Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto in One Day: Thousand Kyoto & Arashiyama shopping street

    Kyoto in One Day: Thousand Kyoto & Arashiyama shopping street

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 The Thousand Kyoto
    • 09:30 Fushimi inari (0) by JR train
    • 11:20 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • 12:30 Lunch （Kura Sushi Kinkakuji Branch） by taxi
    • 14:20 Kinkakuji (500) by walking
    • 15:30 Bamboo path by taxi
    • 16:00 Arashiyama shopping street by walking
    • End of the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama The guests were visitors from North America, traveling for about a month and stopping in Bali, Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan before coming to Japan, with plans to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Fuji, and Tokyo before returning home. At Fushimi Inari, the guests drew omikuji fortunes and received very good results. The guests purchased various charms, dedicated a fox-face-shaped ema plaque, and bought a torii-gate-shaped ema as a souvenir. After Fushimi Inari, the guests enjoyed coffee at a cafe and purchased decorative art made from kimono fabric at a shop along the approach to Kiyomizu-dera. At Kiyomizu-dera, the guests drank water from the Otowa Waterfall and bought four sets of chopsticks as souvenirs at a shop on Kiyomizu-zaka. The guests took many photos, and the schedule started to run a little behind. For lunch, we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant near Kinkaku-ji, and the guests were very pleased. It was already three o'clock when we left Kinkaku-ji, but we continued the itinerary as planned to the bamboo grove, and finished by taking the guests to a soft-serve ice cream shop in the Arashiyama shopping street before parting ways. The guests mentioned they would love to live in Japan.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Total150JPY

    Tour Report by Kazz

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

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    Sep 25, 2026
    Marvin_F
    Kazz is an outstanding…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly…

    Sep 21, 2026
    Laura_K
    Day in Kyoto with Kazz
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazz was an amazing…

    Aug 27, 2026
    M6034YWthomasm
    Worth it
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    The day went by so quickly, a…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience
    Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi Station & Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10：00　Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 10：15　To Miyajimaguchi Station by JR
    • 10：45　Arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station
    • 11；00　From Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima by ferry
    • 11：10　Arrive at Miyajima
    • 　　　　Shrine, Omotesando
    • 13：20　Finish Miyajima sightseeing and head to Miyajimaguchi
    • 13：30　Arrive at Miyajimaguchi
    • 13：47　From Miyajimaguchi Station to Shin-Hakushima Station
    • 14：10　Arrive at Shin-Hakushima Station
    • 　　　　Stroll around Hiroshima Castle on foot
    • 14：50　Arrive at Atomic Bomb Dome, monument tour, museum
    • 17：10　Finish museum tour
    • 17：15　To Hiroshima Station by bus
    • 17：40　Arrive at Hiroshima Station
    • 17：45　Disband

    Can You Do a Private Hiroshima Day Tour Visiting Hiroshima Castle and the Peace Memorial? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group visiting from North America. One of the guests had previously spent time in Yokosuka but had had very few opportunities for sightseeing during that period. This time, they visited Hiroshima together with the group. The group had a strong wish to learn about and share knowledge of nuclear topics and the atomic bomb, and this was one of the reasons they decided to visit Hiroshima. Since they wished to visit Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, they had a quick lunch on a bench at the station to save time. We walked from Shin-Hakushima Station to Hiroshima Castle, and I also guided them to an excellent photo spot on the north side. Due to time constraints, they decided to forgo visiting Shukkeien Garden. During the tour of the memorial monuments, the guests appeared tired, as they had departed from Tokyo early that morning and were also affected by jet lag. For that reason, their visit to the Peace Memorial Museum was kept brief, and I saw them off at Hiroshima Station. The tour ended about 15 minutes earlier than planned, which was also at the guests' request.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station～Shin-Hakushima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusIn front of the museum～Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total990JPY

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    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…

  • Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

    Kanagawa in One Day: Owakudani & Hakone Venetian Glass Museum

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:30 Owakudani
    • 12:30 Hakone Shrine
    • 13:50 Hakone Venetian Glass Museum
    • 15:30 End of the tour

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, Hakone Shrine, and the Glass Forest Museum The guests were visitors from Europe. They had already stayed in Osaka and Kyoto before coming to Hakone. They had thoroughly enjoyed their time in Japan and praised the wonderful hotel where they were staying in Hakone. Among all the places they had traveled to around the world, they said Japan was especially wonderful. We first headed from the hotel in Gora to Owakudani. Unfortunately, the following day was forecast to be rainy, so they were disappointed that they would not be able to view Mount Fuji, but they were delighted to buy the famous "black eggs" to eat back at the hotel. Next, at Hakone Shrine, I explained Shinto in detail, and they seemed to understand and appreciate it. Partly for that reason, they purchased six omamori (protective charms), including one for "safety of the home," to take home as souvenirs for their family. For lunch, they requested ramen, something they had wanted to eat since arriving in Japan but had not yet had the chance to try, and they enjoyed it. In the afternoon, we visited the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Glass Forest Museum), where they enjoyed the artworks along with a violin concert being held inside. Although the weather was poor and I was not able to show them beautiful scenery on this Hakone tour, we instead spent a great deal of time discussing Japanese religion, culture, and customs in depth. In the end, the guests seemed deeply moved as the tour came to a close.

    Click here for more details: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Atsushi

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple & Tsukiji Outer Market

    Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:45 Meet up @Peninsula
    • 11:10 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 11:30 Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 12:15 Tsukiji Namiyoke Shrine
    • 12:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 13:30 Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store Food Floor ~ Yurakucho
    • 14:15 Tokyo Station Character Street ~ Marunouchi Station Building
    • 15:00 Disband @KITTE

    What Is a Private Tsukiji and Ginza Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were from North America, visiting Japan for the first time in 50 years. Because they originally came from Asia and could understand the meaning of kanji characters, it saved time when explaining the history of places such as "Tsukiji" and "Namiyoke." At the fish market they enjoyed sashimi and grilled eel skewers, and in the outer market they savored grilled egg skewers, Kobe beef skewers, yakisoba, and strawberry daifuku. The department store food floor at Ginza Mitsukoshi was not on the original plan, but when I took the guests there, one of the guests was so excited it was almost embarrassing to me. Since the rain had let up, we walked along Ginza Street to Yurakucho. We stopped by Character Street at Tokyo Station to look for souvenirs for their grandchild, then I showed them the taxi stand, took them to KITTE, and we parted ways. After the tour, the guests headed to Ecchujima to board a traditional houseboat.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHibiya Line Hibiya～Hibiya Line Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2SubwayHibiya Line Tsukiji～Hibiya Line Ginza178JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Yurakucho～JR Tokyo146JPY
    Total502JPY

    Tour Report by Hideki

    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

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    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…

  • Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day

    Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day

    Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meeting: Hotel the Leben Osaka
    • 08:15 Travel to Mount Koya via subway and Nankai Koya Line　
    • 11:00 Walking Tour (1)
    • 　　Daimon Gate→Danjo Garan→Kongobuji Temple　
    • 12:30 Lunch and Break
    • 13:30 Walking Tour (2)
    • Okunoin→Kobo Daishi Mausoleum
    • 15:20 Return to Osaka City via Nankai Koya Line and subway
    • 17:00 Dismissal: Hotel

    Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Mount Koya (Koyasan)? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests this time were a group visiting Japan, currently residing in North America. Prior communication and itinerary planning were done in advance with one of the guests. All of the guests were interested in Japanese culture, especially religion, and expressed a wish to visit the sacred mountaintop center of esoteric Buddhism. Naturally, we planned a full-day itinerary, covering Daimon Gate → Danjo Garan → Kongobu-ji Temple in the first half, and Okunoin → the Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi in the second half. On the day, there had been a fairly high chance of rain, but although it was mostly cloudy, we only had a brief shower before noon, so conditions turned out to be reasonably good. The most difficult part of a Mount Koya (Koyasan) tour is explaining the worldview of Shingon esoteric Buddhism in an easy-to-understand way, including how it differs from other schools of Japanese Buddhism. Fortunately, this time I was able to spend the long round-trip travel time to Mount Koya together with the guests, so I could use that time to give a thorough, organized explanation. At the site, while walking slowly from Daimon Gate to Okunoin, I made an effort to give further concrete explanations by connecting them to what the guests had already heard on the train. The guests were full of curiosity and asked many questions, allowing me to provide a very fulfilling guiding experience.

    Click here for more details: Mt. Koya Day Trip from Osaka in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNagahoribashi～Tengachaya240JPY
    Section 2TrainTengachaya～Gokurakubashi930JPY
    Section 3OtherGokurakubashi～Mount Koya500JPY
    Section 4BusKoyasan Station～Daimon Gate360JPY
    Section 5BusOkunoin-mae～Koyasan Station610JPY
    Section 6OtherMount Koya～Gokurakubashi500JPY
    Section 7TrainGokurakubashi～Tengachaya930JPY
    Section 8SubwayTengachaya～Nagahoribashi240JPY
    Total4,310JPY

    Tour Report by Nori

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Request Booking

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

  • Kurashiki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kurashiki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kurashiki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:05 Hotel Cuore Kurashiki ー 9:15 Kurashiki-kan ー9:25 Kurashiki Monogatari-kan ー9:45 Kurashiki Ivy Square ー10:20 Tsurugatayama (Achi Wisteria) ー10:30 Achi Shrine―10:50 Morita Sake Brewery ー11:10 Break at a cafe ー11:40 Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft －12:20 Japan Folk Toy Museum －13:10 Ohashi House ー14:10 Shinkeien Garden ー14:20 Ohara Museum of Art (including Crafts & Asian Art Building) ー15:20 Kojima Torajiro Memorial Museum ー15:40 Hotel Cuore Kurashiki

    Title: What Is a 6-Hour Private Walking Tour of Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests today were visitors from North America. I had heard that the region they came from historically has strong French cultural roots, which turned out to be true for them as well, and this was a new discovery for me. This group had been difficult to reach from the outset, and the day before the tour I was surprised to receive a message asking where we should meet. Since they had already told me the name of their accommodation, I had not anticipated such a question. When I went to the Hotel that morning and told the staff I had come to pick up the guests, the response was not very courteous, which was a little frustrating. When they did not appear at the appointed time, I began to worry, but I called and confirmed they were indeed staying there, which was a relief. For some guests, a 6-hour tour spent only in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter can feel long, in which case it is necessary to move to the Kojima district of Kurashiki or into Okayama City to visit Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle. As it turned out, however, these guests were very interested in works of art, so we were able to spend plenty of time visiting museums. First, we took in an overview of the entire Bikan Historical Quarter from Kurashikikan, then went to the Kurashiki Monogatarikan to learn about the history of Kurashiki through the exhibits and a video. At Kurashiki Ivy Square, they seemed moved by how the British-style spinning mill harmonized with the strong Japanese atmosphere of the Bikan Quarter. That said, they were well aware of the drawback that the ivy, even though originally intended as a countermeasure against the summer heat in the Meiji era, erodes the brick buildings. They were also surprised to learn that this whole area was created through land reclamation. As an aside, they found it very charming that a swan had raised three cygnets on the Kurashiki River. At Tsurugatayama, they had expressed a wish to see Japan's oldest wisteria trellis, so although the flowers had already fallen, we viewed it. In its place, gardenias welcomed us with their fragrance. After enjoying the view of the Kurashiki cityscape from the hilltop, they were delighted by the unusual exhibits at the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft and the Japan Rural Toy Museum, and at the Ohashi House they took their time savoring the atmosphere, imagining life in a townhouse from the Edo period. We then moved on to Shinkeien and strolled through its beautiful garden. Finally, we made our way to the long-awaited Ohara Museum of Art and its Craft and Asian Art galleries, where they seemed deeply touched by the many masterpieces. We also viewed works at the recently opened Kojima Torajiro Memorial Hall, and then I saw them off at their Hotel. Despite a 60% chance of rain today, the weather held at cloudy, which was a great help for sightseeing.

    Click here for more details: Kurashiki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Sam

    My name is Susumu Hiramatsu. I am a national government licensed guide interpreter. I became a guide interpreter in 1992. My educational background started with a BA in law, then an MA in English language education, and completed a doctoral course without a degree in English language teaching. My occupational career began with a bank officer, then shifted to a translation and interpretation company, finally became a freelance translator, interpreter, and college teacher. I handle conference interpretation, namely simultaneous interpretation. As for the guide interpreter, my interest covers wide areas including politics and business, but I deem cultural aspects to be fundamental. I am always encouraging myself to be filled with Japanese hospitality.

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    Jun 20, 2025
    NinjaTwins2013
    Kurashiki walking tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kurashiki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed our walking tour of Kurashiki. Our guide…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Yasaka Pagoda

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkaku-ji & Yasaka Pagoda

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel meet-up
    • 9:50 Kinkaku-ji
    • 11;30 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 13:00 Lunch near Ginkaku-ji
    • 13:40 Ginkaku-ji
    • 15:10 Yasaka Pagoda
    • 15:25 Tour ends

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan from Europe, traveling as a group of friends. It was my first time speaking with people from this region, so it was interesting to hear a variety of stories. The first thing that surprised me was how tall everyone in the group was. Three of the guests were over 180 centimeters, taller than me, and I stand at 182 centimeters. When I asked, they told me that the average height in their home country is quite high. I felt small by comparison, and I had to remind the guests throughout the day to be careful not to bump their heads. They also mentioned that in their home country, each household typically has its own sauna. They said that prices in Japan were actually cheaper than back home. Traveling between the sites took longer than expected, so for the Higashiyama area, which was planned for the end, I guided them as far as Yasaka Pagoda before the tour concluded. The bus to Kinkaku-ji happened to be uncrowded, which made the trip comfortable. The photo was taken at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo～Jingu-Marutamachi230JPY
    Section 2Free PassJingu-Marutamachi Station～Kinkaku-ji1,100JPY
    Section 3Free PassKinkaku-ji-michi～Karasuma-Imadegawa0JPY
    Section 4Free PassKarasuma-Imadegawa～Ginkaku-ji-michi0JPY
    Section 5Free PassGinkaku-ji-michi～Higashiyama-Sanjo0JPY
    Section 6Free PassHigashiyama-Sanjo～Kiyomizu-michi0JPY
    Total1,330JPY

    Tour Report by KAZU

    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.

    Request Booking

    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 in One Day: Peace Park and Museum & cruise ship port

    Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Park and Museum & cruise ship port

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at the cruise ship port (Itsukaichi Port)
    • Transfer to Peace Park by private hire (approx. 30 min)
    • 8:30-10:30 Peace Park and Museum (approx. 120 min)
    • Transfer to the mainland ferry terminal by private hire (approx. 30 min)
    • 11:05-11:15 Transfer to Miyajima by ferry (approx. 10 min)
    • 11:30-12:30 Lunch (Yamaichi Bekkan, a vegetarian-friendly restaurant)
    • 12:30-14:15 Miyajima sightseeing (Itsukushima Shrine, etc.) (approx. 100 min)
    • Transfer from Miyajima to the mainland by ferry (approx. 10 min)
    • Transfer to the cruise ship port (Itsukaichi Port) by private hire
    • 15:00 Arrive at the cruise ship port (Itsukaichi Port)

    Title: What's a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima, and since some of them mentioned that walking would be a bit difficult, I arranged a private chartered car for the tour. In the morning, the group managed to walk through Peace Memorial Park, but the afternoon at Miyajima looked more demanding, so I borrowed a wheelchair, which was greatly appreciated. For lunch, the guests ordered grilled oysters and sushi at a restaurant in Miyajima and were very satisfied. I was glad that they appreciated the care I took, walking slowly together, guiding them around cars and steps, and showing them where the restrooms were. The roads were not crowded, so we were able to move around smoothly.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Kyoko

    Hello, I’m Kyoko, a certified regional interpreter-guide for Hiroshima Prefecture. I was born, educated, and worked in Hiroshima while raising my children, and I absolutely love this city. I have a deep interest in learning about history and culture, and I enjoy exploring the city and trying out local foods. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and chatting with them brings me great joy, so I’m really looking forward to helping make your trip to Hiroshima a wonderful and memorable experience.

    Hiroshima is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a poignant reminder of history, standing gracefully within a beautiful park. Walking through the park together, we can reflect on the powerful message of peace it conveys. Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its red torii gate floating in the sea, is located on a picturesque island. It’s a place where you can enjoy a truly relaxing and serene time.

    I can also guide you to other popular tourist destinations, help you enjoy Hiroshima’s local delicacies such as okonomiyaki, oysters, and conger eel, or assist you with shopping.

    I will do my utmost to ensure that your trip to Hiroshima becomes a wonderful and unforgettable memory.

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    May 20, 2026
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  • Tokyo: Gora Park & Yokohama Station

    Tokyo: Gora Park & Yokohama Station

    Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:30 Hotel Tokyo Ginza
    • 9:25 Arrive at Odawara Station, purchase Hakone Free Pass
    • 10:55 Gora Park
    • 11:30~12:40 Lunch @ Hyatt Regency Hakone (reserved)
    • 13:00 ~13:30 Owakudani
    • 13:55 Pirate ship departs Togendai Port
    • 14:20 Arrive at Hakone-machi Port
    • 14:25~14:50 Hakone marquetry souvenir shop
    • 14:58 Hakone-machi Port, Hakone Shindo Line bus
    • 15:24 Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station
    • 15:37 Depart Hakone-Yumoto Station, board mountain railway
    • 15:53 Arrive at Odawara Station
    • 16:11 JR Tokaido Main Line, Platform 5, board mid-train
    • 17:09 Yokohama Station (tour ended at customer's request, after which they returned to the hotel on their own)

    What Is a Private Hakone Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from Japan Guide Agency [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour of Hakone for a group visiting from North America. The guests had arrived in Japan a week earlier and toured Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Tokyo, choosing Hakone as their final destination because they wanted to see Japan's natural scenery. We began at Gora Park, where the roses were in full bloom. When I mentioned, "The rose is the national flower of the United States," one of the guests replied, "I didn't know that!" For lunch, I had heard that one of the guests needed to avoid gluten, so I researched restaurants in the area that could accommodate this and reserved the one I felt would be the most reliable and safe. The guide who had led the Tokyo tour the previous day, Narita, kindly shared information about the guests, including their meals, which was a great help. On the day, the guests mentioned it was a special occasion, and they enjoyed some drinks and a lively conversation on a variety of topics. The weather was cloudy all day, but they cheered at the sight of Mount Fuji peeking through a gap in the clouds from the train on the way, and at the view of Owakudani seen from the ropeway. One of the guests had been looking forward to trying the black eggs, so I purchased some for them. In Hakone-machi, at the guests' preference we did not enter the checkpoint, but I gave a brief explanation of the importance of the Hakone Checkpoint during the Edo period in front of the gate, and then took them to a Hakone marquetry (yosegi-zaiku) shop. A craftsman happened to be about to give a demonstration, which the guests watched with great interest, and afterward they purchased a number of high-value items such as puzzle boxes and sake cups. Thanks to the guests' cooperation, we progressed slightly ahead of schedule overall, which allowed me to take them to places that had not been included in the original itinerary. When it came up in conversation that I live in Yokohama, they kindly suggested that the tour end in Yokohama and that they would return to their hotel on their own afterward. I sent them a text with directions from Yokohama to their hotel, got off at Yokohama, and ended the tour.

    Click here for more details: Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza～Shimbashi178JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi～Odawara1,518JPY
    Section 3Free PassOdawara～Gora5,000JPY
    Section 4Free PassSounzan～Owakudani0JPY
    Section 5Free PassOwakudani～Togendai0JPY
    Section 6Free PassTogendai Port～Hakone-machi Port0JPY
    Section 7Free PassHakone-machi～Hakone-Yumoto0JPY
    Section 8Free PassHakone-Yumoto～Odawara0JPY
    Section 9TrainOdawara～Yokohama990JPY
    Total7,686JPY

    Tour Report by Ken

    Hi, my name is Ken. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan.
    I’ve been living in Yokohama, west of Tokyo, for more than 20 years.
    Since 2018 I have been enjoying guiding guests from all over the globe to various attractive places in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji, and so on.
    I can also bring you unique experiences such as sake tasting, car factory, beer brewery, fish markets as well as rural town in Miyagi pref., where I was born, by riding on the Shinkansen bullet train.
    Please think I’m your friend in Japan. Tell me where you want to go, see, or experience. I can customize the tour for you.
    My hobby is walking and jogging. I made 42K runs 9 times so far but I take it easy now.
    Having worked globally in the food industry for 35 years, I love local foods of Japan and other countries.
    I’ll try my best to make your visit a memorable one.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

    Request Booking

    Oct 4, 2025
    Ivette_S
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    Jun 25, 2025
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    Jun 8, 2025
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    Apr 5, 2025
    lisajayneherewini
    Happy happy happy
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  • Tokyo in One Day: Akasaka-mitsuke Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Akasaka-mitsuke Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meeting place: Hotel
    • 9:40 Depart Akasaka-mitsuke Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Shimbashi Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 10:00 Arrive Nippori Station
    • Nippori Yanaka Ginza
    • 10:30 Depart Sendagi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 10:40 Arrive Nezu Station
    • Nezu Nezu Shrine
    • 11:20 Nezu Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 11:30 Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 12:30 Depart Otemachi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
    • Nihombashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 12:45 Arrive Suehirocho Station
    • Akihabara Akihabara Electric Town
    • 13:30 Depart Suehirocho Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ginza Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 13:45 Arrive Hibiya Station
    • Hibiya Lunch: Hibiya Chanter
    • 14:00 Depart Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 14:30 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • 15:45 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 16:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • 16:00 Dismissal: Shibuya Station, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line ticket gate

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Yanesen, Akihabara, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting Japan, and one member of the group had roots in the Nagoya area of Japan. Most of the group were visiting Japan for the first time. The group was traveling around Japan for about two weeks. They had arrived on separate flights and reached their accommodation the previous night by taxi or by transferring between trains. From the following day, they planned to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, and then return to Tokyo before heading home. Interestingly, everyone in the group was fond of history and had researched Japanese history in various ways beforehand. They also said, "Today, we'd like to visit as many places as possible." In addition, they said, "We'd like to try and enjoy many different kinds of food, not just Japanese cuisine." It didn't rain, but the tour took place under cloudy skies. First, we headed to the Yanesen area, which they had requested, as they wanted to see old Japanese townscapes. Despite the early morning hour, there were many foreign tourists. "This gave us a good sense of what old Tokyo was like," they said. At Nezu Shrine, we passed through the rows of red torii gates and took commemorative photos many times. We strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms. When is the best time to see them?" was one question. I explained about "the history of Edo," "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo." There were also questions such as "What was the balance of power between the shogunate and the emperor?", "What happened to the shoguns and samurai after the Meiji Restoration?", and "Does the current Japanese emperor hold any political authority?" At their request to "see the anime district," we went to Akihabara. They purchased some game software. There was also a question: "What exactly is a maid café? Is it worth going into one?" Since they wanted to eat sushi for lunch, we went to Hibiya Chanter and had lunch at Tsukiji Sushisei. "This is far fresher than what we eat in New York," they said. We moved on to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "torii gates," "Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were questions such as "What kind of teachings does Shinto have?", "When did Shinto originate?", "How many shrines are there in Japan?", and "What is the difference between Buddhism and Shinto?" We also took a quick walk through the iris garden. There were comments and questions such as "It's amazing that there's no litter on the streets," "Does no one throw trash on the streets?", "The subway is very comfortable and convenient—far better than New York's," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" We then moved to Shibuya, saw them off at the Ginza Line ticket gate, and parted ways.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke Station～Shimbashi Station178JPY
    Section 2TrainShimbashi Station～Nippori Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwaySendagi Station～Nezu Station178JPY
    Section 4SubwayNezu Station～Otemachi Station178JPY
    Section 5SubwayOtemachi Station～Suehirocho Station178JPY
    Section 6SubwaySuehirocho Station～Hibiya Station178JPY
    Section 7SubwayHibiya Station～Meiji-jingumae Station178JPY
    Section 8TrainHarajuku Station～Shibuya Station146JPY
    Total1,392JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

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    Jul 21, 2026
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