Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Kyoto Premier Sanjo Kamogawa
    • 9:50 Tenryu-ji Garden ~ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Walk
    • 11:40 Kinkaku-ji
    • 12:25 Lunch at Togenkyo
    • 13:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 14:30 Disband in front of the torii gate at Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • (Due to the extreme heat, you seemed tired, so we finished a little early.)

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Today I guided the group visiting from Oceania on a private one-day tour of Kyoto. They had already visited Tokyo, Hakone, and Kanazawa. It was very hot and humid, though it was a relief that the sky was slightly cloudy. None of the sites were particularly crowded today, so it was nice that we could enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. We were able to stroll leisurely through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Kinkaku-ji was surprisingly uncrowded, which made it possible to explore at an easy pace. Since the guests wanted to eat ramen, we went to a nearby ramen restaurant called Togenkyo. We had originally planned to visit the Gion district, but since they had already walked through a geisha district in Kanazawa, we changed our plan to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha instead. It was tough in the heat, but I believe the guests enjoyed the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall~Uzumasa Tenjingawa260JPY
    Section 2TrainRanden Tenjingawa~Arashiyama250JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama~Nishioji Sanjo250JPY
    Section 4BusNishioji Sanjo~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
    Section 6SubwayKitaoji~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 7TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total1,630JPY

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Private Tour
    Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Conrad Tokyo

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Conrad Tokyo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Conrad Tokyo
    • 9:20 Tsukiji Outer Market, Fish Market, Namiyoke Shrine, Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 11:10 Ameyoko, Tokudaiji Temple, Statue of Saigo Takamori, Shogitai Grave, Kiyomizu Kannon-do Hall
    • 12:00 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Sensoji Temple
    • 13:10 Dismissal @ Shimbashi Station

    What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Tsukiji, Ameyoko, and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private Tokyo tour for a group visiting from North America. At a knife shop in Tsukiji, some of the guests purchased two kitchen knives and had their names engraved in katakana, which delighted them. The guests enjoyed tuna, yakitori, strawberry candy, muscat grape candy, and ice cream. At Namiyoke Shrine, one of the guests purchased a goshuin book, and afterward collected goshuin stamps at Tokudaiji Temple in Ameyoko, Kiyomizu Kannondo, and Sensoji Temple (there was no line today). Tsukiji Honganji Temple did not offer goshuin, and there was an explanation in English about why it does not; a regular stamp was provided instead. The guests bought sweets at a confectionery shop in Ameyoko and ningyo-yaki in Asakusa, which they enjoyed after stepping off the main approach. Although it was June, the temperature exceeded 30 degrees from the morning, so I advised everyone to stay well hydrated. The first half went well, but in the latter half one of the guests began to feel quite unwell, so after Asakusa the group decided to return to the hotel. We headed back to Shimbashi, where the tour concluded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShiodome~Tsukiji Market180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Naka-okachimachi180JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Shimbashi210JPY
    Total750JPY

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Namba Yasaka Shrine & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Namba Yasaka Shrine & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hotel Relief Namba
    • 9:30-10:00 Namba Yasaka Shrine
    • 10:00-10:30 Kuromon Market
    • 10:30-13:10 Move to Osaka Castle and stay there
    • 13:30-14:50 Dotonbori
    • Around 14:50 End of the tour

    What's a Private Walking Tour of Osaka Castle and Dotonbori Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan and had a close and friendly relationship. One of them had taught themselves Japanese through manga and spoke it very well. Using Japanese as well, I explained uniquely Japanese items such as the naginata and the kusarigama. They seemed to like Sanada Yukimura and bought a Sanada T-shirt as a souvenir. Perhaps not wanting to spend too much money, they chose to walk rather than take the castle grounds bus, and also walked from the hotel through Doguyasuji all the way to Nippombashi. As a result, after finishing our visit to Osaka Castle, they took breaks here and there and enjoyed ice cream, so by the time we reached Dotonbori the tour time had already passed. I found them a ramen shop that did not use pork-based soup, and we parted ways at Sennichimae.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNipponbashi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Namba240JPY
    Total430JPY

    Hi! I’m an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. I’m also a national guide as well. I’d like to expand my guide area to help tourists.
    The town of Osaka offers a different atmosphere than Tokyo. I like both exciting Osaka and nature-filled Wakayama Prefecture.
    If you stay in Osaka for 3 days, you can go to Koyasan for one day, or even for a day trip, so I recommend sightseeing at Koyasan.
    If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, the nature of Koyasan will relax you.
    I will introduce you to the unique culture, history and must-see sights.

    Jun 23, 2026
    Shelley_E
    Viator review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    There is much to do in…
    There is much to…

    May 28, 2026
    Duncan_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Great Tour of Kyoto
    The tour was both very informative and…

    May 28, 2026
    ignaciosilenzi
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Koyasan with Miyuki
    Miyuki was…

    May 23, 2026
    189mirjamf
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Grandioser Einblick in eine fremde Kultur
    Sehr nette und…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Hotel Meet
    • 10:00 Miyajima
    • 13:00 Lunch
    • 14:00 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 17:00 Atomic Bomb Dome, dismissal

    What Is a Private Tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima Peace Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Tour date: June 2025 Places visited: Miyajima, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Weather: Sunny Experiences: Itsukushima Shrine, worship etiquette : Daisho-in Temple, Kaidan-meguri (the dark pilgrimage path) : Stroll along Maple Road : Moment of silent prayer at the Peace Memorial Park Details: Today, a [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour for the group visiting from Oceania. It was a family group, and the tour proceeded in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere throughout. Their home country has a history of once having been under Japanese administration, and I was surprised to learn that even today, words derived from Japanese are used in everyday conversation alongside English. For example, words such as "benjo" (toilet), "pan" (bread), and "sensei" (teacher) are reportedly still used in their original forms. From such linguistic traces, one can sense that the influence of Japan from the past still remains rooted in daily life. In Japan, memories and awareness of the Second World War are gradually fading, but when I have visited Taiwan and other Asian countries, I have similarly felt that Japanese culture and traditions still live on today. Those who once governed tend to let those memories fade away, but through exchanges with visitors, I was once again reminded that this is a part of history that must not be forgotten. Going forward, I would like to continue to carefully take in this kind of history and culture while valuing my interactions with international visitors to Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station~Hiroshima Peace Park240JPY
    Total990JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Osaka: Osaka Castle & Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street

    Osaka: Osaka Castle & Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ Zentis Osaka
    • 9:35 Osaka Castle
    • 11:30 Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
    • 12:45 Shinsekai Lunch
    • 14:30 Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 15:30 Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street
    • 16:00 Dotonbori~Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street
    • 17:00 Disband @ Zentis Osaka

    What Does a Private Osaka Walking Tour Include? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori The guests were visitors from North America whom I had guided in Kyoto the previous week. By coincidence, I also had the chance to guide them around Osaka the following week. Because we already knew each other well, the tour went very smoothly. At Osaka Castle, we carefully explored each floor, and I finally took them to the Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum, where they were deeply impressed by the valuable exhibits and the rich history. After that, I guided them through the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street and Shinsekai, and they enjoyed the okonomiyaki they had been looking forward to. They found it very delicious, and they were especially fascinated by having it cooked right in front of them. They were also delighted by the sacred atmosphere of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Finally, I guided them from Namba to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, and we parted at the Hotel almost exactly on schedule.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKitashinchi~Osaka Tenmangu150JPY
    Section 2SubwayMinamimorimachi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 3TrainOsakajokoen~Tenma180JPY
    Section 4SubwayTenjinbashisuji 6-chome~Dobutsuen-mae240JPY
    Section 5SubwayEbisucho~Tengachaya190JPY
    Section 6TrainTengachaya~Sumiyoshi Taisha180JPY
    Section 7TrainSumiyoshi Taisha~Namba240JPY
    Section 8SubwayYotsubashi~Nishi-Umeda240JPY
    Total1,610JPY

    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!

    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…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Namba/Shinsaibashi area & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in Half a Day: Namba/Shinsaibashi area & Kuromon Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel meetup
    • 10:30 Namba/Shinsaibashi area
    • 11:00 Kuromon Market
    • 12:30 Tour ends at Kani Doraku

    What Is a Private Osaka Food Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kuromon Market The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was an occasion of celebration for them, and I was honored to be able to guide them on such a special day. Originally, I had planned to show them Shinsekai, Namba, and Kuromon Market, but since they had visited Shinsekai the day before, I suggested Namba Yasaka Shrine and Osaka Castle instead. However, they asked to skip these, as they would be seeing many sights in Kyoto the following day. After enjoying a morning meal at a cafe and shopping at a discount store, I guided them to Kuromon Market. When I recommended a fish shop that prepares fish on the spot, they were delighted to enjoy fresh sashimi. Since they wanted to have kamameshi rice at a crab restaurant, I helped them place their order, and with that, the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinsaibashi~Nipponbashi190JPY
    Total190JPY

    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!

    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…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Ranvt
    Local tour kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I had a great experience on this local…

    Jun 11, 2026
    MamaL843
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
    Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…

  • Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet @ Nagoya Port Garden Pier
    • 2. Move to Nagoya Castle and view the Honmaru Palace and the area around the castle tower 9:00-10:30 ・・Move to Nagoya Castle by subway
    • 3. Move to Tokugawaen and view the Japanese garden of Tokugawaen 10:30-11:30 ・・Move to Tokugawaen by taxi
    • 4. Move to Tokuganji Temple and view the main hall, Bentendo, and the Great Buddha of Nagoya 11:30-12:20 Move to Tokuganji Temple (near Motoyama Subway Station) by taxi
    • 5. Move to Oasis 21, explain how to use the subway and taxi to return to the docking pier of the Nagoya Port cruise ship, and disband 13:00
    • ・・Move to Oasis 21 by subway and on foot

    What Is a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Nagoya Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. In our prior communication, the guests requested that the 4-hour guided tour end at Oasis 21, from where they would enjoy lunch and shopping on their own before returning to the pier at Nagoya Port. Accordingly, I arranged the tour so that they could visit three sites — Nagoya Castle, Tokugawaen Garden, and Tokugan-ji Temple — at a relaxed pace. One of the guests was very keen on photography, and under the fine weather, they enjoyed taking photos of the beautiful scenery and highlight spots at each site with great interest. The guests had also let me know in advance which sites in Nagoya they were interested in, including their wish to visit Tokugan-ji Temple, which is an unusual choice among sightseeing spots. I believe they enjoyed exploring each of the sites with genuine interest.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNagoyako Station~Nagoyajo Station270JPY
    Section 2SubwayMotoyama Station~Sakae Station240JPY
    Total510JPY

    Hello, guests of JGA tours, I’m Takao (Todd) Miura, a national licensed guide of Japan.
    I have experiences as a professional guide over 5 years. The themes in which I’m well versed include castles, Japaneses landscape gardens, museums, festivals, and traditinal Japanese arts and crafts.
    Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture, where I live, have many attractive sites to visit. I would like to introduce you to the most popular sites and spots in this area.
    I really wish to have a very nice time with you as a guide of your tour in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture.

    Feb 16, 2026
    B9190RXcolleenm
    The Nagoya walking tour was great!
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Todd was the perfect…

    Oct 2, 2025
    Jeffrey_B
    Nagoya with Todd Miura
    Viator review: Nagoya / Aichi Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    A great 4 hour…

    Sep 17, 2025
    sjhppy
    Todd Was A Fabulous Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    I highly recommend Todd! He…

    Jul 22, 2025
    guelphturfgrassinstu
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed this tour with a knowledgeable guide. Todd shared…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Main Gate & Tokyo Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Main Gate & Tokyo Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meeting place: Tsukiji Hongwanji Main Gate
    • 8:10 Tsukiji Hongwanji Main Gate
    • (on foot)
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 9:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 9:20 Arrive Ueno Station
    • Ueno Midori no Madoguchi Ticket Office
    • 9:30 Depart Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 9:50 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • 10:30 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 10:40 Arrive Komagome Station
    • Komagome Rikugien Garden
    • 11:30 Depart Komagome Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 11:45 Arrive Nippori Station
    • Yanaka Yanaka Ginza
    • 12:30 Depart Sendagi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 12:40 Arrive Nezu Station
    • Nezu Nezu Shrine
    • 13:20 Depart Nezu Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 13:30 Arrive Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 14:20 Nijubashimae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 14:30 Arrive Hibiya Station
    • Hibiya Lunch: Hibiya Chanter
    • 15:20 Depart Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
    • 15:30 Tokyo Station
    • 15:30 Dismissal: Tokyo Station

    What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of East Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, all traveling to Japan for the first time. They planned the trip around a summer holiday. The group had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening on a direct flight, and took a taxi to their hotel in Ginza. That night they strolled around Ginza and enjoyed grilled meat (yakiniku) for dinner. They planned to stay in Japan for about two weeks. The next day they were planning a day trip to Mount Fuji, along with a visit to DisneySea. After that, they intended to travel around Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Sasebo before returning to Tokyo and heading home. They expressed a wish: "Today we would mainly like to explore the eastern side of Tokyo." It was a cloudy day, but the tour was carried out without any rain. After walking around the grounds of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, we headed to the Tsukiji Outer Market. Although it was a closed day, about half of the shops were open. I explained "the history of the Edo/Tokyo fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There was a question: "Do all people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?" We strolled leisurely, and they purchased and sampled dried squid, strawberry candy, matcha ice cream, and more. After purchasing SUICA cards at the JR ticket office at Ueno Station, we went to Asakusa. As always, there was a large crowd, with many foreign tour groups and school trip students in particular. Starting from in front of Kaminarimon Gate, I explained "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took a commemorative photo in front of Kaminarimon Gate, and they bought a T-shirt as a souvenir on Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?" There was also a question: "Does everyone go to temples every week?" We moved to Rikugien Garden in Komagome (there had been a wish to see a beautiful Japanese garden). There were comments and questions such as "This is a truly beautiful garden. I'd like to make one in my own yard," "It's a shame we can't see the weeping cherry blossoms," and "Do pine trees naturally grow bent like this?" We then moved to Nippori and strolled around Yanaka Ginza (there had been a wish to see the old townscape of Tokyo). They were delighted to find cat figurines. After this, we moved to Nezu Shrine. I explained "the history of Nezu Shrine" and "Inari shrines." Passing through the torii gates, they said, "We also plan to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto." We moved to the Imperial Palace and strolled around the East Gardens. There was a question: "When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms?" I explained "the history of Edo," "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo." There were questions such as "What happened to the shogun and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?" and "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?" There was a wish: "We'd like to eat sushi for lunch. For dinner tonight we're planning yakitori," so we went to Hibiya Chanter. There were comments and questions such as "It's amazing there's no litter on the streets," "Doesn't anyone throw trash on the street?", and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" They also said, "The Tokyo subway felt safe and convenient. No one talks loudly," and "The public restrooms are excellent." They said they wanted to go to Tokyo Station, so I saw them off at Tokyo Station and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji Station~Ueno Station178JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno Station~Asakusa Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station~Ueno Station178JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno Station~Komagome Station167JPY
    Section 5TrainKomagome Station~Nippori Station146JPY
    Section 6SubwaySendagi Station~Nezu Station178JPY
    Section 7SubwayNezu Station~Otemachi Station178JPY
    Section 8SubwayNijubashimae Station~Hibiya Station178JPY
    Section 9SubwayHibiya Station~Tokyo Station178JPY
    Total1,559JPY

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
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  • Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National

    Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National

    Tour Itinerary

    • Nagoya Port 8:30
    • Nagoya Castle 9:00
    • Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 10:40
    • Osu Kannon + Shopping Street 13:30
    • Nagoya Port 14:30
    • The guide's transportation costs are included, so subway fees are not listed.

    Title: What Can You See on a One-Day Nagoya Private Tour from the Cruise Port? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a one-day tour beginning at Nagoya Port. As it was the guests' first visit to Japan and they wanted to see as much as possible, we started at Nagoya Castle and then enjoyed the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, followed by shopping at Osu Kannon. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides can arrange full-day itineraries like this from Nagoya Port. The guests were overwhelmed and captivated by the Honmaru Palace at Nagoya Castle and were deeply moved, and I felt it was the right choice to bring them there first. It also worked out well that we arrived early, before opening time, so there was no need to wait in line and we could view everything in an uncrowded setting, which I think was very fortunate. We also visited Osu Kannon and did some shopping, but since the ship's departure time was early, there was very little time to spend on shopping. Overall the guests were pleased and expressed their gratitude at the end.

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

    Jul 18, 2025
    Lisa_M
    Nagoya is a Treasure
    Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Yoko gave us a wonderful tour…

    Jun 17, 2025
    Daniel_R
    Nagoya Tour from Cruise Port
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    If you are on a…

  • Wakayama in One Day: Fudarakusan-ji Temple

    Wakayama in One Day: Fudarakusan-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • ' 7:50 Meet up・Kii-Katsuura Station
    • 7:50- 8:20 Drop off luggage at hotel・Buy lunch
    • 9:05- 9:24 Bus ride→Daimonzaka
    • 9:30-10:50 Walk Daimonzaka→Nachi Falls→Three-Storied Pagoda
    • 10:50-11:50 Visit Seiganto-ji Temple・Nachi Taisha Shrine
    • 11:50-15:00 Kakenuke-michi Walk・Lunch Amida-ji Temple・Myohozan・Nachi Kogen Park
    • 15:07-15:24 Bus ride Nachisan→Nachi Station
    • 15:30-16:00 Visit Fudarakusan-ji Temple
    • 16:09-16:18 Bus ride Nachi Station→Kii-Katsuura Station
    • 16:30 Guide to tuna restaurant・Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Kumano Kodo Walking Tour Around Nachi Falls Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were met at Kii-Katsuura Station, where they left their luggage at their hotel. After buying bento boxes, we took a quick look at the tuna auction, and I recommended that they see it at its 7:00 start the following day. We walked the Daimonzaka slope, viewed Nachi Falls, and then headed to the three-story pagoda, Seiganto-ji Temple, and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. As it became clear that the guests were strong walkers who wished to do more walking, after visiting Kumano Nachi Taisha we decided to walk the "Kakenuke-michi" path. This is the route where pilgrims who have finished worshiping at Nachi Taisha stop by Amida-ji Temple before returning to the Hongu. The guests were able to fully enjoy the magnificent view toward Katsuura from Amida-ji, as well as the quiet moss-covered stone steps leading toward the summit of Mount Myoho (unlike Daimonzaka, which is crowded and has no moss at all). Fudarakusan-ji Temple is famous for the "suicide voyages" undertaken in search of the Fudaraku Pure Land, and I emphasized that this is not an entirely groundless story, given that one voyager reached Okinawa and that the Asagimadara butterflies that set off from Wakayama are known to travel as far as places such as Hong Kong.

    I grew up in the mountain village. I learned many things from my family, especially my grandmother. I can give you many interesting experiences in the wild nature. We eat wild strawberries or “Sukanpo ” the edible grass, fly ferns or cross a suspension bridge.
    I walked all of Kumano Kodo, Koyasan pilgrimage roads and other ancient highways, total length is more than 600km ( 400 miles).
    I want you to show the interesting spots beyond the guide book. Kii mountain range has old history as well as beautiful land scapes. I’ll take you the excellent places you can do Facebook bragging.
    My experiences for guiding foreigners are, town of Koyasan, pilgrimage road to Koyasan, Kumano Kodo Nakahechi, hot springs, Shingu city and Nachi Katsuura town, Kushimoto area, Shirahama area so on.
    I wish to meet you soon!

    May 12, 2025
    andrewgT8079NS
    Wonderful guide and magical scenery and locations.
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful, interesting…

    Apr 29, 2025
    farmahel
    A truly magnificent journey through the Kumano Kodo with a wonderfully kind Hira
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip…

    Apr 27, 2025
    Sofia_N
    Had a great time. Guide…
    Viator review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    Had a great time.…

    Mar 23, 2025
    G
    GoPlaces681850
    Wonderful time with a local.
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Hira,…