Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: microbus start & Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station

    Kyoto: microbus start & Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 pick you up at the lobby of your hotel
    • (guest check out and carry the baggages to the bus)
    • 11:35 The microbus start
    • 11:45 arrive at Kodaiji parking
    • walk on Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka and Kyomizu-zaka slope
    • 12:00 Kiyomizu Temple
    • 14:10 (leave)
    • 14:40 Arashiyama
    • ・Bamboo Forest
    •  ・Tenryuji Temple
    • (we have snack)
    • 16:00 (leave)
    • 16:50 arrive at Shijo Kawaramachi intersection
    • 17:00 at Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like With Luggage Transfer? A Licensed Guide's Report At 11:00 I attempted to pick up the guests at their accommodation, but their check-out was not yet complete. The guests asked whether nine suitcases could be loaded onto the vehicle, as they would be moving to Osaka Umeda that evening. I confirmed by phone with the driver, who said it was fine, but the microbus could not stop directly in front of the accommodation. The guests said they would wait on Kawabata Street. In the end, the accommodation staff worked together to carry all nine suitcases to the bus, and the tour started at 9:35. Because the tour started late, I adjusted the schedule with the guests. We decided not to visit Kinkaku-ji, and they said a light lunch would be fine. At Kiyomizu-dera the guests bought a charm, ate ice cream on Kiyomizu-zaka, and purchased chopsticks. In Arashiyama, some of the guests rested in the bus while the rest joined the tour. They enjoyed snacks such as pork buns, meatballs, and tempura. The guests had already reserved assigned seats on the Hankyu Prime Car (17:35). I guided the guests to the platform at Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and the tour ended there.

    Hello, I’m HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as a famous shogun who unified Japan for the first time in 1590.
    I was born in Kobe, worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce you Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama.
    In Kyoto, I can guide you Nijojo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Tempe (Golden Pavilion), Gion area, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
    In Osaka, I’ll show you Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky biilding. We have locall foods such as Kushikatau, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
    In Kobe, I’ll take you to former foreign residential area, Sannomiya Shopping Street, Chinese Market, and Arima Onsen.
    In Nara, I’ll guide you Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Yakushiji Temple.
    In Wakayama, I take you to Koyasan, the center of Esoteric Buddhism.
    I enjoy guiding foreign tourists.
    I can show you Japanese history, especially samurai period, and Shinto and Buddhism.
    I’ve been looking forward to guiding you !!

    Jun 1, 2026
    Stephan_F
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great overview of the…
    Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with…

    May 28, 2025
    terrym866
    Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with…

    Oct 17, 2024
    katiya2017
    Walking visit in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
    We booked a full day walking…

    Sep 29, 2024
    Roy_M
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a very good private tour with…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Nijubashi Bridge

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Nijubashi Bridge

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up@Hotel
    • 10:40 Tsukiji
    • 12:30 Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:30 Lunch@Anbai
    • Asakusa
    • 16:20 Disband@Hotel

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji and Historic Sites Body: The guests were a group from North America who came from the Kansai area together with other members of their party, who went to Disneyland on the day of the tour. The guests preferred not to join the Disneyland outing and signed up for the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tour instead. On the day of the tour, the Saikyo Line was suspended and the Yamanote Line was extremely crowded. The nearest station to the guests' hotel was Shin-Okubo Station on the Yamanote Line, but I explained the situation and we decided to start from Okubo Station instead. The guests did not do any street-food snacking, but they love cooking and toured the Tsukiji Outer Market with great enthusiasm. They had visited many temples and shrines in the Kansai area, but since they had been sightseeing without a guide, they were not familiar with Japanese history, the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, or the proper way to pray, so I explained these things during the tour. The guests had requested in advance that we include some rest breaks along the way, but they pushed on without taking dedicated break time, resting instead by sitting down on the trains. I was glad we managed to complete the tour without any rain.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOkubo (Tokyo)~Yoyogi150JPY
    Section 2SubwayYoyogi~Tsukiji Market220JPY
    Section 3SubwayShintomicho (Tokyo)~Sakuradamon180JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
    Section 5SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 6SubwayAsakusa~Ueno180JPY
    Section 7TrainUeno~Shin-Okubo210JPY
    Total1,290JPY

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

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

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

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

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

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

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

  • Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Tobu Nikko Station 10:20 Start from Shinkyo 10:30 Rinnoji Sanbutsudo Shoyoen
    • 11:30 Toshogu 13:00 Lunch 14:00 Futarasan Shrine Shinen Taiyuin 15:00 Kanmangafuchi
    • 16:30 Disband at Shinkyo, end

    Title: What Is a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The tour was for a group of guests who had connections to one another from before, which created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout the tour. Some of the guests had visited Nikko three times before and were also living in Japan, so they were quite familiar with Japanese customs. Another of the guests, visiting for the first time, purchased a heart-shaped ema votive plaque, intending to hang it on a Christmas tree, which I thought was an interesting and creative way to use it. When we were about to head to Kanmangafuchi Abyss, I noticed that one of the guests was wearing shorts, and I became a little concerned about the possibility of being bitten by land leeches. However, one of the other guests reassured me that it would not be a problem, and so we decided to proceed. Fortunately, they had properly prepared insect repellent spray, and since the temperature had suddenly dropped, there was no issue at all, which put me at ease. The guests were very natural and easygoing, and the time flew by as we chatted and enjoyed ourselves. At the end, we said goodbye with a firm handshake.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTobu Nikko Station/Tobu Bus~Shinkyo/Tobu Bus220JPY
    Section 2BusShinkyo/Tobu Bus~Tobu Nikko Station/Tobu Bus220JPY
    Total440JPY

    Hi I am June, I work as a guide in Tochigi where is easily accessible from Tokyo. Tochigi is blessed with nature and has world heritage sites such as Toshogu shrine, Rinnoji temple, Futarasan shrine. I showed international travelers around World Heritage sites more than 100 times. Would you like to go there with me ? I will give you the detailed information about their history, custom and others. Also, I will take you to the quieter place even in the World Heritage area. Besides World Heritage sites, I will plan a course that perfectly suits your needs. Even if you have been to Tochigi before, you will discover a different Tochigi that you have never experience before.
    I am waiting for your contact.

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Tenryu-ji

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Tenryu-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at JR Kyoto Station
    • 08:40 to 09:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 09:40 to 10:20 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 10:30 to 10:40 Yasaka Pagoda
    • 11:00 to 11:30 Yasaka Shrine and Gion
    • 11:40 to 12:15 Nishiki Market & Lunch (Conveyor Belt Sushi)
    • 12:45 to 13:00 Sagano Bamboo Grove
    • 13:00 to 13:20 Tenryu-ji
    • 14:00 Dismissal at JR Kyoto Station
    • 1

    What Can You See on a Private Cruise Port Day Trip in Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. They had arrived at Osaka Port by cruise ship, and it was a time-limited tour because they had to return to the ship by 5:00 p.m. When heading to our first spot, Fushimi Inari, the JR train was delayed by about 30 minutes, so we stumbled right from the start. The guests said they still wanted to visit all the planned spots on schedule even if the trains were delayed, so by using taxis for the parts that would have taken too long, we managed to visit all the planned spots. I am glad it worked out.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2BusKiyomizu-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Gion/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusGion/Kyoto City Bus~Shijo Kawaramachi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Kyoto240JPY
    Total850JPY

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

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

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

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

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

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

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

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani to Togendai

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani to Togendai

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:05 Take the hotel shuttle bus to Gora Station
    • 10:45 From Gora, pass through Sounzan Station to Owakudani
    • 11:45 From Owakudani to Togendai
    • 12:40 Take the Hakone Pirate Ship to Hakonemachi Port
    • 14:00 After lunch, pass through the Hakone Checkpoint to the Old Tokaido Road
    • 16:00 Arrive at Amazake Chaya, disband on-site

    What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The instructions listed the meeting point as one accommodation, but the group was actually staying at a different accommodation. I got in touch via a messaging app and things worked out, but I reflected that I should have reconfirmed the meeting point in advance. Unfortunately the weather was poor and Mount Fuji was not visible, but we were able to follow almost the entire planned itinerary, and I believe the guests were satisfied. The guests were a group visiting from Europe. We were able to enjoy the tour and complete the schedule largely as intended. After this, the group planned to return to Tokyo before continuing on to sightseeing in Kyoto.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara~Odawara6,000JPY
    Total6,000JPY

    Having taught at a national university with many international students, I have experience in intercultural communications. I hope you can enjoy my talk on Japanese culture and history. I am a novice as a guide, but having traveled around the world, I think I know what foreign travelers expect of a tour guide. One of the most impressive tour guides I have met is a lady in Chennai who told me everything about the Indian culture and history – from Hindu gods to how the British brought ice from North America to Madras and kept it all through the summer for their cold drinks. I hope to become an impressive guide like her.

    Oct 20, 2025
    GlobeTrotting155867
    Hakone tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ichiro was a fantastic guide who was very flexible…

    Mar 19, 2025
    Kpldcols
    Time well spent in Hakone
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide (Ichiro) was friendly, knowledgeable,…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel – 11:00 Fukagawa Fudoudou – 11:50 Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine – 12:45 Tsukiji Outer Market – 13:20 Tsukiji Lunch – 14:20 Disband at Ginza

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fukagawa, Tsukiji, and Sushi The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was the second day of an approximately ten-day stay in Japan, including the Kansai region, and they said they were no longer feeling any jet lag. Since they wanted an exciting experience, we started at the Fudo temple in Fukagawa. They were startled by the thunderous drums and conch shell of the "Goma fire ritual," but were absolutely delighted. Next, at the Tsukiji Outer Market, we visited four knife shops, and they enjoyed authentic sushi at a long-established sushi restaurant with a hundred years of history. After the meal, we took a break at a coffee shop while listening to the Beatles, allowing them to savor Tokyo at a relaxed pace.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOdaiba~Monzen-nakacho550JPY
    Section 2SubwayMonzen-nakacho~Tsukiji180JPY
    Section 3BusTsukiji 3-chome / Toei Bus~Ginza 4-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total940JPY

    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!

    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking tour was fantastic! Michio…

    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
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu-dera

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel Meet(@Hotel)
    • 9:30-10:15 Travel (Subway; Karasuma Oike→Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Line; Keihan Sanjo→Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • 10:15-11:10 Fushimi Inari visit
    • 11:10-11:40 Travel (Keihan Line; Fushimi Inari→Keihan Shichijo)
    • 11:40- 13:00 Kiyomizu-dera visit
    • 13:00-13:40 Travel (Taxi; Gion→Restaurant/CoCo Hana near Kinkaku-ji)
    • 13:40-14:30 Lunch (@CoCo Hana)
    • 14:30 Tour ends after lunch (The customer requested to return to the hotel by 15:00 due to their next appointment, so the tour ended early)

    What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera The guests were a group visiting from North America. I took them to Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera. We had originally planned to visit Kinkaku-ji after lunch, but because of a following appointment they wanted to return to their hotel by 15:00, so after lunch they took a taxi back to the hotel. Initially the guests had requested a Kyoto Top 4 Sights 6-hour tour, wishing to visit Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama (including lunch), but I explained that realistically it was not possible to visit all of these within 6 hours including lunch, and we agreed to proceed with a tour excluding Arashiyama. In the end, due to the following appointment, we visited only two locations. Also, one of the guests found Kiyomizu-dera too demanding because of its many slopes and stairs, so they waited partway through. Both Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera had entered the tourist season and were very crowded, so an early morning tour is better in order to fully enjoy the experience.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike~Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)220JPY
    Section 2TrainSanjo Keihan~Fushimi Inari240JPY
    Total460JPY

    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 !

    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    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.…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet the guest at Hachiko at 9:30 → Move to the Imperial Palace 9:30~10:00 → Stroll around the Imperial Palace 10:00~11:00 → Move to Asakusa 11:00~11:30 → Stroll around Senso-ji Temple 11:30~12:45 → Move to Tsukishima 12:45~13:15 → Enjoy monjayaki in Tsukishima 13:15~14:30 → Move to Shibuya 14:30~15:00 → Experience the Shibuya Crossing and disband 15:00~15:30

    What Is a Private Full-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Tsukishima Today's guests were visitors from North America. They mentioned that they had chosen this time of year to escape the heat back home. We first visited the Imperial Palace, where the guests showed interest in my explanation of the shachihoko ornaments. They were also captivated by the beauty of the Japanese garden. Next, we moved to Asakusa, and they remarked that, unlike the Imperial Palace, it was full of energy and liveliness. At Nakamise, they sampled ningyo-yaki and said it was simple and delicious. After that, we moved to Tsukishima and experienced monjayaki. They especially enjoyed the seafood monja, saying it paired very well with beer, and cheerfully enjoyed a couple of drinks each. Since all the other customers were locals, they were satisfied, remarking that it must be a delicious hidden gem. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides lead private full-day tours of Tokyo covering the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Tsukishima for guests visiting Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Section 2TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa290JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Tsukishima220JPY
    Section 4TrainTsukishima~Shibuya320JPY
    Total1,040JPY

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

    Oct 14, 2025
    Randi R
    Amazing tour of Tokyo with Yuji
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuji was an amazing guide.…

    Sep 30, 2025
    K6530TRangelor
    Great tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yuji was excellent. He was very punctual and…

    Sep 19, 2025
    belindaf2022
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful day with being shown the key…

    Sep 8, 2025
    S8908ADcarolinab
    Family friendly guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with our 6 hour…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet at the hotel (Hilton Kyoto)
    • 2. 9:15 Guide to Nijo Castle
    • 3. 11:30 Guide to Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 4. 13:30 Guide to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 5. 14:15 Guide to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 6. 15:00 Disband @ hotel

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests today were an older group visiting from North America. One of them had visited Japan eight years earlier and had planned this trip wanting to share Japan with the group. After confirming the itinerary at the hotel, they had hoped to visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but unfortunately it was closed that day, so we had to give up on that visit. We therefore went directly to Nijo Castle. While guiding through Nijo Castle, one of the guests had already read the novel "Shogun" and asked many questions throughout the tour. In particular, I took time to slowly explain the complex society of the Edo period with the Shogun at its top, the politics of the late Edo period, and the restoration of imperial rule. From Nijo Castle we moved to Kinkaku-ji, where I explained the relationship between the Ashikaga Shogun Yoshimitsu and Kinkaku-ji, and I was surprised that one of the guests already knew about the burning of Kinkaku-ji. After Kinkaku-ji, we moved to Kiyomizu-dera, but traffic was heavy and the journey took a long time. At Kiyomizu-dera they showed interest in the historical background of its construction, but due to time constraints we skipped touring the grounds and moved on to Fushimi Inari Taisha, where, again because of time, I guided them through the main hall and the Senbon Torii before returning to the hotel. Although it was sightseeing under time constraints overall, I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

    After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
    As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
    And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
    With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

    Apr 26, 2026
    39ferdinandr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional and entertaining
    Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

    Apr 9, 2026
    X1429XKclaudiam
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sehr zu empfehlen
    Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

    Jun 28, 2025
    WilliamAlfonso_R
    Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi was…

    May 30, 2025
    Z
    ZevP5
    Best Tour Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Market

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 5:00 Hotel
    • 5:30-7:10 Toyosu Market
    • 7:30-8:00 Tsukiji Market

    Meeting Point Confusion and a Tsukiji Food Tour: A Licensed Guide's Report in Tokyo I headed to the Hotel that the guests mentioned instead of the Hotel arranged the previous day, but it was under renovation. I should have discussed the details more thoroughly. Also, since the guests had personally applied to visit a facility on the second floor, a passport was required, but this was only mentioned just before 5:00, and one of the guests had left it in the room. I was glad we double-checked before the taxi departed. During the tour, the guests especially enjoyed the sushi. We ended by going around Tsukiji, highlighting points that would be useful for a future visit.

    Hello , my name is Isao.
    I like cooking and eating while drinking wine and listening to the rock music sometime classical music, too.
    I am a tour guide mainly around Tokyo. I have experience as an E-bike tour guide( Imperial palace, Tokyo station, Asakusa, Sumida river, Ningyocho, Odaiba area, Tsukishima Monja street ) and a food tour. I like to eat local Japanese food and drink many kind of alcohol.
    Besides Tokyo, I also recommend Kamakura and Kawagoe where I was borne.
    I will do my best to help you make good memories of Japan.
    I am looking forward to meeting you soon.

    May 21, 2026
    Anne_A
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable tour of the local markets and…

    May 18, 2026
    Olivia_H
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    An unforgettable Tokyo food and culture experience…

    May 7, 2026
    Susan C
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Highly recommended tuna auction tour
    Iseo…

    Oct 25, 2025
    TravelYes8
    Highly recommended the Toyosu Tuna Auction tour with Isao!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with…