Category: Uncategorized

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:45 Meet at cruise terminal
    • 11:00 Miyajima
    • 15:10 Peace Park
    • 16:50 Disband at cruise terminal

    What's a Private Cruise Port Tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America whose cruise ship arrived at Ujina Port, so we took a high-speed boat from Ujina Port to Miyajima. At Miyajima, the weather was fine and our visit coincided with high tide, so the guests appeared to enjoy the sight of the great torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine appearing to float on the sea. Since we needed to return to the cruise ship terminal by 17:00, at Daishoin Temple we only went as far as the entrance. The guests had lunch and bought souvenirs at the shopping arcade, after which we used the ferry, JR, and the streetcar to take them to Peace Memorial Park. After finishing our visit to the Peace Memorial Museum, we returned to the cruise terminal by taxi and parted ways at 16:50.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherUjina Port~Miyajima1,150JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Yokogawa330JPY
    Section 3TrainYokogawa~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Total1,720JPY

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

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

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

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima

    Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:02 Meet at Hiroshima Station Shinkansen platform
    • 10:30-12:30 Peace Memorial Park
    • 13:50-14:35 Lunch (Miyajimaguchi)
    • 15:00-17:00 Miyajima
    • 17:40 Disband at Miyajima

    What's a Private Day Tour from Hiroshima to Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They arrived in Hiroshima from Kyoto in the morning, and since they were scheduled to stay overnight on Miyajima that day, we first visited the Peace Memorial Park after arriving at Hiroshima Station, then headed to Miyajima, and finally parted ways on Miyajima. On Miyajima, because the goshuin (temple seal) offering time at Daisho-in Temple was 4:00 PM, at the guests' request we visited Daisho-in before Itsukushima Shrine after viewing the Great Torii Gate. However, we just missed the goshuin timing and could only receive a stamp. On the other hand, since the visit to Itsukushima Shrine took place in the evening, the guests were able to receive their goshuin with no waiting time, which delighted them. The guests stayed overnight on Miyajima, and after we parted ways at 5:40 PM, I imagine that as the tide rose, they spent their time gazing at the Great Torii Gate floating on the sea against the backdrop of the setting sun.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Section 2BusPeace Memorial Park~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Section 3TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 4TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total1,320JPY

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

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

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

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:30 Hotel Osaka Meeting point
    • 14:15~15:20 Osaka Castle Park, Castle Tower
    • 15:50~16:40 Tennoji Park ~ Shinsekai
    • 16:50~17:40 Kuromon Market ~ Sennichimae ~ Hozenji ~ Dotonbori
    • 17:45 Dismissal at Ebisu Bridge

    What's a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori This was a private tour for a group visiting from North America. At Osaka Castle, the guests were impressed by the contrast between the surrounding high-rise buildings and the appearance of the castle keep and its outer moat structures, feeling a sense of history and taking many photos. They were also amazed by the vast grounds of Osaka Castle as seen from the castle keep, as well as by the densely packed buildings of Osaka. In Shinsekai, as it was the weekend, the area was bustling with many tourists, and the guests enjoyed the distinctive atmosphere of Shinsekai and eating takoyaki. Some of the guests especially remarked that seeing the lively bustle of Shinsekai, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori gave them a real feel of the old downtown areas and a sense of how young people live today.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNakanoshima~Kyobashi280JPY
    Section 2TrainKyobashi~Osaka Castle Park150JPY
    Section 3SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Tennoji240JPY
    Section 4TrainEbisucho~Nipponbashi190JPY
    Total860JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
    • (Keihan Railway)
    • 9:40-10:10 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • (Taxi)
    • 10:30-10:55 Sanjusangendo
    • (Keihan Railway)
    • 11:20-11:35 Gion Walk
    • (Walk)
    • 11:40-12:40 Lunch (Kyoto Cuisine Izutsu)
    • (Keihan Railway & Subway)
    • 13:10-13:40 Nanzenji Temple
    • (Subway)
    • 14:15-14:50 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • (Taxi)
    • 15:00 Disband at the Oike-dori side entrance of Teramachi Kyogoku

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo, and Nanzen-ji The guests were retired visitors from Europe. The itinerary was as follows: Hotel → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Sanjusangendo → a walk through Gion → lunch (Kyoto cuisine) → Nanzen-ji → Kyoto Imperial Palace → Hotel. Among all the sights, Sanjusangendo and the Hojo Garden at Nanzen-ji seemed to leave the deepest impression. At Sanjusangendo, they stood still for a while in front of their favorite among the Twenty-Eight Guardian Deities, and also lingered before the principal image. At the Hojo Garden of Nanzen-ji, they murmured "peaceful!" softly several times and sat on the veranda admiring the garden for more than ten minutes, creating a moment in which the guests and the guide seemed to share a common sense of beauty. For lunch they ordered a shabu-shabu set and thoroughly enjoyed the wagyu beef, saying repeatedly how delicious it was. During our walk and over the meal, we had a lively conversation (drawing on our respective experiences) about the process by which stray cats become house pets and about the almost religious devotion of dedicated cat lovers, and I also had the chance to hear about regional rivalries within their home country. In addition, they praised the efficiency of Japan's railways and the kindness and consideration Japanese people show toward those around them. While riding the subway, we happened to witness a station attendant assisting a passenger using a wheelchair with boarding and alighting, and they were moved by the thoughtful efficiency and kindness of society here. As this was two days before their return home, they spoke of how reluctant they were to see the trip come to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2TrainShichijo~Gion-Shijo170JPY
    Section 3TrainGion-Shijo~Sanjo170JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo Keihan~Keage220JPY
    Section 5SubwayKeage~Imadegawa260JPY
    Total1,040JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:30 Meeting them in front of the banner at Hiroshima station
    • 2. 11:00 Arriving at Miyajima Island
    • 3. 12:10 finishing the visit to Itsukushima Shrine
    • 4. 12:30 Having snacks instead of lunch
    • 5. 13:18 Taking a streetcar to the A-bomb Dome
    • 6. 16:00 Finishing the tour in the Peace Memorial Park, including the A-bomb Dome, Hiroshima National Memorial Hall, the hypocenter, the Children's monument, and others
    • 7. 17:00 finishing the visit to the Museum
    • 8. 17:40 Goodbye in front of the Shinkansen gate

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group whose final destination on their trip was Hiroshima. Before the tour, I had used the messaging system in the booking platform to let them know that a guided visit inside Hiroshima Castle might not be possible due to time constraints, but it seems this message did not reach them. The guests said several times that they had contacted me through the booking platform to request a change of meeting point and to enter Hiroshima Castle, but those messages never reached me either. They also mentioned that they had noted a strict vegetarian requirement in the inclusion notes, but I could not find any such entry. These discrepancies caused considerable difficulty, and I would like to ask whether there was something I did wrong. Please let me know. Prepared to guide them inside Hiroshima Castle, I took the group to the A-Bomb Dome, but they told me, "Some of us don't want to visit Hiroshima Castle, so please focus the tour on the Peace Memorial Park and the museum." While I was carefully guiding them through the Peace Memorial Park, I noticed that some of the guests had difficulty walking and others were quite tired. Some of the guests were deeply interested in the atomic bombing, while the rest of the group were tired. They said Hiroshima was the last stop on their trip. Even so, everything went smoothly, and without using taxis (with nine people, three taxis would have been needed) I guided them to the Shinkansen entrance of Hiroshima Station and saw them off there. They thanked me warmly.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~A-bomb Dome240JPY
    Section 3BusPeace Park~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total900JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Apr 13, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with Yoshi
    Yoshi was truly one of the…

    Apr 11, 2026
    Liesbet N
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Boeiende reis door geschiedenis
    Een boeiende rondleiding van Yoshiko…

    Oct 26, 2025
    COYS100
    Great Hiroshima experience
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    A great tour with a very informed…

    Jun 25, 2025
    O1135UVraymondp
    Highly recommended to everyone to this tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Joshi is…

  • Gifu in One Day: Magome Post Town Tour Magome-juku guided

    Gifu in One Day: Magome Post Town Tour Magome-juku guided

    Tour Itinerary

    • 下記の事前にゲスト様のご要望を伺い提案、了解いただいたプラン通り実施いたしました。
    • We carried out the plan as follows, which we proposed after hearing the guest's requests in advance and which was approved.
    • 10:00 Meet at Tsumago Information Center (I plan to arrive well before 10:00 due to the train availability from Nagoya)
    • 10:00 – 11:00 Tsumago post town tour including the tour of OKUYA old inns and museum (admission Yen 600) Tsumago-juku guided tour, Waki-honjin & Museum
    • 11:00 – 13:45 Hiking from Tsumago to Magome including a short break@Ichikokutochi-Tateba-Jaya (Historical Tea house) Free rest area
    • 13:45 – 14:30 Lunch@Restaurant Juri Restaurant Juri
    • 14:30 – 15:30 Magome Post Town Tour Magome-juku guided tour
    • 15:30 – Pick up your luggage at Magome Tourist Information Center and head for Hotel Luggage pickup, guest heads to hotel

    What Is a Private Nakasendo Hiking Tour of Magome and Tsumago Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I asked the guests about their requests in advance, and I was able to propose and carry out a plan that matched what they wanted. They seemed to enjoy it very much, and I even received a thank-you email after the tour, which left me feeling very satisfied as well. Magome and Tsumago are not easily accessible by public transportation, and the transportation cost alone comes to over 3,000 yen one way. I am personally very familiar with this area, and I am physically confident in leading a Nakasendo hike. I would very much like to continue offering tours of these destinations in the future, but the transportation cost burden is so large that I feel somewhat hesitant. I would be grateful if this point could be given some consideration. I sincerely apologize for such a forward request, and thank you very much for your understanding.

    Welcome to Japan! I’m your friendly guide based in Nagoya.

    Hello! My name is Hiroshi, and I’m a nationally licensed English-speaking guide based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
    I studied and worked in the United States for six years, so I speak fluent and natural English. More importantly, I understand Western culture and what international guests look for in a great travel experience.

    I have lived in Nagoya and the surrounding area for over 20 years, so I know this region inside and out. My specialties are Nagoya city and the Nakasendo trail, including the historic post towns of Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku in the beautiful Kiso Valley. I’m passionate about local history, culture, and traditions—and I love sharing these stories in a fun and engaging way.

    Guests often tell me they appreciate my warm smile, positive attitude, and personalized approach. I always take time to understand your interests and needs so I can tailor each tour and make it truly memorable.
    Whether you’re interested in samurai history, local food, scenic nature, or off-the-beaten-path spots, I’ll make sure you experience the real charm of Japan with comfort and joy.

    Let’s explore together—I can’t wait to show you around!

    Jul 21, 2026
    ellennyg_rdr2022
    Tripadvisor review: Nakasendo Magome & Tsumago in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Would recommend!
    Great experience! Very professional guide named Hiroshi.…

    Jun 17, 2026
    mayo773
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Highly recommended!
    Hiroshi was personable and knowledgeable. His anecdotes added…

    Apr 15, 2026
    Brad_T
    Wonderful day on the trail!
    Viator review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had wonderful day…

    Sep 24, 2025
    Paula S
    A great walk with Hiroshi
    Tripadvisor review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiroshi was a…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel Premier Ginza 8:00 meet→walk→8:30 Ginza Station→8:33 Tokyo Station→Imperial Palace Outer Garden, East Garden walking tour
    • 10:00 Otemachi Station→10:25 Tochomae Station (visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Tower 45F)→11:43 Harajuku Station→visit Meiji Shrine→13:44 Shibuya Station (lunch at Shibuya Scramble Square)→14:30 after experiencing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, see off to the Ginza Line at Shibuya Station→14:50 disband.

    Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report From the morning it rained, sometimes lightly and sometimes heavily. I explained Tokyo Station from the outside, described Gyoko-dori Avenue, and we viewed the fountain park. We entered the outer garden through Wadakura Gate and I guided the group around the moat, the Tatsumi Yagura turret, and Nijubashi Bridge. When we returned to Wadakura Gate the rain grew heavy, so we sheltered for a while at a coffee shop. Afterward, the guests said they still wanted to walk, so we went from Wadakura Gate to the East Gardens, admired the Ninomaru Garden where the irises were in full bloom, marveled at the colorful koi carp, and I guided them to the Tokagakudo Concert Hall and the castle ruins before returning to Otemachi. The Metropolitan Government Building was indoors, which was a relief. At Meiji Shrine the rain was still light, and the guests also experienced offering a prayer. I had worried that restaurants might be crowded, but we were able to enter a kushikatsu restaurant right away without waiting, which was a relief. After the meal, since we had the chance, I had the guests experience the Shibuya Scramble Crossing as well, and they were delighted.

    Hello,Mr.A,
    Thank you for choosing our tour. I would like you to enjoy your tour as much as possible.
    If you have any ideas to see or to eat in your mind, please tell me.
    If not, I will suggest traditional Japanese culture like Meiji-shrine, Tokyo Tower, Asakusa and beautiful traditional Japanese gardens like Rikugien and Hakone. If you want to try to eat typical Japanese food, I will introduce the Japanese restaurants. I woulld like to make an itinerary, including your request.
    Please enjoy Japanese traditional and leading-edge culture or beautiful nature
    I’m looking forward to seeing you.
    Best regards, Yoriko Ishibashi

    Apr 5, 2026
    887maisyw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Good overview of Tokyo gardens
    Great experience. On our first…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Karen_P
    Viator review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Gardens are everywhere in Tokyo.
    You will see a variety…

    Mar 28, 2025
    AColoradian
    Great Day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We are all active so we chose the…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Meet at Hotel Namba Minami Ebisucho Eki, depart at 15:20 ➡ Walk to Kuromon Market ➡ Subway to Osaka Castle ➡ JR to Umeda Sky Building ➡ After purchasing cheesecake at Rikuro Ojisan in Daimaru Umeda store, disband (19:00)

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kuromon Market, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky Building The guests had just arrived at their Hotel at 15:00, so we started after they went to drop off their luggage in their room. The guests had traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto and then on to Osaka. One of the guests was having trouble walking and would not be joining today's tour. The day before, they had climbed all the way to the top of Fushimi Inari Taisha. Since they would be staying in Osaka for a few nights, I wanted to help them get a sense of the layout, so instead of taking the subway from the nearest station, we walked toward Dotonbori while stopping by Kuromon Market along the way. After the Sky Building, the guests said they wanted to try the cheesecake from the well-known local shop, so we went to the nearest branch. They were surprised by the line, but after waiting about 20 minutes they bought some, and then we headed to the Nintendo store on the 13th floor.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNipponbashi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2TrainOsakajokoen~Osaka180JPY
    Total370JPY

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Meet at Kyoto Station 7:45 Fushimi Inari 9:10 Kinkaku-ji 11:10 Lunch (Japanese cuisine) 11:40 Ginkaku-ji 13:00 Higashiyama Area 13:30 Tour Ends

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji The guests were visiting Japan from North America. One of them had visited Japan five years earlier. Because we were able to meet early in the morning, it was quite easy to take photos at Fushimi Inari. At Kinkaku-ji, there were many tour groups, especially school excursion students, which made it difficult to move around. At the same time, since there were many guides present, we often had to wait a little while other guides were giving their explanations. Seeing both Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji is interesting, but using public transportation to move from west to east inevitably takes time. Today, this took longer than expected. After Ginkaku-ji, with little time remaining, we discussed the situation and took a taxi to the Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop. It was fortunate that we were able to sightsee without being caught in the rain we had been worried about. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 3BusEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5OtherGinkakuji-michi~Higashiyama-Sanjo0JPY
    Section 6BusHigashiyama-Sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,040JPY

    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.

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

    Aug 7, 2026
    602pascaleq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Deschka
    Tripadvisor review: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
    Jederzeit wieder 👍
    Tolle Tagestour, sehr informativ Perfektes service

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

  • Hiroshima: Atomic Bomb Dome & Guide to Okonomiyaki Ichi

    Hiroshima: Atomic Bomb Dome & Guide to Okonomiyaki Ichi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet at Ujina Pier
    • 10:30 Take the shuttle bus to Ujina Port
    • 10:45 Head to Atomic Bomb Dome by train
    • 11:15 Arrive at Atomic Bomb Dome
    •     Monument tour, Museum
    • 14:20 Finish visiting the museum
    • 14:30 Guide to Okonomiyaki Ichi.
    • 15:30 Finish lunch, disband

    I guided a group from North America. Some of the guests had a strong interest in the war and the atomic bombing, and they listened attentively to my explanations while taking photos of my visual aids. At the museum, I was able to explain the content in advance using photographs before entering the main building. They also listened seriously to my own experiences and to the experiences of Mr. Sunao Tsuboi. Today two cruise ships had arrived in port, so the main building was extremely crowded and it was not possible to view it calmly. As a result, the guests left the main building after about five minutes, but since I had explained everything beforehand, I believe they were satisfied and understood the content. They had also wished to visit Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, but they gave up on these due to time constraints.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUjina Port~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Sep 25, 2025
    pedropM3071GD
    Amazing day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This was an amazing experience to…

    Jul 25, 2025
    ourtravelingt
    Great personalized tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was fabulous and our…

    Jul 13, 2025
    katherinepE2305IO
    Hiroshima Tour 4hr Walking
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an amazing guide. He…

    Jul 7, 2025
    Preston_H
    Great tour guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an incredible guide who…