Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 05:20 Arrive at Toyosu, register for the special viewing floor at the information center.
    • 05:30-06:10 Watch the fresh tuna auction from the special viewing floor
    • 06:10-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-08:00 Stroll around Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji Outer Market

    Title: What Is a Private Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Market Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had traveled to Japan separately and met up in Tokyo. On the morning of the tour, they were informed that they had won a lottery for a viewing from a special floor, but since I did not have a winning ticket of my own, I was unable to accompany them onto the special floor. However, a guide I have long known was with another group, and since she would be going down to the special floor with her guests, she kindly suggested that my guests join her group and listen to her explanation together. Thanks to this, the guests were able to view fresh tuna while hearing an explanation of the auction in English, and they were delighted, telling me it was all thanks to my connections. One of the guests had a strong professional interest in Japanese markets, so at the Tsukiji Market they observed the displays at the sea urchin wholesalers, and at the vegetable wholesalers they examined the color and size of the broccoli. Both guests were also very satisfied with the sushi at a sushi restaurant inside the Toyosu Market, repeatedly telling the head chef in newly learned Japanese how delicious it was, which pleased the chef greatly. A notable stop on the tour was the Toyosu Market, which is Tokyo's main wholesale market for fish and produce and famous for its early morning tuna auctions. Opened as the successor to the historic Tsukiji Market, it offers designated observation areas where visitors can watch the bustling trade, as well as restaurants serving exceptionally fresh sushi and seafood.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherToyosu Market~Tsukiji 6-chome210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 25, 2026
    robert_s
    Fantastic experience!
    Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a tour booked with Toru…

    Sep 24, 2026
    Pamela_S
    Ask for Toru!
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our travel date for this tour…

    Sep 13, 2026
    S4579HLmaxf
    An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    Outstanding experience at the…

    Sep 7, 2026
    Victor_G
    All the temples and…
    Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Tower & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Tokyo Tower & Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
    • 11:00 Tokyo Tower
    • 12:00 Shopping for grandchildren's souvenirs at the Pokemon Shop in Tokyo Station
    • 12:30 Lunch at Tokyo Station Ramen Street
    • 13:30 Stroll around the Imperial Palace
    • 14:30 Visit Nezu Shrine
    • 16:00 Disband at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal

    Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like for Cruise Ship Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. They had visited Japan once about 30 years earlier and shared that a long-held dream had come true in being able to return. They had departed Tokyo on a cruise ship, traveling to Busan, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Kochi, and Osaka before returning to Tokyo, and they had booked this tour for a final day of sightseeing in the city. Since their usual mode of transportation at home was only by car and they had no subway, they were looking forward to experiencing Tokyo's subways and railways. For this reason, we also stopped by Tokyo Station, which had not been in the original plan, so they could feel the scale and liveliness of Tokyo Station, one of the top ten busiest stations in the world by passenger numbers. Incidentally, the top three worldwide are Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro, in that order. As a member of the family was a big fan of character goods, I guided them to a character goods shop inside Tokyo Station, and they were delighted to be able to buy products featuring a favorite character. They also enjoyed lunch at the ramen street in Tokyo Station, which they were very pleased with.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo International Cruise Terminal~Akabanebashi510JPY
    Section 2TrainAkabanebashi~Tokyo340JPY
    Section 3TrainNijubashimae~Nezu180JPY
    Section 4TrainNezu~Tokyo International Cruise Terminal680JPY
    Total1,710JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 25, 2026
    robert_s
    Fantastic experience!
    Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a tour booked with Toru…

    Sep 24, 2026
    Pamela_S
    Ask for Toru!
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our travel date for this tour…

    Sep 13, 2026
    S4579HLmaxf
    An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    Outstanding experience at the…

    Sep 7, 2026
    Victor_G
    All the temples and…
    Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…

  • Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet @ Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
    • 2.11:00 @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 3.12:30 @ Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise, Five-Story Pagoda
    • 4.13:30 Lunch @ Sushi Zanmai Asakusa
    • 5.14:50 @ Akihabara Electric Town
    • 6.16:00 @ Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko
    • 7.17:30 Dismissal @ Tokyo International Cruise Terminal

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like After a Cruise Arrival? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests arrived in Japan by cruise ship from North America. They had already visited Osaka, Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Kochi, and this was the final day of their trip in Tokyo. A typhoon had struck the Kanto region the day before, and because disembarkation was delayed, the tour that was scheduled to begin at 9:00 started at 10:00 instead. The weather cleared beautifully after the typhoon passed. Since the guests were interested in food, we went to the Tsukiji Outer Market. It was a national holiday and very crowded, but they enjoyed looking at all kinds of ingredients. We then headed to Asakusa, where they took photos of Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise shopping street, and the five-story pagoda, and had a great time. Since they had not yet eaten sushi, we waited in line for a short while and enjoyed a tuna set at a sushi restaurant, which they said was very delicious. In Akihabara, they took photos of the townscape and bought squishy toys as souvenirs. Visiting Meiji Shrine would have made the return too late, and since they had already visited many shrines, we headed to Shibuya instead, experienced the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and returned to the cruise ship. I had been worried about how things would go because of the typhoon, but everything finished safely and the weather was lovely, which was a relief.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo International Cruise Terminal~Shintomicho (Tokyo)510JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji~Asakusa290JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa (TX)~Akihabara230JPY
    Section 4TrainAkihabara~Shibuya260JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya~Tokyo International Cruise Terminal570JPY
    Total1,860JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Sep 29, 2026
    W9834MZdavidn
    First Visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had an absolutely wonderful day…

    Sep 12, 2026
    Don_G
    Tokyo 6 hour Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had a great time on…

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nanzen-ji Temple & Tofuku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nanzen-ji Temple & Tofuku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Hotel lobby
    • 11:30 Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 13:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 14:00 Tofuku-ji Temple
    • 15:00 Kyoto Station (Tour Ends)

    What's a Private Photo-Focused Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided guests visiting from Europe. Since they wanted photogenic spots, I recommended Nanzen-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. As it was during a holiday week, Nanzen-ji Temple, which is usually relatively quiet, was a little crowded, but the guests enjoyed taking photos with the Sanmon gate and the Suirokaku aqueduct in the background. Since we visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine later in the day, it was relatively less crowded, and they enjoyed taking photos at the Senbon Torii, the thousands of vermilion gates. Because things went more smoothly than expected and we had extra time, we walked to Tofuku-ji Temple and took photos with the Sanmon gate and the main hall in the background. After that, we viewed the Tsutenkyo bridge from the outside and returned to Kyoto Station. Finally, the guests wished to visit a 100-yen shop, so I guided them to a nearby store and ended the tour. A notable stop on the tour was Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the thousands of Inari shrines across Japan and is dedicated to Inari, the deity associated with rice, agriculture, and prosperity. It is especially famous for the Senbon Torii, seemingly endless rows of vermilion torii gates that wind up the sacred Mount Inari. Many of the gates were donated by individuals and businesses as offerings of gratitude, and their names are inscribed on the back of each gate.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShijo (Kyoto Municipal)~Keage260JPY
    Section 2SubwayKeage~Inari410JPY
    Section 3TrainTofukuji~Kyoto150JPY
    Total820JPY

    Hello! My name is Umi. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I still live here today.

    I have always loved traveling. When I visit another country, I enjoy learning about its history, culture, and way of life from local people. Talking with locals helps me understand a place much better than simply visiting famous sights. That’s why I became a tour guide.

    Through my tours, I hope to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Japan. In addition to its beauty and traditions, I am also happy to talk about modern life in Japan. My goal is for my guests to leave Japan with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation of the country.

    I’m looking forward to meeting you!

    Jun 29, 2026
    U3009CHlaurad
    Kyoto 4 Hour walking Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Umi was a great tour guide, very…

    May 9, 2026
    Adventurer745194
    Lovely intro to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a lovely morning guided by Umi.…

    Apr 30, 2026
    jonathangG3501FZ
    4 hour private tour in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Umi was a lovely tour guide…

    Apr 27, 2026
    Jennifer_S
    Wonderful, thoughtful guide
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Umi was absolutely wonderful. She…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Toyocho - Otemachi & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Toyocho – Otemachi & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at hotel
    • 10:10-10:30 Toyocho – Otemachi
    • 10:30-11:00 Tokyo Station Marunouchi Plaza
    • 11:00-11:20 Marunouchi Tokyo – Shinjuku-gyoemmae
    • 11:30-12:20 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 12:20-13:20 Shinjuku walk: Sekaido, Isetan, Okadaya
    • 13:20-14:00 Shinjuku – Toyocho, disband

    【当日のツアールート】 09:00 Meeting point: Hotel Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Guests Continuing to a Yokohama Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Because a typhoon was forecast, I suggested postponing the tour by one day, so the previous day was spent resting at their accommodation. With clear skies after the typhoon passed, we enjoyed a relaxed walk. The guests were scheduled to begin a cruise departing from Yokohama Port the following day, so this was their only day for sightseeing in Tokyo. As the guests had requested, we started from Tokyo Station and the Marunouchi Plaza, then took the subway to Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station. Since one of the guests used a wheelchair, I requested assistance from the station staff. The guests were delighted that staff were ready to help not only when boarding but also standing by at the arrival station. Most of Shinjuku Gyoen is paved, but the Japanese garden, which is a key highlight, has gravel and steps that made it difficult to navigate, so I explained this to the guests and we skipped it. Instead, we enjoyed a relaxed café break. We made our way by wheelchair along the pedestrian-only Shinjuku-dori, taking many photos, which the guests enjoyed. We visited an art supply store, a department store, and finally a fabric store to complete the plan. I saw the guests off to Toyocho on the Tozai Line, and the tour came to an end. It was a day the guests were satisfied with. A notable stop on the tour was Shinjuku Gyoen. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's most spacious and celebrated gardens, originally developed during the Edo period and later completed as an imperial garden before opening to the public. It blends three distinct garden styles — a traditional Japanese landscape garden, a formal French garden, and an English landscape garden — making it a popular spot for enjoying seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassToyocho~Otemachi (Tokyo)700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo~Shinjuku-gyoemmae0JPY
    Section 3Free PassShinjuku (Tokyo Metro)~Tokyo0JPY
    Section 4Free PassOtemachi (Tokyo)~Toyocho0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Hello everyone, and welcome to Japan!
    I obtained a national tour guide license back in 2001, while I have been busy teaching English full time for many years. Since 2018 I have enjoyed guiding guests from all over the world.

    I live in a western suburb of Tokyo, so I can guide you around the wider Tama area as well as central Tokyo. I love introducing visitors to both the famous highlights and the hidden gems where you can take wonderful photos and experience authentic Japanese culture. Along the way, I enjoy sharing stories about Japanese history, traditions, and daily life.

    I once worked in Australia as a teacher of Japanese language, which gave me many opportunities to communicate with people from different cultures.
    I also enjoy golf — I even traveled alone to the UK for a golf tour.

    I look forward to guiding you and helping your time in Japan both enjoyable and memorable.

    Apr 27, 2026
    Matthew_T
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend!
    This was the first thing we did in Japan, it…

    Apr 13, 2026
    Beverly_S
    Viator review: Tokyo Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Amazing walking tour. The guide customizes…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Claudia M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Grosartige Tour mit tollem Guide Masa
    Wir haben diese Tour als…

  • Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour

    Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Marine Port Kagoshima 9:00 – 9:30 Sengan-en 10:30 – 10:45 Tsurumaru Castle Ruins 11:15 – 11:20 Terukuni Shrine 11:35 – 11:45 Shiroyama Observatory 11:55 – 12:05 Ichi-ni-san (lunch) 13:00 – 14:00 Yunohira Observatory 14:20 – 14:40 Arimura Lava Park 14:55 – 15:10 Kurokami Buried Torii 15:30 – 16:10 Don Quijote 16:30 – 17:00 Marine Port Kagoshima

    What Is a Private Kagoshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sengan-en, Sakurajima, and City Sights Due to the effects of a typhoon, clouds hung low over Sakurajima in the morning, so I rearranged the order and toured the city in the morning, visiting Sengan-en and the ruins of Tsurumaru Castle, then went to Sakurajima in the afternoon. Even in the afternoon the clouds over Sakurajima did not fully clear, but the view became quite good, and the guests were pleased. The guests were visitors from North America, and we talked about sumo wrestlers such as Akebono and Konishiki, and there were questions about sumo as well. They were very happy with the black pork dishes and tuna sashimi. Because the typhoon meant they would remain moored in Kagoshima until the following day, I suggested visiting the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots the next day, and they eagerly looked into it. A notable stop on the tour was Sengan-en. Sengan-en is a traditional Japanese garden and villa built in the 17th century by the Shimazu clan, who ruled the Satsuma domain. It is famous for its scenic landscape that incorporates Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as borrowed scenery, and it is also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site related to Japan's early industrial modernization.

    Experienced guide in Tokyo, Kanto, Kansai, Chugoku and Kyushu as lived in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Shiga, Wakayama, Yamaguchi, Fukuoka and Kumamoto. Can introduce local favorite restaurants and shops in these areas. Flexible and tailored itinerary is available with car transport transportation. Can escort outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking. Can provide private tours at Sake breweries in Fukuoka and Saga area with personal networks. Respect and adapt to diverse cultures and religions as worked with colleagues around the world for 38 years.

    Sep 19, 2026
    Romy_B
    Kagoshima guided tour with driver
    Viator review: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
    Everyone in our group agreed this…

    Sep 2, 2026
    Lee_T
    A wonderful day in Port
    Viator review: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful private tour…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Kim_K
    Viator review: Kagoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Beautiful, insightful and memorable!
    We definitely had a beautiful, insightful and memorable…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tour Sensoji Temple and Nakamise & Tour Yanaka

    Tokyo in One Day: Tour Sensoji Temple and Nakamise & Tour Yanaka

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Guide (Kogure) arrives at the hotel
    • 9:00 Meet the guests in the hotel lobby
    • 9:05 Depart the hotel, walk to Akasaka-mitsuke Station
    • 9:26 Depart Akasaka-mitsuke Station, take the subway Ginza Line to Asakusa Station
    • 9:52 Arrive at Asakusa Station, walk to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    • 10:00-10:10 Tour the 8F observation deck of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    • 10:10-11:10 Tour Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street
    • *Guide through Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Street, Hozomon Gate, Five-Story Pagoda, Owaraji (giant straw sandals), Omikuji (fortune slips), incense burner, purification fountain, main hall, Asakusa Shrine, and a matcha ice cream shop
    • 11:20 Depart Asakusa Station, take the Toei Asakusa Line via Ningyocho Station and transfer to the subway Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Station
    • 11:38 Arrive at Tsukiji Station, walk past the side of Tsukiji Honganji Temple toward Tsukiji Market
    • 11:50-12:30 Lunch at Tsukijiya Sushi restaurant (reserved in advance)
    • 12:30-12:40 Stroll through Tsukiji Market
    • 12:40 Depart Tsukiji Market, walk to Ginza
    • 12:55-13:20 Tour Ginza
    • *Guide through the Mitsukoshi department store basement, Kyukyodo, Nissan showroom window, pedestrian paradise, etc.
    • 13:24 Depart Ginza Station, take the subway Ginza Line to Ueno Station
    • 13:35 Arrive at subway Ueno Station, walk to JR Ueno Station
    • 13:43 Depart JR Ueno Station, take the JR Yamanote Line to Nippori Station
    • 13:47 Arrive at Nippori Station, walk to Yanaka
    • 13:55-14:30 Tour Yanaka
    • *Guide through Yanaka Yuyake Dandan (Sunset Steps), Yanaka Ginza, and the Kannonji Temple Tsuiji wall
    • 14:34 Depart Nippori Station, take the JR Yamanote Line to Nishi-Nippori Station
    • 14:35 Arrive at Nishi-Nippori Station, transfer to the subway Chiyoda Line
    • 14:43 Depart Nishi-Nippori Station, take the subway Chiyoda Line to Akasaka Station
    • 15:02 Arrive at Akasaka Station, walk to the hotel
    • 15:10 Arrive at the hotel, greet the guests and finish the work

    What Does a Private Tokyo Tour of Asakusa, Tsukiji, Ginza, and Yanaka Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest, visiting Japan for the first time, thoroughly enjoyed today's tour, which came right after a typhoon had passed. Through email correspondence beforehand, we decided on a tour of Senso-ji Temple, Tsukiji Market, Ginza, and Yanaka, and the guest took many photos at each location. At Senso-ji Temple, the guest enjoyed drawing an omikuji fortune. The guest also learned about the differences between temples and shrines, the different ways of worship at each, and how to pass through a torii gate at a shrine. At Tsukiji Market, the guest enjoyed some delicious sushi. At Kyukyodo in Ginza, the guest purchased a goshuincho stamp book. Yanaka is an area that suffered relatively little damage from the Great Kanto Earthquake and the war, and the guest was fond of the Tsuiji-bei wall at Kannon-ji Temple and took photos of it. When I asked which place visited today was the favorite, the answer was that Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa was the most favored. Incidentally, when I was staying in Oceania as an exchange student during my school days, it turned out the guest had been born in a hospital in the same region, and I felt a curious sense of connection. We were able to have many enjoyable conversations about the differences in climate and lifestyle between the guest's home region and Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke~Asakusa210JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji290JPY
    Section 3SubwayGinza~Ueno180JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno~Nippori160JPY
    Section 5TrainNippori~Nishi-Nippori160JPY
    Section 6SubwayNishi-Nippori~Akasaka (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total1,210JPY

    Hello and how do you do?
    My name is Nobuo Kokure, and please call me Nobby for short, if you want.
    Let me introduce myself. I was born in Hayama, a beach resort area, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. And I’m now living in Saginuma, Kawasaki city.
    When I was a university student, I had the opportunities of doing a home stay with a family In U.S.A., Australia, and England, as a youth exchange student.
    After graduation from the university, I started working at American Life Insurance Company, Japan (Alico, Japan), which is a group member company of AIG, now MetLife Insurance Company. I could have a chance to visit the head office and the field offices of U.S.A., Wilmington in Delaware, New York, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Los Angeles, while I was working for Alico, Japan (Now, MetLife Insurance company).
    I had been working for MetLife Insurance Company for about 38 years, in total.
    After retiring from the life insurance company, I started working as a tour guide, because I wanted to become a tour guide to introduce culture, history, and manners and customs of Japan in English. It’s so different between my previous job and the guide business, but I like guide business a lot.
    I can meet so many people from all over the world and the guide business has been thriving after the pandemic.
    I have implemented the tour over 240 times, introduced Japan to more than 4900 tourists from 54 countries.

    Not only Tokyo, but I have experienced touring around Nikko, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji & Hakone area, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, etc. which are all very famous as a tourist spot in Japan.
    If you go on a tour in Tokyo, you must see and visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo with histories and Nakamise Shopping Street where you can buy the souvenirs and try to taste Japanese sweets, such as doll cake which is the sponge cake in various shapes filled with red bean paste and Japanese powdered tea ice cream. Another my recommendation in Tokyo to visit is Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest shrines in Japan with quiet and peaceful atmosphere and magnificent site.
    Harajuku and Shibuya are both fun to visit for shopping and experience the Shibuya Crossing.
    I usually propose my tentative itinerary and ask if my plan is all right with the customer or not. My hobby is traveling around Japan and foreign countries and going to the gym for exercise.
    I would like to work as a guide as long as possible if I’m in good health and my legs are strong, because I love this job.
    I put my importance on the mind of OMOTENASHI which means sincere hospitality, though safety during the tour takes precedence, number one priority, before anything else.

    I’m very looking forward to seeing you and touring with you in Japan soon.
    Thank you!

    Best regards,

    Nobuo Kokure (Nobby)

    Sep 29, 2026
    jeffbM3390PI
    Nuobo was awesome as our Tokyo tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Jeff…

    Sep 25, 2026
    skipcooney
    Customized private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Nobby was very flexible…

    Sep 22, 2026
    duncans746
    Great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Nobuo was fantastic, very knowledgeable and shaped…

    Sep 13, 2026
    Culture25230012656
    Very knowledgeable
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    I enjoy every step of the tour.…

  • Kyoto: Kimono experience & Ryoan-ji

    Kyoto: Kimono experience & Ryoan-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet
    • 10:00 Kimono experience
    • 10:45 Gion area
    • 11:20 Change clothes
    • 12:00 Kinkaku-ji
    • 13:00 Lunch
    • 14:10 Ryoan-ji
    • 15:00 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like With a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji I guided guests who were visiting Japan for the first time. They were joining various tours each day and were looking forward to a kimono-dressing experience. Since they did not wish to sightsee while wearing the kimono, I took their photos at a scenic spot in the Gion area, and after they changed back into their regular clothes, I guided them to Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. The booking was made through a travel agency, and they had also expressed interest in visiting Suzumushi-dera, but I explained that photography of the bell crickets is not allowed, that the crickets are kept in indoor glass cases and viewed while listening to the head priest's sermon, and that interpreting is prohibited there. After I explained this, they understood and agreed not to include it in the tour. A notable stop on the tour was Kinkaku-ji Temple. Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The top two floors of the pavilion are covered in gold leaf, and the structure is beautifully reflected in the surrounding pond. Originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun in the late 14th century, it was later converted into a Zen temple and remains one of the most visited sites in Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusIn front of Shimogyo Ward General Government Building / Kyoto City Bus~Gion / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2SubwaySanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)~Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3SubwayKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total690JPY

    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!

    Sep 13, 2026
    946jakobr
    Mizu, as your guide in Koyoto, is the perfect guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed…

    Sep 5, 2026
    Sightsee18435593786
    De moeite waard👍
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Mizu heeft een mooie rondleiding geheven er werd…

    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the Hotel
    • 9:10 Stroll around the Imperial Palace
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:00 Harajuku & Shibuya
    • 14:00 Tour ends at the hotel

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America, staying only in Tokyo for their trip to Japan. This became a tour designed to give them an overview of Tokyo. We first strolled around the Imperial Palace, which was near the Hotel. However, due to heavy rain until the previous night, the moat of the Imperial Palace had filled up completely, and entry to the East Gardens was not possible. I recommended a later revisit and explained how to join the Imperial Palace guided tour. The guests were very moved, expressing surprise that such nature and a grand historic site existed so close to the Hotel, and they deepened their understanding of the Japanese Imperial Family. Next, at Meiji Shrine, I explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, their influence on Japanese culture, and the methods of worship. They were also delighted to see various ceremonies such as weddings and Shichi-Go-San taking place within the shrine grounds. We then went to Harajuku and Shibuya. Because it was during a holiday period and the sky was clear after some time, the crowds were extremely large, and the guests seemed amazed by the incredible crowds that can only be seen there. Both guests were fond of sumo and had hoped to watch a grand sumo tournament, but they had been unable to get tickets. At the end, we had planned to head to the Kokugikan in Ryogoku to watch the wrestlers arrive, but as one of the guests was not feeling well in the leg, we decided to end the tour a little early. A notable stop on the tour was Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in a forested area in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Surrounded by around 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, it offers a peaceful natural retreat despite its central urban location. Visitors can often observe traditional ceremonies and experience customs central to Japanese religious life.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSakuradamon~Ichigaya180JPY
    Section 2TrainIchigaya~Yoyogi200JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya160JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total750JPY

    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
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    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
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    Best Tour for a Short Visit
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  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 09:30 Meet in front of McDonald's at JR Kyoto Station Hachijo East Exit
    • ② 09:35 Explanation of today's itinerary
    • ③ 09:40 About the history of Kyoto (in the taxi)
    • ④ 10:05 Daitoku-ji Temple, Obai-in
    • ⑤ 12:30 Nijo Castle
    • ⑥ 13:50 Disband in front of Nishiki Market

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Daitoku-ji and Nijo Castle The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania, traveling from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto. Today they came by JR from their hotel in Osaka. When I mentioned that I was also from Osaka, they were delighted. I immediately started my favorite little lesson of "ookini" and "dou itashimashite" (thank you and you're welcome in the local dialect). To be honest, both of them were quite hopeless at it, and we had a lot of fun with "ookini" all day long. Since it was their first time experiencing Japanese traditional culture and history, everything they saw and heard seemed fresh to them, and they were full of excitement and anticipation. At Daitoku-ji, I explained its history, its connections with the imperial family and many warlords of the Warring States period including Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, what a sub-temple is, what Zen is, karesansui (dry landscape gardens), the pond-stroll garden style, stone lanterns, borrowed scenery, tea rooms, wabi-cha, wabi-sabi, and the connection of onmyodo (the way of yin and yang) with Japanese history. All of these topics flowed one into the next as a continuous story, and they listened to each one with genuine interest. Before I knew it, we had spent more than two of our four hours at Daitoku-ji. I can hardly praise my own time management, but that only shows how deeply they listened, asked questions, took notes, and even made video travel memos while listening. What made me happiest was that today was during the Silver Week holidays, so there were more domestic and inbound tourists than usual. As one of the guests put it: "Those people are getting explanations from a foreign guide, or they came here on their own. But we are hearing the real, live story directly from you, a local Japanese person — that's a big difference." At Nijo Castle too, I was able to talk with them in even greater depth than usual. According to the plan we were also supposed to visit Sanjusangen-do, but we ran out of time here, and both of them said, "Time is time, it can't be helped, but we were satisfied because we got to hear so many stories." Since we had skipped lunch and I had been talking away the whole time, they finally said they were hungry, so we went to Nishiki Market, where I carefully explained about Teramachi and Shinkyogoku streets as well, and parted in front of Nishiki Market. At the end, they said, "We are thinking of you!" For a guide, this is the highest possible compliment.

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
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    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…