Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 10:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine, cafe
    • 12:30 Imperial Palace, Statue of Kusunoki Masashige, Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:00 Dismissal @ Kasumigaseki Station

    What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like in September? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a retired group visiting from North America who had arrived the previous evening. They were very calm and pleasant people with an athletic build, but the heat and humidity took quite a toll on them, and by the end the guests looked exhausted. They had brought their own water bottles and refilled them near the entrance of Shinjuku Gyoen. The guests did not seem to mind, but the water had a strange, rust-like taste. From Shibuya to Meiji Shrine we used the Hachiko Bus, which they were happy about. After buying a folding fan at the souvenir shop at Meiji Shrine, we had a little time, so I asked whether they would like to walk around Harajuku or rest at a cafe. They said they were not interested in the youth district and preferred to rest and have something to eat, and they enjoyed a sake manju. They were impressed by each place we visited, and the guests showed particular interest in stories about history. The heat in September was quite severe, and it was unfortunate to see how difficult it was for the guests to walk outdoors. Since they planned to return to their hotel and have a meal after the tour, I recommended a tonkatsu restaurant at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and after seeing them off at the Marunouchi Line platform at Kasumigaseki Station, the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku~Shinjuku-sanchome180JPY
    Section 2SubwayShinjuku-sanchome~Shibuya180JPY
    Section 3OtherShibuya Station West Exit~Meiji Shrine100JPY
    Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
    Total670JPY

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

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour

    Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet @ Himeji Port Cruise Ship Terminal
    • 2. 10:20 @ CastleVieew
    • 3. 11:40 @ Shoshazan Engyoji Temple (Maniden, Great Lecture Hall, Jogyodo, Dining Hall)
    • 4. 13:40 @ Kokoen Garden
    • 5. 14:30 @ Himeji Castle
    • 6. 16:00 Dismissal @ Himeji Castle Taxi Stand

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Himeji Like from the Cruise Port? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from North America, on their first trip to Japan. They arrived at Himeji Port by cruise ship, so we met at the cruise ship terminal and shared a taxi to the north exit of Himeji Station. After explaining the overview and historical background of Himeji Castle at Castle View, I purchased discounted round-trip tickets for the bus and ropeway to Mount Shosha Ropeway, and we visited Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha, Koko-en Garden, and Himeji Castle. I saw the guests off at the Himeji Castle taxi stand, ending the tour. It was another hot and humid day, but the guests took many photos at each of the places we visited. When I asked for their impressions of the tour, they said it was wonderful.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHimeji Station (North Exit) / Shinki Bus~Himeji Port320JPY
    Section 2BusHimeji Station (North Exit) / Shinki Bus~Shoshazan Ropeway / Shinki Bus320JPY
    Section 3BusShoshazan Ropeway / Shinki Bus~Himeji Castle Otemon Gate Front (Westbound) / Shinki Bus320JPY
    Total960JPY

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

    May 30, 2026
    karenpG5549XU
    Loved our tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour with Norio, would highly…

    May 28, 2026
    TrailBlazer741528
    Kobe Variety.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our delightful guide, Norio, was knowledgeable and a master at…

    May 23, 2026
    sarahpR5911DJ
    Himeji castle with Norio
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learnt lots about Himeji castle and it…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama

    Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Meet (RIHGA Royal Kyoto)
    • 9:00-10:10 Transfer (Subway; Kyoto→Shijo, Hankyu Railway; Karasuma→Arashiyama)
    • 10:10-11:40 Arashiyama walk (Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Garden [Sogenchi Garden, Hyakkaen], Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine)
    • 11:40-12:20 Transfer (Keifuku Railway; Arashiyama→Ryoan-ji)
    •         ※After arriving at Ryoan-ji, the female guests wished to wait in front of Ryoan-ji due to the heat, and in the end
    •          everyone decided not to go to Ryoan-ji and headed to the restaurant with reservations
    • 12:30-12:40 Transfer (City Bus: Ryoan-ji-mae→Wara-Tenjin)
    • 12:40-13:30 Lunch (Japanese cuisine Joy/near Kinkaku-ji)
    • 13:30-14:30 Transfer (City Bus; Kinkaku-ji-michi→Kawaramachi Shijo)
    • 14:40- 15:00 Coffee Break at Shinkyogoku
    • 15:00 Said goodbye in front of Nishiki Market

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Nishiki Market The guests were a group from Oceania. They had all studied at the same university and were friends from their university days. Initially, the plan was to take them to Arashiyama, Ryoanji Temple, and Kinkakuji Temple. However, after arriving at Ryoanji Temple, some of the guests requested that they not continue the tour in the intense heat, so in the end we did not enter Ryoanji Temple. Instead, we had lunch at a restaurant near Kinkakuji Temple that had been reserved, and then, in place of visiting Kinkakuji Temple, we went to Nishiki Market. We took a coffee break in Shinkyogoku, enjoyed a little shopping, and said goodbye at the entrance of Nishiki Market. In this intense heat, the 90-minute walk in Arashiyama and the 15-minute walk to Ryoanji Temple may have been difficult for some of the guests. The ice cream time (rest break) during the tour in Arashiyama was well received by the guests. It was a shame that I was unable to take them to Ryoanji Temple and Kinkakuji Temple.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto~Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)220JPY
    Section 2TrainKarasuma~Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)~Ryoan-ji250JPY
    Section 4BusRyoan-ji-mae/Kyoto Municipal Bus~Wara-Tenjin-mae/Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkaku-ji-michi/Kyoto Municipal Bus~Shijo Kawaramachi/Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Total1,170JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Koko-en Garden & Himeji Castle

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Koko-en Garden & Himeji Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ JR Himeji Station
    • 10:30 @ Koko-en Garden
    • 11:15 @ Himeji Castle (exterior only)
    • 12:45 Disband @ JR Himeji Station Food Court

    Title: What Is a Private Half-Day Tour of Himeji Like for Cruise Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an older group visiting from North America. Since one of them appeared less comfortable with English, another translated the guide's explanations into their own language. From the beginning, one of the guests did not seem to be in good condition and took frequent breaks (roughly every 10 minutes) even while walking toward the first spot, Koko-en Garden. After visiting Koko-en Garden and heading toward Himeji Castle, the guests decided they could not continue the tour, so it was brought to an end. At a shop near Himeji Station selling locally handmade maneki-neko (beckoning cat figurines), the guests happily purchased one as a souvenir. Afterward, they wished to have a light meal before returning to their cruise ship, so I guided them to a food court inside Himeji Station and helped with their order (Himeji's famous eki-soba and akashiyaki), and we parted ways with more than an hour of tour time remaining. Given the condition of one guest, this could not be helped, but the other had hoped to visit additional spots, which was unfortunate in that respect. The handmade drawstring pouch I brought was very warmly received.

    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

    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…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Nara in One Day: Kasuga-taisha Shrine & Todaiji's Nandaimon

    Nara in One Day: Kasuga-taisha Shrine & Todaiji’s Nandaimon

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:03 Meet at Kintetsu-Nara Station (Start of Tour → 15:00 end of tour)
    • I'll be at the WEST ticket gate.
    • That was the plan, but the guest took the wrong train, so we finally met around 9:40.
    • (2 taxis 800y per car)
    • 10:00-30 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park: Feed and play with deer
    • We will be in the park almost to the end of tour
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 10:50-11:20 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 11:40-12:20 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:
    • former katana sword manufacturer's shop etc.
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 12:30- Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • 12:30-13:00 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • 13:00-13:30 lunch at Emado-chaya?
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 13:40-50 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 14:00-15:00 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    •    (walk 5 minutes)
    • 15:20-40 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • (walk 5 minutes and then bus)
    • 16:00 (End of Tour) back at Kintetsu-Nara Station

    Title: Can You Do a Private Nara Day Tour from Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report Even though I had sent the guests detailed directions for the train route from their accommodation in Kyoto to Kintetsu-Nara Station, they took the wrong train as I had half expected, and we ended up meeting about 40 minutes late. On top of that, some of the guests had mastered how to play with the deer and wanted to keep playing endlessly, while others stopped at every souvenir shop and would not move on, so the schedule fell further and further behind, and in the end I worked about an hour of overtime. As it was a group from North America, this was more or less within the range of what I had anticipated. In any case, I believe the guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTodaiji Great Buddha Hall / National Museum / Nara Kotsu~Kintetsu-Nara Station / Nara Kotsu250JPY
    Total250JPY

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1 9:30 Meet up @Hotel
    • 2 9:45 Former Hokkaido Government Office
    • 3 11:00 Historical Village of Hokkaido
    • 4 13:00 Lunch @Heiroku Sushi (Shin-Sapporo)
    • 5 14:35 Sapporo Beer Museum
    • 6 15:45 Disband @Sapporo Beer Museum

    What's a Private Sapporo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hokkaido The guests visiting from North America were a pleasure to guide, and one of them in particular loved to talk, sharing many stories full of humor right from the start. They had traveled to many places around the world and taught me a great deal. Their conversation was full of jokes throughout, making it a very enjoyable tour. Perhaps because they came to Sapporo after visiting the Osaka Expo, they were pleased that the climate made for a comfortable stay in Hokkaido that was just right for traveling. At the end, after a good deal of conversation at the beer tasting venue of the Sapporo Beer Museum, the guests said they could take a taxi back to their Hotel on their own, so we parted ways there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherOdori Park (Subway)~Shin-Sapporo (Subway)290JPY
    Section 2OtherShin-Sapporo Station~Odori Park290JPY
    Total580JPY

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

    Sep 2, 2025
    roxannerW1499FK
    Great experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
    • 2. 9:40 @ Koshin-do
    • 3. 9:50 @ Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka
    • 4. 10:40 @ Yasaka Shrine
    • 5. 11:10 @ Nishiki Market
    • 6. 11:20 Light lunch @ Kyoto Nishikiza
    • 6. 13:05 @ Arashiyama, Bamboo Grove
    • 7. 14:10 @ Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • 8: 15:00 Disband @ Arashiyama

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? Ninenzaka, Nishiki Market, and Arashiyama with a Licensed Guide This was a private tour for a group visiting from Oceania. Their requests were to visit Ninenzaka, Nishiki Market, Arashiyama, and, if possible, to enjoy an onsen somewhere. The group had visited many shrines and temples the previous day, so their wishes for the day were as described above. We slowly walked along Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka while viewing Hokan-ji Temple, occasionally stopping at shops for some shopping. When it was time to head to Nishiki Market, the group wished to walk there, so we did as requested. It began to rain around Yasaka Shrine, but there was an almost continuous arcade from Gion to Nishiki Market, so we were able to stay dry. At Nishiki Market, one of the guests purchased a new pair of sneakers, and the group enjoyed a meal at a restaurant, ordering a variety of dishes such as sushi, gyoza, yakitori, sake, and fried potatoes to their liking. Since we had come as far as Nishiki Market, we took the Hankyu Railway to Arashiyama. In Arashiyama, the group did not wish to visit Tenryu-ji Temple, but were delighted just to see the bamboo grove. One of the guests wanted to go to Iwatayama, so I guided the group to the entrance of the Monkey Park, and I waited near the entrance chatting with another of the guests. Afterward, I guided them to an Arashiyama onsen, but they said they did not want to enter a hot onsen during hot weather, so they did not bathe, and we parted ways there. Although we had parted, our return route was the same, so we traveled together from Arashiyama Station to Katsura Station. The guests had reserved an evening maiko tea ceremony in Gion, so they headed to Kyoto Kawaramachi, while I was returning to Osaka, so we said our farewells at Katsura Station. Fortunately, the weather had recovered by the time we reached Arashiyama, and the guests were hardly caught in the rain at all, and they were very satisfied with the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2TrainKarasuma~Arashiyama (Hankyu Line)240JPY
    Total470JPY

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Shibuya

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Shibuya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @Hotel
    • 10:45 @Asakusa, Sensoji Temple
    • 12:00 @Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 13:30 @Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
    • 15:00 @Shibuya
    • 16:00 Disband @Hotel

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya I had the pleasure of accompanying the guests, who were visiting Japan from North America, on a private tour of Tokyo. It was their first time in Japan and they had arrived only the previous evening, so I first showed them how to use the subway and we headed to Asakusa, where they saw Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street. Next we visited the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, followed by Meiji Shrine and Omotesando, and finally we saw the famous scramble crossing in Shibuya. As the temperature rose, I was a little concerned, but they mentioned that they had not come directly and had spent a few days in Oceania before arriving, so they had no jet lag and found it easier because of that.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTochomae~Asakusa900JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa~Otemachi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassOtemachi~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 4Free PassOmotesando~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 5Free PassShibuya~Tochomae0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Hi friends, I’m Seky, a tour guide in Tokyo, but I cover all over Japan, namely from Hokkaido to Kyushu. I have lived overseas for more than 15 years in total, such as US, UK, Singapore and others, and enjoyed local culture there. Back in Japan, I wish I could help travelers to Japan enjoy Japanese culture, and this is why I became a tour guide.
    In Tokyo, my favorite places are Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, and if you are interested in fish market, I’d love to take you to the world largest Tuna auction and/or if you are sports lovers, I’ll go to ball games (baseball) too.

    May 8, 2025
    J
    jeanne_c
    Sell was very…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sell was very knowledgeable and willing to talk…

    Mar 2, 2025
    Joe_F
    Excellent Custom Tokyo Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour, customized to my interests, Edo period…

    Mar 1, 2025
    R2911ISjoef
    Excellent Custom Tours, Great Guides, Reasonable Prices.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a friendly…

    Oct 27, 2024
    Jennifer_G
    Great day touring Tokyo !
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
    We had…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @Prince Park Tower
    • 10:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 11:15 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:45 Break @Forest Terrace
    • 12:15 Takeshita Street ~ Ura-Hara ~ Omotesando
    • 13:45 Shibuya: Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing
    • 14:30 Disband @Prince Park Tower

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After confirming the itinerary that had been arranged with a travel agency, we set off. Only two days before the tour, the travel agency finally provided the contact information for one of the guests. Because one of the guests had difficulty walking, we took a taxi to Shinjuku Gyoen. At Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine, the guests were amazed that such vast and beautifully green spaces existed within the greater Tokyo area. They were also surprised by the contrast between Takeshita Street and Meiji Shrine. It began to get hot around this time, and while one of the guests took photos of the architecture along Omotesando, the others cooled off at Omotesando Hills. Since one of the guests wanted to return to the hotel to take a shower and change clothes in preparation for the evening food tour, we skipped Harakado at Tokyu Plaza and lunch. As a result, the tour ended earlier than planned. For tours lasting more than six hours in summer, from next year I plan to recommend a tour with a vehicle when I know in advance that the guests may find long walks tiring.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSendagaya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya150JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya~Akabanebashi290JPY
    Total590JPY

    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 Half a Day: Fushimi Inari & Gion

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Fushimi Inari & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Meet at Hotel Granvia
    • 12:15 Fushimi Inari
    • 13:30 Sanjusangendo
    • 14:30 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 15:30 Gion
    • 16:00 Nishiki Market, dismissal

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from Europe, currently based in North America, visiting Japan for the first time despite having lived in many places around the world. The day before, they had reportedly watched a grand sumo tournament in Japan. Since Kyoto was a day trip from Tokyo, I selected places where they could experience Kyoto's history and culture in a limited amount of time and guided them accordingly. The guest seemed particularly interested in architecture and was deeply moved by the kake-zukuri stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. They asked whether there was a limit on the number of people allowed to stand on the stage. They were also impressed by the intricate craftsmanship of the Kannon statues at Sanjusangen-do Temple. They admired how the streetscape of Gion has been preserved for so long without being altered. The guest commented that they would like to return to Japan next time focusing on the regional areas. I was pleased to receive their courteous thanks.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Shichijo Keihan-mae / Keihan Kyoto Kotsu170JPY
    Section 3BusMuseum Sanjusangendo-mae / Kyoto City Bus~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4BusKiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Gion / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total780JPY

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…