Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: eyoko & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: eyoko & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Hotel
    • 13:40 Ameyoko
    • 14:10 Sensoji Temple
    • 15:00 Ginza
    • 15:20 Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Kusunoki Masashige Statue
    • 16:20 Meiji Shrine
    • 16:30 Dismissal @ Harajuku Station

    What's a Fast-Paced 4-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report In the morning the Ginza subway line was suspended, which worried me, but since today's tour was in the afternoon and service had resumed by then, I was relieved. I guided the guests from Asia. This was their first day in Tokyo after two nights each in Osaka and Kyoto. It was quite a unique tour: in advance they told me they wanted to walk quickly, just take photos, and see as many places as possible in four hours, so I planned shorter stays than usual at each site. At a drugstore in Ameyoko they bought some medicine for a mouth ulcer. At Sensoji Temple we only went as far as the Hozomon Gate and simply viewed the main hall from the outside. For some reason we kept using Exit 3 that day, which they found amusing. We took a matcha ice cream break in front of the statue of Kusunoki Masashige. One of the guests' folding umbrellas, which had been used as a parasol, would not close, and just as I was wondering how we would manage on the subway, they said goodbye to it and solved the problem by forcibly bending the frame to fold it up. The highlight was at the First Torii Gate of Meiji Shrine: after taking photos there, when we were about to go inside and they heard it involved a lot of walking, they asked if there were photos of the shrine. When I showed them photos online, they said that would be enough. I laughed with them, saying I had never had guests like this and that they were the fastest guests I had ever had. At the end, I showed them the entrance to Takeshita Street as a famous street—of course just for photos—and although it was before the scheduled end time, they said they wanted me to show them how to get back to the hotel and finish there, so we parted ways at Harajuku Station. It was an unusual tour, but they were bright and pleasant, and I think I was able to proceed just as they wished.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTochomae~Ueno-okachimachi220JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Ginza210JPY
    Section 4SubwayGinza-itchome~Sakuradamon180JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijubashimae~Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Total1,000JPY

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Higashiyama area

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Higashiyama area

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:25 Kyoto Station meet
    • 8:40 Fushimi Inari
    • 10:15 Kinkaku-ji
    • 11:25 Lunch
    • 12:30 Ryoan-ji
    • 13:50 Higashiyama area
    • 14:40 Tour ends

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They were a kind group, and I was grateful that they arrived early for the morning meeting. Compared with peak season, there are fewer international visitors at this time of year. Instead, there has been a noticeable increase in school excursion students. For lunch, the guests requested Western-style food rather than Japanese cuisine, so we went to a Western restaurant near Kinkaku-ji. Although it was a slightly early lunch, we were able to be seated smoothly. Right after that the restaurant began to fill up and became full, so we were lucky. I was glad they enjoyed the lunch and said it was delicious. The guests were surprised to learn that the dragon painting on the sliding doors at Ryoan-ji was created by a former prime minister. I guided them from the Higashiyama area to Yasaka Shrine, where the tour concluded. We used a taxi to travel from Kinkaku-ji to Ryoan-ji. The photo was taken at Ryoan-ji.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
    Section 3BusEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 4OtherRyoanji-michi~Karasuma Imadegawa (Imadegawa Subway Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5OtherImadegawa~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 6OtherHigashiyama Sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,300JPY

    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.

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.9:00 Meet @ The Westin Tokyo
    • 2.9:40 @ Asakusa
    • 3.11:10 @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 4.11:50 Lunch @ Sushiko Tsukiji Main Store
    • 5.13:20 @ Meiji Shrine
    • 6.14:10 @ Takeshita Street
    • 7.14:50 @ Shibuya Crossing
    • 8.15:00 Dismissal @ Shibuya

    What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like from Asakusa to Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan, who had moved from Kyoto to Tokyo the day before. In Asakusa, they purchased souvenirs such as a paper lantern and a beckoning cat figure along Nakamise Street, and everyone drew "dai-kichi" (great blessing) fortunes at the omikuji! They also took photos enthusiastically. At Tsukiji, they bought green tea, chopsticks, and chopstick rests, and enjoyed large strawberries and candied strawberries. Since they liked sushi, we had sushi for lunch. At Meiji Shrine, they remarked that it was a peaceful and serene place, and everyone visited to pay their respects. They did not seem particularly interested in Takeshita Street. After briefly looking at New Balance, we moved on to Shibuya, took photos at the Hachiko statue, and experienced the Shibuya Crossing. Since they had some places they wanted to visit on their own in Shibuya, we parted ways there. The weather was nice and a little warm, but since we traveled by car, it was comfortable. The driver was very professional and knowledgeable, which made things go smoothly. It was a very polite and courteous group.

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Tour & Sushi Roll Making

    Tokyo Customized Tour & Sushi Roll Making

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet @Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi
    • 2. 9:10 @Roppongi (intersection, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, National Art Center, Aoyama Cemetery)
    • 3. 10:30 @Meiji Shrine (including the Inner Garden)
    • 4. 12:00 @Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate, Sakuradamon Gate)
    • 5. 12:45 Arrive @Sushi-making experience class
    • 6. 12:50 Disband @Class (hand over to class staff)

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Roppongi, Meiji Shrine, and the Imperial Palace The guests were visitors from North America, coming to Japan for the first time. They took advantage of a two-week holiday to realize a long-held interest in visiting Japan. One of the guests had visited Japan the previous spring with other members of the group and family, had loved the country, and made this current trip with another member of the group possible. Since their accommodation was in Roppongi, before boarding the subway I guided them through the National Art Center and on to Aoyama Cemetery. I had originally intended only to mention it, but the fresh greenery was beautiful, and one of the guests, who loves nature, requested to visit. I guided them to the Hachiko monument at the grave of Professor Hidesaburo Ueno, who was the owner of the loyal dog Hachiko, and to the foreigners' cemetery — related to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue that the guests had already explored on their own the previous day. Together with the fresh greenery of Aoyama Cemetery, they were very pleased. They also greatly enjoyed the forest of Meiji Shrine for its greenery and solemn atmosphere. The guests each purchased many amulets. Thinking it was the season when irises begin to bloom, I also guided them to the Imperial Garden. There, about one-third of the area was in full bloom with irises, which was very beautiful and delighted the guests. At the Imperial Palace, we viewed the Nijubashi Bridge and Main Gate before passing through Sakuradamon, then took the Yurakucho Line to Kojimachi, the venue for a sushi-making experience class. I handed them over to the staff there and said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nogizaka Station~Meiji-jingumae Station700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station~Nijubashimae Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station~Kojimachi Station0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

    Jul 3, 2026
    Jody D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Best Post cruise tour ever
    It was…

    June 19, 2026
    Alec T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in 4 hours
    Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely experience. My…
    Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station meeting point
    • 9:30 Yasaka Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka ~ Kiyomizu-dera
    • 9:50 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:35 Kinkaku-ji
    • 12:20 Lunch at Gontaro Kinkaku-ji branch
    • 13:40 Nijo Castle
    • 15:00 Dismissal inside the subway Nijojo-mae Station

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group visiting from Europe. They had already visited Hiroshima and Himeji before coming to Kyoto. The weather was perfectly clear and not too hot, making it an ideal day for sightseeing. Neither the Kiyomizu-dera area nor Kinkaku-ji was very crowded, so we were able to explore at a relaxed pace, which was wonderful. They also listened attentively to the detailed explanations. After lunch, we headed to Nijo Castle, which was packed with tour groups, so it was challenging to time my explanations well. Since the guests planned to visit the Arashiyama bamboo grove after this tour, I guided them to Nijojo-mae Station on the subway and we parted ways there. I believe they were very pleased with the day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto~Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus~Nijojo-mae / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total460JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Break up at Hinazushi

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Break up at Hinazushi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Monday Apart Hamamatsucho Daimon
    • 8:50 Asakusa (Green Planet, Kagetsudo)
    • 10:00 Reserve children's Welcome Suica and round-trip Kyoto Shinkansen at JR Ueno Station
    • 10:30 Ameyoko (edible insects, Futatsuki confectionery, Tokudaiji)
    • 11:00 Ueno Park (Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Ueno Great Buddha, Hanazono Inari, Ueno Toshogu, Pokemon manhole, Benten-do)
    • 12:00 Break up at Hinazushi

    What Is a Private Morning Tour of Asakusa and Ueno in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a family visiting from North America on a private tour of Asakusa and Ueno in Tokyo. At the guests' request to save time and travel during quieter hours, we moved the meeting time up to 8:00 and focused the itinerary on Asakusa and Ueno. We headed to Asakusa on the Toei Asakusa Line, and we were lucky because the Ginza Line was suspended during that same time slot. Since it was a family outing, everyone enjoyed taking photos poking their faces into the holes of the usual white monument, the Green Planet, in Asakusa. As it had only just turned 9:00, Nakamise Street was empty and we reached the Hozomon Gate in no time. Being able to walk before the crowds and before it got hot was thanks to the guests' good judgment. Regarding the omikuji fortune slips, after explaining that there is about a 40% chance of drawing "bad luck," everyone in the group gave it a try. Three drew "great luck" and two drew "bad luck," exactly as I had described, so everyone was oddly convinced and took a commemorative photo holding their omikuji together. As it turned out, there was no restaurant at their hotel, and no place to have breakfast around the hotel either, so they had told me they had a light meal at a convenience store. I took them to Kagetsudo, and when they tried the melon bread, everyone smiled and said, "This is delicious." One of the group did not have a Suica card, so we purchased one at Ueno Station. Also, when asked about booking Shinkansen tickets, I recommended smartEX, but for some reason their credit card would not be accepted, so I was thanked for being able to arrange the reserved round-trip seats to Kyoto as well. At Ameyoko, the group was very curious about the sweets at Futatsugi, and when asked, "What are famous sweets in Japan?" I was at a loss because there are so many kinds and everyone has different tastes, but I recommended "Hi-Chew and Takenoko no Sato." They said, "We already bought Hi-Chew, so let's get Takenoko no Sato," and they also bought many other things. This is something that really divides people into fans and non-fans. We walked through the shopping street on the way there and under the elevated tracks on the way back, occasionally stopping at shops that caught their interest. In Ueno Park, the Pokemon manhole cover was the most highly rated spot (the Ueno Great Buddha remained low-rated as usual). Finally, I took them to Ueno no Mori Sakura Terrace, where various kinds of lunch can be enjoyed. Although they showed interest in okonomiyaki and tonkatsu, they seemed to love sushi so much that they could eat it every day, so we parted ways at Hina Sushi. Today was a very hot and humid day, so thanks to the guests' judgment, having the tour in the morning was a great help.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayDaimon (Tokyo)~Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Ueno180JPY
    Total400JPY

    Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.

    Apr 21, 2026
    Sabrina_F
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Balade riche en découvertes
    Nous avons passé un super moment avec Danda.…

    Apr 14, 2026
    davidjonesresponseen
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour with Danda in Tokyo
    Excellent walking tour, we followed our…

    Apr 10, 2026
    Anna_O
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour with great guide
    Excellent tour with a very good guide…

    Mar 25, 2026
    Nahmjee_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour guide and experience.
    Danda was great with my family. He…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Itinerary confirmation & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Itinerary confirmation & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet
    • 9:10 Itinerary confirmation
    • 9:40 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:15 Arashiyama
    • 11:45 Snack break
    • 13:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 14:15 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 15:00 End

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Covering Four Sites by Taxi? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time. The booking was made through a travel agency, and they had requested visits to four locations. Since the sites were spread out from east to west, I had asked in advance about using a taxi. At the meeting point, I confirmed their wishes once more and guided them to all four locations. As Kyoto was to be their only day of sightseeing, they wanted to see everything. I made a point of not rushing while still keeping things moving efficiently. They were traveling to celebrate a milestone in the family. The weather was lovely, and the guests were pleased with every place we visited.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)~Inari610JPY
    Total610JPY

    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!

    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…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Ranvt
    Local tour kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I had a great experience on this local…

    Jun 11, 2026
    MamaL843
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
    Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia & Kyoto Station

    Kyoto in One Day: Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia & Kyoto Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia
    • 9:20-9:40 Yasaka Shrine
    • 9:50-11:30 Hanamikoji, Kenninji Temple
    • 11:45-13:00 Lunch
    • 13:20-14:00 Takashimaya
    • 14:10-14:40 Nishiki Market
    • 15:00 Kyoto Station

    What's a Relaxed Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Gion and Nishiki Market Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. As they wanted to explore at a relaxed pace, we skipped Kinkaku-ji and the Higashiyama district and focused only on Gion, Shijo Street, and Nishiki Market. We took a bus to Gion, prayed at Yasaka Shrine, then walked along Hanamikoji and visited the Gion Art Museum before heading to Kennin-ji, where we took our time exploring. For lunch, since they had never been to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, I took them to a conveyor-belt sushi spot where we enjoyed the games as well. I introduced them to the food floor in the basement of a department store, then we headed toward Nishiki Market, prayed at the Tenmangu Shrine, and shopped at a vintage kimono store. They liked it very much and purchased a haori, then we went to Nishiki Market. We took the subway back to Kyoto Station, where the tour ended.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto Station Front/Kyoto City Bus~Gion/Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 2SubwayShijo (Kyoto City)~Kyoto220JPY
    Total450JPY

    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.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Rahul_P
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Private Tour
    Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour…

    Jul 7, 2026
    782MarkS782
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Harumi and Kyoto
    This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…

    Jun 25, 2026
    JenCBear
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great visit with a great guide Harumi
    Harumi was a fantastic guide…

    Jun 21, 2026
    Andrew_M
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Amazing guided experience
    Harumi is an amazing guide.…

  • Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction & Tsukiji

    Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction & Tsukiji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 05:00 Meet in front of the Toyosu Market main gate
    • 05:00-05:30 Explanation in advance of related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
    • 05:30-06:00 Watch the tuna auction
    • 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
    • 07:00-07:15 Move to Tsukiji
    • 07:15-08:00 Stroll through the Tsukiji inner market
    • 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji

    What Is a Private Tsukiji Tuna Auction and Sushi Breakfast Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family group visiting Japan from Europe. The group was very interested in the tuna auction and asked many questions, which really helped to enliven the atmosphere of the tour. They were amazed to see the auction proceed at a pace of roughly five seconds per tuna. For breakfast at a sushi restaurant, they ordered an "omakase" course, a "tuna-focused" course, and a "tuna and salmon course," respectively, and enjoyed the fresh sushi. All of them seemed to favor the seared fatty tuna (aburi toro) the most. At Tsukiji, thanks to a familiar wholesaler of mine, I was able to obtain special permission for the guests to photograph a fresh whole tuna (around 170 kg) before it was cut, which delighted them greatly. In addition, one of the guests carefully examined Japanese knives at a Japanese knife shop and purchased a specially made santoku knife.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusToyosu Market / Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus210JPY
    Total210JPY

    Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.

    For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
    For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
    https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    July 2, 2026
    David S
    Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Incredible experience at the Markets!
    Toru…

    Jun 6, 2026
    meltemg957
    Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

    Jun 4, 2026
    bluejerky1
    Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

    May 29, 2026
    Eva P
    Fabulous experience with Toru!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Toru was…

  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8∶45meet 9∶01Gora Station cable car to
    • Sounzan Station ropeway Owakudani 10∶05 ropeway Togendai 10∶45pirate ship11∶25Moto-Hakone Hakone Shrine red torii gate 12∶00by bus to Hakone Checkpoint Ruins Maruyama Bussan Donburi Chaya lunch 13∶35Hakonemachi Port by bus to Kowakidani14∶13via train Chokoku-no-Mori Station explain how to get to the museum, how to return to the hotel, and tomorrow's route to Odawara Station, then14∶25disband

    What's a Private Hakone Day Tour Like for First-Time Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. A central purpose of the day was to celebrate a school graduation milestone within the group. I created a celebration board, took photos, and gave the board to them as a gift. The group had a certain familiarity with Japan and showed great curiosity about the country, so during lunchtime I talked about shrines, temples, how they relate to our daily life, and the story of kanji characters. I think hearing these things from a guide gave a different flavor than hearing them from family. Everyone ordered the dishes they wanted for lunch and finished their meals completely. The Odawara-Hakone Yosegi marquetry woodwork was novel to them, and the presentation drew enthusiastic applause. They purchased several trick boxes. Since Mount Fuji was not visible today, I recommended that they try again by going up to Owakudani the following day when they would have time, and they were very enthusiastic about doing so.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station~Odawara Station0JPY
    Total0JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Jun 30, 2026
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    we had a great experience with…

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    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

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    Hiro-san knows Hakone!
    Our guide, Hiro-san, did a wonderful job introducing…

    Jun 7, 2026
    Tourist31988989961
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    Great Day and Tour
    Kamakura was amazing. Enjoyed…