Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:30 Meet at Keisei Ueno Station
    • 2. 11:15 Shibuya – Hachiko, Scramble Crossing
    • 3. 11:30 Harajuku – Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street
    • 4. 13:40 Asakusa – Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple
    • 5. 14:30 Disband in front of Asakusa Imahan

    Title: What Can You See on a Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Harajuku, and Asakusa Body: The guest was a visitor from Europe. Although one parent was Japanese and the guest had spent early childhood in Japan, they could not read or write Japanese and had only traveled within a limited area near relatives, so they did not have a full picture of Tokyo, which is why they joined the tour. In Shibuya and Harajuku, they enjoyed the contrast between the lively bustle of the city and the quiet greenery. While visiting places such as Asakusa, they also seemed to enjoy moving back and forth between the present and their childhood memories. Due to time constraints, we did not stop for lunch. In the end, we were unable to visit Kappabashi, which the guest had wished to see, but I guided them to the entrance of Kappabashi Hondori and concluded the tour there. It was a short time, but I would be glad if the guest was able to enjoy the tour from a tourist's perspective as well.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUeno～Shibuya210JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Asakusa260JPY
    Total620JPY

    Tour Report by Miho

    Hello, I’m Miho Ozawa, and I’ve been working as a government licenced guide interpreter for six years in Tokyo. I live in east Tokyo with my family, including my three children, and I love art, gardens, photography and traveling.
    It’s such a pleasure to explore this fascinating city Tokyo with you. There are so many things you can do, although sometimes it’s hard to choose what to do within a limited time. I would really appreciate if you could let me know what you would like to do or where you would like to visit in Tokyo. I would be happy to help you plan to make your trip a memorable one. I’m forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon!

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    Apr 18, 2026
    CRM
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day 1 Japan Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
    Miho was an amazing tour guide.…

    Mar 31, 2026
    M
    maaz06
    Private Half Day tour with Government Licenced Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our half day…

    Mar 31, 2026
    Maria_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant half Day Private tour customized to see the beautiful Cherry Blossoms…

    Mar 31, 2026
    Rick_G
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fun day out with Miho
    We had a great time exploring the…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Rikugien Garden

    Tokyo in One Day: Rikugien Garden

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel
    • 9:30 Imperial Palace, Statue of Kusunoki Masashige, Nijubashi Bridge
    • 10:30 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Sensoji Temple, Don Quijote, Salvatore Cuomo & Bar
    • 12:50 Rikugien Garden
    • 14:00 Dismissal @ The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Rikugien I guided a group visiting from North America. Our meeting point was a hotel in Akasaka, but I later learned they were staying at another hotel, and I mentioned that if they had told me in advance, I would have come to pick them up there. It was probably because the hotel had not been decided at the time of booking, and they said they didn't understand why that particular hotel had been set as the meeting point. Since one of the guests wanted to buy a hair iron, I took them to a Don Quijote in Asakusa, where they made the purchase. After that, they wanted to take a break just for drinks, and we first went into a café, but since they had neither zero-calorie cola nor beer, we went to a restaurant across the street. Before that, the two bars on Hoppy Street that I asked both required one drink and one meal per person. They enjoyed both Asakusa and Rikugien. Because they had arrived the previous day, fatigue set in during the latter half, so instead of going to Nezu Shrine, I saw them off to their hotel by taxi. One of the guests had lost a tooth just before the trip and had contacted the hotel by email, and had a dental appointment scheduled for 5:30 that day. Today I lost the cap I always wear somewhere, which made me a little sad, but since the tour ended smoothly, I'll count it as a good day.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAkasaka～Nijubashi180JPY
    Section 2SubwaySakuradamon～Asakusa210JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Ueno180JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno～Komagome170JPY
    Total740JPY

    Tour Report by Takako

    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!!

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    Sep 30, 2026
    16shelleyb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Great day in Toyko
    Four of us spent an…

    Sep 29, 2026
    982marvf
    Yokohama Experience
    Tripadvisor review: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Takako is an outstanding tour guide who knows Yokohama…

    Sep 24, 2026
    marshad422
    A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
    Tripadvisor…

    Sep 18, 2026
    7
    770stefanieg
    Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Takako, our guide…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Conrad Tokyo & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Conrad Tokyo & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Conrad Tokyo
    • 10:15 Ginza (Mitsukoshi, Asahi Inari, Yamano Music, Kimuraya)
    • 11:00 Tokyo Station Building, Marunouchi
    • 11:30 Imperial Palace (Otemon Gate, Hyakunin-bansho Guardhouse, Observation Deck, Fujimi Yagura Keep, Fujimi Tamon, Tenshudai Donjon Base)
    • 13:20 Asakusa
    • Lunch at Ramen Yoroiya
    • 15:20 Nezu Shrine
    • 16:40 Ginza Mitsukoshi

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Eastern Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I guided a group who enjoy international travel and have already visited over 50 countries. They mentioned that Asia is far away, so they had only been to a few countries in the region, and that this time they wanted to enjoy Japan. After arriving at the Hotel, the meeting place, the staff told me that there were two lobbies, one on the 1st floor and one on the 28th floor, which made me a little worried, but the guests appeared in the 1st floor lobby at the scheduled time, and we started without any trouble. Since they largely left the plan up to me, I obtained their agreement to visit eastern Tokyo and to walk around 20,000 steps, and we headed to Ginza. One item on the guest's to-do list after arriving in Japan was to have their makeup done at a department store cosmetics counter, so I was glad to be able to introduce that department store first thing in the morning (they planned to stop by on the way back, which is why the ending point became Mitsukoshi Ginza). At Ginza Wako, they enjoyed window shopping, mentioning things like buying a wedding ring and taking a photo at the clock tower, and noting connections to Mikimoto pearls, so the Ginza 4-chome intersection seemed to be a wonderful place for the guests. Since there had been no opportunity to study Asian history during their schooling, they were happy to learn about Japan's history and customs through the guiding. At the Imperial Palace, I debated whether to visit the Ninomaru Garden and go from Nijubashi to Tokyo Station, or to pass through the Tenshudai and head toward Takebashi, but since they were interested in history, I obtained their agreement in advance that this would involve about 30 minutes of walking, and we proceeded toward the Tenshudai. It was a very refreshing day, perfect for a stroll, and they praised the drama "Shogun" as wonderful, so they listened attentively to explanations about the policies of the Tokugawa shogunate. They were also interested in things such as the same characters being read differently, as well as the difference between Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine. They shared that the way of praying at shrines has commonalities with Hinduism (apparently in Hinduism one circles clockwise three times), and taught me that the Swastika symbol found as a temple symbol at Nezu Shrine also appears with a certain deity in Hinduism. Exchanging this kind of information was a valuable experience for me as well.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi～Ginza178JPY
    Section 2TrainYurakucho～Tokyo146JPY
    Section 3SubwayTakebashi～Asakusa209JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Ueno178JPY
    Section 5TrainUeno～Nishi-Nippori146JPY
    Section 6SubwayNishi-Nippori～Nezu178JPY
    Section 7SubwayNezu～Hibiya178JPY
    Total1,213JPY

    Tour Report by Danda

    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.

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

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

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

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

  • 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, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0800 Hotel Tokyo Ginza (3 min from Ginza Station on the Ginza Line) Meet. Explain the historical background of Ginza. Kabukiza Theatre. Tsukiji Outer Market. Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 0930 Asakusa. Nakamise. Sensoji Temple. Asakusa Shrine
    • 1140 Shinjuku. 3D Cat Display. Godzilla Head
    • 1215 Harajuku. Visit Meiji Jingu. Takeshita Street
    • 1350 Shibuya. Hachiko Statue. Scramble Crossing. Explain the route to Parco and the route to Nakameguro where the participants will have a tea ceremony experience
    • 1400 Dismissal

    Can You Do a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo from Tsukiji to Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, making their first trip to Japan. One of the guests had previously worked at a game company in North America, and had relatives who taught English in Japan, so they had many opportunities to interact with Japanese people before, but this was their first time actually visiting. They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few nights, then continue on through Hakone and Hamamatsu before touring Kyoto. They had put together quite a full itinerary. Today, after my tour ended at 14:00, they had a tea ceremony experience scheduled from 16:00 in Nakameguro, with dinner reserved in Ginza. Tomorrow they planned to visit TeamLab Borderless and others, and a car-accompanied tour of Hakone had also been arranged. Since we started early in the morning, we strolled toward Tsukiji while adjusting for the time until the shops in Asakusa opened. However, the guests had already walked to Tsukiji first thing in the morning and eaten strawberries there. Even so, they enjoyed sashimi, and also tried and savored whale meat, which they said they could not eat in North America. At Nakamise and Takeshita Street, they bought various souvenirs. Since they had about an hour of free time in Shibuya and wanted to buy Pokémon souvenirs at PARCO, I explained the route to them and we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji – Ueno～Asakusa209JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa – Akasaka-mitsuke～Shinjuku252JPY
    Section 3TrainShinjuku～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku～Shibuya146JPY
    Total753JPY

    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

    Sep 24, 2026
    Leslie_R
    Good tour on first day
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Ted, our guide was…

    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…

  • 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, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel 8:50 meet ＞ Shinjuku Station ＞ Gotokuji Station ＞ Gotokuji Temple ＞ Harajuku Station ＞ Meiji Shrine ＞ Takeshita Street ＞ Ura-Harajuku ＞ Lunch 12:00 ＞ Ginza (Gsix, Itoya, Sanrio) ＞ Shinjuku (3D cat screen, Godzilla Head, Omoide Yokocho) ＞ Dismiss at Shinjuku Station 3:00

    What Can You See on a Private Full-Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report At Gotokuji Temple, the guests enjoyed the maneki-neko (beckoning cats) and purchased some as souvenirs. When asked about sotoba (memorial tablets), I explained that they are set up to honor the deceased, timed with occasions such as Obon and the equinox. At Meiji Shrine, I explained the purification ritual, how to worship, and the meaning of ema votive tablets. The guests seemed to appreciate the quiet atmosphere and liked the kanji character for tranquility. On Takeshita Street, we visited shops including a well-known boutique. The guests smiled fondly at the cute mini pigs. On the way back, they finally got to try the long-awaited strawberry stick. For lunch, they enjoyed making and eating okonomiyaki. A television station came to do a report, and since the guests agreed, we took part. They looked delighted at being able to flip the okonomiyaki nicely. At the Ginza Sanrio store, they purchased their favorite Hello Kitty goods. In Shinjuku, they had requested to see the 3D cat, and along the way they were happy to see the Godzilla Head. While they enjoyed the Godzilla Head itself, after waiting five minutes the Godzilla's roar was faint and the beam it emitted was not very impressive; although they did not say so aloud, they seemed a little disappointed.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku～Gotokuji200JPY
    Section 2TrainGotokuji～Meiji-jingumae330JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Ginza360JPY
    Section 4SubwayGinza～Shinjuku210JPY
    Total1,100JPY

    Tour Report by Take

    Hi, everyone!
    My name is Ryoji Takeuchi. Please call me Take.
    I am really glad to have an opportunity to guide you.
    I would like to tell you why I became a tour guide. About 10 years ago I traveled mountain area. On the same day I arrived there, Tyhoon hit the area too. A river was raging and maddy but at noon of the next day, the river became transparent, I could see the garvel at the bottom of the river, so clear. I just thought it was because Typhoon had passed, but the guide walking with me said water soaked into the mountain ground, then filtered. That pure water sprang up from the bottom of the river, so it became clear so quickly. Without a guide, I could not notice that natural mechanism. And I want to be like her, then I am a guide now.
    BY the way I would like to introduce my career and myself, briefly.
    I was born in the suburbs of Tokyo. I grew up there in nature, so I like nature very much. I worked at a construction company for 26years, a massage practice and an architect’s office for about 15 to20 years, and retired. I started to work as a tour guide in 2019. I like sports, such as swimming, scuba diving, Japanese martial arts(Judo, karate, sumo etc.), soft ball and so on, now walking and watching rugby.
    I often guide Tsukiji market, sumo watching ,Ninja and Samurai experience, and one day tour of Tokyo or old city Kamakura and so on.
    I often travel in Tokyo here and there with my wife. Tokyo has various faces, high technology, traditional culture, historical building, fish market, subculture spot and so on.

    Enjoy Tokyo with me!

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    May 8, 2025
    Jennifer_K
    Great way to start our 2 week trip!
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Take was a wonderful…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet up @ JR Kyoto station
    • 10:50 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 12:30 Lunch
    • 13:25 Kinkaku-ji
    • 14:30 Sagano Bamboo Grove ~ Tenryu-ji
    • 15:00 Disband @ Tenryu-ji

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like for Cruise Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They were a group enjoying a cruise journey. In the morning, they arrived from the Kobe port to Kyoto by Shinkansen, but since they had not recognized the meeting location, it took a little time to meet up, though we managed to get started. Because the members of the group tended to move around somewhat separately, I had a little difficulty keeping everyone together, but I believe each of them enjoyed themselves. Since the cruise ship was departing that evening, they had chartered the same vehicle, and although it was a bit early, they wished to prioritize returning on time, so the tour concluded at the final destination, Tenryu-ji Temple, where we parted ways.

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

    Tour Report by Hiro

    Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

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    Jul 13, 2025
    H2enjoy
    Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…

    Jun 20, 2025
    zoranm709
    Kyoto great tour experience.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

    Jun 18, 2025
    Adventurer310309
    Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife…

    May 26, 2025
    SK G
    Excellent tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

  • Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:20 Meet @ Kobe Port Terminal
    • 2. 10:00 @ Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 3. 12:10 @ Sorakuen Garden
    • 4. 13:00 Lunch @ Ichiba Shokudo Ekimaeya
    • 5. 13:30 @ Nankinmachi・Motomachi Shopping Street
    • 6. 13:40 Dismissal @ Motomachi Shopping Street

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Kobe Like from the Port Terminal? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. We met at the port terminal and visited the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Sorakuen Garden. After enjoying lunch at a Japanese restaurant the guests had requested, I showed them the stop for the free shuttle bus back to the port terminal, and we continued to Nankinmachi and the Kobe Motomachi shopping street, where the tour concluded. Since today was after the Golden Week holidays, there were few tourists, and the weather was fine, so we were able to enjoy each destination comfortably. The guests said they love flowers, and they were delighted with both the Herb Gardens and Sorakuen Garden. At Sorakuen Garden we also came across two wedding celebrations, which the guests enjoyed as well. It was a special day for the guests, and I had been told in advance that they hoped to make it a memorable one, so I was very glad they enjoyed it.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Train[Kobe New Transit Port Island Line Port Terminal] Station～[Kobe New Transit Port Island Line Sannomiya] Station100JPY
    Section 2Subway[Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin・Yamate Line Sannomiya] Station～[Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin・Yamate Line Shin-Kobe] Station110JPY
    Section 3Subway[Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin・Yamate Line Shin-Kobe] Station～[Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin・Yamate Line Kenchomae] Station110JPY
    Total320JPY

    Tour Report by Norio

    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!

    Request Booking

    Sep 29, 2026
    X
    X1794ZGstevew
    Kobe 4hr guided tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Norio pickup us up ontime &…

    Sep 17, 2026
    jacquelinecI8863UY
    No rush beautiful walking tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had a wonderful time. Norio…

    Sep 15, 2026
    niy679
    Kobe day trip
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We had an amazing tour with Norio. He…

    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…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 7:10 Meet @ Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia
    • 8:00-9:00 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 9:45-10:30 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:15-12:20 @ Nijo Castle
    • 13:20 Disband @ Front of Fushimi Inari Taisha Main Gate

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle The guests were visitors from North America. They are now retired, and they enjoy dancing as a hobby, which they said was how they first met. Since it was an early-morning tour, we started by strolling through the Arashiyama bamboo grove. To create some distance from other tourists who had arrived on the same train, we spent some time at Nonomiya Shrine before heading to the highlight spot of the bamboo grove. As a bonus, we also went up to the top of Kameyama Park and enjoyed the stunning view of the Hozugawa Gorge. At Kinkaku-ji, under a clear blue sky, the irises were also in bloom and it was very beautiful, though it was a shame that the area around Ryumon Falls was under construction. At Nijo Castle, although there were some group tourists, it was relatively uncrowded and easy to guide. Afterward, the guests said they wanted to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha on their own, so I explained how to get there. However, they seemed quite anxious about it, so in the end I guided them all the way there and we parted at the main gate.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station240JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama Station～Kitano-Hakubaicho Station250JPY
    Section 3BusKitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi～Nijojo-mae230JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae Station～Kyoto Station260JPY
    Section 6TrainKyoto Station～Inari Station150JPY
    Total1,360JPY

    Tour Report by Kaz

    Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

    My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

    I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

    I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
    I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

    I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!

    Request Booking

    May 19, 2026
    498stephenq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An enjoyable visit
    Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
    Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

    Oct 14, 2025
    Scenic61154406959
    Great Historical Perspective
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

    Sep 29, 2025
    Jea L
    Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kaz was an excellent tour…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya Station & Shinjuku Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Shibuya Station & Shinjuku Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place: Hotel Shibuya
    • 9:10 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
    • 9:40 Arrive Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • Nijubashi Bridge
    • 10:30 Depart Otemachi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
    • Nihombashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:00 Arrive Ueno Station
    • Ueno Tokyo National Museum
    • 12:00 Depart Ueno Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive Komagome Station
    • Komagome Rikugien Garden
    • 13:30 Depart Komagome Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 14:00 Arrive Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Kabukicho
    • Golden Gai
    • Omoide Yokocho
    • 15:10 Depart Shinjuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 15:30 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • 15:30 Disband: Shibuya Station

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a young group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. All of them were staying at a bed & breakfast near a hotel in Shibuya. They arrived at Narita two days earlier via a connecting flight, then took the Narita Express to Shibuya. On this occasion, they were staying in Japan for two weeks. They planned to spend a few days in Tokyo, then travel to Magome for a walk, Kyoto, and Osaka before returning home. The day before, they had visited Ginza and Meiji Shrine and enjoyed strolling around Shibuya. The tour took place in the rain all day long. Nevertheless, as it was the last day of a holiday period, everywhere was extremely crowded. We first headed to the Imperial Palace. We strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. There were comments such as "It's a shame we can't see the cherry blossoms" and questions like "When do the cherry blossoms reach full bloom?" I explained topics such as "the history from the Edo period to the Meiji era," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo." There were questions such as "Does the Emperor of Japan hold political power?", "How were the stone walls built?", and "Are there no more samurai?" We moved to Ueno and visited the Tokyo National Museum. Perhaps because of the rainy weather, it was packed with visitors. Everyone was interested in Japanese history, and they especially loved the "swords" and "ceramics," taking photo after photo. There were questions such as "When did the samurai first appear?" and "What was the balance of power between the Emperor and the samurai?" They also mentioned they planned to experience a tea ceremony in Kyoto. We moved to Rikugien Garden. Perhaps because of the rain, there were hardly any other visitors to be seen. They took photos here and there, saying "The Japanese garden is wonderful." We then moved to Shinjuku. We strolled through Shinjuku Golden Gai, Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, and other areas. They commented, "The atmosphere of the town feels different from Shibuya," and "I'd like to come back here again at night." There were also comments and questions such as "There's no litter on the streets and it's so clean. Does no one throw away trash?", "I don't see any homeless people," "It's so quiet inside the subway," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" I saw them off at Shibuya, where we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShibuya Station～Otemachi Station209JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi Station～Ueno Station178JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno Station～Komagome Station167JPY
    Section 4TrainKomagome Station～Shinjuku Station178JPY
    Section 5TrainShinjuku Station～Shibuya Station167JPY
    Total899JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    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.

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    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…

  • Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • Nagoya Port Cruise Ship Norwegian gathering (9:20) → Subway → Nagoya Castle sightseeing (10:00 – 11:20) → Taxi → Atsuta Shrine sightseeing (11:40-12:10) → Taxi →
    • Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology sightseeing (12:30 – 13:10) → To Nagoya Port by Nagoya Sightseeing Bus Me-guru/Subway (13:45)

    What Is a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Nagoya Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Although the rain limited outdoor sightseeing, I believe it turned into a busy yet fulfilling tour by adding the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology on the spot as a third route, in addition to the classic Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine. This time, having prepared folding umbrellas for the guests helped them avoid much of the discomfort of the rain, and they were very grateful. The plan had been decided in advance as a standard itinerary of Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine, but during the tour I sensed that some of the guests were more interested in industry and tools than in history and culture, so I added the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology at the end, which allowed everyone to be satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNagoya Port～Nagoya Castle270JPY
    Section 2BusToyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology～Nagoya Station210JPY
    Section 3SubwayNagoya～Nagoya Port270JPY
    Total750JPY

    Tour Report by Hiroshi

    Welcome to Japan! I’m your friendly guide based in Nagoya.

    Hello! My name is Hiroshi, and I’m a nationally licensed English-speaking guide based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
    I studied and worked in the United States for six years, so I speak fluent and natural English. More importantly, I understand Western culture and what international guests look for in a great travel experience.

    I have lived in Nagoya and the surrounding area for over 20 years, so I know this region inside and out. My specialties are Nagoya city and the Nakasendo trail, including the historic post towns of Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku in the beautiful Kiso Valley. I’m passionate about local history, culture, and traditions—and I love sharing these stories in a fun and engaging way.

    Guests often tell me they appreciate my warm smile, positive attitude, and personalized approach. I always take time to understand your interests and needs so I can tailor each tour and make it truly memorable.
    Whether you’re interested in samurai history, local food, scenic nature, or off-the-beaten-path spots, I’ll make sure you experience the real charm of Japan with comfort and joy.

    Let’s explore together—I can’t wait to show you around!

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    ellennyg_rdr2022
    Tripadvisor review: Nakasendo Magome & Tsumago in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Would recommend!
    Great experience! Very professional guide named Hiroshi.…

    Jun 17, 2026
    mayo773
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Highly recommended!
    Hiroshi was personable and knowledgeable. His anecdotes added…

    Apr 15, 2026
    Brad_T
    Wonderful day on the trail!
    Viator review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had wonderful day…

    Sep 24, 2025
    Paula S
    A great walk with Hiroshi
    Tripadvisor review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hiroshi was a…