Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet up @Hotel
    • 2. 10:10 @Shibuya
    • 3. 10:40 @Ginza (4-chome intersection, NISSAN showroom, Kyukyodo, Seven-Eleven Ginza 1-chome store)
    • 4. 11:00 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 5. 11:30 @Tokyo Station (station square, station building, Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket office)
    • 6. 12:00 @Nihonbashi (Takashimaya basement food hall)
    • 7. 12:45 Lunch @Asakusa "Chanko Beya"
    • 8. 13:30 @Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 9. 15:30 @Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, PARCO Pokemon Center)
    • 10. 16:00 Disband @in front of Pokemon Center

    Title: What's a Private Rainy-Day Walking Tour of Shibuya and Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This trip appeared to be centered around the younger members of the group as a celebration. Since they were staying at a hotel in Shibuya, before boarding the subway I introduced them to Pepper Parlor and the ongoing immersive exhibition "HOKUSAI: Another Story in Tokyo" as we passed through FUKURAS. I also had them view the Shibuya Scramble Crossing through the windows of the station passageway. As the forecast called for rain all day, I had asked them in advance to prepare for the weather, but since their clothing had hoods they felt it would be fine and brought only one folding umbrella. Along the way, however, they purchased an additional umbrella at a convenience store. In the end the rain was not as heavy as expected, which was a relief. Above all, they said, "We come from a dry region, so we are actually happy to experience the rain." The guests enjoyed all the places we visited, but what excited the younger members of the group the most seemed to be the modern attractions. When we met at the hotel, one of the first requests was, "We would really love to visit a Japanese 7-Eleven." Unlike the ones back home, Japanese 7-Eleven convenience stores seem to be regarded as amazing, with an attractive and up-to-date selection of products. The guests were delighted to discover various snacks, and one of them wanted to buy several boxes of Kinoko no Yama before being gently persuaded to choose just one. They also looked with great interest at the NISSAN showroom and the basement food floor of a department store. Finally, at the request of one of the guests, I guided them to the Pokémon Center inside Shibuya PARCO before we said our goodbyes.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station~Ginza Station700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza-itchome Station~Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihonbashi Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station~Shibuya Station0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

    Jul 3, 2026
    Jody D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Best Post cruise tour ever
    It was…

    June 19, 2026
    Alec T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in 4 hours
    Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely experience. My…
    Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 09:00 Meet at Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
    • ② 09:05 Itinerary explanation and explanation about the history of Kyoto
    • ③ 09:45 Nijo Castle
    • ④ 11:20 Saga Daikakuji Temple
    • ⑤ 12:45 Jojakko-ji Temple
    • ⑥ 13:45 Arashiyama Kameyama Park
    • ⑦ 14:10 Bamboo Grove ~ Nonomiya Shrine
    • ⑧ 14:45 Tenryu-ji Temple・Garden
    • ⑨ 15:20 Disband in front of Nishiki Market

    What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market The guests were visitors from Europe. They listened patiently and attentively to my explanations. At Nijo Castle, I am often asked lately why the shogun needed to return political power to the emperor, and today was no exception. Many guests are also quite familiar with the term "Meiji Restoration," so I often explain that as well. Since most guests start their trip to Japan in Tokyo, they tend to be well informed about many things, but perhaps the Meiji Restoration doesn't come up because Edo Castle no longer exists. We had a great time talking about the Beatles. In the taxi, the conversation started with how I am a big Beatles fan and how I have never been to Liverpool or Abbey Road but would love to go someday, and while humming "Hey Jude," we ended up singing "Let It Be" and "Yesterday" together, which was really enjoyable. They had a big breakfast in the morning and walked around without lunch, so they were a bit tired in the latter half. We said goodbye in front of Nishiki Market with an "ookini," hoping they would return again in autumn for the fall foliage. They must have been quite hungry by then.

    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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:30 Meet at Conrad Tokyo
    • 2. 10:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 3. 11:30 Gotokuji Temple
    • 4. 12:00 Lunch (Maruchou Gotokuji Branch)
    • 5. 13:30 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 6. 14:45 Harajuku (Takeshita Street)
    • 7. 15:15 Shibuya (Scramble Crossing & Hachiko Statue)
    • 8. 15:30 Dismiss at Shibuya

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, making their first trip to Japan. They had arrived the day before and were staying in Japan for a short period, so this time they focused only on Tokyo and its surrounding areas, such as the Fuji Five Lakes region. They said they would love to visit other cities on a future trip. I guided them through Shinjuku Gyoen, Gotokuji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Although it rained that day, the guests listened attentively to my explanations and enjoyed each location while taking photographs. They love cats and keep one at home, so at Gotokuji Temple they purchased a beckoning cat (maneki-neko), and on the way back they also bought a cat-designed plate at a general goods shop. At Meiji Shrine, the Japanese irises had begun to bloom, so we also visited the inner garden. They were delighted, saying it was very beautiful. Since they wanted to make their own way back to their accommodation, we finished by viewing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, after which I explained the route back and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShiodome~Kokuritsu-kyogijo220JPY
    Section 2SubwayShinjuku-sanchome~Shinjuku178JPY
    Section 3TrainShinjuku~Gotokuji199JPY
    Section 4TrainGotokuji~Sangubashi167JPY
    Section 5SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya178JPY
    Total942JPY

    Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
    I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
    I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!

    Jul 13, 2026
    529gregj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
    Haru (Haruhiko…

    Jul 12, 2026
    Felice R
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…

    Jul 9, 2026
    mariee530
    An incredible walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This tour was beyond expectations!…

    Jun 30, 2026
    simonegN55VE
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fabulous walking tour with Haru
    Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet at Hyatt Regency Tokyo (travel by car) 11:00 Sakuradamon Gate ⇒ Imperial Palace Plaza 11:45 Tsukiji Outer Market 12:45 Sensoji Temple 13:30 Kappabashi 15:45 Meiji Shrine 16:45 Shibuya 17:00 Dismissal

    What's a Full-Day Private Car Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Kappabashi The guests were a group of three visiting from North America and the Middle East. A car had been arranged in advance, so we traveled by car throughout the day. Unfortunately it rained, and since the views at the Imperial Palace were limited, we wrapped up early there, which meant we kept moving ahead of schedule for a while. At Tsukiji, the guests bought far more ingredients than I had expected and enjoyed sampling and eating various foods as they strolled around. Since they wanted to buy a kitchen knife, we made an unplanned stop at Kappabashi. The driver knew the area well and introduced us to a good shop, where they bought a knife and were also able to purchase a Nambu ironware teapot, which delighted them greatly. Because of this, the schedule then began to run a little behind, and in the end we finished about 30 minutes over time before parting ways. In the car, the conversation was lively, touching on issues abroad and comparisons with Japan. By the time we said goodbye, I felt we had truly connected.

    Before I started the guiding job in 2022, I had worked for private companies and been engaged in overseas business, which led me to be stationed in various English-speaking countries. Taking advantage of such experiences and also wishing to reciprocate the kindness extended to me during my career, I have decided to help visitors to Japan enjoy their stay and obtained a national guide license.
    I am very honored and pleased to assist guests from overseas and enjoy seeing them having a great time visiting interesting spots in Japan and learning about the country. I look forward to serving more new guests and seeing them smile at the end of my private tours.

    Jun 8, 2025
    T1516LOmarkg
    Tokyo tour
    Tripadvisor review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Great tour, Shinji was great, they…

    Feb 28, 2025
    LaToya_S
    Mr. Shinji is so nice and…
    Viator review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr. Shinji is so nice and…

    Feb 27, 2025
    Edward_M
    Friendly and Knowledgeable Tour Guide
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly!…

    Feb 17, 2025
    Trip29223434750
    Heavenly Hakone with an angelic guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    For those not wanting to…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • .9:00 Meet up @ Mimaru Tokyo Hatchobori
    • 2.9:50 @ Shibuya crossing (Starbucks)
    • 3.11:00 @ Pokemon Center
    • 4.12:00 Lunch @ Hakata Tempura Takao
    • 5.13:20 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 6.14:30 @ Takeshita Street
    • 7.15:00 Disband @ Takeshita Street

    Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Family Tour of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. Since heavy rain was forecast for the morning, I planned to spend a long time indoors first, starting in Shibuya, where we watched the crossing from a Starbucks and visited the Pokémon Center in the Parco building. The guests said they wanted to eat tempura, so we went to the 7th floor of Parco for lunch, and they said it was delicious. After that, we went to Harajuku and first visited Meiji Shrine. Since Onosato's first ring-entering ceremony was scheduled for 3 p.m., I was worried it might be crowded, but it was not too busy yet. After purifying our hands at the water pavilion, we offered our prayers. Each of the guests purchased a favorite charm. After that, we went to Takeshita Street. The rain had eased to a light drizzle, and the guests enjoyed buying souvenirs, eating crepes, and seeing the mini pigs. Since the guests planned to go to LEGOLAND on their own afterward, we parted ways at Takeshita Street. Because of the rain, I had been a little concerned, but the tour ended without any trouble and I felt relieved.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHatchobori~Ebisu209JPY
    Section 2TrainEbisu~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Harajuku146JPY
    Total501JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fumiko is a great tour guide – informative, friendly and very well…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet up @ MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station
    • 08:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 09:15 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:40 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 12:20 Lunch @ Antep Kebab Akihabara (Akihabara/Halal food restaurant)
    • 13:30 Imperial Palace
    • 14:40 Sensoji Temple
    • 15:30 Dismissal @ MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, the Imperial Palace, and Senso-ji The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to continue to Kyoto and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, the guests seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they appeared moved by the beauty of the rose garden and the Japanese garden. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji, they were also interested in explanations about the differences between temples and shrines. Although it rained during the day, I responded in line with the guests' wishes, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya700JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shinjuku-gyoemmae0JPY
    Section 4SubwayShinjuku-gyoemmae~Yotsuya0JPY
    Section 5TrainYotsuya~Akihabara170JPY
    Section 6TrainAkihabara~Tokyo150JPY
    Section 7SubwayYurakucho~Asakusa0JPY
    Total1,170JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Thousand Kyoto & Arashiyama shopping street

    Kyoto in One Day: Thousand Kyoto & Arashiyama shopping street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 The Thousand Kyoto
    • 09:30 Fushimi inari (0) by JR train
    • 11:20 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • 12:30 Lunch (Kura Sushi Kinkakuji Branch) by taxi
    • 14:20 Kinkakuji (500) by walking
    • 15:30 Bamboo path by taxi
    • 16:00 Arashiyama shopping street by walking
    • End of the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama The guests were visitors from North America, traveling for about a month and stopping in Bali, Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan before coming to Japan, with plans to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Fuji, and Tokyo before returning home. At Fushimi Inari, the guests drew omikuji fortunes and received very good results. The guests purchased various charms, dedicated a fox-face-shaped ema plaque, and bought a torii-gate-shaped ema as a souvenir. After Fushimi Inari, the guests enjoyed coffee at a cafe and purchased decorative art made from kimono fabric at a shop along the approach to Kiyomizu-dera. At Kiyomizu-dera, the guests drank water from the Otowa Waterfall and bought four sets of chopsticks as souvenirs at a shop on Kiyomizu-zaka. The guests took many photos, and the schedule started to run a little behind. For lunch, we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant near Kinkaku-ji, and the guests were very pleased. It was already three o'clock when we left Kinkaku-ji, but we continued the itinerary as planned to the bamboo grove, and finished by taking the guests to a soft-serve ice cream shop in the Arashiyama shopping street before parting ways. The guests mentioned they would love to live in Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total150JPY

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

    Aug 27, 2026
    M6034YWthomasm
    Worth it
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    The day went by so quickly, a…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience
    Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…

    Jul 14, 2026
    T6871WWricharde
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…

    Jun 5, 2026
    mateoe216
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Would book again
    The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Hiroshima Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 10:15 To Miyajimaguchi Station by JR
    • 10:45 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 11;00 From Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima by ferry
    • 11:10 Arrive at Miyajima
    •     Shrine, Omotesando
    • 13:20 Finish Miyajima sightseeing and head to Miyajimaguchi
    • 13:30 Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 13:47 From Miyajimaguchi Station to Shin-Hakushima Station
    • 14:10 Arrive at Shin-Hakushima Station
    •     Stroll around Hiroshima Castle on foot
    • 14:50 Arrive at Atomic Bomb Dome, monument tour, museum
    • 17:10 Finish museum tour
    • 17:15 To Hiroshima Station by bus
    • 17:40 Arrive at Hiroshima Station
    • 17:45 Disband

    Can You Do a Private Hiroshima Day Tour Visiting Hiroshima Castle and the Peace Memorial? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from North America. One of the guests had previously spent time in Yokosuka but had had very few opportunities for sightseeing during that period. This time, they visited Hiroshima together with the group. The group had a strong wish to learn about and share knowledge of nuclear topics and the atomic bomb, and this was one of the reasons they decided to visit Hiroshima. Since they wished to visit Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, they had a quick lunch on a bench at the station to save time. We walked from Shin-Hakushima Station to Hiroshima Castle, and I also guided them to an excellent photo spot on the north side. Due to time constraints, they decided to forgo visiting Shukkeien Garden. During the tour of the memorial monuments, the guests appeared tired, as they had departed from Tokyo early that morning and were also affected by jet lag. For that reason, their visit to the Peace Memorial Museum was kept brief, and I saw them off at Hiroshima Station. The tour ended about 15 minutes earlier than planned, which was also at the guests' request.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Shin-Hakushima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusIn front of the museum~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total990JPY

    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…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:30 Owakudani
    • 12:30 Hakone Shrine
    • 13:50 Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
    • 15:30 End of the tour

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Hakone Shrine, and the Glass Forest Museum The guests were visitors from Europe. They had already stayed in Osaka and Kyoto before coming to Hakone. They had thoroughly enjoyed their time in Japan and praised the wonderful hotel where they were staying in Hakone. Among all the places they had traveled to around the world, they said Japan was especially wonderful. We first headed from the hotel in Gora to Owakudani. Unfortunately, the following day was forecast to be rainy, so they were disappointed that they would not be able to view Mount Fuji, but they were delighted to buy the famous "black eggs" to eat back at the hotel. Next, at Hakone Shrine, I explained Shinto in detail, and they seemed to understand and appreciate it. Partly for that reason, they purchased six omamori (protective charms), including one for "safety of the home," to take home as souvenirs for their family. For lunch, they requested ramen, something they had wanted to eat since arriving in Japan but had not yet had the chance to try, and they enjoyed it. In the afternoon, we visited the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Glass Forest Museum), where they enjoyed the artworks along with a violin concert being held inside. Although the weather was poor and I was not able to show them beautiful scenery on this Hakone tour, we instead spent a great deal of time discussing Japanese religion, culture, and customs in depth. In the end, the guests seemed deeply moved as the tour came to a close.

    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…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:45 Meet up @Peninsula
    • 11:10 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 11:30 Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 12:15 Tsukiji Namiyoke Shrine
    • 12:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 13:30 Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store Food Floor ~ Yurakucho
    • 14:15 Tokyo Station Character Street ~ Marunouchi Station Building
    • 15:00 Disband @KITTE

    What Is a Private Tsukiji and Ginza Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were from North America, visiting Japan for the first time in 50 years. Because they originally came from Asia and could understand the meaning of kanji characters, it saved time when explaining the history of places such as "Tsukiji" and "Namiyoke." At the fish market they enjoyed sashimi and grilled eel skewers, and in the outer market they savored grilled egg skewers, Kobe beef skewers, yakisoba, and strawberry daifuku. The department store food floor at Ginza Mitsukoshi was not on the original plan, but when I took the guests there, one of the guests was so excited it was almost embarrassing to me. Since the rain had let up, we walked along Ginza Street to Yurakucho. We stopped by Character Street at Tokyo Station to look for souvenirs for their grandchild, then I showed them the taxi stand, took them to KITTE, and we parted ways. After the tour, the guests headed to Ecchujima to board a traditional houseboat.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHibiya Line Hibiya~Hibiya Line Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2SubwayHibiya Line Tsukiji~Hibiya Line Ginza178JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Yurakucho~JR Tokyo146JPY
    Total502JPY

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…