Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in One Day: Senso-ji Temple & Imperial Palace

    Tokyo in One Day: Senso-ji Temple & Imperial Palace

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 08:30-9:30 Sightseeing at Senso-ji Temple
    • 09:30-10:15 Sightseeing at Kappabashi
    • 10:30-12:00 Sightseeing in Ginza
    • 12:00-13:00 Visit the Imperial Palace
    • 13:00-14:00 Visit Meiji Shrine, then head to Shibuya

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had great stamina and completed the tour without resting even into the sixth hour. Since they mentioned traveling light, I imagine they were experienced travelers. It was their first visit to Japan, and through our conversation I learned that they were touring Hakone, Yokohama, and Kyoto in a nicely balanced itinerary. They had been worried about rain even before we met, and for some reason we ended up buying a folding umbrella in Asakusa (a small one that works for both sun and rain). I had hoped to avoid the rain, but it always seemed to pour heavily right at the key "highlight" moments, so I now think it turned out to be a memorable tour in that respect.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainEbisu～Ueno208JPY
    Section 2TrainUeno～Asakusa178JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa～Ginza209JPY
    Section 4TrainGinza～Hibiya178JPY
    Section 5TrainNijubashi～Meiji-jingumae178JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku～Shibuya146JPY
    Total1,097JPY

    Tour Report by Kappa

    Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
    Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2025
    Michael_R
    Customized Hakone tour
    Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Kappa-san, modified the typical Hakone tour…

    May 18, 2025
    Leigh_M
    Kappa, our guide met us…
    Viator review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa, our guide met us at the…

    May 4, 2025
    panderhigs
    Kappa A+ Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa was an amazing guide who created a thorough…

    May 4, 2025
    O9621SBscottp
    Kappa is a wonderful tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I were treated…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at the main gate of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 08:05 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 10:20 Former Shiba Rikyu Garden
    • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 12:00 Disband at Harajuku Station

    Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden, and Meiji Shrine Despite the unfortunate rain, the crowds at Tsukiji Market were smaller than usual, which allowed the guests to stroll slowly through all the streets and enjoy a variety of foods. Some of the guests particularly liked the beef bowl at Kitsuneya and ate it with big smiles. Another of the guests enjoyed Japanese dashi and was delighted to buy dashi packs to take home. At Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden, the rain had eased and there were no other visitors, so the guests were able to enjoy it almost entirely to themselves. At Meiji Shrine, heavy rain fell and we had to take shelter inside Harajuku Station for a while, but the guests appreciated the quiet atmosphere of the shrine grounds in the rain. The guests stayed energetic and cheerful throughout despite the rain, which made for a bright and enjoyable tour, and I am very grateful for that. I had the pleasure of guiding a group of eight. I had anticipated that walking through the Tsukiji outer market with eight people would be challenging, but thanks to the cooperation of the guests, we moved the tour start time one hour earlier to 8:00, which allowed us to avoid the busiest hours and made it relatively easy to enjoy strolling and eating. The next day, I received a thank-you message from the guests. It made me truly happy to know that they had enjoyed the tour. We really appreciated your great tour yesterday.

    Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTsukiji～Daimon290JPY
    Section 2TrainHamamatsucho～Harajuku210JPY
    Total500JPY

    Tour Report by Toru

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

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

    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Request Booking

    Sep 25, 2026
    robert_s
    Fantastic experience!
    Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    We had a tour booked with Toru…

    Sep 24, 2026
    Pamela_S
    Ask for Toru!
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our travel date for this tour…

    Sep 13, 2026
    S4579HLmaxf
    An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
    Outstanding experience at the…

    Sep 7, 2026
    Victor_G
    All the temples and…
    Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangendo & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangendo & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet @Hotel Iconic Kyoto
    • 11:15 ~ Visit Sanjusangendo
    • 13:00~ Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 14:30 Dismissal @Nishiki Market

    Can You Do a Private Rainy-Day Tour in Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was everyone's first time in Japan, and they had arrived in Kyoto from Tokyo the previous day. Originally we had planned a walking tour starting from Ginkaku-ji, but there was heavy rain from the morning, and the guests called to ask whether the date could be changed. Since changing the date was not possible, we discussed alternatives when we met at the hotel and quickly revised the plan into an itinerary that involved less walking, which led to the route above. The guests looked at the Buddhist statues at Sanjusangen-do with great interest. By the time we visited the Imperial Palace, the rain had stopped, and the guests were satisfied, ending the tour without any problems.

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

    Tour Report by Shoji

    My name is Shoji and I’m a tour guide in Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan for more than one thousand years until the mid 19th century.
    I have been doing this work since 2019 covering not only Kyoto but also its surrounding areas like Nara , Osaka and Shiga.
    I am very much interested in Japanese history, culture and traditional arts.
    Kyoto and the Kansai region are rich with many heritage sites of historical and cultural features.
    I am sure that I can provide the guests with good insight and help them appreciate the charms of our wonderful city.

    Request Booking

    May 23, 2026
    Amber_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great walking tour in Kyoto!
    Shoji was a great guide around Kyoto.…

    Jun 25, 2025
    Safari35155142765
    Peaceful and perfect temple guided tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant private guided tour of Kyoto…

    Jun 22, 2025
    Global136391
    Shoji Ogawa Made Kyoto Come Alive!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    If you’re ever in Kyoto, you…

    Jun 9, 2025
    Amy_R
    Wonderful Nara tour
    Viator review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Kyoto Departure)
    We had such a wonderful…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Tsukiji

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Tsukiji

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 9:30 Asakusa
    • 10:40 Ueno
    • 11:40 Akihabara
    • 12:30 Tsukiji
    • 13:00 Disband @ Tsukiji Uogashi

    Title: What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania on a trip to Japan. They requested a 4-hour tour covering a variety of places. Since they had already visited Shibuya and Shinjuku on their own the previous day, we explored the eastern side of Tokyo. At the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, they shopped at a store selling dog-themed goods. They were fond of animals and were also captivated by the sign of a pig café. Despite the rain, they enjoyed Ueno, including Toshogu Shrine, Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple, and Hanazono Inari Shrine. We passed briefly through Akihabara without going into any shops, but they were amazed by the popularity of Japanese anime. After walking around Tsukiji, I guided them to a fish market cafeteria before saying goodbye.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyobashi～Asakusa209JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Ueno178JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno～Suehirocho178JPY
    Section 4SubwayAkihabara～Tsukiji178JPY
    Total743JPY

    Tour Report by Rumi

    Hello,
    I’m Rumi.Welcome to Japan!!
    I’m a government-licensed guide in the Tokyo area.
    I’m so excited to have a chance to show you my favorite places in Tokyo.
    Tokyo is a fantastic city with many aspects like history,culture and food.
    What interests you about Tokyo?
    What kind of Japanese food would you like to try?
    I’ll take you to various places according to your request.
    My favorite spot is Meiji Shrine.
    It’s so peaceful that I’m sure you like it.
    I really like to talk with foreigners about various topics.So, I love my job.
    I look forward to meeting and guiding you soon.

    Request Booking

    Sep 29, 2026
    Darrin_T
    Tokyo Tour with Rumi
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Local tour guide Rumi took…

    Sep 29, 2026
    anettesoegaardn
    Rumi Hosoya is a very good tour-guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide was Rumi…

    Sep 25, 2026
    Frances_K
    Rumi was a wonderful…
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Rumi was a wonderful guide that provided…

    Sep 19, 2026
    K6328IFcarolinel
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had a great day
    Rumi was very…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.10:00 Meet up @Hotel Ginza
    • 2.10:30 @Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 3.11:40 ＠Asakusa
    • 4.12:30 Lunch ＠Nishi-Asakusa Shichigosan
    • 5.13:30 @Kappabashi
    • 6.14:30 ＠Meiji Shrine
    • 7.15:20 ＠Takeshita Street
    • 8.16:00 Disband ＠Shibuya

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Harajuku The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. First, they wanted to purchase a Tokyo subway ticket, so we went to the pass office at Ginza Station and bought one. After that, we went to the Tsukiji Outer Market and looked around at various food items. They liked Japanese tea and purchased some. In Asakusa, we first got an overview at the information center, then went to Nakamise and the five-story pagoda, where the guests admired the beautiful buildings and took photographs. The guests particularly wanted to eat okonomiyaki, so we had okonomiyaki at an okonomiyaki restaurant. They said it was very delicious, which made me glad. Since the guests wished to visit Kappabashi, we walked along Kappabashi Kitchen Town. They were amazed at the sheer number of shops. The guests said Meiji Shrine was very beautiful. On Takeshita Street, they enjoyed seeing mini pigs. They also wanted to purchase a Suica card, so I took them to the ticket center in Shibuya, and since they planned to explore Shibuya on their own afterward, we ended the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza～Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji～Asakusa286JPY
    Section 3SubwayTawaramachi～Meiji-jingumae252JPY
    Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae～Shibuya178JPY
    Total894JPY

    Tour Report by FUMIKO

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Request Booking

    Sep 29, 2026
    W9834MZdavidn
    First Visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had an absolutely wonderful day…

    Sep 12, 2026
    Don_G
    Tokyo 6 hour Tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    We had a great time on…

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko tour good vibes only
    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00　Meet up @Hilton Tokyo
    • 2. 9:40　@Ginza (4-chome intersection, main street)
    • 3. 10:20　@Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 4. 11:00　@Marunouchi Naka-dori Avenue
    • 5. 11:30　@Tokyo Station (station plaza, inside the Marunouchi-side station building)
    • 6. 11:45　@Maruzen (inside Marunouchi Oazo)
    • 7. 12:30　@Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 8. 14:00　@Asakusa (Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 9. 15:50　Disband @Hilton Tokyo

    Can You Do a Private Tokyo Day Tour Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They joined this private Tokyo tour to enjoy sightseeing before boarding a cruise that would visit various parts of Japan. They had also booked several other food tours, including ramen shop hopping, street food walks, and sake tasting. Although they lived in an area with many people of Japanese heritage and had a number of friends with Japanese roots, they had never actually visited Japan themselves, which led to this trip. When we met, I noticed that the guests had some difficulty walking, though without using a cane, so I conducted the tour at a considerably slower pace. In particular, one of the guests needed special care when going down stairs due to their knees, so we used elevators and escalators whenever possible. However, in places without elevators, most locations had up escalators but no down escalators, so with their consent we descended the stairs slowly, which took more time than anticipated when planning the itinerary. Since the guests did not have a set lunch during the tour, there was no opportunity for an extended rest, but I frequently found places to sit and take short breaks — the chairs set out on the pedestrian street of Marunouchi Naka-dori, the benches at the rest area of the Imperial Palace East Gardens, chairs on station platforms, and so on. Even when visiting the same sightseeing spots, I chose versions that minimized walking distance as much as possible. Even so, with the remaining time we were unable to visit some of the requested destinations such as the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine. I had suggested in our prior communication that we should stroll without overexerting ourselves depending on the situation on the day, and when we reached Sensoji Temple it became clear that continuing would be too much, so we agreed to return to the hotel in Shinjuku. For the places we could not reach, I explained maps and transportation access so they could visit somewhere during the two days they planned to sightsee on their own. To accommodate their wish to see as many places as possible, I incorporated small sightseeing spots that could be enjoyed while walking between destinations. For example, since one of the guests was a big fan of Godzilla films, during a transfer at Ginza Station on the way to the Imperial Palace, our first major destination, we went up to street level and I guided them to Ginza Wako in Ginza 4-chome (associated with the Godzilla films). They took many photos. Regarding their wish, expressed on the day, to see a bookstore, when we visited the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station I guided them to the Maruzen main store in the adjacent Marunouchi Oazo. They did not make a purchase but looked around with great interest. In addition, a variety of questions came up, such as whether I, living in Japan, had also experienced the puzzling abbreviations their grandchildren send in smartphone messages, and — while opinions were divided even within their family — how people in Japan feel about a certain political leader. There was no shortage of topics. Since they had said they applied for this tour hoping for interactive conversation rather than simply riding a vehicle and passively listening to English explanations through earphones, they seemed very satisfied on that point.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Nishi-shinjuku Station～Ginza Station700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Ginza-itchome Station～Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Tozai Line, Takebashi Station～Ginza Line, Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line, Asakusa Station～Marunouchi Line, Nishi-shinjuku Station0JPY
    Total700JPY

    Tour Report by Noripy

    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!

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Gion

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Gion

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meeting point: Hotel Kyoto
    • 09:00 Sightseeing ①: Nijo Castle
    • 10:40 Sightseeing ②: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:50 Sightseeing ③: Gion
    • 12:15 ※While the guest was strolling around Gion, they noticed they had misplaced their smartphone, so the tour was interrupted to search for it ⇒ It was returned to them one hour later (detailed in the description field)
    • 12:50 Dismissal: Gion

    Title: Can a Private Kyoto Tour Recover a Phone Left in a Taxi? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari, and Gion The guests were visitors from Europe, traveling in Japan for sightseeing. All prior communication and itinerary arrangements were made through a local travel agency rather than with the guests directly. The itinerary (a 4-hour course) was confirmed indirectly along the route of guide (myself) → travel agency → guests, and was finalized as "Nijo Castle ⇒ Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji Temple, the Bamboo Path, Togetsukyo Bridge)." It was a simple course, but as I will describe later, an unexpected incident occurred in the second half. On the day, we met at the Hotel almost as scheduled and discussed the itinerary. The guests then requested, "We visited Arashiyama yesterday, so we would like to go somewhere else. We'd like to try Gion — what do you think?" I proposed, "Let's cancel all of Arashiyama and instead follow the route 'Fushimi Inari Taisha ⇒ Gion,'" and they agreed. Initially all movement between sites was planned via public transportation, but since the first leg "Hotel ⇒ Nijo Castle" and "Fushimi Inari Taisha ⇒ Gion" were relatively close, with the guests' consent we decided to use taxis. At Nijo Castle I focused on explaining the relationship between the samurai government and the Emperor, and at Fushimi Inari on the differences between Shinto and Buddhism. I received many questions and helped them deepen their understanding. Both the movement and the sightseeing proceeded smoothly, but finally, 15 minutes after we took a taxi to Gion and began strolling, an accident occurred. Suddenly one of the guests said, "I left my smartphone in the taxi. This is terrible — it has a lot of important information, like bank account passwords. What should I do!?" In my 8 years of guiding experience this was the first such situation, and I was a little flustered, but I proposed, "Let's contact the taxi company right away, find the taxi we rode in, and have them check." I had the guests show me the fare receipt and called the taxi company. I explained the pickup and drop-off locations and the characteristics of the taxi in detail and requested an investigation. The person in charge initially said, "Without the vehicle number or the driver's name, it may be difficult to find it quickly," but promised, "We will do everything we can to investigate." I explained the immediate course of action to the guests and proposed, "More than 90% of lost items in Japanese taxis are returned. Let's believe it will come back and wait for a while at the drop-off location (the west gate of Kennin-ji Temple in Gion)." We agreed that "if it hasn't returned after an hour, we'll file a lost-item report at a police box," and began heading back to the drop-off location. A few minutes into the walk, a call came in from the taxi driver: "The smartphone you're looking for had fallen on the floor of the car. I'll come to return it now, so please wait at the drop-off location." This was wonderful news. When I relayed this to the guests, who had been despondent until then, they were astonished and delighted, saying, "I can't believe it! What a wonderful thing!" On the way back to the drop-off location, the guests had been pessimistic, saying, "In other countries, if you leave something important like a smartphone behind, it almost never comes back," so their surprise and joy were all the greater. After waiting about 15 minutes, the taxi arrived, and the smartphone was safely returned to the guest's hands. Both guests expressed heartfelt gratitude to the driver and to me, shaking hands again and again. It was truly a relief that everything turned out fine, but as a guide it was also a moment when I once again realized that "when getting out of a taxi, it is especially necessary to check carefully for any forgotten belongings."

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNijojo-mae～Nijo220JPY
    Section 2TrainNijo～Inari200JPY
    Total420JPY

    Tour Report by Nori

    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.

    Request Booking

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    April, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:40 Meet@Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 08:45 Travel∶Subway
    • 3. 09:50 Visit@Meiji Shrine
    • 4. 10:55 Travel∶Subway
    • 5. 11:20 Visit@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 6. 11:45 Travel∶Subway
    • 7. 12:20 Visit@Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 8. 12:45 Lunch@Tsukiji Sushisei Annex
    • 9. 14:00 Travel∶Subway
    • 10. 14:40 Visit@Asakusa
    • 11. 15:50 Travel∶Subway
    • 12. 16:40 Disband@Hotel Tokyo

    What Can a Private Tsukiji and Asakusa Day Tour in Tokyo Include? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests arrived in the lobby 20 minutes early. From the photo I had understood in advance that some in the group might need extra support, and since one of the guests was using a cane, I guided them while looking for elevators and escalators along the way. One of the requested spots I had heard about in advance was Tsukiji. Normally Wednesday is a closed day, but thanks to a special schedule during the Golden Week holiday, Tsukiji Uogashi was also open, so I decided to take them there. The guests seemed particularly fond of sushi, so I think they enjoyed it, including lunch. Since there was no longer time to take them to the East Gardens, I later informed them that it would also be open the following day. While strolling around Asakusa, the temperature rose and a short break became necessary, so we ended up going over the scheduled finish time. In the end, I saw them off at their accommodation before 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 1Free PassSuidobashi Station～Meiji-jingumae Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae Station～Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassShibuya Station～Tsukiji Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTsukiji Station～Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassAsakusa Station～Suidobashi Station0JPY
    Total900JPY

    Tour Report by Sam

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

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    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Asakusa

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    May, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hilton Tokyo
    • 10:10 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 11:40 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:10 Yanaka
    • 12:30 Lunch @Denny's Ueno Yanaka
    • 13:25 Ueno Toshogu Shrine
    • 14:00 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
    • 15:10 Shibamata, see the carvings and gardens of Taishakuten
    • 17:20 Disband at Hilton Tokyo

    A Private Full-Day Walking Tour of Tokyo: What Does a Licensed Guide's Itinerary Look Like? The weather was very nice, and the tour proceeded pleasantly. The guests, who had spent a long time going through immigration at Haneda and finally reached their hotel around 2:00 a.m. that day, seemed a little tired, but they walked at a fast pace. After guiding them through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, we continued to Nezu Shrine and Yanaka. Along the way, there was a request to have lunch at a restaurant. At first the suggestion was to simply buy some snacks to save time, which caught me slightly off guard, but we had a meal at a family restaurant and then headed to Asakusa. After Asakusa, we visited Shibamata and Taishakuten Temple, where the guests spent some time admiring the magnificent carvings and seemed deeply impressed. After viewing the garden as well, we set off on the return route, though the schedule had run considerably over time.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNishi-Shinjuku～Otemachi900JPY
    Section 2TrainOtemachi～Nezu0JPY
    Section 3TrainUeno～Asakusa0JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa～Oshiage0JPY
    Section 5TrainOshiage～Shibamata200JPY
    Section 6TrainShibamata～Oshiage200JPY
    Section 7TrainOshiage～Tochomae0JPY
    Total1,300JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    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.

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    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…

  • 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

    • 10:30 Meet at the hotel → 10:30~10:50 Travel to Senso-ji Temple → 10:50~11:50 Explore Senso-ji Temple → 11:50~12:20 Travel to Nezu → 12:20~13:20 Explore Nezu Shrine → 13:20~14:20 Lunch in Nezu → 14:20~14:50 Travel to Otemachi → 14:50~15:50 Explore the Imperial Palace → 15:50~16:30 Transfer to the guest's hotel in Asakusa and disband

    What's a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Senso-ji, Nezu Shrine, and the Imperial Palace Today's guest was a visitor from Europe. Because they had undergone hip surgery, normal walking was not a problem, but going up and down stairs was very difficult, so we used elevators and escalators as much as possible for getting around. We first visited Senso-ji Temple, where I explained all the key points. The guest showed great interest in praying at the main hall, so I explained how to pray at temples and shrines, and they prayed with sincere devotion. Next, we visited Nezu Shrine, where they viewed the azalea garden and passed through the thousand torii gates, and were moved by the beauty. Since they had walked quite a lot and wanted to rest, we took an hour to savor lunch. Finally, we visited the Imperial Palace, where they happily strolled through the Ninomaru Garden.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa～Nezu502JPY
    Section 2SubwayNezu～Otemachi178JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi～Asakusa286JPY
    Total966JPY

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    Oct 14, 2025
    Randi R
    Amazing tour of Tokyo with Yuji
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuji was an amazing guide.…

    Sep 30, 2025
    K6530TRangelor
    Great tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yuji was excellent. He was very punctual and…

    Sep 19, 2025
    belindaf2022
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful day with being shown the key…

    Sep 8, 2025
    S8908ADcarolinab
    Family friendly guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with our 6 hour…