Category: Uncategorized

  • Kagoshima: Kurobuta Shabu-shabu Ichiniisan

    Kagoshima: Kurobuta Shabu-shabu Ichiniisan

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30am Pickup at Marine Port, transfer to Sakurajima Ferry
    • 11:00am Arrive at Sakurajima Ferry, board the ferry, transfer to Sakurajima
    • 11:15am Arrive at Sakurajima, transfer to Yunohira Observatory
    • 11:30am Arrive at Yunohira Observatory, pass through the Lava Nagisa Road and soak your feet in the footbath at Nagisa Park.
    • 00:45pm Board the Sakurajima Ferry, transfer from Sakurajima to Kagoshima City
    • 01:00pm Arrive at Kagoshima City, transfer to Kurobuta Shabu-shabu Ichiniisan
    • 01:15pm Arrive at Kurobuta Shabu-shabu Ichiniisan.
    • 02:15pm Depart Kurobuta Shabu-shabu
    • 02:30pm Arrive at Sengan-en, Sengan-en tour guide
    • 04:30pm Tour ends, depart Sengan-en
    • 05:15pm Arrive at Marine Port Kagoshima, end

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kagoshima Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The forecast called for rain, but the weather managed to hold up during the morning. In the afternoon at Sengan-en, there was a heavy downpour. Nevertheless, in the morning the guests were able to experience the Yunohira Observatory and the foot bath at Nagisa Lava Park, and in the afternoon at Sengan-en I was able to take the guests to places such as the cat shrine. In the end, the guests seemed to enjoy themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTenmonkan~Wakita170JPY
    Section 2TrainWakita~Tenmonkan170JPY
    Total340JPY

    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.

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

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

    Tour Itinerary

    • 14:00 Hotel Keisei Ueno-Ekimae
    • 14:20 Tokyo Station
    • 14:50 Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge, Sakuradamon Gate
    • 15:30 Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory
    • 16:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 17:10 Dismiss @ Ginza Line Shibuya Station

    What Can a Licensed Guide Show in One Day in Tokyo? A Private Tour Report Covering Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya Continuing from the previous day, I guided a group visiting from North America. Since one of the guests had taken a fall the day before, I was concerned, but they said that although there was a blue bruise on their hand, they were feeling well. We went from Ueno to Tokyo Station so the guests could see the station building, and from there we took a taxi to the Nijubashi Bridge for the sake of one of the guests. We had originally planned to visit Shinjuku Gyoen, but at the guests' request we decided to head to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building instead. Since taxis do not stop on the road in front of the Imperial Palace, I caught one in front of the Metropolitan Police Department. The observation deck was free and there was almost no wait, so the guests could take in the vastness of Tokyo and were very satisfied. When we noticed that one of the guests had lost a hat, I contacted the observation deck café and the taxi, but so far it has not been found. After that, we took a taxi to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, walked across the intersection, and viewed it from the second floor, which the guests enjoyed. Considering the physical stamina of one of the guests, they said they would like to return to the hotel earlier than planned, so I escorted them to the Ginza Line boarding area. However, the stairs continued for a long way and they had to rest partway up, so I should have taken a different route. At parting, each of the guests gave me words of gratitude, and the tour concluded. As for the taxi, even when the front is cool, the air conditioning sometimes does not reach the back seats well, so I was reminded of the importance of checking this and asking the driver to adjust it.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUeno~Tokyo170JPY
    Total170JPY

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Tokyo: Ryogoku & Shibuya

    Tokyo: Ryogoku & Shibuya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @Bellustar Tokyo
    • Shinjuku
    • 11:30 Ryogoku
    • 12:30 Lunch @Sansada
    • 13:30 Asakusa
    • 15:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 16:30 Harajuku
    • 17:00 Shibuya
    • 17:30 Dismiss @Shibuya Station

    Title: What Can You See on an 8-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe, and they mentioned that although they travel widely, this was their first time in Asia. Since the guests' phone was an Android device, it was difficult to download a mobile Suica, so I asked them in advance to purchase a Welcome Suica at the airport. They had arrived the previous day, and the tour day was their first day of sightseeing. Since they said they would leave the destinations up to the guide, I showed them the Shinjuku East Exit area around their hotel, as well as Ryogoku, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. At Ryogoku Kokugikan, the May Grand Sumo Tournament was underway, so I showed them the actual ring at Edo Noren and we watched lower-division wrestlers coming and going at the arena. I asked one of the friendly-looking young wrestlers, and we were able to take a commemorative photo together. We also visited the former Yasuda Garden next to the Kokugikan. After having lunch at Sandaime in Asakusa, I guided them to Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine, and then we headed to Shibuya. However, judging that it would be better to visit Meiji Shrine first (as Meiji Shrine would close), we returned to Harajuku and I guided them through Meiji Shrine and Harajuku first. Finally, we went to Shibuya, where we saw Pepper Parlor, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the Hachiko statue, and a Star Wars exhibition along the way, and we said goodbye at Shibuya Station. The guests were very pleasant, and the 8-hour tour went by in a flash. I do not often do 8-hour tours, but I felt that having 8 hours allowed me to guide them at a relaxed pace.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Ryogoku230JPY
    Section 2TrainRyogoku~Asakusabashi150JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusabashi~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku~Shibuya150JPY
    Total1,120JPY

    I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
    I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
    I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.

    I live with my husband and one teenage son.
    I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

    Jun 2, 2026
    ericahT6840AD
    Awesome!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…

    May 20, 2026
    CharKris17
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Walking Tour
    We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…

    May 3, 2026
    jefftK1794VZ
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
    This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…

    Oct 23, 2025
    Y6401BOshaunam
    Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…

  • Fukuoka in One Day: front of the cruise ship & Mojiko Station

    Fukuoka in One Day: front of the cruise ship & Mojiko Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00am In front of the cruise ship
    • 9:40am Kokura Castle Garden & Kokura Castle Keep
    • 12:15pm Kokura Izutsuya
    • 1:15pm Tanga Market
    • 1:45pm TOTO Museum
    • 3:12pm Mojiko Station
    • 3:40pm Disband in front of the cruise ship

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kitakyushu Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Mojiko and Kawachi Fujien The weather forecast was 26 degrees, and it was a clear, summer-like sunny day. Originally we had planned to have lunch at Tanga Market, but since it seemed better to take a break beforehand, we each bought our favorite prepared dishes at a department store food hall and had them for lunch. Guests arriving by cruise ship see many wonderful spots at each port of call, so personally I would recommend the Kanmon tour since it does not overlap with other destinations, but the guests chose the Kitakyushu tour because they really wanted to visit Kawachi Fujien. Mojiko Station, which is full of highlights, seemed to move them so much that they even recommended it to fellow passengers from their ship whom they passed along the way.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Mojiko Station~JR Kokura Station340JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Kokura Station~JR Mojiko Station340JPY
    Section 3BusKonyamachi~Kifunemachi230JPY
    Section 4BusKifunemachi~Kokura Bus Center230JPY
    Total1,140JPY

    Hello everyone .
    Please call me Peko.
    I’m National government licensed Guide Interpreter.
    I like travelling, Japanese archery, and tea ceremony.
    I visited 17countries.
    Also I lived in Netherlands for a year and three months.

    local people always showed me their hospitality. So, I think it’s my turn to show visitors to Japan the spirit of hospitality.
    Currently, I live in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.

    Fukuoka has been an important place of defense and trade since ancient times, because it is close to the continent,
    So, Fukuoka is blessed with historic, cultural sites, as well as beautiful scenery and fresh seafood.

    Especially, channel between Yamaguchi and Moji is must see spot for you.
    If you come to Mojiko, I highly recommend the “Shimonoseki & Moji Port Full Day Tour”.
    Kanmon Strait round tour is so fascinating, varied and exciting for you.
    You can enjoy breathtaking scenery ,historical places, walking under the sea tounnel, ferry ride, bus, stream of first current and gourmet.
    Let’s enjoy Kanmon with me!

    Also Kitakyushu city got the first prize of “New three Major Night Views of Japan in 2023.
    We can see and enjoy panoramic night view from mountain.
    Why don’t you go around and enjoy Fukuoka with me.
    Endless discover is waiting for you.

    Apr 6, 2026
    Sandra_V
    Viator review: Kitakyushu 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Peko was delightful,…
    Peko was delightful, knowledgeable and very informative. She planned…

    Mar 27, 2026
    junk1961
    Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Hakata Private Tour Licensed Guide& Vehicle
    Great day in Fukuoka
    Excellent day in Fukuoka with our guide…

    May 25, 2025
    Susan_L
    Peko was a very nice &…
    Viator review: Fukuoka Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Peko was a very nice…

    Mar 20, 2025
    Florencio_J
    I had a great time! My…
    Viator review: Kitakyushu Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    I had a great time! My…

  • Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. Meet up @ Sapporo Station
    • 2. 10:10 Former Hokkaido Government Office
    • 3. 10:50 Mount Moiwa
    • 4. 12:50 Lunch @ Shin-Sapporo
    • 5. 14:00 Historical Village of Hokkaido
    • 6. 16:20 Disband @ Odori Park

    Title: What's a Private History and Culture Tour of Sapporo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Historical Village of Hokkaido The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They were interested in history and culture, and from the outset they had requested places including the Historical Village of Hokkaido, so I planned and guided an itinerary centered on the Historical Village of Hokkaido. During the tour, since they were interested in history and culture, there were many wide-ranging questions about Japan in general. At the Historical Village of Hokkaido, they explored each building with great interest, and one of the guests took many photographs at this location. At the end, I accompanied them to Odori Park Station, assisted them with their onward destinations, and said goodbye. For travel to Mount Moiwa and the Historical Village of Hokkaido, given the limited tour time, I recommended using a taxi rather than a bus from the subway station, and they kindly agreed.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOdori Park Station~Maruyama Park Station210JPY
    Section 2SubwayMaruyama Park Station~Shin-Sapporo Station330JPY
    Section 3SubwayShin-Sapporo Station~Odori Park Station330JPY
    Total870JPY

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

    Sep 2, 2025
    roxannerW1499FK
    Great experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 meet at The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama
    • 9:00-11:20 Osaka Castle
    • 11:20-12:30 Kuromon Market
    • 12:30-13:15 Dotonbori

    What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle and Kuromon Market The guests were a lively group visiting Japan. They planned to visit the Expo the next day, and Osaka was the final stop of a longer trip. At Osaka Castle, I took many photos of the guests, and they explored the interior with great interest. They also visited the stone wall museum and said they came to understand the history of Osaka Castle very well. At Kuromon Market, they enjoyed cream-filled croissants, wagyu beef steak skewers, takoyaki, and cherry blossom ice cream. While they were eating, I converted their photos into a Ghibli-style image using ChatGPT, which delighted them. I have recently become fascinated with using ChatGPT to convert photos into Ghibli-style anime images, and when I showed the guests, they eagerly asked me to convert theirs, so I made three versions and gave them copies. They planned to eat something in Dotonbori and then head to the Osaka Aquarium, so we parted ways at Ebisu Bridge.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKitahama~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Nippombashi190JPY
    Total380JPY

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

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

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

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

    May 23, 2026
    189mirjamf
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Grandioser Einblick in eine fremde Kultur
    Sehr nette und…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet at Hotel Nihonbashi Saibo
    • 2. 9:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 3. 11:20 Asakusa (Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, etc.)
    • 4. 12:40 Lunch @ Asakusa
    • 5. 14:00 Ueno
    • 6. 15:30 Disband (Hibiya Line Ueno Station)

    What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like on a Guest's First Day in Japan? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests had arrived in Japan the previous evening, so this was effectively the first day of their trip to Japan. When I arrived about 10 minutes before the meeting time, the guests were already standing by, so we started the tour right away. It was a pleasant day—a little warm in the sun but comfortable in the shade—and at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the guests found everything fascinating, from the stone walls to the plants, and happily took many photographs. It was the same in Asakusa, where they listened attentively to my explanation of the Sanja Matsuri festival, which was to begin two days later. Standing where Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine sit side by side, I explained Shinto and Buddhism, and the guests listened with great interest. They also loved Ueno, saying it was "a very nice park," and were grateful when I explained the history of the National Museum of Western Art. At Ueno Toshogu Shrine, they said it was "beautiful" and took many photographs. Since it was their first time in Japan and essentially their first day, they were interested in everything they saw, which made it a very rewarding tour to guide, and the guests appeared very satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNingyocho~Otemachi178JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi~Asakusa178JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Ueno178JPY
    Total534JPY

    Hello, I’m Masaaki Kurata. I have been conducting walking tours in Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka and the East Garden of Imperial Palace since I joined an English guide volunteer club in 2016. I worked for 2 U.S. based companies in Tokyo for 41 years and retired in 2023. I developed good communication skills with people from other countries in my long career in those 2 companies. I was born in the suburb of Tokyo and I’m familiar with Tokyo pretty much. Since I retired and do not work for a company any longer, I can be flexible in making itineraries. I really want to make tourists happy by making fun and interesting communication.

    Jun 5, 2026
    Flyer544764
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Extraordinary submersion into Japanese history and culture~
    What an extraordinary 6 hr…

    Apr 27, 2026
    Eric_K
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mac was a very good tour…
    Mac was a very good tour…

    Apr 23, 2026
    O4598GUpatriciat
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional Private Guide – Discovering the Hidden Side of Tokyo
    We had…

    Apr 2, 2026
    V742WEsusans
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommended tour
    Excellent friendly guidance from Mac. He greeted us at…

  • Hyogo in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kinkaku-ji

    Hyogo in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kinkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:30 Meeting Kobe Port Terminal
    • 08:45 to 09:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 10:30 to 11:30 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:45 to 12:15 Gion
    • 12:30 to 12;45 Lunch (Ramen)
    • 13;00 to 13:30 Sagano Bamboo Forest
    • 14:00 to 14:45 Kinkaku-ji
    • 15;15 to 16:00 Ninja & Samurai Museum
    • 17:40 Dismissal Kobe Port Terminal

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Tour Like from a Cruise Ship Port? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests today were a family visiting from North America. The tour was originally planned as a 9-hour Kyoto tour departing from and returning to Kobe, but since 9 hours were not enough to cover all of the intended destinations, we extended the time and carried out the tour. Because the guests had to board their cruise ship by 18:00, the schedule was quite tight, but the guests cooperated very well and refrained from shopping or buying souvenirs outside of the shops I had designated. As a result, we were able to move through the tour quickly and return to the ship by the scheduled time, which was a great outcome.

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Tenryu-ji

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Tenryu-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet up @ Kamishichiken Oku
    • 9:15 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 10:50 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:35 Walking: Sannenzaka ~ Yasaka Pagoda
    • 12:15 Lunch
    • 13:35 Tenryu-ji
    • 14:30 Disband @ Nishiki Market

    The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of them had visited Japan before. As this was the final day of their sightseeing before their return trip the following day, I arranged the itinerary according to their wishes. They took photos everywhere we went and each enjoyed the day according to their own preferences. Lunch was also well received, and I believe they were satisfied. We were able to proceed almost exactly as planned, and at the end, at their request, we parted ways at Nishiki Market.

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

    Jul 13, 2025
    H2enjoy
    Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…

    Jun 20, 2025
    zoranm709
    Kyoto great tour experience.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

    Jun 18, 2025
    Adventurer310309
    Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife…

    May 26, 2025
    SK G
    Excellent tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet @ Hotel Kyoto
    • 10:15-11:40 @ Nijo Castle
    • 12:20-13:00 @ Kinkaku-ji
    • 13:05-13:30 Lunch @ Menmen-kaku
    • 14:00-14:50 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 15:00 Dismiss @ Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since Kyoto Imperial Palace was closed for viewing on this day, I informed them and they agreed to visit Kinkaku-ji Temple instead, and we began the tour. The guests were very interested in history, and at the Ninomaru Palace of Nijo Castle they explored each room quite carefully. This allowed me to explain each section thoroughly. When I offered a pair of binoculars I had prepared in advance, they took turns using them and were very pleased. Kinkaku-ji Temple was not very crowded and was easy to walk around. They were moved by the beauty of the Golden Pavilion, but it was especially impressive to see how touched they were by the "Rikushu no Matsu" (Land Boat Pine). Unfortunately, the "Ryumon Falls" was under construction and completely covered, so it could not be seen at all. Afterward, since they had requested either ramen or soba for lunch, I guided them to a noodle restaurant near Kinkaku-ji Temple. However, it seemed the food was not quite to their taste, and it turned into a somewhat quiet lunch. At the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, I also guided them to Nonomiya Shrine and the Hozukyo Gorge view from the top of Kameyama Park. I had intended to see them off at their accommodation, but when we reached the area near Togetsukyo Bridge, they said they wanted to explore Arashiyama on their own from there. So although the tour ended a little earlier than planned, we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-mae230JPY
    Total230JPY

    Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

    My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

    I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

    I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
    I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

    I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!

    May 19, 2026
    498stephenq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An enjoyable visit
    Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
    Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

    Oct 14, 2025
    Scenic61154406959
    Great Historical Perspective
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

    Sep 29, 2025
    Jea L
    Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kaz was an excellent tour…