What Is a Private Kagoshima Cruise-Port Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. I heard for the first time that this trip was a journey making two loops on a cruise ship, and that the ports of call had changed slightly, making Kagoshima a first-time visit for them. The guests were able to walk without any trouble, so it became a walking tour, but since Kagoshima was still in the height of summer, we made appropriate use of taxis during the tour. Before visiting the Sakurajima foot bath and Sengan-en, I used a sketchbook to share background information and quizzes about Sakurajima and famous figures associated with Sengan-en, so I believe the guests were able to understand and enjoy it in advance. What the guests especially enjoyed was the food in Kagoshima. They were delighted by the black pork shabu-shabu at lunch and the shirokuma shaved ice at the end of the walking tour, describing it as amazing. A notable stop on the tour was Sengan-en, a historic Japanese garden in Kagoshima built in the 17th century by the Shimazu clan. The garden is renowned for its landscaping that incorporates Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as borrowed scenery, and it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site related to Japan's early industrialization. Visitors can explore traditional garden landscapes, historic residences, and views of the active volcano across the bay, making it one of the region's most memorable cultural attractions.

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Tour Report by Tommy

I am a World Cultural Heritage Regional Interpreter Guide in Kagoshima Prefecture and live in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, so I can accommodate travel plans that include combinations of people visiting sightseeing spots in Tokyo and Kanagawa, and World Cultural Heritage Sites in Kyushu and Kagoshima.
***Strengths***
-I’m still nervous, but I will be certified as a Kagoshima Prefecture World Cultural Heritage Interpreter Guide in 2024!
-I love fishing and trekking in Amami and Yakushima. Amami had been staying in Setouchi Town for a long time due to my father’s work.
-Fukuoka is my hometown where I grew up until high school! I’ll even explain it in Fukuoka dialect!
-Since I worked at the Nagasaki Shipyard for nearly 20 years, I can also guide you on trips to visit Kagoshima and other sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.
-I have spent long periods of time working overseas in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Kuwait, Iceland, Pakistan, the United States, Chile, Kenya, and other countries, so I can work with people from any country.
-I have spent long periods of time in Kagoshima (Kirishima), Saga, Oita, Sendai, and Fukushima for domestic work, so I can also provide guidance.

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, and Sanjusangendo The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, and they were both very friendly and kind. There had been continuous rain, so I was a little worried, but on the day the rain had stopped and the tour began in cool weather. From Kiyomizu-Gojo we took a taxi. Perhaps because it was still early, we were able to walk leisurely along the approach to Kiyomizu-dera without crowds. Along the way they showed interest in chilled cucumber and shared one between them. They said it was delicious. At Kiyomizu-dera, they were very impressed by the architectural style of the main hall and the wooden stage. From Kiyomizu-dera we walked down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to Yasaka Shrine. (As it had become a little warm, we took a break along the way and had some matcha soft-serve ice cream.) At Yasaka Shrine I also talked about the Gion Festival, so before catching a taxi to Nishiki Market, we stopped by the Gion Festival gallery. They were surprised by the size of the floats and delighted by the miniature yamahoko floats as well. At Nishiki Market they purchased fruit daifuku, which they said they liked, along with dumplings and sushi, and had a light lunch. After that, we took a taxi to Sanjusangendo. They were deeply moved by the 1,001 statues of the thousand-armed Kannon, so I guided them through it taking plenty of time. Going outside, we walked around the building and they were able to appreciate its length and the difficulty of the historic archery. Since they planned to return to their hotel after the tour, I saw them off at Keihan Shichijo Station, and the tour concluded. During the tour, we were able to talk about many things, including Japanese culture and customs, life in Oceania, and each other's pets.

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Tour Report by Mickey

Hello! I’m Miyuki Konishi. It’s my great pleasure to guide visitors from other countries and welcome you to Japan. I would be happy if you make great memories in Japan with my support. Precious memories become our life treasures. So, I’d love to help you make them.
I love Japanese culture, history, customs and so on. I know a lot about Kyoto and Nara. Additionally, I have a certificate as an English speaking guide for Himeji Castle and as a kimono instructor.
I’ll do my best to make your trip wonderful. Let’s enjoy exploring Japan together!

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like, Including Nijo Castle and Gion? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and this was their first trip to Japan, covering Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto. After that, they planned to continue from Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea to Kanazawa, Hida Takayama, and then back to Tokyo before returning home. I was honestly envious — it's an itinerary I would love to do myself. Both had backgrounds related to medical research, but their personalities were complete opposites. One of the guests was quiet, calm, and composed, yet very logical once they started speaking. The other spoke their mind freely and openly, but was also extremely quick-witted, with no pretense or affectation, and pleasantly easygoing in the best sense. The pattern of the day was that one of the guests would ask all sorts of questions, and I would answer them one after another. It seemed that a new question would come to mind before I had even finished my explanation, so I could rarely finish my story (laughs). It was as if the other guest was gently holding the reins from behind. They were a very intelligent and enjoyable group, and I had a wonderful time all day. We managed to complete the itinerary, and the day flew by. The guests were warm and affectionate with each other, yet quite shy. When I suggested taking a photo of them together, they became so bashful that it came out a bit awkward. There was one good question I couldn't answer on the spot, so I looked it up later and replied via a messaging app. The question was about the painting in the final room of Nijo Castle (the Imperial Messenger's Room): what does it mean that heavy golden clouds hang so deeply above the trees? From now on, I will use this as material for my tours as well. Today I gave it everything, speaking with my mind in full gear, so I was even more exhausted than usual after the tour. The guests were planning to join a two-hour walking tour of Gion right after my tour ended. A notable stop on the tour was Nijo Castle. Nijo Castle in Kyoto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in the early 17th century as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogunate. It is famous for its "nightingale floors," which chirp when walked upon to warn of intruders, and for the lavishly decorated rooms of the Ninomaru Palace, including paintings featuring golden clouds and detailed depictions of nature that symbolized the power of the ruling family.

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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

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Harajuku The guest, visiting from North America, thoroughly enjoyed today's tour. It was their first trip to Japan, and they were traveling to Japan and other destinations, partly to celebrate an occasion this month. The weather today was cloudy, and the guest took many photos at each location. When I asked which places they liked best on today's tour, they said Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, the Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and Kappabashi were all places they had wanted to visit and were very happy to see. Among them, they especially liked the quiet, peaceful, and clear-aired environment of Meiji Shrine, as well as the lively, youth-filled Takeshita Street in Harajuku. At Senso-ji Temple, they drew an omikuji fortune and were delighted to get a "chukichi" (middle blessing). They also learned about the differences between temples and shrines, the respective ways of praying, and how to pass through a torii gate. Unlike New York, they noted that Tokyo has very little litter on the streets, and they were fond of the washlet toilets. I was able to conduct the tour enjoyably myself, as we found some things in common. The guest plans to continue sightseeing in Tokyo in the coming days, so I also provided guidance on tourist spots, their highlights, and how to get there.

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Tour Report by Nobby

Hello and how do you do?
My name is Nobuo Kokure, and please call me Nobby for short, if you want.
Let me introduce myself. I was born in Hayama, a beach resort area, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. And I’m now living in Saginuma, Kawasaki city.
When I was a university student, I had the opportunities of doing a home stay with a family In U.S.A., Australia, and England, as a youth exchange student.
After graduation from the university, I started working at American Life Insurance Company, Japan (Alico, Japan), which is a group member company of AIG, now MetLife Insurance Company. I could have a chance to visit the head office and the field offices of U.S.A., Wilmington in Delaware, New York, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Los Angeles, while I was working for Alico, Japan (Now, MetLife Insurance company).
I had been working for MetLife Insurance Company for about 38 years, in total.
After retiring from the life insurance company, I started working as a tour guide, because I wanted to become a tour guide to introduce culture, history, and manners and customs of Japan in English. It’s so different between my previous job and the guide business, but I like guide business a lot.
I can meet so many people from all over the world and the guide business has been thriving after the pandemic.
I have implemented the tour over 240 times, introduced Japan to more than 4900 tourists from 54 countries.

Not only Tokyo, but I have experienced touring around Nikko, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji & Hakone area, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, etc. which are all very famous as a tourist spot in Japan.
If you go on a tour in Tokyo, you must see and visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo with histories and Nakamise Shopping Street where you can buy the souvenirs and try to taste Japanese sweets, such as doll cake which is the sponge cake in various shapes filled with red bean paste and Japanese powdered tea ice cream. Another my recommendation in Tokyo to visit is Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest shrines in Japan with quiet and peaceful atmosphere and magnificent site.
Harajuku and Shibuya are both fun to visit for shopping and experience the Shibuya Crossing.
I usually propose my tentative itinerary and ask if my plan is all right with the customer or not. My hobby is traveling around Japan and foreign countries and going to the gym for exercise.
I would like to work as a guide as long as possible if I’m in good health and my legs are strong, because I love this job.
I put my importance on the mind of OMOTENASHI which means sincere hospitality, though safety during the tour takes precedence, number one priority, before anything else.

I’m very looking forward to seeing you and touring with you in Japan soon.
Thank you!

Best regards,

Nobuo Kokure (Nobby)

What's a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Before the tour began, I had been informed that one member of the group had some difficulty walking, so I made a point of slowing the pace. By taking rest breaks along the way, we were able to see the planned course as scheduled, and the guests enjoyed themselves. As they loved taking photos during their trip, they took many pictures at every place we visited. At the end of the tour, I introduced a curry shop in Omicho Market and shared the location of Higashi Chaya District via a messaging app before finishing the tour. A notable stop on the tour was the Higashi Chaya District. Higashi Chaya is one of Kanazawa's best-preserved geisha districts, known for its beautifully maintained wooden teahouses lining the streets. Dating back to the Edo period, the area retains a traditional atmosphere with its latticed façades and stone-paved lanes, and today many of the historic buildings house cafés, gold-leaf craft shops, and traditional sweet stores, making it a popular spot for experiencing old Kanazawa.

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Tour Report by YOSHI

Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

Title: What Is a Private 3-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fukagawa, Yanaka, and the Asakura Museum The guest was a visitor from Europe who works as a government employee, taking a self-arranged three-day sightseeing trip in Tokyo ahead of an international conference held in Hiroshima this week. The gathering brings together participants from many countries to exchange views on how to maintain insurance systems in an era of population aging. The guest had once completed graduate study in mathematics and previously worked at a major electronics manufacturer, but had chosen to become a government employee to secure more free time even at a lower salary, and now travels the world during holidays. The guest had also lived abroad in the past but did not enjoy a work-centered culture there. At the Fukagawa Edo Museum, the guest asked, "How do you light a hibachi?" After looking into it, I answered, "You light the charcoal in the kitchen first, then transfer the fire to the hibachi." The guest was delighted by the mix of old and new townscapes in Yanaka and by its winding, snake-like alleys, and remarked, "It's surprising there are so few tourists." The guest was especially moved by the Asakura Museum of Sculpture, and was astonished that although many friends love Japan, none of them knew about this spot. The guest mentioned that this year the summer heat reached 40 degrees back home, saying, "It felt just like Italy." When I mentioned that Vienna coffee is well known in Japan, the guest said, "I prefer tea to coffee," and bought sencha and gyokuro in Yanaka. The guest also bought kinako candy at a kintaro-ame shop in Yanaka. When asked, "What is candy made from?", I checked with the shopkeeper and answered, "It is made by fermenting barley starch." As we parted, the guest asked, "Would it be all right if I gave you a tip?" Of course I said yes, and I was pleased by such a modest and gracious way of asking. A notable stop on the tour was the Asakura Museum of Sculpture in Yanaka. The museum is the former home and studio of a renowned Japanese sculptor, preserving both his atelier and living quarters. It is admired for its distinctive architecture that blends a modern reinforced-concrete studio with a traditional Japanese-style residence, as well as its serene courtyard garden and rooftop terrace. The Yanaka district itself is one of the areas in Tokyo where older streetscapes and a quiet, traditional atmosphere still remain, making it a rewarding place for visitors seeking a less crowded side of the city.

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Tour Report by Lance

I have been working as a tour guide once a week since 2024.
I grew up in Osaka and studied in Kyoto,
I have been working for the lvestock division of the national organization of agricultural cooperatives.
Japan depends on imports for most of its livestock feed ingredients.
I visited 10 countries on business and stayed in New Orleans working for a subsidiary company for 3 years.
I visited 10 other countries with my wife for sightseeing.
I also started writing Haiku, Japanese traditional poem, after retiring.
One of my favorite is ” Bundled up, you are like a Matryoshka.”
Looking forward to see you!

What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Their family member had visited Hakone the previous year and highly recommended it, so they were very much looking forward to touring the area. Some of the guests found it difficult to walk for long periods or to go up and down long staircases, so I kept this in mind and toured Hakone at a slower pace than usual. Unfortunately, the morning began with light rain, and the day remained cloudy with occasional rain, but compared to the very hot weather in Tokyo, the guests enjoyed a much more comfortable day. They mentioned that there are no volcanoes where they come from, so during the Lake Ashi cruise I spoke about the caldera landscape of Hakone and its history, which they listened to with great interest. At Hakone Shrine, rather than focusing on Shinto itself, I talked mainly about the history and the faith of the local people. We did not go to the checkpoint, but they were amazed to hear that this had once been a difficult point along the old Tokaido road, where many travelers had passed through. They also seemed to have a deep appreciation for art, and at the Open-Air Museum they enjoyed conversing together while looking carefully at each work. For lunch, they wanted something Japanese, so we headed to a soba restaurant. There, they enjoyed conversation about Japanese food culture, including how to place chopsticks and showing respect for the meal. Unfortunately, Owakudani was enveloped in deep fog, so the scenery could not be enjoyed. Since it was not long after lunch and they were too full to eat the black eggs, I gave them a bag of four so they could enjoy them later at the Hotel. They were delighted to hear that each egg is said to extend one's life by seven years. We wrapped up Owakudani earlier than planned, and since the tour was progressing ahead of schedule, I suggested heading to Chokoji Temple after returning to Togendai, which they agreed to. Chokoji Temple had also been one of the recommended spots from their family member. However, upon arriving at Togendai, they said they wanted to return to the Hotel. Since they held a free pass valid until the next day, I recommended revisiting Owakudani, explained how to reach Chokoji Temple by bus and how to return to Odawara, and we ended the tour one hour earlier than planned. I suspect this was partly because they were a little tired and partly out of consideration for me. Both of them loved to talk, and throughout the day we enjoyed a great deal of conversation, including topics unrelated to the tour.

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Tour Report by Atsushi

Hi everyone! I’m Atsushi.
Born in the historic fishing port of Shiogama in Miyagi Prefecture and raised in Tokyo and Kanagawa, I’ve spent my life immersed in Japanese culture.
During my six years in the countryside as a university student, I fell in love with hiking and visiting temples.
After graduating with a master’s degree in agricultural science, I spent 40 years in R&D at a food manufacturing company before transitioning from part-time guiding to becoming a full-time professional tour guide at the end of 2025.
My true passion lies in Japan’s rich culinary and sake traditions.
I specialize in FIT tours around Tokyo and Hakone, and I even lead sumo culture tours!
I’m dedicated to making your journey truly unforgettable, and I look forward to helping you get the absolute most out of your stay in Japan.
I can’t wait to meet you!

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Originally, they were from a region in Central America. An agent was involved as an intermediary, and the guests' contact information was not shared until the day before, so we met on the day without direct prior communication and knowing very little about each other. The agent strongly recommended a Japanese restaurant for lunch, so I made a reservation, but in the end they only ordered fried chicken and drinks. I had also not been informed that they had already had dinner in Gion the previous evening, so they told me that they had already done that. As for the weather, it was a break between the rains and beautifully clear, warm enough in the afternoon to work up a sweat. After passing Arashiyama, the group began to tire. Walking up the slopes seemed challenging for them, so we decided to end the tour a little earlier than planned. One of the guests walked steadily and asked many questions throughout. We took photos at Kinkaku-ji. A notable stop on the tour was Kinkaku-ji Temple. Officially known as Rokuon-ji, Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks, famous for its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf. Originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun in the late 14th century, it was later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The pavilion is set beside a reflecting pond and surrounded by a carefully designed garden, making it especially photogenic in every season.

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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.

What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo by Car? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a lovely group visiting from North America. They had first toured Osaka and Kyoto before coming to Tokyo. Since they were leaving the next day, we covered as many places as possible. After taking photos at Tokyo Station, we headed to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately it rained, but the crape myrtle flowers were beautiful. At Meiji Shrine, we were lucky enough to see a wedding ceremony and a shrine visit for a newborn. After lunch in Asakusa, we did some shopping along Nakamise Street and visited Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine. In Ueno, we took photos at the Tokyo National Museum, Tosho-gu Shrine, and Kiyomizu Kannon-do, and then I saw them off at teamLab in Azabudai Hills. We toured the highlights of Tokyo by car, and it was a very enjoyable tour. A notable stop on the tour was Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in the 7th century, and is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Visitors approach through the iconic Kaminarimon Gate with its giant red lantern and stroll along Nakamise Street, a lively shopping lane lined with traditional snacks and souvenirs. The temple's five-story pagoda and grand main hall make it one of the most visited and photographed landmarks in Japan.

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Tour Report by Rumi

Hello,
I’m Rumi.Welcome to Japan!!
I’m a government-licensed guide in the Tokyo area.
I’m so excited to have a chance to show you my favorite places in Tokyo.
Tokyo is a fantastic city with many aspects like history,culture and food.
What interests you about Tokyo?
What kind of Japanese food would you like to try?
I’ll take you to various places according to your request.
My favorite spot is Meiji Shrine.
It’s so peaceful that I’m sure you like it.
I really like to talk with foreigners about various topics.So, I love my job.
I look forward to meeting and guiding you soon.

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like from Meiji Shrine to Shinjuku? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Following instructions received in advance from the agent, we headed to Meiji Shrine. There I explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, as well as the influence Shinto has had on Japanese culture, as we walked through the grounds. While the guests were somewhat perplexed by a religious perspective completely different from that of Europe, they seemed amazed by the uniquely Japanese cultural setting, and together with a Buddhist-style wedding ceremony we happened to see on the grounds, they enjoyed the distinctive atmosphere. Next we passed through Takeshita Street on our way to Omotesando. Along with the contrast with the completely different contemporary culture compared to Meiji Shrine, the guests seemed delighted by the continuous stream of unusual sights that cannot be experienced in Europe. Since they had brought a large stroller, I tried to use elevators as much as possible at the stations along the way, but even so, there were several places with stairs where we had no choice but to carry it by hand, which was a bit challenging. After experiencing the Shibuya Crossing, I took them to Shinjuku, where I explained the boarding area and how to ride the Odakyu Romancecar they planned to use afterward, and also showed them Shinjuku landmarks such as the 3D cat advertisement and the Godzilla Head. After explaining the way back to the Hotel, I concluded the tour. A notable stop on the tour was Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in a large forested area in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Completed in 1920, the shrine is surrounded by an evergreen forest of some 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, offering a tranquil retreat from the surrounding city. Visitors often pass through massive torii gates and may witness traditional ceremonies, making it one of the most popular spiritual sites in the capital.

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Tour Report by Atsushi

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.