Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: Hyatt Regency Kyoto & Fushimi Inari

    Kyoto: Hyatt Regency Kyoto & Fushimi Inari

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 10:20-10:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
    • 11:05-11:40 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 12:05-12:45 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 13:00-14:20 Lunch (Kappo Uotake)
    • 14:40-15:20 Nijo Castle
    • 16:00-16:40 Fushimi Inari
    • 17:00 Hyatt Regency Kyoto

    # What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for Guests from North America? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America, made up of friends visiting Japan. The itinerary was adjusted and modified on the day and became: Hotel → the Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama → Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple → Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) → lunch (a Japanese restaurant, Kappo Uotake) → Nijo Castle → Fushimi Inari → Hotel. Everyone was very lively, and throughout the ride and along the way they chatted energetically and burst into big laughter again and again, and this continued from start to finish. That energy was also fully directed toward the guide, and everyone listened very attentively to the guide's explanations and asked questions actively. For example, they asked about volcanic activity and earthquakes in Japan, the origins and management of the Arashiyama bamboo grove, the differences between Shinto and Buddhism and the Japanese view of religion, real estate prices in Japan, the impact of overtourism on local residents, the role of the noren curtains used in houses, why obesity is rare among Japanese people, the threat from China and debt traps, the origins of the Japanese people, sake, the relationship between the Emperor and the Shogun, Japan's power generation mix and energy situation, and geisha and maiko — a wide variety of topics. Because everyone enjoyed each sightseeing spot, the scenery and architecture, and even the meal, without feeling rushed by time, the tour ran 1.5 hours over schedule even after omitting the originally planned Ginkaku-ji. For lunch, they requested a Japanese restaurant frequented by local residents, so I guided them to Kappo Uotake, which has the atmosphere of a detached house. The moment they entered the tatami room on the second floor, they were moved by the beauty of the room's furnishings, and the lunch was a great success, beginning with a toast with sake, followed by sashimi set meals and wagyu beef set meals, with tempura added as an à la carte dish.

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

    Tour Report by Masaki

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Meet up@Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 2.8:35 @Nijo Castle
    • 3.10:00@Kinkaku-ji
    • 4.10:55 @Ryoan-ji
    • 5.12:20 Lunch@ Bonbon
    • 6.12:45 @Tenryu-ji
    • 7.13:15@Bamboo Grove Path
    • 8.13:55 Dismiss@JR Kyoto Station

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari The guests were visitors from North America. During our correspondence before the tour, they mentioned that they were celebrating a special occasion, so they wished to make a dinner reservation. I booked an all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant in the Gion area at 18:00 for that day. For the tour itinerary, I proposed two options: a western route including Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Arashiyama, and an eastern route including Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera, and let them choose. We were blessed with fine weather, and the guests walked a great deal. For places where buses would take a long time, I recommended taking a taxi, and from Ryoan-ji to Arashiyama we used the Randen tram. For lunch, at an udon restaurant near a Randen station, they enjoyed curry udon and beef udon. After sightseeing in Arashiyama, they had said they wanted to visit Fushimi Inari, but on the way from Saga-Arashiyama Station toward Kyoto Station they changed their minds and decided to go early the next morning instead. So we parted ways at Kyoto Station. Throughout the tour, the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShichijo～Sanjo170JPY
    Section 2SubwayHigashiyama Sanjo～Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 3OtherNijo Castle～Kinkaku-ji0JPY
    Section 4OtherKinkaku-ji～Ryoan-ji0JPY
    Section 5TrainRyoan-ji～Arashiyama250JPY
    Section 6TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Kyoto240JPY
    Total880JPY

    Tour Report by Shoko

    I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.

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    Mar 31, 2026
    Michael A
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Perfectly customized tour
    Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…

    Mar 29, 2026
    judyl582
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shoko was great
    Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…

    Oct 8, 2025
    441gayh
    World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…

    Oct 3, 2025
    Judi H
    Introduction to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
    She…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:45 Meet @ JR Osaka Station
    • 12:15 @ Osaka Castle (exterior only)
    • 13:30 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 14:30 @ Kuromon Market
    • 15:15 Disband @ Dotonbori

    Title: Can You Do a Private Walking Tour of Osaka's Dotonbori? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. They did not appear at the initial meeting point, but contacted me via a messaging app. The meeting had originally been arranged near the tourist information center by the central north exit on the first floor, but for some reason they were at the south exit on the second floor. After exchanging a few messages, we were able to meet successfully and started the tour about ten minutes late. From there, everything proceeded smoothly. Both listened attentively to my explanations throughout the tour. Since they were a little hungry and wished to have ramen, I guided them to a ramen restaurant in Dotonbori, where we parted ways somewhat early. Note: In previous tours, meeting at this location had gone without any problems, so I had explained it with some confidence. I had also confirmed the meeting point two or three times this time. Learning from today's experience, I would like to provide more detailed instructions in the future (attaching a photo) to avoid any confusion about the meeting point.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOsaka～Morinomiya180JPY
    Section 2TrainMorinomiya～Shin-Imamiya180JPY
    Section 3TrainShin-Imamiya～Sumiyoshi Taisha240JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha～Namba240JPY
    Total840JPY

    Tour Report by Yama

    Dear my guests,

    This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
    I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
    real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
    if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

    Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
    that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
    and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
    foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
    Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
    explanation for these three foods.

    1) Tako-yaki
    Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
    octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
    2) Okonomi-yaki
    This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
    Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
    3) Kushi-katsu
    Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
    ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

    Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
    that you like them very much.

    I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
    and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
    great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

    Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
    Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
    Yama

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Meet　10:30 Nijo Castle　　12:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple　　13:35 Lunch (Sushi)　15:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace　16:00 Tour Ends

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Sushi, and the Imperial Palace The guests visited Japan from North America. One of the guests had been to Japan several times before but was visiting Kyoto for sightseeing for the first time, while the others were visiting Japan for the first time. Everyone was energetic and cheerful, and they asked many questions, which made guiding them easy. The weather was fine, not too hot, and very comfortable. As it was a national holiday, many places were quite crowded. In particular, the bus to Kinkaku-ji was extremely packed. However, at Kinkaku-ji, visitors were lined up in an orderly manner from in front of the gate, so even though the line was long, it moved very smoothly. This was partly because there were no large tour groups at that time. For lunch we went to a sushi restaurant, which was also extremely crowded, but since we had a reservation we were able to be seated on time, which was good. I had planned to guide them as far as Gion, but by the time we finished at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, six hours had passed, and the guests said we could finish there, so the tour ended at 4:00 p.m. The photo was taken at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKiyomizu-michi～Higashiyama-sanjo1,100JPY
    Section 2Free PassHigashiyama～Nijojo-mae0JPY
    Section 3Free PassNijojo-mae～Nishioji-oike0JPY
    Section 4Free PassNishioji-oike～Kinkakuji-michi0JPY
    Section 5Free PassWara Tenjin～Karasuma-Imadegawa0JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

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

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National

    Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National

    Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. Meet 9:00 @ Hotel
    • 2. Move to Nagoya Castle and view Honmaru Palace and the area around the castle tower
    • 3. Move to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and view the Textile Machinery Pavilion and Automobile Pavilion
    • 4. Lunch @ Equip Nine (near the east gate of Tokugawaen)
    • 5. Move to Tokugawaen and view Tokugawaen (Japanese garden)
    • 6. Move to Oasis 21 and view the rooftop of the Oasis 21 building
    • 7. Return to Hotel and disband 15:00

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Nagoya Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors traveling to Japan from South America. Through prior communication arranged via a local travel agency, I had confirmed their request to spend plenty of time viewing the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, so I arranged the itinerary to match their wishes. Since they wanted a late lunch, we first took our time visiting Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, and on the way to the next site, Tokugawaen Garden, they enjoyed lunch at a restaurant near the East Gate of Tokugawaen that serves both Western and Japanese cuisine. At Tokugawaen Garden, they were delighted by the calm atmosphere of the grounds and the seasonal flowers. We stopped by Oasis 21 in central Nagoya before returning to the Hotel, and I believe they thoroughly enjoyed their one-day tour of Nagoya.

    Click here for more details: Nagoya / Aichi Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySakae Station～Nagoya Station210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Tour Report by Todd

    Hello, guests of JGA tours, I’m Takao (Todd) Miura, a national licensed guide of Japan.
    I have experiences as a professional guide over 5 years. The themes in which I’m well versed include castles, Japaneses landscape gardens, museums, festivals, and traditinal Japanese arts and crafts.
    Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture, where I live, have many attractive sites to visit. I would like to introduce you to the most popular sites and spots in this area.
    I really wish to have a very nice time with you as a guide of your tour in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture.

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    Feb 16, 2026
    B9190RXcolleenm
    The Nagoya walking tour was great!
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Todd was the perfect…

    Oct 2, 2025
    Jeffrey_B
    Nagoya with Todd Miura
    Viator review: Nagoya / Aichi Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    A great 4 hour…

    Sep 17, 2025
    sjhppy
    Todd Was A Fabulous Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    I highly recommend Todd! He…

    Jul 22, 2025
    guelphturfgrassinstu
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed this tour with a knowledgeable guide. Todd shared…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Kinshicho Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Kinshicho Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meeting place: Hotel Levant Tokyo, 1 Chome-2-2 Kinshi, Sumida City, Tokyo, Japan
    • 8:15 Depart Kinshicho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
    • Oshiage Station
    • (Toei Subway Asakusa Line)
    • 8:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 9:30 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 9:50 Arrive Nippori Station
    • Nippori 　Yanaka Ginza
    • 10:15 Depart Sendagi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 10:25 Arrive Nezu Station
    • Nezu Nezu Shrine
    • 11:00 Depart Nezu Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 11:30 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 12:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 11:15 Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • Cat Street
    • Omotesando
    • 13:45 Depart Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 14:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • 14:15 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive Kinshicho Station
    • 15:00 Disband: Kinshicho Station

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of three visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had arrived at Narita Airport on a direct flight two days earlier and taken a taxi to their Hotel. They planned to stay in Japan for a total of ten days. The previous day they had made a day trip to Mount Fuji, and the following day they planned to visit Disneyland. After that, they intended to travel around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka before departing from Kansai Airport. Their request for the day was: "We would like to visit as many famous spots in Tokyo as possible. We don't need lunch along the way." Although the sky was cloudy, we were spared any rain, and it turned into a fast-paced tour. First, we went to Asakusa. Despite the early hour, there was a bigger crowd than I had imagined, though most of the shops along Nakamise shopping street were still closed. I explained about Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo, what a five-story pagoda is, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos in front of Kaminarimon Gate and at various spots, as one of the guests loved taking pictures. There were questions such as: "How many people in Japan believe in Buddhism?" "What other religions are practiced?" "Do people who believe in Buddhism go to the temple every week?" The guests drew omikuji fortunes, and were a bit disappointed with the results. One of the guests purchased a large number of omamori charms as souvenirs for relatives. We then moved to the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi area. At Yanaka Ginza, I explained the origins of "Fujimizaka" and "Yanaka Ginza." We moved on to Nezu Shrine, which was very crowded due to the "Azalea Festival." I again explained about Shinto. At the torii gates of the Inari shrine, the guests once again spent time taking photos, and said they were looking forward to visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. We moved to Tsukiji, which as always was crowded with a large number of people. We first visited "Tsukiji Uogashi" and then went to the outer market. I explained about the history of the fish market since the Edo period and the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji outer market. After looking around various shops, the guests took a liking to "ichigo daifuku" and bought some. There were questions such as: "Why are there so many people here?" "This is the first time I've seen real wasabi." "Can you eat bamboo shoots?" "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" We moved to Harajuku, first going to Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto and Buddhism, about torii gates, about Emperor Meiji, the history of Edo and Tokyo, the Meiji Restoration, and why wine barrels are displayed there. There were also questions such as: "When did Shinto originate?" "Why aren't the torii gates painted red?" After that, we strolled along Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando. Along the way, the guests eagerly filmed a "3D commercial screen." We moved to Shibuya. After looking at the Scramble Crossing, we actually walked across it, and there were questions such as: "Why and for what purpose do so many people gather here?" "When did it become famous?" "Are they all locals?" We took photos of the Hachiko statue and strolled along Center Gai. There were comments and questions such as: "There's no litter on the streets, it's so clean." "Why are there no trash bins on the streets?" "There are no homeless people. In our area, the number of homeless people has been increasing rapidly recently." There was also a comment: "It's quiet inside the trains. No one is talking loudly." We saw the guests off from Shibuya to Kinshicho Station, where we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKinshicho Station～Oshiage Station178JPY
    Section 2SubwayOshiage Station～Asakusa Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station～Ueno Station178JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno Station～Nippori Station146JPY
    Section 5SubwaySendagi Station～Nezu Station178JPY
    Section 6SubwayNezu Station～Tsukiji Station178JPY
    Section 7SubwayTsukiji Station～Meiji-jingumae Station209JPY
    Section 8SubwayOmotesando Station～Shibuya Station178JPY
    Section 9SubwayShibuya Station～Kinshicho Station252JPY
    Total1,675JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Sensouji Temple & Shibuya

    Tokyo in One Day: Sensouji Temple & Shibuya

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meeting up @Hotel Ginza
    • 9:00-10:40 Sensouji Temple
    • 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break
    • 11:40-12:50 the Imperial Palace East garden
    • 13:00- 13:40 Tokyo
    • 14:10-14:30 Shibuya

    What Is a Private Asakusa and Imperial Palace Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were well-seasoned travelers from North America. They had already visited Kyoto and Kanazawa, and in Asakusa they enjoyed the atmosphere of the old Edo period. They asked questions about Shinto and Buddhism, and the guests were very knowledgeable about Japan, even touching on essential and deeper matters. Over coffee, I explained the history of Tokyo and the Imperial family, and from there the conversation expanded to a wide range of topics, including the national characters and politics of various countries, which made for a lively exchange. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the azaleas were blooming beautifully and the wisteria was just beginning to bloom, and as we strolled leisurely through the gardens, the guests were deeply moved, saying it was "the most beautiful place we have seen so far." At the Shin-Marunouchi Building near Tokyo Station, they bought some clothing requested by a member of their group, and then enjoyed the Shibuya Crossing.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShimbashi～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa～Otemachi290JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo～Shibuya210JPY
    Total720JPY

    Tour Report by Motoko

    Hi,
    Thank you for contacting the Japan Guide Association to request a licensed guide for your upcoming visit to Japan. My name is Motoko Tanaka. I’m so happy to be assigned to you.
    Let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Tokyo, so it is nice to hear that you are excited about your visit to this wonderful city. There is much to be excited about here in Tokyo. I have really enjoyed guiding in Tokyo and the surrounding areas for more than 10 years.
    I live with my husband and a dog named Alice. She was a rescue dog and I adopted her about 4 years ago. Now she is a very precious family member. I have two daughters, the elder one has a child and the younger has a aroma shop in a town near Mr. Fuji. I sometimes visit there with Alice.
    I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to create a special day.
    Regards,
    Motoko

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    Apr 25, 2026
    catvila
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Primeira vez em Tóquio
    A Motoko foi excelente para nos guiar pelos…

    Apr 22, 2026
    72breannaj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour highly recommend! And loved our guide
    We had an amazing…

    Apr 17, 2026
    denisemD3032GY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Tokyo/Kawagoe dep)
    Tokyo walking tour
    Our guide Motoko was so polite &…

    Apr 14, 2026
    Dennis_M
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Very nice and very…
    Very nice and very…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet @Hotel Higashiumeda Minamimorimachi-Ekimae
    • 11:35-12:50@Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 13:20-14:00＠Shitennoji Temple
    • 14:25-14:40@Harukas Garden
    • 15:10-15:20@＠Dotonbori
    • Dismissal＠Dotonbori

    Title: What Does a Private One-Day Osaka Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Asia, and the booking was made through a travel agency. As the travel agency did not provide the guests' contact information, I sent a fax to the meeting-point hotel the day before the tour to confirm our meeting. Before the tour we discussed the itinerary together, and we visited Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple, Abeno Harukas, and Dotonbori. The guests loved flowers and were disappointed that the cherry blossoms had already finished, but they took many photos in front of the azaleas in full bloom, laughing that at their home garden even a single flower blooming in the heat is a cause for great joy. At Shitennoji Temple, they shared that although they follow their own faith, they regard Buddha as a respected historical figure, and they were happy to visit such a sacred place. The sight of them offering candles left a lasting impression on me.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMinamimorimachi～Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3SubwayTennoji～Namba240JPY
    Total620JPY

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Osaka: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka Instagram Spots Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meeting point: Shin-Osaka Station (Shinkansen Central Exit)
    • 09:50 Sightseeing ①: Osaka Castle
    • 11:20 Sightseeing ②: Dotonbori
    • 12:00 Sightseeing ③: Kuromon Market
    • 12:30 Sightseeing ④: Shopping (Shinsaibashi Street)
    • 13:00 Dismissal: Shinsaibashi Street

    Title: What's a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Kuromon Market The guests on this tour were a group visiting Japan from North America and staying at a hotel in Kyoto. Prior communication and itinerary planning were handled mainly with one member of the group. They seemed to have a strong interest in Japanese culture and history, and said they definitely wanted to visit Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi. In the end, we finalized a 6-hour course (9:30–15:30) running "Osaka Castle → Dotonbori → Namba Yasaka Shrine → shopping at Shinsaibashi." However, the day before the tour, I received a message saying that since they had already visited many temples and shrines in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Kyoto, they did not need to visit shrines or temples in Osaka. So we made a last-minute change, replacing "Namba Yasaka Shrine" with "Kuromon Market." According to the weather forecast, the morning would be cloudy and rain would begin in the afternoon, so I was prepared for poor conditions. First, at the meeting point at Shin-Osaka Station, I was able to meet the guests smoothly, roughly on schedule, and at their request we took a taxi to Osaka Castle. Since they had expressed interest in history, I gave a somewhat detailed explanation, carefully introducing each floor as we came down from the observation deck on the 8th floor of Osaka Castle. We moved to Dotonbori by transferring between subway lines, and I explained and showed them the features that make Dotonbori distinctive as a lively downtown area. However, at this point a light rain began to fall, so we skipped the lunch we had planned in Dotonbori and hurried on to the next stop, Kuromon Market. At Kuromon Market, there were many shops offering a glimpse into the everyday food culture of Osaka, and the guests looked around with great interest. As the rain grew a little heavier, we moved by taxi to the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade, where the focus turned to shopping, especially for a favorite type of handbag one of the guests was hoping to find. They could not easily find what they were looking for, and after visiting several shops the rain became intense. At this point, the guests said they would look at a few more shops but were also feeling tired and wished to return to their hotel in Kyoto earlier than planned, so the guiding ended more than two hours ahead of schedule.

    Click here for more details: Osaka Instagram Spots Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Nipponbashi190JPY
    Total190JPY

    Tour Report by Nori

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

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    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Meet @ Hotel Century Southern Tower
    • 2.8:35 @ Tsukiji
    • 3.9:40 @ Asakusa
    • 4.11:00 @ Akihabara
    • 5.12:00 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 6.12:40 @ Takeshita Street
    • 7.13:30 @ Shibuya
    • 8.14:00 Disband @ Shibuya

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Akihabara, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Before coming to Japan, they had traveled through several other parts of Asia, and finished their journey in Japan. The day before, they had visited Mount Fuji and taken beautiful photos of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms, which they kindly showed me. At Tsukiji, they browsed various shops and purchased Japanese tableware and Japanese tea. Afterward, we went to Asakusa, where at the Nakamise shopping street they bought items such as ukiyo-e hanging scrolls. In Akihabara, although they did not seem especially interested in anime, they enjoyed looking at electronics parts shops, anime figures, anime goods at a specialty store, and the maids at a maid café. They said the forest of Meiji Shrine was beautiful and enjoyed it very much. It was also nice that they happened to see a wedding ceremony. On Takeshita Street, they were surprised by the crowds but had fun buying a Godzilla T-shirt and looking at a mini-pig café. They experienced the Shibuya Crossing, and since they planned to explore on their own afterward, we parted ways in Shibuya. Having traveled to many different countries, they said Japan was their favorite and that they would like to visit again, which was a delight to hear. It was also a very fine day, weather-wise.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku～Tsukiji Market272JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji～Asakusa286JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Akihabara178JPY
    Section 4TrainAkihabara～Harajuku178JPY
    Section 5SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Shibuya178JPY
    Total1,092JPY

    Tour Report by FUMIKO

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…