Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka: Todaiji Great Buddha Hall & Naramachi

    Osaka: Todaiji Great Buddha Hall & Naramachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka
    • 10:55 Todaiji Great Buddha Hall
    • 11:42 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 12:12 Nara Park
    • 12:42 Lunch
    • 13:32 Stroll around Naramachi
    • 15:00 Tea Ceremony Experience @Nara City
    • 17:24 Disband @ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka

    Title: What Is a Private Day Trip to Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Deer, Todai-ji, and a Tea Ceremony The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. As this was the final day of their tour, they were very pleased to be blessed with fine weather. They enjoyed the classic experience of feeding the deer and were deeply impressed by the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple and the magnificent buildings of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. After having lunch and shopping at a shopping street in town, I took them to a tea ceremony experience, which they had requested. Although it lasted about 40 minutes, they were delighted to have been taught a quite authentic method. We returned almost exactly as scheduled.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayYodoyabashi~Namba240JPY
    Section 2TrainNamba~Kintetsu Nara680JPY
    Section 3BusKintetsu Nara Station Front~Great Buddha Hall Parking250JPY
    Section 4BusTamukeyama Nigatsudo~Kasuga Taisha Main Shrine250JPY
    Section 5BusKasuga Taisha Main Shrine~Naramachi Gangoji Temple250JPY
    Section 6TrainNara~Osaka840JPY
    Section 7SubwayUmeda~Yodoyabashi190JPY
    Total2,700JPY

    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!

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet at Hotel Tokyo 10:00 Sensoji Temple 11:30 Shinjuku Gyoen 13:30 Lunch in Shinjuku (okonomiyaki) 14:30 Shibuya 15:00 End at Mega Don Quijote in Shibuya.

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shinjuku, and Shibuya The guests were visitors from Europe who appeared to be friends. When I showed them the goldfish scooping near Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, they were interested and both gave it a try. We decided to have lunch in Shinjuku, and since they wanted to eat okonomiyaki, we searched quite a bit before finding a restaurant. They were delighted that it was grilled right in front of them, the presentation looked great, and the taste was delicious, so they were very pleased. Lunch took quite a while, so we gave up on the planned Meiji Shrine and Harajuku and headed to Shibuya instead. They were thrilled by the crossing. They also really wanted to visit the Mega Don Quijote, so the tour ended once we arrived in front of the store. I received many questions. They said many times that they would love to come back to Japan, so I believe they enjoyed the tour very much.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainGinza~Asakusa209JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Shinjuku-gyoemmae252JPY
    Section 3TrainShinjuku~Shibuya167JPY
    Total628JPY

    Before I started the guiding job in 2022, I had worked for private companies and been engaged in overseas business, which led me to be stationed in various English-speaking countries. Taking advantage of such experiences and also wishing to reciprocate the kindness extended to me during my career, I have decided to help visitors to Japan enjoy their stay and obtained a national guide license.
    I am very honored and pleased to assist guests from overseas and enjoy seeing them having a great time visiting interesting spots in Japan and learning about the country. I look forward to serving more new guests and seeing them smile at the end of my private tours.

    Jun 8, 2025
    T1516LOmarkg
    Tokyo tour
    Tripadvisor review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Great tour, Shinji was great, they…

    Feb 28, 2025
    LaToya_S
    Mr. Shinji is so nice and…
    Viator review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mr. Shinji is so nice and…

    Feb 27, 2025
    Edward_M
    Friendly and Knowledgeable Tour Guide
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly!…

    Feb 17, 2025
    Trip29223434750
    Heavenly Hakone with an angelic guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    For those not wanting to…

  • Yokohama & Kamakura in 1 Day Tour

    Yokohama & Kamakura in 1 Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet 8:21 at Minato Mirai Yokohama via Kamakura arrive at Enoshima at 9:48 by Enoshima ferry Iwaya Caves sightseeing 11:40 return to Hase for lunch after that sightseeing at Hasedera Temple Great Buddha of Kamakura by bus 13:30 return to Kamakura Station get off at Jomyoji by bus 14:00 after sightseeing at Hokokuji Temple 14:35 by bus to Kamakura Station 15:00 disband here. From here the guests will return on their own and stop by the Cup Noodles Museum before heading home.

    What Is a Private Kamakura Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for sightseeing. Some of the guests had come to Japan many times for work, but this was the first sightseeing trip for everyone in the group. They mentioned that they had visited the Osaka Expo and had to wait a very long time there. They were friendly and easygoing, and we spent an enjoyable day together. One of the guests found stairs difficult, but explored the cave with great interest. At Hasedera Temple, that guest waited in the garden. At the Great Buddha and Hokokuji Temple, the guests took many photos and thoroughly enjoyed the history and the Japanese scenery. For meals, they were happy with any kind of Japanese food and ate everything beautifully. During the meals, I talked about Japanese kanji and history, and the guests listened with great interest.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNihon-odori~Yokohama224JPY
    Section 2TrainYokohama~Kamakura356JPY
    Section 3TrainKamakura~Enoshima260JPY
    Section 4FerryEnoshima Ferry Port~Iwaya Caves500JPY
    Section 5FerryIwaya Caves~Enoshima Ferry Port500JPY
    Section 6TrainEnoshima~Hase260JPY
    Section 7BusHase~Kamakura Station200JPY
    Section 8TrainKamakura Station~Jomyoji220JPY
    Section 9TrainJomyoji~Kamakura Station220JPY
    Total2,740JPY

    I am Hiroki Morikawa :Hiro:, English guide living with my wife ,just a hop skip and jump from Hakone, Kamakura, Tokyo and the Mt. Fuji.
    I am a friendly grandfather of 4 grandchildren.
    I would love to help you enjoy Japan, using my 3 strong points.
    First: I am used to dealing with any kind of matters. I have experienced various situations in the 40 years of my working life.
    Second: I am good at making a friendly atmosphere between you and local people to help you enjoy Japan. I was raised in western Japan, studied in northern Japan and now live in central Japan. So I know various local cultures and dialects to communicate with a wide variety of people.
    Third: I can explain things from a technical point of view.
    For example, how the Great Buddha was constructed, because I am a master of engineering graduated from Hokkaido University.
    Please enjoy Japan with me. See you soon!!
    dummy

    Aug 24, 2026
    Deb_K
    Viator review: Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Well organised tour
    Hiro is obviously an experienced guide.…

    Aug 6, 2026
    Marcus_J
    Viator review: Hakone Full-Day Customized Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Had an amazing day with…
    Had an amazing day with Hiro.…

    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone Full Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle
    6 hour tour of Hakone
    we had a great experience with…

    Jun 25, 2026
    T7734IPbrandons
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    First time in hakone
    Niro was perfect for us. He was…

  • Nara in One Day: Todai-ji Temple & Horyu-ji Temple

    Nara in One Day: Todai-ji Temple & Horyu-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meeting point: Rokumei Coffee (near Kintetsu Nara Station)
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ①: Todai-ji Temple
    • 12:00 Sightseeing ②: Nara Park
    • 13:00 Lunch & Break
    • 15:00 Sightseeing ③: Horyu-ji Temple
    • 16:30 Dismissal: Kintetsu Nara Station

    Can You Do a Private 6-Hour Nara Day Tour Covering Todaiji and Horyuji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for sightseeing from North America. I coordinated the pre-trip communication and itinerary planning with one of the guests. Their initial wish list included Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Horyuji Temple, and if time allowed, they hoped to "see the cherry blossoms of Mount Yoshino." Since a Mount Yoshino visit is difficult within a 6-hour course, I explained this carefully and they agreed to remove it. In the end, we confirmed the itinerary as "Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Horyuji Temple." Because the start time was 10:30, I was a little concerned about whether we could make it in time for entry to Horyuji Temple, but I thought "if we act quickly and gain time, we can manage," and so we started the tour. However, that expectation was completely upended by the recent intensification of crowding in Nara. On this day, we had great difficulty securing a place for lunch after Todaiji Temple and Nara Park, and ended up waiting nearly 30 minutes. There was a time when the general feeling was that "compared to the heavy crowds of Kyoto, Nara is relatively empty and easy to sightsee," but Nara today is so crowded that it could be said to rival Kyoto. As a result, on top of the congestion at famous sites such as Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, there is an overwhelming shortage of places to eat in their vicinity. If you go back toward the Kintetsu Nara Station area, there is a shopping street with plenty of dining options, but it is difficult to return there just for lunch. Under these circumstances, we were forced to choose between visiting Horyuji Temple, which takes nearly an hour by a combination of JR line and bus, or visiting Kasuga Taisha Shrine. In the end, the guests decided that they would "give up on Kasuga Taisha Shrine and go to Horyuji Temple." With "over-tourism" now sweeping into Nara as well, I truly felt that even greater ingenuity is needed in planning sightseeing "course routes" than before.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTodai-ji Great Buddha Hall & National Museum~JR Nara Station West Exit250JPY
    Section 2BusHoryu-ji Temple Approach~Horyu-ji Station220JPY
    Section 3TrainHoryu-ji Temple~Nara240JPY
    Total710JPY

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

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM9:00 Meet at Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
    • AM9:30 Nijo Castle
    • AM11:30 Nishiki Market
    • PM12:00 Shinkyogoku
    • PM13:00 Sanjusangendo
    • PM14:00 Kiyomizu-dera
    • PM15:30 Disband at Pontocho

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. Even though it was the day before the final day of a long trip in Japan and they were tired, they walked around energetically. At each destination, they read the English explanatory signs with great interest, so I answered any questions they had as we went along. I had planned for us to eat our way through Nishiki Market, but since one of the guests wanted to have sushi, we moved to Shinkyogoku and set aside time to enjoy a relaxed meal at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. Although it was a busy tour with several bus and train transfers, we were able to complete almost the entire planned itinerary without any delays. As they wanted to visit the Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji the next day, I explained the best route to take before we said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto City Hall~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Shijo220JPY
    Section 3BusSanjusangendo-mae~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Section 4BusKiyomizu-michi~Shijo Kawaramachi230JPY
    Total900JPY

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…

  • Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. Meet at 9:00 @ Hotel Nagoya Premier
    • 2. Move to Nagoya Castle and tour the Honmaru Palace and the area around the castle tower
    • 3. Move to Tokugawaen and tour Tokugawaen (Japanese garden)
    • 4. Move to Oasis 21 and tour the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER and the Oasis 21 shopping area
    • 5. Move to the restaurant district near Hotel and disband there at 13:00

    What Can You See on a Half-Day Private Nagoya Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. On a half-day tour running from the morning until lunchtime, we were able to smoothly visit four locations — Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa Garden, Oasis 21, and the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER — and the guests were delighted. At Tokugawa Garden in particular, the Peony Festival was being held, and various temporary shops lined the central path within the garden, including a corner offering pony rides. One of the guests, who had already experienced pony riding before, enjoyed riding a pony here as well, and the whole group was very pleased. By taking the underground passage connecting the guests' hotel and Nagoya Station (a route that can be difficult for guests to navigate) on both the way there and back, the guests were able to grasp the layout around Nagoya Station, and I believe I was able to guide them in a way that supported a comfortable stay in Nagoya.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNagoya Station~Nagoya Castle Station240JPY
    Section 2SubwaySakae Station~Nagoya Station210JPY
    Total450JPY

    Hello, guests of JGA tours, I’m Takao (Todd) Miura, a national licensed guide of Japan.
    I have experiences as a professional guide over 5 years. The themes in which I’m well versed include castles, Japaneses landscape gardens, museums, festivals, and traditinal Japanese arts and crafts.
    Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture, where I live, have many attractive sites to visit. I would like to introduce you to the most popular sites and spots in this area.
    I really wish to have a very nice time with you as a guide of your tour in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture.

    Feb 16, 2026
    B9190RXcolleenm
    The Nagoya walking tour was great!
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Todd was the perfect…

    Oct 2, 2025
    Jeffrey_B
    Nagoya with Todd Miura
    Viator review: Nagoya / Aichi Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    A great 4 hour…

    Sep 17, 2025
    sjhppy
    Todd Was A Fabulous Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    I highly recommend Todd! He…

    Jul 22, 2025
    guelphturfgrassinstu
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed this tour with a knowledgeable guide. Todd shared…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:30 Meet up @Ujina Port
    • 2. 11:00 @Miyajima
    • 3. 12:30 Lunch@Grilled Oyster Hayashi
    • 4. 14:40 @Peace Memorial Museum・Peace Park
    • 5. 16:00 Disband@Ujina Port

    Title: What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Day Tour from a Cruise Port Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The ship arrived at 9:00 (with a requested meeting time of 10:00) and departed at 17:00, so the guests agreed in advance that the tour would run for six hours, from 10:00 to 16:00. For the sake of time efficiency, they also agreed to use the Setouchi Sea Line ferry and a taxi, and we began the tour. The guests had thought that transportation costs were included in the tour fee and remarked that they had already paid a large amount, but after confirming the details on the spot, they understood and were satisfied. On the boat, as often happens these days, the conversation turned to politics and economics. Due to the time constraints, I had not made a lunch reservation, but since everyone enjoyed oysters, right after arriving on Miyajima I took them to a place serving grilled oyster hayashi, telling them, "There's no line right now." They said it was the most delicious oyster they had ever eaten, and it was very well received. They were also delighted to have the good fortune of witnessing a Noh performance dedicated at Itsukushima Shrine. At the Peace Memorial Park, the guests viewed everything quite seriously, and in the end they told me it had been "a very fulfilling experience," which was a relief to hear.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherUjina~Miyajima1,150JPY
    Section 2FerryMiyajima~Miyajimaguchi200JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Section 4BusHiroshima Station~Peace Memorial Museum-mae240JPY
    Section 5BusFukuromachi~Ujina Port240JPY
    Total2,250JPY

    Hi, I’m Kahori, a nationally licensed tour guide, and delighted to show people around this area. For the past almost 10 years, I have mainly guided foreign medical professionals around Hiroshima City and Miyajima, gaining a deep understanding of the effects of radiation and the support for A-bomb survivors.
    Hiroshima is a city of rivers and the sea. Along the rivers Cherry trees line, and the calm Seto Inland Sea, dotted with islands, creates a stunning landscape. Also, the sea has many islands called “art islands” which have fantastic arts relating to the art festival “Setouchi Triennale”. In addition to our two World Heritage Sites, this area is rich in attractive resources. I hope many of you will come and experience this fascinating land. Personally, I am very passionate about modern art and enjoy sports like stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) on our rivers.
    I look forward to meeting you, interacting with you, and also, learning from you!

    Oct 6, 2025
    DJ C
    We visited the atomic bomb museum, Hiroshima castle, a beautiful garden, and shrines and Torrey Gate.
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima /…

    Sep 23, 2025
    lorrainel669
    Awesome Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    The tour was fantastic. It covered everything…

    Jul 26, 2025
    T
    Tracy_P
    Outstanding Tour of Hiroshima with Kahori…
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our tour of…

    Jun 28, 2025
    Fernando A
    We knew the best of Hiroshima in 8 hrs
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:45 meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 11:00 travel by JR and ferry
    • 11:00-13:40 Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, lunch (grilled oysters at Hayashi)
    • 14:25-17:15 Peace Park, museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, Rest House
    • 17:15-17:45 travel by bus
    • 17:45 tour ends @ Hiroshima Station

    Title: What's a Private Hiroshima Food and Peace Memorial Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They were planning to reunite with a longtime friend living in Hiroshima after ten years apart and go out for okonomiyaki together, so I did not recommend okonomiyaki for lunch and instead introduced them to oysters. They love oysters and had tried them in many places, so in Hiroshima I took them to a grilled oyster restaurant, which they enjoyed, and they said the raw oysters were the most delicious of all. The guests held liberal views, and we shared many similar feelings about current concerns regarding North America and about the mistake of the atomic bombing, so there was a lot of mutual understanding, and we had an enjoyable time chatting and exchanging jokes. I was also present at the moment they reunited with their friend after ten years. After joking beforehand like "I wonder if they've changed" and "Maybe they'll have a huge beard," when they finally met they happily exclaimed, "You haven't changed at all!" Seeing their delight, we brought the tour to a close.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2OtherMiyajima~Peace Park1,100JPY
    Section 3BusAtomic Bomb Museum~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total1,760JPY

    As a Hiroshima government-certified English-speaking guide, I’ve led over 160 heartfelt tours for guests from around the world. I craft each experience with care, blending history, humor, and emotional resonance to help you connect deeply with this beautiful city and its stories. I love sharing insights about Hiroshima and Japan, but I also enjoy chatting with my guests as if we were friends, learning about each other along the way and creating meaningful moments together. Every tour becomes a unique exchange, shaped by the people I meet. I look forward to welcoming you and guiding you in Hiroshima.

    Sep 24, 2025
    Paige_M
    Lovely and Educational Tour of Hiroshima
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide for this…

    May 8, 2025
    Smatty68
    Tomoyo was a star guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We really enjoyed our…

    Apr 29, 2025
    Josh_H
    Amazing experience and very grateful for my tour guide Tomoyo
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed…

    Apr 29, 2025
    Chloe_O
    The best day in Japan with Tomoyo!
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tomoyo was…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Asakusa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 meet at your hotel
    • 10:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:30 Nezu Shrine
    • 12:30 Lunch @ Kijo Sushi
    • 14:00 Ueno Station
    • 14:30 Asakusa
    • 15:30 Disband @ Senso-ji Temple

    What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Meiji Shrine, Nezu, and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had arrived in Japan a few days before the tour and had already explored many places on their own. During our prior communication, I had introduced the Welcome Suica, and by the time we met they were already using it with ease. While I privately wondered whether a guide was even necessary, I showed them Meiji Shrine, Nezu, and Asakusa, which the guests had requested. At Nezu Shrine, the azaleas were at their best, and the guests, who love flowers, were very delighted. When I did a preliminary visit the day before the tour, no one was lining up to enter the azalea garden, but on the day of the tour the line had stretched all the way to near the torii gate. When I asked a staff member, they said the wait would be about 15 minutes, so after discussing it with the guests we decided to join the line. It moved along surprisingly quickly, and while chatting with the guests we were able to enter before we knew it. We walked from Nezu Shrine to Sendagi, and the guests said it was nice to see everyday Japanese life, which made me happy. We also stopped by Suto Park and took commemorative photos in front of the koinobori carp streamers. For lunch, the guests wanted a sushi restaurant that was not omakase, so we went to Kijo Sushi, which has an English menu. They were able to dine at the counter while chatting with the sushi chef, and were delighted with how delicious it was. It is close to Yanaka Ginza and accepts reservations, so I recommend it. After lunch, the guests said they wanted to make a reservation for the Shinkansen the next day, so we took a taxi to Ueno Station and completed the process at the travel concierge. When the staff member said that the Shinkansen departs every 10 minutes, the guests were both very surprised. After showing them around Asakusa, it was time to part ways. The guests said they would enjoy Asakusa a little longer before heading to Shibuya, so I explained how to get there. They were very pleasant guests and very considerate and kind — at one point in Asakusa they helped carry the suitcase of another traveler who was carrying it up the stairs. They were very interested in Japan, asked many questions, and listened attentively to what I had to say, so I was able to spend a very enjoyable time with them. With the guests' permission, I took many photos and sent them via a messaging app after the tour. I hope their trip to Japan becomes a wonderful memory.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHamamatsucho~Harajuku210JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nezu210JPY
    Section 3SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
    Total600JPY

    I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
    I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
    I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.

    I live with my husband and one teenage son.
    I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

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  • Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

    Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Lobby
    • 9:45 Shinkyo Bridge
    • 10:00 Rinnoji Temple
    • 10:30 Toshogu Shrine
    • 12:20 Futarasan Shrine
    • 12:30  Lunch @ Cafe Bell
    • 13:30 Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 14:30 Transfer by taxi
    • 15:00 Tour ends @ Hotel

    Title: What's a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Body: The guests were visitors from North America. One enjoyed photography and took many pictures throughout the day, while the other loved to chat and asked many questions even inside the taxi. It happened to be the Yayoi Festival at Futarasan Shrine, and although there were some road closures, since we started from the Hotel rather than the station, we were able to get around without any real disruption. As we finished lunch and stepped outside the restaurant, four festival floats passed by at just the right moment, and the guests were delighted to see and hear the flutes and drums, the colorful festival floats, and the townspeople in their costumes. Since the original purpose had not been to see the festival and it was purely by chance, we did not head into the busy festival area afterward and instead went toward the Imperial Villa. Originally the plan had also included Kanmangafuchi Abyss, but the guests seemed tired from walking, so we decided to skip it. Both guests seemed to really enjoy the explanation at the five-story pagoda — the structure in which the central pillar is suspended, and the reason why one part is intentionally designed differently. They also listened attentively to the meanings of the carvings on the other buildings and genuinely tried to understand, which made me very happy. The guests had very warm personalities, and we toured slowly and thoroughly, making it a very fulfilling day. I believe they were pleased.

    Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

    Aug 24, 2026
    arzed
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    A perfect day!
    My family and I had an…

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    A wonderful day!
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    Our friendly…

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    Fantastic day in Nikko
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