Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1) 9:20 Meet @ Garden Tower, Hotel New Otani Tokyo (4-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
    • 2) 9:50 Azabudai Hills → Tokyo Tower (※exterior only)
    • 3) 11:20 Shibuya <Crossing・Hachiko Statue>
    • 4) 12:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 5) 12:30 Omotesando
    • 6) 13:10 Akihabara Radio Kaikan
    • 7) 13:30 Disband @ Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Suehirocho Station ticket gate

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Walking Tour of Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Akihabara? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day walking tour of Tokyo for guests visiting from North America, covering Shibuya, Harajuku's Takeshita Street, Omotesando, and Akihabara. In advance, the guests had requested visits to Shibuya, Harajuku's Takeshita Street, Omotesando, and Akihabara, and I proposed an itinerary that the guests approved. Before the meeting, I received a message via a messaging app that the group would be about five minutes late, and we ended up meeting at 9:20. Since the shops in Akihabara do not open until after 10:00, I suggested adding another location beforehand, which the guests happily agreed to, and we began the tour. The guests had already visited the Kansai and Chubu regions (Shirakawa-go and Tsumago-juku) and Hakone, with only Tokyo and Nikko sightseeing remaining. One of the guests had visited Japan once before many years ago and wanted to revisit some of the places seen back then. The group was also interested in traditional Japanese crafts and had enjoyed cultural experiences. Two days earlier they had visited Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Ginza, enjoying shopping for pet goods and their beloved character goods such as Hello Kitty. Listening to these stories, I guided the group to Azabudai Hills and took commemorative photos at the best spot for Tokyo Tower (they had already visited the Tokyo Tower main deck two days earlier). In Shibuya we took commemorative photos at the scramble crossing and the Hachiko statue (we waited in line but it only took about seven minutes). In Harajuku we took photos with a staff member and a piglet (six months old) at a micro-pig cafe (the staff politely declined the use of the photos for tour purposes) and enjoyed strawberry candy. In Omotesando we took out matcha lattes at a matcha cafe (which was unusually empty!). Although Akihabara had already been visited before, the group was captivated by its atmosphere, which was distinctly different from the other places. After the tour, the group planned to stop by Ito-ya in Ginza and the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, so I shared information about a ramen shop in Ginza and Shinjuku's Golden Gai via the messaging app, and we parted ways with smiles in front of the ticket gates of Suehirocho Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Akasaka-mitsuke Station～Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassToei Subway Oedo Line Akabanebashi Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shibuya Station～Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Hanzomon Line Omotesando Station～Toei Subway Shinjuku Line Iwamotocho Station0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Tour Report by Tachi

    Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!

    Request Booking

    Jun 19, 2026
    Daniel_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 would do again!
    Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…

    May 24, 2026
    Meander63637687943
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour guide Tachi is the best!
    A most enjoyable and…

    May 19, 2026
    Jai_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    I would definitely…
    I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…

    May 5, 2026
    Gary33556
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
    Tachi was our guide. What…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:45 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 2. 08:50 Move∶Train
    • 3. 09:20 Stay @ Tokyo Station
    • 4. 09:25 Move∶Subway
    • 5. 09:50 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 6. 10:05 Move∶Train
    • 7. 10:20 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
    • 8. 11:50 Move∶Subway
    • 9. 12:10 Stay @ Imperial Palace (exterior)
    • 10. 12:50 Move∶Subway
    • 11. 13:20 Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi Shokudo
    • 12. 14:10 Move∶Subway
    • 13. 14:35 Stay @ Sensoji Temple
    • 14. 15:25 Move∶Subway, Train
    • 15. 16:00 Disband @ Hotel

    Can You Do a Private Day Trip in Tokyo Visiting Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report This tour began at the same hotel as the previous day, with the same guests visiting from Oceania. We were able to meet up early, and since they already had a Suica card, we started smoothly. As on the previous day, after arriving at Tokyo Station I showed the guests a little of the station building before moving on to the next spot. At Meiji Shrine we took a coffee break, so we stayed a bit longer there, but since the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were closed that day and I only guided them around the exterior, the total time came out about the same as usual. We arrived at Tsukiji a little later in the day, which made it easy to find open seats in the food court. Since the way back to the hotel was somewhat complicated, after guiding them around Senso-ji Temple I saw them all the way back to the hotel, so we parted ways a little later than usual.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShiomi～Tokyo170JPY
    Section 2SubwayTokyo～Shibuya210JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
    Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijubashimae～Tsukiji180JPY
    Section 6SubwayTsukiji～Asakusa290JPY
    Section 7SubwayAsakusa～Hatchobori (Tokyo)290JPY
    Section 8TrainHatchobori (Tokyo)～Shiomi170JPY
    Total1,670JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet. After the meeting, take the bus from Miyagino Bridge at 9:32 to Gora Station at 9:51. Take the cable car to Sounzan, then the ropeway to Owakudani, then the ropeway to Togendai.
    • 11:25 Pirate ship, 12:05 Motohakone Port, Hakone Shrine. Afterward, take the bus to Hakone Checkpoint Ruins. Maruyama Bussan, lunch at Donburi Chaya. After visiting the checkpoint ruins, take the bus from the checkpoint ruins at 14:36.
    • Transfer to the train at Kowakidani, at 15:20 Gora Station request the hotel shuttle car, and disperse at the waiting area

    Can You Do a Private Hakone Day Tour Even When Mt. Fuji Is Not Visible? A Licensed Guide's Report I explained at the start that Mt. Fuji would not be visible, and we departed with that understanding. Perhaps because it was the gap between tourist seasons, the cable car has not been getting fully booked lately, so the guests were able to sit throughout, and the ropeway was practically private as well. However, Owakudani was completely hidden in fog too, but this had its own interesting charm. The boat allowed us to just barely see the scenery. Therefore, the guests enjoyed places that could be seen regardless of the fog, such as the checkpoint and the shrine. The same went for the presentation at the local product shop. At the donburi teahouse, both the udon and the soba took some time, but the guests almost finished everything. The guests were deeply interested in Japanese history and culture, and we talked about various topics such as kanji, religion, the emperor, and the shogun.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara～Odawara5,000JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

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

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:40 Meet @ Hotel
    • 2. 08:50 Travel: Train
    • 3. 09:05 Stay @ Tokyo Station
    • 4. 09:15 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 09:25 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 6. 11:30 Travel: Subway
    • 7. 11:45 Stay @ Sensoji Temple
    • 8. 13:05 Travel: Subway
    • 9. 13:40 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
    • 10. 14:25 Travel: Subway
    • 11. 15:10 Disband @ Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu

    What Is a Private Full-Day Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial East Gardens, Senso-ji, and Tsukiji This was a booking where I had been concerned because it was difficult to get in touch with the guest beforehand, but once I received a message via a messaging app just before the tour, our communication went smoothly. The guests were visiting from Oceania and traveled using PASMO cards. The guests expressed a wish to stroll slowly at each spot, so aside from the first stop at Tokyo Station, I took plenty of time guiding them through the Imperial East Gardens, Senso-ji, and Tsukiji. In particular, at the Imperial East Gardens, one of the guests was strongly interested not only in history but also in the gardens themselves, so I spent about two hours on the tour there. While we were having lunch at Tsukiji, we were caught in a torrential downpour. The guests had hoped to experience teamLab at the end of the tour, but since they had not made a reservation and the facility was also closed that day, we had to give up on it. As a facility that could be enjoyed even in the rain, I took them to LaLaport Toyosu, explained how to get back to the Hotel from Toyosu, and we parted ways on site.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShiomi～Tokyo170JPY
    Section 2SubwayTokyo～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa290JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Tsukiji290JPY
    Section 5SubwayShintomicho (Tokyo)～Toyosu180JPY
    Total1,110JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    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.

    Request Booking

    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 Half a Day: Asakusa & Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 11:40 Asakusa (Kaminarimon, Ura-Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Okuyama Omairimachi, Uniqlo, Shin-Nakamise)
    • 13:45 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:15 Break & Light Meal @ Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
    • 15:00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 15:30 Disband @ Shibuya Ichibangai Entrance

    Title: What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from the Middle East, who had come to Japan for a professional conference in Fukuoka. Taking advantage of the trip, they also visited Osaka and Kyoto for sightseeing, arriving in Tokyo the previous day amid a storm. Although I was aware that covering everything in four hours would not be efficient, we followed the guests' wishes and proceeded with the itinerary above. When it began to rain in Asakusa, one of the guests purchased a water-repellent rash guard at a UNIQLO store and was very pleased with it, including the price. In addition to explaining the historical background of each site, the conversation turned to healthcare issues in Japan during our travels. I spoke about the increase in dementia associated with an aging population, medical challenges in depopulated areas, small and mid-sized hospitals going bankrupt due to rising costs, shortages of specialists such as gastrointestinal surgeons, and the health insurance system. At one point one of the guests began to feel faint, but they recovered after we bought a banana at a convenience store and took in the fresh air at Meiji Shrine. "So, a banana does the trick," which I will keep in mind as a useful reference for the future.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayDaimon (Tokyo)～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Shibuya150JPY
    Total630JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, 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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Guided them through Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo in One Day: Guided them through Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:50　Meet at the lobby of Hotel Premier Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit. Since there was no prior contact about the route for the day, we discussed it. It was decided to go Sensoji Temple → Tsukiji Outer Market → Meiji Shrine for now. Moved to Asakusa by subway.
    • 11:30-12:40 Guided them through Sensoji Temple. Kaminarimon → Nakamise shopping street → Hozomon → Main Hall → Stone Bridge → Asakusa Shrine. After finishing, moved to Tsukiji Outer Market.
    • 13:15-13:35 Guided them through Tsukiji Outer Market.
    • 13:30‐14:05 Lunch (at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant with lots of sushi)
    • 14:05-14:25 Shopping. The wife did some shopping at a pottery shop in the outer market. By the time she finished, it had started raining quite heavily, and the customers asked, "Would we get quite wet if we went to Meiji Shrine? Is there somewhere we can go with a shorter travel time?" After discussing, we decided to try going to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace.
    • 14:40-15:40 We entered the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, but the rain got heavier and heavier, and it kept pouring as if buckets were being turned upside down. Because of this, we took shelter at a rest area within the East Gardens that had souvenirs and pamphlets, and waited an hour for the rain to ease up. However, in the end the heavy rain didn't stop. The customers' sneakers got completely soaked and waterlogged, and after discussing, they asked, "If we were to buy a souvenir for our son at the Pokemon Center, could we get there without getting too wet?" So we left the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, crossed at the traffic light, immediately entered the Otemachi underground passage, and took them to the Pokemon Center at Tokyo Station Ichibangai.
    • 15:55-16:15 Shopping at the Pokemon Center in Tokyo Station Ichibangai. When they finished, they requested to return to the hotel and rest, so I escorted them for a 10-minute walk to the Hotel and said goodbye.

    What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like in Heavy Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from North America. One of them had work in Osaka, and on that occasion the group came to Japan for a short time, staying three days in Kyoto after Osaka. On the morning of the tour, they arrived at Tokyo Station, and the tour began at 11:00 a.m. At the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, they happily bought hand cream at a cosmetics shop as a gift. Both guests said they love sushi, and at the Tsukiji Outer Market, which they had requested, they said, "After eating a big breakfast, we'd like to eat just a little sushi lightly to enjoy the atmosphere," so I took them to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. They were delighted, saying, "It's surprisingly delicious, and so cheap. We're amazed." After that, at a pottery shop, one of the guests found some ceramics they liked, which they were also very pleased with. But following this, we encountered an incredible amount of rain. We moved to the Tsukiji subway station getting quite wet, got off at Otemachi, and entered the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, but the rain grew even stronger. We walked as far as the rest area, but the atmosphere was hardly one in which we could reach the Japanese garden. All three of us, including me, ended up with soaked shoes. In places the road was flooded nearly 10 centimeters deep, and it was impossible to avoid walking through it. We waited for an hour, but checking the rain cloud radar on my smartphone showed that heavy rain would continue for a while, so I consulted with them. They said, "We'd rather not get any wetter. It seems there's a Pokémon Center near Tokyo Station, and we'd like to buy a souvenir for our child there. Is it a long walk?" I replied, "Then let's go to the Tokyo Station Pokémon Center. Right after leaving the garden entrance, we can get there without getting wet through the underground passage," so we walked a little over 10 minutes to the Pokémon Center through the underground passage. Having been able to buy a souvenir at the Pokémon Center, once the payment was done, they said, "Let's end here for today. We'll walk back to the hotel ourselves." But the hotel was only about a 10-minute walk from the Pokémon Center, so I accompanied them there and ended the tour. We could not visit Meiji Shrine as requested because of the intense rain, but they kindly said, "This is the work of nature and there's nothing we can do about it." Even so, it was my first time experiencing rain from a linear precipitation zone, and it was a tour that taught me the atmosphere was hardly one in which one could walk outside at all.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKyobashi～Asakusa700JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa～Tsukiji0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTsukiji～Otemachi0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Tour Report by MINORUASAI

    I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.

    Request Booking

    Aug 1, 2025
    8
    898kendrap
    Great first day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Asai, our tour guide, made our…

    Jul 14, 2025
    Anette_V
    Perfect
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…

    Jun 30, 2025
    liammL2246HL
    Amazing experience
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…

    Jun 26, 2025
    394milesd
    Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A perfect day, tailored…

  • Tokyo: Hiroo Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo: Hiroo Station & Shibuya Station

    Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Meeting place: Hotel
    • 7:10 Depart Hiroo Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Hibiya Station/Yurakucho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
    • Toyosu Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • 8:00 Arrive Shijo-mae Station
    • Toyosu Seafood Wholesale Building
    • Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building
    • Produce Building
    • 9:00 Depart Shijo-mae Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • Toyosu Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
    • Tsukishima Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • 9:30 Arrive Tsukiji Shijo Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Lunch: Tsukiji Sushisei
    • 10:40 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Ginza Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • 11:00 Disband: Shibuya Station

    Guide's Report: A Private Tokyo Fish Market and Sushi Tour of Toyosu and Tsukiji — What Is It Like? The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They arrived at Haneda two evenings before the tour and spent the previous day exploring Shinjuku. The main purpose of their trip to Japan was to board a 12-day cruise around Japan departing from Tokyo Port, with plans to disembark in Asia and fly home from there. One of the guests was very fond of sushi and quite knowledgeable about fish, and they very much wanted to experience "a fish market and sushi." We managed to carry out the tour without being caught in the rain (though a heavy downpour hit right after it ended). We started at the seafood wholesale building of Toyosu Market. I explained "the history of the Edo/Tokyo fish markets since the Edo period," "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market," and "the tuna auctions." There were leftovers from the auction still inside, and I received many questions, such as "Where does most of the tuna come from?" "Who is allowed to participate in the auction?" "How much does a single tuna cost?" "Is there a price difference between fresh and frozen tuna?" and "Why are the tails of the tuna cut off?" We took photos in front of the tuna statue. We moved on to the intermediate wholesale building. The guests took a liking to the knives and observed them for a long time. There was also a question of "Why can't we go inside here?" After walking through the produce building, we headed to Tsukiji. We first strolled through the "Tsukiji Uogashi," and then moved on to the outer market. After that, we took a leisurely walk through the area, sampling and purchasing items such as dried squid and dried soybeans. It was extremely crowded with tourists. We then went to a sushi restaurant for an early lunch. The guests made comments such as "Japanese people are all so polite," "The city is clean and there is no litter scattered around," and "Tokyo's subway system is systematic and very well designed." They mentioned they wanted to go to Shibuya, so I saw them off at Shibuya Station and we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroo～Toyosu210JPY
    Section 2TrainToyosu～Shijo-mae190JPY
    Section 3TrainShijo-mae～Toyosu190JPY
    Section 4TrainToyosu～Tsukishima180JPY
    Section 5TrainTsukishima～Tsukiji Shijo180JPY
    Section 6TrainTsukiji～Shibuya210JPY
    Total1,160JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    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.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
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    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

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    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

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  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Doguyasuji

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Doguyasuji

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet @ Hotel
    • 09:00 @ Shitennoji Temple
    • 10:15 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 11:30 @ Doguyasuji
    • 12:00 Disband @ Ganko Sushi (Namba Nankai Dori)

    What Is a Private Osaka Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha and Shitennoji The guests were visitors from North America, and we were able to move around smoothly. Since one of the guests was not comfortable with English, the guide's explanations were translated into Spanish for them each time. One of the guests seemed to enjoy photography and was actively taking pictures. At Sumiyoshi Taisha, the guests experienced worship, picked up one of the popular "Godairiki" pebbles, and purchased an amulet pouch. They also bought many other amulets as souvenirs. Since they purchased an amulet pouch at a Buddhist goods store near Shitennoji as well, they seemed to have quite a strong interest in these items. After visiting each spot, the guests said they were a little hungry and wished to have lunch, so I guided them to a sushi restaurant in the Namba Nankai-dori shopping arcade, where we parted ways with about 30 minutes remaining. I presented a handmade drawstring pouch, and the guests were pleased to receive it.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTennoji-ekimae～Sumiyoshitorii-mae240JPY
    Section 2TrainSumiyoshi Taisha～Osaka Namba240JPY
    Total480JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

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    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
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    A wonderful time!
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  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel – 10:50 Meiji Shrine – 11:40 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 12:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing – 13:00 Toyosaka Inari Shrine – 13:40 Imperial Palace East Gardens – 14:15 Disband at Otemachi Station

    Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's Meiji Shrine and Imperial Palace? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) led a private day tour of Tokyo for guests visiting Japan for the first time. The guests had arrived in Tokyo only the night before and were scheduled to depart on an approximately 10-day cruise tour two days later. In addition to main destinations such as Meiji Shrine and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the guests had expressed a wish to visit a shrine with many red torii gates lined up in a row, so we visited Toyosaka Inari Shrine in Shibuya. When we finally arrived at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, it suddenly began to rain, and we took shelter for a while. The rain did not let up for some time, so I guided the guests to Otemachi Station on the Marunouchi Line, explained how to get back to the hotel, and we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherMinami-Shinjuku～Sangubashi140JPY
    Section 2BusJingumae 1-chome / Toei Bus～Shibuya Station West Exit / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya～Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total560JPY

    Tour Report by Michio

    Welcome to Japan. My name is Michio, your tour guide in Tokyo and Japan. I was born and grown up in Tokyo, and still living in western suburb of Tokyo with my wife, except for 10 years outside of Japan travelling and living in 60 countries. So I might have visited your country and still remember a few words.
    Japan has unique history, nature and culture, and there are plenty of secrets and wonders behind them such as food culture, Zen and Ninja.
    So please explore and discover the hidden and most beautiful part of Japan together. Let’s experience!

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    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
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    Oct 24, 2025
    410trishab
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Outstanding Tour with Michio and Nobuhiko!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from…

    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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    Oct 10, 2025
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    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    September, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Hotel Meet(@The Blossom Kyoto)
    • 7:00-7:40 Transfer (Subway; Gojo→Kyoto Station, JR; Kyoto Station→Inari)
    • 7:40-8:30 Fushimi Inari visit
    • 8:30-9:00 Transfer (Keihan Train; Fushimi Inari→Keihan Sanjo, Tozai Line; Sanjo Keihan→Nijojo-mae)
    • 9:00-10:00 Nijo Castle visit
    • 10:00-10:30 Transfer (Subway; Nijojo-mae→Imadegawa)
    • 10:30-11:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace visit
    • 11:00 Tour ends After the tour, we escorted the guests back to the hotel and said goodbye in front of the hotel.

    Title: What's an Early-Morning Private Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace The guests were visitors from North America. This was an early-morning 4-hour tour starting at 7:00, during which I took the group to Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Since it was an early-morning tour, I had expected the heat to be more bearable, but after entering Nijo Castle the sunlight became quite strong and the temperature rose sharply, which made things very difficult for one of the guests. One of the guests particularly enjoyed Fushimi Inari, while another said they liked Nijo Castle best. At the Imperial Palace, unfortunately, I think the heat prevented the guests from taking their time to look around. After the tour, I saw the group off at their hotel and we said goodbye.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae～Imadegawa220JPY
    Total1,030JPY

    Tour Report by Michi

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

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    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
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    Jul 13, 2026
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