Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:55 Meet up @ Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya
    • 2. 09:05 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 09:55 Stay @ Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
    • 4. 10:55 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 11:30 Stay @ Asakusa
    • 6. 13:00 Disband @ Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa

    Can You Do a Private Tokyo Tour Covering Asakusa and Koishikawa Korakuen? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group. Since only one member of the group had a Suica card, the rest of the guests purchased a common one-day subway pass at Shibuya Station, taking their return trip into consideration. I had heard in advance that some members of the group had specific dietary needs, so I was initially planning to guide them at the end of the tour to a ramen restaurant near Tokyo Station that could accommodate everyone. However, since one of the guests had picked out two restaurants of interest in Asakusa, I gave priority to guiding them there instead. A sandwich shop near Nakamise Street was easy to find, and I had personally visited the restaurant I took them to before we parted ways, so I was able to guide them there without any hesitation. It was a tour in the rain, but the Japanese irises at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden were magnificently beautiful.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShibuya Station～Iidabashi Station210JPY
    Section 2SubwayIidabashi Station～Asakusa Station290JPY
    Total500JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

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    Aug 3, 2026
    stevenrA5913EW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Terrific Tours
    Sam was a terrific guide – he…

    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet (@Hotel) The customer returned to their room to retrieve a forgotten item, causing an additional wait of about 15 minutes
    • 8:15-8:50 Travel (Keihan Train; Gion-Shijo → Kiyomizu-Gojo, Walk; Kiyomizu-Gojo → Gojozaka)
    • 8:50-10:20 Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 10:20-10:50 Travel (Taxi; Gojozaka → Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • 10:50-11:40 Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:40-12:20 Travel (Taxi; Fushimi Inari Taisha → Restaurant/Washoku Joy Kinkaku-ji Branch)
    • 12:20-13:10 Lunch (Washoku Joy)
    • 13:10-14:00 Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:00 Tour ends
    • After the tour ended, we saw the customer off to their hotel by taxi and said goodbye

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour to Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and Kinkaku-ji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. I took them to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Temple. The tour did not go according to schedule at all, and by the time we reached Kiyomizu-dera we were about 50 minutes behind the planned finish time. There was a 15-minute delay for a forgotten item at departure, another 15 minutes for a stop at a convenience store along the way, and because of the group we had to keep a slow walking pace with breaks included. I explained the significant delay to the schedule and made some changes to the itinerary (to keep the restaurant reservation time, I switched the order from Kinkaku-ji then lunch to lunch then Kinkaku-ji). At the guests' expense, all transportation from Kiyomizu was changed to taxi. Since some of the guests did not seem to understand much English, I added brief and simple explanations in Spanish for the most important points wherever possible. The original plan was to take the group to the bamboo grove after Kinkaku-ji, but the rain became heavy before we even visited Kinkaku-ji, so we gave up on the bamboo grove and instead saw the guests back to the Hotel. All of the guests said they enjoyed Fushimi Inari the most. In particular, since visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine was the main purpose of the Kyoto visit for one of the guests, it seems that goal was achieved. The one regret was that the rain became so heavy that I was unable to take the group to the bamboo grove.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGion-Shijo～Kiyomizu-Gojo170JPY
    Section 2OtherGojozaka～Fushimi Inari Taisha0JPY
    Section 3OtherFushimi Inari Taisha～Restaurant Washoku Joy Kinkaku-ji Branch0JPY
    Section 4OtherKinkaku-ji Temple～Hotel (Good Nature Hotel)0JPY
    Total170JPY

    Tour Report by Michi

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

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    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

  • Kyoto: Kofuku-ji National Treasure & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path

    Kyoto: Kofuku-ji National Treasure & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Tsukihi House Kyoto (22-1 Suwakaicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City), depart for the Nara area
    • 11:10-11:30 Kofuku-ji National Treasure Museum
    • 11:40-12:00 Interact with deer near Kofuku-ji
    • 12:20-13:30 Lunch (PY Halal Kitchen)
    • 13:50-14:20 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 14:30-15:10 Todai-ji (Nandaimon Gate ~ Great Buddha Hall)
    • 15:20 Depart for the Kyoto area
    • 16:30-17:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
    • 17:15 Disband near Keifuku Arashiyama Station

    **Title:** Can You Do a Private Nara Day Trip and Add the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove? A Licensed Guide's Report **Body:** The guests were a group visiting from the Middle East. One strong request in the itinerary was that, even though this was a Nara tour, they wanted to stop by the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on the way back to Kyoto. So I arranged the route as follows: guesthouse → Kofukuji National Treasure Museum → lunch (a halal restaurant) → Kasuga Taisha Shrine → Todaiji Temple (from the Great South Gate to the Great Buddha Hall) → Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and at the end, at the guests' request, I dropped them off near Keifuku Arashiyama Station where we parted ways. Meals had to be halal only, but it turned out that halal dining options in Nara are extremely limited. The guests had initially requested halal ramen and halal sushi, but some places had already closed and others had quality issues, so in the end we settled on an Indian restaurant. Apart from strictly observing their dietary practices, the guests joked around and teased one another, and the vehicle was lively all day long — full of the youthful energy you find anywhere in the world. They were enjoying a Japan trip of a little over a week, and on this day they even came across a wedding at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and seemed drawn to its dignified, serene beauty. Their favorite parts of the trip were interacting with the deer at Nara Park (they never tired of it, both morning and afternoon) and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where they took many photos.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Masaki

    My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

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    Jun 3, 2026
    Nikki G
    Wonderful experience with a great guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Masaki was our guide through…

    May 24, 2026
    Pamela_C
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!…

    May 4, 2026
    TravelersHigh77
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
    Masaki was s wonderful and patient…

    Nov 29, 2025
    vsairamkumar
    Kyoto guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…

  • Kyoto: JR train & Kodaiji Temple

    Kyoto: JR train & Kodaiji Temple

    Kyoto Instagram Spots Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 meeting at Kyoto Station
    • 10:15 JR train
    • 10:20 Fushimi-Inari Shrine
    • 11:30 JR Inari Station
    • 11:45 Express Bus from Kyoto Station Bus Terminal
    • 11:55 walk
    • 12:20 Kiyomizudera Temple
    • 13:20 Lunch at Gion Tamejiro Kiyomizuzaka
    • 14:10 stroll along Kiyomizuzaka – Sanneizaka – Ninenzaka
    • 14:40 Ryozen-Kannon
    • 15:05 Kodaiji Temple
    • 15:40 walk
    • 16:00 End of the Tour at Yasaka Shrine

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Kyoto from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had a lively, cheerful energy, and despite first impressions they were very polite and courteous throughout, which made the tour enjoyable from start to finish. The weather alternated between light rain and clear spells, but not enough to require umbrellas, and the guests enjoyed taking photos of themselves at every stop along the way. After visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the guests requested udon, so I took them to an udon restaurant along Kiyomizu-zaka. Despite the crowded street, the restaurant itself was quiet, and they were very satisfied to enjoy delicious udon in a relaxed atmosphere (I recommend it, as yatsuhashi is also included as a dessert). Ryozen Kannon and Kodai-ji Temple were also uncrowded, allowing for a leisurely visit, and the guests' eyes lit up while taking photographs. They clearly had a keen appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. At the end, the guests seemed tired and wished to return to Kyoto Station by taxi rather than by bus (they were on a day trip from Osaka), so I arranged a premium van from a taxi company that could seat everyone at once, saw them off, and the tour came to an end.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Instagram Spots Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Section 3BusKyoto Station～Kiyomizuzaka500JPY
    Total800JPY

    Tour Report by Nabet

    “He was easy to talk to, friendly, and knowledgeable and even made sure we successfully navigated the public transit back to our hotel. If we are ever back in Kyoto, we’d love to book a tour with him again! ”

    “At every side we got an indepth explanation to any minor detail and every question we asked was answered and explained really well. It felt like a relaxing and wholesome walk through Kyoto even while it was pouring rain. We can absolutely recommend choosing Nabet!”

    “Nabet’s English is just perfect, he knows the way around sights, little streets and hidden secrets, he is very authentic…just a perfect tour!”

    Here are just a few of the many kind reviews I’ve received from the more than 100 groups I’ve guided through Kyoto and other cities.

    I’m deeply thankful for the chance to connect with my guests and contribute to a memorable tour experience!

    +Current Occupation+
    • Associate Professor specially appointed for Entrepreneurship Education and University-Based Startup Support
    • Management Consultant for SMEs and startups
    • Government-Licensed Interpreter Guide

    +Hobbies+
    Travel, music, sake, ice hockey, squash, watching soccer

    Request Booking

    May 29, 2026
    Tamara M
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto bei Nacht – faszinierende Einblicke in Kultur und Spiritualität
    Ich…

    Oct 21, 2025
    Jana_C
    4-hour private tour with Nabet was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing experience…

    Oct 16, 2025
    987kayeh
    Knowledgeable guide who was will to respond to our multiple questions
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Thankyou…

    Oct 16, 2025
    janiec555
    Significant sites in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nabet is an excellent guide. He explained Japanese…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tochomae Station & Shinjuku West Exit Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Tochomae Station & Shinjuku West Exit Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meeting point: Hotel Tokyo
    • 8:40 Depart Tochomae Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line )
    • Kuramae Station
    • (Toei Subway Asakusa Line)
    • 9:15 Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • 10:00 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 10:10 Suehirocho Station
    • Akihabara Akihabara Electric Town
    • 11:00 Suehirocho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 11:30 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 12:30 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 12:40 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • 13:40 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 13:50 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Shinjuku Station / Eki Tabi Concierge
    • Odakyu Travel Center
    • Omoide Yokocho
    • Kabukicho
    • Shinjuku Golden Gai
    • Isetan
    • 14:50 Shinjuku West Exit Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive Tochomae Station
    • 15:00 Disband: Tochomae Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Akihabara, Harajuku, and Shinjuku The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had originally come from another region and moved to North America some time ago. They arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening and took a taxi to their hotel. The night before, they had strolled around the hotel area and enjoyed grilled meat for dinner. On this occasion, they were on a 12-day visit to Japan, planning to stay in Tokyo for three days before visiting Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, then returning to Tokyo before heading home. They said, "In Japan, we want to visit as many places as possible," and also, "We want to try and enjoy many different kinds of Japanese food." Although the sky was cloudy, we were able to get through the tour without any rain. First, we went to Asakusa. As always, there was a huge crowd, with many foreign tour groups and school excursion students in particular. We started in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took many commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon and the five-story pagoda. One of the guests drew an omikuji fortune and was disappointed to pull a "bad luck" result. One of the guests also purchased an omamori charm. 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 you go to the temple every week?" We then moved to Akihabara, where I explained its history. Video game software was also purchased. Next, we moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto, the torii gate, Emperor Meiji, and why wine barrels are displayed there. There were questions such as, "What kind of teachings does Shinto have?" "When did Shinto originate?" "How many shrines are there in Japan?" and "What is the difference between Buddhism and Shinto?" From here we moved to Shibuya. First, we took photos at the scramble crossing. 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 purchase tickets for their upcoming travels, we went to Shinjuku Station. At JR Shinjuku Station they purchased round-trip Shinkansen tickets between Tokyo and the Kansai area, and at the Odakyu Travel Center they also purchased tickets from Shinjuku to Hakone (the guests insisted they had already purchased them in advance on a website, but for some reason the QR code did not appear on the screen, causing a bit of trouble). After this, we walked around the east exit of Shinjuku and explored the underground shopping area of a department store. There were comments and questions such as, "It's surprising that there is no litter on the streets," "Doesn't anyone throw trash on the streets?" "Kabukicho isn't very clean, but it feels far cleaner and safer than cities in North America," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" I saw them off at Tochomae Station, and we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTochomae Station～Asakusa Station272JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station～Suehirocho Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwaySuehirocho Station～Meiji-jingumae Station209JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku Station～Shibuya Station146JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya Station～Shinjuku Station167JPY
    Section 6SubwayShinjuku West Exit Station～Tochomae Station178JPY
    Total1,150JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    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.

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    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:00 Meet up @ Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
    • 2. 09:05 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 09:30 Stay @ Asakusa
    • 4. 11:10 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 11:30 Stay @ Tsukiji Hongwanji, Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 6. 12:10 Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi Shokudo
    • 7. 13:20 Travel: Subway
    • 8. 13:50 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 9. 14:10 Travel: Subway
    • 10. 14:25 Stay @ Harajuku, Takeshita Street
    • 11. 15:15 Travel: Subway
    • 12. 15:45 Disband @ Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. At Shimbashi Station, which was near the Hotel, they purchased a combined one-day pass for the Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro, and we traveled by subway. Just before the tour, we received a request to change Meiji Shrine, which had been listed as a desired spot, to Takeshita Street. Originally we had planned to visit the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Meiji Shrine in the morning, but with this change I decided to take the group to Asakusa first. This decision seemed to work out quite well. Around the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, many shops were already open by around 10:00, so the guests were able to enjoy shopping from early in the day. They had mentioned being interested in the Tsukiji market but not fond of raw fish, so I chose the Uogashi Shokudo as the lunch venue, since it offers not only seafood but also chicken dishes and pastries, and this time as well the guests seemed satisfied with menu items such as teriyaki chicken and a mixed fry. Since one of the guests appeared to be having trouble deciding on a souvenir, on Takeshita Street I took the group even to a tucked-away shop that I usually skip, and in the end they seemed to find their favorite character goods, which was a relief. At the end, I saw the group off to the Hotel before we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShimbashi Station～Asakusa Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa Station～Tsukiji Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTsukiji Station～Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassShibuya Station～Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassMeiji-jingumae Station～Shimbashi Station0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Request Booking

    Aug 3, 2026
    stevenrA5913EW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Terrific Tours
    Sam was a terrific guide – he…

    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Kamiyacho

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Kamiyacho

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 8:30 Asakusa
    • 9:30 Asakusa to Suehirocho, walk to Akihabara
    • 10:00 Akihabara
    • 11:50 Shibuya
    • 12:20 Shibuya PARCO
    • 13:50 Kamiyacho
    • 14:00 Disband

    What's a Private Tokyo and Akihabara Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had recently traveled to other destinations abroad, and throughout the tour they were delighted to find Japan clean, orderly, and comfortable. They seemed to enjoy games and manga, and mentioned that lately anime and K-pop have become more popular than Hollywood movies in Europe. They had a great time playing Mario Kart at a game arcade and shopping for figures and anime goods in Akihabara. They spent a long time deciding which goods to buy, and the tour was extended by two hours.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Suehirocho66JPY
    Section 3TrainAkihabara～Shibuya208JPY
    Total494JPY

    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

    Aug 24, 2026
    596vincentz
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Family-Friendly Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
    Sam was an star tour guide for us
    our Guide Sam was…

    Aug 10, 2026
    piperl686
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Honeymoon Tour in Tokyo
    We are so happy that…

    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…

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market

    Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 5:00 Meet at Prince Sakura Tower
    • 5:20 Toyosu Tuna Auction, Wholesale Market
    • 7:00 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 8:00 Disband at Tsukiji Station

    Title: What's a Private Tsukiji Walking Tour Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. The tour was originally planned for the whole group, but since one of the guests was unable to get up in time, it became a tour for the rest of the group. One of the guests had spent several years in Tokyo and Kobe in the past, and throughout the tour they enthusiastically shared stories about Japan and their own experiences with the rest of the group. They were amazed at the high prices fetched by tuna at the year's first auction. At Tsukiji, in addition to eel and tuna, the guests enjoyed several delicious roasted sweet potatoes, and also bought some for the guest who could not join. They thanked me warmly, saying they had a wonderful time, and I saw them off at the platform of Tsukiji Station before we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu～Tsukiji 6-chome220JPY
    Total220JPY

    Tour Report by Kris

    My name is Kris,
    Before becoming a tour guide, I worked for a major steelmaking company as an engineer for many years. During my career, I lived and worked in both Germany and the United States for a total of five years. These experiences helped me understand different cultures and ways of thinking, which now helps me connect easily with guests from around the world.

    After retirement, I chose a second career as a tour guide because I truly enjoy meeting people from different countries and sharing Japanese culture, history, and daily life. I have been working as a guide for more than nine years and continue to enjoy every tour.

    I currently live in Tokyo, but I was born and raised in Kobe, near Osaka, and my family roots are in Kyoto. As a result, I have extensive knowledge not only of Tokyo but also of Kyoto, Osaka, and many other parts of Japan. I enjoy introducing both famous landmarks and hidden local gems that many visitors might otherwise miss.

    I am energetic, friendly, and very sociable. I always try to create tours that are relaxed, flexible, and tailored to my guests’ interests.

    Travel is one of my greatest passions, especially visiting hot spring resorts. I have visited more than 80 onsen destinations throughout Japan, giving me a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and regional traditions.

    Whether you are visiting Japan for the first time or returning for another adventure, I would be delighted to help you discover the real Japan from a local perspective.

    I look forward to meeting you and helping you create wonderful memories in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.

    See you in Japan!

    Kris

    Request Booking

    May 10, 2026
    Matt_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful Introduction to Tokyo
    We were so lucky to have Kris-San…

    Apr 29, 2026
    Rebecca_M
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour
    We had such a wonderful…

    Apr 21, 2026
    jacquir581
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We love Kris
    Kris was awesome! He was very flexible when our…

    Apr 2, 2026
    Frank_B
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A great day in Tokyo
    Great tour with an excellent guide, Kris.…

  • Nara in One Day: Nara Visitor Center for Foreign Tourists & Namba

    Nara in One Day: Nara Visitor Center for Foreign Tourists & Namba

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet @ Kintetsu Nara Station
    • 9:40-10:50 Sightseeing at Kofukuji Temple & Naramachi Shopping Street
    • 11:05-11:15 Nara Visitor Center for Foreign Tourists
    • 11:30-12:20 Lunch @ Japanese Food Cafe Comfy
    • 13:35-14:15 Sightseeing at Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall & Nigatsudo Hall
    • 14:30-14:50 Sightseeing at Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 15:36-16:16 Kintetsu Nara → Osaka Namba 680 yen Kintetsu
    • 16:25-16:31 Namba → Yodoyabashi 190 yen Osaka Metro
    • 16:45 Dismissal @ Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji

    Title: What's a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, and Kasuga Taisha I guided a group visiting from North America around Nara. At Kofuku-ji, the guests were amazed by the intricacy of the Buddhist statues that have survived intact despite seven fires over the centuries. At the Nara Visitor Center & Inn, the group was able to have their names written by hand in kanji characters (normally only a printout is provided, but on this occasion it was done specially). We had lunch at a Japanese-style cafe. After the meal, we walked around Todai-ji, Nigatsu-do, Wakakusa-yama, and Kasuga Taisha. The guests were very close and took family selfies at each sightseeing spot.

    Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKintetsu Nara～Ikoma360JPY
    Total360JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

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    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Janice_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Kyoto
    It was a good tour…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shimbashi Station & Ginza Station

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shimbashi Station & Ginza Station

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meeting place: the b Ginza
    • 10:40 Shimbashi Station
    • Shimbashi Station Purchase Suica card
    • 10:45 Depart Shimbashi Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 11:00 Arrive Ueno Station
    • Ueno Station Station Travel Concierge
    • 11:00 Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:00 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    • Senso-ji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 12:00 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 12:10 Suehirocho Station
    • Akihabara Akihabara Electric Town
    • 12:30 Depart Suehirocho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Nihombashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
    • 12:50 Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:30 Depart Nijubashimae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 14:00 Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • 14:30 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive Ginza Station
    • 15:00 Disband: Ginza Station

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Covering Asakusa, Akihabara, and Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were friends from North America, both visiting Japan for the first time. This trip was a 10-day visit to Japan. They had arrived the previous day on a direct flight to Haneda Airport, then taken a taxi from Haneda to their hotel. They would stay in Tokyo for three days, then continue to Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, before flying from Kansai Airport to Shanghai. After staying five days in China, they planned to return home. They said, "We want to learn how to use the subway and trains before we go home." It was a tour under fine, almost hot, weather. About half of the guiding was done partly in Spanish. First, they said, "We want to buy a SUICA card," so we went to JR Shimbashi Station. They also said, "We want to exchange our JR PASS for tickets and reserve the Shinkansen to the Kansai area in advance," so we went to the travel concierge at Ueno Station. After this, we headed to Asakusa. Here too they said, "First, we want to exchange US dollars into Japanese yen," so we went to the currency exchange inside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. There were huge crowds, especially many foreign tour groups and school excursion students. We started from in front of the 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 commemorative photos in front of the Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda. The guests both bought omikuji fortunes, and both drew "good luck," to their great delight. 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 about "how often do people go to temples?" From here, they said, "We want to buy souvenirs for family," so we went to Akihabara. They bought many character goods. We moved on to the Imperial Palace and strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. There was a question: "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms. When is the best time to see them?" 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 shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?" and "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?" We went to Shibuya. First, we took photos at the Scramble Crossing. There was also a question: "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were comments and questions such as "It's amazing there's no litter on the streets," "Doesn't anyone throw trash on the streets?", and "It was my first time on the subway, but it was very comfortable and convenient." They said, "We'd like to walk around Ginza, so please take us to Ginza Station," so I saw them off at Ginza Station and we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShimbashi Station～Ueno Station167JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno Station～Asakusa Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station～Suehirocho Station178JPY
    Section 4SubwaySuehirocho Station～Otemachi Station178JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijubashimae Station～Shibuya Station209JPY
    Section 6SubwayShibuya Station～Ginza Station209JPY
    Total1,119JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    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.

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    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…