Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Arashiyama

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Arashiyama

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:50 Meeting point: Osaka Port, in front of the cruise ship terminal
    • 12:00 Travel to Kyoto by Osaka Metro and JR
    • 13:20 Sightseeing at Nijo Castle
    • 14:20 Travel to Arashiyama by Osaka Metro and JR
    • 15:00 Sightseeing in Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove → Tenryu-ji Temple → Togetsukyo Bridge)
    • 16:40 Travel to Kawaramachi by Hankyu train
    • 17:10 Stroll and break in Gion
    • 18:00 End of guided tour

    Can You Do a 6-Hour Private Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Rainy-Day Report The guests on this tour came from North America and were traveling around Japan by cruise ship, enjoying sightseeing at each port of call. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) arranged this private tour for guests visiting Japan. I discussed the itinerary in advance with the guests. They expressed a wish to visit many of Kyoto's famous sites, but since the tour departed from Osaka and was a "6-hour course," travel took a considerable amount of time, leaving only about four hours for actual sightseeing. Because they had a strong desire to experience Kyoto's history, culture (especially Gion), and nature, we finalized the route as "Nijo Castle → Arashiyama → Gion." The weather forecast for Kyoto that day predicted "sunny then cloudy, with occasional rain," and that is exactly what happened. We ended up sightseeing under difficult conditions, with strong sunshine, cloudy skies, and brief sudden downpours. When we departed from Osaka the sun was strong, but by the time we reached Nijo Castle it had clouded over, and by the time we finished touring Nijo Castle it had begun to rain. Since the guests had not brought any rain gear, they purchased vinyl umbrellas at a shop. Fortunately, at our next stop in Arashiyama it was mostly cloudy, so the walk through the Bamboo Grove was comfortable. However, just as we left Tenryu-ji Temple, heavy rain began again, so we took shelter in a bamboo craft shop where they browsed souvenirs. At the Togetsukyo Bridge in the light rain, they enjoyed a different, more serene side of Arashiyama than usual. At our final stop in Gion, we enjoyed a stroll in the light rain while watching the preparations for the "Yoiyoiyama" festivities along Shijo Street. Even under such challenging weather conditions, the guests remarked, "We're a little tired, but it was so much fun." Guiding under poor conditions is quite a challenge.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherKyoto~Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 2OtherNijojo-mae~Nijo220JPY
    Section 3OtherNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 4OtherArashiyama (Hankyu Line)~Kyoto-Kawaramachi240JPY
    Section 5OtherYamazaki (Kyoto Prefecture)~Kyoto240JPY
    Total1,160JPY

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour

    Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0700 Meet at Hotel Kintetsu Kyoto Station
    • 0740 Yasaka Pagoda
    • 0810 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 0940 Nijo Castle
    • 1020 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 1120 Disband at Kitaoji

    What Is an Early-Morning 4-Hour Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a private tour for a group visiting from North America. Because we started early at 07:00 and it was raining quite heavily, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is usually crowded, had few people, so even drinking water at Otowa Waterfall could be done smoothly without any lines. There were moments when the rain fell hard at times, but with only a brief shelter from the rain, everyone in the group walked energetically. That said, visiting three locations in four hours was indeed a bit tight, and by using taxis twice along the way, the tour could be carried out smoothly.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherKyoto Station Front/Kyoto City Bus~Kiyomizu-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2OtherKinkaku-ji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
    Total460JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Oct 10, 2025
    alijohn48
    Just what we were looking for
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Tomy was…

    Aug 8, 2025
    Katherine_G
    Fantastic day touring Kyoto with private tour guide & driver!
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max…

    Jul 22, 2025
    98patrickn
    early morning tour of Kyoto with guide Tomy
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We did an early…

    Jul 20, 2025
    Mark_S
    Great day in Kyoto
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a great…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • PM 14:00 Tour starts from Kyoto Station
    • Hotel check-in
    • PM 14:30 Travel Taxi To Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • PM 15:00-16:00 Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • Travel Taxi & Train Fushimi Inari
    • PM 16:50-PM17:30 Visit Fushimi Inari
    • Travel Taxi In front of Kodai-ji Temple
    • PM 18:00-19:45 Stroll from Yasaka Pagoda to Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Shijo Street, Gion Yoiyama
    • Hotel Tour ends

    Kyoto Private Day Tour Report: What Happens When Guests Change Their Hotel? A Licensed Guide's Notes The designated meeting point was a Hotel in Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto, and I was prepared to meet the guests there. As it happened, the guests were arriving by Shinkansen from another region and were running late, so we ended up starting from Kyoto Station instead. This caused no problems, but it turned out that the actual accommodation was a different Hotel near Kyoto Station. Had the guests not been delayed, this could have resulted in a missed meeting. The cause appears to have been that the guests themselves had not sent an update with the corrected information. I believe this stemmed from the fact that, because the accommodation was not on the list, an alternative Hotel had been registered for booking purposes and left unchanged. As for the tour itself, we encountered a brief heavy downpour at Kinkaku-ji, but otherwise the weather was fine. The guests enjoyed the Yoiyama festival atmosphere from Yasaka Shrine along Shijo Street before we moved on to the Hotel, where the tour concluded. Since one of the guests had a sore leg, we traveled mostly by taxi.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKitaoji Bus Terminal (Kitaoji Subway Station) / Kyoto City Bus~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total410JPY

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Hiroshima Station > 11:15 Peace Memorial Park (Atomic Bomb Dome, Rest House, etc.) > 11:45 Peace Memorial Museum > 12:50 Lunch > 13:45 Hiroshima Castle > 15:00 Tour ends, received a request from the guests for a 1-hour extension > 15:30 Shukkeien Garden > 16:00 Guide ends

    What Is a Private Guided Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group from Europe around Hiroshima. They listened with great interest to the local history, including how the city of Hiroshima came to be. At the Peace Memorial Museum, they viewed the exhibits slowly and carefully, and both of them appeared deeply moved. One of the guests spoke of anti-war views and expressed strong feelings about the necessity and importance of peace education. They also mentioned wanting to share what they had seen and felt with family back home. For lunch, they said they wanted to eat okonomiyaki, so I took them to a restaurant. The portion was a little large for one of them, so they shared it while enjoying wine, finishing everything and expressing how delicious it was. One of the guests enjoyed wine and spoke about the differences between wines from Italy, France, and Germany, and asked about the grape variety of the wine served with the okonomiyaki. The other guest also ordered a glass of wine, and laughed that Japanese cocktails have less alcohol and are lighter compared to those in Europe. At Hiroshima Castle, the conversation expanded from the medieval period, the feudal era, and the Meiji Restoration to the origins of the Japanese people in the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and I could sense that they had broad knowledge of Japanese history. Partway through, one of the guests requested that I continue the tour until 16:00, which I accepted. Afterward, I took them to Shukkeien Garden, and as it reached 16:00, I gave an overview of the garden and directions to Hiroshima Station, received the extension fee, and said goodbye.

    My name is Tsukumoto. I have been living in Hiroshima for about 60 years and have a great deal of knowledge on Hiroshima. I had worked in chemical industry for 44 years as an engineer having some experiences dealing with the oversea business. After retiring, I have been working as an English staff for helping tourists enjoy Japanese traditional culture activities such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, and wearing kimono since 2023. Besides that, I am familiar with tourist spots, history of the domain, local food, and night life in down town. You will see some my travling videos on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@HiroshimaGuide-Nori
    I can help you explore any aspects of your interests, and will provide your safety travel and comfortable stay.

    Jul 16, 2025
    Travel15681726194
    Hiroshima 4 hour tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    We had a great day touring…

    Apr 14, 2025
    Michael_N
    Our family tour of Miyajima Island with a wonderful guide
    Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    An…

    Apr 7, 2025
    448margarets
    Miyajima- so much more than you think
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tsukumoto made this tour…

    Mar 29, 2025
    MICHAEL N
    A meaningful day in Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Tsukumoto-san was very good…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Akihabara & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Akihabara & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:05 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 10:40 Akihabara
    • 11:45 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
    • 14:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 15:15 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 16:00 Dismissal at Hotel Tokyo

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Akihabara, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine Body: It was a relatively cool day with occasional heavy rain. The guests had informed me in advance about some mobility concerns, so I had anticipated they could walk to a certain extent, but the pace turned out to be slow, and going up and down stairs seemed difficult, so the tour proceeded at a leisurely pace overall, and we shortened the planned itinerary at their request. Everyone had installed Mobile Suica, and aside from one issue at a ticket gate, the tour proceeded smoothly. In Akihabara, the guests purchased figures and similar items. They took their time viewing Asakusa and asked questions about its history and religion. After visiting Meiji Shrine, some of the group rested at a coffee shop while others walked along Takeshita Street. I then guided the group to their hotel, ending the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Akihabara180JPY
    Section 2SubwaySuehirocho (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shinjuku150JPY
    Total770JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1) 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont (3-10-8 Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
    • 2) 9:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 3) 10:30 Shibuya <Crossing & Hachiko Statue>
    • 4) 11:50 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 5) 12:50 Asakusa <Nakamise Street & Senso-ji Temple>
    • 6) 13:30 Disband @ Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

    Title: What Is a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a solo traveler visiting from Europe. In advance, the request was to visit the main spots and end the tour at the entrance to Tokyo Skytree. At the meeting point, I reconfirmed the itinerary and started the tour. The guest mentioned that their smartphone was not working well and that they wanted to buy a new one after visiting Tokyo Skytree, so I recommended the large electronics stores in Akihabara. The guest enjoyed taking photos and videos everywhere we went, and whether we could cover all the desired locations in 4 hours depended on the guest's pace and my guiding. Despite rainy conditions throughout the day (on and off, with occasional strong gusts of wind), we finished visiting the main spots almost as planned. While moving between places, I shared as much information as possible, including the name of the nearest station and train line to their accommodation, and how to use the train from Akihabara to the Hotel. I suggested taking a taxi from Tokyo Skytree to Akihabara. After the main hall of Senso-ji Temple, I once again guided the guest to Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line, which is the line leading to Tokyo Skytree, and helped them remember "Oshiage Station," as they wanted to stroll around Nakamise Street once more. I recommended the view from the observation deck on the 8th floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, and we parted ways with a smile in front of the building.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainIidabashi~Harajuku180JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya150JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Takebashi210JPY
    Section 4TrainOtemachi (Tokyo)~Asakusa290JPY
    Total830JPY

    Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!

    Jun 19, 2026
    Daniel_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    10/10 would do again!
    Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…

    May 24, 2026
    Meander63637687943
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tour guide Tachi is the best!
    A most enjoyable and…

    May 19, 2026
    Jai_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    I would definitely…
    I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…

    May 5, 2026
    Gary33556
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
    Tachi was our guide. What…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Osaka Port Tempozan Terminal 10:20 Fushimi Inari 12:00 Lunch (Sushi) 13:00 Kinkaku-ji  15:20 Visit a friend at Rinku General Medical Center
    • 16:35 Return to the cruise at Osaka Port and end the tour

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Tour Like for Cruise Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America as part of a cruise trip. Originally the itinerary was to include the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nijo Castle as well, but starting the previous day one member of the accompanying group became unwell and was taken to a hospital, so only part of the group joined the tour. Throughout the tour we stayed in constant contact with the others. One of the guests had trouble with their back and carried a portable wheelchair during the tour. Perhaps because they were used to it, one of the guests did not seem overly concerned and often walked ahead, and appeared to wish for another member of the group to help look after the one with back trouble. It was raining at the meeting time, so I wondered how things would go, but fortunately it did not rain during the sightseeing itself; instead heavy rain often fell while we were traveling between places. The member of the group who had fallen ill seemed to be in fairly serious condition and reportedly ended up being hospitalized for two weeks. Having a guest hospitalized during a trip was a first for me as a guide. It made me realize that, aside from other factors, managing one's health is essential for travel. The photo was taken at a sushi restaurant near Kinkaku-ji.

    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.

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel-10:20 Pokemon DX-11:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens-12:50 Lunch-14:20 Meiji Shrine-15:40 Harajuku Takeshita Street-16:30 Omotesando-17:00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing-17:45 Disband at Hotel

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was effectively the first full day of an approximately week-long tour of Tokyo. We started the tour by first having everyone get their PASMO cards at Kyobashi Station. I had planned to begin at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace based on timing, but obtaining the PASMO cards and Japanese yen took some time, so we ended up starting from the Pokémon Center in Nihonbashi. The walk through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace was mostly in light rain, but by the time we climbed up to the former castle keep foundation the rain had stopped, giving everyone a brief moment of rest and relief. The guests seemed to enjoy their first day in Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyobashi (Tokyo)~Nihonbashi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 2SubwayNihonbashi (Tokyo)~Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Kitasando210JPY
    Section 4BusJingumae 1-chome / Toei Bus~Shibuya Station West Exit / Toei Bus210JPY
    Section 5SubwayShibuya~Shintomicho (Tokyo)210JPY
    Total990JPY

    Welcome to Japan. My name is Michio, your tour guide in Tokyo and Japan. I was born and grown up in Tokyo, and still living in western suburb of Tokyo with my wife, except for 10 years outside of Japan travelling and living in 60 countries. So I might have visited your country and still remember a few words.
    Japan has unique history, nature and culture, and there are plenty of secrets and wonders behind them such as food culture, Zen and Ninja.
    So please explore and discover the hidden and most beautiful part of Japan together. Let’s experience!

    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking tour was fantastic! Michio…

    Oct 24, 2025
    410trishab
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Outstanding Tour with Michio and Nobuhiko!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from…

    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

  • Hiraizumi Customized Half-Day Tour

    Hiraizumi Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Hiraizumi Station 13:10 Muryokoin Ruins 13:30 Chusonji Tsukimizaka Ascent Entrance 13:45 Chusonji Sakaue・Chusonji Lotus Pond 13:55 Sankozo 14:15 Konjikido 14:30 Kyozo 14:35 Basho Statue 14:40 Old Sayado 14:50 Bell Tower 15:00 East Observation Deck 15:15 Chusonji Tsukimizaka Ascent Entrance 15:30 Takkoku no Iwaya 16:15 Motsuji Temple Gate 17:00 Guide ends in front of Motsuji Temple Gate

    Title: What's a Private Historical Tour of Hiraizumi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Chuson-ji, Takkoku-no-Iwaya, and Motsu-ji The guest came to Japan to visit various parts of the country and experience its history and culture firsthand. At Chuson-ji, the Chuson-ji lotus — which first bloomed in 1998 after 800 years — happened to be in flower, which delighted the guest greatly. In the Sankozo treasure hall, the guest looked with great interest at the sutras written in gold and silver on indigo paper, the keman ornaments, and the mother-of-pearl inlay work. At the Konjikido (Golden Hall), the guest seemed astonished to learn that the mummified remains of four generations of the Northern Fujiwara clan are enshrined beneath the altar platform. The guest also seemed to know the theory that it is said to be the palace of Zipangu that appears in Marco Polo's "The Travels," and listened again with renewed interest. Entering the old covered hall that had protected the Konjikido for nearly 700 years, the guest savored the atmosphere at length. At the eastern lookout, while gazing down at the site of the old battlefield, the guest listened intently to how, after the Zenkunen and Gosannen Wars, the first lord Kiyohira advanced to Hiraizumi by way of Esashi in Oshu. At Takkoku-no-Iwaya, the guest quickly sensed the serene atmosphere of the Bishamon-do hall and placed their hands together in prayer before the statue of Bishamonten. The guest looked up at the cliff-carved Buddha with interest and prayed at the Benten-do hall by the pond. Here I received a question about ema votive tablets. At the water channel near the exit, the guest spotted a frog and observed it until the taxi arrived, mentioning that they liked frogs. At Motsu-ji, the guest walked over the grounds of the temple once said to be unrivaled in the land and became deeply moved. The guest seemed interested in the elegant poetry banquet held along the winding stream. The guest appeared to have a considerable amount of background knowledge before this tour. They were also highly proficient in Japanese, with a command of the language strong enough to understand difficult vocabulary. It was a hot day, but by using a taxi to visit the three desired locations, the guest seemed very satisfied.

    My name is Hitoshi Ohata. I’ve been an interpreter and guide for about six years since I retired. I live in Takizawa City which is at the foot of Mt. Iwate, the highest mountain in Iwate Prefecture. My hobby is playing table tennis once a week. I’m not a competitive player, I’m just having fun. I also play go, a board game. The main guides are a guide to Hiraizumi’s cultural heritage and a guide to cruise ship tours in Aomori and Iwate Prefecture. I’ve experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, so I can talk about things like that. I try to convey Japanese culture and society to people overseas in an easy-to-understand way as much as possible.

    Jul 19, 2025
    Michael_B
    Morioka Marathon
    Viator review: Morioka Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour with Hiitoshi. He is from…

    Jun 24, 2025
    Matthew_M
    Half Day Morioka Tour
    Viator review: Morioka Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hitoshi was a pleasure to be with and…

    Sep 16, 2024
    Johannes S
    Hitoshi Ohata hat uns eine interessante Führung gegeben. Er hat viel Erfahrung und geht auf individuelle Wünsche ein.
    Tripadvisor review:…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Kiyomizu-dera

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 to 10:30 Nijo Castle
    • 11:00 to 11:50 Kinkaku-ji
    • 12:50 to 13:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 14:20 to 15:00 Kiyomizu-dera

    What Is a Private Family Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. Like many recent guests, they were quite affected by Japan's unusually intense heat, and this group was no exception. They shared that where they live, the latitude is about the same as Hokkaido, and in winter the snow piles up from 50 cm to 1 meter. Japan is hot and humid in summer. However, Japan is very popular as a travel destination, and they mentioned that most of the people around them have already experienced a trip to Japan. That was a delightful thing to hear.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal)~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2BusNijojo-mae/Kyoto City Bus~Kinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi/Kyoto City Bus~Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKitaoji~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 5TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 6TrainFushimi Inari~Tofukuji170JPY
    Section 7BusTofukuji~Gojozaka/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,490JPY

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
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    Amazing!
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