Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Itinerary consultation & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto in One Day: Itinerary consultation & Sanjusangendo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet-up
    • 9:10 Itinerary consultation
    • 9:40 Nijo Castle
    • 12:00 Cafe break
    • 13:00 Nishiki Market
    • 14:00 Sanjusangendo
    • 15:00 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report After meeting up, one of the guests seemed tired and mentioned that they might head back to the hotel partway through the tour. I reorganized the original plan and adjusted the route to start with the places the guests most wanted to see. Perhaps because we took frequent breaks throughout the tour, I was able to guide everyone for the full duration of the tour. Since the heat and back-to-back touring can leave some guests feeling tired, I always try to stay flexible in how I respond. As not everyone in the group was a strong walker, we shared a light meal together instead of visiting Kiyomizu-dera, which had been part of the original plan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarutamachi (Kyoto Municipal)~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)220JPY
    Section 3BusShijo Kawaramachi / Kyoto City Bus~Higashiyama (Kyoto)230JPY
    Section 4BusHigashiyama Shichijo / Kyoto City Bus~Shijo Kawaramachi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total900JPY

    Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
    I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
    In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
    In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
    In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
    Every city has a unique charming point.
    The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
    I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
    And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
    I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
    I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
    Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
    Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

    Jul 27, 2026
    OscarBrisenoJr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Awesome tour of Kyoto
    Seeing the temples and shrines…

    Jul 21, 2026
    MarcL3556
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful and Memorable Tour of Osaka with Mizu…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Ranvt
    Local tour kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I had a great experience on this local…

    Jun 11, 2026
    MamaL843
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
    Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…

  • Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car

    Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel Route Inn Iwaki Ekimae 8:30 – TEPCO Decommissioning Archive Center 9:30-10:30 – The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum 10:50-11:50 – Michi-no-Eki Namie 12:00-12:40 – Ukedo Elementary School 12:50-13:30 – Ukedo Fishing Port 13:35-13:50 – Ohirayama Cemetery 13:55-14:20 – JR Futaba Station 14:30-15:00 – Hotel ARM 15:30 – JR Iwaki Station 16:30

    What Is a Private Fukushima Tour Around Iwaki Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The group departed from the Hotel in front of Iwaki Station at 8:30 as scheduled, followed the planned route, and the guests concluded the tour at the Hotel at 15:30. Afterward, the taxi and the guide returned to JR Iwaki Station and parted ways. The driver was also very kind. From the guest review, I learned that the guests had wished to spend a little more time at each site, so from next time I would like to have more dialogue with the guests as I proceed through the itinerary. The guests were deeply interested in the situation regarding the damage from the earthquake disaster and the nuclear power plant.

    ‘ve been a guide for 9 years. I’d like to show you around Hamadori, Fukushima prefecture. Fukushima Prefecture is divided into 3 regions, Aizu, Nakadori and Hamadori. Aizu is a historical city, Nakadori is the center of the economy, and Hamadori is on the Pacific coast and is the site of the Fukushima Daiichi and second Nuclear Power Plants in Fukushima prefecture. In winter, it snows a lot in Aizu, but it hardly snows in Hamadori , and there are many sunny days. You can ski in Aizu in winter and enjoy surfing in Hamadori in the evening on the same day. But it’s a little far. I live in Hamadori, Minamisoma city. In Hamadori, I would especially like to recommend fresh fish and friendly people. It faces the Pacific Ocean, so you can enjoy fresh fish. Especially, right-eyed flounders, flounders and arctic surf clam called Joban-mono are delicious. In Soma City, puffer fish and other fish have been caught recently, and it has become possible to enjoy puffer fish dishes in restaurant. Of course, sushi is the best. The local people are very kind and say hello to you when you meet them for the first time. And Hamadori was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. But the national government, prefectures, local governments, volunteers and local residents are making progress in the reconstruction. In the disaster-stricken areas, you can see, hear and feel what happened in 2011, what is happening now and what is going to happen in the future. There are the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster museum, the Tomioka Archive Museum, Robot Test Field a hydrogen plant, new style agriculture , and other earthquake-related facilities. If you like it, you can also enjoy traditional festivals such as the Soma Nomaoi festival and Futaba Daruma Festival. You can also enjoy wearing armor. I will show you around Hamadori.

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:00 Kanazawa Station West Exit Tour Start
    • Travel Bus Kenrokuen-shita
    • AM 09:30 – 11:30 Kenrokuen Garden Tour Tea Experience at Shigure-tei
    • AM 11:30 – 12:15 Kanazawa Castle Park Hishi-yagura Gojikken Nagaya Hashizumemon-tsuzuki-yagura Tour
    • Travel On Foot Nagamachi Samurai District  via Gyokusen-in and Oyama Shrine
    • PM 12:45-13:30 Nagamachi Samurai District  Nomura Family Residence Tour
    • Travel Bus Omicho Market
    • PM 13:45-14:20 Lunch 
    • Travel Bus To Higashi Chaya District 
    • PM 14:40- 15:00  Introduction of Higashi Chaya District and Kazuemachi Chaya District
    • Guide to Etsuzan Kanseido Main Store and Tour End

    What Is a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had no prior information about Kanazawa and understood it simply as a regional Japanese city, but throughout the tour they showed genuine interest in its history and culture and listened attentively to my explanations. Since they wanted to try a tea ceremony experience at Kenrokuen Garden, I arranged for them to have the experience at Shigure-tei. For lunch, since raw fish, sushi, and similar dishes were not preferred, I suggested okonomiyaki, which the guests had also been curious about, and they were very pleased with it. They had a reservation for a Japanese sweets making experience tour at the Koshiyama Kanseido main store starting at 3:00 p.m., so after the tour I briefly introduced the location and highlights of Higashi Chaya District so the guests could visit on their own, then guided them via Kazuemachi Chaya District to the Koshiyama Kanseido main store, where the tour concluded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKanazawa Station/Hokuriku Railroad Bus~Kenrokuen-shita・Kanazawa Castle/Hokuriku Railroad Bus210JPY
    Section 2BusKorinbo/Hokuriku Railroad Bus~Musashigatsuji・Omicho Market/Hokuriku Railroad Bus210JPY
    Section 3BusMusashigatsuji・Omicho Market/Hokuriku Railroad Bus~Hashibacho/Hokuriku Railroad Bus210JPY
    Total630JPY

    Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
    I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
    Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
    Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
    ” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Incredible tour, one of the highlights of my…

    Jul 18, 2026
    Geert73
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Well-Organized and Informative Tour of Kanazawa
    We, a…

    Jul 15, 2026
    G5010ZVmelodys
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour with Licensed Guide
    Number one guide for personalised touring of Kanazawa
    Our…

    Jul 11, 2026
    rikkes490
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Rigtig god guidet tur
    Rigtig god oplevelse og gode forklaringer

    とても良いガイドツアーでした。
    とても良い体験でした。説明も分かりやすく、とても良かったです。

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 Meet up @ Mesm Autograph Collection Tokyo
    • 10:00 Tokyo Station Marunouchi ~ Imperial Palace East Gardens (Edo Castle)
    • 12:00 Asakusa (Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Hoppy Street ~ Shin-Nakamise)
    • 13:40 Disband @ Mesm Autograph Collection Tokyo

    Title: What's a Private Historical Tokyo Walking Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were first-time visitors to Japan from North America, staying in Japan for two weeks with plans to visit Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Since I had heard before their arrival that they were interested in Japanese history, especially the Edo period, I used materials at the Hotel to explain Japanese history, the feudal system, and the sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) system. I introduced Hamarikyu Gardens, visible from the 16th-floor lobby, as a garden where the Tokugawa shoguns spent their leisure time, and we set off. The guests planned to visit it on their own later. When we visited the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I focused my explanation on "Edo Castle." I introduced Asakusa as a center of townspeople's culture, and at Senso-ji Temple I explained the difference between Shinto and Buddhism. I also explained how to use public transportation during the three days the guests would spend in Tokyo, and had them experience the JR Yamanote Line and the Tozai, Ginza, and Asakusa subway lines. I also explained how to use Hamamatsucho and Daimon Stations, the closest to the Hotel. Being able to guide guests who are interested in Japanese history is one of the greatest joys of being a guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHamamatsucho~Tokyo170JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Daimon (Tokyo)220JPY
    Total570JPY

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

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

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

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

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

  • Nara in One Day: Nara Park & Sarusawa Inn

    Nara in One Day: Nara Park & Sarusawa Inn

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station
    • 10:15  Nara Park
    • 10:45 Todaiji Temple
    • 12:15 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 13:30 Lunch
    • 14:15 Naramachi Stroll (Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie and others)
    • 15:00 Sarusawa Inn (Origami Experience)
    • 16:00 Disband at Kintetsu Nara Station

    What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest came from North America. On the day of the tour, the guest departed from Tokyo early in the morning and came to Nara. I had been worried about the weather, but fortunately it did not rain, which was a relief. Like many guests, this guest was looking forward to enjoying time with the deer in Nara. The guest had a strong interest in Japanese culture (especially anime and games) and was very knowledgeable about Japan. The guest did not know that Nara was the first capital, but was well acquainted with the warlords of the Sengoku era. As it happened, a special exhibition of "National Treasure armor" was being held at the museum of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and since the guest expressed a strong wish to see it, I took them there (I was also fortunate to have a ticket to the exhibition). At Todaiji Temple, the guest was amazed by its enormous scale, and at "Sarusawa Inn" the guest struggled while making an origami "deer," among other activities. I believe it turned out to be a fulfilling day for the guest.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherKintetsu Nara Station~In front of Todaiji Great Buddha Hall250JPY
    Section 2OtherKasuga Taisha Main Shrine~Kintetsu Nara Station250JPY
    Total500JPY

    I am Yoshi, a Nara Local Government Licensed Guide Interpreter and also, a National Government Licensed Interepreter.
    Let’s go out! The Kansai region was the center of Japan for a long time. It was from the 4th century to 19th century. Thus the Kansai region is rich in scenic and historic interest. Why don’t we see, feel, and find so many attractions in Nara Kyoto and Osaka. I was born and raised in Nara. Also I have been to Osaka and Kyoto for working, shopping and dining. I can show you not only major tourist spots but also shops and delicious food that only locals know. I am looking forward to sharing wonderful moments with you!

    May 29, 2025
    Dana_K
    Get ready to climb and explore
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    There is a lot of climbing…

    Aug 16, 2024
    Dylan_N
    Yoshi was a great tour guide
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with…

    Jun 9, 2024
    Tour39164063770
    Tolle Stadtführung mit erfahrenem Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Auf unserem Trip durch Japan hatten wir…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Hakutsuru Sake Brewery & Kitano Ijinkan

    Hyogo in One Day: Hakutsuru Sake Brewery & Kitano Ijinkan

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe by IHG
    • 10:45 @ Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
    • 11:45 Lunch @ Kobe Beef Miyabi
    • 13:45 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    • 15:00 @ Kitano Ijinkan Street (Moegi House)
    • 16:00 Dismiss @ JR Shin-Kobe Station

    Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Kobe? A Licensed Guide's Report on Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Sake Museum, and Kitano The guests were a group visiting from North America, and we were able to move around smoothly. The Nunobiki Herb Garden originally planned for the day was closed for unscheduled maintenance, so we changed the itinerary at the last minute and visited the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge instead. There was some concern because Typhoon No. 15 had a chance of approaching the area, but during the tour the sky was mostly cloudy and the heat actually eased a little, which the guests said made things "comfortable." At the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, they toured with great interest and listened attentively to the guide's explanations. They also enjoyed a tasting, had ice cream made with sake, and purchased sake as a souvenir. For lunch they wished to try Kobe beef, so I took them to a local restaurant, and they were very satisfied. They also viewed both the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Kitano foreign residences (the Moegi House, the former U.S. consul's residence) with great curiosity. In the Kitano Ijinkan district, they enjoyed what is said to be the best soft-serve ice cream in Japan and were highly pleased. After the tour, since they planned to return to their hotel in Osaka by Shinkansen, we parted ways at JR Shin-Kobe Station. Hearing about the difficult circumstances in a country I was not very familiar with (issues of poverty, public safety, and security) gave me much to reflect on, and while our own country also faces many problems, I was able to sincerely feel anew the "goodness of Japan."

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShin-Kobe~Sannomiya (Kobe Municipal)210JPY
    Section 2TrainKobe-Sannomiya (Hanshin)~Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Pref., Hanshin Line)200JPY
    Section 3TrainSumiyoshi (Hyogo Pref., Hanshin Line)~Kobe-Sannomiya (Hanshin)200JPY
    Section 4TrainSannomiya~Maiko320JPY
    Section 5TrainMaiko~Sannomiya320JPY
    Total1,250JPY

    Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

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

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

  • Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hiroshima Port→10:40 By shuttle bus and city tram to Hiroshima Peace Park→11:20 Peace Memorial Park→12:00 Peace Memorial Museum→13:00 By taxi to Shukkeien Garden→13:15 Shukkeien Garden→14:30 Arrange taxi boarding for guests and disband

    Title: What's a Private Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from Japan Guide Agency The guests were a group visiting Hiroshima with a Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) licensed guide. Some members of the group were experienced travelers, having previously lived in Japan for a period of time and visited on trips. At the Peace Memorial Museum, we borrowed two wheelchairs, which allowed the group to view the exhibits smoothly. They were greatly surprised by the scale of the damage. At Shukkeien Garden, although climbing to the higher areas was not possible, the group was deeply moved by the beauty of the greenery and the koi fish. At the end of the tour, I introduced a restaurant at the newly renovated Hiroshima Station, where the group enjoyed teppanyaki and seemed very satisfied.

    Hi, I’m Emiko. Until March 2025, I worked as a school teacher, and now I’ve started guiding visitors in Hiroshima. I’ve traveled to about ten different countries, and each journey has given me wonderful memories. I was deeply impressed by the breathtaking nature, delicious food, rich history, and diverse cultures in each place. Meeting kind and welcoming local people was also a highlight. The friendships I formed during my travels have turned into lifelong connections, and we sometimes visit each other. Having friends across the globe is one of the greatest joys of traveling.
    If I can help visitors to Hiroshima experience the same sense of warmth, connection, and discovery, I would be truly honored.
    I have lived in Hiroshima City, Saijo, and Fukuyama for several years each, which allows me to guide you not only to Hiroshima’s two World Heritage Sites—the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima—but also to places like Saijo, Fukuyama, and Fukuyama’s neighboring city, Onomichi. If you’re able to explore beyond the Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, I would love to introduce you to many other fascinating places across Hiroshima Prefecture.
    Most visitors to Hiroshima include the Peace Memorial Park in their itinerary, where the Atomic Bomb Dome is preserved alongside the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Peace Memorial Museum. We all hope for a peaceful world, and simply visiting these places is a meaningful step toward that vision. At the same time, it reminds us how fortunate we are to live in the present and spend time with loved ones. This site not only tells a tragic story of war but also inspires hope and courage to move forward in life.
    Another must-see destination in Hiroshima Prefecture is Miyajima. Since ancient times, this island has been considered sacred, believed to be the dwelling place of the gods by local people. The stunning Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic torii gate, both appearing to float on the sea, create a breathtaking contrast with the blue Seto Inland Sea and the lush primeval forest behind them. Miyajima also holds traces of Japan’s unique religious history—the fusion and separation of Shintoism and Buddhism—something visible in only a few places across Japan. If you love nature, you can hike or take the ropeway to explore the island’s scenic beauty. Miyajima also offers a variety of delicious local specialties, including Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, maple-leaf-shaped pancakes, conger-eel rice bowls, and Japanese matcha tea tastings. The island is packed with historic shrines and temples with fascinating stories, cultural experiences, outdoor activities, and amazing food.
    I would be delighted to make your visit even more enjoyable and memorable! I am very much looking forward to exploring interesting places in Hiroshima with you!

    May 20, 2026
    Travel123629
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A great tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima
    What a…

    Apr 16, 2025
    D
    Diabl0
    Lovely tour of Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed our tour with…

  • Miyagi in One Day: Godaido

    Miyagi in One Day: Godaido

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ The One Five Sendai
    • 9:25 Travel from Sendai Station to Matsushimakaigan Station (via Senseki-Tohoku Line)
    • 10:05 @ Fukuura Bridge & Fukuura Island
    • 10:50 @ Godaido
    • 11:10 Lunch @ Taikantei
    • 12:00 @ Zuiganji Temple & Treasure Hall
    • 12:40 @ Kanrantei & Matsushima Museum
    • 13:32 Travel from Matsushimakaigan Station to Aoba-dori Station
    • 14:15 @ Mitakisan Fudoin & stroll through Clis Road Shopping Street
    • 14:45 Disband @ Sendai Station East Exit

    Title: What Is a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Matsushima and Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Rain was in the forecast, which is unusual. Since the itinerary included a walk on Fukuurajima Island in the latter half, and heavier rain was expected in the afternoon, I was concerned about footing given the guests. While it was still only light rain, I suggested visiting Fukuurajima first, and if the rain became heavy, visiting the indoor Zuiganji Temple rather than the outdoor Entsuin Temple. The guests agreed, saying that sounded good. One of the guests, who enjoys growing vegetables as a hobby at home, walked energetically through Fukuurajima, which is a natural botanical garden. Having come from a coastal region of Oceania, the guests were looking forward to eating seafood, so we had lunch on the second floor of a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine. I introduced the conger eel of Matsushima Bay, and they chose the conger eel rice bowl. Outside the window the rain only grew stronger, but when it eased off a little, we headed to Zuiganji Temple. As the guests walk quickly, our schedule progressed smoothly, and since we had time, we also visited the Treasure Hall. I mentioned that a matcha experience was available at Kanrantei, but they said they were not hungry and did not need to eat. Since you cannot enter Kanrantei without dining, we viewed the golden tea room from outside. As we were ahead of schedule, I suggested returning to Sendai early, showing them the downtown area of Sendai, and then taking them to their hotel. After arriving in Sendai, we strolled through the shopping arcade, including Mitakisan Fudoin. The guests listened with interest to the story of Sendai Shiro. On the way back, we passed through Gyutan Street, Sushi Street, and Zunda Alley inside Sendai Station, and when we reached the east exit, the guests said they would explore the rest of the station on their own and that this was fine, so we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSendai~Matsushimakaigan420JPY
    Section 2TrainMatsushimakaigan~Aoba-dori420JPY
    Total840JPY

    Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
    I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
    I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!

    May 10, 2026
    Nate_K
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun Day in the bay!
    Be ready to walk briskly…

    Apr 30, 2026
    Tanakainmaui
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko-san is the best guide!
    I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…

    Mar 31, 2026
    NHDBuilder
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
    This is our…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    This was a great tour with Riko
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko was…

  • Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera & Nanzen-ji

    Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera & Nanzen-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Hotel Meet (@Cocon by Hotel)
    • 7:00-7:15 Move (on foot; Hotel → Kiyomizu-dera)
    • 7:15:8:40 Kiyomizu-dera (including Yasaka Pagoda and Koshin-do) visit
    • 8:40-9:00 Move (Keihan Train; Gion-Shijo → Fushimi Inari)
    • 9:00-9:50 Fushimi Inari Taisha visit
    • 9:50-10:20 Move (Keihan Train; Fushimi Inari → Keihan Sanjo, Subway; Sanjo Keihan → Keage)
    • 10:20-11:00 Nanzen-ji visit
    • 11:00 Tour ends after visiting Nanzen-ji. We said goodbye at the Nanzen-ji gate.

    What Is an Early-Morning Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and Nanzen-ji The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had visited Kyoto in the past. Until the previous week they had been traveling in Japan with other members of their group, but those members had returned home while the rest continued their trip in Japan. Today's tour was an early-morning tour starting at 7:00, and I took the guests to Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Nanzen-ji. It was about a 15-minute walk from the hotel to Kiyomizu-dera, and because it was early morning there were few crowds, and with the overcast sky I think it made for a very comfortable visit to Kiyomizu-dera. Afterward at Fushimi Inari, even though it was not yet 9:00, we passed through the Senbon Torii amid a large crowd of school-trip students. At Nanzen-ji we visited the rock garden of the Hojo and the aqueduct bridge. The Sanmon gate was explained only verbally. The guests seemed to particularly like Kiyomizu-dera, which had few crowds.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherGion-Shijo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2OtherFushimi Inari~Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)220JPY
    Section 3OtherSanjo Keihan~Keage220JPY
    Total660JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Fukuoka in One Day: Fukuoka Tower & Kojin Chaya

    Fukuoka in One Day: Fukuoka Tower & Kojin Chaya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel
    • 10:00 Arrive Fukuoka Tower
    • 11:00 Depart Fukuoka Tower
    • 11:30 Arrive Tenjin
    • 11:50 Arrive Hakata
    • 12:20 Arrive Kido Nanzoin
    • 13:10 Lunch at Kojin Chaya
    • 13:55 Depart Kojin Chaya
    • 14:20 Arrive Hakata Station
    • 14:55 Hotel

    What's a Private Guided Day Tour of Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report At the start, the guest asked me to walk slowly. They mentioned they would be leaving Japan and returning home the next morning, and were enjoying their last free time in Japan. The guest was interested in Japan's economy, pension system, agriculture, and automobiles, and asked several questions. The guest was part of a large group visiting from Oceania and had set aside the final free day of the trip for a guided tour. We walked for about an hour at Nanzoin Temple in Kido, then had lunch at Kojin Chaya. The guest ordered oyakodon and meat soba. They said the breakfasts at hotels throughout Japan had been disappointing, but that the lunch was delicious.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusGion (Fukuoka Prefecture)~Fukuoka Tower South Exit / Nishitetsu Bus260JPY
    Section 2BusFukuoka Tower (in front of TNC Broadcasting Center) / Nishitetsu Bus~Tenjin Daimaru-mae / Nishitetsu Bus260JPY
    Section 3SubwayTenjin~Hakata210JPY
    Section 4TrainHakata~Kido Nanzoin-mae450JPY
    Section 5TrainKido Nanzoin-mae~Hakata450JPY
    Section 6SubwayHakata~Kushida Jinja-mae210JPY
    Total1,840JPY

    Hello, my nickname is Sasuke. I have been working as a National Government Licensed Guide since 2006. I was born and raised in Fukuoka city. I also work as a teacher. Recently my work as a grandmother has become busier and busier. What I like about being a guide is that I talk to people from different countries, get exposed to different ideas, and grow as a person. I would be happy to help make your trip more enjoyable. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask me. I will do my best to fulfill your request as much as possible. Looking forward to seeing you.

    Jul 8, 2026
    jdtudor
    Great day!
    Viator review: Fukuoka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This is a great way to see…

    Oct 8, 2025
    jacquiwinn62
    A great day sightseeing in Fukuoka and ate the best Ramen ever!
    Tripadvisor review: Fukuoka Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Raeanne101184
    City tour of popular shopping and shrines and temples.
    Tripadvisor review: Fukuoka Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Sasuke showed…

    Sep 4, 2025
    mareen589
    Great 6 hour Tour of Fukuoka
    Tripadvisor review: Fukuoka Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was 6 hours…