Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.9:30 Meet up @ Keio Plaza
    • 2.10:00 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 3.11:00 @ Takeshita Street
    • 4.12:10 @ Shibuya
    • 5.13:30 Disband @ Shibuya

    What Is a Private Tokyo Family Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya The guests were a friendly group visiting from North America. Although it was raining, the group was cheerful and the weather did not seem to bother them at all. First, we visited Meiji Shrine. It happened to be the season when the irises were in bloom, so we also went to the inner garden, and the guests commented on how beautiful the iris field was. The group wrote their wishes on ema plaques and dedicated them at the shrine. After that, we went to Takeshita Street, where the guests enjoyed rainbow-colored cotton candy and crepes. Next, we headed to Shibuya to see the Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue, and then visited the Pokemon Center and Nintendo Tokyo, where they enjoyed playing games, and this brought the tour to a close. Despite the rain, I believe the guests had an enjoyable time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji Shrine~Shibuya178JPY
    Total324JPY

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

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

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

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fumiko is a great tour guide – informative, friendly and very well…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 13:00 Meet up@Mercure Tokyo Haneda Airport
    • 2. 13:45 @Meiji Jingu Shrine + Inner Garden
    • 3. 15:20 @Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 4. 16:00 Lunch@Restaurant inside Shibuya FUKURAS
    • 5. 16:40 @Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue)
    • 6. 17:00 @Ginza (4-chome Crossing, Mitsukoshi, NISSAN Showroom)
    • 7. 17:30 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Imperial Palace Plaza)
    • 8. 18:15 @Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Station Building)
    • 9. 18:50 @Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 10. 20:00 Dismissal@Higashi-Ginza (inside the Toei Asakusa Line train bound for Haneda Airport via Keikyu Haneda Line)

    Title: What's a First-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like from Haneda Airport? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. For this trip, they had visited the Japantown of a city near where they live to try Japanese food, even though they had never been there before despite its proximity. They were looking forward to enjoying delicious wagyu beef during their stay in Japan. The next day they planned to take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, then use Osaka as a base to visit Kyoto and Nara, before returning to Tokyo for sightseeing including a Disney resort, and then heading home. As this Tokyo tour marked their very first day in Japan, they had only just arrived from Haneda Airport, yet they had already taken a walk around the parks and shrines near their hotel. Everyone was a strong walker, so we were able to proceed at a relatively brisk pace. At Meiji Shrine, I asked whether they would like to enjoy the irises in full bloom, and since they were enthusiastic, we also strolled through the Inner Garden. They admired the water lilies and irises with great delight. At Harajuku's Takeshita Street, they seemed drawn to attractions such as a piglet cafe, and plan to return there when they come back to Tokyo after visiting other regions. When one of the guests mentioned being hungry, we had lunch in Shibuya close to 4:00. Today we chose a restaurant serving tonkatsu and fried shrimp. They were satisfied and found it delicious, but left the shredded cabbage on the side. When I asked, they said they don't eat much raw cabbage. By the time we arrived at Senso-ji Temple, most of the shops along Nakamise Street had already closed, but it was not crowded, so it was nice to be able to walk stress-free. Finally, we boarded a train together from Asakusa Station that connects directly to Otorii Station, the closest station to their hotel, and parted ways at Higashi-ginza Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKeikyu Line Otorii Station~Shinagawa Station230JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Yamanote Line Shinagawa Station~Harajuku Station180JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae Station~Shibuya Station900JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station~Ginza Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza Station~Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 6Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihombashi Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 7Free PassToei Asakusa Line Asakusa Station~Higashi-Ginza Station0JPY
    Total1,310JPY

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

    Jul 3, 2026
    Jody D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Best Post cruise tour ever
    It was…

    June 19, 2026
    Alec T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in 4 hours
    Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely experience. My…
    Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Nezu & Akihabara

    Tokyo in One Day: Nezu & Akihabara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Gather@Hotel by HULIC
    • 10:30 Nezu
    • 12:00 Rikugien
    • 13:30 Lunch@Jangara Ramen
    • 14:00 Akihabara
    • 15:10 Disband@Hotel

    What Is a Private Rainy-Day Tour of Nezu, Rikugien, and Akihabara Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. At the guests' request, I guided them around Nezu, Rikugien, and Akihabara. The forecast called for rain all day, so we borrowed plastic umbrellas at the Hotel. Both Nezu Shrine and Rikugien were almost empty of visitors, but just as we were leaving each place, tour groups arrived, so we moved on to the next spot saying how lucky we were. Since the guests had specifically requested these two places, I found their somewhat muted reactions curious, so I asked, and it turned out that what they really wanted to see was Akihabara, and they had chosen these spots thinking that places near Akihabara would be easier for me to guide. They were considerate and kind guests. The row of torii gates at Nezu Shrine cannot be passed through while holding an umbrella, so I would not recommend it on a rainy day. At Rikugien, we enjoyed matcha at a teahouse to shelter from the rain. At their main destination of Akihabara, the guests shopped at Radio Kaikan, Don Quijote, and Super Potato. We were also able to enter the always-crowded Jangara Ramen in Akihabara without waiting, and I told the guests that there can be some lucky things about rainy days too. Since we had time to spare, I asked whether they would like me to guide them around Ginza, where the Hotel was located, or somewhere else, but because it was raining they said they wanted to return to the Hotel, so we parted a little earlier than planned. During the tour we used the subway, buses, and trains, so I think they will be able to get around on their own from the next day relying on Google Maps.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHibiya~Nezu180JPY
    Section 2BusNezu Shrine Entrance~Kamifujimae210JPY
    Section 3TrainKomagome~Akihabara180JPY
    Section 4TrainAkihabara~Yurakucho150JPY
    Total720JPY

    I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
    I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
    I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.

    I live with my husband and one teenage son.
    I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Jun 2, 2026
    ericahT6840AD
    Awesome!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…

    May 20, 2026
    CharKris17
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Walking Tour
    We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…

    May 3, 2026
    jefftK1794VZ
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
    This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…

    Oct 23, 2025
    Y6401BOshaunam
    Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Roppongi Station & Harajuku Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Roppongi Station & Harajuku Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    • 9:10 Depart Roppongi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 9:20 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    •         Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 10:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 10:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • 11:30 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:40 Arrive Suehirocho Station
    • Akihabara Akihabara Electric Town
    • 12:30 Depart Suehirocho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 13:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Lunch: Hidakaya
    • Scramble Crossing
    • 14:00 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 14:00 Depart Harajuku Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 15:00 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • Ebisu Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 15:30 Arrive Roppongi Station
    • 15:30 Dismissal: Roppongi Station

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report from Tsukiji to Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting from North America, all visiting Japan for the first time. Originally from Asia, they had moved to North America and returned home to Asia every year, but this was their first trip to Japan. They arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight the previous evening and took a taxi to their Hotel. The previous night, they strolled around the area near their Hotel and enjoyed grilled meat for dinner. This visit was an 8-day trip. They planned a day trip to Kyoto the day after next, but otherwise intended to explore only Tokyo and its surroundings. They said, "We want to visit as many places as possible in Tokyo." They also said, "We want to try and enjoy many different kinds of Japanese food." Although the sky was cloudy, we were able to make our way around without any rain during the tour. First, we headed from the Hotel to Tsukiji. I explained "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were questions such as "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" We strolled leisurely, and the guests purchased and sampled items such as dried squid, fried sweet potato, and matcha ice cream. We also strolled inside Tsukiji Uogashi. We moved on to Asakusa, which as always was very crowded, with many foreign tour groups and school excursion students in particular. Starting from the front of Kaminarimon, I explained "the history of Sensoji Temple and of Edo becoming Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos many times, in front of Kaminarimon, in front of the five-story pagoda, and elsewhere. One of the guests drew an omikuji fortune and was disappointed to get a "bad luck" result. There were questions such as "What are the main 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, "Do people go to temples every week?" We moved to Akihabara, where I explained the history of the area. One of the guests wanted to buy a camera and looked around eagerly, planning to return another day. From here we moved to Shibuya. Since they wanted to eat ramen, we went to a ramen restaurant for lunch. Afterward, we took photos at the Scramble Crossing, and there was a question, "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. Since they wanted to buy tickets for their upcoming travel, we went to Shinjuku Station. We moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained "about Shinto," "about the torii gate," "about Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were questions such as "What kind of teaching is Shinto?", "When did Shinto originate?", "How many shrines are there in Japan?", and "What is the difference between Buddhism and Shinto?" There were also comments and questions such as "It's amazing there's no trash on the streets," "Does no one throw away trash on the streets?", and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" I saw them off at Roppongi Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayRoppongi Station~Tsukiji Station178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji Station~Asakusa Station209JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station~Suehirocho Station178JPY
    Section 4SubwaySuehirocho Station~Shibuya Station209JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya Station~Harajuku Station146JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku Station~Ebisu Station146JPY
    Section 7SubwayEbisu Station~Roppongi Station178JPY
    Total1,244JPY

    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
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Hiroshima Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:50 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:00 Take JR to Miyajimaguchi
    • 10:27 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 10:40 Take the ferry to Miyajima
    • 10:50 Arrive at Miyajima
    •     Shrine Daishoin Omotesando
    • 13:30 Finish sightseeing in Miyajima
    • 13;40 Take the ferry to Miyajimaguchi
    • 13:50 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 14:00 Take JR to Hiroshima Station
    • 14:30 Arrive at Hiroshima Station
    •     Guide to Okonomiyaki restaurant Denko Sekka and disband

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guided the group visiting from North America on a private tour of Hiroshima. The guests had been staying in Hiroshima since the previous day and had already visited the main sightseeing spots in the city. Because they showed strong interest in the carp at Shukkeien Garden, I took the opportunity to explain that the carp is a symbol of Hiroshima, and that Hiroshima Castle is affectionately known by the alternate name "Carp Castle" (Rijo). I also shared that the Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball team took its name from this "Carp Castle." In addition, drawing on the carp's habit of swimming upstream against strong currents, I introduced the Chinese legend of the "Dragon Gate," in which a carp that successfully climbs a waterfall transforms into a dragon. Because the guests were very knowledgeable about and deeply familiar with Japanese culture, the explanations went very smoothly. At Henjokutsu Cave, I was asked about the tanuki (raccoon dog) figures. Since I was told that there was a strong interest in superstitions, I explained that the sound of "tanuki" is associated with a play on words meaning "to surpass others," so it is revered as a lucky animal for succeeding over others in business and competition. I also explained that this is why tanuki figures are often placed at the entrances of restaurants and shops. I heard that a family member works in Japan, and that the guests visit Japan about once every two years. Because they knew Japan very well, I was able to guide them very smoothly.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total840JPY

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

    Sep 25, 2025
    pedropM3071GD
    Amazing day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This was an amazing experience to…

    Jul 25, 2025
    ourtravelingt
    Great personalized tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was fabulous and our…

    Jul 13, 2025
    katherinepE2305IO
    Hiroshima Tour 4hr Walking
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an amazing guide. He…

    Jul 7, 2025
    Preston_H
    Great tour guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an incredible guide who…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1330 Meet at Nishiki Market
    • 1430 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 1530 Eikan-do Temple
    • 1630 Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 1745 Disband at Shiyakusho-mae Station

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nishiki Market, Kyoto The guests were a group visiting from Europe. It took some time to decide on the meeting point, and at one point it seemed the tour might be cancelled, but the location was finally settled two days beforehand. Due to a misjudgment of the timing on the guests' part, they had not had lunch by the time we met at Nishiki Market, so they quickly enjoyed some gyoza inside the market. As a result, the schedule ran slightly behind, so I adjusted the time spent at each location to be a little shorter. Although the tour finished a little later than planned, we were able to visit all the scheduled places and completed the tour without any issues.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijo Takakura~Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 2BusGinkakuji-michi~Nanzenji Eikando-michi230JPY
    Section 3SubwayKeage~Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae220JPY
    Total680JPY

    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: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Gion

    Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto
    • 09:00 to 09:50 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 10:15 to 10:45 Sagano Bamboo Grove
    • 11:00 to 12:15 Monkey Park
    • 13:00 to 13:45 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 14:00 to 14:30 Gion
    • 14:30 Dismissal Gion

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like on a Sunny Final Day? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their sixth and final day of sightseeing in Kyoto. Since arriving in Kyoto, they had experienced continuous rain, and it seems the Hozugawa River boat ride they had been looking forward to was canceled due to heavy rain two days earlier. Although the weather had been damp and humid, their last day in Kyoto turned out to be a crisp, clear, beautifully sunny day, and they appeared to thoroughly enjoy their Kyoto sightseeing. Tomorrow they will return to Tokyo before heading back home.

    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
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba Meeting
    • 13:40 Osaka Castle
    • 15:50 Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 16:50 Dotonbori
    • 17:30 Disband at Dotonbori

    The guests were visiting from Asia. They had already visited Tokyo and Kyoto. Osaka Castle was fortunately relatively uncrowded today, so we were able to view it at a leisurely pace. Some of the guests seemed interested in history and looked around quite carefully. Next we went to Sumiyoshi Taisha, but because the subway was briefly delayed, our arrival was late and the visit ended up being a little shorter than planned. After that we moved to Dotonbori, where the guests enjoyed takoyaki, and the tour came to an end. I believe they had a good time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNamba~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Tennoji240JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji~Sumiyoshi Toriimae240JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha~Namba240JPY
    Total960JPY

    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…

  • Gifu in Half a Day: Hida Kokubunji Temple & Takayama Jinya

    Gifu in Half a Day: Hida Kokubunji Temple & Takayama Jinya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00…Meet at Hotel Wood Takayama
    • 10:10…Hida Kokubunji Temple
    • 10:30…Miyagawa Morning Market
    • 11:00…Takayama Yatai Kaikan
    • 12:00…Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
    • 12:30…Lunch at "Sakaguchiya"
    • 13:00…Takayama Jinya
    • 14:00…End of guided tour in front of the Jinya

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Takayama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report As planned, the group met at the Hotel at 10:00, where I explained the day's itinerary before heading to Hida Kokubunji Temple. I began by offering a few celebratory words. At Kokubunji, the guests were moved by the 1,200-year-old ginkgo tree. I also explained the small Jizo Bodhisattva statue by the ginkgo tree. They prayed at the main hall, and we took commemorative photos in front of the three-story pagoda. I also touched on the sarubobo charms and the six Jizo statues in front of the temple. At the morning market, the guests enjoyed feeding the carp. We passed through the old townscape and headed to the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. I explained the fireworks tubes displayed inside the hall, and the guests listened attentively. One of the guests asked me about the rod held by a mannequin dressed as a samurai, but I did not know the details. I answered that it is probably used during the procession of the festival floats. At the Inari Shrine within Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, when I explained that "this shrine is said to bring good fortune for business prosperity," one of the guests prayed earnestly. We had lunch at a restaurant on Sanmachi Street that I had reserved in advance. It was nearly full. They ordered Takayama ramen. A staff member took a photo for us. One of the guests seemed to like the atmosphere of the restaurant and thanked me, saying, "Thank you for reserving such a nice place." At Takayama Jinya, one of the guests asked me about the forward-facing rabbit design. I answered, "It is used as a nail-head cover. Because rabbits bear many young, it is also a charm for the prosperity of descendants." This time it was a tour with many questions from the guests. We were blessed with good weather, and I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

    Hi, everyone! I’m Yuriko Suematsu, a government licensed tour guide. Please call me Lily, because Yuri means Lily in English.
    I like Japanese history, culture, and Japanese castles. Especially, I like tea ceremony in kimono.(I’m also a licensed kimono dresser.)
    So, I sometimes guide around Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Nara and Nagoya in kimono.
    There are lots of beautiful places to visit in Japan.
    Especially, I recommend you to visit Kyoto and Nara if you are interested in Japanese ancient history. Nara and Kyoto are both ancient capital cities over 1000 years ago.
    I also recommend you to visit Gifu(Shirakawa-go and Takayama), my hometown if you want to enjoy rural nostalgic atmosphere.
    If you’re interested in Japanese castles, I recommend you to visit Himeji, Osaka, Kanazawa and Nagoya. I’m sure you will have a wonderful time to see beautiful castles.
    Let’s enjoy Japanese culture and history together!

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  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet @ ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe
    • 09:45 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    • 11:00 @ Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
    • 11:45 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 13:15 Dismissal @ Restaurant Moriya

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kobe Like from Osaka? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and everything went smoothly throughout the day. One of the guests enjoyed photography and actively took pictures not only at each sightseeing spot but also of the city scenery. The group seemed to have a great fondness for Japan and showed a high level of interest. In particular, I received many questions about Japan that went beyond the individual sightseeing spots. The guests toured each destination with great interest. They also visited a local bakery near the station closest to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which I recommended, and purchased some sweet buns. In Nankinmachi (Chinatown), they enjoyed taking commemorative photos with the animals of their own zodiac signs. After the tour, since they were returning to their hotel in Osaka, I guided them to JR Sannomiya Station and explained how to board the train. Incidentally, they had used the Shinkansen when coming from Osaka, but I explained that there was no need to use the Shinkansen for the return trip and recommended taking the "Special Rapid Service" instead. For lunch today, they had made a reservation in advance at a Kobe beef specialty restaurant that I had recommended, and after the tour I guided them to this restaurant, where we parted ways. I presented a handmade drawstring pouch made by my sister to one of the guests, who was very pleased. Today's guests listened attentively to my explanations and reacted almost overwhelmingly to my jokes. They were truly likable people, and as a guide I had a very enjoyable tour and felt grateful for it.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShin-Kobe~Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2TrainSannomiya~Maiko320JPY
    Section 3TrainMaiko~Sannomiya320JPY
    Section 4SubwayShin-Kobe~Sannomiya210JPY
    Total1,060JPY

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Jul 25, 2026
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