Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 9:15 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:10 Gion Tatsumi Bridge
    • 11:35 Lunch at Katsukura Ginkakuji Branch
    • 13:05 Kinkakuji
    • 14:15 Nijo Castle
    • 15:15 Disband at Nijo Castle Rest Area

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour to Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkakuji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group visiting from North America. Their requested destinations were Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji, but the pace was fairly relaxed overall, shopping took some time, and mobility was a consideration, so we ended up spending quite a while at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Judging that there would not be enough time to visit Kiyomizu-dera, I explained the situation to the guests and we visited Nijo Castle instead. As the school excursion season had begun, there were many more tourists around, but perhaps due to good timing, it was not too crowded and we were able to see things at a leisurely pace, which was wonderful.

    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 in One Day: Daikakuji Temple & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto in One Day: Daikakuji Temple & Sanjusangendo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @ Hotel Emion
    • 10:20 Daikakuji Temple
    • 11:15 Bamboo Grove〜Tenryuji Temple
    • 13:00 Lunch
    • 14:10 Sanjusangendo
    • 15:30 Disband @ Hotel Emion

    What's a Private Kyoto Tour of Arashiyama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had all been to Japan before. This time they came to Japan for an ikebana flower arrangement event held once every five years. Since no advance discussion had been possible, we decided on the destinations on the morning of the tour. As they were interested in bamboo groves, we headed to Arashiyama. Given their interest in ikebana, we started with a visit to Daikaku-ji, where the calm and serene atmosphere was very well received. Tenryu-ji was also in full bloom with many flowers, which delighted the guests. I took them to a restaurant in the city, which they were very pleased with as well.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUmekoji-Kyotonishi~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
    Section 2BusSaga-Arashiyama Station~Daikakuji Temple230JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama~Randen-Tenjingawa250JPY
    Section 4SubwayUzumasa-Tenjingawa~Sanjo-Keihan260JPY
    Section 5BusHigashiyama-Sanjo~Higashiyama-Shichijo230JPY
    Section 6BusHigashiyama-Shichijo~Kyoto Station230JPY
    Section 7TrainKyoto~Umekoji-Kyotonishi150JPY
    Total1,550JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo – Roppongi Station – Tsukiji – 10:30 Tsukiji Market – 11:30 Tsukiji – Ueno – Nippori
    • 12:00 Yanaka – Yanaka Ginza – 13:30 Lunch @ Soba Kawamoto – Nippori – 14:00 Tokyo Station
    • KITTE Observation Deck – Marunouchi Street Gallery – Kokyo Gaien National Garden – 15:30 Hamarikyu by taxi
    • 16:30 Shimbashi – 17:00 Disband at Shibuya

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Yanaka, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Since they had no particular requests, I first chose Tsukiji Market, which can be reached from Roppongi without any transfers. As they mentioned they were already full, we mainly walked around the souvenir shops and the wholesale fish market. One of the guests enjoyed fishing as a hobby, so they had a great time looking at the fish. After that, I guided them from Nippori to Tennoji, Yanaka Cemetery, the Tsukiji-bei wall, and Yanaka Ginza, and since they wanted a light lunch, we had lunch at a soba restaurant. As we had visited two downtown areas in a row, I intended to balance things out by guiding them to one more spot in the upper town, so we walked from Tokyo Station through the Marunouchi area and the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, planning to head from Sakuradamon toward Hibiya. However, they seemed to have expected that we could go inside the Imperial Palace and expressed some dissatisfaction, so I quickly took a taxi to Hamarikyu, where we viewed the double cherry blossoms. After that, we headed to Shibuya on the Ginza Line, took photos of the Shibuya Crossing from above, and then parted ways. We finished around 5:00 p.m., running about an hour over schedule, but in the end they seemed satisfied, which was a relief to me.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayRoppongi~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji – Ueno~Nippori324JPY
    Section 3TrainNippori~Tokyo167JPY
    Section 4SubwayShimbashi~Shibuya178JPY
    Total847JPY

    Hello! I am Kyoko who has been working as a guide since 2017. I was born in Kyoto. So, my name comes from Kyoto which is Japan’s beautiful ancient capital . And “ko” literally means child in Japanese. Thus, my name Kyoko means Kyoto’s child, Kyoko. But some guests call me Kyoto. It’s okay, not a big problem.
    But to say the truth, I feel like this, ” Am I like an ancient person? No way~!!…” I am mainly guiding in and around Tokyo. Tokyo has two faces of well-advanced and old-fashioned. So, you can enjoy both high-tech technology and historical culture plus delicious food and drinks,too. You will surely be inspired in this city with me. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Thank you in advance!

    Sep 9, 2025
    salanicolas
    Superb Tokyo guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoko was great! Super knowledgeable, a lot of fun,…

    Jun 19, 2025
    josephk547
    A definite must-do when visiting Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (Tokyo DEP.)
    Absolutely amazing tour…

    May 24, 2025
    sandrashachar
    Terrific Tokyo Tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a fantastic tour of the Asakusa Shrine,…

    May 22, 2025
    andywP8147WV
    Private Guided Tour in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our wonderful guide Kyoko prepared an excellent…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Station & Shimo-Yoshida Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Station & Shimo-Yoshida Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:40 Meet @ Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi
    • 08:30 Depart Shinjuku Station (Fuji Excursion No. 7)
    • 10:27 Arrive Kawaguchiko Station
    • 11:15 Oshino Hakkai
    • 13:00 Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing boat
    • 13:30 Lunch @ Lake Kawaguchi
    • 15:30 Arakurayama Sengen Park (Chureito Pagoda)
    • 17:05 Depart Shimo-Yoshida Station (Fuji Excursion No. 44)
    • 18:45 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • 19:15 Disband @ Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi

    What Is a Private Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a returning visitor from North America who had also joined a Tokyo tour in April. Originally the plan was for more of the group, but as some of the guests were unable to come to Japan, only one person joined this time. At Oshino Hakkai, the guest seemed a little disappointed that there were too many tourists to take a clear photo of Mount Fuji, but at the Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing cruise and Arakurayama Sengen Park, the guest was very satisfied to be able to take many beautiful photos of Mount Fuji. Incidentally, we had originally planned to ride the Lake Kawaguchi ropeway, but there was a very long line of tourists at the ropeway entrance and it became clear that we would have to wait a long time, so at the guest's request we suddenly changed to the Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing cruise. Since we accommodated the guest's wishes, I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo Station~Kawaguchiko Station4,310JPY
    Section 2BusKawaguchiko Station~Oshino Hakkai630JPY
    Section 3BusOshino Hakkai~Kawaguchiko Station630JPY
    Section 4TrainKawaguchiko Station~Shimo-Yoshida Station310JPY
    Section 5TrainShimo-Yoshida Station~Tokyo Station4,120JPY
    Total10,000JPY

    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

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
    Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel
    • 10:20-12:10 Miyajima
    • 13:30-14:15 Lunch at a restaurant in Hiroshima city
    • 14:20-16:35 Peace Park (Atomic Bomb Dome, museum, etc.)
    • 17:00 Disperse at Hiroshima Station via the hotel

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Miyajima and the Hiroshima Peace Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. I took them to Miyajima and the Peace Memorial Park. On the ferry to Miyajima, they were able to see dolphins swimming, and at Itsukushima Shrine they had the opportunity to view the Noh stage, so it seemed they thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Miyajima. At the museum, they appeared to feel the terror of the atomic bomb even more strongly than they had expected. For lunch, we enjoyed okonomiyaki in a quiet private room, which was very well received by the group.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2FerryMiyajimaguchi~Miyajima Pier100JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Shin-Hakushima330JPY
    Section 4TrainShin-Hakushima~Kenchо̄-mae190JPY
    Total1,040JPY

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. After completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima—and have now lived here for over 42 years. I earned a Ph.D. through a national university’s professional program while working at Mazda Motor Corporation. Five years before retiring from the company, I was seconded to Hiroshima University, a national university, where I served as a specially appointed professor. In addition to my domestic career, I spent a total of about five and a half years living and working abroad. These international experiences have given me valuable cross-cultural understanding and the ability to connect comfortably with guests from around the world. Currently, as a Hiroshima Prefectural Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, I introduce visitors not only to famous attractions such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, but also to the local lifestyle, culture, and culinary delights, tailored to your interests. I hope to provide each guest with a memorable experience that stays in your heart.
    I look forward to meeting you here in Hiroshima!

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Thomas L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with a Great Guide
    Our guide Kazuhisa…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Museum

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Hotel meeting
    • 8:50-10:30 Miyajima (Great Torii Gate, Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in, Senjokaku)
    • 11:20-11:50 Hiroshima Castle
    • 12:15-13:00 Lunch
    • 13:00-13:20 Atomic Bomb Dome and others
    • 13:20- Museum
    • 13:20 Dismissal

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a solo traveler visiting Japan from Europe. The main purpose of their visit to Japan was to attend a festival related to a globally popular film, held once every two years. Before joining the festival, they came to Hiroshima. They had a strong interest in Japanese architecture, such as Itsukushima Shrine and Hiroshima Castle, and listened to my explanations with great interest. For lunch, I recommended okonomiyaki, which they seemed to enjoy very much. At the end, they visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and since they wanted to take their time to see it thoroughly, we parted ways at the entrance.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2FerryMiyajimaguchi~Miyajima Pier100JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Shin-Hakushima330JPY
    Section 4TrainShin-Hakushima~Johoku Station190JPY
    Total1,040JPY

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. After completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima—and have now lived here for over 42 years. I earned a Ph.D. through a national university’s professional program while working at Mazda Motor Corporation. Five years before retiring from the company, I was seconded to Hiroshima University, a national university, where I served as a specially appointed professor. In addition to my domestic career, I spent a total of about five and a half years living and working abroad. These international experiences have given me valuable cross-cultural understanding and the ability to connect comfortably with guests from around the world. Currently, as a Hiroshima Prefectural Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, I introduce visitors not only to famous attractions such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, but also to the local lifestyle, culture, and culinary delights, tailored to your interests. I hope to provide each guest with a memorable experience that stays in your heart.
    I look forward to meeting you here in Hiroshima!

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Thomas L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with a Great Guide
    Our guide Kazuhisa…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Itsukaichi Cruise Terminal
    • 9:30-11:00 Travel to Miyajima
    • 11:00-12:10 Miyajima (Great Torii Gate, Itsukushima Shrine, Shopping)
    • 12:30-13:30 Lunch at Miyajimaguchi
    • 14:00-15:30 Peace Park (Atomic Bomb Dome, Museum, etc.)
    • 15:30-16:30 Travel to Hiroden Itsukaichi Station
    • 16:30 Disband at Hiroden Itsukaichi Station

    What Is a Multi-Guest Private Group Tour in Japan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from various regions. Managing the itinerary was challenging at first because the group moved at different paces and some arrived after the meeting time, but toward the end the guests themselves helped by counting heads and cooperating with the smooth flow of the tour, so we were ultimately able to finish within the planned time. For lunch, I had gathered dietary requests in advance, reserved a restaurant, and placed the food order ahead of time, which shortened the waiting time. Due to timing with the cruise ship's departure, the visit to the museum was limited to just under an hour, but overall I believe the guests enjoyed the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassHiroden Itsukaichi Station~Miyajimaguchi1,000JPY
    Section 2Free PassMiyajimaguchi~Miyajima Pier0JPY
    Section 3Free PassMiyajima Pier~Miyajimaguchi0JPY
    Section 4Free PassMiyajimaguchi~Atomic Bomb Dome0JPY
    Section 5Free PassAtomic Bomb Dome~Hiroden Itsukaichi0JPY
    Total1,000JPY

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. After completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima—and have now lived here for over 42 years. I earned a Ph.D. through a national university’s professional program while working at Mazda Motor Corporation. Five years before retiring from the company, I was seconded to Hiroshima University, a national university, where I served as a specially appointed professor. In addition to my domestic career, I spent a total of about five and a half years living and working abroad. These international experiences have given me valuable cross-cultural understanding and the ability to connect comfortably with guests from around the world. Currently, as a Hiroshima Prefectural Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, I introduce visitors not only to famous attractions such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, but also to the local lifestyle, culture, and culinary delights, tailored to your interests. I hope to provide each guest with a memorable experience that stays in your heart.
    I look forward to meeting you here in Hiroshima!

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

    Jun 25, 2026
    52leannei
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Amazing day trip and tour to Hiroshima
    My family…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Shannon_M
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide was amazing. He…
    Our guide was amazing. He…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Thomas L
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima Tour with a Great Guide
    Our guide Kazuhisa…

  • Tokyo in One Day: MONday Apart Nihonbashi Ningyocho & Tokyo Skytree

    Tokyo in One Day: MONday Apart Nihonbashi Ningyocho & Tokyo Skytree

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:50 MONday Apart Nihonbashi Ningyocho
    • 10:30 Imperial Palace Outer Garden
    • 11:10 Meiji Seimei Kan
    • 11:50 Kitte Rooftop (View of the Marunouchi Tokyo Station Building)
    • 12:20 Lunch at Kitte Basement
    • 13:30 Tokyo Station (Purchase Children's Suica)
    • 14:10 Asakusa
    • 15:50 Tokyo Skytree
    • 16:10 Dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The meeting point was listed as a Hotel, but the name had changed to another Hotel. The guests were a multigenerational family from North America, visiting Japan for the first time and planning to stay in Tokyo for a while. They had chosen Japan at the request of some of the guests. Since they had only arrived the previous day, they appeared a little tired. During the tour, requests came up to see Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, a Ghibli goods shop, and to purchase Suica cards, and I accommodated these as much as possible. For lunch they had hoped for ramen in the basement of Kitte, but it was crowded, so we went into a relatively empty seafood rice bowl restaurant instead. At the end, I guided the guests to Tokyo Skytree, where they had a 17:00 reservation, and after explaining the location of the souvenir shops and the way back, the tour concluded.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySuitengumae~Sakuradamon180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTokyo~Asakusa210JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree160JPY
    Total550JPY

    Hello, I am Tatsu. I am a Government-Licensed English tour guide-interpreter. I was born and raised in Tokyo and lived in Hiroshima for 5 years and also in New York for 5 years. My wife and I have been married for about 40 years and we have three sons. In 1976, I sailed from Tokyo to New York to participate in the Bicentennial ceremony. When I was in New York with my family, our two sons went to a public school. They were helped by local people very much. And now it’s my turn to help you. I am a certified Buddhist English Guide. So, I can guide you to a temple with some explanation about Buddhism. I have been guiding foreign visitors since 2018, and as of October 2025, I have guided more than 550 guests. Thank you and I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Apr 23, 2025
    marcelinoz306
    Exceptional tour of Tokyo with Tatsu!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had the most amazing time…

    Apr 22, 2025
    Travel20321800377
    Great first time in Japan with private tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Tatsu…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:55 Meet up @ Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
    • 2. 10:05 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 10:50 Stay @ Nezu Shrine
    • 4. 12:00 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 12:30 Stay @ Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    • 6. 13:00 Lunch @ Kutora
    • 7. 13:50 Stay @ Sensoji Temple
    • 8. 14:20 Travel: Subway
    • 9. 15:30 Disband @ Meiji-jingumae Station

    Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Visiting Nezu Shrine, Asakusa, and Harajuku? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. As one member of the group had become unwell and could not join, I guided the rest of the group. At Shinjuku Station, everyone purchased a one-day subway pass. The first place I took them was Nezu Shrine, which was in the middle of its azalea festival. The azalea garden was extremely crowded, so we decided not to enter. Even so, I believe the flowers could be enjoyed well enough from outside the garden. The guests seemed to have a strong interest in the shrine and in Shinto, so we ended up spending a longer time there than expected. This was my first time using the eel restaurant in Asakusa, but I found it reasonably priced and easier to get a seat than at a long-established tempura restaurant. As we had spent more time than planned up to this point, I kept the explanation of Senso-ji Temple brief. In the latter half, at Shinjuku-sanchome Station, I showed them the location of a department store with an Apple Store and restaurants, and finally took them to Harajuku, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShinjuku Station~Nezu Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassNezu Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassAsakusa Station~Meiji-jingumae Station0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

    Jun 18, 2026
    David_W
    Viator review: Tokyo Tsukiji Food & Culture 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Market Tour
    Great tour. Got to see…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.9:00 Meet up @ Hotel Tokyu
    • 2.9:50 @ Asakusa
    • 3.11:00 Lunch @ Azuma Asakusa
    • 4.12:30 @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 5.13:20 @ Meiji Jingu
    • 6.14:00 @ Takeshita Street
    • 7.15:00 Disband @ Hotel Tokyu

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Meiji Jingu The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. One of the guests was not feeling very well due to the long journey and jet lag. We first went to Asakusa, where the guests wanted to purchase an eSIM, so we went to the Asakusa Information Center to buy one. The guests found the buildings of Senso-ji Temple very beautiful and took many photos. After that, they were hungry, so we had lunch in Asakusa. They said it was the most delicious rice they had ever eaten. We then went to Tsukiji. Since one of the guests was tired and wanted to sit down, I walked briskly through Tsukiji Market with the other guest. At Meiji Jingu as well, one of the guests preferred to sit and wait, so I toured with the other guest. The guest enjoyed it very much, saying it was a very beautiful place. On Takeshita Street, one of the guests wanted to buy a T-shirt, so the other guest rested at a cushioned seating area in With Harajuku while I purchased a T-shirt with the guest on Takeshita Street, and then we returned to the hotel. The weather was nice, and I was glad we could finish the tour safely. Since the guests will be staying for another two weeks, I hope they recover from jet lag and enjoy their time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShibuya~Asakusa252JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Tsukiji209JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji~Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Total816JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fumiko is a great tour guide – informative, friendly and very well…