What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Peace Memorial Park The guests were from Oceania. It turned out that all three of us, including myself, were born in the 1960s, which brought smiles all around. We had arranged to meet in the hotel lobby (13th floor), but today's guests were also waiting on the first floor of the hotel. I contacted them just before the tour was due to start, so there was no problem. On previous occasions, guests staying at this hotel had also, for some reason, been waiting in a garage-like area on the first floor. As a guide, the view from this hotel's lobby is superb, and the lobby is fully air-conditioned with restrooms available, so meeting in the lobby is preferable. From now on, I intend to make a point of telling guests several times to meet in the lobby on the 13th floor. Incidentally, this time too I had told them multiple times to "meet in the lobby." The guests greatly enjoyed today's tour. When I asked about their preferred route for the day upon meeting, one of the guests mentioned having a bad knee. In advance, they had requested to take a break somewhere during the tour, so I had prepared several options. When we met today, they said they would like to "drink matcha in a garden," but the walk from their hotel to the garden was a bit of a distance and I felt it would not be good for the knee, so I suggested dropping the garden and castle and instead focusing on the Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome, and the hypocenter. They agreed, so I changed the plan. I had also told them in advance that the Peace Memorial Museum tends to be crowded and that the wait can be over an hour, suggesting they visit on their own. However, I learned that right after today's tour they would be heading to Kyoto on a shinkansen departing shortly after 2 pm, so I checked again, offering to take them if they really wanted to see the museum, but they said that if the wait was long, they would skip it. Since they had come all the way to Hiroshima and were interested in the museum, I suggested the smaller but worthwhile Peace Museum at Fukuromachi Elementary School. They said they very much wanted to go, so we decided to visit there. We walked from the hotel to the Hatchobori bus stop, and while waiting for the bus, I shared a brief history of the Fukuya department store and what it was like during the war. The bus came quickly. Rather than the A-Bomb Dome side, we took the bus to the museum side of the Peace Memorial Park and began our tour of the Peace Park memorials from there. As of this morning, the museum's reservation status showed tickets sold out from around 10 am to 1 pm. Many elementary school students were lined up in front of the museum, and buses kept arriving one after another. I guided them to the cenotaphs in the park in order, and after explaining the Children's Peace Monument, I said, "People usually line up in a long queue to ring the bell, but since it's a weekday, no one is lined up today—would you like to ring it?" But when we got to the bell, to our surprise the chain for ringing it had been removed. It turned out that a sparrow had built a nest inside the bell, and a sign read, "We would be grateful if you could warmly watch over the baby sparrows until they safely leave the nest." It gave everyone a warm feeling. Looking at the origami booth by the Children's Peace Monument, one of the guests said, "Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. She likes red, so I'd like to buy something like a beautiful piece of cloth." I told them, "The image color of the Hiroshima Carp is red, so you might find something," and we decided to check the shops inside the Rest House and the Orizuru Tower. At the Rest House, they found and purchased red crane earrings. I mentioned, "Regardless of nationality, many guests are looking for crane earrings." I was glad they found the red item they liked. As we went along, one of the guests would rest whenever they saw a chair. Thinking the knee might be painful, we proceeded with the tour while resting whenever there was a place to sit. While looking at the A-Bomb Dome, one of the guests said, "Amazing, there isn't a single piece of graffiti on the Dome!" I replied, "Not one? Perhaps it's because the Dome is now managed," and when I mentioned an unfortunate situation happening in Miyajima recently, they were indignant, saying, "It's a World Heritage site, that's just wrong!" Over the past six months to a year, tourists have started sticking stickers all over the postboxes and pole-like structures in Miyajima, and after someone liked it on social media, the stickers increased even more. When I shared this fact with someone who makes videos about Miyajima and asked how they, as an island resident, felt about it, they replied that they wanted to consult the appropriate authorities. The guests told me about how the safety of the area where they live had suddenly worsened. Hearing that reminded me of my surprise when a town where I once lived overseas turned into a ghost town in just half a year, and when I shared that story, they looked very sad. When I said that if you notice something feels off in a town, you have to take some action or it can lead to something truly regrettable, they said that was exactly right. After seeing the A-Bomb Dome and Aioi Bridge, we entered the Orizuru Tower to look at the shop. I explained that repairing the Dome takes a lot of time and money. I also told them that part of the cost of the origami paper purchased at the Orizuru Tower is used for Dome repairs. In addition, I explained that cranes folded on the observation deck and released from the drop platform are displayed on the wall of the building. Before leaving the Orizuru Tower shop, I checked again whether they wanted to go to the observation deck, and surprisingly they said they wanted to go up, fold cranes, and drop them, so we went straight to the observation deck. It was a hot day today (28 degrees), but there is always a refreshing breeze on the observation deck, the view from above is lovely, and the guests were delighted. For a guide, too, it is a convenient spot because you can see at a glance the places I want to explain in Hiroshima—Hiroshima Castle, the Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome, the hypocenter, and more. Especially in rain or bad weather, going up here has great benefits for both guests and guide. The view from above shows the park we had just walked through, the T-shaped bridge that was the target, the A-Bomb Dome, and so on, so the guests could revisit the places they had walked, nodding as they looked. And since you can also see the hypocenter we were about to visit, when we went to the hypocenter they seemed to truly grasp the scene they had seen from the Orizuru Tower. In the park, I also talked about baumkuchen and Ninoshima, which had housed German prisoners of war. Since you can see Ninoshima from the observation deck, they seemed to firmly understand that German prisoners had been there. Folding the crane was a struggle for one of the guests, but when the cranes were finished both were very pleased. As a demonstration, I folded a crane too. When I offered it to them as a souvenir, they carefully placed it in their bag. Before entering the main shopping street, I explained the history of okonomiyaki and the okonomiyaki restaurants in the area. As we walked down the main street, I verbally confirmed the plan to go to an A-bombed building, the Peace Museum at Fukuromachi Elementary School. One of the guests was looking for another souvenir for their daughter, who had just had a birthday. In fact, with a wedding coming up, they said, "It may be an old-fashioned idea, but I'd like to look for a traditional red cloth like a jewelry holder." Unfortunately we couldn't find one in Hiroshima, so they said, "I'll look for it in Kyoto," the next destination on their trip. We took a break at an A-bombed building, a bakery (Andersen). One of the guests bought sweets and the other a sandwich, and they were pleased that the sweets were not too sweet and tasted good. When we entered the Peace Museum at Fukuromachi Elementary School, a staff member came over saying, "There's something I'd like to tell you," which surprised me, but it was a notice that "60 elementary school students will be coming to visit shortly." This is usually a museum where you can view things quietly, so I was surprised to hear 60 students, but perhaps because the timing was staggered, no one came while we were watching the important video, so we could view it at our leisure and I could explain the exhibits slowly. Since they watched the video carefully, when I took them to the places that appeared in the video, they looked at them with deep emotion, saying, "Ah, so this is that place." Since we still had time to spare, I asked whether they wanted to walk a bit more through the shopping arcade or take the streetcar back to the hotel, and they said they wanted to return to the hotel early by streetcar. Before boarding the streetcar, I introduced one more A-bombed building, and then we took the streetcar back to the hotel. When I told them we still had about 15 minutes of tour time and asked what they'd like to do, they said, "It was a wonderful day, we spent it meaningfully. We're going to Kyoto after this, so it's fine to end the tour early." So I expressed my thanks on the first floor of the hotel, and the tour ended at 13:15.

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Tour Report by miki

Dear guests,
Hello! My name is Miki. I was born and brought up in Hiroshima. I enjoy traveling around Inland Sea areas and I enjoy chatting with guests from overseas!

In Hiroshima, you can see many beautiful rivers and old bridges. Lately, I often take photos of Hiroshima city including bridges and rivers. There are not many tall buildings here, but I know some places you can visit and see the view for free. By the atomic bomb dome, there is a building called Orizuru(paper crane) Tower. You need to pay to go up to the top floor but you can see the view of Hiroshima city and the Miyajima Island(Itsukushima).

Many tourists from overseas as well as Japan want to visit Miyajima Island. You can see a beautiful shrine from Heian Period which is around 12th century and a huge Torii gate in front of the shrine and it is in the water. There are several ways to visit the island from Hiroshima city. If you are going to stay near JR Hiroshima Station, we will visit the island by JR train and JR ferry. If you are staying in the city area, we can go there by streetcar and ferry, or there is a high-speed boat from Peace Memorial Park pier directly to the island and vise versa.

Hoping to see you in the near future!

Miki
Your tour guide in Hiroshima

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tokyo Station, Asakusa, and Yanaka The guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They planned to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone. Starting from their accommodation right near Tokyo Station, we first looked at Tokyo Station and then set off toward the Imperial Palace. As we walked, we noticed a large crowd gathered on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station. It turned out to be the horse-drawn carriage of the Ambassador of the Maldives departing for the presentation of credentials to the Emperor. One of the guests shared an interesting story: earlier that morning, they had happened to talk with someone at a hotel (whom I assumed was connected to the Maldivian delegation) who had invited them to that very event, which they had declined. They were quite astonished to realize this was what it had referred to. Some of the guests were interested in shopping, so when we transferred to the Yurakucho Line in Ginza, I introduced Ginza 4-chome. As we were about to take the subway, some of the guests expressed a strong wish to visit Kyukyodo. They enjoyed shopping there and purchased bookmarks, cards, and paper crafts, including a decorative gift envelope for an upcoming family wedding. Since some of the guests were keen on shopping and wanted to look for brand bags at a vintage shop another day, I introduced KOMEHYO on Ginza's main street. In Asakusa, at the Starbucks at the start of Nakamise Street, some of the guests bought a coffee cup available only in Japan. Everyone tried drawing omikuji fortunes. One of the guests drew "bad luck," wished to try again, and drew "bad luck" a second time; they laughed and tied it to the omikuji rack, then went on to buy a good-luck charm. After visiting the main hall, some of the guests bought a matcha set at Kaminari Issa near the Nitenmon Gate, while some of the guests who love matcha drank it on the spot and remarked that it tasted incomparably better than what they had at home. After that, there were so many choices that it took a while to decide on a lunch spot, but in the end we went to Ippudo, a spicy ramen shop on Kaminarimon Street. I was a little worried it might be too spicy, but everyone loved it greatly. One of the guests even described it as "the best ramen I've ever had in my life." Afterward, Nezu Shrine was very popular with everyone, and they took many photos at the row of torii gates. Along Yanaka Ginza shopping street, some fatigue began to show just before Nippori Station, but once we arrived at the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, they seemed relieved.

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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!

What's a Private Tour Like When Guests Are Tired? A Licensed Guide's Report Before their arrival in Japan we had been communicating in detail, so I felt reassured, but then contact stopped before the meeting place had been decided, and at one point I was quite worried about how things would turn out. An email arrived during the night, so I was able to leave home this morning without any concern. I am grateful for the support I received. I had felt that the schedule before and after was quite tight, and indeed the guests seemed to have accumulated some fatigue. Even so, I fully understood their wish to enjoy and experience things, so I aimed for a compact tour centered on the guests' own requests. As a result it ended in a relatively short time, but they did a great deal of shopping, and their wishes—such as sampling food at various shops and visiting a shrine—were all fulfilled smoothly, so they were very satisfied.

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Tour Report by Naho

Hi, I’m Naho – your friendly, English-speaking guide in Japan!
With over 10 years of experience as a licensed guide and more than 30 years living in the Tokyo area, I’m passionate about helping travelers of all ages enjoy Japan in a fun, meaningful, and stress-free way.

Whether you’re into ancient temples, seasonal nature, local street food, or modern pop culture, I’ll design a private tour that matches your interests and travel style. I love sharing not just the famous sights, but also lesser-known hidden gems and local tips that make your trip truly special.

Traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with kids? I’ll make sure everyone feels comfortable and included. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming experience and unforgettable memories for you in this amazing country.

Let’s explore Japan together — I can’t wait to meet you!

What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Gardens and Temples Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe who planned to stay in Japan. Since they had sent requests in advance about the places they wanted to visit, I guided them accordingly. The guests were very fond of flowers and gardens, and they seemed to greatly enjoy strolling through Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. The Japanese irises were beginning to bloom, though I would estimate they were only about 30 percent open. I think they will likely reach their peak in about a week. After that, I guided them to the Imperial Palace, Nezu Shrine, and Senso-ji Temple, offering explanations about Japanese history, culture, and religion along the way. The temperature was a little on the higher side, but not enough to disrupt the itinerary, and I believe the guests were able to enjoy the day fully.

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Tour Report by Nobu

Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
Nobu

What Is a Private Tsukiji, Imperial Palace, and Hamarikyu Gardens Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived in Tokyo on a cruise tour that traveled through Southeast Asian countries and western Japan, and they planned to return home the day after next. At Tsukiji Market, the guests showed great interest in the many shops bustling with tourists and enjoyed a sushi lunch. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Hamarikyu Gardens, they appeared deeply impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes throughout the tour, I believe they were satisfied.

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Tour Report by Seizo

I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

What Is a Private Day Trip to Naoshima Art Island Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I had the pleasure of guiding guests from North America. They were a close-knit, longtime group, and it was heartwarming just to see how well they got along. They were highly intellectual people, which in a sense made me a little nervous, but their thoughtfulness and warm personalities put me at ease. We talked about many personal topics, but for some reason the subject of work never came up. Still, they gave me the impression of being researchers. After arriving at Uno Station from Okayama, we had about an hour before the next ferry, so we strolled around the port area to see the installations there. Questions flew back and forth about the Mitsui shipyard and refinery, which are major industries in Tamano City, as well as the refinery on Naoshima and the effects of air pollution, which showed just how keen their interest was. After arriving on Naoshima, since they had made reservations for two museums, we headed to the Benesse House Museum, then the free Valley Gallery, and the Chichu Art Museum, where we thoroughly enjoyed the works of art. They approached the works with an almost philosophical aesthetic sensibility, and I found myself quite overwhelmed. Although our time on Naoshima was limited to about five hours, since it was a special visit to Japan, we made the most of it and strolled around the "Art House Project" area in the Honmura district. Among the highlights, we were specially and quietly allowed to view the underground stone chamber of Go'o Shrine. Also, the Naoshima Plan "Water" is only open two days a week, and unfortunately we arrived just after it had closed, but we were able to catch a quiet glimpse of the interior. One moment that gave me a chill was nearly being left behind by a full bus on the way back. I somehow managed to plead our way onto it, but the difficulty of public transportation on Naoshima is something that troubles me every time. Looking back, however, since the guests were relatively energetic, they walked briskly and vigorously, making it a very fulfilling tour.

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Tour Report by Sam

My name is Susumu Hiramatsu. I am a national government licensed guide interpreter. I became a guide interpreter in 1992. My educational background started with a BA in law, then an MA in English language education, and completed a doctoral course without a degree in English language teaching. My occupational career began with a bank officer, then shifted to a translation and interpretation company, finally became a freelance translator, interpreter, and college teacher. I handle conference interpretation, namely simultaneous interpretation. As for the guide interpreter, my interest covers wide areas including politics and business, but I deem cultural aspects to be fundamental. I am always encouraging myself to be filled with Japanese hospitality.

What Is a Private Himeji Castle Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe, and everything went smoothly throughout the tour. At each spot, they listened attentively to the guide's explanations. At Sangokubori in Himeji Castle, they were delighted to spot the white heron that inspired the castle's nickname "White Heron Castle" (it is said that seeing this white heron brings good luck for one year). After the tour, they mentioned they wanted to try Himeji's local specialty "anago" (conger eel), so we visited a takeout specialty shop recommended by the guide, where they purchased "anago-meshi" (conger eel rice) and enjoyed it in the outdoor space in front of the shop. They said they were very satisfied. They also commented that, among the several castles they had visited since arriving in Japan, Himeji Castle was the best, which I found deeply gratifying and gladdening.

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Tour Report by Yama

Dear my guests,

This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
explanation for these three foods.

1) Tako-yaki
Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
2) Okonomi-yaki
This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
3) Kushi-katsu
Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
that you like them very much.

I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
Yama

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. One of them could understand English but had difficulty expressing themselves in English, so at times the other guest helped interpret. Since one of the guests was still recovering from a leg injury and could not walk quickly, I made a point of walking slowly or walking alongside them. In the 31-degree heat, one of the guests seemed to be struggling a little. I considered taking a break along the way, but since they said they did not need one, we walked without resting except for lunch. The set-meal restaurant we went to for lunch was full of international visitors and student groups, so we had to wait outside for a while. The guests waited patiently for about ten minutes without any complaints, which was a great help. Also, since we were in Gion after 5 p.m., we were able to pass by maiko and geiko several times. The guests said, "We are lucky in Japan. We could see Mount Fuji clearly from the bullet train, and the weather was good the next day in Hakone as well, so we could see it there too." We used a taxi from Sanjusangendo to the Higashiyama area, and from Gion to the hotel. The photo was taken in the garden of Nijo Castle.

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Tour Report by KAZU

I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen, Akihabara, and Ginza The guests were visitors from North America. One of them had visited Japan many times for travel, and it turned out they had even visited the headquarters of a company I used to work for, which created a sense of familiarity. The other was visiting Japan for the second time. Since the temperature rose today, walking through the forest of Meiji Shrine felt wonderful, so we entered from the Harajuku entrance (the first torii gate) and exited toward the Kita-Sando side. The Japanese irises at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden were just beginning to bloom, which actually added to their charm and heightened the sense of anticipation. During a rest at a teahouse, I explained the Tokugawa family including its three main branches, the daimyo system, the strolling pond-style garden, and the systems for working in Japan. We had lunch at a tonkatsu restaurant, and they finished their meals with great enjoyment. It is always gratifying when guests are satisfied even at a chain restaurant. Their visit to Akihabara also seemed to serve as a preliminary look for a future trip with another member of the group. The rooftop garden of GINZA SIX has been steadily gaining popularity among international visitors. It is not very tall, but since there are no tall buildings nearby, the view is excellent.

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Tour Report by Hideki

Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
1. Cross-cultural communication
2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America, and this was their first trip to Japan. Their itinerary took them from Tokyo to Hakone and Yokohama to attend a wedding, and from yesterday until tomorrow they are in Kyoto, with a plan to visit Nara the day after next before returning home. They mentioned that soon they would have to go back to "reality." The guests were clearly very close and affectionate with each other, and today's fine weather seemed to make the warm mood all the more pronounced. While I was explaining something and glanced over, they were holding hands and staying close together. Today one of the guests interpreted throughout the day. Perhaps my pronunciation was hard to follow, or perhaps they were not used to listening to English spoken by a non-native speaker — probably both. After I explained something in English, hearing it re-explained in short, simple English was a good lesson for me in how to keep things concise. The guests did not seem particularly interested in shrines, temples, history, religion, or art; rather, I could strongly sense their wish to simply enjoy together the beautiful, exotic scenery and atmosphere so different from home. They enjoyed a grilled Kobe beef skewer for 5,000 yen, matcha ice cream for 1,000 yen, took photos, bought souvenirs, and simply savored an unfamiliar world while walking hand in hand. That was their style of enjoyment. So while I gave a general overview, I did not go into deep explanations, and although I walked ahead of them, in spirit I felt as though I was quietly accompanying them from behind. Since it was hot today and one of the guests grew tired, we returned to the ryokan a little earlier and parted ways.

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Tour Report by Kazu

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