Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Tokyo Skytree Town

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Tokyo Skytree Town

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Hilton Tokyo
    • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 13:05 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 14:15 Akihabara
    • 14:50 Lunch at Ueno Irori-an Kiraku
    • 15:40 Tokyo Skytree Town
    • 17:00 Dismiss at Yotsuya Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Akihabara The weather was fine and Suica was already installed, so the tour proceeded smoothly. At Meiji Shrine, I gave a general explanation of its history. The guests enjoyed seeing the beautiful greenery. On Takeshita Street, they were especially interested in the animal cafes. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I talked about the history of the Tokugawa era. In Akihabara, they looked closely at shops selling anime character goods. As they said they were hungry, I guided them to a soba restaurant where we had a meal. Everyone used chopsticks well. I guided them to the shop they wanted to visit at Skytree Town, and after they did some shopping, I guided them to Yotsuya Station along the Marunouchi Line, where the tour ended.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNishi-Shinjuku~Meiji-jingumae900JPY
    Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi~Ueno0JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno~Oshiage0JPY
    Section 5TrainOshiage~Yotsuya0JPY
    Total900JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Akihabara

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Akihabara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 11:00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 11:20 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 12:10 Takeshita Street
    • 12:40 Lunch @ Maguro Tonya Megumi Harajuku Harakado Branch
    • 13:40 Imperial Palace
    • 14:45 Sensoji Temple
    • 15:45 Akihabara
    • 16:40 Disband @ Hotel

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Akihabara The guests were a group from North America who were visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, they appeared deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. On Takeshita Street, some of the guests showed great interest in the many shops. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, and about the Kaminarimon Gate. In Akihabara, some of the guests showed great interest in the anime and game shops. Since I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza~Shibuya700JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae0JPY
    Section 4SubwayYurakucho~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
    Section 6SubwayAkihabara~Higashi-ginza0JPY
    Total850JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Aug 29, 2026
    Sadieand
    Great day tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We just finished a…

    Aug 18, 2026
    garrypF1457PV
    Walking Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Had a great tour with our guide Seizo. He was very knowledgeable and we…

    Aug 16, 2026
    susanduncan84
    Seizo Made Tokyo Come Alive
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Seizo was a fantastic…

    Aug 3, 2026
    SergioACA
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
    A memorable day exploring Tokyo with an exceptional guide
    Seizo…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Toyocho
    • 10:00 Shibamata – Taishakuten – Kusa Dango Shop
    • 11:05 Break at Takagiya Roho
    • 11:40 Asakusa
    • 13:15 Meiji Jingu
    • 14:10 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 14:50 Disband at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    What Can You See on a Rainy Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report Despite heavy rain throughout the day, I was able to guide the group successfully. The tour was originally scheduled for four hours, but at the guests' request, I added Harajuku and Shibuya. At Shibamata, the guests took their time admiring the magnificent carvings and the beautiful Japanese garden, and they were especially delighted by the Japanese garden. At Shibamata, I recommended the local specialty kusa dango (mugwort rice dumplings), which the guests tried and enjoyed. It was very well received. In Asakusa, I gave the group a full tour, but the rain became intense, making it difficult to take photos. At Meiji Shrine, the tour continued in the rain, but the guests were pleased by the beautiful greenery in the rain. Perhaps because of the rain, Harajuku was less crowded, so we were able to pass through smoothly. Finally, I guided the guests to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, handed them a paper with directions for their return trip, and the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainToyocho~Oshiage900JPY
    Section 2TrainOshiage~Shibamata199JPY
    Section 3TrainShibamata~Oshiage199JPY
    Section 4TrainOshiage~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 5TrainAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 6TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Total1,298JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Moto-Hakone & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Kanagawa in One Day: Moto-Hakone & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:50 Arrive at Moto-Hakone
    • 11:00 Hakone Shrine
    • 12:10 Take the ferry to Togendai
    • 13:00 Owakudani
    • 13:40 Gora Park
    • 14:50 Hakone Open-Air Museum
    • 15:00 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After staying in Tokyo for a few days, they came to Hakone to stay for two nights on their way to Kyoto. After this trip, one of the guests would continue staying in Japan for two months to study Japanese, having developed a strong interest in Japan. We first took a bus to Motohakone Port and then visited Hakone Shrine. When I explained Shinto in detail here, the guests were deeply moved, saying there was much they were learning for the first time, and one of them was even brought to tears. Thanks to the good weather, they were able to see Mount Fuji from both the sightseeing ship and from Togendai, and they seemed very satisfied. At Gora Park, they were delighted by the rose garden, which was in full bloom, and by the hydrangeas, and they took many photos. Finally, I took them to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, explained how to get back to their accommodation, and ended the tour there.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Aug 18, 2026
    Heather_C
    Private tour for 4 in Tokyo – highly recommend
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Aug 8, 2026
    victoriahD2588SK
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    An action packed visit to Hakone!
    Atsushi was an…

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Hotel meet 9:00 Onsenba Iriguchi bus 9:30 Sounzan Ropeway to Owakudani, then to Togendai 10:45 Pirate Ship 11:25 Motohakone Port Hakone Shrine sightseeing 12:30 by bus arrive at Sekishoato Maruyama Bussan visit and shopping Lunch at Donburi Chaya Sekishoato visit After strolling the old cedar avenue 14:39 from Onshi Park by bus 15:20 arrive at Onsenba Iriguchi Dismissal Guests will return to Hotel Tsuki no Yado Sara on their own

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were leaving Japan the following day, and they chose Hakone as the final destination of their trip. They told me they had a wonderful time. They were very friendly and cheerful, and there was constant laughter throughout the day. Although Mount Fuji was not visible, they had already seen it from Tokyo, so they did not seem disappointed. Since they had already sightseen in Kyoto and Nara, I spoke again about Buddhism, Shinto, and the lifestyle of the Japanese people as a kind of review, and they listened with great interest. The traditional craft of marquetry woodwork, the Hakone Checkpoint, and the old cedar avenue were all excellent subjects for experiencing the history of Hakone, and the guests observed them with great enthusiasm.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Aug 24, 2026
    Deb_K
    Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Well organised tour
    Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Marcus_J
    Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing day with…
    Had an amazing day with Hiro.…

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1)9:30 Meet (The Blossom Kyoto), then head to Kinkaku-ji by subway and bus
    • 2)10:20~11:10 Kinkaku-ji, then head to Kiyomizu-michi by bus, subway, and bus
    • 3)12:10~13:30 Kiyomizu-michi, Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Ghibli Shop, Yasaka Shrine
    • 4)13:50  Say goodbye in front of Sushiro

    What's a 4-Hour Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera The accommodation was changed from one hotel to another hotel. Initially, the guests wished to visit Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari Taisha, but since it is difficult to cover these three sites in four hours by public transportation, I explained that if they wanted to go to Kinkaku-ji, they would need to choose either Kiyomizu-dera or Fushimi Inari, and they chose Kiyomizu-dera. At the meeting point, I showed them on a map that the sites were far apart and once again explained that it would be difficult to visit all three requested places; they understood, and said they would go to Fushimi Inari on their own. At Kinkaku-ji, they said it was beautiful and took many photos. As they were familiar with Buddhism, at the Fudo-do hall they bought incense sticks and offered them. At Kiyomizu-dera, they rang the orin bell and experienced pouring water onto the Kannon statue. Afterward, we stopped by a character goods shop where they enjoyed taking photos with the merchandise. Since they were hungry and wanted to eat Japanese food such as sushi, I guided them to a sushi restaurant in Gion, where we said goodbye. I believe they enjoyed themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal~Kinkaku-ji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkaku-ji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKitaoji~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 5BusHigashiyama-sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,210JPY

    Nice to meet you.
    My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
    Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
    I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.

    I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
    How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.

    By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.

    My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
    You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.

    I look forward to meeting you.
    Best regard.

    Nov 27, 2024
    Julianne_A
    Book it
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Akihabara

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Akihabara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Oakwood Suites Yokohama
    • 9:10 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing – Shibuya Parco Nintendo Shop
    • 12:25 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 13:55 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
    • 15:25 Akihabara
    • 16:00 Disband at Akihabara Radio Kaikan

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like, from Meiji Shrine to Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was fine and the guests had Suica cards, so the tour proceeded smoothly. Heavy congestion was expected on the way from the hotel in Yokohama to Meiji-jingumae, but perhaps because we boarded one stop after the starting station, everyone was able to get a seat. After Meiji Shrine we went to Shibuya, where the guests spent quite a lot of time shopping, including at the Nintendo shop on the 6th floor of Parco. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace I gave some historical explanations, and the open space seemed enjoyable for the group. Since I could not predict the timing on the day, the plan had been to finish at Akihabara after the Imperial Palace, but the shopping and snack breaks took less time than expected, so I guided them to Asakusa. The guests often went into souvenir shops and seemed to be having a good time. From Suehirocho I guided them to the Akihabara Radio Kaikan, handed them a note explaining their return route, and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainBashamichi~Shibuya502JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Meiji-jingumae700JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 5TrainOtemachi~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6TrainAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
    Total1,348JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Kyoto: Horyu-ji Temple & Nara

    Kyoto: Horyu-ji Temple & Nara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet @ Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto
    • 10:30~ Visit Horyu-ji Temple
    • 12:00~ Visit Toshodai-ji Temple
    • 13:00~ Lunch @ Japanese restaurant near Toshodai-ji Temple
    • 14::15~ Visit Todai-ji Temple, stroll around Nara Park
    • 15:45 Depart Nara
    • 16:45 Arrive at hotel. Disband.

    Title: Can You Do a Private Day Trip from Kyoto to Nara by Car? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They had traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto four days earlier, and after finishing their Kyoto sightseeing, today was a Nara tour by chartered car. We started with Horyu-ji Temple. As expected, it took quite a while to reach Horyu-ji, so during the drive I explained the historical significance of the Kyoto and Nara regions. The guests were relatively quiet and did not ask many questions. However, at the sites we visited afterward, there were occasional questions. Among the temples we visited, Horyu-ji seemed to leave the strongest impression. At Nara Park, one of the guests was especially eager to interact with the deer, spending a long time taking photos and exchanging bows with them. The roads along the way, the sites we visited, and the lunch spot were all crowded, so I struggled with time management. However, thanks in part to the driver's precise advice, things went well overall. Everyone seemed very satisfied, and at the end they gave me polite words of gratitude.

    My name is Shoji and I’m a tour guide in Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan for more than one thousand years until the mid 19th century.
    I have been doing this work since 2019 covering not only Kyoto but also its surrounding areas like Nara , Osaka and Shiga.
    I am very much interested in Japanese history, culture and traditional arts.
    Kyoto and the Kansai region are rich with many heritage sites of historical and cultural features.
    I am sure that I can provide the guests with good insight and help them appreciate the charms of our wonderful city.

    May 23, 2026
    Amber_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great walking tour in Kyoto!
    Shoji was a great guide around Kyoto.…

    Jun 25, 2025
    Safari35155142765
    Peaceful and perfect temple guided tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant private guided tour of Kyoto…

    Jun 22, 2025
    Global136391
    Shoji Ogawa Made Kyoto Come Alive!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    If you’re ever in Kyoto, you…

    Jun 9, 2025
    Amy_R
    Wonderful Nara tour
    Viator review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Kyoto Departure)
    We had such a wonderful…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Sanjusangendo & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto in One Day: Sanjusangendo & Kinkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet up @HOTEL THE CELESTINE KYOTO GION
    • 11:30 Sanjusangendo
    • 12:37 Lunch
    • 13:43 Nijo Castle
    • 15:31 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 16:06 Travel: On foot
    • 17:04 Disband@Gion

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Since it was their first visit to Japan, they were enthusiastic from the very start. Everyone was interested in history and culture, so at each location I shared as much detail as I could about the historical background and related stories, which they greatly appreciated. At Sanjusangen-do, the first place I took them, they were overwhelmed by the many Buddhist statues. At Nijo Castle, I received various questions about its connection to the film "Shogun." At Kinkaku-ji, both the building and the beauty of the garden seemed to leave a strong impression. We finished in Gion, near the Hotel, wrapping up almost right on schedule.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKiyomizu-michi~Higashiyama-Shichijo230JPY
    Section 2BusHigashiyama-Shichijo~Shijo-Karasuma230JPY
    Section 3BusShijo-Karasuma~Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Section 4BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi~Shijo-Keihan-mae230JPY
    Total1,150JPY

    Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

    Jul 13, 2025
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    Jun 20, 2025
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  • Nara in One Day: Kasuga Taisha Shrine & Naramachi

    Nara in One Day: Kasuga Taisha Shrine & Naramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at JR Nara Station ticket gate
    • 9:40 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 10:35 Todaiji Temple
    • 11:45 Lunch at Naraya
    • 12:40 Yoshikien Garden
    • 13:30 Kofukuji Temple
    • 14:40 Naramachi
    • 15:30 Disband at JR Nara Station

    What Is a Private Nara Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group of visitors from North America. Nowhere was especially crowded today, so they were pleased to be able to see everything at a relaxed pace. Some of the guests were captivated by the deer. Everyone in the group was very interested in the Great Buddha Hall and the Buddhist statues at Todaiji Temple. Since there was no wait at all today, one of the guests tried passing through the pillar hole and was delighted to do so. The group also viewed the Kohfukuji National Treasure Museum with great interest. As we covered nearly the entire route on foot in the heat, I believe they were quite tired by the end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nara Station~Todaiji Daibutsuden & Kasuga Taisha Mae250JPY
    Total250JPY

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

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    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

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