprised to learn about the car purification ritual. At Sanjusangendo, they were overwhelmed by the Buddhist statues, and I could clearly sense how deeply moved they were. Along the way, we chatted and deepened our connection over the short time we spent together. When we arrived in Arashiyama, they were moved by the surrounding mountains and were delighted, saying that Oceania has no scenery quite like this. They enjoyed the bamboo grove, the observation deck, and the Kimono Forest. I accompanied them to Katsura Station and said goodbye at the platform heading toward the Kawaramachi area.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherGion-Shijo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2OtherFushimi Inari~Shichijo170JPY
    Section 3OtherSanjusangendo-mae / Princess Line~Higashiyama Yasui230JPY
    Section 4TrainKyoto-Kawaramachi~Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Section 5OtherArashiyama (Hankyu Line)~Katsura200JPY
    Total1,060JPY

    Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
    I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
    In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
    In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
    In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
    Every city has a unique charming point.
    The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
    I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
    And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
    I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
    I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
    Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
    Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

    Jul 27, 2026
    OscarBrisenoJr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Awesome tour of Kyoto
    Seeing the temples and shrines…

    Jul 21, 2026
    MarcL3556
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful and Memorable Tour of Osaka with Mizu…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Ranvt
    Local tour kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I had a great experience on this local…

    Jun 11, 2026
    MamaL843
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
    Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:00 Odaiba Seaside Park & Gundam Statue
    • 11:00
    • 13:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:50 Takeshita Street
    • 14:30 End of the tour at Harajuku

    What Does a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Include? A Licensed Guide's Report on Odaiba, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting Japan from Oceania. As requested in advance, we visited Odaiba, Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, and Takeshita Street. Since we started early at 8:00 in the morning, we first headed to Odaiba, where the guests enjoyed the seaside park and the Gundam statue. On the "Yurikamome" line, they sat in the front car, and I explained the scenery along Tokyo Bay as well as the history of the reclaimed land in the area. At Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, the guests enjoyed the unique atmosphere and also purchased souvenirs. At Meiji Shrine, I explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, the influence each has had on Japanese culture, and the differences in how to worship. Much of this seemed to be new information to them, and they were very pleased. They also purchased as many as ten "omamori" charms as souvenirs. On Takeshita Street, they were surprised to actually see the animal cafés they had long been curious about, and they said they would like to return another day. Finally, I assisted with purchasing Shinkansen tickets for their trip to Kyoto and Osaka, and the tour came to an end.

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:55 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 10:00 Take the train to Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 10:30 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 10:40.Take the ferry to Miyajima
    • 13:10 Finish sightseeing in Miyajima and head to Miyajimaguchi
    • 13:20 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    •     Lunch at Chinchikurin
    • 14:20 Finish lunch and head to Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 14:34 Take the train to Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 14:52 Arrive at Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 14:55 Take the bus to the museum
    • 15:06 Arrive at the museum
    •     Museum, monument tour
    • 17;15 Finish monument tour, take the bus to Hiroshima Station
    • 18:00 Arrive at Hiroshima Station, disband

    Japan Guide Agency Family Tour Report: A Guide's Day Visiting Shrines, Shopping Streets, and Local Food I guided a group visiting from North America. I had been a little concerned that they might get bored at the shrine or the museum, but they had explained in advance that this trip was meant to be a learning experience, so it was fine. At the shrine, the group toured quietly. However, once we entered the shopping street, they became absorbed in the game machines and capsule toy machines and seemed to be enjoying themselves. One of the guests said that any fish dish would be fine, and enjoyed grilled oysters with conger eel, and was very satisfied. They also had freshly made momiji manju, which they seemed to enjoy as well. At the museum, the group viewed the exhibits calmly.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Nishi-Hiroshima330JPY
    Section 3TrainNishi-Hiroshima~Peace Memorial Park/Hiroshima Bus240JPY
    Section 4BusAtomic Bomb Dome~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total1,230JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Sep 25, 2025
    pedropM3071GD
    Amazing day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This was an amazing experience to…

    Jul 25, 2025
    ourtravelingt
    Great personalized tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was fabulous and our…

    Jul 13, 2025
    katherinepE2305IO
    Hiroshima Tour 4hr Walking
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an amazing guide. He…

    Jul 7, 2025
    Preston_H
    Great tour guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an incredible guide who…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Shijo Kawaramachi

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Shijo Kawaramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at the base of Kyoto Tower
    • 10:00 Fushimi Inari
    • 11:45 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 13:00 Gion
    • 13:40 Lunch in Gion
    • 14:40 Shijo Kawaramachi
    • 15:00 End at the Nintendo Store in Takashimaya

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from Oceania. Since I had informed them in advance that we would walk nearly 10 km, we covered almost the entire sightseeing route on foot. A [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led this full-day private walking tour of Kyoto. I recommended taking a taxi from Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera, but the guests preferred the Keihan train, so we traveled to Kiyomizu-Gojo and then walked from Kiyomizu-dera to Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, and on to Gion. In Gion, the guests enjoyed okonomiyaki. As some of the guests were fond of anime, we finished the tour with a visit to the Nintendo shop on the 7th floor of Takashimaya. With no heat or humidity, the guests were able to enjoy comfortable sightseeing throughout the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2OtherFushimi Inari~Kiyomizu-Gojo220JPY
    Total370JPY

    Hi I am Kunihiro ARAKAWA, National government licensed tour guide.
    Please call me first name Kuni.
    My original city is Nagoya, but I lived in Tokyo for 20 years,
    and also lived in London and Paris for work.
    Now I live in Kyoto city. I moved here because I love Kyoto.
    I like taking photos and also sell my own photos on website.
    I’d love to take memorable photos for you at great photo spots.
    I also like history and gourmet food.
    I’d love to introduce some local recommendations.
    I’ll ask your request and create your special tour.
    Please feel free to let us know your thoughts.
    Looking forward to meeting you !

    Kuni

    Jul 18, 2026
    M2443VKandrewl
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Excellent guide and support
    Kuni-san was an excellent guide and…

    Jun 9, 2026
    Gail M
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Kyoto Sights; Private Guide & Driver
    The…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Rick_S
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An afternoon in Kyoto
    We had a great time exploring Kyoto. Our…

    May 16, 2026
    sydneybA4751LA
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 private tour of Kyoto!
    Kuni was amazing as our private tour…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • There seemed to be trouble boarding the Shinkansen from Osaka, so the guest's arrival was delayed by 30 minutes.

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for a Family Visiting from Overseas? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from Oceania. In their home area, public rail options are limited, so they were not very used to taking trains, and they seemed to have some trouble figuring out which platform to use for the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka Station, which resulted in a 30-minute delay. I had planned to guide them around Fushimi Inari at the end, but because of the 30-minute delay, I was only able to take them there without a full tour. On a Japan trip of about ten days, Kyoto was their only destination for today, but I believe they were able to get a good sense of Kyoto's atmosphere.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto Station/Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2TrainKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Shijo Takakura/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusShijo Kawaramachi/Kyoto City Bus~Gion/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusGion/Kyoto City Bus~Kiyomizu-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKiyomizu-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Tofukuji/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6TrainTofukuji~Inari150JPY
    Total1,300JPY

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Tochigi in One Day: Tobu Bus & British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

    Tochigi in One Day: Tobu Bus & British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet with the guest
    • 08:35-09:10 Tobu Bus
    • 09:15-09:25 Akechidaira sightseeing
    • 09:40-09:50 Tobu Bus
    • 10:00-10:30 Kegon Falls sightseeing
    • 11:00-11:40 Sightseeing boat
    • 11:40-12:10 Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park
    • 12:20-12:50 British Embassy Villa Memorial Park
    • 13:10-13:25 Sightseeing boat
    • 13:30-14:00 Lunch
    • 14:10-14:39 Tobu Bus
    • 14:40   Disband at Shinkyo Bridge

    What Can You See on a Private Nikko and Lake Chuzenji Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests wished to enjoy nature in the Lake Chuzenji area while visiting as many places as possible. For this reason, I planned carefully, explained the itinerary to the guests, and we visited a great number of sightseeing spots. We saw Akechidaira, Kegon Falls, took a sightseeing boat cruise around Lake Chuzenji, and visited the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park and the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park. After that, the guests wished to explore the World Heritage area on their own, so I took them to Shinkyo Bridge and ended the tour there. From the pre-tour contact stage, I answered their questions, and on the day I was able to fulfill all of the guests' requests except for Senjogahara, so I believe the guests were satisfied. One unfortunate thing was that the water discharge at Kegon Falls had been temporarily suspended without notice, so I was unable to show them the powerful spray of the falls. Even so, we were able to visit many sightseeing spots, and the guests were pleased.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTobu Nikko Station~Akechidaira2,300JPY
    Section 2Free PassAkechidaira~Chuzenji Onsen0JPY
    Section 3Free PassChuzenji Onsen~Shinkyo Bridge0JPY
    Total2,300JPY

    I am a licensed guide based in the Nikko area of Tochigi Prefecture, with a passion for sharing the depth and beauty of this remarkable region.
    In particular, I take great pride in introducing the magnificent World Heritage area, home to Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, and the iconic Shinkyo Bridge. The rich history, spiritual atmosphere, and masterful craftsmanship found there are truly inspiring.
    But Nikko has much more to offer beyond the World Heritage zone. The region is uniquely spread across three different elevation zones: the central town area, the Lake Chuzenji area at higher altitude, and the remote Yumoto Onsen area in the mountains. Each of these areas offers a different charm—from historic sites and sacred spaces to scenic lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs.
    However, due to the area’s wide geography, limited public transit options, and seasonal congestion, even navigating efficiently within a single area can be challenging without local knowledge.
    That’s why local expertise is essential. With in-depth knowledge of Nikko’s layout, transportation network, and crowd patterns, I help my guests make the most of their time, while focusing on the area that suits their interests best.
    I don’t just recite what’s written in guidebooks—I offer deeper insights rooted in Japanese history, religion, and culture. From the legacy of Tokugawa Ieyasu to the spiritual symbolism behind shrine architecture, I aim to provide meaningful and memorable experiences.
    If you’re looking to discover the real Nikko, from its iconic landmarks to hidden gems, I’d be honored to guide you.

    Jul 27, 2026
    Onno_P2000
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Very interesting and joyful day trip with Taka
    We…

    Jun 30, 2026
    Rolando_A
    Viator review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A fantastic day!
    We had an amazing day. Our guide was Taka.…

    Jun 25, 2026
    N8851CTrebeccaf
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We cannot recommend Taka highly…

    Jun 21, 2026
    kevin L
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing personal tour where you get to choose or have a…