Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: ASAKUSA & SHIBUYA

    Tokyo in One Day: ASAKUSA & SHIBUYA

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 meet in the lobby of Hotel MONday in Asakusa
    • 10:15 1 ASAKUSA
    • 11:20 2 TOKYO CRUISE
    • 12:20 3 HAMA-RIKYU GARDEN
    • 01:45 4 MEIJI JINGU SHRINE
    • 03:00 5 TAKESHITA STREET
    • 03:30 6 SHIBUYA
    • 04:30 See off at Shibuya

    What's a 2-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I was engaged to guide for two consecutive days. The guests were a group visiting from North America. Among themselves, they spoke Spanish. There were many jokes throughout the day, making for a lively tour. They enjoyed the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa so much that they were looking forward to coming back again by 6:00 in the evening after today's tour. As the group, tastes naturally varied, so at Takeshita Street for shopping, at a drugstore in Shibuya, and over dinner after we parted ways, their preferences differed and they coordinated among themselves.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShimbashi~Meiji-jingumae700JPY
    Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
    Section 3FerryAsakusa~Hama-rikyu Garden940JPY
    Total1,640JPY

    Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.

    Who am I?
    I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
    I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
    I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.

    What can I be expected?
    I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
    and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
    I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
    As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
    I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.

    What do I love?
    Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
    I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.

    How do I spend my spare time?
    I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
    I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.

    I look forward to meeting you soon.
    Thank you.

    Sep 21, 2026
    judygU2038FZ
    A wonderful time in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had such a…

    Jul 21, 2026
    Sandra_U
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Individualized Tour!
    Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…

    Apr 3, 2026
    Celal_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour even…
    We had a great tour even…

    Mar 30, 2026
    Johanna H
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
    We booked the 6…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet up @The Okura Tokyo
    • 2. 10:30 @Ginza (Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza 4-chome Intersection, Ginza Main Street)
    • 3. 11:00 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 4. 11:30 @Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Station Building)
    • 5. 12:00 @Nihonbashi (Takashimaya Basement Food Floor)
    • 6. 13:00 Lunch @Shibuya
    • 7. 14:00 @Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 8. 14:45 @Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 9. 15:00 @Piglet Cafe
    • 10. 16:00 Disband @The Okura Tokyo

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginza, Shibuya, and Harajuku The guests conversed among themselves in their own language. The person who booked the tour came to Japan from North America, while the others gathered in Japan from various parts of the world, including Europe and the Middle East. They appeared to be participants connected to a business promotion meeting held in Japan. Some had already visited the Imperial Palace the previous day, but before heading there together today, we strolled around the Kabukiza Theatre and the area near the Ginza 4-chome intersection, where I explained landmarks such as WAKO, Mitsukoshi, the NISSAN showroom, Kyukyodo, and Kimuraya. They took many photos while walking. Afterward, from the Imperial Palace, we passed through Tokyo Station and went to Nihonbashi Takashimaya. In the basement food hall, they were amazed at the prices of premium fruits such as mangoes and cherries. One of the guests had visited Japan about thirty years earlier, though the memory had faded, and recalled a very Japanese scene of department store staff lined up to greet customers with "Irasshaimase" at opening time. In Shibuya, after viewing the Scramble Crossing from a second-floor window of the building leading to the Inokashira Line ticket gates, one of the guests departed from the tour to head to Ginza. The remaining three had a simple lunch of Hakata tonkotsu ramen at a casual, half-outdoor table, which they seemed to enjoy quite a bit. Everyone finished their meals. After visiting the Hachiko statue, we said goodbye to one guest who planned to watch sumo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan at three o'clock, seeing them off in a taxi. Although it was this person's first visit to Japan, they had become familiar with Japanese culture through NHK broadcasts overseas and had a strong interest in Japanese culture such as sumo. From our conversation in front of the Kabukiza Theatre, I could also tell they had a deep knowledge of kabuki. Afterward, the tour continued with the final group of two guests, and we headed to the next destination, Meiji Shrine. They were moved by the trees of the shrine's forest. Continuing on to Takeshita Street in Harajuku, they were delighted by the various animal cafes, and when it came to the piglet cafe, they very much wanted to go in. Since it was not too crowded and entry without a reservation was possible, they had the experience—though only for about ten minutes—of holding a piglet on their lap and petting it. It seemed to be a truly memorable experience, and they were overjoyed. I took many photos of the guests enjoying themselves on each of their smartphones. By the time we left Harajuku, only about thirty minutes remained in the tour, so we skipped Hamarikyu, Zojoji Temple, and Tokyo Tower, and I saw the guests off at their hotel to say goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Toranomon Hills Station~Higashi-Ginza Station700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza-itchome Station~Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihonbashi Station~Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Yamanote Line Shibuya Station~Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 5Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station~Hibiya Line Toranomon Hills Station0JPY
    Total850JPY

    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!

    Sep 10, 2026
    Sonal_G
    Noripy is just the best
    Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Noripy is such a…

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00 Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN
    • 2. 8:30 Tsukiji
    • 3. 9:45 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 4. 11:00 Shibuya (Crossing & Hachiko Statue)
    • 5. 11:30 Lunch (Shibuya Toriya Ko NEO)
    • 6. 12:30 Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, 3D Billboard, Godzilla Head, Golden Gai)
    • 7. 14:00 Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had arrived in Japan the day before, and planned to continue on to Kyoto and Osaka after Tokyo. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private full-day tour of Tokyo covering Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. The itinerary combined traditional places such as Tsukiji and Meiji Shrine with modern areas such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. At each location, the guests listened to the explanations and took photographs while enjoying themselves. They were especially interested in seeing both the traditional and modern sides of Tokyo. At Tsukiji Market, they purchased matcha as a gift. For lunch, we visited a yakitori restaurant in Shibuya early, before it became crowded, and they said it was delicious. Overall, I believe they had an enjoyable time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka-mitsuke~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 4TrainShibuya~Shinjuku167JPY
    Section 5SubwayShinjuku-sanchome~Akasaka-mitsuke178JPY
    Total878JPY

    Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
    I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
    I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!

    Sep 29, 2026
    S77OGjoyh
    Excellent Guided walking tour of temple, shrine and outdoor food market Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day…

    Sep 16, 2026
    Kerry_M
    10/10 tour with Haruhiko Yokota
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We toured Tokyo with Haruhiko Yokota…

    Jul 13, 2026
    529gregj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
    Haru (Haruhiko…

    Jul 12, 2026
    Felice R
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:25 Meet at the hotel
    • 10:15 Arrive at Meiji Shrine
    •    Move to Takeshita Street
    • 12:15 Depart from Meiji Shrine
    • 13:00 Arrive at Asakusa
    •    Lunch
    • 15:00 Depart from Asakusa
    • 15:30 Drop off at the hotel and say goodbye

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Asakusa The guests were visitors from North America. It was their first visit to Japan, and they had a strong interest in Japanese culture and history. They mentioned that the guest room in their home is decorated in a Japanese style, and they were looking forward to buying new Japanese-style items as souvenirs during their stay. At our first stop, Meiji Shrine, the guests paid close attention to Shinto etiquette, eagerly asking about how to pass through the torii gate and the proper way to worship. On Takeshita Street, one of the guests tried a strawberry candy (ichigo ame) and praised it as delicious. For lunch in Asakusa we had ramen, which the guests said was the best ramen they had ever eaten. The plan was to finish in Shibuya, but since the guests had a reservation at a sushi restaurant in Shimbashi at 18:00, they wished to return to their hotel first. I therefore shared a map of Shibuya and its highlights, escorted the guests to their hotel, and we said our goodbyes. The guests showed great respect for a different culture and had a truly wonderful character.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo~Harajuku208JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji Jingumae~Asakusa252JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Tokyo324JPY
    Total784JPY

    Hello.
    Thank you for choosing Japan as your travel destination.

    I am Michi.
    It has been over 40 years since I was born and raised in Tokyo.
    And I live with my husband and two children.

    I love history,Japanese gardens,cooking,traveling,and more recently,camping.

    I have been working as a National Licensed Guide since 2016.
    Because of my husband’s job,I lived in Western part of Japan from 2012 to 2017 and spent nearly two years working as a guide in Kyoto.

    Afterward,I moved back to Tokyo,my hometown,and continued my work.

    I am truly passionate about my work as a tour guide and am very proud of it.
    Also,I am flexible and happy to adjust to your needs.

    I am looking forward to sharing lots of wonderful discoveries with you.

    Michi

    Sep 21, 2025
    Q7599JLstellav
    Tokyo Walking tour with Michi
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful guided tour with Michi
    Couldn’t ask…

    Jun 25, 2025
    R9003QBcindyk
    Michi-san is the best!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Michi-san was our amazing guide. The communication for…

    May 31, 2025
    Molly_G
    Highly recommend this private tour and Michi as your guide!
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was…

    May 12, 2025
    Anonymous
    We had the absolute…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had the absolute pleasure of spending the…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Nezu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyu
    • 08:20~09:20 Meiji Shrine sightseeing
    • 09:20~09:40 Takeshita Street
    • 10:00~11:00 Imperial Palace sightseeing
    • 11:30~11:50 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:40~13:10 Lunch
    • 13:10~14:00 Yanaka Ginza・Yanaka Cemetery
    • 14:00 Tour ends at Nippori Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. We started the tour energetically at 8:00 in the morning and thoroughly walked through Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi area, which they greatly enjoyed (covering more than 20,000 steps with ease). They showed great interest in Japanese culture and history, asking many questions about topics such as emperors, shoguns, Shinto, and Buddhism, and were delighted, saying the tour was very educational. (Thank you so much for taking us all around Tokyo and educating us about the culture and history!) At Nezu Shrine the azaleas had unfortunately already finished blooming, but they were lucky enough to buy Nezu taiyaki and were pleased with how delicious it was. We walked through Yanaka Ginza and finally visited the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, ending the tour at Nippori Station. Since it was 14:00, I then gave them guidance on stopping by Shinjuku before returning to Shibuya, and we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2SubwayOmotesando-mae~Nijubashimae209JPY
    Section 3SubwayHibiya~Nezu178JPY
    Total533JPY

    About HIDE

    Hello, my name is Hideki (HIDE), a licensed tour guide based in Tokyo.
    I spent more than 40 years working in the airline industry, including 12 years living and working overseas.
    During that time, I had extensive opportunities to interact with people from Europe, the United States, and Asia. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for cultural exchange and shaped the warm, attentive hospitality I now bring to my tours.

    My goal is to help visitors enjoy Japan in a relaxed and meaningful way—through not only sightseeing, but also friendly communication, small discoveries, and genuine local experiences. I want guests to leave Japan with a deeper understanding of the culture and a lasting fondness for the country.

    I mainly guide private tours (FIT) in Tokyo, introducing both iconic highlights and hidden local spots that are often missed by first-time visitors. Tours to Kamakura, Hakone, and Nikko can also be arranged upon request.

    Guests often tell me that touring with me feels like traveling with a knowledgeable local friend—something I consider the greatest compliment. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing an enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable time together.

    Languages: English, Indonesian
    Max group size: Up to 4 people
    Contact:
    📱 +81-80-5118-2800 (WhatsApp available)
    📧 morikin57@yahoo.co.jp

    Apr 6, 2026
    Mercedes_G
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Great guide in Tokyo
    Wonderful tour with friendly…

    May 30, 2025
    Paradise22352245597
    Great! Hide was the best!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    I did this with my brother on…

    May 15, 2025
    TrishaK454
    Personalized tour with a very lovely guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hide was a delightful guide.…

    Apr 29, 2025
    Imelda_B
    Grateful
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hide was amazing tour guide. He organised our itinerary very well.…

  • Osaka in One Day: Shitennoji Temple & Osaka Castle

    Osaka in One Day: Shitennoji Temple & Osaka Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00  Meet at Hotel the Lutheran
    • 10:20-12:10 Shitennoji Temple (lunch)
    • 12:20-13:00 Kuromon Market
    • 13:00-14:20 Dotonbori/Hozenji Alley
    • 14:50-16:40 Osaka Castle
    • 16:55 Back to Hotel (End of the tour)

    Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Osaka Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report Since the Hotel was near Osaka Castle, I planned the route so that we would return to Osaka Castle at the end. However, we took our time exploring Shitennoji Temple inside, ate okonomiyaki, sampled various foods at Kuromon Market, bought dried fruit as souvenirs, and had kushikatsu in Dotonbori, so it ended up taking quite a while. Osaka Castle, which we visited later, had become somewhat less crowded as expected, but after also going into the Stone Wall Museum it was already past 4:30, and we got back to the Hotel just before 5:00. I also explained how to use the subway so that the guests could go to the EXPO on their own the next day.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 2SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka~Nippombashi190JPY
    Section 3SubwayNamba~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Total620JPY

    Hi! I’m an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. I’m also a national guide as well. I’d like to expand my guide area to help tourists.
    The town of Osaka offers a different atmosphere than Tokyo. I like both exciting Osaka and nature-filled Wakayama Prefecture.
    If you stay in Osaka for 3 days, you can go to Koyasan for one day, or even for a day trip, so I recommend sightseeing at Koyasan.
    If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, the nature of Koyasan will relax you.
    I will introduce you to the unique culture, history and must-see sights.

    Aug 17, 2026
    yasmintX6792FN
    Great trip
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    It was a great time and very interesting…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Shelley_E
    Viator review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    There is much to do in…
    There is much to…

    May 28, 2026
    Duncan_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A Great Tour of Kyoto
    The tour was both very informative and…

    May 28, 2026
    ignaciosilenzi
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Koyasan with Miyuki
    Miyuki was…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Noku Kyoto & Ninenzaka

    Kyoto in One Day: Noku Kyoto & Ninenzaka

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Noku Kyoto
    • 10:30 Fushimiinari by subway & JR train
    •    Vermilion cafe
    • 12:30 Bamboo grove by JR train
    •    Lunch(Ine)
    • 14:00 Nishiki Market by Randen & Hankyu train
    • 15:00 Ninenzaka by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • Arabica cafe
    • Gion by walking
    • Hanamikoji by walking
    • 16:00 End of the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto and Arashiyama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a visitor from North America. I was amazed at how fast and tough a walker the guest was. After staying in Kyoto for a couple of days, the guest had signed up for a 10-day walking tour continuing on to Tokyo, apparently walking about 10 km each day. Between destinations, the guest planned to use the Shinkansen and local trains. All of today's destinations were very crowded, and there seemed to be an especially large number of school trip students. Since the guest had shown interest in folding fans, I took them to a shop in Arashiyama that makes and sells folding fans. The guest was very pleased to purchase a folding fan with a hand-painted crane and Mount Fuji on both sides, along with its case.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMarutamachi~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4TrainRanden Arashiyama~Uzumasa-Tenjingawa250JPY
    Section 5TrainUzumasa-Tenjingawa~Shijo260JPY
    Total1,160JPY

    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!

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Conrad Tokyo & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tokyo in One Day: Conrad Tokyo & Shinjuku Gyoen

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Conrad Tokyo
    • 10:15 Tsukiji (Market, Namiyoke Shrine, Yonemoto Coffee, Honganji Temple)
    • 12:00 Shibuya
    • 12:40 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:30 Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Togo Shrine)
    • 14:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 15:00 Shinjuku (Kabukicho, Golden Gai, Isetan, Omoide Yokocho)
    • 16:30 Disband at Shimbashi

    Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku The guests were a lovely group from North America with a wonderful, warm rapport. They mentioned an interest in history (especially shrines and temples) and food, so at Tsukiji they had many questions (they seemed keen to see the auction at Toyosu, so I explained they should go early by taxi to arrive by 5:30). At Yonemoto Coffee, they were eager to try the coffee and placed an order. Honganji Temple was holding a memorial service, so unfortunately we could not approach the altar area, but they were interested in offering incense and using the purification fountain and gave both a try. At Namiyoke Shrine, after my explanation, they mentioned that they eat a lot of eggs, so they enjoyed taking a commemorative photo in front of the egg monument. We kept Shibuya brief and headed toward Harajuku Station, but after boarding the Yamanote Line at Shibuya Station, I was startled when a person forced the closed doors open to get off and even tried to push one of the guests out. Fortunately nothing serious happened, but it was truly regrettable that the guests were made to feel uncomfortable, and it was extremely poor conduct. At Meiji Shrine, they were interested in the waka poetry and wrote their wishes on an ema votive tablet. On Takeshita Street, they were fascinated by the animal cafés and considered which ones to visit on another day. On the way back we passed Togo Shrine, where, as expected, they enjoyed the beautiful koi in the pond. When I asked to take a photo of them with the koi, they happily took a commemorative photo in the same way, which was very heartwarming. Things were going well up to that point, but I completely forgot that Shinjuku Gyoen is closed on Mondays, for which I was truly sorry (a lesson learned). As a silver lining, they were able to shop in the basement food hall of the Isetan department store in Shinjuku and had time on the rooftop to ease their hunger. Since their dinner spot for the day was Kagurazaka, one of my favorite areas, I shared how to get there and recommended some well-known and favorite restaurants, and I was also able to give details on the Fukagawa area as a destination for the following days (since we could not visit a garden today, I recommended Kiyosumi Garden, along with Fukagawa Fudodo, and, as they liked Japanese sake, Orihara Shoten, all of which the guests recorded on their phones). In Kabukicho, they were surprised when I explained the host clubs with their many signs, and when I introduced a fugu restaurant on the way to Golden Gai, one of them said they wanted to eat it while the other reacted with reluctance to a poisonous fish, which made for an amusing exchange to observe. The guests were very lively and refreshing, never sitting down no matter how many seats were open on the train and walking rather than standing still on escalators. Despite my mistake, I received words of gratitude at the end, which I will take as encouragement for the future.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji~Shibuya209JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku~Sendagaya146JPY
    Section 4TrainSendagaya~Shinjuku146JPY
    Section 5TrainShinjuku~Shimbashi209JPY
    Total856JPY

    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.…

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  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:45 Meeting point: Zentis Osaka
    • 09:30 Guidance ①: Issuing tickets with JR voucher at JR Osaka Station
    • 10:20 Sightseeing ①: Osaka Castle
    • 11:15 Sightseeing ②: Dotonbori (including lunch)
    • 12:15 Sightseeing ③: Kuromon Market
    • 13:00 Dismissal: Subway "Nippombashi Station"

    What Is a 4-Hour Private Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Kuromon Market The guests this time were visitors from Europe who were sightseeing in Japan. They ran a small travel agency and had come to Japan to prepare a "Japan travel" plan they would begin offering the following year. Prior communication and itinerary coordination were done in advance with one of the guests. Their requests were: (1) help obtaining tickets using a Japan Rail voucher, along with other assistance, and (2) a tour of Osaka's representative sightseeing spots such as Dotonbori. After some discussion, the itinerary (a 4-hour course) was set as "Osaka Station (ticket arrangement) ⇒ Osaka Castle ⇒ Dotonbori" (with Kuromon Market added on the spot). On the day, we were able to meet about 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled meeting time (9:00), and after confirming the plan we set off right away. At the start it was rather cloudy and a little chilly, but the sun came out from time to time, making for fairly good conditions. At the "Midori no Madoguchi" ticket office at Osaka Station, since we arrived before it opened (9:30), we had to wait about 10 minutes, but the procedure went smoothly and finished quickly, and we headed to our first stop, Osaka Castle. At Osaka Castle, I explained that "the exterior of Osaka Castle is a faithful reproduction, but the interior is a museum." The response was, "the scenery is wonderful, but there's no need to go inside," so we only viewed the exterior and moved on to Dotonbori. At Dotonbori, I explained the history and culture of Osaka as a "merchant city" and a "city of ordinary people" (especially its food culture), and had them try "takoyaki" for lunch. By the time we finished at Dotonbori, there was still nearly an hour of guiding time left, so I suggested, "Let me show you the nearby Kuromon Market," and we walked around Kuromon Market. The guests commented, "Dotonbori feels like a festival every day, but at Kuromon Market you can sense the daily life of ordinary people. I prefer this over Dotonbori." At the final parting, when I asked, "Was today's Osaka tour helpful for planning your Japan travel?" the answer was, "It was very helpful, and I'm grateful for the guidance." They said that tomorrow they would visit the "Expo," and afterward would travel to Nara, Kyoto, and Tokyo, spending two weeks in all.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHigobashi~Osaka190JPY
    Section 2TrainOsaka~Osaka Castle Park180JPY
    Section 3SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Nippombashi190JPY
    Total560JPY

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

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
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  • Tokyo in One Day: Hoshinoya Tokyo & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Hoshinoya Tokyo & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hoshinoya Tokyo
    • 9:30 Nezu Shrine
    • 10:30 Ameyoko, Statue of Saigo Takamori, Kiyomizu Kannon-do
    • 11:40 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Senso-ji Temple, etc.
    • 13:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 15:00 Dismissal @ Omotesando

    What's a Private Shopping Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nezu, Ameyoko, Asakusa, and Harajuku I guided the guests visiting from North America. They did a great deal of small shopping throughout the day. They bought a good-luck charm at Nezu Shrine, Japanese snacks at a confectionery shop in Ameyoko, ningyo-yaki, strawberry candy, and a menchi croquette in Asakusa, along with a jinbei and a happi coat, toothbrushes and cosmetic brushes at Kanaya Brush, a Kitty mascot and a hair accessory in Harajuku, and cosmetics at a drugstore. At Senso-ji Temple, I lost sight of one of the guests, and while searching, I was told they had gone back to draw another fortune slip, since the fortunes drawn at both Nezu Shrine and Senso-ji had been unlucky. I worried they had vanished, but I was relieved when we met up again. We had originally planned to visit Yanaka Ginza, but since most of the shops did not open until 11:00, we changed our plans to Ameyoko, which I think was the right choice. The guests seemed to really enjoy Japan, and I believe they had a wonderful time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOtemachi~Nezu180JPY
    Section 2BusIn front of Nezu Shrine~In front of Ueno Matsuzakaya210JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae260JPY
    Total830JPY

    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!!

    Sep 30, 2026
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    Tripadvisor…

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    770stefanieg
    Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
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    Takako, our guide…