Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　09:00　Meet at Hotel Kyoto
    • ②　09:05　Itinerary explanation and explanation of Kyoto's history
    • ③　10:00　Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • ④　11:20　Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • ⑤　12:00　Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • ⑥　13:15　Lunch break (within the Toriimoto scenic preservation area)
    • ⑦　14:10　Arashiyama Bamboo Grove・Nonomiya Shrine
    • ⑧　15:00　Disband at the hotel

    What Is a Private Kyoto Tour of the Torii-moto Preservation District Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America who spoke both Chinese and English at home, and they were quite lively and fluent in both languages. At one point there was a lighthearted joke that Chinese was sometimes used when the conversation became inconvenient, which made all of us laugh. The group was very cheerful throughout the day. This time, the guests strongly wished to walk through the Torii-moto Scenic Preservation District, so we devoted a lot of time to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, and the preservation district. As it happened to be the Obon season, they listened very attentively to the stories of the thousand-tower memorial service, Jizo Bosatsu, and the stone stacking at Sai-no-Kawara. I also explained the background of Atago Shrine and what the Torii-moto Scenic Preservation District actually is. Because it was a larger group today, a chauffeured car was arranged. Since it was a big vehicle and I was able to sit beside everyone, I was really glad to be able to chat about many things during the drive, including everyday life in Japan. For example, we talked about why I wanted to become a national guide-interpreter, the different temperaments of people from Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, the Kansai dialect, earthquakes, and more. We also chatted energetically about how to spend the coming days, with ideas for Osaka, Nara, and Kobe-Himeji. As the schedule ran a little tight, the driver was a great help in keeping everything on track. We ended the day with the promise to meet again for the autumn foliage.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Kazu

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

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    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Guest arrives at Kyoto Station from Osaka　9:40 Meet the guest　9:45 Tour starts　10:00 Fushimi Inari　11:55 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove　12:30 Short break (lunch)
    • 13:30 Kinkaku-ji　　15:15 Kiyomizu-dera　16:25 Tour ends

    What's a Private Kyoto Tour from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides can lead private tours of Kyoto for guests traveling from Osaka. The group came to Japan from North America and are currently based in North America. Some of the guests work at a family-run company, and others are studying at a university. The group had a strong interest in Eastern culture rather than Western culture, and there were a great many questions about the Japanese language. At the university, there are about 30 people studying Japanese, along with three instructors, while another member of the group had studied Japanese independently. The guests were staying at a hotel in the Shinsaibashi area of Osaka and came to Kyoto Station by Shinkansen. The forecast called for rain, but fortunately we were able to finish the tour without much rain. Although we ran considerably over time, I was able to guide them all the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by KAZU

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

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    Sep 28, 2026
    Miguel_E
    Amazing Service
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

    Sep 27, 2026
    T
    TrailBlazer47194
    Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

    Sep 1, 2026
    Steve6172014
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 7, 2026
    Pascale_Q
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We had…

  • Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet @ Sendai Station 〜 Walk to Aobadori Station (underground passage) 〜 9:57 Board at Aobadori Station 〜 11:00 @ Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise (Masamune Course) 〜 12:00 @ Godaido 〜 12:20 @ Zuiganji Temple Approach & Zuiganji Temple 〜 13:10 @ Matsushima Naohide Kokeshi Manufacturer Nihachiya Bussanten (Shopping) 〜 13:32 Board at Matsushimakaigan Station 〜 14:10 Confirm location of Sendai Station Sushi Street 〜 14:45 Board Loople Sendai 〜 15:00 @ Zuihoden 〜 15:40 Board Loople Sendai from in front of Zuihoden 〜 15:55 Arrive at Sendai Castle Ruins, but as the guests said they would return to Sendai, they did not get off and disbanded inside the Loople Sendai bus

    Title: Can You Do a Private 6-Hour Tour of Matsushima and Sendai? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. With the assignment coming just two days in advance, there was very little time to plan, and it was only after exchanging messages until late the night before that we finally settled on an itinerary. The request was: "cover as many places as possible, we love history, keep lunch to just a snack so we can spend more time sightseeing." Given that description, I thought that with only a snack for lunch we might be able to fit in Matsushima and Zuihoden as well, but during the tour requests kept coming one after another — "we want to go here too," "how do we get to that place?" — which made it quite challenging. For the Matsushima sightseeing boat, we boarded Marubun Kisen again, following the previous day. As it happens, I am acquainted with the company president, and the fact that this was a second consecutive day of boarding was passed along to the staff at the ticket window. Amazingly, we were shown to a first-class cabin on the third floor at no additional charge. It is a high-grade cabin often used for private charter parties, and when I told the guests, they were delighted, saying, "That's amazing." Although it was raining, they seemed to enjoy going out freely onto the third-floor deck to take photos. To cover the major spots of Matsushima, we visited Godaido and Zuiganji. On the way to Matsushima there was a shop belonging to a kokeshi craftsman, and I was asked, "We want to stop here before heading back to Sendai. Is this the only place for kokeshi?" I explained that they could not be bought in Tokyo. When I asked whether they would like to buy and eat something as a snack — suggesting the grilled skewer shops along the street or the fried oyster bread — they did not seem keen. They said, "We want to eat sushi," so I said, wouldn't that mean spending a whole hour in a sushi restaurant? You wouldn't be able to see other places. In the end we decided to head to Sendai. They really wanted sushi, wanted to take their time, and also wanted to see Zuihoden — requests that were difficult to fit into six hours. I suggested that after the tour they could stop by the sushi street at Sendai Station and eat about an hour before boarding the Shinkansen. They said, "We don't know where it is, so we'd like you to show us," so before boarding the Loople Sendai bus I took them to confirm the location of the sushi street on the third floor of Sendai Station. This put us quite behind schedule, and the Loople was terribly crowded, so we ended up taking the bus one after the one we had planned. Having experienced it firsthand, they seemed to understand. Before the tour they had asked, "How should we spend the three hours between the tour ending at 3:30 and boarding the Shinkansen?" I said that if they were taking the Shinkansen they should not go too far out of the city. Considering travel time by bus and so on, three hours actually turns out to be not very much time. I suggested buying a Loople Sendai one-day pass and stopping by Sendai Castle ruins or Osaki Hachimangu until then. We returned to the Zuihoden bus stop at 15:30. I proposed taking them to the Sendai Castle ruins and parting ways there, and I also explained that they should use the pass to ride the Loople when returning to Sendai Station. However, when they saw the long line at the bus stop in front of the Sendai Castle ruins, they said, "We won't get off, we'll just go straight back to Sendai Station," so I said, in that case I won't get off either and will ride with you as far as the subway station. It went over time, but we rode back together partway without getting off. Even with six hours, four places is about the most you can cover. I asked many times, "Are you sure you're okay not eating lunch?" … though in the end it was my own stomach growling from skipping lunch. I do hope the guests managed to enjoy their sushi.

    Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAobadori～Matsushimakaigan420JPY
    Section 2TrainMatsushimakaigan～Sendai420JPY
    Total840JPY

    Tour Report by Riko

    Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
    I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
    I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!

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    May 10, 2026
    Nate_K
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun Day in the bay!
    Be ready to walk briskly…

    Apr 30, 2026
    Tanakainmaui
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko-san is the best guide!
    I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…

    Mar 31, 2026
    NHDBuilder
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
    This is our…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    This was a great tour with Riko
    Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Riko was…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Memorial Museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Memorial Museum

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Meet
    • 10:15-11:00 Travel to Miyajima
    • 11:00-14:15 Miyajima
    • 14:25-15:30 Travel to Peace Memorial Park
    • 15:00-15:20 Atomic Bomb Dome
    • 15:30-16:20 Honkawa Elementary School Museume
    • 16:30-17:00 Peace Memorial Park
    • 17:00-17:50 Peace Memorial Museum
    • 18:00 Drop off

    Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima? A Licensed Guide's Report [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a full-day private tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima for a group visiting Japan from Asia. It rained throughout the day, so rain gear was needed the entire time, but at Itsukushima Shrine the guests were able to see preparations for a special Kangensai ceremonial boat event being held for the first time in 38 years, with the ceremonial boat set up on the stage, which they observed with great interest. We also visited the Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum, where the guests took their time looking through the exhibits. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was, as expected, very crowded, so I explained the highlights in advance and the guests were able to view the exhibits efficiently. After visiting the museum, I saw the guests off at the taxi stand, and the tour concluded there.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima～Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi～Yokogawa (Hiroshima Prefecture)330JPY
    Section 3TrainYokogawa (Hiroshima Prefecture)～Genbaku Dome-mae240JPY
    Total990JPY

    Tour Report by TO

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. I was born in Nagasaki Prefecture and spent a total of approximately 17 years there. After graduating from university and completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima in 1984. Hiroshima has been my home base for more than 42 years, including approximately five and a half years during which I was posted to Germany and the United States. I worked as an engineer at Mazda Motor Corporation for 40 years. While working at Mazda, I earned a Ph.D. in Engineering through a doctoral program designed for working professionals at a national university. During the final five years of my career at Mazda, I was assigned to Hiroshima University, where I served as a Specially Appointed Professor and Deputy Director of a research center. In this role, I led the development of the center’s organizational and operational framework and advanced more than 20 industry–university collaborative research projects across four major research programs, contributing to regional revitalization. Living in Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Germany, and the United States has deepened my appreciation for the distinct histories and cultures of different regions and broadened my international perspective. Drawing on these experiences, I strive to offer tours that allow guests from around the world to feel comfortable and relaxed while enjoying a genuinely engaging experience. After retiring from Mazda at the end of March 2024, I embarked on a new chapter in my life as a licensed local guide in Hiroshima. In addition to renowned destinations such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, I am delighted to introduce guests to Hiroshima’s history, culture, natural beauty, local cuisine, and everyday life, tailoring each tour to their individual interests and preferences. It is my sincere hope that every guest will enjoy a truly personal and memorable experience while discovering the authentic spirit of Hiroshima. I very much look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima!

    Request Booking

    Sep 28, 2026
    anita2336
    The best time in Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    This was one of…

    Sep 23, 2026
    Mostew
    Private tour with To – Hiroshima / Miyajima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We…

    Aug 30, 2026
    644lucys
    Fantastic guide, full and wonderful day.
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Today we had…

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

  • Nara in One Day: Nigatsudo Hall & Kofukuji Temple and its museum

    Nara in One Day: Nigatsudo Hall & Kofukuji Temple and its museum

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Nara (Start of Tour →15:00 End of Tour)
    • Taxi (about 2200 yen)
    • 9:30-50 Nigatsudo Hall (Todaiji Temple: UNESCO World Heritage)
    • 　　　(We are already in Nara Deer Park
    • 　　　and stay in the park almost to the end of the day.)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 10:00-10 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 10:20 Todaiji's Oyuya
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 10:40-11:10 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • entrance: 800 yen
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 11:20-30 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 11:40-12:10 Ukigumo-enchi in the deer park, play with and feed the deer
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 12:20-50 Lunch at Ninai-jaya
    • 12:50-13:50 Kasuga-taisha Shrine and its forest
    • 13:50-14:10 Kasuga-taisha's National Treasure Hall
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 14:30- Kofukuji Temple and its museum
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 15:00 Kintetsu-Nara Station (End of Tour)

    What Is a Private Wheelchair-Accessible Nara Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were from North America. From the Hotel, we took a taxi directly to Nigatsudo Hall, and then continued on foot, seeing various sights along the way to the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden). Because someone close to me used a wheelchair for many years, I always pay attention to whether a place is wheelchair-friendly. At Kasuga Taisha Shrine, I had planned a route thinking "there are no stairs here," but my memory was mistaken, and I ended up causing the guests some difficulty. Even so, after the tour I received this message: Thank you for a great day of discovery. We had a amazing time. Elliot was a little tired but he loved it as well! I had worried quite a bit beforehand about where to have lunch, but the Kasuga Ninai Jyaya teahouse along the approach to Kasuga Taisha Shrine turned out to be surprisingly wheelchair-friendly, which was a great help.

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

    Tour Report by Junichi

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    Request Booking

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Namba & Osaka Castle

    Osaka in Half a Day: Namba & Osaka Castle

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:30 Meet @ Hotel Keihan
    • 12:41-12:46 Namba → Dobutsuen-mae　190 yen　Osaka Metro
    • 12:40-13:30 Shinsekai area sightseeing
    • 13:31-13:34 Dobutsuen-mae → Nippombashi　190 yen　Osaka Metro
    • 13:40-14:10 Kuromon Market sightseeing
    • 14:21-14:32 Nippombashi → Morinomiya　240 yen　Osaka Metro
    • 14:40-15:30 Osaka Castle sightseeing
    • 15:45 Disband @ Osaka Castle Otemon taxi stand (only customers board)

    What's a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinsekai, Kuromon Market, and Osaka Castle The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had traveled from Kyoto that morning, so the tour started a little earlier than planned. At Shinsekai, they enjoyed the lively atmosphere typical of Osaka and tried a shooting game. At Kuromon Market, they savored a melon bread filled with ice cream, saying it was delicious. Afterwards, they expressed a wish to visit Osaka Castle, so we changed the plan and headed there. Although they did not climb up to the main keep, they enjoyed strolling around Miraiza and the area surrounding the castle. Since they had just traveled from Kyoto, everyone was a little tired, so they decided to rest at their hotel before going to Dotonbori in the evening. I saw them into a taxi and we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassNamba (Subway)～Dobutsuen-mae620JPY
    Section 2Free PassDobutsuen-mae～Nippombashi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassNippombashi～Morinomiya0JPY
    Total620JPY

    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

    Request Booking

    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    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.…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjo & Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjo & Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Matsui Honkan Ryokan
    • 10:19-10:30 Sanjo → Fushimi Inari 220 yen Keihan
    • 10:40-11:30 Sightseeing at Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:41-11:50 Fushimi Inari → Gion-Shijo 220 yen Keihan
    • 12:00-12:20 Stroll through Gion and Yasaka Shrine
    • 12:30-14:15 Lunch @ Ishibei-koji Mamecha
    • 14:30-15:30 Sightseeing at Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera
    • 15:30 Disband @ Kiyomizu-dera approach

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Gion, and Kiyomizu-dera The guests were a group visiting from North America. On the morning of the tour, there was a message that the accommodation information had been different, but since I was traveling by train, we managed to avoid any problems. At Fushimi Inari, I explained Shinto in Japan, and then we moved to the Gion and Higashiyama areas. For lunch, we went to a restaurant on Ishibei-koji. In a calm and relaxed atmosphere, the guests enjoyed Japanese kaiseki cuisine. After the meal, we headed from Sannenzaka to Kiyomizu-dera, where I then explained Buddhism. As the guests wished to stroll around the approach on their own on the way back, we parted ways there.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo (Kyoto)～Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Total440JPY

    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

    Request Booking

    Sep 20, 2026
    Bobby_B
    A great Kyoto guide.
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Andy was very nice and…

    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.…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Shoshazan Engyoji Temple & Egret Himeji

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Shoshazan Engyoji Temple & Egret Himeji

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:30 Meet @ JR Himeji Station
    • 13:15 @ Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
    • 15:30 @ Kokoen Garden
    • 16:15 @ Himeji Castle
    • 17:45 @ Egret Himeji
    • 18:00 Dismissal @ Himeji Miyuki-dori Shopping Street

    Title: What Is a Private Himeji Castle Tour Like from Hiroshima? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. The tour, originally scheduled to start at 13:00, was changed to 12:00, and the duration was changed from four hours to six hours. There was a message that they had boarded the wrong Shinkansen at Hiroshima Station and would be about 30 minutes late, so the tour started slightly behind schedule. Aside from one member of the group, I did not sense particular interest in each spot, but photos were taken enthusiastically throughout. Perhaps because of the poor weather, there were relatively few visitors despite it being a holiday, so the sightseeing itself went smoothly. However, at Himeji Castle we were caught in heavy rain (a staff member announced, "Because of the heavy rain, please refrain from going outside and wait inside the castle."), so we waited inside the castle for a while. Also, since Himeji Castle closes at 17:00, we had to move somewhat hurriedly. Finally, on the way back to the station, I guided the group to the rooftop of "Egret Himeji," and they were very satisfied with the full view of the castle. As usual, I presented a handmade drawstring pouch, and the group was delighted, saying it made "a wonderful memory of Japan." After the tour, the group planned to return to Hiroshima, but wished to have dinner first, so I introduced two or three restaurants near the station, and we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherJR Himeji Station～Shoshazan Ropeway Station1,700JPY
    Total1,700JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    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

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    Sep 27, 2026
    Ross_W
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  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:50 Meet up @Hotel
    • 2. 10:00 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 10:45 Stay @East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 4. 11:55 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 12:05 Stay @Nezu Shrine
    • 6. 13:00 Travel: Subway
    • 7. 13:55 Disband @JINS Odakyu Ace Store

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashi Gyoen and Nezu Shrine The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Since the Hotel turned out to be closer than expected to the Toei subway's Shinjuku Station, after meeting we walked to Shinjuku Station together, where the guests purchased a one-day pass. The spots they had requested were a Japanese garden and a traditional shrine, so I chose the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Higashi Gyoen) and Nezu Shrine. They had also expressed a wish to visit a textile district, so we planned to stop by Nippori after visiting Nezu Shrine. As it was a hot day, at the East Gardens I skipped the Honmaru area and guided them mainly around the Ninomaru Garden. Even so, including a break, we stayed there for more than an hour. On the way from Nezu Shrine toward Nippori, one of the guests became unwell and needed to rest, so I had them sit on a bench at Yushima Station and we canceled the visit to Nippori. Since they had also wanted to purchase eyeglasses after the tour, I found a suitable shop near Shinjuku Station, close to their Hotel, explained how to get back from the eyeglasses shop to the Hotel, and then we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShinjuku～Otemachi900JPY
    Section 2Free PassOtemachi～Nezu0JPY
    Section 3Free PassNezu～Yushima0JPY
    Section 4Free PassYushima～Shinjuku0JPY
    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.

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    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
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    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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    Sep 15, 2026
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    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
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    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
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  • Kyoto: Iwatayama Monkey Park & Kinkakuji

    Kyoto: Iwatayama Monkey Park & Kinkakuji

    Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide

    August, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet (@Iwatayama Monkey Park Entrance)
    • 9:00-10:10 Strolling around Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • 10:10-11:50 Strolling and sightseeing in Arashiyama
    • 　　　　　　　＜Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park, Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Tenryuji Garden (Hyakkaen, Sogenchi Garden)＞
    • 12:00-12:50 Lunch (Cafe Dining Sera / in front of Shakado)
    • 12:50-13:10 Transfer (taxi; Arashiyama→Ryoanji) Switched to taxi transfer to avoid heavy rain
    • 13:10-14:00 Ryoanji visit
    • 14:00-14:20 Transfer (city bus; in front of Ryoanji→Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 14:20-15:00 Kinkakuji visit
    • 15:00 Tour ends. 　　　After the tour ended, we saw off the guests to their hotel (Hotel) and said goodbye

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Kyoto for the first time from North America. The tour originally planned to first take the guests to the Iwatayama Monkey Park, then stroll around Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park, the bamboo grove, and the Tenryu-ji temple garden), followed by visits to Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji. The weather forecast before the tour predicted heavy rain, and indeed it was raining hard before the tour began, so while waiting I was also considering changing the tour with alternative destinations. Fortunately, the rain stopped right at the start time of the tour, so we were able to go up to the Monkey Park as planned, and the group was delighted to see the monkeys. After lunch, to avoid the rain, we switched to a taxi to travel from the restaurant to Ryoan-ji. Among the group, some enjoyed Ryoan-ji and the Monkey Park most, while others especially liked either Ryoan-ji or the Monkey Park. Although I had been worried about heavy rain, we managed to carry out the tour while avoiding the worst of it. I was especially relieved that it did not rain heavily at the Monkey Park.

    Click here for more details: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusIn front of Ryoanji／Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total230JPY

    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
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    We had a lovely…

    Jul 19, 2026
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    Michi our guide was excellent!…

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