Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Sensoji Temple & Tokyo National Museum

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Sensoji Temple & Tokyo National Museum

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:10 Sensoji Temple
    • 9:50 Ueno, Shinobazu Pond
    • 10:10 Shitamachi Museum
    • 11:10 Tokyo National Museum
    • 13:00 Disband at Ueno Station

    What Is a Private Tokyo Tour of Asakusa and Ueno Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and they were already quite knowledgeable about Japan. They mentioned that they had a relative who had been teaching English in Japan for about a year, and they planned to meet up after the tour. We first went to Sensoji Temple, where one of the guests purchased a folding fan. They did not try any of the food, and since it was before 10:00 and most shops were not yet open, we had some extra time. Although the original plan was to visit only the National Museum, we also went to the Shitamachi Museum. It had just been renovated three months earlier, and in the reproduction area on the first floor, some of the taller guests were surprised by the small size of the four-and-a-half-tatami room and the low lintels. Since many items could actually be touched, we looked at an old-style refrigerator, I demonstrated how to use a teapot, and we saw a traditional Japanese-style toilet. At the National Museum as well, the guests showed great interest in history, and they listened intently to explanations about Buddhist statues and burial goods from the Kofun period. One of the guests seemed a little tired and spent a fair amount of time sitting down, while others, upon seeing a dotaku bronze bell, remarked, "So the Pokemon Bronzong was originally based on this." It was a pleasure to guide them.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa～Ueno178JPY
    Total178JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    Hi, I’m Sam.
    I am happy to welcome you all to Japan.

    Since I was a child, my parents welcomed many international students into our home and I had many opportunities to interact with them. My mother is a translator, and I have always seen her guiding foreigners around Japan, so it was natural for me to start doing the same.

    I am good at guiding people to popular places such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Asakusa, as well as photogenic spots in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Since I was a child, I’ve watched anime like Pokémon and played Nintendo games, and I still buy around 100 manga comic books a month. I love shopping in Akihabara! I currently live in Urayasu City, Chiba, so close that I can see fireworks from Disneyland from my house every night.

    Please feel free to ask me anything!

    Request Booking

    Jul 10, 2026
    Brooke_J
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo History Modernized!
    This tour was a wonderful experience.…

    Jun 19, 2026
    Catherine_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience!
    We had a wonderful time with Sam, who took our…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Elena_Q
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun visit to Tokyo!
    Wonderful customized tour of Tokyo with Sam. She…

    May 12, 2026
    Leonard B
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience with a very knowledgeable friendly guide.
    We had an…

  • Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & War Memorial Facility

    Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & War Memorial Facility

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Meet at hotel
    • 13:30 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
    • 14:30 Atomic Bomb Dome
    • 13:30 War Memorial Facility
    • 17:00 Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group of guests visiting from North America on a family trip. As I myself had once lived in North America, breaking the ice came very naturally. Simply exchanging stories about the name of a local supermarket and a hamburger shop was enough to quickly create a good atmosphere. At the Peace Memorial Park, the guests viewed everything quietly from beginning to end. There were no strong swings of emotion, but it is only natural that each person has their own perspective and way of thinking, so I do not seek anything from them or try to read into their feelings. I simply feel grateful that they came all this way to see it in person. The atmosphere of each tour differs depending on the mood and the type of guests, but what I have finally arrived at in recent years is the stance of always maintaining a "neutral position." Through many mistakes, I have come to feel that this is perhaps the only way to avoid causing anyone unnecessary discomfort. This time it was a very quiet tour, but there was meaning within that quietness, and it became a time that reminded me once again that simply "being there" is itself a significant form of engagement.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station～Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Tour Report by Yuji

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Request Booking

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0800 Meet at Tokyu Stay Takanawa Shinagawa (3 min from JR Yamanote Line Takanawa Gateway Station)
    • 0830 Harajuku, visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street stores are not open yet so just explain the location
    • 1025 Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Tatsumi Yagura, Gyoko-dori Avenue, Marunouchi, Tokyo Station
    • 1140 Asakusa, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple
    • 1155 As the lunch appointment time approaches, disband in front of the main hall

    What's a Private Tokyo Family Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. One member of the group was originally from Chiba Prefecture but had been living overseas in North America since 2005. The main purpose of this visit was to hold a wedding ceremony at Yushima Tenjin Shrine, something they had not done before. Initially, one member had considered doing a self-guided tour, but since they had not lived in Japan for many years and wanted the family, who were visiting Japan for the first time, to have the best possible experience, they signed up for this tour with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). One member of the group had been visiting Japan once or twice a year since 2019, except during the pandemic, to see family. Another member could speak Japanese but was more comfortable in English, loved Japanese culture, and took pride in having roots in both Japan and North America. Some of the guests lived in North America and were making their first trip abroad. Others also lived in North America and were traveling to Asia for the first time. At Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, I explained Japanese history and the background of the transition from Edo to Tokyo. The guests listened attentively. I had planned to give a thorough explanation of Shinto and Buddhism at Senso-ji Temple, but since a lunch reservation had already been made behind Senso-ji at noon, I streamlined the explanation to some extent. One of the guests mentioned they could guide the group there themselves.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTakanawa Gateway～Harajuku178JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae209JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo～Ueno167JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno～Asakusa178JPY
    Total732JPY

    Tour Report by Ted

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

    Request Booking

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…

  • Kamakura Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kamakura Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kamakura Customized Private Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet at Kamakura Station　10:56 Take the Enoden to Hase Station　Sightseeing at Hasedera Temple and the Great Buddha of Kamakura　12:30 Lunch at a Japanese restaurant near Hase Station　13:00 Return to Kamakura Station by Enoden　By bus 13:45 Hokokuji Temple　By bus 14:30 After sightseeing at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, via Komachi Street　15:20 Kamakura Station　15:26 Board the Yokosuka Line　15:55 Disband at Yokohama Station　The guests will proceed directly to Shimbashi

    What Is a Private Kamakura Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan on a trip. They followed along very readily and cooperatively throughout the tour. Being quick on their feet, they moved through the itinerary rapidly, so we progressed ahead of schedule. Komachi-dori Street usually takes time for shopping, but here too we passed right through. I treated them to shaved ice, and when I asked whether it was alright to finish a bit early, they smiled and said it was fine. They gave a very well-mannered and pleasant impression. Having grown up in a card-based society, the guests carried almost no cash, and it felt somewhat behind the times that the Great Buddha Hall and Hokoku-ji Temple still accept cash only.

    Click here for more details: Kamakura Customized Private Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHase Station～Hase Station200JPY
    Section 2TrainHase Station～Kamakura Station200JPY
    Section 3BusKamakura Station～Jomyoji220JPY
    Section 4BusJomyoji～Hachimangu Shrine220JPY
    Total840JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Request Booking

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

    Jun 8, 2026
    JasonB6980
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiro-san knows Hakone!
    Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Tourist31988989961
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 8 hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide from Tokyo
    Great Day and Tour
    Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…

  • Kyoto: Todaiji Temple approach & Naramachi

    Kyoto: Todaiji Temple approach & Naramachi

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 10:15 Todaiji Temple approach
    • 10:35 Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall
    • 11:30 Deer Park
    • 12:00 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 12:30 Shinyakushiji Temple
    • 13:05 Lunch
    • 14:30 Naramachi stroll
    • 17:00 Disband @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto

    Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Nara from a Hotel? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who were visiting Japan for the first time. They had previously lived for a long time in South America, and they were a very cheerful group who occasionally enjoyed conversing in Portuguese. We started with the classic Nara Park, where they bought deer crackers and enjoyed feeding the hungry morning deer while being surrounded by them. After that, we visited the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple, and they seemed overwhelmed by the enormous hall and the Great Buddha. On this day a newborn fawn was on display, so I took them to the deer nursery, and afterward we visited Shinyakushi-ji Temple. They seemed deeply moved by its solemn atmosphere. Lunch was well received, and after enjoying some shopping, we parted ways at the Hotel almost exactly on schedule. This private one-day tour of Nara was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides serving all 47 prefectures. The itinerary covered Nara Park, the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple, the deer nursery, and Shinyakushi-ji Temple, and concluded with a hotel drop-off. [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is a winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShichijo～Tanbabashi440JPY
    Section 2TrainTanbabashi～Nara1,360JPY
    Section 3BusKintetsu Nara～Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall250JPY
    Total2,050JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

    Request Booking

    Jul 13, 2025
    H2enjoy
    Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…

    Jun 20, 2025
    zoranm709
    Kyoto great tour experience.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

    Jun 18, 2025
    Adventurer310309
    Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife…

    May 26, 2025
    SK G
    Excellent tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji

    Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Meet up @ Prince Gallery
    • 7:30 Toyosu Market (Seafood Wholesale Building ~ Breakfast @ Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building "Sei" ~ Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building)
    • 9:15 Tsukiji (Fish Market ~ Namiyoke Shrine ~ Kobe Beef "Nikuboshi" ~ Outer Market ~ Honganji Temple)
    • 10:45 Disband @ Ginza Mitsukoshi

    Title: What's an Early Morning Private Tour of Toyosu and Tsukiji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America who had come to Japan several times before. On a previous visit about 15 years ago, they had watched the tuna auction at the old Tsukiji wholesale market. This time they had hoped to see the tuna auction at Toyosu again, but since it was far from their Hotel, they decided against it and the tour began at 7:00. Even so, the guests listened intently to my explanation of the importance of expert judgment in the seafood wholesale building and the changes in the supply chain over the years. Because the temperature was high again today, we avoided eating raw items at the outdoor outer market, and instead enjoyed some sushi at a sushi restaurant inside the intermediate wholesalers' building. At Namiyoke Shrine, the guests experienced the great purification ritual of passing through the sacred ring. While savoring Kobe beef skewers at the outer market, I offered advice on how to spend their remaining days in Tokyo. Since one of the guests had trouble with their knee, we did not climb the stairs at Honganji Temple and instead viewed it from the outside. I explained the various schools of Japanese Buddhism. At Tsukiji Station I helped them purchase a PASMO card, and we headed to Ginza, where we parted ways at the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHibiya Line Tsukiji～Hibiya Line Ginza178JPY
    Total178JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Meet in front of Fushimi Inari (guest late due to JR accident causing suspension of service)　10:20 Nijo Castle　　11:35 Kyoto Imperial Palace 12:30 Escort to subway Shijo Station and end tour

    What Is a Private 4-Hour Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Nijo Castle The guests were visitors from North America. They had been to places such as Tokyo before, but it was their first time in Kyoto. They understood almost no Japanese. The tour was scheduled to begin at 8:30 in front of Fushimi Inari, but shortly after 8:00 there was a personal injury accident on the JR line and service was suspended, so the guests took a taxi and arrived at Fushimi Inari about 15 minutes late. Although the start of the tour was slightly delayed, the guests walked well and quickly, so we were able to visit three locations in four hours. Fortunately, JR service resumed soon after. In contrast to the previous day, the weather was clear and it felt like a summer day. Perhaps because of the rain from the day before or the rising heat, there were fewer tourists everywhere. After the tour, the guests requested lunch, so I guided them to the Shijo-Karasuma area, where the tour ended. The photo was taken at the Ninomaru Garden of Nijo Castle.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Section 2SubwayKyoto～Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijojo-mae～Imadegawa220JPY
    Section 4SubwayImadegawa～Shijo260JPY
    Total890JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

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

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Ishikawa in Half a Day: Kanazawa Castle Park & Guiding ends

    Ishikawa in Half a Day: Kanazawa Castle Park & Guiding ends

    Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel, take the hotel shuttle bus to Kanazawa Station
    • 9:28 From Kanazawa Station, take the loop bus to Korinbo
    • 9: 45 Stroll around the Nagamachi Samurai District
    • 10: 05 Visit the Nomura Family Residence
    • 10: 40 From Korinbo to Gyokusenmaru Garden in Kanazawa Castle Park
    • 11: 00 At the customer's request, tea ceremony experience at Gyokusen'an
    • 11:20 Stroll around Kanazawa Castle Park
    • 11:45 Stroll around Kenrokuen Garden
    • 12:30 Take the loop bus to Hashiba-cho
    • 12:40 At Sakuda Gold Leaf near the Higashi Chaya District, tour the gold leaf manufacturing process and go shopping
    • 13:10 On the way to Kutani ware Shinbido near the Higashi Chaya District, explain the nearby route to the Higashi Chaya District and about Kanazawa geisha
    • 13:20 Guiding ends

    What Is a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests seemed eager to actively enjoy Kanazawa. They said they wanted to buy a loop bus ticket and use it to ride the bus around various places in the afternoon as well, and that they wished to have a tea ceremony experience with their guide at a location that felt distinctly like Kanazawa. So I took them to Gyokusen-an, located within Kanazawa Castle Park, where we did a tea ceremony experience while I explained various aspects of the tea ceremony. They listened to my explanations very attentively. They also enjoyed strolling through Kenrokuen Garden, and when I explained that the fountain in Kenrokuen was an eco-friendly fountain built in the 18th century using the difference in elevation from Kasumigaike Pond, the guests shared that a famous fountain near their home in Europe was also built around the same time using the same principle. As a guide, I found it very educational.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKanazawa Loop Bus～Kanazawa City 1-Day Free Pass800JPY
    Total800JPY

    Tour Report by Masayo

    Hello.
    My name is Masayo Shirai.
    I have been a national licensed tour guide of English since April in 2014.
    I was born. raised, and still living near the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa.
    I have guided lots of foreign guests in my hometown Kanazawa, Gokayama, Shirakawago, Takaymam, Kaga, Fukui, and Toyama.
    I have guided FIT, highend FIT, group tour, and bus tours.
    I have been learning tea cemoney, flower arrangement, and noh performance of noh chanting and playing the hand drum.
    I can take you to the experience spot of such traditional cultural spots in my hometown, Kanazawa,

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    Oct 5, 2025
    L
    LightPacker147788
    Kanazawa visit
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very interesting tour with Masayo. She took us…

    Jun 27, 2025
    H6092PZsuem
    Pleasant and interesting morning
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Masayo was our guide for the morning.…

    Mar 16, 2025
    952bonnieh
    Wonderful!!!
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We loved our time with Masayo! Thank you for a…

    Jan 3, 2025
    U5110ZKjades
    A day in Kanazawa with Masayo!
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Masayo Shirai was an excellent…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Toyosu Market & Akihabara

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Toyosu Market & Akihabara

    Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:45　Meet up @ Hotel Ginza Premium
    • 08:30　Toyosu Market
    • 10:20　Tsukiji Market
    • 11:10　Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
    • 12:15　Akihabara
    • 12:50　Disband @ Akihabara

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Toyosu, Tsukiji, and Akihabara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had been to Japan several times before for their work, while others were visiting for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel on to other destinations in Asia. At Toyosu Market, the group was very interested in seeing the area where the early-morning tuna auctions are held, as well as the rooftop plaza. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed visiting the Tsukiji Uogashi market and the lively outer market, and they savored a sushi lunch. In Akihabara, since some of the guests were interested in anime, the group visited anime shops. As they had booked a cruise tour from Asakusa to Odaiba after this tour, we parted ways in Akihabara.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza-itchome～Toyosu700JPY
    Section 2TrainToyosu～Shijo-mae190JPY
    Section 3TrainShijo-mae～Toyosu190JPY
    Section 4SubwayToyosu～Shintomicho0JPY
    Section 5SubwayTsukiji～Akihabara0JPY
    Total1,080JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

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    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden & Shibuya

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden & Shibuya

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Pick-up at the hotel
    • 13:30 In front of Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace
    • 14:30 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
    • 15:20 Shinjuku Golden Gai
    • 16:20 Shibuya
    • 17:00 Tour ends at Shibuya

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a one-day private tour of Tokyo for a group visiting from Oceania together with family members living in Asia. The tour took place after the group had already spent about four days in Tokyo, so we explored the city according to the guests' wishes. We first visited the Imperial Palace and Nijubashi Bridge, where I explained about the Japanese Imperial Family and their role in Japan. Since there is also a royal family in their own country, the guests listened with great interest. At Shinjuku Gyoen, the guests admired the beauty of the Japanese garden and took many photographs. After that, they enjoyed the Godzilla building and the 3D cat advertisement, which they had specifically requested, and then we headed to our final destination, Shibuya. In Shibuya, the guests wanted to enjoy not only the famous crossing but also some shopping, so I introduced them to the main stores. They also expressed a wish to eat ramen, so I guided them inside the ramen restaurant "Ichiran," where we concluded the tour.

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

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    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.

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    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…

    May 27, 2026
    jackie m
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Our guide was really interesting and had…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Lindsey_W
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Atsushi, was…
    Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…