Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Ginza & Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Ginza & Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 9:40 Asakusa (Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, West Approach)
    • 11:30 Tsukiji Market (Lunch @ Robatayaki)
    • 12:40 Ginza
    • 13:40 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:30 Takeshita Street
    • 15:00 Disband @ Shibuya

    Title: What Is a Private Family Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from North America, traveling to Japan to celebrate a special occasion. They were a very calm and gentle group. Since one of the guests had a serious allergy, I contacted the restaurant in advance and offered several suggestions. From those options, they chose a robatayaki grill restaurant and enjoyed dishes such as crab and seafood rice bowls. One of the guests was the only one in the group who also challenged themselves to try sea urchin, and their impression was that it had "a curious taste, but not bad." We visited Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street, and since they had a reservation for Shibuya Sky after the tour, we said goodbye in Shibuya.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayRoppongi~Asakusa280JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Higashi-Ginza220JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji~Ginza180JPY
    Section 4SubwayGinza~Meiji-jingumae180JPY
    Section 5TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Total1,020JPY

    Hello,
    I’m Rumi.Welcome to Japan!!
    I’m a government-licensed guide in the Tokyo area.
    I’m so excited to have a chance to show you my favorite places in Tokyo.
    Tokyo is a fantastic city with many aspects like history,culture and food.
    What interests you about Tokyo?
    What kind of Japanese food would you like to try?
    I’ll take you to various places according to your request.
    My favorite spot is Meiji Shrine.
    It’s so peaceful that I’m sure you like it.
    I really like to talk with foreigners about various topics.So, I love my job.
    I look forward to meeting and guiding you soon.

    Jun 29, 2026
    898clausw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really helpfull guide
    Extremely helpfull to have a friendly and competent guide…

    Jun 27, 2026
    sallypO7128PM
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo- family with older teens
    My family had an excellent…

    Jun 15, 2026
    Scott P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Terrific Tour and Guide
    We had an incredible day! Rumi was…

    Jun 12, 2026
    Tonya O
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Rumi is a great guide!
    Rumi was a wonderful guide. She…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 AM
    • * Meet at Hotel Toranomon Hills
    • 10:50 AM
    • * Shibuya Crossing
    • * Hachiko Statue
    • 11:00 AM
    • * Pokémon Center Shibuya
    • 11:20 AM
    • * Cat Street
    • * Onitsuka Tiger
    • * The Matcha Tokyo
    • 12:10 PM
    • * Harajuku
    • * Takeshita Street
    • 12:40 PM
    • * Travel to Asakusa
    • * JR Yamanote Line + Ginza Line
    • 1:15 PM
    • * Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center Observation Deck
    • 1:20 PM
    • * Kaminarimon Gate
    • 1:30 PM
    • * Tonkatsu Lunch
    • 2:15 PM
    • * Senso-ji Temple
    • * Asakusa Shrine
    • 2:30 PM
    • * Tour Ends

    Title: What's a 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests arrived before the meeting time, so we were able to start the tour smoothly at 10:30. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led this private 4-hour walking tour, starting from the Hotel and using the underground passage to reach Toranomon Station, then taking the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Shibuya. In Shibuya, after showing the guests the Scramble Crossing, we visited the Pokémon Center inside Shibuya PARCO. Since one of the guests was interested in Pokémon cards, I had anticipated it might take some time, but they found the item they wanted right away, so we progressed more smoothly than planned. Afterward, we strolled along Cat Street, visiting shops such as Onitsuka Tiger and THE MATCHA TOKYO. The guests also enjoyed walking around while eating takoyaki. Next, we walked along Takeshita Street, then returned from Harajuku Station to Shibuya Station and took the Ginza Line to Asakusa. We arrived in Asakusa about 45 minutes earlier than originally planned, which allowed time to enjoy a relaxed tonkatsu lunch. After that, I guided the guests to the main hall of Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine, and the tour concluded as scheduled at 14:30. The guests were able to purchase Pokémon cards and were very pleased. The guests also enjoyed the entire experience, and they seemed to fully appreciate both the modern side of Tokyo in Shibuya and Harajuku and the traditional culture of Asakusa. I felt the tour was highly satisfying for the group as a whole. The guests asked for recommendations on places to visit on their own in the coming days, so I suggested the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Outer Market, and Ginza. Because it was a 4-hour tour, the overall itinerary was somewhat busy, but the travel and time spent at each spot proceeded efficiently, making it a very smooth tour overall. In particular, it was notable that even within a 4-hour course covering Shibuya, Harajuku, and Asakusa, we were able to secure time to sit down and enjoy a tonkatsu lunch. This is often difficult to arrange time-wise, but it was possible thanks to how smoothly everything progressed on the day. I felt once again that the combination of the Pokémon Center, Cat Street, Takeshita Street, and Senso-ji Temple is an effective route that offers a good balance of both modern Tokyo and traditional culture for a family with children.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayToranomon~Shibuya180JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya~Asakusa260JPY
    Total600JPY

    Hello, my name is Takeshi. I am a national government licensed guide interpreter with over 35 years of professional experience in Japan. Through my long career, I have developed a deep understanding of modern Japan, including its business culture, social customs, and everyday life. Originally from Kobe, I have lived in more than 20 places across Japan and the United States, which has given me a broad and flexible perspective on regional cultures and lifestyles. I am also deeply interested in historical Japan, especially Japanese religion and Buddhism, and I enjoy sharing cultural background in an easy-to-understand way. I am looking forward to meeting you and exploring Japan together.

    Jul 23, 2026
    L9490ARrachelf
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A tour guide that goes above and beyond!
    Takeshi…

    Jul 21, 2026
    luisvF2957OY
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best experience ever
    Really good guide. Awesome time.

    Jul 18, 2026
    tlT4839UI
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Solo Layover Tour
    I had a 12-hour layover in…

    Jun 13, 2026
    V2750KJjonasb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Takeshi san picked us up on the Hotel and we…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:50 Meet up @ Hotel Akihabara Tokyo
    • 2. 09:55 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 10:15 Stay @ Asakusa
    • 4. 11:30 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 11:45 Stay @ Ueno Park
    • 6. 12:45 Lunch @ Obon de Gohan
    • 7. 13:45 Stay @ Tokyo National Museum
    • 8. 16:00 Travel: Train
    • 9. 16:10 Disband @ JR Akihabara Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo's East Side Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors interested in anime. Although their requested destinations were shared a little late, all of them were located on the east side of the city, so it was easy to plan a comfortable itinerary. Considering that the guests might want to spend a longer time at the Tokyo National Museum, I decided to take them first to Asakusa, then guide them through the temples and shrines in Ueno Park, and visit the Tokyo National Museum after lunch. The weather was unstable that day and it began to rain after lunch, but fortunately we were able to spend the heaviest rain indoors. The guests were very interested in Japanese art and crafts, and at the Tokyo National Museum they carefully viewed the archaeology room as well as the exhibits on the second floor. I had also planned to guide them to Nezu Shrine if time allowed, but by the time we finished at the Tokyo National Museum it was just about time to wrap up, so I saw them off to Akihabara and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySuehirocho (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Ueno180JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno~Akihabara160JPY
    Total520JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

    Jun 18, 2026
    David_W
    Viator review: Tokyo Tsukiji Food & Culture 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Market Tour
    Great tour. Got to see…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa (Skytree photos)

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa (Skytree photos)

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at InterContinental ANA Tokyo by IHG
    • 8:20 Meiji Shrine
    • 9:30 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
    • 10:45 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 12:20 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
    • 13:55 Disband at InterContinental ANA Tokyo by IHG

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Asakusa The guests already had a Suica card, so the tour proceeded smoothly. The weather was decent, with no rain and no wind, making it a fine day for sightseeing. This was their last day in Japan, as they were returning home today, and I explained various aspects of Japanese religion and customs. Since it was a "tomobiki" day on the traditional calendar, I thought we might see a wedding procession at Meiji Shrine, but perhaps it was too early in the day, as there were none. At Shinjuku Gyoen, there were not many of the hydrangeas the guests had hoped to see, but they photographed the scenery enthusiastically. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I focused mainly on historical explanations. They had watched "Shogun," so the conversation was lively. At Senso-ji Temple, one of the guests purchased a good-luck charm. The tour finished on schedule without any issues. Tip received.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTameike-Sanno~Meiji-jingumae700JPY
    Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Shinjuku-sanchome0JPY
    Section 3TrainSendagaya~Iidabashi200JPY
    Section 4Free PassIidabashi~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 5Free PassOtemachi~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6Free PassAsakusa~Tameike-Sanno0JPY
    Total900JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car

    Nagasaki Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Matsugae International Terminal → 10:30 Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture → 11:50 Meganebashi Bridge (lunch) → 13:00 Suwa Shrine → 13:40 Atomic Bomb Museum → 14:30 Hypocenter Park → 15:00 Peace Park → 16:00 Matsugae International Terminal (dismissal)

    What Is a Private Full-Day Nagasaki Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from Oceania who appeared to be enjoying the tour. At the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, they listened with great interest to the historical role Nagasaki played during the transition from national isolation to the opening of the country. Since the guests had requested a Japanese restaurant near a sightseeing spot for lunch, I guided them to a wagyu beef restaurant near Meganebashi Bridge, which they seemed to like. Afterward, they visited Meganebashi Bridge, listening attentively to the story of how the bridge was built by a Chinese monk. At Suwa Shrine, they listened with interest to the history of the shrine's construction and how to properly worship there. At the Atomic Bomb Museum, the Hypocenter Park, and the Peace Park, they listened intently to the circumstances of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the method used to identify the hypocenter, and the meaning of the Peace Statue. They also viewed with great interest the monument donated from Oceania.

    Hello, I’m Hiroshi Kuribayashi, but you can just call me Hiro. I’m thrilled to be your guide around my hometown, Sasebo City, and the neighboring areas, such as Nagasaki, Omura, Hirado, Arita, Imari, and more. I love showing guests around these beautiful places, including their nature, history, food, and more.

    Before I ventured into guiding, I worked as a businessman, handling international business affairs with various countries such as the U.S.A., U.K., Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Egypt, and more. Drawing from my business background, I offer interpretation services for business meetings and translation services for engineering and contractual documents. If there’s something specific you’d like assistance with, feel free to let me know.

    Jun 15, 2026
    GGuy_M
    Viator review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Excellent guide with good knowledge
    Excellent guide with good knowledge…

    Mar 4, 2026
    S943KUrobertb
    The best of Nagasaki
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    Our tour guide Hiro, was just…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Ian_M
    Walking with Hiro
    Viator review: Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our Guide, Hiro, was very knowledgeable and engaging. We…

    Sep 3, 2025
    BdaVisitor
    Nagasaki Full Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Nagasaki Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
    We had a lovely day exploring…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Gora Station
    • 10:30 Owakudani
    • 12:00 From Togendai to Motohakone Port by pirate ship
    • 13:30 Hakone Shrine
    • 15:30 Hakone Open-Air Museum

    What's a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although some of the group had visited Japan more than ten years earlier, it had been a long time since their last visit, and this trip was intended to help the group experience unfamiliar parts of the world and culture. After staying five nights in Tokyo, they had arrived in Hakone the previous day and had thoroughly enjoyed the wonders of a traditional Japanese inn and its open-air hot spring bath. We first headed to Owakudani, where I spoke about the volcanic origins of the Hakone area and its hot spring culture, as well as my own experience during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake off the Tohoku coast, explaining the unique relationship between nature and culture in Japan. The group seemed to especially enjoy the "black eggs," tasting them together and having a great time. Unfortunately, the cloudy sky prevented us from viewing Mount Fuji, but the group repeatedly praised the natural beauty of Hakone. At Hakone Shrine, I explained the influence Shinto has had on Japanese culture, and we were also able to see a kyudo (Japanese archery) practice session at the archery range on the grounds, which the group was delighted to encounter as a glimpse into a background of Japanese culture they had not known before. Finally, we headed to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and after explaining the route back to their inn, we concluded the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

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

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto: Travel to Fushimi Inari by JR

    Kyoto: Travel to Fushimi Inari by JR

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meeting point: The Thousand Kyoto
    • 08:50 Travel to Fushimi Inari by JR
    • 09:10 Sightseeing ①: Visit Fushimi Inari
    • 10:00 Travel to Kiyomizu-dera via Keihan Line
    • 10:30 Sightseeing ②: Visit Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:50 Travel to near Nijo Castle by city bus
    • 12:30 Lunch/Break (Restaurant at Hotel)
    • 13:30 Sightseeing ③: Visit Nijo Castle
    • 14:30 Travel to Nishiki Market by taxi
    • 14:40 Sightseeing ④: Visit Nishiki Market
    • 15:30 Catch a taxi on Shijo Street, and the guests head to the hotel.
    •    End of guided tour

    What Is an 8-Hour Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Prior arrangements regarding the itinerary were made by contacting one member of the group. The guests showed broad interest in the "Kyoto sightseeing" proposed by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and I sensed an enthusiasm to fully experience Kyoto over three to four days. Ultimately, about two weeks after my first message, they sent me their specific requests for places to visit (Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market, and Nijo Castle or Kyoto Imperial Palace). This would be feasible as an "8-hour course" with a private vehicle, but it would become quite a tight schedule using public transportation, so I proposed "Fushimi Inari → Kiyomizu-dera → Nijo Castle → Nishiki Market," excluding Kinkaku-ji. The guests accepted this and finalized the itinerary. However, the day before the tour, the guests contacted me with a request to "change the start time from 8:00 to 8:30 in the morning," so the entire schedule was pushed back by 30 minutes. On the day, as the weather forecast had predicted a "summer day exceeding 30 degrees," the sunlight was strong from the morning, and travel on foot was a concern. The first destination, Fushimi Inari, could be reached smoothly and quickly from Kyoto Station, and the guests fully enjoyed the exotic "Senbon Torii." However, the journey to the next stop, Kiyomizu-dera, required an uphill walk of about 20 minutes after getting off at Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, which seemed to be quite a burden for the guests. By the time we reached the main gate of Kiyomizu-dera, one of the guests was quite tired, so we rested in the shade for about 10 minutes while replenishing fluids. Thanks to the break, the visit to Kiyomizu-dera proceeded smoothly, and the guests seemed moved by the beauty created by the fresh greenery and the buildings. The next destination was Nijo Castle, but the bus transfer took about 40 minutes, and the bus after the transfer was extremely crowded, which seemed to physically exhaust the guests. According to the plan, lunch was scheduled after visiting Nijo Castle, but since everyone was hungry, we decided to have lunch and a break first. There was a request from the group, out of consideration for one member, to "please make lunch a restaurant with strong air conditioning," so we changed from the ramen shop we had originally planned and had lunch at a restaurant in a hotel near Nijo Castle. The hotel was well air-conditioned, making for a comfortable lunch and rest. After regaining energy with lunch and a break, the guests took a proper look at Nijo Castle. As all the guests were interested in Japanese culture and history, they listened attentively to my explanations as we toured the Ninomaru Palace. The final stop was Nishiki Market, which we had planned to reach by bus, but the guests seemed quite affected by the crowded buses in the morning, and in particular one member said, "I've had enough of crowded buses, I'd like to travel by taxi." So we used an app to charter a large taxi (since five people including the guide needed to ride, a small one would not work). Although we were able to travel comfortably by large taxi, the crowds at Nishiki Market also seemed to be a burden for the guests. At Nishiki Market, I had planned more than an hour of strolling and shopping including on Teramachi Street, but after the guests had walked through Nishiki Market from west to east for about 30 minutes, a request came out to "return to the hotel and rest, a little earlier than planned." I responded to that request and went out to Shijo Street to hail a taxi, but it was quite difficult to catch a large taxi. So I confirmed, "A small car has a capacity of only four people, so I cannot ride along. If you would allow the guiding to end here, you can return to the hotel in a small car—would that be all right?" I received the reply, "Of course, that is fine." I told the driver, "Please take the guests to the hotel," saw them off, and ended the guiding there. During this period, when it is getting hot at an earlier pace than in previous years, this became a tour that made me feel the necessity of building an itinerary that is not overly demanding, on the premise that the guests will become considerably exhausted. Of course, I did not intend to create a careless itinerary at the planning stage, but I keenly felt that the choice of transportation methods in particular becomes crucial.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Kiyomizu-Gojo240JPY
    Section 3BusGojozaka/Kyoto City Bus~Nijojo-mae/Kyoto City Bus460JPY
    Total850JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imado Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Imado Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:20 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 09:00 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 10:15 Yanesen (Nezu Shrine ~ Snake Path ~ Yanaka Ginza)
    • 11:30 Lunch @ Ginza Yurakoku (Yanaka Ginza)
    • 12:30 Imado Shrine
    • 13:15 Asakusa (Kaminarimon ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Okuyama ~ Hoppy Street ~ Shin-Nakamise ~ Rock)
    • 14:20 Disband @ MAKINOYA

    What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's East Side Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nezu Shrine, Yanaka Ginza, and Imado Shrine The guest was a cat-loving visitor from North America who was in Japan for a trip, with free time on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Before arriving in Japan, the guest had sent a two-page A4 questionnaire about how to spend free time in Tokyo, which I answered carefully. Following my advice, the guest spent the previous day exploring the western side of Tokyo independently, including Gotokuji Temple, Meiji Shrine, and Takeshita Street. Today the guest visited the eastern side of Tokyo with me, and had already reserved teamLab Borderless and an Asakusa sumo stable for the latter half of the week. The Japanese irises at the Ninomaru Garden of the Imperial Palace were still well worth seeing. Since there was no time to go to Kyoto and visit Fushimi Inari this time, the torii gates at Nezu Shrine were more than satisfying. At Yanaka Ginza, Imado Shrine, and Nakamise, the guest purchased a large number of cute cat-themed goods. This was the guest who required the most preparation before arriving in Japan, but I believe the guest was satisfied to finally visit the long-awaited Imado Shrine and buy cat goods. Yurakoku in Yanaka Ginza is a small restaurant, but it is reliable in terms of taste, value for money, and service.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShirokane-Takanawa~Otemachi (Tokyo)220JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Nezu180JPY
    Section 3TrainNippori~Asakusa340JPY
    Total740JPY

    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, Norway, 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

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station
    • (Subway + Taxi)
    • 12:45-13:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • (Taxi)
    • 14:00-14:30 Nijo Castle
    • (Subway + Keihan)
    • 15:00-15:45 Kyudo (Japanese archery) experience at Hankyudojo
    • 15:50-16:30 Yasaka Shrine ~ Yasaka Pagoda ~ Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • (Taxi)
    • 16:55-17:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • (JR Nara Line)
    • 18:00 Disband at Kyoto Station

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Kyudo Archery Experience Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. In advance, they had asked for attractions that would be enjoyable, so the itinerary included a Japanese archery (kyudo) experience, arranged as follows: Hotel → Kinkaku-ji → Nijo Castle → a half-bow kyudo dojo in Gion, Kyoto → Yasaka Shrine → Yasaka Pagoda → Kiyomizu-dera → Fushimi Inari Taisha. The tour started at 12:00 noon, and the temperature exceeded 30 degrees. Some of the guests were feeling tired, but since this was their only day for sightseeing in Kyoto, we managed to complete the itinerary as planned. One of the guests was visiting Japan for the third time and was very knowledgeable about the country, so my explanations were easily understood. Along the way, whenever we took a taxi, the guests asked about the model of the car each time, leading to lively conversations about cars with the drivers. I also asked the guests about their work, their background, and their thoughts on the use and impact of AI. Some of the guests were feeling tired and a little bored during the day, but after the kyudo archery experience they regained some energy.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 3TrainSanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)~Gion-Shijo180JPY
    Section 4TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Total810JPY

    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 !

    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.…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet at 11:00. Depart Hakone-Yumoto Station by bus at 11:10, arrive at Moto-Hakone at 11:40. Visit Hakone Shrine, the shore of Lake Ashi, the Tokaido cedar avenue, and the Hakone Checkpoint ruins on foot. At 13:00, lunch at Donburi Chaya (Maruyama Bussan). At 14:25, take the pirate ship from Hakonemachi Port. At 15:05, take the ropeway from Togendai to Owakudani, then take the ropeway to Sounzan Station. At 16:30, take the cable car to Gora Station. Disband in front of the hotel at 16:50.

    What Is a Private One-Day Hakone Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests enjoyed a pleasant trip together. After reviewing the difference between shrines and temples, we visited Hakone Shrine, and when we returned to the shores of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji miraculously appeared. We stayed for a while and were able to capture almost the entire view of the mountain, and I was grateful for this rare moment, which deeply moved the guests. We passed through the cedar avenue and the ruins of the Hakone Checkpoint on foot, allowing them to enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo period and the samurai era. The marquetry (yosegi) presentation at Maruyama was as impressive as always, and they purchased some souvenirs. At a donburi restaurant, they savored tempura soba while listening to my talk about kanji. We finished with the classic pirate ship and the ropeway, and at Owakudani they enjoyed the magnificent nature, including the famous black eggs, bringing the tour to a close.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station0JPY
    Total0JPY

    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!!
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    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…

    Jun 8, 2026
    JasonB6980
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiro-san knows Hakone!
    Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Tourist31988989961
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
    Great Day and Tour
    Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…