Category: Uncategorized

  • Aichi: Nagoya Castle & Osu

    Aichi: Nagoya Castle & Osu

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Nagoya Port Garden Pier
    • 10:45 Nagoya Castle
    • 12:15 Sakae Oasis 21
    • 13:00 Lunch at Sakae (miso katsu)
    • 14:30 Osu
    • 16:00 End at Nagoya Port Garden Pier

    What's a Private Day Tour of Nagoya Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nagoya Castle, Sakae, and Osu The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. During sightseeing, they were deeply impressed by the interior of the Honmaru Palace at Nagoya Castle. Afterward, they visited Oasis 21 in Sakae, then enjoyed a lunch of miso katsu, a Nagoya specialty. They really took a liking to the miso katsu. Following that, they enjoyed shopping at the Osu Shopping Street, where they purchased clothing and other items. Overall, I believe they thoroughly enjoyed the sightseeing spots, taking photos, the local cuisine, and shopping.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNagoya Port~Nagoya Castle270JPY
    Section 2OtherNagoya Castle~Sakae210JPY
    Section 3OtherSakae~Osu Kannon210JPY
    Section 4SubwayKamimaezu~Nagoya Port270JPY
    Total960JPY

    Hi I am Kunihiro ARAKAWA, National government licensed tour guide.
    Please call me first name Kuni.
    My original city is Nagoya, but I lived in Tokyo for 20 years,
    and also lived in London and Paris for work.
    Now I live in Kyoto city. I moved here because I love Kyoto.
    I like taking photos and also sell my own photos on website.
    I’d love to take memorable photos for you at great photo spots.
    I also like history and gourmet food.
    I’d love to introduce some local recommendations.
    I’ll ask your request and create your special tour.
    Please feel free to let us know your thoughts.
    Looking forward to meeting you !

    Kuni

    Aug 18, 2026
    janetaF288XA
    Wonderful tour filled with history, insights and great photos!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Jul 18, 2026
    M2443VKandrewl
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Excellent guide and support
    Kuni-san was an excellent guide and…

    Jun 9, 2026
    Gail M
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Kyoto Sights; Private Guide & Driver
    The…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Rick_S
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An afternoon in Kyoto
    We had a great time exploring Kyoto. Our…

  • Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National

    Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 (Nagoya Port) – 10:50 (Nagoya Castle) – 13:30 (Atsuta Shrine) – 14:20 (Osu Kannon) 15:30 – 16:00 (Nagoya Port)

    What Is a Private Nagoya Castle and Osu Kannon Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and the bright, cheerful atmosphere made guiding them a pleasure. Nagoya Castle was very well received, and I took extra time to guide the group through the Honmaru Palace. There were many thoughtful and intellectually curious questions, such as the difference between a shogun and an emperor, the difference between Shinto and Buddhism, and the reasons Buddhism spread. The group was considerate of one another, and the guiding was done at a relaxed, slow pace with everyone's comfort in mind. The group found Osu Kannon (a temple) more interesting than Atsuta Shrine and looked around inside with great interest. They said the atmosphere of the temple was wonderful. At Osu Kannon, they preferred about an hour of free time, and they seemed to enjoy shopping and taking a break.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusNakajimabashi / Nagoya City Bus~Rokubancho210JPY
    Section 2SubwayRokubancho~Nagoya Port240JPY
    Section 3SubwayNagoya Port~Nagoya Castle270JPY
    Section 4SubwayNagoya Castle~Atsuta Shrine Tenmacho270JPY
    Section 5SubwayAtsuta Shrine Tenmacho~Kamimaezu240JPY
    Section 6SubwayOsu Kannon~Nagoya Port270JPY
    Section 7SubwayNagoya Port~Rokubancho / Nagoya City Bus240JPY
    Section 8BusRokubancho / Nagoya City Bus~Nakajimabashi / Nagoya City Bus210JPY
    Total1,950JPY

    Hey there, I’m Masami Maeda, and I’m all about guiding you through some incredible adventures! Teaching English at high school was cool and all, but I craved something more exciting. That’s when I discovered my love for guiding.
    Traveling is my jam. I’ve spent years soaking up the vibes in the US and the UK. In fact, I even did a stint at Warwick University, where I got totally hooked on Drama and Theatre Education. It was like stepping into a whole new world!
    When I’m not busy showing folks around, you’ll find me doing all sorts of things. Ballet classes? Yep, I’m there. And I’m a huge fan of Japanese rakugo – both watching and performing. It’s a blast!
    My style of guiding? Think of it as a mix of storytelling and cultural immersion. I want you to feel like you’re really part of the places we visit, not just an onlooker. Let’s dive deep into the heart of each destination and uncover the hidden gems together.
    So, if you’re up for an adventure filled with laughter, learning, and maybe a few surprises along the way, then I’m your guide! Let’s make some unforgettable memories together!

    Oct 2, 2025
    Phong_N
    Great time in Nagoya
    Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    We were lucky to have Sammy…

    Nov 25, 2024
    155arlenen
    Excellent Tour – Very Professional
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Sammy was an excellent guide,…

    Nov 12, 2024
    CHERYL_D
    Fun day trip around Nagoya City
    Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Sammy was very knowledgable…

    Apr 3, 2024
    dianefik
    A great tour guide in Nagoya
    Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Sammy was our tour…

  • Tokyo in One Day: HIE SHRINE & ASAKUSA

    Tokyo in One Day: HIE SHRINE & ASAKUSA

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the reception in Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo-Akasaka
    • 10:10 1 HIE SHRINE
    • 11:00 2 TSUKIJI Outer Market
    • 12:30 3 GINZA
    • 13:30 4 THE IMPERIAL PALACE
    • 15:00 5 ASAKUSA
    • 16:00 See off at Tobu Asakusa station

    What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji and Ginza I was able to guide this tour in a fun atmosphere full of jokes. Until the night before, there had been no reply at all, so I felt some concern about the guests. A reply came through a messaging app, and although they said they had not received a single email, they kindly responded that they were looking forward to enjoying the Tokyo tour the next day. The guests showed interest in the shogun and the imperial family, and we were able to have an active conversation, but they also had a very strong enthusiasm for food. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed a restaurant I introduced as a recommendation, wanting to eat there right away. They offered to have the guide join them as well, but I politely declined. I was grateful for the offer. Also, at the depachika food floor of a department store in Ginza, they purchased this and that, one item after another, and enjoyed themselves even more than expected.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTameike-Sanno~Tsukiji700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTsukiji~Ginza〜Hibiya/Otemachi〜Asakusa0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.

    Who am I?
    I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
    I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
    I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.

    What can I be expected?
    I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
    and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
    I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
    As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
    I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.

    What do I love?
    Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
    I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.

    How do I spend my spare time?
    I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
    I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.

    I look forward to meeting you soon.
    Thank you.

    Sep 21, 2026
    judygU2038FZ
    A wonderful time in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had such a…

    Jul 21, 2026
    Sandra_U
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Individualized Tour!
    Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Celal_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour even…
    We had a great tour even…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Johanna H
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
    We booked the 6…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet with guests at the hotel
    • 8:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 9:30 Break at a café
    • 11:00 Asakusa Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, lunch
    • 14:00 Tour ends at the hotel

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour of Tsukiji and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. It was not possible to reach them until the day before the tour, so we discussed and decided on the destinations on the day itself. Since walking was a concern for one of the guests, at the group's request and for their comfort, we took a taxi to the Tsukiji Outer Market. We spent about an hour looking around Tsukiji, but as the guests seemed tired, we rested for about 50 minutes at a nearby cafe. After that, we took the subway, changing lines, to visit Asakusa. After walking through Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise shopping street, and the main hall, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at a Japanese restaurant. Afterward, we viewed the Sumida River from Azumabashi Bridge, returned by subway to the guests' hotel, and the tour came to an end. Because we proceeded slowly with frequent breaks, we visited only two locations during the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa210JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Tameike-sanno210JPY
    Total420JPY

    I am a certified guide-interpreter based in Tokyo.
    I was born and raised in Tokyo, so I am familiar with Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Please leave anything related to the Tokyo area to me.
    Tokyo is not only full of Japanese charm but also has many unique aspects.
    The always-bustling Tsukiji Outer Market conveys Japan’s food culture.
    Asakusa conveys Japanese traditions and culture through old temples, shrines and long-established stores.
    Shibuya spreads Japanese pop culture.
    You can immerse yourself in history and culture in the quiet natural surroundings such as the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or Meiji Shrine.
    Tokyo is a treasure trove of attractions for travelers. Please come and experience the wonderful Tokyo with me.

    Sep 29, 2026
    532yeldarbs
    Insights to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We were fortunate to have had…

    Sep 28, 2026
    G3219WFjoshp
    A great day with Shigeru!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Shigeru is a fantastic…

    Sep 28, 2026
    E8957WUnathanb
    Great day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Shingeru was great and very…

    Sep 23, 2026
    scottmR2068WG
    Tokyo walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an excellent time being…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Gotokuji Temple & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Gotokuji Temple & Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:40 Gotokuji Temple
    • 11:00 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:40 Harajuku, Meiji Shrine
    • 13:00 End of the tour

    Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's Gotokuji, Nezu Shrine, and Meiji Jingu? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of friends visiting from Europe. After spending time in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Kyoto and Osaka, and then finish their trip with a week in Asia. The day before, they had gone sightseeing to Mount Fuji, but it rained and they were unable to see the mountain, which was a disappointment to them. First, we headed to Gotokuji Temple, which the guests had requested, and I was surprised at how many international visitors were there. They were very fond of the beautifully maintained temple grounds and the countless "beckoning cat" figures, taking many photos and enjoying buying several of the "beckoning cats" sold within the grounds. Next, we headed to Nezu Shrine, where I explained the differences between shrines and temples, their respective roles, and the differences in how to worship, and the guests actually performed a prayer themselves. Finally, we headed to Harajuku and Meiji Jingu. Since the guests wanted to have lunch after the tour, we moved through at an early pace and concluded the tour.

    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.

    Aug 18, 2026
    Heather_C
    Private tour for 4 in Tokyo – highly recommend
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Aug 8, 2026
    victoriahD2588SK
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    An action packed visit to Hakone!
    Atsushi was an…

    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel Roppongi SIX
    • From Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line to Tsukiji
    • 9:20-10:10 Tsukiji: intermediate wholesaler building, pottery, dashi, Japanese tea, kitchen goods, Saito Shoten, fruits, etc.
    • 10:30-11:45 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 12:15-12:35 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 12:50 Soccer Shop Kamo
    • 13:00 Tea at IKEA
    • 13:10-14:00 Meiji Shrine
    • From Yoyogi on the Oedo Line to the hotel
    • 14:45 Hotel

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who were spending a few days seeing Tokyo before boarding a cruise ship. They had been very much looking forward to their trip and thoroughly enjoyed the day. At Tsukiji early on, they bought many items such as dashi, pottery, and tea, so they ended up with quite a lot of shopping. It was also nice that they were able to find a Japan national team soccer uniform that had been requested by a family member. For lunch, since they would be eating plenty of meals on the cruise ship, they preferred to skip a full meal and just had tea. They were used to walking a great deal, so they had no trouble getting around on foot.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassRoppongi~Tsukiji900JPY
    Section 2Free PassTsukiji~Otemachi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTakebashi~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 5Free PassYoyogi~Roppongi0JPY
    Total1,050JPY

    Hello!
    I’m Maki. Nice to meet you.
    I used to work at a travel agency as a tour escort so I have traveled to more than 50 countries and all 47 prefectures in Japan.
    When I came back to Japan from abroad, I always noticed virtues in Japan anew.
    I’m thrilled to introduce such kinds of stories and favorite places to you.
    I like bar hopping, cooking, history, and outdoor activities such as camping, cycling.
    I have a licence of International Sake Sommlier and Wine Expert. I’m happy if I would have a chance to introduce you about sake and wine.
    I’m also a mother of junior high school girl. Let’s have fun together!

    Oct 9, 2025
    301catherinep
    Fabulous customised tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Maki is a wonderful, well informed guide. She customised…

    Oct 2, 2025
    Gene L
    Our 6 hour tour with Maki was fantastic
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and…

    Aug 31, 2025
    T
    tmay2921
    Maki is the best!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an absolutely wonderful day exploring…

    Jul 12, 2025
    O6400ONsaram
    Maki san kakkoii desu
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Maki was generous and flexible! She met us…

  • Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.09:00 Meet: In front of the central ticket gate at JR Sannomiya Station
    • 2.10:00 Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 3.12:30 Kobe Harborland Mosaic
    • 4.13:00 Break @ New Munchen Hafenburg (Mosaic)
    • 5.13:30 Disband: New Munchen Hafenburg (Mosaic)

    What's a Private Kobe Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Herb Gardens, Harborland, and Kobe Beef Today's guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After meeting at JR Sannomiya Station, the guests stored their bags in a coin locker and we began the tour. First, we visited the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Some of the guests enjoyed being photographed and took pictures in various poses. After the herb gardens, we headed (by JR train) to Kobe Harborland. However, the train stopped at Motomachi Station along the way, and we had to wait for a long time. We were told that someone had entered a railway crossing a few stations ahead. We waited more than 20 minutes before the train started moving again. At Harborland, we walked around taking photos, and then the guests asked whether there was somewhere they could have a beer. When I guided them to a beer restaurant in the Mosaic complex, they were very pleased and said that beer is essential during a tour for them, that friends are like family, and that everyone enjoys drinking beer together. After this, the guests said they would take a taxi to a Kobe beef steak restaurant (which I had recommended and reserved), so the tour ended here. Afterwards, the guests sent me a message along with a photo of their meal at the steak restaurant, saying that Kobe was fantastic and that they would love to come again soon.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherSannomiya (Kobe Municipal)~Shin-Kobe110JPY
    Section 2OtherShin-Kobe~Sannomiya (Kobe Municipal)110JPY
    Section 3TrainSannomiya~Kobe (Hyogo Prefecture)150JPY
    Total370JPY

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 29, 2026
    X
    X1794ZGstevew
    Kobe 4hr guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Norio pickup us up ontime &…

    Sep 17, 2026
    jacquelinecI8863UY
    No rush beautiful walking tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Norio…

    Sep 15, 2026
    niy679
    Kobe day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Norio. He…

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet at the lobby of the guest's hotel at 9:00. Walk and stroll through Onoterusaki Shrine, Kaneiji Temple, Yanaka, and Ueno Park.
    • After 11:00, travel from Ueno Station to Tokyo Station via the JR Yamanote Line. Stroll through Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, and Kanda.
    • Arrive at Jimbocho Station at 13:00, then disband.

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Ueno, the Imperial Palace, and Jimbocho in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Since the guests were staying in the Shitaya area and enjoyed jogging, I proposed a course that mainly involved walking around the Ueno area and the vicinity of the Imperial Palace. At Ono Terusaki Shrine in Shitaya, I explained how to worship at a shrine, its origins, the legend of Ono no Takamura, as well as the Inari Shrine, Sengen Shrine, and the Koshinzuka located on the same grounds, and the guests listened with great interest. We passed through Uguisudani Station and headed toward Kaneiji Temple, and along the way I explained the Chokugakumon gate of the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ietsuna and the Chokugakumon gate of the mausoleum of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, before guiding the guests to the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu in Yanaka Cemetery. While explaining the history and origins of Ueno Park and Kaneiji Temple, we strolled through the park, and then took the JR from Ueno Station to Tokyo Station. In preparation for the next day, we checked how to use the QR code ticket on a smartphone at the Shinkansen counter. From Tokyo Station, we walked around the Imperial Palace Plaza and the East Gardens, and then extended our route to Kanda Jimbocho. As we looked at the secondhand bookshops, I mentioned that this area has long had many Japanese-style curry restaurants, and one of the guests happily responded, "Is that because you can eat it with a spoon while holding a book in one hand?" and decided to have curry for lunch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUeno~Tokyo170JPY
    Total170JPY

    Hello!
    I’m Maddie, an English-speaking tour guide.
    As a guide, I have been attending bus tours, Tokyo walk-around tours, and also, sumo wrestling tournaments tours.
    I have lived in Tokyo for nearly 30 years and have enjoyed walking around this city, full of wonder, mixture of nature and artificial structures. I am happy to share my experience with you.
    My hobbies are reading books including Manga, watching films including Anime. I like to watch various sorts of sports. I like to visit museums. And I am a tea ceremony practitioner, so I am quite familiar with green tea (matcha) and Japanese sweets.
    I am looking forward to seeing you!

    Jun 4, 2026
    vadk2026
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo2026
    We had an excellent 6-hour walking tour around Tokyo with Maddie.…

    May 30, 2026
    Heather_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfect intro to Japan!
    We had a 4 hour private tour on…

    May 29, 2026
    jasonbO4660LV
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Afternoon in west Tokyo
    Maddie was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who maintained…

    May 8, 2026
    sebastianzO2366GR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great
    We had a good time walking with Maddie through Tokio. She…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Ginza

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Ginza

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet @ Hotel
    • 10:00 Asakusa (Senso-ji & Nakamise)
    • 11:30 Tsukiji Lunch @ Food Court
    • 13:20 Ginza
    • 13:30 Disband @ Nissan Crossing Cafe

    What Can You See on a Private Tsukiji and Ginza Walking Tour in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were friends visiting from Oceania. They were interested in a wide variety of things. Since they were about to embark on a long journey ahead, they did not do any shopping, but they took quite a lot of photos. Originally, we had planned to visit Meiji Shrine after Tsukiji, but since I confirmed that Meiji Shrine was included in a separate group tour of the city on another day, we changed the plan to Ginza instead. As they were also interested in cars, we visited the cafe at Nissan Crossing, and I introduced them to Mitsukoshi, Kyukyodo, Ginza Six, and Itoya before saying goodbye. It seems they have come to love Japan even more.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNihonbashi (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji~Ginza180JPY
    Total570JPY

    Hello,
    I’m Rumi.Welcome to Japan!!
    I’m a government-licensed guide in the Tokyo area.
    I’m so excited to have a chance to show you my favorite places in Tokyo.
    Tokyo is a fantastic city with many aspects like history,culture and food.
    What interests you about Tokyo?
    What kind of Japanese food would you like to try?
    I’ll take you to various places according to your request.
    My favorite spot is Meiji Shrine.
    It’s so peaceful that I’m sure you like it.
    I really like to talk with foreigners about various topics.So, I love my job.
    I look forward to meeting and guiding you soon.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Darrin_T
    Tokyo Tour with Rumi
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Local tour guide Rumi took…

    Sep 29, 2026
    anettesoegaardn
    Rumi Hosoya is a very good tour-guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide was Rumi…

    Sep 25, 2026
    Frances_K
    Rumi was a wonderful…
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Rumi was a wonderful guide that provided…

    Sep 19, 2026
    K6328IFcarolinel
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had a great day
    Rumi was very…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:10 Meet up @Hotel Kyoto Hachijoguchi
    • 2: 8:35 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 3.10:15 @Sanjusangendo
    • 4.11:45 Lunch @Kiyomizu-michi "Kuroge Wagyu Nesshinya"
    • 5.12:10 @Sannenzaka
    • 6.12:35 @Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 7.14:10 Disband @Kyoto Station Hachijo East Exit

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Kyoto's Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Yasaka Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They wished to see Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Yasaka Shrine, and if time allowed, Sanjusangen-do. Although I had sent an email the day before to remind them of the meeting hotel name and time, they did not appear at the appointed hour, so I checked with the front desk, only to be told that no guest under that name was staying there. When I looked at my smartphone, there was an email from the guests saying they were "now in the lobby," with an attached photo of a card showing the hotel name. It turned out the hotel name was not the one provided by [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), but a different hotel. I asked the guests to wait and hurried over there, though the tour started a little late. Also, when the guests tried to pay the city bus fare with Suica upon getting off, it seemed the train fare payment from the previous day in Hiroshima had not been completed, so the driver pointed it out and they had to pay in cash on the spot. Because of this, at the end of the tour we went together to the JR ticket gate and asked a station staff member to complete the payment processing for the Hiroshima portion. From tomorrow, they should be able to use their Suica again. For lunch, they enjoyed wagyu rice burgers at a restaurant along Kiyomizu-michi, and they were satisfied with all three sightseeing spots.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Tofukuji150JPY
    Section 3TrainKiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Kyoto230JPY
    Total530JPY

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
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    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
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    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
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    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

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    Judi H
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    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…