Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in One Day: Stay at Okunoin & Stay around Daishi Kyokai

    Osaka in One Day: Stay at Okunoin & Stay around Daishi Kyokai

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:20 Hotel pickup
    • 7:20-7:45 Travel to Namba by subway
    • 7:48-9:40 Travel to Koyasan Station
    • 9:45-10:10 Travel to Okunoin by bus
    • 10:10-11:45 Stay at Okunoin
    • 11:45-12:30 Stay at restaurant.
    • 12:36-13:45 Travel to Kongobuji by bus
    • 13:45-14:20 Stay at Kongobuji
    • 14:20-14:50 Stay at Danjo Garan
    • 14:50-15:10 Stay around Daishi Kyokai
    • 15:13-15:25 Travel to Koyasan Station, view art book on the 2nd floor
    • 15:56-17:57 Travel from Koyasan Station to Namba Station
    • 17:57-18:15 Drop off at hotel and disband

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Koyasan from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I took the group to Koyasan (Mount Koya). One of the guests had a keen interest in Japanese history and had studied it well. We headed straight to Okunoin and arrived in time for the ritual of carrying the meal offering to Kobo Daishi. On the way back, we strolled leisurely through Okunoin taking photos, and since the weather was fine, we walked all the way back to Ichinohashi Bridge. Along the way, we saw the graves of warlords such as Hideyoshi, Akechi Mitsuhide, Ishida Mitsunari, Takeda Shingen, and Uesugi Kenshin, and then went to a restaurant near Ichinohashi. Although they said they did not need any souvenirs, they ended up shopping at both Kongobuji Temple and the Daishi Kyokai. We took our time viewing the Garan complex, went inside the Konpon Daito pagoda, and headed to the Reihokan Museum, but they only took photos of the red maple leaves without going inside, while the Daishi Kyokai was free so we went in to look around. We returned to Koyasan Station early, but decided to wait for a train that did not require a reserved seat. After looking at an art book of the treasures of the Reihokan Museum on the second floor, we took the train back to Namba, and I saw the guests off at their hotel near Nagahoribashi before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNagahoribashi~Koyasan3,600JPY
    Total3,600JPY

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

    Aug 17, 2026
    yasmintX6792FN
    Great trip
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    It was a great time and very interesting…

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

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

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

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Yumoto & Leave Open-air musem

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Yumoto & Leave Open-air musem

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Odawara Station.
    • 10:27 Depart
    • 10:41 Hakone Yumoto
    • Drop off bags.
    • 11:10Depart from Hakone Yumoto
    • 11:40 Motohakone,
    • 12:00 Hakone Shrine
    • 12:45Pirate Ship
    • 13:10 Togendai
    • 13:30Owakudani Valley
    • 14:30Sounzan Station
    • 15:00Hakone Open-Air Museum
    • 16:01 Leave Open-air musem
    • 16:10 Hotel Tenyu

    What Is a Private Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they were traveling from Tokyo on the same day, we arranged to meet at Odawara Station and to drop off their luggage at a baggage carry service at Hakone-Yumoto Station. When exiting the Shinkansen ticket gate, one of the guests had trouble finding the ticket stored on their smartphone and appeared to have tears in their eyes. When purchasing the Hakone Free Pass at Odawara Station as well, they tried to search for a ticket that might have been on the smartphone, but after calling the agent to confirm, we determined that a new one needed to be purchased, and they did so. The weather was fine and the crowds were moderate, so I believe the tour itself was wonderful. Although Mount Fuji could not be seen from Lake Ashi, the summit was visible from the sightseeing boat, and the entire mountain could be seen from the ropeway and at Owakudani. Perhaps because they had bought and eaten snacks at a convenience store before boarding the sightseeing boat, they decided not to have lunch at Owakudani, and we arrived at the Hakone Open-Air Museum about an hour earlier than planned. One of the guests had not slept well the night before and seemed tired, hesitating to enter, but once inside, the group had a wonderful time — playing with shining eyes in the netted play area (though it is actually a facility only for younger children) and giving a high-five to the artwork called the "large hand." The plan had been for the group to take the bus to their accommodation on their own, but one of the guests said, "don't leave us!", so I rode the bus with them and saw them to the Hotel, ending the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara~Hakone Yumoto5,000JPY
    Section 2Free PassHakone Yumoto~Motohakone Port0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMotohakone Port~Togendai0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTogendai~Owakudani0JPY
    Section 5Free PassOwakudani~Sounzan0JPY
    Section 6Free PassSounzan~Gora0JPY
    Section 7Free PassGora~Hakone Open-Air Museum0JPY
    Section 8Free PassHakone Open-Air Museum~Tenyu0JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    Hello there,
    I’m Harry. This nickname comes from Harry Bosch, a character in American detective novels. I like watching films, listening to music and reading books, especially detective stories. I love meeting people from different countries and would like to help them understand Japanese culture and history. I believe that tourism can connect people all over the world and change the world into something truly peaceful. I was born in Osaka and have lived in Tokyo for more than 35 years. I am very happy to welcome tourists from all over the world. I will do my best to make your days fantastic. I look forward to seeing you soon.

    Oct 8, 2025
    Denise_M
    Great tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Harry was very knowledgeable. We learned…

    Jun 30, 2025
    Iguana74
    Customized Tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our four-hour private tour of Kyoto was excellent.…

    May 12, 2025
    Tonya_G
    Would do it again.
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Our guide, Harry, did an excellent…

    Mar 22, 2025
    Lauren_P
    We had a great time on…
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great time…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Meet at Hotel Universal Port
    • 15:35~16:30 Abeno Harukas 16F Observation Garden, Keitakuen Garden, Tennoji Park, Shinsekai,
    • 17:00~18:30 Sennichimae, Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori, Dotonbori Ebisu Tower (Ferris Wheel), Character Shop Exploration, Dismissal

    Title: What's a Private Afternoon Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tennoji, Shinsekai, and Dotonbori The guests were visitors from Asia. They had arrived at Kansai International Airport today, and their main purpose in Osaka was to visit Universal Studios, where they planned to spend the entire following day. The tour started at 15:00. At Tennoji, they enjoyed the view of Osaka from the observation garden on the 16th floor of Abeno Harukas. At Tennoji Park, they viewed Keitakuen Garden from the veranda of the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts and were impressed by the contrast with Abeno Harukas. In Shinsekai, they enjoyed the old downtown atmosphere of Osaka and took a break with some ice cream. Due to the heat, some fatigue set in, but the guests still enjoyed riding the Ferris wheel at the Don Quijote in Dotonbori and browsing for favorite items at character shops. We had planned to visit the Umeda Sky Building, but at the guests' request to do their own shopping around the Dotonbori area, we confirmed that they would be able to return to their hotel and ended the tour a little earlier than scheduled.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUniversal City Station~Tennoji240JPY
    Section 2SubwayEbisucho~Nippombashi190JPY
    Total430JPY

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

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

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

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at the b suidobashi
    • 10:30 Purchase Welcome Suica at Shibuya Station
    • 10:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 11:10 Harajuku – Cat Street – Ura-Harajuku – Takeshita Street
    • 12:25 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:40 Tokyo Tower
    • 14:40 Disband at teamLab Borderless

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Harajuku, and teamLab The weather was good, and the tour proceeded along the planned route. Right after we met, the guests said they had not been able to buy a Suica card and wished to purchase one, so we bought a Welcome Suica at Shibuya Station. At the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, many photos and videos were taken, though it was a little disappointing that the crossing was not yet very crowded. Since the guests were interested in Harajuku, I guided them from the Harajuku crossing to Cat Street and the Ura-Harajuku area, but they did not do any particular shopping there. On Takeshita Street, they visited various shops and enjoyed shopping and snacks. As it seemed we would have a little time to spare, I guided them to the sake barrels at Meiji Shrine. At Tokyo Tower there was a bit of haze so Mount Fuji was not visible, but they still enjoyed the view. We finished by heading to teamLab Borderless, for which they had a reservation from 14:30. I handed them a guide for their return transportation route.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSuidobashi~Shibuya178JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Meiji-jingumae178JPY
    Section 3TrainMeiji-jingumae~Kamiyacho178JPY
    Total534JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Tokyo Skytree Town

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Tokyo Skytree Town

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Hilton Tokyo
    • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 13:05 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 14:15 Akihabara
    • 14:50 Lunch at Ueno Irori-an Kiraku
    • 15:40 Tokyo Skytree Town
    • 17:00 Dismiss at Yotsuya Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Akihabara The weather was fine and Suica was already installed, so the tour proceeded smoothly. At Meiji Shrine, I gave a general explanation of its history. The guests enjoyed seeing the beautiful greenery. On Takeshita Street, they were especially interested in the animal cafes. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I talked about the history of the Tokugawa era. In Akihabara, they looked closely at shops selling anime character goods. As they said they were hungry, I guided them to a soba restaurant where we had a meal. Everyone used chopsticks well. I guided them to the shop they wanted to visit at Skytree Town, and after they did some shopping, I guided them to Yotsuya Station along the Marunouchi Line, where the tour ended.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNishi-Shinjuku~Meiji-jingumae900JPY
    Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi~Ueno0JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno~Oshiage0JPY
    Section 5TrainOshiage~Yotsuya0JPY
    Total900JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Akihabara

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Jingu Shrine & Akihabara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 11:00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
    • 11:20 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 12:10 Takeshita Street
    • 12:40 Lunch @ Maguro Tonya Megumi Harajuku Harakado Branch
    • 13:40 Imperial Palace
    • 14:45 Sensoji Temple
    • 15:45 Akihabara
    • 16:40 Disband @ Hotel

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Akihabara The guests were a group from North America who were visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, they appeared deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. On Takeshita Street, some of the guests showed great interest in the many shops. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, and about the Kaminarimon Gate. In Akihabara, some of the guests showed great interest in the anime and game shops. Since I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza~Shibuya700JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae0JPY
    Section 4SubwayYurakucho~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
    Section 6SubwayAkihabara~Higashi-ginza0JPY
    Total850JPY

    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

    Sep 27, 2026
    jonaJ5014ZK
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…

    Sep 11, 2026
    M7402TTsharonp
    Higly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…

    Sep 8, 2026
    OnAir57127583503
    Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…

    Sep 4, 2026
    B2319ZKjoseo
    Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
    Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a great time learning about…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Toyocho
    • 10:00 Shibamata – Taishakuten – Kusa Dango Shop
    • 11:05 Break at Takagiya Roho
    • 11:40 Asakusa
    • 13:15 Meiji Jingu
    • 14:10 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 14:50 Disband at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

    What Can You See on a Rainy Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report Despite heavy rain throughout the day, I was able to guide the group successfully. The tour was originally scheduled for four hours, but at the guests' request, I added Harajuku and Shibuya. At Shibamata, the guests took their time admiring the magnificent carvings and the beautiful Japanese garden, and they were especially delighted by the Japanese garden. At Shibamata, I recommended the local specialty kusa dango (mugwort rice dumplings), which the guests tried and enjoyed. It was very well received. In Asakusa, I gave the group a full tour, but the rain became intense, making it difficult to take photos. At Meiji Shrine, the tour continued in the rain, but the guests were pleased by the beautiful greenery in the rain. Perhaps because of the rain, Harajuku was less crowded, so we were able to pass through smoothly. Finally, I guided the guests to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, handed them a paper with directions for their return trip, and the tour came to an end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainToyocho~Oshiage900JPY
    Section 2TrainOshiage~Shibamata199JPY
    Section 3TrainShibamata~Oshiage199JPY
    Section 4TrainOshiage~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 5TrainAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 6TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Total1,298JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Moto-Hakone & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Kanagawa in One Day: Moto-Hakone & Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:50 Arrive at Moto-Hakone
    • 11:00 Hakone Shrine
    • 12:10 Take the ferry to Togendai
    • 13:00 Owakudani
    • 13:40 Gora Park
    • 14:50 Hakone Open-Air Museum
    • 15:00 Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like from Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. After staying in Tokyo for a few days, they came to Hakone to stay for two nights on their way to Kyoto. After this trip, one of the guests would continue staying in Japan for two months to study Japanese, having developed a strong interest in Japan. We first took a bus to Motohakone Port and then visited Hakone Shrine. When I explained Shinto in detail here, the guests were deeply moved, saying there was much they were learning for the first time, and one of them was even brought to tears. Thanks to the good weather, they were able to see Mount Fuji from both the sightseeing ship and from Togendai, and they seemed very satisfied. At Gora Park, they were delighted by the rose garden, which was in full bloom, and by the hydrangeas, and they took many photos. Finally, I took them to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, explained how to get back to their accommodation, and ended the tour there.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

    I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.

    I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
    Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
    Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.

    Aug 18, 2026
    Heather_C
    Private tour for 4 in Tokyo – highly recommend
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Aug 8, 2026
    victoriahD2588SK
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    An action packed visit to Hakone!
    Atsushi was an…

    Jul 26, 2026
    Kevin_B
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Highly recommend this tour for first time…

    Jun 22, 2026
    Ashish_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best Tour for a Short Visit
    Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Hotel meet 9:00 Onsenba Iriguchi bus 9:30 Sounzan Ropeway to Owakudani, then to Togendai 10:45 Pirate Ship 11:25 Motohakone Port Hakone Shrine sightseeing 12:30 by bus arrive at Sekishoato Maruyama Bussan visit and shopping Lunch at Donburi Chaya Sekishoato visit After strolling the old cedar avenue 14:39 from Onshi Park by bus 15:20 arrive at Onsenba Iriguchi Dismissal Guests will return to Hotel Tsuki no Yado Sara on their own

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were leaving Japan the following day, and they chose Hakone as the final destination of their trip. They told me they had a wonderful time. They were very friendly and cheerful, and there was constant laughter throughout the day. Although Mount Fuji was not visible, they had already seen it from Tokyo, so they did not seem disappointed. Since they had already sightseen in Kyoto and Nara, I spoke again about Buddhism, Shinto, and the lifestyle of the Japanese people as a kind of review, and they listened with great interest. The traditional craft of marquetry woodwork, the Hakone Checkpoint, and the old cedar avenue were all excellent subjects for experiencing the history of Hakone, and the guests observed them with great enthusiasm.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station5,000JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Aug 24, 2026
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  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1)9:30 Meet (The Blossom Kyoto), then head to Kinkaku-ji by subway and bus
    • 2)10:20~11:10 Kinkaku-ji, then head to Kiyomizu-michi by bus, subway, and bus
    • 3)12:10~13:30 Kiyomizu-michi, Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Ghibli Shop, Yasaka Shrine
    • 4)13:50  Say goodbye in front of Sushiro

    What's a 4-Hour Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera The accommodation was changed from one hotel to another hotel. Initially, the guests wished to visit Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari Taisha, but since it is difficult to cover these three sites in four hours by public transportation, I explained that if they wanted to go to Kinkaku-ji, they would need to choose either Kiyomizu-dera or Fushimi Inari, and they chose Kiyomizu-dera. At the meeting point, I showed them on a map that the sites were far apart and once again explained that it would be difficult to visit all three requested places; they understood, and said they would go to Fushimi Inari on their own. At Kinkaku-ji, they said it was beautiful and took many photos. As they were familiar with Buddhism, at the Fudo-do hall they bought incense sticks and offered them. At Kiyomizu-dera, they rang the orin bell and experienced pouring water onto the Kannon statue. Afterward, we stopped by a character goods shop where they enjoyed taking photos with the merchandise. Since they were hungry and wanted to eat Japanese food such as sushi, I guided them to a sushi restaurant in Gion, where we said goodbye. I believe they enjoyed themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGojo~Kitaoji260JPY
    Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal~Kinkaku-ji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkaku-ji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKitaoji~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 5BusHigashiyama-sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,210JPY

    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…