Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel Premier Ginza 8:00 meet→walk→8:30 Ginza Station→8:33 Tokyo Station→Imperial Palace Outer Garden, East Garden walking tour
    • 10:00 Otemachi Station→10:25 Tochomae Station (visit Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Tower 45F)→11:43 Harajuku Station→visit Meiji Shrine→13:44 Shibuya Station (lunch at Shibuya Scramble Square)→14:30 after experiencing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, see off to the Ginza Line at Shibuya Station→14:50 disband.

    Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report From the morning it rained, sometimes lightly and sometimes heavily. I explained Tokyo Station from the outside, described Gyoko-dori Avenue, and we viewed the fountain park. We entered the outer garden through Wadakura Gate and I guided the group around the moat, the Tatsumi Yagura turret, and Nijubashi Bridge. When we returned to Wadakura Gate the rain grew heavy, so we sheltered for a while at a coffee shop. Afterward, the guests said they still wanted to walk, so we went from Wadakura Gate to the East Gardens, admired the Ninomaru Garden where the irises were in full bloom, marveled at the colorful koi carp, and I guided them to the Tokagakudo Concert Hall and the castle ruins before returning to Otemachi. The Metropolitan Government Building was indoors, which was a relief. At Meiji Shrine the rain was still light, and the guests also experienced offering a prayer. I had worried that restaurants might be crowded, but we were able to enter a kushikatsu restaurant right away without waiting, which was a relief. After the meal, since we had the chance, I had the guests experience the Shibuya Scramble Crossing as well, and they were delighted.

    Hello,Mr.A,
    Thank you for choosing our tour. I would like you to enjoy your tour as much as possible.
    If you have any ideas to see or to eat in your mind, please tell me.
    If not, I will suggest traditional Japanese culture like Meiji-shrine, Tokyo Tower, Asakusa and beautiful traditional Japanese gardens like Rikugien and Hakone. If you want to try to eat typical Japanese food, I will introduce the Japanese restaurants. I woulld like to make an itinerary, including your request.
    Please enjoy Japanese traditional and leading-edge culture or beautiful nature
    I’m looking forward to seeing you.
    Best regards, Yoriko Ishibashi

    Apr 5, 2026
    887maisyw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Good overview of Tokyo gardens
    Great experience. On our first…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Karen_P
    Viator review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Gardens are everywhere in Tokyo.
    You will see a variety…

    Mar 28, 2025
    AColoradian
    Great Day in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We are all active so we chose the…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:00 Meet at Hotel Namba Minami Ebisucho Eki, depart at 15:20 ➡ Walk to Kuromon Market ➡ Subway to Osaka Castle ➡ JR to Umeda Sky Building ➡ After purchasing cheesecake at Rikuro Ojisan in Daimaru Umeda store, disband (19:00)

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kuromon Market, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky Building The guests had just arrived at their Hotel at 15:00, so we started after they went to drop off their luggage in their room. The guests had traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto and then on to Osaka. One of the guests was having trouble walking and would not be joining today's tour. The day before, they had climbed all the way to the top of Fushimi Inari Taisha. Since they would be staying in Osaka for a few nights, I wanted to help them get a sense of the layout, so instead of taking the subway from the nearest station, we walked toward Dotonbori while stopping by Kuromon Market along the way. After the Sky Building, the guests said they wanted to try the cheesecake from the well-known local shop, so we went to the nearest branch. They were surprised by the line, but after waiting about 20 minutes they bought some, and then we headed to the Nintendo store on the 13th floor.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNipponbashi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2TrainOsakajokoen~Osaka180JPY
    Total370JPY

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Meet at Kyoto Station 7:45 Fushimi Inari 9:10 Kinkaku-ji 11:10 Lunch (Japanese cuisine) 11:40 Ginkaku-ji 13:00 Higashiyama Area 13:30 Tour Ends

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji The guests were visiting Japan from North America. One of them had visited Japan five years earlier. Because we were able to meet early in the morning, it was quite easy to take photos at Fushimi Inari. At Kinkaku-ji, there were many tour groups, especially school excursion students, which made it difficult to move around. At the same time, since there were many guides present, we often had to wait a little while other guides were giving their explanations. Seeing both Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji is interesting, but using public transportation to move from west to east inevitably takes time. Today, this took longer than expected. After Ginkaku-ji, with little time remaining, we discussed the situation and took a taxi to the Higashiyama-Sanjo bus stop. It was fortunate that we were able to sightsee without being caught in the rain we had been worried about. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 3BusEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Ginkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 5OtherGinkakuji-michi~Higashiyama-Sanjo0JPY
    Section 6BusHigashiyama-Sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,040JPY

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

    Sep 28, 2026
    Miguel_E
    Amazing Service
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

    Sep 27, 2026
    T
    TrailBlazer47194
    Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

    Sep 1, 2026
    Steve6172014
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 7, 2026
    Pascale_Q
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We had…

  • Hiroshima: Atomic Bomb Dome & Guide to Okonomiyaki Ichi

    Hiroshima: Atomic Bomb Dome & Guide to Okonomiyaki Ichi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:20 Meet at Ujina Pier
    • 10:30 Take the shuttle bus to Ujina Port
    • 10:45 Head to Atomic Bomb Dome by train
    • 11:15 Arrive at Atomic Bomb Dome
    •     Monument tour, Museum
    • 14:20 Finish visiting the museum
    • 14:30 Guide to Okonomiyaki Ichi.
    • 15:30 Finish lunch, disband

    I guided a group from North America. Some of the guests had a strong interest in the war and the atomic bombing, and they listened attentively to my explanations while taking photos of my visual aids. At the museum, I was able to explain the content in advance using photographs before entering the main building. They also listened seriously to my own experiences and to the experiences of Mr. Sunao Tsuboi. Today two cruise ships had arrived in port, so the main building was extremely crowded and it was not possible to view it calmly. As a result, the guests left the main building after about five minutes, but since I had explained everything beforehand, I believe they were satisfied and understood the content. They had also wished to visit Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, but they gave up on these due to time constraints.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUjina Port~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Total240JPY

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

    Sep 25, 2025
    pedropM3071GD
    Amazing day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    This was an amazing experience to…

    Jul 25, 2025
    ourtravelingt
    Great personalized tour
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our tour was fabulous and our…

    Jul 13, 2025
    katherinepE2305IO
    Hiroshima Tour 4hr Walking
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an amazing guide. He…

    Jul 7, 2025
    Preston_H
    Great tour guide!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was an incredible guide who…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Sensoji Temple & Imperial Palace

    Tokyo in One Day: Sensoji Temple & Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:55 Meet up @ Maison de Beau Forêt (Airbnb in Yushima)
    • 08:40 Sensoji Temple
    • 10:00 Tokyo Skytree
    • 11:00 Pokémon Center (Tokyo Skytree Town store)
    • 12:30 Lunch @ Hakata Menbou Akanoren (Marunouchi Building)
    • 13:30 Imperial Palace
    • 14:10 Disband @ Nijubashimae Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time. They planned to visit Kyoto after sightseeing in Tokyo. At Sensoji Temple, they listened with great interest to explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. At the Tokyo Skytree, the visibility was unfortunately poor due to rain, but the guests seemed impressed by the vast views of Tokyo. At the Pokemon Center, one of the guests was very happy to purchase souvenirs. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to explanations about the role of the Emperor, as well as the Edo shogunate and the Meiji Restoration. Although it rained all day, I responded to the guests' wishes as requested, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHongo-sanchome~Asakusa900JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Oshiage0JPY
    Section 3SubwayOshiage~Ueno0JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno~Tokyo170JPY
    Total1,070JPY

    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…

  • Nara in One Day: Nara Park in front of Todaiji & Nara Visitor Center

    Nara in One Day: Nara Park in front of Todaiji & Nara Visitor Center

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:30: Meet with guests at JR Nara Station
    • 12:00: Nara Park in front of Todaiji Temple
    • 12:30: Guide through Nandaimon Gate
    • 13:00: Guide through the Great Buddha Hall
    • 14:00: Lunch @ "Kameya"
    • 15:30: Nara Visitor Center
    • 16:30: Disband @ Higashimuki Shopping Street

    Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Nara From Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I met the guests, a group visiting from North America, on time at Nara Station and began our Nara sightseeing. Since one of the guests had a slightly weak knee, we took a bus from in front of the station to Nara Park. The trip to Japan was made in connection with travel plans. At Nara Park, the group spent an enjoyable time playing with the many deer. After that, I guided them through the Great South Gate (Nandaimon) and the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) of Todaiji Temple, and they were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Great Buddha. Once the tour of the Great Buddha Hall was finished, they expressed a wish to have lunch, so we walked to a shopping street in Nara. Looking back, considering the knee condition, it might have been kinder to take a taxi. As they wanted local okonomiyaki for lunch, I guided them to a restaurant. There was a bit of a wait, but we managed to secure a table, and they were delighted that it was delicious. After lunch, thinking it was a good time for something enjoyable for the younger guests, I guided them to the visitor center, where they were able to enjoy origami. Since today's Nara sightseeing was a day trip from Tokyo, we finished a little earlier than planned. After explaining the Kintetsu Line at the shopping street in front of Kintetsu Nara Station, we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusJR Nara Station~Todaiji-mae Station250JPY
    Total250JPY

    After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
    As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
    And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
    With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

    Apr 26, 2026
    39ferdinandr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Exceptional and entertaining
    Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

    Apr 9, 2026
    X1429XKclaudiam
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sehr zu empfehlen
    Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

    Jun 28, 2025
    WilliamAlfonso_R
    Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Toshi was…

    May 30, 2025
    Z
    ZevP5
    Best Tour Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 14:10 Meet at hotel lobby (start slightly delayed as guests were having a light meal)
    • 14:30 Shitennoji Temple
    • 15:40 Osaka Castle ~ North outer moat
    • 17:15 Dotonbori ~ Hozenji Yokocho
    • 17:45 End at Midosuji taxi stand

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Highlights Tour of Osaka? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests had just checked in from Kyoto, and since this was the final day of their tour of Japan with an early departure the next morning, they wanted to cover the highlights of Osaka efficiently without wasting time. During the roughly 20-minute walk from the Hotel to Shitennoji Temple, the guests enjoyed the local atmosphere before arriving at the temple. Since they preferred not to take off their shoes to climb the five-story pagoda, they took many photographs instead. They were interested in the difference in roles between the five-story pagoda and the main hall (Kondo). Having seen many temples and shrines in Kyoto, they were also surprised to learn that Shitennoji is the first Buddhist temple in Japan. Although they did not go inside Osaka Castle, they were deeply impressed, remarking that they had never seen such a magnificent castle building in either Tokyo or Kyoto. By skipping the garden at Shitennoji, we were able to devote more time to Dotonbori. On the way there, the guests asked for an explanation of Dotonbori, so I explained that it was once home to many theaters and was a representative entertainment and sightseeing district that flourished with temple visitors. But upon arriving, they said no words were needed — they were overwhelmed, feeling it was unlike anywhere else. The guests happily took photographs of the neon signs, the Kani Doraku crab, Genroku Sushi, takoyaki, and Billiken all around the area.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station~Tanimachi 4-chome Station190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTenmabashi Station~Namba240JPY
    Total430JPY

    Hi, everyone! Nice meeting you! I’m Yoshimi, Japan National Licenced Tour Guide.
    I live in Osaka city with my family, working for overseas trade.
    I love traveling abroad as well as in Japan regardless urban area or countryside.
    So interested in interacting with you through attractive sightseeing spots around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc.
    Osaka is famous as exciting big city and delicious food, Kyoto and Nara boast more than 1000years history with lots of UNESCO world heritage site.
    I also would like to introduce Japanese culture such as Sa-do or tea ceremony, Ka-do, or flower arrangement, Kimono wearing.
    What intrigue you in Japan? Depending on your interest, I’m able to recommend anything, anywhere.
    Please let me know what kind of thing you’d like to see or experience.
    Really looking forward to seeing you soon!

    Jun 5, 2025
    annandjamesa2025
    Great Half Day tour in Osaka with Kelly
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kelly was a great…

    May 25, 2025
    vibhutit2025
    Enjoyed
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The guide was super friendly and loving. I enjoyed my time…

    Apr 1, 2025
    S2203HDjoanneh
    Guided tour Osaka
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Today, Kelly was our guide in Osaka, and she…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: University of Tokyo Hongo Campus & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: University of Tokyo Hongo Campus & Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @ Hotel Ginza 6
    • 10:10 University of Tokyo Hongo Campus
    • 12:30 Take shelter from the rain @ HANARE COFFEE STUDIO
    • 13:00 Nezu Shrine
    • 13:30 Hebi-michi ~ Yanaka Cemetery ~ Tennoji Temple ~ Nippori Station
    • 15:00 Disband @ Tokyo National Museum

    Title: What Is a Rainy-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's University District Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from the Middle East who make a point of visiting local universities whenever they travel abroad, and they also planned to visit Kyoto University. Today the rain and wind were intense, making conditions poor for a campus tour. At the Akamon gate, I explained about the feudal-lord residences of the Edo period. We went into the general library and the central cafeteria in the basement of Yasuda Auditorium, but Sanshiro Pond was too muddy, so we skipped it. Instead, we watched kendo at Shichitokudo. We walked to Nezu in the rain but took shelter partway. One of the guests got soaked all the way inside their shoes and bought socks at a convenience store. While sheltering from the rain, I explained Japanese history. Nezu Shrine was more appreciated than I had expected. Because we spent time sheltering from the rain, we skipped Yanaka Ginza. On Hebi-michi, there were trendy shops as well, and the guests were impressed by how the old and new blend together. They had studied up well; at Ueno Park, before I could introduce the National Museum of Western Art, one of them murmured, "So this is a work by Le Corbusier." In any case, it was unfortunate that we were not blessed with good weather today.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarunouchi Line Ginza~Marunouchi Line Hongo-sanchome178JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Nippori~JR Ueno146JPY
    Total324JPY

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shinsaibashi & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shinsaibashi & Kuromon Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet @ Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi
    • 11:30 @ Shinsaibashi (Pokemon Center inside Daimaru Department Store, McDonald's)
    • 12:15 @ Dotonbori
    • 13:30 @ Kuromon Market
    • 14:45 Dismiss @ In front of Nankai Train Namba Station

    Title: What's a Private Osaka Food Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Dotonbori and Kuromon Market The guests were a group visiting from North America, including one person who had difficulty walking, so we moved at a slow pace. The guests also understood this to be a "food walking" tour. In Shinsaibashi they enjoyed McDonald's, and in Dotonbori they had melon bread, fruit, soft serve ice cream, gyoza, and more, all of which they seemed very pleased with. At Kuromon Market they enjoyed pickles and dried fruit in addition to various kinds of seafood. As they wished to stroll around the Namba area, we parted ways about 15 minutes before the scheduled end. I presented them with a handmade drawstring pouch, which they were delighted to receive. Note) For me, this group was the largest number of guests I have ever guided. Explanations at each spot need to be given when everyone is gathered together, and I found this very difficult, especially in crowded places. There were also times when members of the group moved separately, and I felt that at my current level about four guests is likely my limit.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHommachi~Shinsaibashi190JPY
    Total190JPY

    Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sep 27, 2026
    Ross_W
    Fun with Hidden Gems
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  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotombori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Dotombori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi West
    • 9:30-12:50 Osaka Castle
    • 13:15-14:00 Dotombori
    • 14:00 End of the tour

    What Is a Private Osaka Castle and Dotonbori Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a close-knit group visiting Osaka. Everyone listened enthusiastically to the history of Osaka Castle. At the Toyotomi Ishigaki Museum, they also watched the short film carefully and seemed to gain a full understanding of the castle's history. I took many photos of the group. They especially liked the spot where Osaka Castle can be seen from the Japanese garden, and each of them took photos there as well. One of the guests seemed to enjoy shopping, buying souvenirs on the first floor of Osaka Castle and then spending a long time browsing souvenirs at MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO. Another guest, who seemed to know this well, waited on a nearby chair. Another had coffee and a snack at a nearby shop. By the time the snack was finished, the shopping was done as well, and everyone regrouped before moving on to Dotonbori. I thought Amerikamura near the hotel and Ota Road in Nipponbashi might also be interesting, but as there was not much time left, I only explained the Glico sign in Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho, and Ukiyo Koji. We then looked for a place to have lunch, and since each of them wanted to eat something different, we finally found a restaurant offering a variety of menu options and parted ways in front of it. From there, they planned to walk back to the hotel while checking a navigation app.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayYotsubashi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Namba240JPY
    Total430JPY

    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
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