Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto & Nijojo-mae

    Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto & Nijojo-mae

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 9:15-9:20 Kyoto→Inari JR 150 yen
    • 9:30-10:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha sightseeing
    • 10:38-11:19 Inari→Saga-Arashiyama JR 240 yen
    • 11:30-13:00 Tenryu-ji Temple & Bamboo Grove Path sightseeing
    • 13:17-13:23 Saga-Arashiyama→Enmachi JR 190 yen
    • 13:40-13:55 Nishinokyo-Enmachi→Kinkaku-ji-michi Bus 230 yen
    • 14:00-14:50 Kinkaku-ji sightseeing
    • 15:03-15:12 Kinkaku-ji-michi→Nishinokyo-Enmachi Bus 230 yen
    • 15:20-15:22 Enmachi→Nijo JR 150 yen
    • 15:40-16:30 Nijo Castle sightseeing
    • 16:45-15:01 Nijojo-mae→Kyoto Subway 260 yen
    • 17:15 Disband @ Hotel

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Since one of them spoke only one language, the tour proceeded with translation help from within the group. We visited many famous sights of Kyoto, including Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji Temple, the Bamboo Grove Path, and the Kimono Forest), Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Nijo Castle. Although it was during a national holiday period, the crowds were relatively mild, the weather was fine, and the guests seemed thoroughly pleased throughout the day. As the tour ran a little long, after arriving at the Hotel I was kindly invited to have a drink together in the lobby, and was treated to two beers. (Since we had skipped lunch, the beers went down very well.) It was a memorable day spent with such friendly and warm guests.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Enmachi190JPY
    Section 4BusNishinokyo-Enmachi～Kinkaku-ji-michi230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkaku-ji-michi～Nishinokyo-Enmachi230JPY
    Section 6TrainEnmachi～Nijo150JPY
    Section 7SubwayNijojo-mae～Kyoto260JPY
    Total1,450JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

    Request Booking

    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Janice_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Kyoto
    It was a good tour…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Port Terminal & Ikuta Shrine

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Port Terminal & Ikuta Shrine

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Port Terminal
    • 9:05-9:10 Port Terminal → Sannomiya Port Liner 210 yen
    • 9:20-9:41 Sannomiya → Maiko JR 320 yen
    • 10:00-10:50 Sightseeing at Maiko Park & Maiko Marine Promenade
    • 11:03-11:24 Maiko → Sannomiya JR 320 yen
    • 11:30-12:00 Sightseeing at Ikuta Shrine
    • 12:15-13:00 Lunch @ Nappa
    • 13:15 Disband @ Sannomiya Center-gai

    What Is a Private Kobe Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Maiko Park and Ikuta Shrine The guests were visitors from North America. At Maiko Park they enjoyed the magnificent views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and thanks to the fine weather they were able to take many wonderful photographs. At Ikuta Shrine they listened with great interest to the differences and coexistence between Shinto and Buddhism, and actively asked questions. For lunch we chose a restaurant in Sannomiya serving vegetable-centered cuisine, and they were satisfied with the dishes prepared with its own unique seasoning of vegetables. Although they were a little puzzled by the simmered flatfish, after one bite they smiled and said it was delicious. The atmosphere remained relaxed throughout, and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy the city of Kobe.

    Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainPort Terminal～Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2TrainSannomiya～Maiko320JPY
    Section 3TrainMaiko～Sannomiya320JPY
    Total850JPY

    Tour Report by AndyMurao

    Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.

    I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.

    There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.

    I look forward to attending you in Japan.

    Best regards,

    Andy Murao

    Request Booking

    Jul 13, 2026
    webstere2025
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent
    Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Catherine_D
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in Osaka
    Andy was great . On time and patience…

    Jun 6, 2026
    eyeessess
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour!
    Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…

    Jun 5, 2026
    Janice_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Kyoto
    It was a good tour…

  • Tokyo: Tokyo Skytree Station & Asakusa Subway Station

    Tokyo: Tokyo Skytree Station & Asakusa Subway Station

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30　Meet near the Skytree Shop on the 5th floor of Tokyo Skytree
    • 10:38　Depart Tokyo Skytree Station
    • 10:41　Arrive at Tobu Asakusa Station
    • 10:45　Purchase mineral water at Drug Seims Asakusa Kaminarimon-dori Store
    • 10:55　Kaminarimon
    • 11:10　Sensoji Main Hall
    • 11:30　Asakusa Shrine
    • 12:15　Lunch at Kintaro Sushi Asakusa Central Store
    • 13:30　Guest returns to Hotel to retrieve a forgotten item
    • 13:58　Depart Tawaramachi Subway Station
    • 14:20　Arrive at Takebashi Subway Station
    • 14:30　Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 15:58　Depart Otemachi Subway Station
    • 16:11　Arrive at Shibuya Subway Station　After arrival, move on foot while viewing the Hachiko Statue and Scramble Crossing
    • 16:45　Meiji Jingu
    • 17:50　At the west gate of Meiji Jingu, some guests and tour leader Mr. Jan leave to head to teamLab Borderless. The guide heads to Asakusa with the remaining guests.
    • 17:55　Depart Meiji-jingumae Subway Station
    • 18:40　Arrive at Asakusa Subway Station
    • 18:45　Tour ends at Asakusa Central Street

    What's a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like for a Group? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe, accompanied by a tour leader also from Europe. After enjoying cherry blossom viewing in Hokkaido, they toured around Tokyo. They planned to stay for a total of ten days, with visits to Mount Fuji, the Kansai region, and Hiroshima scheduled for the following days. For lunch they had originally requested teppanyaki, but upon seeing the prices on-site they felt it was too expensive, so we quickly switched to sushi instead. For the guiding, I explained in English and the tour leader then interpreted into their language, and it seemed that the guests understood things reasonably well.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTawaramachi～Takebashi209JPY
    Section 2TrainOtemachi～Shibuya209JPY
    Section 3TrainMeiji-jingumae～Asakusa252JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo Skytree～Asakusa157JPY
    Total827JPY

    Tour Report by Seiji

    Hello! My name is Seiji, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English and Chinese (Mandarin). I was born in Tokyo and grew up in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, so I’m proficient about sight seeing spots in Kanto area including Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, etc.

    Last year I handled about 40 tours. The tours are mainly one-day Trip in Tokyo for free individual travellers, but I have also experienced one-day bus tours to Mt. Fuji and Hakone areas with 17- 45 PAX.

    My hobby is traveling by train, so I can arrange your trip by trains such as steam locomotive train if you want to try.

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  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hotel-11:20 Imperial Palace East Gardens-12:40 Meiji Shrine-14:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street Entrance-14:50 Ginza Lunch-15:45 Kappabashi Kitchenware Town-16:10 Asakusa Sensoji Temple-16:45 Disband at TX Asakusa Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Ginza, and Asakusa Body: [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a first-time-in-Japan private full-day tour of Tokyo for a group visiting from Europe. On the effective first day of their roughly two-week trip, we chose the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace as the starting point. At the next stop, Meiji Shrine, we happened to come across a wedding procession. When I explained the bride's traditional "tsunokakushi" headdress, the guests were wide-eyed with surprise. At the Harajuku-side entrance to Takeshita Street, the crowds were beyond anything I had imagined, perhaps because of the national holiday, so we decided against walking down Takeshita Street. For lunch, we enjoyed delicious sushi at a long-established sushi restaurant in Ginza, and the guests were delighted with the great value. Finally, we walked from Kappabashi Kitchen Town to Sensoji Temple, and blessed with fine weather, the guests had a very enjoyable day.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySuidobashi～Otemachi178JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi～Kitasando209JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Ginza178JPY
    Section 4SubwayGinza～Tawaramachi209JPY
    Total774JPY

    Tour Report by Michio

    Welcome to Japan. My name is Michio, your tour guide in Tokyo and Japan. I was born and grown up in Tokyo, and still living in western suburb of Tokyo with my wife, except for 10 years outside of Japan travelling and living in 60 countries. So I might have visited your country and still remember a few words.
    Japan has unique history, nature and culture, and there are plenty of secrets and wonders behind them such as food culture, Zen and Ninja.
    So please explore and discover the hidden and most beautiful part of Japan together. Let’s experience!

    Request Booking

    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking tour was fantastic! Michio…

    Oct 24, 2025
    410trishab
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Outstanding Tour with Michio and Nobuhiko!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from…

    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

  • Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Hamarikyu

    Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Hamarikyu

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:50　Meet up @ Hotel Ginza Premium
    • 09:30　Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 09:50　Meiji Shrine
    • 11:30　Imperial Palace
    • 12:20　Lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Sushi Marunouchi Building Branch
    • 13:45　Sensoji Temple
    • 15:00　Akihabara
    • 16:00　Hamarikyu
    • 17:05　Disband @ Hotel Ginza Premium

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. 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 Temple, they were intrigued by explanations about the differences between temples and shrines. In Akihabara, they showed interest in the large electronics retail stores. At Hamarikyu Gardens, they appeared impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. Since I accommodated the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza～Shibuya700JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae0JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo～Ueno170JPY
    Section 5SubwayUeno～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6SubwayAsakusa～Suehirocho0JPY
    Section 7TrainAkihabara～Shimbashi170JPY
    Section 8SubwayShimbashi～Ginza0JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    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

    Request Booking

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08：50　Meet up ＠Hotel (Tsukiji)
    • 09：30　Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 09：50　Meiji Shrine
    • 11：20　Imperial Palace
    • 12：15　Lunch ＠Aoyuzu Tora (Marunouchi Building)
    • 13：00　Tokyo Station JR Pass Office
    • 13：50　Sensoji Temple
    • 15：00　Akihabara
    • 16：00　Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 16：45　Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 17：05　Dismissal ＠Hotel (Tsukiji)

    What Does a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe, visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Kanazawa, Takayama, Nagoya, and Kyoto. At Meiji Shrine, they appeared impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Sensoji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, and were delighted to be able to obtain a goshuin (temple stamp) from Sensoji. In Akihabara, they showed interest in many shops and said they would like to return later to explore at a more leisurely pace. At Hamarikyu Gardens, they appeared impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji～Shibuya700JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae0JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo～Ueno170JPY
    Section 5SubwayUeno～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6SubwayAsakusa～Suehirocho0JPY
    Section 7TrainAkihabara～Shimbashi170JPY
    Total1,190JPY

    Tour Report by Seizo

    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

    Request Booking

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel → 9:00~9:40 Travel to Asakusa → 9:40~10:40 Explore Asakusa → 10:40~11:00 Travel to Tokyo Skytree → 11:00~11:40 Since the Skytree was fully booked, explore the Sumida Aquarium → 11:40~12:00 Travel to Asakusa → 12:00~12:30 Travel to Shibuya → 12:30~13:00 Explore the Shibuya crossing and more → 13:00~14:20 Enjoy a yakiniku lunch → 14:20~15:00 Take the guests to the hotel in Toranomon and disband

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shibuya, and More Body: Today's guests were part of a group visiting Japan from North America. They had boarded a cruise ship and traveled through Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Matsuyama, and Hiroshima, finishing their journey in Tokyo before returning home. We first visited Asakusa, where some of the guests enjoyed browsing various shops in search of souvenirs. Next, we headed to Tokyo Skytree, but since the wait was three hours, we decided against it and visited the Sumida Aquarium instead, where the guests found the penguins very cute and took many photos. We then went to Shibuya to see the famous crossing, and when I explained that this intersection became well known after being used as a set in the film "Lost in Translation," the guests were very surprised. Finally, since a gluten-free meal was preferred, I took the guests to a yakiniku restaurant where they thoroughly enjoyed wagyu beef and were delighted, saying the wagyu was truly delicious.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

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

    Request Booking

    Oct 14, 2025
    Randi R
    Amazing tour of Tokyo with Yuji
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuji was an amazing guide.…

    Sep 30, 2025
    K6530TRangelor
    Great tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yuji was excellent. He was very punctual and…

    Sep 19, 2025
    belindaf2022
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful day with being shown the key…

    Sep 8, 2025
    S8908ADcarolinab
    Family friendly guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with our 6 hour…

  • Kyoto: Ryoan-ji Temple & Sanjusangen-do

    Kyoto: Ryoan-ji Temple & Sanjusangen-do

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet Park Hyatt Kyoto
    • 08:50 to 09:30 Ryoan-ji Temple
    • 09:50 to 10:30 Nijo Castle
    • 10:45 to 11:30 Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 12:30 to 13:15 To-ji Temple
    • 13:30 to 14:15 Sanjusangen-do
    • 14:30 Dismissal Park Hyatt Kyoto

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Temple and Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. They had a strong interest in Buddhist statues, Japanese architecture, and gardens, and requested facilities where they could go inside the buildings, so I recommended the sites listed above. We are also scheduled to visit Mount Koya together next Monday. Thinking it would be good for them to see To-ji Temple before heading to Mount Koya, I added To-ji Temple as well. At each site we visited, they bought many books, saying they would study up before going to Mount Koya.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Haru

    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 !!

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Nara in One Day: Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park & Kintetsu Nara

    Nara in One Day: Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park & Kintetsu Nara

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:30 Guesthouse Nara Komachi (Start of Tour)
    • (bus 250 yen)Traffic congestion Sanjo Kawasaki-cho→Todaiji Great Buddha Hall・Kasuga-taisha Shrine
    • 12:00-30 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 13:40- Todaiji Temple
    • 13:40-50 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 14:00-30 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 14:40-15:00 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower　Lunch: Rokumeien
    • (walk 5 minutes)
    • 15:10-30 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 15:40 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 15:50-16:20 Kasuga-taisha Shrine
    • (bus) Kasuga-taisha Main Shrine→Naramachi・Gangoji Temple
    • 16:40-17:00 Nara-machi (Old Merchant Quarters)
    • (walk 10 minutes)
    • 17:10 Kintetsu Nara (bus) →JR Nara
    • 17:30 Guesthouse Nara Komachi (end of tour)

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. I had braced myself for a hard-to-understand regional accent, but their English turned out to be surprisingly clear and easy to follow. When I asked why, they explained that they originally came from another part of North America. When the English is easy to understand, it is easy for me to speak with them too. Thanks to the many thoughtful questions they asked, I was able to go into much greater depth than usual on topics such as how the Buddhism taught by the historical Shakyamuni Buddha is quite different from Buddhism in Japan today, the differences between Southern Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism) and Northern Buddhism (Mahayana Buddhism), and the differences between ancient Shinto and Shinto after the Meiji era. We also talked a great deal about the chaotic state of current politics. We parted with the wish for more time together, and I told them I truly hope they will come back to Nara again.

    Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusSanjo Kawasaki-cho～Todaiji Great Buddha Hall・Kasuga-taisha Shrine250JPY
    Section 2BusKasuga-taisha Main Shrine～Naramachi・Gangoji Temple250JPY
    Section 3BusKintetsu Nara Station～JR Nara Station250JPY
    Total750JPY

    Tour Report by Junichi

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

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    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Hokan-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Hokan-ji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00　Meet up @ Dusit Thani Kyoto
    • Travel (taxi)
    • 10:15-10:45　Hokan-ji Temple
    • Ninen-zaka → Ichinen-zaka → Yasui Konpira Shrine
    • 11:30-12:10　Kennin-ji Temple, Zenkyo-an → Ebisu Shrine
    • 13:00-13:50　Lunch @ Vege Deji-ya
    • (Travel: taxi)
    • 14:00-15:30　Nanzen-ji Temple, Tenju-an
    • 15:30　Dismissal @ Tenju-an

    Title: Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Kyoto's Temples? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hokan-ji, Kennin-ji, and Nanzen-ji Originally, the guests had requested a full itinerary of Hokan-ji, Kennin-ji, Nanzen-ji, and Ginkaku-ji. Since the places they chose were all rather refined and unusual choices, I had imagined the guests to be quite different from how they turned out to be. When I arrived at the meeting point, the guests were already waiting for me, and I was quite surprised. They told me, "We went to Ginkaku-ji yesterday, so we don't need to go today." Since that freed up some time, I suggested we could use public transportation, but the guests said they would arrange a taxi via a ride app, so we headed to the first destination by taxi. At Hokan-ji, the plan had been just to photograph it from the outside, but one of the guests said they wanted to climb the five-story pagoda. Since I usually only photograph it from the outside myself, I happily climbed it together with the guests. We then walked through Ninenzaka and Ichinenzaka, where they gladly took photos of the scenery. Next we went to Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. I once told a story from a previous tour, where I had taken some guests there simply because it is an interesting concept I wanted to introduce, and one of them scolded me, saying, "Are you trying to make me break up with my partner!" When I shared this, one of the guests laughed and said, "Maybe there really was something going on?" Next, since Kennin-ji was on the list, we started to enter, but one of the guests said, "We passed through here yesterday, so it's fine." I explained that we could also go inside the buildings, and they agreed once, but the group was overwhelmed by the number of people waiting in line and decided not to go in. So I introduced the Sanmon gate and we passed by. Then one of the guests said, "We couldn't pray at Zenkyoan next door yesterday, so I'd like to go," and so we decided to stop there. One of the guests bought a miniature boar and placed it by the large boar statue. Since we had skipped Kennin-ji, I wondered what to do and thought about stopping by the geisha district, but the guests said, "We experienced geisha entertainment yesterday, so it's fine," so I introduced Ebisu Shrine instead. One of the guests tried tossing a coin into the basket held by the Ebisu figure on the torii, and after a few tries succeeded, drawing cheers from the people around. As it was around lunchtime, I suggested we have lunch in this area before heading to Nanzen-ji, and the guests agreed. I had intended to have a quick meal like noodles, but when I asked the guests what they would like to eat, one said sushi and the other said beef. I thought of a sushi restaurant in Shinbashi for sushi, and a wagyu restaurant near Sanjo Ohashi for beef, so we started walking in that direction. However, the sushi restaurant only opened in the evening. One of the guests looked up restaurants that were open and we tried several places, but several were crowded and turned us away. When it seemed like there was nothing left, I mentioned that there was a restaurant floor at the Hankyu Kawaramachi complex or at the department store, and we started walking that way. Along the way, they found a Korean restaurant and said it was fine, so we ended up having Korean food for lunch in Japan. I had always felt that "when you come to Gion, there are places to eat here and there," and since I usually just have noodles during tours to save time, I hadn't paid much attention to where we would eat. As a result, I couldn't suggest a good place on the spot and made them walk more than necessary, which I felt bad about. I intend to make use of this experience next time. At that Korean restaurant, it turned out that one of the guests had a wheat allergy. (This is not an excuse, but I had not received any advance information.) Given that, I was glad I hadn't carelessly suggested noodles. Regaining my composure, we decided to head to Nanzen-ji by taxi. At Nanzen-ji, as expected, the guests wished to climb the Sanmon gate. One of the guests, who works restoring historical stone structures, said they were used to high places. Another joked, "Since I'm tall, maybe I'm more likely to fall?" Next I guided them to the Hatto (Dharma hall), and one of the guests asked, from the topic of "Is Zen Buddhism the religion with the most followers in Japan?", the question "What do Shinto followers believe happens when a person dies?" I told them, "I have a friend who practices Shinto, and their family member said that when you die, you become a kami," and the guests seemed convinced. Since they very much wanted to see the rock garden, we decided to enter the Hojo. Next I guided them to the Suirokaku aqueduct, and just when I thought that concluded the Nanzen-ji tour, it turned out they had researched the garden of Tenju-an in advance, so we decided to enter Tenju-an. In fact, I had never been inside Tenju-an myself, and I was moved by the beauty of the garden reflected through the glass. Afterward, I also suggested walking back past Konchi-in, but the guests said, "We've walked enough already," so we parted ways in front of the Nanzen-ji gate.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Satoko

    I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

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    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…