Category: Uncategorized

  • Nara in One Day: JR Nara Station & Nakatanido

    Nara in One Day: JR Nara Station & Nakatanido

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:37 Meet on the train at Horyuji Station
    • 8:48 JR Nara Station (Start of Tour)
    • (bus 10 minutes: 250 yen per an adult, 130 yen per a child)
    • 9:10-30 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park
    • If children like to play with deer, we stay longer.
    • We will be in the park almost to the end of tour　 (walk 5 minutes)
    • 9:40- Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • 9:40-50 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)　 (walk 5 minutes)
    • 11:00-40 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall　 (walk 5 minutes)
    • 11:50-12:00 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower　 (walk 5 minutes)
    • 12:10-40 lunch at Emado-chaya
    • 12:40-13:10 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 13:20 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill: former katana sword manufacturer's
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 13:30-14:00 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 14:20 Kasuga-taisha Omotesando
    • 　 (bus 10 minutes)
    • 14:30 Kintetsu Nara Station
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 15:00 Nakatanido (If we are very lucky we'll be watching mochi pounding)
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 15:10 Kintetsu Nara Station
    • (bus 5 minutes)
    • 15:20 JR Nara Station
    • 15:41 on the train at Horyuji Station (End of Tour)

    Nara Deer Park Private Tour Report: What Is a Family-Friendly Guided Day in Nara Like? The guests were a group from North America. Above all, spending time with the deer was the highlight of the day! I truly enjoyed guiding them. Before the tour, I had been in touch with one of the guests, but when we met, it turned out that difficult English vocabulary was not their strong suit, so another member of the group translated my explanations step by step for them. I think I was able to give explanations that even the younger members of the group could enjoy and understand to some degree — such as how the teachings of the historical Buddha differ greatly from Japanese Buddhism, the cosmology of the Lotus Sutra and the Great Buddha, and the differences between primitive Shinto and Shinto as it exists today, which can easily become complicated topics. The train the guests were supposed to take kept changing on the morning of the tour itself, so the guided tour began in a bit of a rush at a time completely different from what had been planned, and this may have been one reason the atmosphere was good from the very start. The fact that you never know what will turn out to be a plus is one of the fascinating parts of this job.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHoryuji～Nara240JPY
    Section 2BusJR Nara Station～Todaiji Great Buddha Hall & Kasuga-taisha Mae250JPY
    Section 3BusKasuga-taisha Omotesando～Kintetsu Nara Station250JPY
    Section 4BusKintetsu Nara Station～JR Nara Station250JPY
    Section 5TrainNara～Horyuji240JPY
    Total1,230JPY

    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.

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    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Miru Kyoto Gion Departure
    • 8:50 Kiyomizu-dera　 　　　Arrival
    • 9:50 Kiyomizu-dera　　 　　Departure
    • 10:20 Tenryu-ji　　　　　Arrival
    • Sagano Bamboo Grove　Arashiyama Park
    • 11:20　Tenryu-ji　　　　　Departure
    • 11:40 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji　Arrival
    • 12:10 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji　Departure
    • 　　　12:40～13:30 Lunch
    • 14:20 Fushimi Inari　　　Arrival
    • 15:00 Fushimi Inari　　　Departure
    • 15:30 Miru Kyoto Gion Arrival

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari We began the tour at Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The guests seemed interested to learn that the main hall was donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1633, and that more than 200 people had once jumped from the Kiyomizu stage, of whom over 85% survived. At the Otowa Waterfall, the guests drew water alongside student groups on school trips. Next we visited Tenryu-ji Temple. The guests were moved by the beautiful views of the Sagano Bamboo Grove, the park, and the scenery along the Oi River as seen from the north gate of Tenryu-ji. We then went to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. The guests asked who had begun carving the more than 1,000 rakan statues and when, and seemed interested to hear that they were started by Kocho Nishimura, a head priest who was also a sculptor. Finally, we visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. At the purification fountain, I explained how to cleanse the hands and mouth before worship. I then guided the guests to the front of the main hall and shared the proper etiquette of two bows, two claps, stating one's wish, and a final bow. After that came the highlight, the Senbon Torii. Passing through the Senbon Torii leads to the "Oku-no-in." To the far right there is a stone called the "Omokaru-ishi." First, you make a wish in front of the stone lantern. Then you lift the round stone placed on top of the lantern. The guests were interested in the belief that if the stone feels lighter than you expected, your wish will come true, and they eagerly tried the challenge. On the way to lunch, our car was rear-ended by a vehicle behind us. The guests and I tried to reach the restaurant, but we struggled to find a car that could seat five people. The driver responded quickly, and we were all able to make our way to the lunch venue. There will likely be difficulties ahead, such as car repairs. I hope everything can be restored to the way it was before the accident.

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

    Tour Report by Kaji

    I have been an English teacher since 1979. In 2024, I obtained the national qualification of Certified Guide Interpreter.
    Currently, after retiring, I teach English as a part-time lecturer at a Hyogo Prefectural High School.
    My hobbies are tennis, table tennis, traveling, studying English, and Japanese history.
    I play tennis and table tennis twice a week. I love traveling because I can see beautiful scenery and learn about Japanese history.
    I chose Kyoto and Nara prefectures as my guiding locations. Both were once the capitals of Japan.
    Kyoto was the residence of emperors from 794 to 1868 and was a stage for Japanese history.
    It has beautiful scenery, Japanese history, magnificent buildings and gardens, and delicious food.
    I would like to share the charms of Japan with foreign tourists as much as possible.
    I live in Amagasaki City, which is adjacent to Osaka. Kyoto is a little far from my home,
    but I would like to leave home early in the morning and enjoy traveling with my guests.
    Thank you for your consideration.

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    Mar 30, 2026
    MrJames_L
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Great tour with Kaji
    We had an excellent…

    Jul 3, 2025
    Radit T
    Worthwhile private tour on our first full day in Kyoto!
    Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle…

    Jun 7, 2025
    Lisa_H
    Great tour guide and driver
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Overall a great…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Kappabashi

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Kappabashi

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel
    • 10:20 Tsukiji
    • 12:00 Takeshita Street
    • 12:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:00 Sensoji Temple
    • 14:50 Kappabashi (Tsubaya, Tsuchi-ya, Wa no Utsuwa Denkama)
    • 16:30 Disperse at Kappabashi

    What Is a Private Tokyo Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? Asakusa, Kappabashi and Pottery Shopping Report The guests were visiting Japan on a trip from North America. Since the guests did not speak much English, I tried to keep the conversation simple and easy, but it did not always get through, so at times I felt more like a route guide than a tour guide. The agency had said the guests preferred modern places, but as is often the case that was not really so, and what had been conveyed to the agency had not been passed on either, so it ended up being a day of checking various things after meeting in person. At Tsukiji the guests were very satisfied with tuna sushi, and after walking all the way around they returned to eat at the same place (a stall of a sushi chain). Since one of the guests asked whether there was a recommended place for pottery, and another wished to visit a temple once more, we decided to skip Shibuya and go to Senso-ji and Kappabashi instead. Before that we stopped at Takeshita Street and Meiji Shrine. On Takeshita Street, one of the guests was very interested in a Samoyed cafe and a mini-pig cafe and was inviting the other to go in, but since they did not particularly like animals and felt it would waste time, we skipped it. We then headed to Asakusa. In the end we wrapped up Senso-ji a bit early and moved on to Kappabashi, where the guests bought a kitchen knife at Tsubaya, purchased many glass items and more at Tsuchi-ya, and then went around the pottery shops. The guests stopped at several shops and checked out various pieces of pottery, and partway through I was asked which shop I would most recommend, so we visited Wa-no-Utsuwa Taden at the very far end (I had wondered about it since it is a bit of a walk), but there seemed to be many patterns to their liking and they bought a great deal. The guests were very pleased and told me, "You took us to a wonderful place." At Kappabashi I usually mostly take guests to knife shops, and this was the first time guests got this excited about pottery. Most of the shopping was done by one of the guests while the other looked a little worn out, but they kept offering advice and consulting together. As the scheduled time had passed, we parted ways there, but the guests were still continuing their shopping. Honestly, communication was difficult, and I found myself wondering why they had not requested a Spanish-speaking guide, but above all I was glad I could take them to the places they wanted to go.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHibiya～Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji～Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Asakusa252JPY
    Total639JPY

    Tour Report by Danda

    Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.

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    Apr 21, 2026
    Sabrina_F
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Balade riche en découvertes
    Nous avons passé un super moment avec Danda.…

    Apr 14, 2026
    davidjonesresponseen
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour with Danda in Tokyo
    Excellent walking tour, we followed our…

    Apr 10, 2026
    Anna_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour with great guide
    Excellent tour with a very good guide…

    Mar 25, 2026
    Nahmjee_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour guide and experience.
    Danda was great with my family. He…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shimbashi Station & Meiji-jingumae Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shimbashi Station & Meiji-jingumae Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place: Hotel Tokyo
    • 9:10 Depart Shimbashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 9:40 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • 10:40 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 11:00 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Tsukiji Fish Market
    • 12:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 12:15 Arrive Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:15 Depart Nijubashimae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 13:30 Arrive Hibiya Station
    • Hibiya Lunch: Hibiya Chanter
    • 14:30 Depart Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 14:45 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 15:45 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 16:00 Arrive Shimbashi Station
    • 16:00 Dismissal: Shimbashi Station

    Title: What's a Rainy Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening and taken a taxi to their hotel. The night before, they had strolled around Ginza and enjoyed grilled meat (yakiniku). This time they were on a trip of about two weeks. After staying in Tokyo, they planned to visit Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa, then return to Tokyo before heading home. They said, "In Japan, we want to visit as many places as possible." They also said, "We want to try and enjoy many different kinds of Japanese food." Unfortunately, it rained the entire day of the tour. First we went to Asakusa. Despite the rain, there were large crowds, including many foreign tour groups and school excursion students. We started in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I explained about "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 many times in front of the Kaminarimon Gate, the five-story pagoda, and elsewhere. One of the guests bought an omikuji fortune, drew a "good luck" result, and was delighted. Another of the guests bought a protective amulet (omamori). There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?" There was also a question about "How often do people go to temples?" Along the way we came across a "pig cafe," and the guests were very curious, taking many photos from the entrance. We moved on to Tsukiji. I explained about "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 Tokyoites come here to buy fish?" We strolled around at a leisurely pace, buying and sampling items such as strawberry mochi, fried sweet potato, and matcha ice cream. We also walked through the Tsukiji Uogashi building. We moved on to the Imperial Palace and strolled through the East Gardens. There was a comment that it was a shame the cherry blossoms could not be seen. I explained about "the history of Edo," "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji period," "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 was the balance of power between the shogunate and the emperor?", "What happened to the shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?", and "Does the current emperor of Japan hold any political authority?" Since the guests wanted to eat sushi for lunch, we went to Hibiya Chanter and had lunch at a sushi restaurant. They mentioned that there are about three sushi restaurants where they live, but that the fish is not very fresh and the chefs are not Japanese. We moved on to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "torii gates," "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 that there is no litter on the streets," "Does no one throw trash on the streets?", "The subway is very comfortable and convenient," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" I saw the guests off at Shimbashi 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 1SubwayShimbashi Station～Asakusa Station209JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station～Tsukiji Station209JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji Station～Otemachi Station178JPY
    Section 4SubwayNijubashimae Station～Hibiya Station178JPY
    Section 5SubwayHibiya Station～Meiji-jingumae Station178JPY
    Section 6SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station～Shimbashi Station178JPY
    Total1,130JPY

    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. 10:00 Meet up @Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
    • 2. 10:30　@Zojoji Temple
    • 3. 10:50　@Tokyo Tower
    • 4. 11:30　@Ginza (4-chome intersection, NISSAN, Kyukyodo, Kimuraya)
    • 5. 12:00　@Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 6. 12:40　@Tokyo Station (station square, Marunouchi side of the station building)
    • 7. 13:15　@Roppongi (Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, Roppongi Hills, Roppongi intersection)
    • 8. 13:30　Lunch @Suju Dining (inside Tokyo Midtown Roppongi)
    • 9. 14:30　@The National Art Center, Tokyo
    • 10. 15:20　@Harajuku Takeshita Street + Omotesando
    • 11. 16:00　@Meiji Shrine + Gyoen
    • 12.17:10　@Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, FUKURAS)
    • 13. 17:40　Disband @in front of Tsukiji Tamazushi (inside FUKURAS)

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, residing in Europe. They were enjoying a stay in Japan of about one week. They had already visited Kyoto and Osaka, and the day after this tour they were scheduled to join a vehicle tour to enjoy the magnificent views of Mount Fuji. While the guests spoke to each other in German, our conversation with me as the guide was in English. One of the guests originally came from Europe, and the guests mentioned they would soon acquire European citizenship. In Harajuku, the guests shopped at several stores looking for souvenirs. At the soccer goods store KAMO in front of Harajuku Station, they purchased Messi and Mitoma shirts. They also searched enthusiastically for well-fitting shoes at a sports shoe store on Takeshita Street. At Meiji Shrine, they purchased chopsticks. They were also able to admire the iris flowers in the garden. When planning the itinerary initially, the guests had indicated by email an interest in areas such as dining with geisha, maid cafés, and "crazy experiences" in Japan, so I had been considering what kinds of suggestions I could make within the scope of this walking tour. When we met at the hotel in the morning, I proposed two options: a course centered on Asakusa that included a maid café experience in Akihabara, or a relatively quieter course including the Roppongi and Aoyama areas. The guests chose the quieter option. After confirming that the tour would not include a maid café experience, we set off. Since the guests were physically fit and strong walkers, we walked from the hotel near Takeshiba Pier while chatting, accessing Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower on foot. Throughout the entire tour, it became a tour rich in conversation. Topics were endless, including questions about how Japanese people truly feel about certain international matters, as well as recent world affairs including political and economic conditions. For lunch, wanting the guests to experience ordinary, authentically Japanese food, I guided them to Suju Dining at Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, where they ordered a simmered mackerel in miso set meal and a wagyu beef steak set meal, and were greatly satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station～Ginza Station700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza-itchome Station～Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station～Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station～Shibuya Station150JPY
    Total850JPY

    Tour Report by Noripy

    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!

    Request Booking

    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: Tsukiji & Akihabara Yodobashi Camera

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Akihabara Yodobashi Camera

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Meet at Hotel
    • 8:05 Tsukiji
    • 9:45 Ueno Toshogu Shrine – Kiyomizu Kannon-do
    • 11:00 Hibiya Godzilla Square
    • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:30 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 13:05 Lunch at Popular Izakaya Sumiya
    • 14:15 Shinjuku Godzilla Head
    • 15:00 Akihabara Yodobashi Camera
    • 15:55 Disband at Higashi-Ginza Station

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Ueno, and Akihabara The weather was fairly good, and the tour proceeded smoothly. At Tsukiji, the guests looked at fresh seafood and seemed to enjoy it. Since there was a request to see historical sites, I guided the group to Toshogu Shrine and Kiyomizu Kannon-do in Ueno. At Toshogu Shrine, they went in front of the main hall, enjoyed the magnificent and gorgeous architecture, and took many photos. As they were fond of Godzilla, I guided them to Godzilla Square in Hibiya. We then visited Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street, and since they had become hungry, I guided them to Shinjuku a little early, where they enjoyed a lunch of yakitori and other dishes. After showing them the Shinjuku Godzilla Head, I guided them to Akihabara and Yodobashi Camera as requested. On the 6th floor, in the toy and figure section, they did a lot of shopping. Time ran out on the Hibiya Line on the way back, and since they said "we'll be fine from here," I ended the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroo～Tsukiji700JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji～Ueno0JPY
    Section 3TrainYushima～Hibiya0JPY
    Section 4TrainHibiya～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 5TrainHarajuku～Shinjuku146JPY
    Section 6TrainShinjuku～Akihabara178JPY
    Section 7TrainAkihabara～Higashi-Ginza0JPY
    Total1,024JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Osaka in One Day: Stay at Okunoin & Stay around Daishi Kyokai

    Osaka in One Day: Stay at Okunoin & Stay around Daishi Kyokai

    Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:20 Hotel pickup
    • 7:20-7:45 Travel to Namba by subway
    • 7:48-9:40 Travel to Koyasan Station
    • 9:45-10:10 Travel to Okunoin by bus
    • 10:10-11:45 Stay at Okunoin
    • 11:45-12:30 Stay at restaurant.
    • 12:36-13:45 Travel to Kongobuji by bus
    • 13:45-14:20 Stay at Kongobuji
    • 14:20-14:50 Stay at Danjo Garan
    • 14:50-15:10 Stay around Daishi Kyokai
    • 15:13-15:25 Travel to Koyasan Station, view art book on the 2nd floor
    • 15:56-17:57 Travel from Koyasan Station to Namba Station
    • 17:57-18:15 Drop off at hotel and disband

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Koyasan from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I took the group to Koyasan (Mount Koya). One of the guests had a keen interest in Japanese history and had studied it well. We headed straight to Okunoin and arrived in time for the ritual of carrying the meal offering to Kobo Daishi. On the way back, we strolled leisurely through Okunoin taking photos, and since the weather was fine, we walked all the way back to Ichinohashi Bridge. Along the way, we saw the graves of warlords such as Hideyoshi, Akechi Mitsuhide, Ishida Mitsunari, Takeda Shingen, and Uesugi Kenshin, and then went to a restaurant near Ichinohashi. Although they said they did not need any souvenirs, they ended up shopping at both Kongobuji Temple and the Daishi Kyokai. We took our time viewing the Garan complex, went inside the Konpon Daito pagoda, and headed to the Reihokan Museum, but they only took photos of the red maple leaves without going inside, while the Daishi Kyokai was free so we went in to look around. We returned to Koyasan Station early, but decided to wait for a train that did not require a reserved seat. After looking at an art book of the treasures of the Reihokan Museum on the second floor, we took the train back to Namba, and I saw the guests off at their hotel near Nagahoribashi before we parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNagahoribashi～Koyasan3,600JPY
    Total3,600JPY

    Tour Report by Yuki

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

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    Aug 17, 2026
    yasmintX6792FN
    Great trip
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    It was a great time and very interesting…

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

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

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

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Yumoto & Leave Open-air musem

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Yumoto & Leave Open-air musem

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Odawara Station.
    • 10:27 Depart
    • 10:41 Hakone Yumoto
    • Drop off bags.
    • 11:10Depart from Hakone Yumoto
    • 11:40 Motohakone,
    • 12:00 Hakone Shrine
    • 12:45Pirate Ship
    • 13:10 Togendai
    • 13:30Owakudani Valley
    • 14:30Sounzan Station
    • 15:00Hakone Open-Air Museum
    • 16:01 Leave Open-air musem
    • 16:10 Hotel Tenyu

    What Is a Private Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they were traveling from Tokyo on the same day, we arranged to meet at Odawara Station and to drop off their luggage at a baggage carry service at Hakone-Yumoto Station. When exiting the Shinkansen ticket gate, one of the guests had trouble finding the ticket stored on their smartphone and appeared to have tears in their eyes. When purchasing the Hakone Free Pass at Odawara Station as well, they tried to search for a ticket that might have been on the smartphone, but after calling the agent to confirm, we determined that a new one needed to be purchased, and they did so. The weather was fine and the crowds were moderate, so I believe the tour itself was wonderful. Although Mount Fuji could not be seen from Lake Ashi, the summit was visible from the sightseeing boat, and the entire mountain could be seen from the ropeway and at Owakudani. Perhaps because they had bought and eaten snacks at a convenience store before boarding the sightseeing boat, they decided not to have lunch at Owakudani, and we arrived at the Hakone Open-Air Museum about an hour earlier than planned. One of the guests had not slept well the night before and seemed tired, hesitating to enter, but once inside, the group had a wonderful time — playing with shining eyes in the netted play area (though it is actually a facility only for younger children) and giving a high-five to the artwork called the "large hand." The plan had been for the group to take the bus to their accommodation on their own, but one of the guests said, "don't leave us!", so I rode the bus with them and saw them to the Hotel, ending the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara～Hakone Yumoto5,000JPY
    Section 2Free PassHakone Yumoto～Motohakone Port0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMotohakone Port～Togendai0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTogendai～Owakudani0JPY
    Section 5Free PassOwakudani～Sounzan0JPY
    Section 6Free PassSounzan～Gora0JPY
    Section 7Free PassGora～Hakone Open-Air Museum0JPY
    Section 8Free PassHakone Open-Air Museum～Tenyu0JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    Tour Report by Harry

    Hello there,
    I’m Harry. This nickname comes from Harry Bosch, a character in American detective novels. I like watching films, listening to music and reading books, especially detective stories. I love meeting people from different countries and would like to help them understand Japanese culture and history. I believe that tourism can connect people all over the world and change the world into something truly peaceful. I was born in Osaka and have lived in Tokyo for more than 35 years. I am very happy to welcome tourists from all over the world. I will do my best to make your days fantastic. I look forward to seeing you soon.

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    Oct 8, 2025
    Denise_M
    Great tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Harry was very knowledgeable. We learned…

    Jun 30, 2025
    Iguana74
    Customized Tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our four-hour private tour of Kyoto was excellent.…

    May 12, 2025
    Tonya_G
    Would do it again.
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Our guide, Harry, did an excellent…

    Mar 22, 2025
    Lauren_P
    We had a great time on…
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great time…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Meet at Hotel Universal Port
    • 15:35~16:30 Abeno Harukas 16F Observation Garden, Keitakuen Garden, Tennoji Park, Shinsekai,
    • 17:00~18:30　Sennichimae, Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori, Dotonbori Ebisu Tower (Ferris Wheel), Character Shop Exploration, Dismissal

    Title: What's a Private Afternoon Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tennoji, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori The guests were visitors from Asia. They had arrived at Kansai International Airport today, and their main purpose in Osaka was to visit Universal Studios, where they planned to spend the entire following day. The tour started at 15:00. At Tennoji, they enjoyed the view of Osaka from the observation garden on the 16th floor of Abeno Harukas. At Tennoji Park, they viewed Keitakuen Garden from the veranda of the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts and were impressed by the contrast with Abeno Harukas. In Shinsekai, they enjoyed the old downtown atmosphere of Osaka and took a break with some ice cream. Due to the heat, some fatigue set in, but the guests still enjoyed riding the Ferris wheel at the Don Quijote in Dotonbori and browsing for favorite items at character shops. We had planned to visit the Umeda Sky Building, but at the guests' request to do their own shopping around the Dotonbori area, we confirmed that they would be able to return to their hotel and ended the tour a little earlier than scheduled.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUniversal City Station～Tennoji240JPY
    Section 2SubwayEbisucho～Nippombashi190JPY
    Total430JPY

    Tour Report by shige

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

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    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Tokyo Tower

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Tokyo Tower

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    June, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the b suidobashi
    • 10:30 Purchase Welcome Suica at Shibuya Station
    • 10:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 11:10 Harajuku – Cat Street – Ura-Harajuku – Takeshita Street
    • 12:25 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:40 Tokyo Tower
    • 14:40 Disband at teamLab Borderless

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Harajuku, and teamLab The weather was good, and the tour proceeded along the planned route. Right after we met, the guests said they had not been able to buy a Suica card and wished to purchase one, so we bought a Welcome Suica at Shibuya Station. At the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, many photos and videos were taken, though it was a little disappointing that the crossing was not yet very crowded. Since the guests were interested in Harajuku, I guided them from the Harajuku crossing to Cat Street and the Ura-Harajuku area, but they did not do any particular shopping there. On Takeshita Street, they visited various shops and enjoyed shopping and snacks. As it seemed we would have a little time to spare, I guided them to the sake barrels at Meiji Shrine. At Tokyo Tower there was a bit of haze so Mount Fuji was not visible, but they still enjoyed the view. We finished by heading to teamLab Borderless, for which they had a reservation from 14:30. I handed them a guide for their return transportation route.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSuidobashi～Shibuya178JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Meiji-jingumae178JPY
    Section 3TrainMeiji-jingumae～Kamiyacho178JPY
    Total534JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…