Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tokyo station & Asakusa

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tokyo station & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Hotel
    • 10:30 Explore Uchisaiwai-cho, Hibiya, and Otemachi, Imperial Palace’s outer moat
    • 11:00 Tokyo station
    • 11:45 Ueno Koen, Ueno Ameyoko
    • 12:20 Asakusa
    • 13:06 Hibiya Blossom (based on the guest's preference)

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Central Tokyo and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests asked a range of thoughtful and sometimes challenging questions throughout the day, which made for a lively and engaging tour. They mentioned that they had read books about Japan and were clearly well-prepared, having done a lot of research before their visit. Some of the questions and comments during the tour included: 1. "What's the percentage of bad luck in a fortune slip? Oh, we don't need to draw one." 2. "We've read books about Japan written by a professor." 3. "In our culture, we call our parents by their first names." 4. "How much does an apartment cost? How much is university tuition here?" 5. "Where can I see genuinely old buildings? These were renovated in the 1960s and 1970s. Should I go to Kyoto to see older ones?" 6. "For anything with a motor, you have to wear a helmet. It's mandatory." 7. "We don't need to walk through the temple. We viewed it from above." 8. "We don't eat fast food or drink beer." 9. "It's 13:06. You have 24 minutes left. Is that enough time to wrap up?" — followed by a kind reminder to the guests to thank the guide. The tour ran on a tight and well-structured schedule, and I did my best to answer each question clearly while keeping to the itinerary. It was a memorable day guiding curious and inquisitive guests through central Tokyo. 09:30 Hotel 10:30 Explore Uchisaiwai-cho, Hibiya, and Otemachi, and the outer moat of the Imperial Palace 11:00 Tokyo Station 11:45 Ueno Park, Ueno Ameyoko 12:20 Asakusa 13:06 Hotel

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo~Ueno200JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Shimbashi210JPY
    Total590JPY

    Hello, welcome to Japan you all.

    I’m a resident of Ebina, Kanagawa, and am a national government licensed guide and interpreter.
    I enjoy showing travelers both the new and old of central Honshu, primarily Tokyo and Kanagawa, ranging from Meiji Shrine, Edo Castle, Tsukiji Outer Market, Ueno, Asakusa, Ginza, Ginza Sky Farmstead, Shibuya Zebra Crossings, Yokohama, Kamakura, to Hakone, not to mention Mt. Fuji, and sharing views with my guests on Japanese homes and their surroundings, Japan’s labor productivity and labor market, among others.

    I also enjoy introducing travelers to Japanese culture through home visits with Japanese families, touring Zen temples, and explaining the intricacies of Japanese culture.

    I am happy to arrange personalized tours to other places of your interest.
    I am making the most of my long experience as a foreign language education service, escorting VIPs at the Sony showroom in Ginza, Tokyo.
    I also offer services to help families and individuals relocating to Japan with immigration VISA applications.

    My hobbies are movies, strolling along the river in my neighborhood and am a novice at la lingua Italiano.
    Let’s enjoy touring together, shall we?

    Jul 16, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Private guide – a very good experience
    We spent a half…

    Jun 21, 2026
    CJW324
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
    Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with…

    May 20, 2026
    olgalA154QQ
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with an excellent guide
    Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki…

    Apr 19, 2026
    Sightseer57474900023
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
    Hideaki was an incredible guide and…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Conrad Tokyo & Isetan

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Conrad Tokyo & Isetan

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Conrad Tokyo
    • 11:20 Zojoji Temple
    • 12:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 13:45 Isetan
    • 14:30 Conrad Tokyo

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Zojoji, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Isetan I guided a group visiting from North America. After a cruise stopping in Hong Kong, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Kobe, they arrived in Tokyo this morning and are returning home tomorrow evening. They have traveled to 46 countries, and this was their second visit to Japan. When I told them that rain was forecast for the afternoon, they retrieved jackets and other items from the luggage they had already checked in. At Zojoji Temple, we happened to see a memorial service in the main hall and a baby's first shrine visit at the Ankokuden. They said it was their first time seeing the scenery of the Jizo Bodhisattva statues. At Shinjuku Gyoen, the greenery and large trees were beautiful. Since we had walked a great deal, I suggested a rest at a tea house, which they welcomed, and they enjoyed some green tea. When rain clouds appeared and thunder began to rumble, they asked if they could skip the Meiji Shrine we had planned to visit afterward and be taken back to the Hotel instead, so we did just that. On the way, I guided them to Isetan, where they happily bought tonkatsu, fried shrimp (which they had cut into small pieces), and sushi for lunch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShiodome~Daimon (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2SubwayAkabanebashi~Kokuritsu-Kyogijo220JPY
    Section 3OtherShinjuku-sanchome~Shiodome280JPY
    Total680JPY

    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…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10∶45 Meet at Odawara Station 11∶13 Take the mountain railway via Hakone-Yumoto to arrive at Chokoku-no-Mori at 12∶16 12∶35 Hakone Open-Air Museum After strolling and lunch, take the bus at 14∶01 via Kowakien to arrive at Hakone Sekisho-ato at 14∶35 Shopping at Maruyama Bussan Take the bus at 15∶16 to arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station at 16∶30 Disband at the 16∶45 boarding point for the ryokan loop bus bound for Nanpuso

    What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like for a Family Group? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Hakone. Since the tour was designed to focus on the younger members of the group, I confirmed their agreement to proceed that way before we set off. Although the group was a little shy at first, they became completely relaxed at the Hakone Open-Air Museum and did not want to come down from the jungle gym. Because of our schedule, we walked briskly past the maze so it would not be spotted. At the Maruyama marquetry (yosegi) demonstration, they watched wide-eyed and made quite a few purchases. Since they had arrived from Kyoto by Shinkansen that day and started sightseeing in Hakone right away, they were understandably tired, and on the bus back the younger members of the group slept soundly.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station6,000JPY
    Section 2BusKowakien/Izuhakone Bus~Hakone Sekisho-ato/Izuhakone Bus750JPY
    Total6,750JPY

    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

    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…

  • Hiroshima: Hiroshima Castle & Peace Memorial Park

    Hiroshima: Hiroshima Castle & Peace Memorial Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1:00 p.m. Meet at the lobby of the ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima
    • 1:10 p.m. Lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant
    • 2:10 p.m. Visit Hiroshima Castle
    • 3:00 p.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
    • 4:00 p.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park
    • 5:15 p.m. End of the tour at the entrance of the Peace Memorial Museum

    Title: What's a Private Hiroshima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a single traveler visiting from North America. They had signed up for a group tour, but as the start date did not align with their schedule, they arrived in Japan later than the group and came directly to Hiroshima on their own. They mentioned staying in Hiroshima for two days before rejoining the group in Kyoto. It was their first visit to Japan, and they had come to celebrate a milestone. They were very cheerful and enjoyed conversation, so we chatted continuously from the moment we met. Since they enjoyed activities such as hiking, swimming, and cycling and liked being active, I asked about their preferences and we decided to explore mainly on foot, using the bus only for longer distances. As they mentioned feeling some jet lag the day after arriving in Japan, we took occasional breaks, sitting down for a while to talk here and there. Since the guest was traveling alone, I offered to take photos at scenic spots, which they greatly appreciated. They loved the quiet and beautiful atmosphere of Shukkeien Garden, took many photos, and looked delighted as they planned to send them to their family. They had a strong interest in history and listened intently throughout our time at the Peace Park. They also shared their own experiences and family stories related to 9/11. Because the museum tends to be crowded with students on school trips during this season, I guided them to the museum after 5:00 when there were fewer people, and they were pleased to find it uncrowded, which concluded the tour. At the end, they thanked me warmly, saying it had been a special and truly wonderful day and that they would recommend visiting Hiroshima to friends coming to Japan in the future, which made me very happy.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusIn front of Shukkeien Garden~In front of the Atomic Bomb Dome / JR Bus Chugoku240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Hello. My name is Mari.
    I am a certified local tour guide in Hiroshima.

    I was born and grew up in Hiroshima until I entered in a university in Tokyo.
    After 6 years in Tokyo, I came back to Hiroshima because I really love my hometown and wanted to spend the rest of my life here.

    Hiroshima is very comfortable city to live in and rich in nature.
    I am so happy that I have been able to raise my kids here.

    Hiroshima is absolutely full of beautiful and historically important places and also the great food.
    I am so excited to introduce the wonderful experiences here in Hiroshima and hope you will come to love this place, too.
    Look forward to meeting you.

    Jul 27, 2026
    Jen_S21
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    The highlight of our trip!
    Mari was an excellent…

    Jul 26, 2026
    Celine B
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    A faire
    Une belle visite, bcp d’émotions.
    Mari a été…

    Jun 25, 2026
    Bill_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    My son and I really…
    My son and I really…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Beth W
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mari is a fantastic guide for your Visit…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Pirate Ship

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Pirate Ship

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Gora Station
    • 9:30 Owakudani
    • 10:10 Hakone Pirate Ship
    • 11:00 From Motohakone Port to the Ultra Deep Forest Museum
    • 13:45 Tour ends at Gora Station

    What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. On this occasion, some of the group took part in the tour. They had visited Japan many times before and said it was one of their favorite countries. This time they came to give a younger member of the group the chance to experience a different culture. They had already traveled to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, and Hakone was the next stop. However, since they had to leave their hotel by 2:30 for a shuttle bus, the tour was shortened accordingly. They especially wanted to see Owakudani and the pirate ship, so the tour focused on these places. At Owakudani, they were delighted to try the famous "black eggs" they had heard about, but unfortunately Mount Fuji was hidden by the cloudy sky, which they found disappointing. The pirate ship was one of the experiences the group had been looking forward to, but unfortunately the temperature was low due to the high altitude, so they could not enjoy the scenery on the deck for very long, which was a shame. Finally, we stopped by the Hakone Open-Air Museum and ended the tour at Gora Station.

    Transportation cost per person

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

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1000 Aloft Ginza
    • 1030-1150 Meiji Shrine
    • 1200-1320 Lunch and Nijubashi
    • 1350-1440 Asakusa
    • 1510-1600 Hamarikuy garden

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine and Sensoji The guests were a group visiting from North America who joined up in Japan after arriving on separate flights, one of which had been delayed by seven hours. One of the guests had stayed near the Kasumigaseki area of Tokyo for a few months about thirty years ago, and they reminisced about how, in the Japan of that era, tea was served in offices and there were staff who pushed passengers onto crowded trains. Since a family member of one of the guests was undergoing treatment for cancer, they purchased a charm and an ema votive tablet at Meiji Shrine and drew an omikuji fortune. For lunch, they chose the miso-marinated grilled mackerel set meal at a restaurant near the Imperial Palace. At Sensoji Temple, one of the guests asked, "How is it possible to make a replica of a hidden Buddhist statue that not even the most senior monks are allowed to see?" I explained that it was created based on past memories, records, and imagination. When they asked whether I was a Buddhist or a follower of Shinto, I answered that most Japanese people pray to both the kami and the Buddha in difficult times, so I do not think I can say which one I belong to. When I asked whether the agency could use the photos taken that day for promotional purposes, they laughed and kindly agreed, saying they doubted anyone would want to use photos of people like themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHigashi-Ginza~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 3SubwaySakuradamon~Asakusa520JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Shiodome220JPY
    Total1,160JPY

    I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
    Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
    I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!

    Jul 4, 2026
    317roxaneh
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great time in Tokyo!
    We had a great day with Lance! He…

    Jul 1, 2026
    Voyager795644
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo private family tour
    Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…

    Jun 26, 2026
    Leslie_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
    This tour is amazing and…

    Jun 17, 2026
    JKing275
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo
    Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Met the guests at Hotel Tokyo.

    Tokyo in One Day: Met the guests at Hotel Tokyo.

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 AM – Met the guests at Hotel Tokyo.
    • 08:00–08:30
    • Walked from Hotel Tokyo to Meiji Shrine.
    • 08:30–09:00
    • Visited Meiji Shrine.
    • 09:00–09:30
    • Took the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line from Meiji-Jingumae Station to Nijubashimae Station.
    • 09:30–10:00
    • Visited the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens, Marunouchi, and Tokyo Station area.
    • 10:00–10:15
    • Took the JR Yamanote Line from Tokyo Station to Ueno Station.
    • 10:15–11:00
    • Visited Tokyo National Museum.
    • 11:10–11:50
    • Lunch at Gyukatsu Motomura near Ueno Station.
    • 11:50–12:00
    • Took the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Ueno Station to Tawaramachi Station.
    • 12:00–12:40
    • Visited Senso-ji Temple.
    • 12:40–13:15
    • Took the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Shibuya Station.
    • 13:30
    • Visited the Pokémon Center at Shibuya PARCO.
    • Tour finished at Shibuya PARCO.

    What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report The tour started at 8:00 in the morning, so Meiji Shrine was relatively empty, allowing me to guide in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The subway ride was also smooth since the morning rush had settled, and overall we were able to move around efficiently. On that day, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were closed, so after guiding the guests mainly around the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and the Marunouchi area, we moved on to Ueno. This was my first time incorporating the Tokyo National Museum into a tour course, but we were able to view the main exhibits centered on the Main Building in about one hour. The guests showed a strong interest in Japanese history and culture, and one of the guests in particular enthusiastically took photos while viewing the exhibits. I believe it was a great opportunity to experience Japanese history and culture. We had an early lunch near Ueno Station. Since it was still early, the restaurant was not crowded and we were able to use it smoothly. After that, we took the Ginza Line to Asakusa and I guided the guests around Senso-ji Temple. The overall pace was faster than originally planned, and by the time we arrived in Asakusa we had about one hour of extra time. I had anticipated the possibility of visiting Tokyo Skytree after the tour, but since the guests told me they planned to visit Skytree on another day, we discussed how to spend the remaining time. Having heard that one of the guests was interested in Pokemon, I suggested the Pokemon Center inside Shibuya PARCO, and since the guests wished to go, we moved to Shibuya. As the guests said they would explore the Pokemon Center on their own, the tour ended at Shibuya PARCO. The tour was scheduled to end at 14:00, but at the guests' request it ended around 13:30. The guests on this occasion were visiting from Europe. Initially I considered how to travel from the Hotel to Meiji Shrine, but I judged that walking would be more efficient than taking a train or bus, so we walked directly from the Hotel. The guests had plenty of stamina and said they exercise regularly, so they had no trouble and enjoyed the longer walk. As a result, the route from Nishi-Shinjuku through Meiji Shrine and toward Harajuku made for a good start to the tour. One of the guests had stayed in Japan for a trip about a decade earlier, and this time they came to Japan together as a group. In talking with them, I was impressed by the educational value they placed on giving children the chance to experience other countries and cultures from a young age. The guests were both very calm and polite, and we were able to proceed through the tour in a relaxed atmosphere throughout. During the tour I actively helped take photos using the guests' smartphone, and they seemed pleased with that as well. Overall, I was able to guide flexibly in response to changes in plans while tailoring the content to the guests' interests, and I believe it turned out to be a highly satisfying tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMeiji-Jingumae Station/Shibuya-ku, Tokyo~Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 2TrainTokyo~Ueno200JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno~Tawaramachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    Total850JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Osaka in One Day: @ Osaka Castle & @ Shinsekai

    Osaka in One Day: @ Osaka Castle & @ Shinsekai

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet @ Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka
    • 10:50-12:45 @ Osaka Castle
    • 13:15-13:55 @ Shitennoji Temple
    • 14:15-14:20 @ Harukas Garden
    • 14:50-15:30 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 16:10-16:30 @ Shinsekai
    • 16:45 Dismiss @ Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Osaka Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. This was the first day of a longer trip through Japan and other parts of Asia. The tour thoroughly covered Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, and Shinsekai without any breaks. The planning, stamp collecting, and photography were all led carefully by one of the guests, and as someone who enjoys photography myself, I was happy to take photos of the group, which pleased them greatly. At Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, it was heartwarming to see one of the guests collecting the "Godairiki" stones and purchasing a charm pouch to hold them. It was a tour filled with a calm and peaceful atmosphere from beginning to end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNamba (Subway)~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji-ekimae~Sumiyoshitorii-mae240JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha~Shin-Imamiya240JPY
    Section 5SubwayEbisucho~Namba (Subway)190JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1000 Hotel Premier Asakusa (10 min from Metro Asakusa Station) Senso-ji Temple Asakusa Shrine Nakamise Kaminarimon
    • 1125 Tsukiji Outer Market Kabuki-za Theatre Ginza 4-chome Intersection
    • 1300 Shibuya Hachiko Statue Scramble Crossing
    • 1325 Harajuku Takeshita Street Meiji Shrine Visit
    • 1515 Imperial Palace Outer Garden Tatsumi Turret Gyoko-dori Avenue Tokyo Station
    • 1600 Board the Ginza Line at Kanda Station and disband

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania who had arrived in Japan the previous night, having spent two days in Asia beforehand. They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few days, including a trip to Mount Fuji, and afterwards to travel around Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. For this tour, a travel agency was involved as an intermediary, and since there had been no response from the guests beforehand, I had been somewhat concerned. After meeting them, I gathered that this was likely because the person handling the arrangements was not very familiar with IT. Since the itinerary had basically been left entirely to the travel agency, I believe they were a little puzzled that my tour was to be organized according to the guests' own requests. However, everything turned out well: at Tsukiji they enjoyed scallops, and they also enjoyed Shibuya and Takeshita Street. The plan had included only the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace, but after I explained, they decided to visit the East Gardens on Sunday.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 2SubwayGinza~Shibuya210JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
    Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
    Section 5TrainTokyo~Kanda (Tokyo)160JPY
    Total950JPY

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
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    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
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    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Kyoto: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO & Pokemon Center

    Kyoto: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO & Pokemon Center

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30. HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
    • 19:35-11:15. Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 11:40-12:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:30-13:10 Lunch
    • 13:40-14:10 Sanjusangendo
    • 14:30-15:00 Nintendo Shop
    • 15:10-15:30 Nishiki Market
    • 15:45-16:15 Pokemon Center
    • 16:30 HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, the Imperial Palace, and Nishiki Market The guests were a group visiting from North America. As a small gift, I gave them a folding fan from a 100-yen shop, which they were delighted to receive. We had a wonderful, cheerful atmosphere throughout the day, and at Kinkaku-ji a tossed coin even landed in the offering bowl. At the Imperial Palace, the guests listened attentively to my explanations, and at Kinkaku-ji there was a very fortunate moment as well. They were very pleased when we had lunch at a nearby conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. At Sanjusangen-do they also listened closely to my explanations and watched with great interest as a monk wrote a goshuin. We then shopped at the Nintendo store, bought honey at Nishiki Market, spent about 30 minutes shopping at the Pokémon Center, and returned to the hotel. Everyone had an enjoyable time and were very happy with the day.

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

    Jul 11, 2026
    Rahul_P
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    Jul 7, 2026
    782MarkS782
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    Harumi and Kyoto
    This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…

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

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