Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:50 Meet up @ Hotel Grand Bach Tokyo Ginza
    • 2. 09:00 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 09:25 Stay @ Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple
    • 4. 10:45 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 11:20 Stay @ Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple, Outer Market
    • 6. 12:00 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
    • 7. 13:20 Travel: Subway
    • 8. 13:45 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
    • 9. 14:45 Stay @ Takeshita Street, Cat Street
    • 10. 15:30 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 11. 15:40 Disband @ Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station

    What Does a Private Tokyo Day Tour Including Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of three visiting from North America. One of the guests enjoyed conversation very much, and we chatted happily throughout the tour. Everyone already had Suica cards, so we were able to move around smoothly. Since the guests seemed to like Shibuya and Harajuku, I planned the itinerary so that we would visit Senso-ji Temple in the morning, have a meal in Tsukiji, and then take our time viewing the Scramble Crossing. As we talked, I learned that the guests were interested not only in Takeshita Street but also in Cat Street, so after visiting Meiji Shrine, we decided to walk from Harajuku to Shibuya. We had a lively conversation about the brand shops along the way. After arriving in Shibuya, I showed them the Scramble Crossing, and we ended the tour with about a 30-minute extension.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHigashi-Ginza～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Tsukiji210JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji～Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Total640JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    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.

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto Station Central Gate & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Kyoto Station Central Gate & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30　Kyoto Station Central Gate
    • 10:30　Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • 11:00　Saga Toriimoto
    • 11:30　Jojakko-ji Temple
    • 12:00　Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 12:30　Tenryu-ji Temple
    • 13:00　Lunch (Saga Arashiyama Bunkakan Cafe)
    • 14:30　Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 15:30　Kyoto Station

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji I guided a group visiting from North America. Because this was an urgent request, I was only able to reach the guests the day before the tour, and at their request we planned to visit the Atago Kaido area and Fushimi Inari. However, while on the train heading to Arashiyama, they asked me what I thought about also visiting Kinkaku-ji. Considering the geography, I recommended combining Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji as is usual, so we changed Fushimi Inari to Kinkaku-ji. At Atagonenbutsu-ji, they enjoyed the wonderfully distinctive rakan statues, and during the roughly 20-minute walk to Jojakko-ji, they were very fond of the peaceful scenery along the Atago Kaido. At Jojakko-ji, they were delighted to take in the beautiful garden surrounded by fresh green foliage. Afterward, we visited Tenryu-ji and then had lunch at a nearby cafe, and they liked the atmosphere inside as well. In the afternoon we visited Kinkaku-ji, where they showed strong interest not only in the beauty of the Golden Pavilion itself but also in Horai Island floating in the Kyoko-chi pond. At the final farewell, they gave me a hug and said, "It was a wonderful day, thank you," and they appeared very satisfied. Along the way I was able to hear many different stories, and it was a very enjoyable tour for me as well.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 2BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Kyoto230JPY
    Total470JPY

    Tour Report by Umi

    Hello! My name is Umi. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I still live here today.

    I have always loved traveling. When I visit another country, I enjoy learning about its history, culture, and way of life from local people. Talking with locals helps me understand a place much better than simply visiting famous sights. That’s why I became a tour guide.

    Through my tours, I hope to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Japan. In addition to its beauty and traditions, I am also happy to talk about modern life in Japan. My goal is for my guests to leave Japan with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation of the country.

    I’m looking forward to meeting you!

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    Jun 29, 2026
    U3009CHlaurad
    Kyoto 4 Hour walking Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Umi was a great tour guide, very…

    May 9, 2026
    Adventurer745194
    Lovely intro to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a lovely morning guided by Umi.…

    Apr 30, 2026
    jonathangG3501FZ
    4 hour private tour in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Umi was a lovely tour guide…

    Apr 27, 2026
    Jennifer_S
    Wonderful, thoughtful guide
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Umi was absolutely wonderful. She…

  • Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour

    Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:30 Zuihoden　14:30 Sendai City Museum　15:30 Sendai Castle Ruins　17:00 Pokemon Tohoku Center

    What Is a Private Family Tour of Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Because the itinerary included historical sites, I was initially concerned that guiding them might be challenging, but they stayed engaged throughout the tour. Toward the end, I suggested taking them to a place selling character goods, and their eyes lit up immediately; as soon as we arrived, they rushed into the shop together. We used the Sendai Loople Bus, a public transportation service, and on the way back there were few other passengers, so everyone was able to find a seat.

    Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherSendai Station～Sendai Station630JPY
    Total630JPY

    Tour Report by KOH

    Hello. My name is Kohmin Iwabuchi, but please call me KOH for short. I have been working as a tour guide for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited hundreds of scenic spots, but there is one place I will not go. Guess what is it? That’s the top of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. I can climb the mountain, but it’s hard for me to guide people while climbing.

    I am interested in traditional sports in Japan, particularly sumo wrestling. Sumo is time honored sports. We can trace its origin back to some thousand years ago. First it was played as an entertainment in a Shinto shrine. The rule of sumo is simple. The match is played by two participants in a ring. If any parts of the body of one of the participants except the sole touches the ground or he was pushed out of the ring, he will be defeated.

    The appearance of sumo wrestlers is very traditional, because their samurai like hairstyle “chonmage” originates from feudal ages.

    Unlike boxing and wrestling, there are no weight restrictions or classes, meaning that your opponent can be many times your own size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training. Personally my weight is about 200 pounds which enables me to be a sumo wrestler.

    Sumo wrestlers live in a sumo stable. It’s the place where they eat, drink, train and sleep together. In greater Tokyo area, there are about 40 sumo stables, many of which are located in Ryogoku area. A small number of stables welcome people to come and see the morning practice. I hope some day I can visit there with you.

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    Jul 18, 2024
    OnAir13534982348
    Tour curated to my family’s interests!
    Tripadvisor review: Takachiho Gorge Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Koh contacted me ahead of…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1000 HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Hamamatsucho (5 min from JR Hamamatsucho Station North Exit) Meeting
    • 1035 Asakusa, Azuma Bridge, Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
    • 1245 Otemachi, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 1430 Harajuku, Meiji Shrine visit, Takeshita Street
    • 1600 Shibuya, Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing
    • 1615 Dismissal after crossing the intersection

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like for a Group? A Licensed Guide's Report A travel agency was involved in this booking and arranged everything before finally sharing the guests' email address, but I was unable to reach them directly. Since my messages on the messaging app were marked as read, I believe the essential information had been communicated. The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was their first visit to Japan. They had arrived three days earlier and had explored the area around their hotel and watched a baseball game at Tokyo Dome. Today was the first day with a guide. They planned to stay two more days in Tokyo, travel around the Kansai region, then return to Tokyo before flying home. As a budget-conscious group, they were interested in Skytree and Tokyo Tower but hesitant given the overall budget. For reference, I introduced them to the free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. In Asakusa, they enjoyed treats such as candied strawberries, and at a knife shop they purchased a kitchen knife. They also bought a daruma and a good-luck charm for the children's studies. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, this knife became an issue, and one of the guests was unable to enter and waited outside, though they understood the situation. (I cannot deny my own lack of foresight here, and I will be more mindful in the future.) On Takeshita Street, they became absorbed in gashapon machines, which took a little time. In Shibuya, they planned to visit the Pokemon shop at PARCO and the One Piece shop at Magnet, which I had introduced, so we parted ways after crossing the scramble intersection.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayDaimon (Tokyo)～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Otemachi (Tokyo)180JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)～Meiji-jingumae210JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku～Shibuya160JPY
    Total770JPY

    Tour Report by Ted

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

    Request Booking

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Chion-in Temple

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Chion-in Temple

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Dhawa Yura Kyoto Meet up
    • 11:00~12:00 Nijo Castle
    • 12:30~13:30 Shoren-in Monzeki　
    • 13:40~14:10 Chion-in Temple
    • 14:20~14:30 Yasaka Shrine, stroll around Gion Hanamikoji then disband

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Shorenin, and Chionin The guests were visitors from North America, and one of them had visited Japan once before, about eight years earlier. This time they came purely for sightseeing and leisure, arriving in Kyoto after traveling through Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Koyasan, Nara, and Osaka. First, we visited Nijo Castle, and while I explained the historical transitions of the Tokugawa shogunate up to the return of political power to the emperor, they were deeply impressed by the Karamon Gate, the wall paintings and carvings of the Ninomaru Palace, and the gardens, taking many photographs. At Shorenin, there were few tourists, and they sat on the veranda of the Kachoden, gazing at the garden and enjoying a moment of tranquility. There were also buildings connected to the imperial family, which they toured with great interest, ringing the bell of the belfry to offer a prayer. Finally, we visited Chionin, where they received a goshuin seal and offered prayers at the Amida Hall.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Nijojomae220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojomae～Higashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture)220JPY
    Total440JPY

    Tour Report by shige

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

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    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: @ Egret Himeji Rooftop & @ Kokoen Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: @ Egret Himeji Rooftop & @ Kokoen Garden

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet @ JR Himeji Station
    • 09:45 @ Egret Himeji Rooftop
    • 10:00 @ Himeji Castle
    • 12:30 @ Kokoen Garden
    • 13:45 Dismiss @ Brisk Stand

    What's a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. Because some of the guests preferred a slower pace on foot, we moved very gradually throughout the day, and one of the guests chose to wait outside rather than enter Koko-en Garden. Everyone showed great interest during the visit and asked many questions. At our first stop, they were very pleased with the view from the rooftop of Egret Himeji, which is said to offer one of the most beautiful full views of Himeji Castle in the area. Some of the guests commented that, having visited several Japanese castles before, Himeji Castle was the finest of all. After the tour, before returning to their hotel in Kyoto, they wished to have a light meal, so I guided them to a local burger shop of their choice, where we parted ways. I presented some of the guests with handmade drawstring pouches, which were warmly received.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Yama

    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

    Request Booking

    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…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Tenryu-ji Temple & Yasaka Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Tenryu-ji Temple & Yasaka Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hilton Kyoto
    • 9:50 Tenryu-ji Temple Garden
    • 10:25 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ~ Kameyama Park ~ Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 11:50 Kinkaku-ji, ramen lunch at Togenkyo
    • 12:30 Kinkaku-ji
    • 14:15 Yasaka Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka
    • 14:40 Disband at Asahido on Sannenzaka

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report Today I guided a group visiting from North America. Their itinerary covered Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and they were also planning to travel to Asia afterward. Some of the guests had visited Kyoto eight years earlier, and this time they wanted to go to the places the group had specifically wished to see. The original plan was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Gion, and Fushimi Inari Taisha, but since they planned to visit Gion in the evening, and because the group was interested in food and pottery, I took them to Sannenzaka. It was quite humid, but the cloudy sky made it comfortable, and apart from Sannenzaka, the areas were not very crowded, so I believe they enjoyed the day.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto Shiyakusho-mae～Uzumasa Tenjingawa260JPY
    Section 2TrainRanden Tenjingawa～Arashiyama (Keifuku Line)250JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Keifuku Line)～Nishioji Sanjo250JPY
    Section 4BusNishioji Sanjo / Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Section 6SubwayKitaoji～Marutamachi (Kyoto Municipal)260JPY
    Section 7BusKarasuma Marutamachi (Subway Marutamachi Station) / Kyoto City Bus～Higashiyama Yasui / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
    Total1,710JPY

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　10:30　Meet at JR Nara Station
    • ②　10:35　Brief explanation about the itinerary
    • ③　11:00　By taxi to Kasuga Taisha parking lot, where the history of Nara and Kyoto will be explained
    • ④　11:30　Kasuga Taisha ~ Stroll along the approach with the deer
    • ⑤　13:00　Todai-ji Temple
    • ⑥　14:30　Lunch in the Naramachi area
    • ⑦　15:30　Gango-ji Temple ~ Stroll around Naramachi
    • ⑧　16:30　By taxi to JR Nara Station, disband

    Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Nara? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kasuga Taisha and Todaiji The guest was traveling solo from Europe. The itinerary spanned from Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara, with plans to see Himeji Castle the next day before heading on to Hiroshima. At first the guest seemed somewhat elusive—sometimes there was no response during my explanations, yet at other times there were clear reactions, which made me realize the guest was indeed listening. As we spent time together, however, the guest's warm character gradually came through. The guest was deeply moved by the ancient, serene atmosphere of Kasuga Taisha's stone lanterns and the sacred old trees said to be a thousand years old, was amazed by the scale of the Great Buddha, adored the deer, and even approached elementary school students on a school trip to strike up a conversation—truly a kind-hearted and sincere person. The attached photos are from that moment. The children had prepared handouts under their teacher's guidance, intending to approach foreign visitors themselves, but being suddenly addressed by a foreigner, they got a little flustered and shy. While we rested on a bench together talking about the history of Nara, a deer came up and snatched the day's itinerary sheet I had prepared and began eating it, and the guest fought valiantly to get it back. Later in the afternoon, I learned that the guest had felt a bit confused that morning—I never quite understood in what way—and had not been feeling entirely well. For lunch we ate persimmon leaf sushi. The guest had a little beer to refuel and said, "I am back!" Even so, the guest mentioned feeling a bit tired and wanting to head back early, saying the day had already been plenty enjoyable. We walked slowly, took a taxi, and in the end the guest returned to a hotel near Kyoto Station on the 16:37 train from JR Nara Station. I love the moment of parting with a firm handshake.

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

    Tour Report by Kazu

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

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    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel 14:30 → Sanjusangendo 15:20 → Fushimi Inari 16:40 → Gion stroll 18:00 → Disband 18:30

    What's a Half-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sanjusangendo and Fushimi Inari This was a private tour for a group visiting from North America. They arrived from Odawara by Shinkansen, checked into their hotel, and started the tour right away at 14:30. The group was very cheerful and lively. Because of the late start, I chose Sanjusangendo and Fushimi Inari as the tour spots. At Sanjusangendo, they even tried to buy an admission ticket for the guide as well, and I hurriedly stopped them — they were a very considerate group. At the end, since they had a dinner reservation in Gion, we strolled through Gion, and I saw them to the front of the restaurant before parting ways.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGojo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2BusKyoto Station / Kyoto Municipal Bus～Museum Sanjusangendo-mae / Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Section 3BusMuseum Sanjusangendo-mae / Kyoto Municipal Bus～Shichijo Keihan-mae / Kyoto Municipal Bus230JPY
    Section 4TrainShichijo～Fushimi Inari180JPY
    Section 5TrainFushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo240JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    Tour Report by Taka

    Hello, my name is Taka Sakai.
    I was born and brought up in Osaka until I graduated college.
    I worked for a chemical company for more than 30 years and was in charge of overseas marketing.
    There was also an opportunity to be assigned to the subsidiary in the US.
    I experienced a lot, traveled a lot both on business and my own during that time.
    I have been conducting tours as the certified guide mainly in the Kansai Area since 2017.
    Thank you very much for your interest in Japan.
    It is a great honor for me that I can accompany and support your new experiences here.
    I look forward to seeing you then.

    Thank you

    Taka Sakai

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    May 13, 2026
    Alice_o
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Perfect Day in Kyoto.
    We had a perfect day in Kyoto.…

    May 1, 2026
    Don_W
    Viator review: Kobe 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome to explore new countries
    We toured the gardens, temples and the…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Abha_N
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing guide
    We had an exceptional experience with our private guided tour…

    Mar 30, 2026
    reneferraris2001
    Tripadvisor review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Osaka Departure)
    Nara experience
    We had a great experience on…

  • Kyoto: to 12:00 Kiyomizu-dera & to 14:40 Ginkaku-ji

    Kyoto: to 12:00 Kiyomizu-dera & to 14:40 Ginkaku-ji

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    May, 2026

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet at ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto
    • 09:40 to 10:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:00 to 12:00 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 12:20 to 12:40 Gion
    • 12:50 to 13:15 Lunch (vegan cuisine) around Yasui Konpira-gu
    • 13:50 to 14:40 Ginkaku-ji
    • 15:00 Disband at ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for Guests from North America? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. Their home is located halfway up a mountain range at an altitude of 2,500 meters, a very cool place, so they seemed to find Japan's hot and humid climate difficult to get used to. The guests were very kind and considerate toward one another. They had been looking forward to their Japan tour and had expected relatively little crowding now that the busy season was over, but they were surprised by the many students on school trips. Today, the rain from the previous day had cleared, and I believe they enjoyed a pleasant Kyoto tour.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Haru

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

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    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…