Category: Uncategorized

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Kobe Harborland & Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Kobe Harborland & Nunobiki Herb Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:15 Meet @ JR Shin-Kobe Station
    • 12:00 @ Kobe Harborland
    • 12:30 @ Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
    • 13:15 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 15:15 Dismissal @ JR Shin-Kobe Station

    Title: What Is a Private Kobe Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Harborland and Nunobiki Herb Garden The guests were visitors from Oceania. They did not appear at the meeting time of 10:30, the messaging app was not in use, and although I sent several emails, there was no reply. We were able to meet about 40 minutes later (they may have taken the wrong bullet train). The pace of the day became extremely slow due to walking difficulties. Both of the guests were delighted by the Presley monument in Harborland (said to be one of only three officially recognized monuments of its kind in the world). During the visit to the Earthquake Memorial Park, one of the guests rested on a nearby bench as walking was difficult. We had originally planned to visit the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, but due to the walking distance, we changed the plan on short notice to Nunobiki Herb Garden and used a taxi. One of the guests was very fond of plants and greatly enjoyed the garden, even explaining various flowers to me. They purchased several souvenirs as well. As they were a little hungry, they had a light meal. After the tour, since they were returning to Osaka, I guided them to Shin-Kobe Station for the bullet train, and we parted ways. Note) At the point of meeting, I felt this tour might be challenging for the guests. In the future, I think it would be helpful if it could be confirmed at the time of accepting a booking whether guests use a cane or a walker, so that this can be taken into account when planning the itinerary.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShin-Kobe~Sannomiya210JPY
    Section 2TrainSannomiya~Kobe150JPY
    Total360JPY

    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
    Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yama was so…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at hotel
    • 10:30 Nijo Castle
    • 13:00 Lunch
    • 14:45 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 15:45 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 16:30 Tour ends

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Because the booking was made through a travel agency, I was unable to fully understand the guests' wishes until the day of the tour. The travel agency had specified Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, and a lunch venue. At the time we met, a request came up to include Kinkaku-ji, so I added it to the tour. The guests were very impressed by the sliding-door paintings and the Karamon Gate at Nijo Castle. Since the lunch service took some time, I suggested using a taxi from there to Kinkaku-ji, and again from Kinkaku-ji to Arashiyama. Kinkaku-ji was relatively uncrowded, but they still found it busy, so for the bamboo grove atmosphere of Arashiyama I guided them to Nenbutsu-ji Temple.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShijo Kawaramachi~Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Total230JPY

    Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
    I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
    In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
    In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
    In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
    Every city has a unique charming point.
    The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
    I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
    And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
    I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
    I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
    Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
    Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

    Sep 13, 2026
    946jakobr
    Mizu, as your guide in Koyoto, is the perfect guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed…

    Sep 5, 2026
    Sightsee18435593786
    De moeite waard👍
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Mizu heeft een mooie rondleiding geheven er werd…

    Jul 27, 2026
    OscarBrisenoJr
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Awesome tour of Kyoto
    Seeing the temples and shrines…

    Jul 21, 2026
    MarcL3556
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A Wonderful and Memorable Tour of Osaka with Mizu…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kinkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00. Kyoto Station meet
    • 10:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 1hr sightseeing
    • 11:30 Departure
    • 12:00 Nijo Castle
    • 1hr.sightseeing
    • 1:00. Lunch
    • 2:15. Kinkaku-ji
    • 3:30 Departure
    • 4:15 Arrive at Saka no Hotel

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji The meeting was slightly delayed, but the tour proceeded almost exactly as scheduled. The guests were a very pleasant group visiting from North America. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, the Omokaru-ishi stones were crowded, so instead I showed them the "rising pine," where they prayed for their stock prices and salaries to rise. At Nijo Castle, they listened intently to the explanations, and perhaps because of a samurai-themed TV program, they had many questions. They asked why the Emperor has continued to exist, whether a woman could take the role, and about the structure of the roof tiles. At Kinkaku-ji, they were interested in the tea room and asked why it was so small. On the way back in the car, I introduced them to Amida-kuji (ghost-leg lottery). It became lively with a small gift.

    Hello, my name is Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.

    Sep 29, 2026
    H1282JBkarinas
    Customizable tour with Harumi-san
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Harumi…

    Sep 28, 2026
    Coastal07335209891
    Kobe Delight with Harumi
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour was definitely customized and our…

    Sep 27, 2026
    kakeelma
    Learning is fun with Harumi san!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    My husband and I…

    Sep 23, 2026
    Cosmopolitan580857
    We had a great time! Kyoto is a beautiful city.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:50 Meet up@Remm Akihabara
    • 2. 09:55 Travel∶Train
    • 3. 10:20 Stay@Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    • 4. 11:10 Travel∶Subway 
    • 5. 11:45 Stay@Sensoji Temple
    • 6. 13:00 Lunch@Asakusa Ramen Toryanse
    • 7. 13:40 Stay@Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 8. 14:15 Travel∶Subway
    • 9. 14:45 Stay@Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 10. 15:40 Travel∶Subway
    • 11. 15:55 Stay@Akihabara
    • 12. 16:15 Disband@Remm Akihabara

    Title: What Is a Private Family-Friendly Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Akihabara, Asakusa, and Tokyo Gardens The guests were a family visiting from North America. Their accommodation was directly connected to JR Akihabara Station, which made it very convenient to use the JR line for our first leg of travel. One of the guests was fond of plants, and the water lilies at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and the Japanese irises at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were well received. Since the guests wished to have ramen for lunch, I took them to a restaurant with a relatively large number of seats along Shin-Nakamise Street in Asakusa. After the meal, they enjoyed an apple-based sweet at a nearby shop, so as a result our time in Asakusa ran a little longer than expected. At the end of the tour, I walked the guests along the pedestrian-only zone of Akihabara Chuo-dori and saw them back to their accommodation, where we parted ways in front of the building.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAkihabara Station~Iidabashi Station150JPY
    Section 2SubwayKasuga Station~Asakusa Station290JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station~Otemachi Station180JPY
    Section 4SubwayOtemachi Station~Suehirocho Station180JPY
    Total800JPY

    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.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:00 Start in front of Kanazawa Tourist Information Center
    • Travel by bus to Higashi Chaya District
    • AM 09:30 – AM 11:00 Stroll around Higashi Chaya District, gold leaf ice cream, shopping and Utasu Shrine
    • Travel by bus to Kenrokuen-shita
    • AM 11:30-PM 12:00 Kenrokuen Garden visit
    • PM 12:00- 12:30 Kanazawa Castle Park, San-no-maru only
    • Travel by bus to Omicho
    • PM 13:00 – 14:15  Lunch and stroll around Omicho Market
    • Travel by bus to Kanazawa Station
    • PM 14:30 Kanazawa Station, with the guest's consent to purchase souvenirs at Anto, tour ends

    What Is a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The listed phone number was incorrect, but since we had been communicating by email, there was no problem meeting on the day of the tour. The guests were a group visiting from North America. At Higashi Chaya District, they enjoyed gold-leaf ice cream, Japanese sweets, and purchasing matcha, and we then visited Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. After enjoying lunch and buying food at Omicho Market, we had planned to go to the Nagamachi Samurai District, but since some of the guests wanted to buy more souvenirs, we decided to go to Anto at Kanazawa Station instead. After consulting with the guests there, the tour came to an end. I believe they enjoyed a well-balanced mix of sightseeing, shopping, and food.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKanazawa Station~Hashiba-cho210JPY
    Section 2BusHashiba-cho~Kenrokuen-shita210JPY
    Section 3BusKenrokuen-shita~Musashigatsuji210JPY
    Section 4BusMusashigatsuji~Kanazawa Station210JPY
    Total840JPY

    Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
    I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
    Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
    Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
    ” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

    Sep 29, 2026
    matthewsY2654UC
    Highly recommended!
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Yoshi is an exceptional guide where he took us…

    Sep 28, 2026
    751juergend
    Perfect day in Kanazawa
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Yoshi was the perfect guide, very…

    Sep 27, 2026
    karen_f
    YOSHI san was incredible!
    Viator review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    YOSHI met us at our…

    Sep 19, 2026
    Plumb72
    A morning in Kanazawa
    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a fab tour with Yoshi…

  • Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:45 Meet @ Hotel
    • 10:00-11:15 Loople Sendai Bus, Sendai Station → Zuihoden-mae, visit Zuihoden
    • 11:33-11:50 Loople Sendai Bus, Zuihoden-mae → Sendai Castle Ruins
    • 12:00-13:00 Lunch at Aoba Castle Kaikan Food Court & visit Sendai Castle Ruins
    • Take taxi → Aoba-dori Station
    • 13:48 -14:29 JR Senseki Line, Aoba-dori → Matsushima-Kaigan
    • 14:40-16:15 Head to the sightseeing boat dock passing by the caves
    • Sightseeing boat, Godaido
    • 16:44- JR Senseki Line, Matsushima-Kaigan → Sendai

    What Is a Private Guided Tour of Sendai and Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was fine, with temperatures rising a little above 20 degrees. The guests were visiting from Oceania. They had disembarked from a cruise ship in Nagasaki and traveled through Kyushu, Sapporo and Hakodate, and various parts of the Tohoku region, and were planning to fly home from Tokyo. They showed me many photos taken in each place. Their wish to share the excitement of their journey came through clearly, and I truly enjoyed looking at the pictures. I had been a little worried about the Sendai Castle ruins, since there is no castle building remaining, but the guests took great interest in the story of the castle being demolished under the castle abolition order, as well as in the stone walls. At the same time, I regret that I was not able to guide as smoothly as I would have liked. I want to prepare materials and organize my thoughts so that I am ready for the explanation next time. To save time, we took a taxi from Sendai Castle to the station, and the guests kindly paid for it. Looking at the unusual scenery of Matsushima, the clusters of caves and the scattered islands, they said they had never seen a view like this before. May is the season when the zelkova trees of Sendai are at their most beautiful green, and I was happy to welcome the guests during this time of year. At the end of the tour, I was grateful that the guests said "What a big day" many times.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusSendai Station~Zuihoden-mae260JPY
    Section 2BusZuihoden-mae~Sendai Castle Ruins260JPY
    Section 3TrainAoba-dori~Matsushima-Kaigan420JPY
    Section 4TrainMatsushima-Kaigan~Sendai Station420JPY
    Total1,360JPY

    Hello. I’m Mikiko Shiga, a licensed guide interpreter.
    I live in Iwaki, Fukushima, about 200km northeast from Tokyo.
    I was born in Sendai, the capital of Tohoku or the North East area of Japan.
    I ‘ve belonged to a volunteer guide group, I experienced walking tours in Asakusa, and other places in Tokyo.

    Meanwhile, the area I was born and live in is relatively uncrowded.
    Tohoku is blessed with beautiful nature, delicious food and fresh air.
    It is recommendable for tourists who want to avoid busy places.
    It would be wonderful if I could share the attractions in Tohoku or Ibaraki areas with my guests.

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jenny_A
    Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car with Licensed Guide
    Interesting tour to see…
    Interesting tour to see…

    Jun 14, 2026
    Michael_B
    Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
    Fukushima & Iwaki – Excellent Tour With Local Guides…

    Mar 23, 2025
    Phillosophizing
    An Unforgettable Journey Through Resilience and Remembrance
    Tripadvisor review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
    Our Fukushima…

    Oct 11, 2024
    716zaineb
    A wonderful tour worth doing!
    Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Miki did a wonderful job…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Amerikamura

    Osaka in Half a Day: Amerikamura

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Meet up @ Hotel Candeo Osaka the Hotel
    • 12:30-15:25 @ Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 15:55-16:10 @ Amerikamura
    • 16:10 Disband @ Amerikamura

    Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Osaka Castle and Amerikamura? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who came to Japan on a trip, booking through a travel agency. They toured Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto before arriving in Osaka the day before the tour. Since the travel agency did not provide the guests' contact information, we discussed the itinerary before the tour began. The night before, they had joined a food tour and, while walking around the Dotonbori area, they had spotted a vintage shop in Amerikamura that they wanted to visit. The plan was to visit Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, and Amerikamura, but the guests were deeply knowledgeable about history and culture and eager to learn, so they spent a great deal of time carefully exploring the museum inside Osaka Castle and the Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum newly opened this April. Because of this, we skipped Shinsekai, and I guided them to their requested shop in Amerikamura before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayYodoyabashi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shinsaibashi190JPY
    Total380JPY

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Sep 26, 2026
    Y
    yolanda552
    Sachiko the best tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sachiko was our tour guide…

    Sep 9, 2026
    peteraI5718XP
    My First Visit to Osaka
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I enjoyed seeing Osaka through Sachiko’s…

    Sep 4, 2026
    S
    satchithh
    Hasabnis family
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko or Choko Ogura is a…

    Aug 3, 2026
    G6602NEeduardoa
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Osaka Tour with Sachiko
    We had a great Osaka…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meeting @Kyoto Station
    • 11:00 Bamboo Grove Path~Tenryu-ji Garden
    • 12:30 Nijo Castle
    • 13:50 Lunch
    • 15:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 16:00 Finish @Kyoto Station

    Can You Do a Private Cruise Port Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They were touring Japan by cruise ship, and today they arrived from the Port of Osaka. Because their arrival was slightly delayed, the tour started around 10:30. In addition, since the ship was departing today, they wanted to return to Kyoto Station by 4:00, so I significantly changed the original plan and narrowed it down to the places they most wanted to visit. First, they were thrilled by the dynamic bamboo grove they had really wanted to see. At Nijo Castle, they were delighted to experience Japan's deep and unique history. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, they seemed moved by its unique and beautiful structures. As some of the guests had knee trouble, we did not spend too much time at each place, and we parted ways at Kyoto Station almost on schedule.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama~Randen-Tenjingawa250JPY
    Section 3SubwayUzumasa-Tenjingawa~Nijojo-mae260JPY
    Section 4SubwayNijojo-mae~Shijo220JPY
    Section 5SubwayShijo~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 6TrainKyoto~Inari300JPY
    Total1,490JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @Moxy Kyoto Nijo
    • 10:30 ~ Visit Nijo Castle
    • 12:00 ~ Visit Sanjusangendo
    • 13:30 ~ Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 14:30 Disband @Imamadegawa Subway Station

    What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had visited Tokyo several times before, while the others were visiting Japan for the first time. After traveling through Tokyo, Osaka, and Wakayama (Nachi), they arrived in Kyoto yesterday. Since they had a cycling tour planned for the following day to cover well-known sightseeing spots such as Arashiyama, today's itinerary was set to focus on relatively nearby places not covered by the cycling tour. The guests were very interested in Japanese history, and at each place we visited they asked about its historical significance and the role of Kyoto in Japanese history. It was a very rewarding tour to guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKeihan Sanjo~Keihan Shichijo170JPY
    Section 2TrainKeihan Shichijo~Demachiyanagi240JPY
    Total410JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the lobby of Hotel Mizu no Oto Move by taxi to Sounzan Station
    • 9:30-10:30 Take the ropeway to Owakudani After sightseeing, head to Togendai
    • 10:30-12:50 Move by bus to the Hakone Glass Forest Museum & sightseeing
    • 12:50-14:40 Move by bus to the Hakone Open-Air Museum & sightseeing
    • 15:00 Return to the hotel on foot End

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were experienced travelers who had visited Japan several times before. The weather forecast had not looked very promising, but luckily we were able to see Mount Fuji and even enjoyed some sunshine, making it a wonderful day. Perhaps because we went early, we avoided the long lines at Owakudani and were able to enjoy the black eggs and black soft-serve ice cream. At the Hakone Glass Forest Museum, the guests enjoyed a weekly mini concert featuring the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and the beautiful sight of glass sparkling in the sunlight. We changed the planned lunch to something lighter at their request (a croissant at the Hakone Glass Forest Museum and a hot dog at the Hakone Open-Air Museum), and I think being able to change plans according to the guests' mood at the moment is one of the great things about private travel. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the guests enjoyed the Picasso Pavilion and other works in a picnic-like atmosphere. It was a happy day being able to experience and share the charm of Hakone together.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherSounzan~Togendai1,500JPY
    Section 2BusTogendai~Hyoseki / Hakone Glass Forest Mae580JPY
    Section 3BusHakone Glass Forest~Hakone Open-Air Museum470JPY
    Total2,550JPY

    Hi, I’m Naho – your friendly, English-speaking guide in Japan!
    With over 10 years of experience as a licensed guide and more than 30 years living in the Tokyo area, I’m passionate about helping travelers of all ages enjoy Japan in a fun, meaningful, and stress-free way.

    Whether you’re into ancient temples, seasonal nature, local street food, or modern pop culture, I’ll design a private tour that matches your interests and travel style. I love sharing not just the famous sights, but also lesser-known hidden gems and local tips that make your trip truly special.

    Traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with kids? I’ll make sure everyone feels comfortable and included. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming experience and unforgettable memories for you in this amazing country.

    Let’s explore Japan together — I can’t wait to meet you!

    May 27, 2026
    Chris T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo with Naho!
    We had a great time exploring the in…

    Apr 24, 2026
    Megaso1970
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour
    The tour was nicely planned and Naho is very nice and friendly.

    Apr 9, 2026
    B4204QCcarolc
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Once in a lifetime experience!
    I want to express are…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Dee R
    Great guided tour of notable Tokyo sites and experienced all modes of transportation with the great help of our guide…