Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Akihabara

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Akihabara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Oakwood Suites Yokohama
    • 9:10 Meiji Shrine
    • 10:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing – Shibuya Parco Nintendo Shop
    • 12:25 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 13:55 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
    • 15:25 Akihabara
    • 16:00 Disband at Akihabara Radio Kaikan

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like, from Meiji Shrine to Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was fine and the guests had Suica cards, so the tour proceeded smoothly. Heavy congestion was expected on the way from the hotel in Yokohama to Meiji-jingumae, but perhaps because we boarded one stop after the starting station, everyone was able to get a seat. After Meiji Shrine we went to Shibuya, where the guests spent quite a lot of time shopping, including at the Nintendo shop on the 6th floor of Parco. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace I gave some historical explanations, and the open space seemed enjoyable for the group. Since I could not predict the timing on the day, the plan had been to finish at Akihabara after the Imperial Palace, but the shopping and snack breaks took less time than expected, so I guided them to Asakusa. The guests often went into souvenir shops and seemed to be having a good time. From Suehirocho I guided them to the Akihabara Radio Kaikan, handed them a note explaining their return route, and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainBashamichi~Shibuya502JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Meiji-jingumae700JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 5TrainOtemachi~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 6TrainAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
    Total1,348JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto: Horyu-ji Temple & Nara

    Kyoto: Horyu-ji Temple & Nara

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet @ Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto
    • 10:30~ Visit Horyu-ji Temple
    • 12:00~ Visit Toshodai-ji Temple
    • 13:00~ Lunch @ Japanese restaurant near Toshodai-ji Temple
    • 14::15~ Visit Todai-ji Temple, stroll around Nara Park
    • 15:45 Depart Nara
    • 16:45 Arrive at hotel. Disband.

    Title: Can You Do a Private Day Trip from Kyoto to Nara by Car? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They had traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto four days earlier, and after finishing their Kyoto sightseeing, today was a Nara tour by chartered car. We started with Horyu-ji Temple. As expected, it took quite a while to reach Horyu-ji, so during the drive I explained the historical significance of the Kyoto and Nara regions. The guests were relatively quiet and did not ask many questions. However, at the sites we visited afterward, there were occasional questions. Among the temples we visited, Horyu-ji seemed to leave the strongest impression. At Nara Park, one of the guests was especially eager to interact with the deer, spending a long time taking photos and exchanging bows with them. The roads along the way, the sites we visited, and the lunch spot were all crowded, so I struggled with time management. However, thanks in part to the driver's precise advice, things went well overall. Everyone seemed very satisfied, and at the end they gave me polite words of gratitude.

    My name is Shoji and I’m a tour guide in Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan for more than one thousand years until the mid 19th century.
    I have been doing this work since 2019 covering not only Kyoto but also its surrounding areas like Nara , Osaka and Shiga.
    I am very much interested in Japanese history, culture and traditional arts.
    Kyoto and the Kansai region are rich with many heritage sites of historical and cultural features.
    I am sure that I can provide the guests with good insight and help them appreciate the charms of our wonderful city.

    May 23, 2026
    Amber_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great walking tour in Kyoto!
    Shoji was a great guide around Kyoto.…

    Jun 25, 2025
    Safari35155142765
    Peaceful and perfect temple guided tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant private guided tour of Kyoto…

    Jun 22, 2025
    Global136391
    Shoji Ogawa Made Kyoto Come Alive!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    If you’re ever in Kyoto, you…

    Jun 9, 2025
    Amy_R
    Wonderful Nara tour
    Viator review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Kyoto Departure)
    We had such a wonderful…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Sanjusangendo & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto in One Day: Sanjusangendo & Kinkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet up @HOTEL THE CELESTINE KYOTO GION
    • 11:30 Sanjusangendo
    • 12:37 Lunch
    • 13:43 Nijo Castle
    • 15:31 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
    • 16:06 Travel: On foot
    • 17:04 Disband@Gion

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Since it was their first visit to Japan, they were enthusiastic from the very start. Everyone was interested in history and culture, so at each location I shared as much detail as I could about the historical background and related stories, which they greatly appreciated. At Sanjusangen-do, the first place I took them, they were overwhelmed by the many Buddhist statues. At Nijo Castle, I received various questions about its connection to the film "Shogun." At Kinkaku-ji, both the building and the beauty of the garden seemed to leave a strong impression. We finished in Gion, near the Hotel, wrapping up almost right on schedule.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKiyomizu-michi~Higashiyama-Shichijo230JPY
    Section 2BusHigashiyama-Shichijo~Shijo-Karasuma230JPY
    Section 3BusShijo-Karasuma~Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Section 4BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi~Shijo-Keihan-mae230JPY
    Total1,150JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Nara in One Day: Kasuga Taisha Shrine & Naramachi

    Nara in One Day: Kasuga Taisha Shrine & Naramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at JR Nara Station ticket gate
    • 9:40 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 10:35 Todaiji Temple
    • 11:45 Lunch at Naraya
    • 12:40 Yoshikien Garden
    • 13:30 Kofukuji Temple
    • 14:40 Naramachi
    • 15:30 Disband at JR Nara Station

    What Is a Private Nara Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group of visitors from North America. Nowhere was especially crowded today, so they were pleased to be able to see everything at a relaxed pace. Some of the guests were captivated by the deer. Everyone in the group was very interested in the Great Buddha Hall and the Buddhist statues at Todaiji Temple. Since there was no wait at all today, one of the guests tried passing through the pillar hole and was delighted to do so. The group also viewed the Kohfukuji National Treasure Museum with great interest. As we covered nearly the entire route on foot in the heat, I believe they were quite tired by the end.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nara Station~Todaiji Daibutsuden & Kasuga Taisha Mae250JPY
    Total250JPY

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Private Tour
    Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①7:00 Meet at the hotel, travel on foot
    • ②7:45 Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka → Yasaka Pagoda → Kodai-ji (bamboo grove only)
    • ③9:30 Chion-in, travel by taxi
    • ④9:50 Nanzen-ji, travel by taxi
    • ⑤10:20 Honen-in
    • ⑥11:10 Ginkaku-ji, travel by taxi
    • ⑦12:10 Disband at the hotel

    Title: What Is a Private Early-Morning Walking Tour of Kyoto's Higashiyama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America, who had traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto the previous day. Some of the guests stayed and rested at the hotel, while the rest joined a private walking tour of the Higashiyama area with a [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide. The weather was fine, and since the tour started early in the morning, each site was still uncrowded, allowing the guests to enjoy a comfortable and energetic walk. At Honen-in Temple in particular, the quiet atmosphere and the beautiful fresh greenery seemed to be exactly the Kyoto they had hoped to see, and it appeared to be their favorite spot. Since they planned to reunite with the rest of the group who had remained at the hotel and have lunch together, I saw them off at the hotel a little earlier and we parted ways.

    Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
    I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Certification
    Certified Travel Services Manager
    Authorized Tour Conductor
    Kyoto Expert Certification

    Jul 23, 2026
    svendulrikr
    Tripadvisor review: Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
    Best of Nara
    Amazing trip to Nara with the most…

    Jul 10, 2026
    valerianos862
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Private tour of Tokyo.
    Our guide Sam is very…

    Jun 20, 2026
    Sarah B
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learned how to ride the trains and we went to…

    Apr 14, 2026
    MDMallory
    Tripadvisor review: Yokohama and Kamakura 6hr Private Trip Government-Licensed Guide
    The Natural Beauty of Kamakura
    Our guide, Sam, was very knowledgeable…

  • Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima & Daisho-in Temple

    Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima & Daisho-in Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Meet
    • 11:00 Miyajima
    • 12:00 Itsukushima Shrine
    • 13:00 Daisho-in Temple
    • 14:00 Miyajima Dismissal

    What Is a Private Miyajima Tour of Itsukushima Shrine and Daishoin Temple Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided the group visiting from Europe. The guests had arrived in Japan about two weeks earlier and appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed their stay, with their return home coming soon. They were a very cheerful and warm group, and one of the guests entertained us with impressions of various European languages, making for a wonderfully fun time. It was a rare, perfectly clear day just before the rainy season, and under a cloudless blue sky it truly felt like early summer in Japan. Being able to spend such a splendid day with such cheerful guests made me feel very happy as well. Once again, it was a day that reminded me of how wonderful the work of guiding can be.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusANA HOTEL~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Section 2TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Total660JPY

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 9:30 Tsukiji
    • 10:20 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 11:45 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:40 Ueno Toshogu Shrine – National Museum of Western Art Front Garden
    • 13:45 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:55 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 15:00 Disband at Shinjuku Gyoen

    Title: What Does a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report There was no rain, and the guests already had a Welcome Suica card, so the tour proceeded smoothly. I only realized upon arriving that Tsukiji Market was closed that day, but the guests kindly understood. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I talked about the history of the Tokugawa era, which the guests said they enjoyed. Since the guests mentioned they were fine ending the tour at Shinjuku Gyoen and making their own way back afterward, in addition to Nezu Shrine we also stopped by Ueno Toshogu Shrine, where I spoke about the Edo period and about the buildings that survived war damage and earthquakes. At Meiji Shrine, along with talking about the Meiji era, I discussed topics related to the guests' region. They were already aware of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. I guided them to Shinjuku Gyoen, where the tour concluded. I handed the guests a paper with directions for their way back.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShiodome~Tsukiji Market178JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji~Takebashi700JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi~Nezu0JPY
    Section 4TrainNezu~Yushima0JPY
    Section 5TrainUeno~Harajuku208JPY
    Section 6TrainMeiji-jingumae~Shinjuku-sanchome0JPY
    Total1,086JPY

    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…

  • Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage in 1 Day Hike

    Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage in 1 Day Hike

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:50 Meeting point: In front of Kii-Tanabe Station
    • 10:15-10:55 By bus: Kii-Tanabe Station → Takijiri
    • 10:55-13:00 Walking: Kumano Kodo Museum → Takahara → Kurisugawa bus stop
    • 13:35-13:47 By bus: Nonaka-no-Ippongi → Kii-Tanabe Station
    • 13:50-15:50 Walking: Gyuba-doji-guchi → Nonaka-no-Ippongi → Nonaka Ippongi bus stop
    • 15:54-17:15 By bus: Nonaka Ippongi → Kii-Tanabe Station
    • 17:20 Dismissal: Kii-Tanabe Station

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of the Kumano Kodo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Assuming a 10:00 arrival by limited express train, I was waiting and walking around in front of the station when the guests noticed me and joined me a little early. The guests appeared to be fit and good walkers, so we decided to walk both routes — the steep mountain trail and the path through the villages. First, after explaining an overview of the ancient road at the Kumano Kodo Kan Heritage Center, we began the walk. The guests were interested in the "Tainai-kuguri," where you barely squeeze through a narrow gap between stones. We had lunch while enjoying the wide-open scenery of the highlands, then hurried to the bus stop at Kurisugawa. Starting to walk again from Gyuba-doji-guchi, we proceeded a little along the mountain trail, and then in the Chikatsuyu village a different landscape from the morning continued. The guests were interested in the Nonaka-no-Ippon-sugi cedar and the Nonaka-no-Shimizu spring.

    I grew up in the mountain village. I learned many things from my family, especially my grandmother. I can give you many interesting experiences in the wild nature. We eat wild strawberries or “Sukanpo ” the edible grass, fly ferns or cross a suspension bridge.
    I walked all of Kumano Kodo, Koyasan pilgrimage roads and other ancient highways, total length is more than 600km ( 400 miles).
    I want you to show the interesting spots beyond the guide book. Kii mountain range has old history as well as beautiful land scapes. I’ll take you the excellent places you can do Facebook bragging.
    My experiences for guiding foreigners are, town of Koyasan, pilgrimage road to Koyasan, Kumano Kodo Nakahechi, hot springs, Shingu city and Nachi Katsuura town, Kushimoto area, Shirahama area so on.
    I wish to meet you soon!

    May 12, 2025
    andrewgT8079NS
    Wonderful guide and magical scenery and locations.
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful, interesting…

    Apr 29, 2025
    farmahel
    A truly magnificent journey through the Kumano Kodo with a wonderfully kind Hira
    Tripadvisor review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip…

    Apr 27, 2025
    Sofia_N
    Had a great time. Guide…
    Viator review: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Full-Day Private Trip with Government Licensed Guide
    Had a great time.…

    Mar 23, 2025
    G
    GoPlaces681850
    Wonderful time with a local.
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Hira,…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.14:15 Meet @ Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokanji
    • 2. 14:45 @ Kyoto University
    • 3.16:45 @ Ginkaku-ji
    • 4.16:30 Disband @ Ginkakuji-michi Taxi Stand

    A Private Kyoto Tour Featuring Kyoto University and Ginkaku-ji: A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were an older group visiting from the Middle East. When deciding the itinerary, they did not mention typical sightseeing spots, but said they wanted to see Kyoto University. The reason was that they were connected to a university and wanted to see the architecture of Kyoto University, even just from the outside. Since this was my first request for a university visit, I called Kyoto University to confirm whether a visit was possible. The university replied that it would be fine as long as we did not enter inside the buildings. At the tour start time, only part of the group came to the hotel lobby. After waiting about 10 minutes, the rest of the group came into the hotel from outside and checked in. We started the tour 15 minutes late. We took the city bus and got off in front of the main gate of Kyoto University, but one of the guests got stuck with the Suica payment. It seems that when they got off the subway, they had exited without paying (without touching properly). The bus driver was troubled, so I paid in cash. The buildings of Kyoto University are old, and there are more than 10 Important Cultural Properties and Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, so I thought they wanted to see those and guided them around in order. When I asked, it seemed their own university was beautiful, so I did not fully understand why they wanted to see Kyoto University. After the university visit, we took a bus toward Ginkaku-ji and headed there. It was close to the end of the viewing hours, so we visited quickly. After leaving Ginkaku-ji and reaching the taxi stand, the guests wished to go to Gion by taxi. There was still guiding time remaining, so I mentioned this, but they wished to part ways here. So I told the taxi driver the guests' desired destination and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijo Kawaramachi~Kyodai Seimon-mae230JPY
    Section 2BusKyodai Nogakubu-mae~Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Total460JPY

    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.

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①12:00 Meet at Kyoto Samurai Experience (near Shijo Omiya), then travel on foot
    • ②12:15 Lunch at Kissa Tyrol
    • ③12:50 Shinsen-en Garden
    • ④13:00 Nijo Castle → Travel by taxi
    • ⑤14:20 Tofuku-ji Temple
    • ⑥16:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • ⑦17:10 Disband at Kyoto Station (We decided to disband a little early because afterward we will board the Shinkansen to travel to Tokyo)

    Can You Do a Private Day in Kyoto with a Bullet Train Back to Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. During their stay in Tokyo, they had made an overnight trip to Kyoto beginning the previous day and stayed at a traditional Japanese inn the night before. In the morning they enjoyed a two-hour samurai experience, and I met them at that venue. My role was to accompany them for sightseeing around the city until they boarded a bullet train back to Tokyo at around 18:00 in the evening. They first wanted to have lunch and then stop by Nijo Castle, so we had lunch at a retro-style café. They seemed to really like its classic Kyoto atmosphere. Afterwards we visited Nijo Castle as they had requested, and considering access to Kyoto Station, they enjoyed the green maple leaves at Tofukuji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine before I saw them off at Kyoto Station, where we parted ways. The weather was fine, and they seemed to have enjoyed a full and satisfying day in Kyoto.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTofukuji~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Total300JPY

    Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
    I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Certification
    Certified Travel Services Manager
    Authorized Tour Conductor
    Kyoto Expert Certification

    Jul 23, 2026
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