Okayama Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

Okayama Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

Meet at the hotel lobby at 9 AM, 9:30 Korakuen, 10:30 Okayama Castle, 11:30 Omotecho Shopping Street (fruit shop, Okayama souvenir shop), 12:15 travel to Kurashiki, 12:50 Bikan Historical Quarter, 13:50 Kanryuji Temple, 14:15 lunch (curry restaurant), 14:35 travel to Okayama, 3 PM disband at Okayama Station

What Is a Private Day Tour of Okayama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Korakuen and Okayama Castle The tour took place under clear skies and pleasant weather. The guests were visiting from Oceania. It was their first time in Japan. After explaining the broad flow of Japanese history, I described the historical background of Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle. Korakuen Garden was very well received. The guests said Okayama Castle had rich exhibits and that they enjoyed learning about its history and culture. During today's tour, some of the guests purchased a Bizen ware coffee cup, while others bought a denim coin purse and washi paper. The guests also expressed interest in the Kibiji area, but when confirming the itinerary before departing in the morning, I explained that since they wanted to see Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, it would be a little difficult time-wise to visit Kibiji afterward, and they understood. The guests were very friendly and asked many questions, so I was able to guide in an enjoyable atmosphere.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Other	In front of Okayama Station～Shiroshita	160JPY
Section 2	Other	Shiroshita～In front of Okayama Station	160JPY
Section 3	Train	Okayama～Kurashiki	330JPY
Section 4	Train	Kurashiki～Okayama	330JPY
Total			980JPY

Tour Report by Naoki

English / Guide in English and German / Guiding areas are in Tokyo, Yokohama and my home town Okayama. (Since I’m based in Tokyo, I might not be able to guide in Okayama, depending on the timing.) My profile in German follows!
First of all, thank you very much for your taking time to have a look at my profile. My name is Naoki Shimono. Naoki would be fine. I’m a certified tour guide in English and German. After long years of work at Japanese electronics manufacturer, always in charge of international marketing, I’m focusing on tour guide and interpreter. As of now, I did tour guide more than 50 times in English and more than 50 times in German. Not only in Tokyo but also other cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakodate, Niigata, Shimizu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha etc. It is always a big pleasure for me to show around Japan to guests from abroad. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Japan!

Deutsch / Reiseleiter auf Deutsch und Englisch / In Tokio und Yokohama sowie in meiner Heimatstadt Okayama. (Da ich in Tokio ansässig bin, kann ich je nach Zeitpunkt möglicherweise nicht in Okayama als Reiseleiter tätig sein.)
Zunächst einmal vielen Dank, dass Sie sich die Zeit genommen haben, mein Profil anzusehen. Mein Name ist Naoki Shimono. Naoki wäre schön. Ich bin zertifizierter Reiseleiter in Englisch und Deutsch. Nach langjähriger Tätigkeit bei einem japanischen Elektronikhersteller, wo ich stets für das internationale Marketing verantwortlich war, konzentriere ich mich nun auf die Reiseleitung und Dolmetschertätigkeit. Bisher habe ich über 50 Mal auf Englisch und über 50 Mal auf Deutsch als Reiseleiter gearbeitet. Nicht nur in Tokio, sondern auch in anderen Städten wie Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakodate, Niigata, Shimizu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha usw. Es ist mir immer eine große Freude, Gästen aus dem Ausland Japan zu zeigen. Ich freue mich darauf, Sie in Japan zu sehen!

Request Booking

Oct 16, 2025
Songqi_L
Highly recommend!
Viator review: Okayama Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Naoki san is a great guide. He’s very friendly, adaptive,…

Oct 11, 2025
Gizelle K
Wonderful Experience
Tripadvisor review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
A very organise tour, from the prompt pick up…

August, 2026

Kyoto: Nijo Castle & Pontocho

Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

10:00 Hotel Meet (@Ritz Calton)
10:10-10:30 Travel (Subway; Shiyakusho-mae → Nijojo-mae)
10:30-11:50 Nijo Castle Visit
11:50-12:10 Coffee Break @Nijo Castle Waiting Room
12:20-12:50 Travel (City Bus; Nijojo-mae → Kinkakuji-michi)
12:50-13:40 Kinkakuji Temple Visit
13:40-14:10 Travel (City Bus; Kinkakuji-michi → Ryoanji-mae)
14:10-15:00 Ryoanji Temple Visit
15:00-16:00 Travel (City Bus; Ryoanji-mae → Imadegawa, Subway; Imadegawa → Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Train; Keihan Sanjo → Gion Shijo)
16:00-16:45 Gion Stroll (Hanamikoji, Tatsumibashi)
16:45-17:30 Yasaka Shrine Visit
17:30-18:00 Pontocho Stroll
18:00 Said goodbye to the guests at Pontocho

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, and Gion The guests were visitors from North America. According to the original list there was to be one guest, but when I met the group I found that another member of the group was also joining. Since there was no restaurant reservation this time, and I understood that the tour fee was the same for up to four people, I began the tour with the group as they were. I took them to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and Pontocho. I had originally planned to also take them to the Imperial Palace, but the bus connections did not go smoothly and we would not have made it in time for the Imperial Palace, so I switched to a walk around Gion instead. One of the guests showed an interest in Japanese castle architecture. Another member of the group seemed interested in shopping and bought many souvenirs at Nijo Castle.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Subway	Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae～Nijojo-mae	220JPY
Section 2	Bus	Nijojo-mae/Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus	230JPY
Section 3	Bus	Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus～Ryoanji-mae/Kyoto City Bus	230JPY
Section 4	Bus	Ryoanji-mae/Kyoto City Bus～Imadegawa Jofukuji/Kyoto City Bus	230JPY
Section 5	Subway	Imadegawa～Sanjo Keihan	260JPY
Section 6	Train	Sanjo Keihan～Gion Shijo	180JPY
Total			1,350JPY

Tour Report by Michi

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

Request Booking

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.…

August, 2026

Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:45 Meet @ Ritz-Carlton lobby
10:00　Board bus
10:30　Shinkyo Bridge
10:45　Rinnoji Temple Sanbutsudo Hall
11:25　Rinnoji Temple Gomado Hall
11:45　Toshogu Shrine
13:10　Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame (horseback archery) viewing
14:10　Lunch @ Maruhide Shokudo
15:25　Kanmangafuchi Abyss
16:00　Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
16:36　Board bus
17:15　Arrive at Ritz-Carlton. Tour ends

What Is a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests had read a novel set in Japan and had a strong interest in Japanese history, so they were very knowledgeable. Since another of the guests was not as familiar with the subject, I gave a simple explanation, and in response wonderful questions came one after another. As I and the other guest answered them, the whole day naturally turned into a very deep conversation about history, reaching a level I would normally never go into, making it a truly rewarding day. Today was the grand festival at Toshogu Shrine, and we happened to be able to see the yabusame (horseback archery), which was very exciting for the guests. Because it was raining, it was not as crowded as usual, so we were able to watch it well. At Rinnoji Temple, a goma fire ritual was also being held at the time, and the guests watched it with great interest and were delighted at how lucky we were. Since there is no receipt for the local bus, I have added a photo of the Suica usage history. Thank you very much.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Chuzenji Onsen／Tobu Bus～Shinkyo Bridge／Tobu Bus	1,200JPY
Section 2	Bus	Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park／Tobu Bus～Chuzenji Onsen／Tobu Bus	1,150JPY
Total			2,350JPY

Tour Report by Yumi

Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

Request Booking

Aug 24, 2026
arzed
Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A perfect day!
My family and I had an…

Jul 1, 2026
laine164
Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A wonderful day!
We had a wonderful time exploring Nikko.
Our friendly…

Apr 7, 2026
V2097LInickd
Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Guide Yumi Highlights Nikko on walking tour
Our 16,000 step tour…

Apr 4, 2026
O4367MVkarenv
Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day in Nikko
We had a fantastic day with Yumi. She…

August, 2026

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

1. 9:00　Meet up @ANA InterContinental Tokyo
2. 10:00　@Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Sumida Park, Azuma Bridge)
3. 12:30　@Tsukiji
4. 12:50　Lunch @Tsukiji
5. 14:00　@Hamarikyu Gardens
6. 15:00　@Shibuya PARCO (Nintendo Store)
7. 15:30　@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
8. 16:20　Disband @ANA InterContinental Tokyo

What's a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Shibuya The guests were first-time visitors to Japan from North America. They had long wished to visit Japan and planned to spend about a week traveling around Tokyo and Kyoto. The itinerary went exactly as they had hoped. At Sensoji Temple, they actively took part in drawing omikuji fortunes, purifying at the water basin, and offering prayers. At Asakusa Shrine, they also experienced the way of worship that differs from a Buddhist temple. The guests enjoyed a variety of shopping. They bought chopsticks along Nakamise Street, and at a pharmacy located just outside the Nitenmon Gate after finishing their prayers, they came across Japanese-style KitKats such as matcha flavor while I was asking a staff member whether they had a particular pill case they wanted, and they also purchased matcha chocolate at a nearby shop. For lunch, one of the guests, who loves sushi, ordered a premium sushi set including fatty tuna and sea urchin, while the other, who is not fond of raw fish, ordered a tempura rice bowl, and both were very satisfied. One of the guests needed to walk at a fairly slow pace, but their spirits and energy remained strong after lunch, so we headed to Hamarikyu Gardens, located close to Tsukiji. We strolled through part of the gardens and finished by viewing a 300-year-old pine tree and taking commemorative photos. During this tour, many photos were taken of the guest and me together. I hope they will serve as a nice starting point for sharing stories of their Tokyo sightseeing with the family back home. Finally, the guests wished to buy souvenirs at the Nintendo Store, so we took a taxi to Shibuya PARCO, found what they had been looking for, and were able to purchase the very last one available. On the way back, they experienced crossing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and I saw them off via the Ginza Line to the Hotel near Tameike-Sanno Station. Just after we parted, I received a message from the guests saying, "Even after returning to the hotel, the guest keeps saying how thoroughly satisfied they were with the tour."

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Free Pass	Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Tameike-Sanno Station～Asakusa Station	900JPY
Section 2	Free Pass	Toei Asakusa Line Asakusa Station～Toei Oedo Line Shiodome Station	0JPY
Section 3	Free Pass	Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station～Tameike-Sanno Station	0JPY
Total			900JPY

Tour Report by Noripy

Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

Request Booking

Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a…

Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was…

June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

August, 2026

Tokyo in One Day: Sensouji Temple in Asakusa & Shibuya

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

10:00 Meeting up at the Hotel
10:20-11:00 Sakuradamon Gate~Nijubashi
11:25-13:10 Sensouji Temple in Asakusa
13:40-14:10 Walking on Omotesando Street
14:10-14:50 Lunch at Jangara ramen
14:50-15:30 Meiji Jingu
15:45-16:00 Shibuya

Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. We hit it off right away because we found several things in common to talk about from the very beginning. The guests were interested in Japanese history and religion, as well as in the daily life of Japanese people, and there were so many questions that the conversation never ran dry. Both were very friendly, and I truly enjoyed spending time with them. Many things that seem ordinary to Japanese people are surprising to international visitors, and after each small discovery they would always follow up with a question. They mentioned that they would be taking a cruise from Yokohama to Shizuoka the next day, and they said they wished they could have stayed longer in Tokyo. This private tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures and winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Yurakucho～Sakuradamon	180JPY
Section 2	Train	Nijubashimae～Asakusa	290JPY
Section 3	Train	Asakusa～Omotesando	260JPY
Section 4	Train	Harajuku～Shibuya	150JPY
Total			880JPY

Tour Report by Motoko

Hi,
Thank you for contacting the Japan Guide Association to request a licensed guide for your upcoming visit to Japan. My name is Motoko Tanaka. I’m so happy to be assigned to you.
Let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Tokyo, so it is nice to hear that you are excited about your visit to this wonderful city. There is much to be excited about here in Tokyo. I have really enjoyed guiding in Tokyo and the surrounding areas for more than 10 years.
I live with my husband and a dog named Alice. She was a rescue dog and I adopted her about 4 years ago. Now she is a very precious family member. I have two daughters, the elder one has a child and the younger has a aroma shop in a town near Mr. Fuji. I sometimes visit there with Alice.
I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to create a special day.
Regards,
Motoko

Request Booking

Sep 21, 2026
Keith_S
Wonderful Experience
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful guide, Motoko, who…

Apr 25, 2026
catvila
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Primeira vez em Tóquio
A Motoko foi excelente para nos guiar pelos…

Apr 22, 2026
72breannaj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour highly recommend! And loved our guide
We had an amazing…

Apr 17, 2026
denisemD3032GY
Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Tokyo/Kawagoe dep)
Tokyo walking tour
Our guide Motoko was so polite &…

August, 2026

Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour

Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

8:35 Meet at Kobe Port Terminal　10:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove　11:45 Kinkaku-ji　　13:00 Lunch (Tempura)　14:10 Gion　15:00 Fushimi Inari　17:15 Arrive at Kobe Port

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America, enjoying their travels. Originally seven people were expected to join, but some of the guests were unable to attend on the day, so it became a group of five for this Kyoto tour arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). The weather had been a concern since the previous day. It was raining heavily when we departed from Kobe, and although the rain later stopped, the expressway then became congested due to a traffic accident. It was an uncertain start, but in the end the only place we actually encountered rain was Arashiyama, and the other destinations were hardly affected at all. The tempura lunch was a request from the guests. It was quite difficult to find a place that could take a reservation for lunch, but fortunately we were able to enter a restaurant that granted us special permission. The guests enjoyed their meal very much, so the effort felt well rewarded. The photo was taken at the Fudo-do hall within Kinkaku-ji. As it was the season for school excursions, there were many elementary, junior high, and high school students at every destination we visited.

Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by KAZU

I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

Request Booking

Sep 28, 2026
Miguel_E
Amazing Service
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

Sep 27, 2026
T
TrailBlazer47194
Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

Sep 1, 2026
Steve6172014
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour…

Aug 7, 2026
Pascale_Q
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
We had…

August, 2026

Hiroshima in One Day: Shukkeien Garden & Daishoin Temple

Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:00a.m. Meet at the lobby of Hotel
9:15a.m. Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden
9:20a.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
10:20a.m Take a taxi to the Peace Park
10:30a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
12:30p.m. Lunch at Okonomiyaki
1:30p.m. Take a direct ferry to Miyajima Island
2:15p.m. Arrive in Miyajima Island
2:30p.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
3:30p.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
4:00p.m. Explore Shopping Street
4:30p.m. Take a Ferry and a JR train to the hotel
5:00p.m. End of the tour

What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. I spoke slowly and in short segments to make sure everything was easy to follow. Shukkeien Garden was quiet, so the guests were able to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace. We took a bus from Hiroshima Station to Shukkeien Garden, but the bus was crowded and we had to stand, so afterward we traveled from Shukkeien Garden to the Peace Park by taxi for a more comfortable journey. At the Peace Park, the guests were very interested in the story of the paper cranes, and we folded some together and offered them at the Children's Peace Monument. The Peace Memorial Museum was very crowded with school trip groups and tourists. One of the guests rested on the first floor of the East Building after viewing it, while I guided the other through the highlights of the Main Building at a slightly quicker pace. The guests really enjoyed the okonomiyaki for lunch and said it was a lot of fun to watch it being prepared right in front of them. After lunch we crossed to Miyajima via the World Heritage Sea Route. The guests seemed a little tired and rested on the ferry. After arriving at Miyajima, we had originally planned to visit Daishoin Temple first, but since walking for long distances was difficult, we visited Itsukushima Shrine together first even though the tide was not yet high. Then one of the guests waited on a bench at Daiganji Temple while I guided the other around Daishoin Temple. The guests loved Daishoin Temple and mentioned several times how they wished the whole group could have seen it together. After Daishoin Temple we regrouped, strolled through the shopping street, and returned to the Hotel to end the tour. There were times when one of the guests waited seated, but the guests were both very calm and kind, and at the end of the tour they thanked me warmly, saying it had been a wonderful memory. At first I communicated through one of the guests, but gradually they grew more comfortable and we were able to talk directly, slowly but surely. They had a playful sense of humor and made me laugh many times. The guests said they would love to visit Daishoin Temple on Miyajima together next time, and asked me to guide them again on a future Miyajima tour once they were feeling well, which made me very happy.

Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Hiroshima～Shukkeien-mae	240JPY
Section 2	Other	Peace Park～Miyajima	1,200JPY
Section 3	Train	Miyajimaguchi～Hiroshima	420JPY
Total			1,860JPY

Tour Report by Mari

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.

Request Booking

Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We…

Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari…

Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very…

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…

August, 2026

Hyogo in Half a Day: Hakutsuru Sake Brewery & Nankinmachi Chinatown

Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

09:00 Meet @ Kobe Port Terminal
09:45 @ Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
11:00 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
12:15 @ Nankinmachi Chinatown
13:00 Disband @ Nankinmachi Chinatown

The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests preferred a slower pace, so the tour proceeded gently throughout. It was somewhat difficult to gauge the group's specific interests, but they seemed keen on shopping at each spot and purchased a variety of souvenirs. Since some of the guests appeared tired, part of the group returned to their cruise ship ahead of the others and did not visit the final spot, Nankinmachi. The guests seemed very pleased that they could see their cruise ship with the naked eye from the ropeway and observation deck at Nunobiki Herb Garden.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Port Terminal～Sannomiya (Kobe New Transit)	210JPY
Section 2	Train	Kobe-Sannomiya (Hanshin)～Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Pref., Hanshin Line)	200JPY
Section 3	Train	Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Pref., Hanshin Line)～Kobe-Sannomiya (Hanshin)	200JPY
Section 4	Subway	Sannomiya (Kobe Municipal)～Shin-Kobe	210JPY
Section 5	Subway	Shin-Kobe～Sannomiya (Kobe New Transit)	210JPY
Total			1,030JPY

Tour Report by Yama

Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Request Booking

Sep 27, 2026
Ross_W
Fun with Hidden Gems
Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Our guide Yama was so…

Aug 10, 2026
Sez042
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Great experience
Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…

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…

August, 2026

Tokyo: Shibuya

Tokyo Local Shopping Streets Tour with Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

10:30 Meet up @ Mandarin Oriental
11:10 Shibuya (Shibuya Scramble Crossing ~ Shopping around Shibuya)
13:00 Lunch @ Ippudo Harakado branch
13:30 Shopping in Omotesando, Ura-Omotesando, and Ura-Hara
16:30 Disband @ Mandarin Oriental
＊The names of the shops we visited will be kept confidential.

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Shopping Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America on their first trip to Japan. When I met them at the hotel, they were carrying an empty suitcase and were fully in shopping mode. I selected shops based on the guests' requests, and everything hit the mark except for the watches. For watches, I ended up choosing a shop that was above their budget. Since asking about the budget in advance would be impolite, this was somewhat unavoidable. Still, they were able to purchase something within budget elsewhere, so it worked out well. By the time we were in Omotesando, both the schedule and the suitcase had filled up, so we skipped the planned visit for kitchen knives in Kappabashi. Fortunately, Kappabashi can be reached with a single Ginza Line ride from the hotel area, so the guests decided to go there on their own another day. Since we managed to fill the suitcase that had started out empty in the morning, I believe the guests were satisfied. Side note: Harakado has become less crowded on weekdays, making it a hidden spot for lunch.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Local Shopping Streets Tour with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Subway	Mitsukoshimae～Shibuya	210JPY
Section 2	Train	Shibuya～Harajuku	150JPY
Section 3	Subway	Omotesando～Mitsukoshimae	210JPY
Total			570JPY

Tour Report by Hideki

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

Request Booking

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

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

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

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

August, 2026

Niigata: Niigata West Port ==

Niigata Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

October, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:30 Niigata West Port ==>10:00 Hoppo Culture Museum ==>11:30 Befco Bakauke Observation Deck==>11:50 Pia Bandai Fish Market =i=> 12:30 Lunch Japanese-style Kaiseki・Kura==>13:30 Passing Bandai Bridge=>13:35 Minatopia & Former Niigata Customs House (Photo Stop)==>13:40 Nabejaya Street (Sightseeing from the car window)==>13:50 Furumachi Street (Shopping)==>14:00 Hakusan Shrine・Hakusan Park==>14:30 Niigata Station・Ponshukan==>15:15 Niigata West Port

What's a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Niigata Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This tour began in the morning at Bath with light rain that grew heavier by the afternoon. Early in the day, the guests requested that we skip the walking portions, and also asked to use the extra time for sake tasting at the Ponshu-kan at Niigata Station. So in the morning, following the original itinerary, we visited the Northern Culture Museum. There, the guests were greatly impressed by the large tatami hall, the Japanese garden, the ceramics exhibition, and the Sanraku-tei teahouse. We had planned to go to Mediaship next, but since we would not be walking across Bandai Bridge in the rain, the driver recommended the taller Befco Observation Deck instead, so we took the guests there. They enjoyed a private observation deck with no other visitors. At Pier Bandai, the guests immediately ate freshly fried "shinjo with soft-boiled egg" from the fish market at a table under an umbrella in the rain, and they seemed to enjoy it very much. For lunch, they had a reserved kaiseki set meal. In the afternoon, Bandai Bridge, Minatopia and the former Niigata Customs House, and Nabejaya Street were viewed and photographed from the car. At the request of one of the guests, they wanted to walk along Furumachi-dori, so we walked for about ten minutes and looked around two boutiques, enjoying some exercise after the meal. After a brief explanation of Hakusan Park, we headed straight to Hakusan Shrine, where they purified their hands at the water basin and paid their respects according to proper etiquette. We then went directly to Niigata Station and entered the Ponshu-kan, where the guests shared one 500-yen sake cup between them and enjoyed the tasting. After the tasting, they enjoyed about fifteen minutes of window shopping at the station building's Cocolo before heading home. Although it rained all day, the day was saved by the guests' travel policy of "rain is beyond human control, so we make the best of it even in the rain." Despite moving quickly, they said it was a very fulfilling day and were delighted.

Click here for more details: Niigata Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Patsy

Hello, my name is Mutsuko Watanabe. I am a professional government-certified guide- interpreter with eight years of experience, originally from the beautiful prefecture of Niigata. While Niigata holds a special place in my heart with its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality, I am passionate about showcasing the beauty of not only my hometown but also other fascinating destinations across Japan.
It is my greatest joy to help visitors discover the charm, history, and traditions of this amazing country in an engaging and enjoyable way. Whether it’s savoring local delicacies, exploring hidden gems, or learning about Japan’s deep cultural heritage, I am here to make your trip unforgettable.
I look forward to welcoming you to Japan and creating wonderful memories together!

Request Booking

Oct 17, 2025
Roving64280396391
A great place to visit.
Tripadvisor review: Sado Island Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Niigata Dep.)
Sado Island has many…

August, 2026

Category: Uncategorized