Category: Uncategorized

  • Wakayama in One Day: Daimonzaka parking area & Kamikura Jinja

    Wakayama in One Day: Daimonzaka parking area & Kamikura Jinja

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet guide at Kii Katsura station
    • 9:30 Arrive at Daimonzaka parking area
    • 9:50 Daimonzaka walk
    • 10:30 Seiganto-ji Temple
    • 10:50 Nachi Taisha
    • 11:20 Pagoda
    • 11:50 Lunch
    • 12:50 Nachi Fall
    • 12:59 Get on the bus to Nachi Station
    • 13:08 Get on the bus to Hayatama Taisha
    • 14:00 Buy Coffee
    • 14:10 Hayatama Taisha
    • 15:00 Kamikura Jinja
    • 15:30 Take pictures
    • 16:30 Get on the bus from Kamikura Jinja Mae to Kii Katsura
    • 17:25 Kii Katsura, End of the tour

    What Is a Private Kumano Kodo Walking Tour from Kii-Katsuura Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests had arrived in Kii-Katsuura the day before, but showed no signs of fatigue and were looking forward to the tour. At the Daimon-zaka parking area, I explained about the Kumano Kodo and the Kumano Sanzan shrines before we set off on foot. The weather was clear and sunny, and the guests enjoyed walking while taking in the natural surroundings. One of the guests seemed to enjoy photography and took many pictures. We had lunch at a local restaurant, where they ordered soba in duck broth and curry, and said it was very delicious. After viewing the waterfall and taking photos, we took a bus to Nachi Station, transferred to another bus, and headed to Hayatama Taisha. After praying and taking photos, we walked to Kamikura Shrine. Along the way, I explained about an aikido dojo and the temple town area before arriving at Kamikura. There I described the Oto Matsuri fire festival, and since the stone steps are steep, I advised them to climb slowly. Many people were making the climb, so we took our time going up. The view from Kamikura Shrine was wonderful, and the guests were deeply moved. After taking time to descend, we boarded a bus from in front of Kamikura Shrine. It was a route that went around Miwasaki Port and took some time, but the guests enjoyed the ocean scenery. Upon arriving back in Kii-Katsuura, I helped them purchase train tickets for the following day, said our goodbyes, and concluded the guiding. I was pleased that they had chosen Kumano for their first trip to Japan.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKii Katsura~Daimonzaka480JPY
    Section 2BusNachisan~Nachi Station510JPY
    Section 3BusNachi Station~Hayatama Taisha540JPY
    Section 4BusKamikura Jinja~Kii Katsura580JPY
    Total2,110JPY

    Hello, my name is Kiyoko. I have been a local English guide since 2016. I have studied the history and folklore at a local guide club and have an experience of guiding guests from various countries. I am good at Takijiri Oji-Takahara Jinja, Hosshinmon Oji-Hongu Taisha and Daimonzaka-Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji, Nachi Fall. Besides Kumano, I can guide Koyasan, Okunoin, Kongobu-ji, Danjo Garan, Niutsuhime Jinja and Jison-in. I have been to Koyasan 30-40 times . My aim is sharing a great time with guests while guiding. See you in Kumano or in Koyasan.

    May 23, 2026
    Cecile_V
    Viator review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    A great and manageable hike with Kiyoko!
    This is…

    Apr 20, 2026
    rosesinthorns
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    The best way to experience the Kumano Kudo in…

    Mar 26, 2026
    22luisandr_sm
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle
    Amazing experience in Kumano kodo
    Kiyoko was amazing. We are…

    Apr 4, 2025
    robrP6297MQ
    Beautiful Tour with detailed Tour Guide!!
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle
    We had a great…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1000 Meet at Harmonie Embrassee Osaka
    • 1045 Osaka Castle
    • 1200 Snacks at Lawson inside Osaka Castle Park
    • 1245 Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 1420 Disband at Shinsekai

    Title: What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha and Shinsekai The guests were friends visiting from North America. The day was clear and pleasantly mild, neither too hot nor too cold, making it perfect weather for the tour. The guests took many photos throughout the day. They enjoyed finding the three lucky charm stones at Sumiyoshi Taisha and trying their fortune with the Omokaru-ishi stone. They mentioned they would like to experience an onsen in Osaka but wondered whether it might not be possible due to having tattoos. I inquired at about three facilities, but all of them declined, which was unfortunate, as many local public bathhouses do allow entry. We parted ways as the guests planned to stroll around the Shinsekai area.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNakazakicho~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2Train,Osaka Castle Park~Shin-Imamiya200JPY
    Section 3TrainShin-Imamiya~Sumiyoshi Taisha-mae240JPY
    Section 4Train,Sumiyoshi Taisha~Shin-Imamiya240JPY
    Total920JPY

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

    Oct 10, 2025
    alijohn48
    Just what we were looking for
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Tomy was…

    Aug 8, 2025
    Katherine_G
    Fantastic day touring Kyoto with private tour guide & driver!
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max…

    Jul 22, 2025
    98patrickn
    early morning tour of Kyoto with guide Tomy
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We did an early…

    Jul 20, 2025
    Mark_S
    Great day in Kyoto
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a great…

  • Kagawa in One Day: Uno Port & Nokyomae Bus

    Kagawa in One Day: Uno Port & Nokyomae Bus

    Tour Itinerary

    • (Adriana Fernandez & 1 adult)
    • 09:22 Uno Port
    • by ferry
    • 09:42 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
    • (Kaji)
    • 08:12 Takamatsu Port
    • by ferry
    • 09:02 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
    • (Adriana Fernandez & 1 adult and Kaji)
    • 09:45 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop (Meet at this bus stop at 09:43)
    • by town bus 
    • 09:59 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
    • 10:05 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
    • by Benesse bus
    • 10:10 Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Gallery Bus Stop
    • 10:15~11:45 Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Gallery
    • 11:50 Lee Ufan Museum & Valley Gallery Bus Stop
    • by Benesse bus
    • 11:52 Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop
    • 12:15~13:30 Chichu Art Museum
    • 13:40 Chichu Art Museum Bus Stop
    • by Benesse Bus
    • 13:44 Benesse House Museum Bus Stop
    • 13:50~15:10 Benesse House Museum (including lunch) & Outdoor art works (including “Yellow Pumpkin”)
    • on foot
    • 15:40 Tsutsujiso Bus Stop
    • by Setouchi Triannale Art Express Bus (5 minutes late)
    • 15:45 Naoshima Hall Bus Stop
    • 15:48~16:10 Art House Project (Gokaisho, Kadoya)
    • 16:15 Nokyomae Bus Stop
    • by town bus
    • 16:21 Miyanoura Port Bus Stop
    • Outdoor Art works (including “Red Pumpkin”)
    • 16:33 Miyanoura Port (Say goodbye)
    • (Adriana Fernandez & 1 adult)
    • 16:35 Miyanoura Port
    • by ferry
    • 16:55 Uno Port
    • (Kaji)
    • 17:00 Miyanoura Port (Naoshima)
    • by ferry
    • 18:00 Takamatsu Port

    What Is a Private Naoshima Art Island Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. Before the trip, they had chosen Naoshima because of their strong interest in art. On this trip, they added Naoshima to the Golden Route of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, and planned to spend one night before returning home. The guests enjoyed photography and took many pictures at each location, which took a little extra time, so we ended up visiting slightly fewer of the Art House Project sites than planned. They also took many photos at the final Red Pumpkin, and we boarded the ferry just in the nick of time, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but we made it safely. The weather was lovely, and the guests were friendly, which made guiding them a very pleasant experience. I believe they enjoyed the day as well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusNaoshima Miyanoura Port~Tsutsujiso100JPY
    Section 2BusTsutsujiso~Naoshima Hall300JPY
    Section 3BusNokyomae~Naoshima Miyanoura Port100JPY
    Total500JPY

    Hello. My name is Hisao Kaji. I was born in 1945. I was raised in Takamatsu City from 3 years old. So, I have been living in Takamatsu for around 75 years. I believe I know Takamatsu City and the Kagawa prefecture area very well. If you come to Takamatsu, Kagawa I think you can enjoy your tour with me. I started a Government Licensed Guide in 2019. So, I have been a licensed guide for about 5 years. My favorite destinations are Naoshima, Teshima, Ritsurin Garden, the top of Mt. Yashima and so on. I always show you an itinerary about one month before your tour date, and I will accept any questions, other favorite places you want to visit. Communicating with you, I would like to accommodate your request for your tour. I always listen to NPR on the internet to know how the world is moving and improve my English. I like conversation based upon it with my life. I stayed in the USA for 8 months for a Power Systems Engineering Course conducted by General Electric in New York State when I was 28 years old. I sometimes talk about my memory of those days with the guests. I am very happy to guide tourists because I can see the guests become happy and enjoy themselves when I am guiding better. Nothing is more wonderful than that. I welcome your visit to Takamatsu City and Kagawa Prefecture. I believe you will have a pleasant time through my guide.

    Apr 19, 2026
    2Pippin2
    Tripadvisor review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A day to remember
    Perfect day! Our tour guide, Kaji,
    added so…

    Oct 23, 2025
    C
    Calli_C
    This was a great day tour…
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a great day…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Vanessa_A
    Lovely day on Naoshima Island
    Viator review: Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    It was great to relax and leave…

    Jun 1, 2025
    Pamela_F
    Highly recommend the half…
    Viator review: Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Highly recommend the half day tour and our…

  • Kyoto: Nigatsu-do Hall & Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Nigatsu-do Hall & Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:40 Meeting The Ritz Carlton Kyoto Kamogawa
    • 11::30 to 12:20 Kofuku-ji Temple
    • 12: 40 to 13:30 Todai-ji Temple
    • 13:50 to 14:10 Nigatsu-do Hall
    • 14:30 to 15:15 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 15:30 to 16;00 Lunch at Higashimuki Shopping Street ( Ramen)
    • 17:25 Dismissal Subway Kyoto City Hall

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like During Golden Week? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from North America. They said they had long wanted to visit Japan and were enjoying every day of their trip. One of the guests, however, was suffering from severe hay fever, and as soon as they arrived in Japan the sneezing and runny nose would not stop, causing considerable discomfort. Nara sees large crowds of visitors day after day, and with Golden Week beginning today, an unusual situation arose in which the deer crackers sold out. Even so, I believe the guests were able to enjoy sightseeing in Nara today.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSubway Kyoto City Hall~Kintetsu Nara Station1,020JPY
    Section 2BusTodai-ji Great Buddha Hall~Kintetsu Nara Station250JPY
    Section 3TrainKintetsu Nara Station~Subway Kyoto City Hall1,020JPY
    Total2,290JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet at the hotel at 9:30 → 9:30-10:40 Travel from Yokohama to Asakusa → 10:40-12:00 Stroll around Asakusa → 12:00-12:30 Stroll around Tsukiji → 12:30-13:15 Enjoy a sushi lunch at Tsukiji → 13:15-13:30 Travel to Kabukiza → 13:30-14:15 Stroll around the Kabukiza Gallery → 14:15-14:45 Travel to Otemachi → 14:45-16:00 Stroll around the Imperial Palace → As the rain became heavy, we changed our plan to visit Meiji Shrine and decided to return to the hotel in Yokohama → 16:15-17:30 Escort from Nihon-odori Station to the hotel and part ways

    Title: What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? Asakusa, Tsukiji, Kabukiza, and the Imperial Palace: A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests had visited Japan before but did not remember much of the details. After this tour, the group planned to travel by ship from Yokohama Port for five days, stopping at three ports in Japan along the way. We first visited Asakusa, strolling around while I explained an overview of the area. Next, we moved to Tsukiji, where the guests wished to enjoy authentic sushi, so we had lunch at a sushi restaurant I had reserved in advance. After that, we moved to the Kabukiza Theatre, where we explored the gallery and read about the history of kabuki in English. The guests remarked that it was truly similar to Shakespeare. Finally, we visited the Imperial Palace, where the group was deeply impressed by the depth of Japanese history.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNihon-odori~Asakusa973JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji Market220JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji~Higashi-ginza178JPY
    Section 4SubwayHigashi-ginza~Otemachi286JPY
    Section 5SubwayOtemachi~Nihon-odori885JPY
    Total2,542JPY

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

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel – 9:45 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace – 11:30 Meiji Shrine – 13:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 14:00 Asakusa Sensoji Temple – 15:00 Disband at Asakusa

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report This was the final stage of a 12-day first-visit tour to Japan for a group from a major city in North America. They had already visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, with Tokyo as their last destination. In Tokyo, they especially wished to see the contrast between historic places and modern Japan, so we first visited the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Beyond the green woods, the modern high-rise buildings of Otemachi and Marunouchi came into view, and the guests admired the contrast between these buildings and the greenery of the former Edo Castle grounds. Afterward, at Meiji Jingu Shrine, they fully enjoyed the contrast between a forest that has grown over more than a hundred years and the fashionable streets of Harajuku and Omotesando, making for an enjoyable day in Tokyo.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShiodome~Otemachi286JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi~Kitasando209JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 4SubwayShibuya~Asakusa252JPY
    Total893JPY

    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!

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1)8:25 Meet, take the Keihan Line to Fushimi Inari
    • 2)9:00-9:45 Fushimi Inari, then take the JR to Kyoto Station, and bus to Kiyomizu-michi
    • 3)10:40-11:05 Yasaka Pagoda, from Sannenzaka to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 4)11:05-11:50 Kiyomizu-dera Temple, then via Gion to Nishiki Market
    • 5)12:30-12:50 Stroll around Nishiki Market and then say goodbye

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market The guests came from Europe. One of them was comfortable with English, while the other occasionally asked in German for a translation of what I was saying. From our email exchange beforehand, the guests seemed interested in Japanese food, so I planned the itinerary to include Nishiki Market around midday. One of the guests seemed to enjoy photography and often took photos wherever we went. At Fushimi Inari, they were amazed by the sheer number of torii gates. At the Echo Pond near Kumataka Shrine, I explained that if you clap your hands and an echo returns, it is a sign of good fortune. The guests clapped their hands, and when the echo came back, they were delighted. On the approach to Kiyomizu-dera, they were a bit overwhelmed by the crowds, but at Kiyomizu-dera I had them pour water over the Kannon statue, and when I explained that hardships would be washed away with the water, they laughed. Since the buses to Nishiki Market were also crowded, we strolled leisurely by way of Gion to reach Nishiki Market. Along the way, one of the guests wanted to look at chopsticks, so we went into a chopstick shop in Nishiki Market, but they did not seem to find a good fit. They did not do any snacking; at Nishiki Market they only looked around and did not eat anything. The scheduled end time of 12:30 passed and it became a little after 12:50. Since the guests said they could make their own way back from there, we parted ways inside Nishiki Market.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSanjo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Section 3BusKyoto Station~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total600JPY

    Nice to meet you.
    My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
    Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
    I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.

    I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
    How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.

    By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.

    My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
    You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.

    I look forward to meeting you.
    Best regard.

    Nov 27, 2024
    Julianne_A
    Book it
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel Wing International Premium Kyoto Sanjo
    • Travel (Kyoto Municipal Subway)
    • 9:30-11:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • Travel (Kyoto City Bus)
    • 11:30-12:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 12:30- 13:15 Lunch @ Washoku Joy
    • Travel (Kyoto City Bus, Kyoto Municipal Subway)
    • 13:50-14:50 Nijo Castle
    • 15:00 Disband @ Kyoto Municipal Subway Nijojo-mae

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto History Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle The guests were a group who had immigrated to Oceania. They had no particular requests for places to visit, but mentioned that they wanted to learn about the history of Kyoto, so I proposed a course of Kyoto Imperial Palace → Kinkaku-ji → Nijo Castle. Since one of the guests seemed sleepy at the meeting time and had not had breakfast, we stopped at a convenience store just outside Imadegawa Station to buy some food, and they ate it on a bench at Kyoto Imperial Palace. The guests seemed genuinely interested in Japanese culture and listened to my explanations very attentively, at times asking questions about the difference and relationship between the shogun and the emperor. Because they were so interested, instead of taking the bus from Doshisha-mae on Imadegawa Street as I usually do, I deliberately chose to walk to the Marutamachi side so that they could understand the original location of the Imperial Palace, and we took the bus from Marutamachi. Along the way, one of the guests seemed to grow tired, so we proceeded while taking breaks. Then we went to Kinkaku-ji. During the journey, as they had immigrated from one region to another, they shared many interesting stories about the differences between the two places. They said lunch could wait until after viewing Kinkaku-ji, so I asked the guests what they would like. When they said "rice and meat," we walked a short distance and decided to go to a Japanese-style family restaurant. One of the guests ordered a set of hamburg steak and fried shrimp, and another ordered a set of tonkatsu and fried shrimp, and they seemed satisfied with the meal. (Normally, when visiting Kinkaku-ji, I usually take guests to a noodle shop, but I was concerned that the options might be limited. In the end, I think it was a good choice to go to a Japanese restaurant like this one.) After that, we transferred between bus and subway and went to Nijo Castle. At Nijo Castle, I had hoped the guests would enjoy seeing the samurai figures a bit more, but they seemed bored throughout, so I felt a little apologetic. As we were leaving, I mentioned this, and one of the guests kindly said, "I think they'll understand when they're older."

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Imadegawa260JPY
    Section 2BusKarasuma Marutamachi~Kinkaku-ji-mae230JPY
    Section 3BusWaratenjin-mae~Nishioji Oike230JPY
    Section 4TrainNishioji Oike~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Total940JPY

    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!

    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 13:30 Lunch
    • 14:30 State Guest House
    • 16:00 Hotel

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Older Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania who normally run a beef cattle farm. They seemed confident in their mobility, but considering it was during the Golden Week holiday, I thought it best to keep things nearby and suggested some alternative options (Sensoji Temple to Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace to the State Guest House). As expected, after walking around Meiji Shrine in the morning and moving to the Fukutoshin Line platform from Meiji-jingumae Station, the guests reached their physical limit. They enjoyed the Japanese garden at Shinjuku Gyoen, but after about 20 minutes they said, "We'd like to rest. Is there a restaurant? Can we get there by taxi?" so we moved on. Since I had booked the 3:00 PM English tour at the State Guest House, we went there by taxi as well, and the tour proceeded without anyone having to leave partway through. Afterward, however, it began to pour heavily. Knowing it would rain that day, I managed with three umbrellas, but the rain was so intense that walking was out of the question, so I saw the guests back to the Hotel by taxi.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shinjuku-sanchome178JPY
    Total324JPY

    Hi, I’m Sam.
    I am happy to welcome you all to Japan.

    Since I was a child, my parents welcomed many international students into our home and I had many opportunities to interact with them. My mother is a translator, and I have always seen her guiding foreigners around Japan, so it was natural for me to start doing the same.

    I am good at guiding people to popular places such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Asakusa, as well as photogenic spots in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Since I was a child, I’ve watched anime like Pokémon and played Nintendo games, and I still buy around 100 manga comic books a month. I love shopping in Akihabara! I currently live in Urayasu City, Chiba, so close that I can see fireworks from Disneyland from my house every night.

    Please feel free to ask me anything!

    Jul 10, 2026
    Brooke_J
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo History Modernized!
    This tour was a wonderful experience.…

    Jun 19, 2026
    Catherine_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience!
    We had a wonderful time with Sam, who took our…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Elena_Q
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun visit to Tokyo!
    Wonderful customized tour of Tokyo with Sam. She…

    May 12, 2026
    Leonard B
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience with a very knowledgeable friendly guide.
    We had an…

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

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

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:00 Hotel Meet (@Hotel)
    • 7:00-7:30 Transfer (JR; Kyoto → Inari)
    • 7:30-8:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha visit
    • 8:20-9:10 Transfer (Keihan Line; Fushimi Inari → Gion-Shijo, Hankyu Line; Kawaramachi-Shijo → Arashiyama)
    • 9:10-10:10 Arashiyama visit (Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple [Hatto, Sogenchi Garden, Hyakkaen], Bamboo Grove)
    • 10:10-11:00 Transfer (Keifuku Line; Arashiyama → Ryoan-ji)
    • 11:00-11:50 Ryoan-ji visit
    • 11:50-12:15 Transfer (City Bus; Ryoan-ji-mae → Kinkaku-ji-michi)
    • 12:15-13:00 Kinkaku-ji visit
    • 13:00 Tour ends
    • ※After the tour ends, we will take you to Kyoto Station where your hotel is located and say goodbye at Kyoto Station

    What Is a 6-Hour Early-Morning Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of four visiting from Europe. The tour ran for six straight hours starting early in the morning at 7:00 AM, with no lunch break. Because it was an early departure and a no-lunch tour, the schedule was very efficient. The cherry blossom season had already passed, but the weather was clear and ideal for walking. Since it was an early-morning start, some of the guests seemed a little tired toward the end of the tour. I took them to Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji Temple [the Dharma Hall, the Sogenchi Garden, and the Hyakka-en Garden], the bamboo grove, and the Kimono Forest), Ryoan-ji Temple, and Kinkaku-ji Temple. The guests said that Ryoan-ji was their favorite. Some of the guests had been interested in the rock garden of Ryoan-ji for a long time and listened very attentively to the explanation. I believe that through visiting the rock garden of Ryoan-ji, they gained some understanding of the essence of Zen and of wabi-sabi, which lies at the heart of Japanese culture. It may have been a little boring for some of the guests, but one of them said that the bamboo grove was their favorite.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Section 3TrainKyoto Kawaramachi~Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4TrainArashiyama (Keifuku)~Ryoan-ji250JPY
    Section 5BusRyoan-ji-mae~Kinkaku-ji-michi230JPY
    Total1,090JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…