Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 11:00 Imperial Palace・Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 15:00 Asakusa・Sensoji Temple
    • 16:30 Return to the hotel and end of tour

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Tsukiji and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of friends from North America. They planned to continue to Hakone and later take a two-week cruise around Japan departing from Yokohama. Some of the guests had studied a great deal about Japan in advance, and I received many questions from them. Because it was a large group, I made a point of stopping at key spots to give thorough explanations so that everyone could hear. Perhaps because of this, our pace ended up being slower than usual. For guests not used to a lot of walking, getting around central Tokyo can involve a lot of unfamiliar activity such as going up and down subway stairs, so I chose a route that would place as little strain on the group as possible. We began at the Tsukiji Outer Market, then at Namiyoke Shrine I explained the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, and continuing on to Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, the guests could really sense the differences between a shrine and a temple. Not only with this group, but many guests seem to feel an affinity with Shinto. Finally, we headed to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, where they enjoyed the unique atmosphere. At the end, I saw the guests off at their hotel and concluded the tour.

    Hello and welcome to Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

    May 27, 2026
    jackie m
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Tokyo
    Our guide was really interesting and had…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Lindsey_W
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Atsushi, was…
    Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Shiodome Station & Akabanebashi Station

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Shiodome Station & Akabanebashi Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meeting place: Hotel Shiodome Italia-gai
    • 9:40 Depart Shiodome Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • Aoyama-itchome Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 10:15 Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Break: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
    • 11:15 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 12:00 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • 13:00 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 13:20 Arrive Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 14:00 Depart Tsukijishijo Station
    • (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
    • 14:15 Arrive Akabanebashi Station
    • 14:15 Dismissal: Akabanebashi Station

    Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Tsukiji The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This was a 10-day trip to Japan. They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous night and made their way to their hotel by train and subway. They mentioned that they had strolled around the area near their hotel the night before. They planned to stay in Tokyo for three days, with a trip to Nikko scheduled for the next day. After that, they intended to take their time visiting Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara before returning to Tokyo and heading home. They said they were looking forward to trying various kinds of Japanese food. Although the sky was overcast, we were fortunate to avoid any rain, and the tour took place in pleasant weather. We first headed to Harajuku and Meiji Shrine. I explained about the torii gate, Emperor Meiji, the history of Edo and Tokyo, and the Meiji Restoration. I also explained the differences between Buddhism and Shinto. There was a question about how many Christians there are in Japan. Everyone purchased a "goshuincho" (stamp book), saying it would make a perfect souvenir. We took a short break at the café at Meiji Shrine. From there, we moved on to Asakusa. As always, it was very crowded. I explained about Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo, what the five-story pagoda is, and about Buddhism. There was a question about whether all Japanese people believe in Buddhism. Here too, everyone lined up in the long queue to have their "goshuincho" stamped. We then took a leisurely stroll along the Nakamise shopping street. Next, we moved on to Tsukiji, where there were large crowds. I explained the history of the fish market dating back to the Edo period, and the difference between the Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. They looked around the various shops, and became fond of "wasabi peanuts," which they purchased. There were questions such as "Why are there so many people here?" and comments like "This is the first time I've seen real wasabi," and "Do all the people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?" They also commented, "Tokyo really feels like a city with a huge number of people," "But Japanese people are all quiet and polite," "The city is clean with no litter scattered around," and "The public toilets are clean and pleasant." They also expressed some regret that they were unable to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. After this, since they planned to go to Tokyo Tower, I saw them off at Akabanebashi Station, ending the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayDepart Shiodome Station~Aoyama-itchome Station220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAoyama-itchome Station~Meiji-jingumae Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station~Asakusa Station252JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa Station~Tsukiji Station209JPY
    Section 5SubwayTsukijishijo Station~Akabanebashi Station178JPY
    Total1,037JPY

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

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 08:30 Meet at JR Kyoto Station Platform 9, explain the itinerary in the car, explain the history of Kyoto
    • ② 08:45 Fushimi Inari
    • ③ 10:30 Return to Kyoto Station, collect the guest's bag (coin locker), head to the hotel and drop off just the luggage at the hotel
    • ④ 11:10 Nijo Castle
    • ⑤ 13:00 Lunch at a restaurant in the city
    • ⑥ 14:10 Kinkaku-ji
    • ⑦ 15:00 Pontocho
    • ⑧ 15:30 Disband at Gion-Shijo

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Europe, and it was their first time in both Japan and Kyoto. At the guests' request, the tour centered on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji. They asked many questions not only about Japanese culture and history but also about the Japanese language. They handled several languages with ease, including French, German, English, and Italian. Throughout the tour, they asked many questions and listened attentively and intently to my explanations. In Kyoto, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom since around last week, there were many overseas groups, and the sudden increase in school excursion students made it quite crowded. They also sighed at how incredibly busy it was today, but as we parted they told me they were grateful that I had explained so much despite the crowds, which made me happy.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Kyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
    Total300JPY

    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

    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…

  • Osaka: Harukas Garden & Sumiyoshi Taisha

    Osaka: Harukas Garden & Sumiyoshi Taisha

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @Royal classic Osaka
    • 9:40-11:50 @Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 12:30-13:35 @Shitennoji Temple, Gokuraku Garden
    • 14:00-14:10 @Harukas Garden
    • 14:15-15:30 Lunch @Harukas
    • 16:00:16:30 @Sumiyoshi Taisha
    • 17:00-17:25 Dotonbori, Hozenji Temple
    • 17:30 Disband @ Royal classic Osaka

    What Is a Private Kyoto Cherry Blossom Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. The booking came through a travel agency, but since the guests' email address was shared immediately, we were able to arrange the itinerary smoothly. They had traveled by cruise ship, stopping in Asia and Okinawa, before disembarking in Tokyo and coming to Osaka by Shinkansen. Despite the long journey, the guests had no trouble walking at all, and they enjoyed the cherry blossoms in full bloom, helping one another on the stairs. During the tour, we looked for a scarf that one of the guests wanted, but they did not find a favorite, so after the tour some of the guests hurried to a department store near the Hotel.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNamba~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji Station~Sumiyoshitorii-mae240JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha~Nankai Namba240JPY
    Total910JPY

    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!

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 13:00 Meet @ Hotel Kobe
    • 2. 13:50 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    • 3. 15:10 @ Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 4. 17:10 @ Kitano Ijinkan District
    • 5. 17:30 Disband @ Hotel Kobe

    What Can You See on a Private Kobe Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. After meeting at a hotel in Kobe, we visited the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden. After the herb garden, we walked toward the Kitano-cho foreign residences district, but it started to rain, so we cancelled the Kitano-cho walk and returned to the hotel by taxi, ending the tour. The guests are staying in Kobe for three days, and plan to visit Himeji tomorrow and Arima Onsen the day after. Today they had also planned to visit Harborland, but due to issues with time and weather, that portion of the sightseeing was cancelled. As a result, the tour covered only the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, but the guests were very pleased with both destinations.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Train[JR Kobe Line Sannomiya] Station~[JR Kobe Line Maiko] Station320JPY
    Section 2Train[JR Kobe Line Maiko] Station~[JR Kobe Line Sannomiya] Station320JPY
    Section 3Train[Kobe Municipal Subway Sannomiya] Station~[Kobe Municipal Subway Shin-Kobe] Station110JPY
    Total750JPY

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

    May 30, 2026
    karenpG5549XU
    Loved our tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour with Norio, would highly…

    May 28, 2026
    TrailBlazer741528
    Kobe Variety.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our delightful guide, Norio, was knowledgeable and a master at…

    May 23, 2026
    sarahpR5911DJ
    Himeji castle with Norio
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learnt lots about Himeji castle and it…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Nezu Shrine & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Nezu Shrine & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet at Henn na Hotel Tokyo Akasaka
    • 8:40 Nezu Shrine
    • 9:30 Ueno Kaneiji Temple
    • 9:45 Ueno Toshogu Shrine
    • 10:00 Ueno Station Ticket Service Center
    • 10:20 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
    • 11:45 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 13:05 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:55 Disband at Henn na Hotel Tokyo Akasaka

    What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was cloudy, but with occasional sunshine it turned out to be a fine day for sightseeing. We started after purchasing a 24-hour pass at the station. At Nezu Shrine, the azaleas were beautiful. I was asked quite a lot about religion. There was a brief interaction with junior high school students on a school trip who had come to Tokyo. From Ueno Park, we visited Kaneiji Temple and Toshogu Shrine. The guests could really sense the depth of the history. As always, Asakusa was very crowded, but the guests seemed to enjoy browsing the shops. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I was able to talk about the Tokugawa shogunate and Japanese gardens. There were many questions about the plants. Since it looked like we might have some time to spare, we also visited Meiji Shrine, which I had kept as a backup option. The guests were interested in the depth of the greenery and the ikebana flower arrangements that had been dedicated there. I saw the guests back to their hotel, finishing with about five minutes to spare. I received a tip.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAkasaka~Nezu700JPY
    Section 2TrainNezu~Yushima0JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno~Asakusa0JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa~Takebashi0JPY
    Section 5TrainOtemachi~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 6TrainMeiji-jingumae~Akasaka0JPY
    Total700JPY

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Meet
    • 10:00-10:40 Travel (Subway; Karasuma Shijo → Nijojo-mae)
    • 10:40-11:40 Visit Nijo Castle
    • 11:40-12:20 Travel (City Bus; Nijojo-mae → Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 12:20-13:10 Visit Kinkaku-ji
    • 13:10-13:30 Travel (City Bus; Kinkakuji-michi → Ryoanji-mae)
    • 13:30-14:20 Visit Ryoan-ji
    • 14:20-14:50 Travel (City Bus; Ryoanji-mae → Karasuma Imadegawa)
    • 14:50-15:20 Quick Lunch (@Moss Burger)
    • 15:20-16:00 Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • ※16:00 Tour ends at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. (Since the guest's hotel was on the way back, we escorted them to their hotel in Shijo and said goodbye.)

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were from Europe. It was their first time in Japan, and after staying in Tokyo they went on to Kyoto, where they booked a Kyoto tour for the day. At the guests' request, we had a quick lunch at a burger shop so that we could visit as many places as possible, and I took them to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Although rain had been forecast, we finished the tour without being caught in any rain. The guests especially enjoyed Nijo Castle, and also found the Kyoto Imperial Palace appealing. In particular, being able to go inside and view Nijo Castle was something they appreciated. During the explanation of the rock garden at Ryoan-ji, one of the guests seemed to be having a slightly difficult time, and the content of that explanation may have been a little complex.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Shijo~Nijo Castle220JPY
    Section 2BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi~Ryoanji-mae230JPY
    Section 4BusRyoanji-mae~Karasuma Imadegawa230JPY
    Total910JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Hyogo: Nunobiki Herb Garden & Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

    Hyogo: Nunobiki Herb Garden & Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet @ JR Shin-Kobe Station
    • 11:15 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 12:45 @ Kitano Ijinkan, Moegi House (former US Consulate Residence)
    • 13:15 @ Mount Rokko
    • 15:30 @ Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
    • 16:30 Dismiss @ Steak House "ZEN"

    Title: What Is a Private Kobe Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rokko, Herb Garden, and a Sake Brewery The guests were a group visiting from North America, and everything went smoothly. The group had a family connection to a well-known former professional baseball player, and the day before they had visited a baseball team and attended a commemorative presentation ceremony, which was covered by some media. One of the guests had been born in Japan and had a strong affinity for the country. At each stop they showed great interest and toured attentively. They also purchased many souvenirs at every location. In particular, at Hakutsuru they enjoyed both free and paid sake tastings. They had a light meal at a restaurant on Mount Rokko and were very satisfied. It was a little unfortunate that the sky was overcast, so the wonderful views normally visible at the Herb Garden and from Mount Rokko could hardly be seen. The cherry blossoms were also just past their peak and were beginning to turn to leaves. I presented a handmade drawstring pouch, which was very well received. For dinner they planned to have Kobe steak, so I guided them to the restaurant they had reserved, where we parted ways. We arrived a little early, but as they wished to stroll around the neighborhood, we finished slightly earlier than planned. The driver for the day also provided very polite service and driving, and was able to understand English as well.

    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

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
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    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
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    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

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    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

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    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Kyoto: Hyatt Regency Kyoto & Bamboo grove

    Kyoto: Hyatt Regency Kyoto & Bamboo grove

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • 09:30 Kiyomizudera (500)
    • 10:30 Fushimiinari
    • 12:00 Lunch (Indo-Nepalese Cuisine Gorkha Dhaba)
    • 13:00 Kinkakuji (500)
    • 14:00 Tenryuji garden(500)
    • 14:10 Bamboo grove
    • 15:10 Hyatt Regency Kyoto
    • End of the tour

    What Is a Private Kyoto Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I received the first reply email shortly after 6:00 this morning. The offer had come in for the group, and after meeting up, I confirmed today's itinerary with them. Although I had sent a tentative itinerary in advance, we reviewed the plan for the day once we met. The guests came from North America. Since they preferred vegetarian Indian food, we went to an Indian restaurant on the way from Fushimi Inari to Kinkaku-ji. I kept the explanations concise and paced the tour so it would not drag. Originally the plan was to finish at a shopping street, but the group grew tired, so in the end we returned to the Hotel.

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

    Jul 14, 2026
    T6871WWricharde
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…

    Jun 5, 2026
    mateoe216
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    Would book again
    The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…

    May 27, 2026
    Leah_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely recommend!
    I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…

    May 26, 2026
    sheilacL3330KS
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Hyogo in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Arashiyama Monkey Park

    Hyogo in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Arashiyama Monkey Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet Kobe Port Naka Pier
    • 09:30 to 10:45 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 11:00 to 11:30 Gion
    • 12:15 to 13:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 13:30 to 14:00 Sagano Bamboo Grove
    • 14:30 to 15:30 Arashiyama Monkey Park
    • 17:00 Dismiss Kobe Port Naka Pier

    What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like from a Guide's Perspective? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visitors from North America. They mentioned they really wanted to see the Kyoto-style Starbucks located on Ninenzaka. Unfortunately, it was full, so they couldn't go inside to take a break, but they took many photos. Since a major expo would be having its pre-opening from the next day, I was concerned that the expressway from Kobe Port to Kyoto might be congested, but there wasn't much traffic and we were able to return on schedule. I believe they were able to enjoy a comfortable trip to Kyoto.

    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 !!

    Dec 30, 2024
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    Amazing!
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    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
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    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…