Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka: Shitennoji Temple & Dotonbori

    Osaka: Shitennoji Temple & Dotonbori

    Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @CANDEO Osaka the Tower
    • 10:40-11:40@Osaka Castle, Plum Grove
    • 12:20-12:55@Shitennoji Temple
    • 13:05-14:20 Lunch @Tennoji, Harukas Garden
    • 14:50-15:35@Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 16:15-17:00@Umeda Sky Building
    • 17:35-17:55@Dotonbori
    • 18:10 Disband @ CANDEO Osaka the Tower

    Title: What Is a Private Osaka Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They love traveling and have visited many countries, but they have little interest in visiting art museums or shopping; instead, they enjoy visiting a place and taking in its atmosphere and mood. For lunch, I guided them to a small okonomiyaki restaurant run by its owners. They watched intently as the okonomiyaki was grilled right in front of them, took photos, chatted with the owner in simple English, and were delighted. Also, during the tour, I received an email from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) saying that the guide scheduled for the next day's Kyoto tour could no longer take the assignment due to COVID, and that they were looking for a replacement guide. The guests asked me whether I could guide them the next day. As it was difficult to refuse outright given the atmosphere, I promised that if no replacement guide was found by the end of the tour, I would do it, and we continued the tour. However, one or two hours later, an email arrived from [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) saying that a guide had been found, and the matter was settled. While I understand the need to contact the guests promptly about the next day, in the meantime there was nothing the guests could do and it only caused them worry, so personally I felt it might have been better to inform the guests only after a replacement guide had been found.

    Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayYodoyabashi～Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji Ekimae～Sumiyoshi Toriimae230JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha～Nankai Namba240JPY
    Section 5SubwayNamba～Umeda240JPY
    Section 6SubwayUmeda～Namba240JPY
    Section 7SubwayNamba～Yodoyabashi190JPY
    Total1,520JPY

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:40 Meet up @ Kobe Port Terminal
    • 2. 11:00 @ Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 3. 13:00 Lunch @ Kobe Beef Steak Sakura (Guests)
    • 4. 14:30 @ Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
    • 5. 15:40 Dismissal @ Nankinmachi Shuttle Bus Stop (next to Daimaru)

    Title: What's a Private Kobe Tour Like from Kobe Port Cruise Terminal? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. We had planned to meet at the Kobe Port Terminal at 10:00 to begin the tour, but the guests did not appear even after the scheduled time. When I contacted them, they said things like "We're almost there" and "Ten more minutes," and they eventually arrived 40 minutes late. The delay was said to be caused by a forgotten passport and an issue with the connecting bridge from the cruise ship (one of the guests uses a wheelchair). Regarding the originally planned tour course, there were requests such as "We'd like to go somewhere else" and "We want to go to Osaka," which made things challenging, but in the end we followed the originally planned course. First, we took a taxi to the base station of the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden Ropeway. Here I was asked to reserve a restaurant so they could have a Kobe beef lunch, so using the guests' phone, I made a reservation under their name. After sightseeing at the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, we took a taxi to the restaurant, and after the guests finished lunch, we regrouped and took a taxi to the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. Here we encountered a group of tourists from the Middle East, and it was somewhat difficult to give explanations amid the crowds. After sightseeing at the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, we headed by taxi to the Kobe Daimaru department store and ended the tour at the Nankinmachi shuttle bus stop (the guests then headed to Nankinmachi and the Motomachi shopping street). It ultimately became a long tour, but the guests were very pleased.

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

    Tour Report by Norio

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Request Booking

    Jul 7, 2026
    77guye
    The best way to experience Himeji Castle
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    What a great way to…

    May 30, 2026
    karenpG5549XU
    Loved our tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour with Norio, would highly…

    May 28, 2026
    TrailBlazer741528
    Kobe Variety.
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our delightful guide, Norio, was knowledgeable and a master at…

    May 23, 2026
    sarahpR5911DJ
    Himeji castle with Norio
    Tripadvisor review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learnt lots about Himeji castle and it…

  • Kyoto: Kinkakuji & Fushimi inari

    Kyoto: Kinkakuji & Fushimi inari

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel KYOTO TAKASEGAWA by HULIC
    • 10:30 Kinkakuji (500)
    • 11:30 Ryoanji (600)
    • 12:30 Lunch (Joy Minokichi)
    • 13:10 Kitanotenmangu
    • 14:10 Sanjusangendo (600)
    • 14:00 Fushimi inari (0)
    • 16:00 Hotel KYOTO TAKASEGAWA by HULIC
    • End of the tour

    What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for Guests with Limited Walking? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came from North America and used walking canes. I had been told they could not walk very long distances, but they had many places they wanted to see. The forecast was for cloudy weather, but a light rain continued throughout the morning. At Kinkaku-ji, we skipped the stairs, viewed the Golden Pavilion building, and turned back, but the guests did quite a lot of shopping at the souvenir shop, saying the items were gifts for friends. At Ryoan-ji as well, we avoided the stairs and returned to the car after seeing only the rock garden. For the meal, the guests had several preferences — no cold dishes, no fried rice, and a dislike of noodles — so we decided that tendon would be a good option. I called a restaurant near Kinkaku-ji, but it was crowded, so on the driver's recommendation we went to Minokichi. It is a Japanese-style restaurant, where the guests ordered a tempura set meal and a Japanese set meal (a tempura set with sashimi), and were very pleased. After the meal, instead of the originally planned Kiyomizu-dera with its many slopes, I took them to Kitano Tenmangu, where the plum blossoms were in full bloom, and they were delighted. After that, since visiting only Fushimi Inari would have left extra time, we stopped at Sanjusangendo beforehand and then went to the final destination, Fushimi Inari. As the guests were quite tired, we turned back after walking a short way into the Senbon Torii, and after seeing them off at their Hotel, the tour came to an end. They enjoyed being able to do so much sightseeing.

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

    Tour Report by Kazz

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

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    Jul 14, 2026
    T6871WWricharde
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…

    Jun 5, 2026
    mateoe216
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Would book again
    The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…

    May 27, 2026
    Leah_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely recommend!
    I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…

    May 26, 2026
    sheilacL3330KS
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
    Kazz was an excellent guide…

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

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meet @ Hilton Osaka
    • 09:15 @ Osaka Castle
    • 11:15 @ Kuromon Market
    • 12:45 Dismissal @ Umeda Sky Building

    Title: What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, and Umeda Sky Building The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although it was very cold, the guests had purchased SUICA cards in advance, so everything went smoothly. Osaka Castle was viewed only from the outside, but the guests seemed very satisfied with its beauty and grandeur. At the next spot, Kuromon Market, the guests tried every food item the guide recommended. Specifically, they enjoyed fatty tuna (toro), takoyaki, black bean tea, dried fruit, wasabi beans, Kobe beef, sea urchin (uni), salmon roe (ikura), and scallops. The guests were very fond of Japanese food and finished everything, and they also purchased many food items as souvenirs. The guests appeared to be great admirers of Japan and asked many questions about daily life and customs. One of the guests was very pleased with a handmade drawstring pouch presented by the guide and expressed gratitude. We finished at the final spot, Umeda Sky Building, where we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOsaka～Morinomiya170JPY
    Section 2SubwayMorinomiya～Nipponbashi240JPY
    Section 3SubwayNipponbashi～Umeda240JPY
    Total650JPY

    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

    Request Booking

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Guide through Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Guide through Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Guide (Kogure) arrives at Hotel Akihabara
    • 8:45 Meet the guests at the hotel lobby, then conduct a briefing
    • 8:55 Depart from Hotel Akihabara
    • 9:03 Depart from Suehirocho Station, head to Asakusa via the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
    • 9:13 Arrive at Asakusa Station, walk toward Kaminarimon
    • 9:15–10:25 Guide through Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street
    • (After guiding the observation deck on the 8F of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, explain and guide through Kaminarimon, Nakamise Street, Hozomon, the five-story pagoda, the giant straw sandal, omikuji, the incense burner, the purification fountain, the main hall, and Asakusa Shrine)
    • 10:32 Depart from Asakusa Station, head to Shibuya Station via the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, transfer to the JR Yamanote Line at Shibuya Station and head to Harajuku Station
    • 11:10 Arrive at Harajuku Station, walk toward Meiji Shrine
    • 11:15–11:55 Guide through Meiji Shrine
    • (Explain the first torii gate, the sake barrels, the wine barrels, the second torii gate, the waka poems, the main hall, ema, etc.)
    • 12:00–12:15 Point out and explain Harajuku Takeshita Street and Omotesando
    • 12:16 Depart from Harajuku Station, head to Shibuya Station via the JR Yamanote Line
    • 12:20–12:40 Guide through the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko
    • 12:45–13:20 Lunch at Sushisei on Shibuya Dogenzaka
    • 13:20–13:40 After the Tokyo sightseeing, assist the guests in purchasing their train tickets to Kusatsu and Shinkansen tickets to Osaka at the Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket office at Shibuya Station
    • 13:40 The guests wish to visit Shibuya Takeshita Street again, so see them off at the JR Shibuya Station ticket gate and part ways. End of work

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of long-time friends from North America who had known each other for over 20 years, joined by another member of the group. In our advance communication, the group had requested tickets to an anime event at Tokyo Big Sight in March, asking if it would be possible to purchase them before they sold out. I bought the tickets in advance and handed them over today, which delighted the group very much. The guests had arrived in Japan the day before, and today was their first Tokyo tour. Despite their long journey, they thoroughly enjoyed Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya, taking many photos at each location. On Nakamise Street in Asakusa, they bought ningyo-yaki and enjoyed eating it, and everyone drew omikuji fortunes (some drew good fortunes and some drew bad ones), which they enjoyed. They also purchased omamori charms at both Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine. I explained the difference between temples and shrines, the respective methods of worship, and how to pass through a torii gate, and they learned about Japanese culture, customs, and traditions. Since they mentioned they liked sushi, I made a lunch reservation at a sushi restaurant on Dogenzaka in Shibuya, where everyone enjoyed the sushi and sashimi. After staying seven nights in Tokyo, they planned to go to Kusatsu and then on to Osaka, so today I took them to the ticket counter at Shibuya Station and assisted with purchasing their tickets. Everyone appeared to be very satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySuehirocho – Asakusa – Shibuya～Shibuya – Harajuku – Shibuya740JPY
    Total740JPY

    Tour Report by Nobby

    Hello and how do you do?
    My name is Nobuo Kokure, and please call me Nobby for short, if you want.
    Let me introduce myself. I was born in Hayama, a beach resort area, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. And I’m now living in Saginuma, Kawasaki city.
    When I was a university student, I had the opportunities of doing a home stay with a family In U.S.A., Australia, and England, as a youth exchange student.
    After graduation from the university, I started working at American Life Insurance Company, Japan (Alico, Japan), which is a group member company of AIG, now MetLife Insurance Company. I could have a chance to visit the head office and the field offices of U.S.A., Wilmington in Delaware, New York, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Los Angeles, while I was working for Alico, Japan (Now, MetLife Insurance company).
    I had been working for MetLife Insurance Company for about 38 years, in total.
    After retiring from the life insurance company, I started working as a tour guide, because I wanted to become a tour guide to introduce culture, history, and manners and customs of Japan in English. It’s so different between my previous job and the guide business, but I like guide business a lot.
    I can meet so many people from all over the world and the guide business has been thriving after the pandemic.
    I have implemented the tour over 240 times, introduced Japan to more than 4300 tourists from 53 countries.

    Not only Tokyo, but I have experienced touring around Nikko, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji & Hakone area, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, etc. which are all very famous as a tourist spot in Japan.
    If you go on a tour in Tokyo, you must see and visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo with histories and Nakamise Shopping Street where you can buy the souvenirs and try to taste Japanese sweets, such as doll cake which is the sponge cake in various shapes filled with red bean paste and Japanese powdered tea ice cream. Another my recommendation in Tokyo to visit is Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest shrines in Japan with quiet and peaceful atmosphere and magnificent site.
    Harajuku and Shibuya are both fun to visit for shopping and experience the Shibuya Crossing.
    I usually propose my tentative itinerary and ask if my plan is all right with the customer or not. My hobby is traveling around Japan and foreign countries and going to the gym for exercise.
    I would like to work as a guide as long as possible if I’m in good health and my legs are strong, because I love this job.
    I put my importance on the mind of OMOTENASHI which means sincere hospitality, though safety during the tour takes precedence, number one priority, before anything else.

    I’m very looking forward to seeing you and touring with you in Japan soon.
    Thank you!

    Best regards,

    Nobuo Kokure (Nobby)

    Request Booking

    Jul 20, 2026
    JEFF_D
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tokyo In A Day Tour with Nobuo
    The excursion…

    Apr 18, 2026
    Traveler10250323486
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great day with a Japanese guide who seemed like…

    Sep 23, 2025
    johnsL7185LE
    Brilliant family day trip with Nobuo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobuo Kokure is a wonderful guide.…

    Aug 4, 2025
    leslie_w
    Nobby was an awesome tour…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobby was an awesome tour guide. 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

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:00　Meet up @The Westin Tokyo
    • 2. 9:00　@Meiji Shrine
    • 3. 10:30　@Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 4. 11:30　@Tsukiji Market (food walk)
    • 5. 12:30　@Higashi-Ginza (Kabukiza Theatre)
    • 6. 13:00　@Akihabara
    • 7.13:15　Disband @Yodobashi Akiba

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Akihabara The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had just completed a cruise around Southeast Asian countries lasting about three weeks, arriving in Tokyo via Osaka the day before, and planned to fly home the following evening. Since they were not very interested in temples, we decided not to visit Asakusa, which had originally been part of the plan. The guests seemed to enjoy the forest of Meiji Shrine. For personal reasons they did not offer prayers, but experienced the custom by observing how I, as the guide, performed it. In front of the Meoto Kusu (the paired camphor trees), when I explained that they are a symbol of marital bonds, the guests took photographs. At the Imperial Palace, which we added to the itinerary, one of the guests listened intently to my explanation of Japanese history. At Tsukiji Market, some of the guests focused on shops featured on social media, purchasing various tuna sets at a tuna specialty shop and thoroughly enjoying them. Although there was a long line at the popular shop, the guests were very pleased to be able to taste the tuna sushi they had been hoping for after waiting about 15 minutes. Upon arriving at the next stop, Akihabara Station, we all had waffles from a shop located right outside the ticket gate. In Akihabara, the guests were captivated by the first electronics store we entered, and some of the group carefully looked through various toys, eager to buy souvenirs for family back home. Since they wanted to take their time shopping, they kindly told me, the guide, that I could head home a little earlier than planned, and we parted ways. After shopping to their satisfaction in Akihabara, they mentioned they would also head to Ginza to enjoy more leisurely shopping.

    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 Ginza Line Ebisu Station～Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae Station (Fukutoshin Line connecting with Toyoko Line)700JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station～Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Hibiya Station～Tsukiji Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Higashi-Ginza Station～Akihabara 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

    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…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hotel meet-up
    • 8:45 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 10:00 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 12:00 Senso-ji Temple, shopping, lunch (Yorozuya)
    • 14:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 15:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 16:30 Disband at hotel

    What Is a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America and were strong walkers, able to cover a considerable distance, so we completed the entire itinerary as planned without using a taxi. In Asakusa, the guests wanted to buy a samue (traditional Japanese work clothing) and the tabi footwear worn by rickshaw pullers, so we searched around specialty shops and were able to find a 3L-size samue and 31-centimeter tabi shoes, which pleased them very much. I was glad I patiently accompanied them during the shopping. Although the shopping in Asakusa took some time, since it was an 8-hour tour, we had plenty of time to spare and were able to complete the entire itinerary.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTochomae～Tsukiji Market272JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji Market～Shiodome178JPY
    Section 3SubwayShimbashi～Asakusa220JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa～Shibuya252JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku～Shinjuku146JPY
    Total1,214JPY

    Tour Report by Yuki

    Hello, I’m Yukie Tachibana, national licensed tour guide living in Yokohama with my family. Please call me Yuki. I have been working as a tour guide for 5years mainly around Tokyo, Kanagawa, for example, Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama and Kawasaki. I have had an experience of attending a lot of foreign visitors from all over the world in both private and group tours for sightseeing and business in one to multi-days. I’m able to arrange the tour for you, so please feel free to ask me your favorite plan in Japan as to spot, food and some activities. I like to see Buddhist statues in temples so I’d like to introduce our history and culture. Also because I like Japanese animation and character, and animals, I can take you to some shops for the animation and animal cafes that are so popular among tourists. Looking forward to seeing you soon and share wonderful time in Japan! Thank you.

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    May 1, 2026
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  • Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Hakone Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:45 Meet at hotel. After the meeting, at 9:16 take the mountain train at Miyanoshita to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. After sightseeing, depart at 11:31 for Gora Station. Then take the cable car and ropeway for sightseeing at Owakudani. Mt. Fuji was barely visible. Take the cable car to Togendai. At 12:45 take the pirate ship to Hakonemachi Port. Lunch at Hotoriya. Passing through the Hakone Checkpoint and the old Tokaido cedar avenue, viewed the direction of Hakone Shrine from the lakeside at Motohakone. Returned to Hakonemachi and departed at 15:15 by bus for Hakone-Yumoto, but due to road congestion, transferred to the train at Ohiradai and arrived at Hakone-Yumoto at 16:15. Furthermore, today due to an Odakyu accident, the Romancecar was suspended. Unavoidably took the mountain train to Odawara. From Odawara boarded the 16:42 rapid express bound for Shinjuku and finished. Instead of the Romancecar, the customer headed to Shinjuku by express and then on to Shibuya.

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Owakudani, the Open-Air Museum, and Lake Ashi The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had a wonderful sense of humor and were very friendly, so we spent the whole day in a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, surrounded by rich nature and trees, they remarked that although similar places exist in North America, this one was far cleaner and more beautiful. They especially loved the avenue of old cedar trees, finding the large trees rare and the quiet atmosphere to their taste. On the pirate ship, they were so absorbed in conversation over beers that they enjoyed the scenery only through the windows. From Owakudani, they were just barely able to catch a view of Mount Fuji, though not the whole mountain, and were satisfied. Although the Romancecar service was suspended, I confirmed with a station attendant that the fare would be automatically refunded and let everyone know.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOdawara Station～Odawara Station5,000JPY
    Total5,000JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

    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

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    Jun 30, 2026
    G2432BLtimothyc
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    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Pick up at Hotel Ueno-Ekikita （JR Ueno～Shinjuku） Shinjuku Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building （Subway Tochomae～Yoyogi）09:00 Meiji Shrine/Takeshita Street （On foot）Yoyogi Park・Koen-dori・Shibuya Crossing・Hachiko （Subway Shibuya～Ginza） 11:00 Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store Basement・ITOYA（Subway Kyobashi～Asakusa） 12:00 Sensoji Temple・Kappabashi・Sumida River Walk 14:00 Disband at Tokyo Skytree

    What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Ginza in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was visiting Japan on a family trip and spent today exploring independently, seeing as many things as possible while also preparing for a future visit with family. The guest was impressed by the discipline of Japanese commuters during rush hour and the quietness inside the trains. At the basement food floor of the Mitsukoshi department store, the guest admired the beauty of the store interior and product displays, as well as the polite service of the staff, and even enjoyed some samples. At ITOYA, the guest purchased 3D pop-up postcards as a gift. If you are visiting Ginza, I highly recommend combining the Mitsukoshi department store food floor with ITOYA.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainUeno～Shinjuku210JPY
    Section 2SubwayTochomae～Yoyogi180JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya～Ginza210JPY
    Section 4SubwayKyobashi～Asakusa210JPY
    Total810JPY

    Tour Report by Hiroaki

    Hi I am Hiroaki. I am pleased if I could help you to have a good and memorable experience here in Japan.
    I started as a guide in 2017 after retiring. My expertise is outdoor/town walking tour as well as universal tourism.
    If you like, I might show you a lively ordinal local life during the tour.
    I love tourism. I visited all 47 domestic prefectures in Japan and all 50 states in US. I like long journey like walking/biking historical/pilgrimage routes, and love sports especially rugby, triathlon.
    I would like to make your tour as much as customized according to your preference. So the information about spots you want to visit, things you want to do is very helpful for me to prepare plan some options of the day.
    Do not hesitate contact me via email.

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    Mar 22, 2025
    Tracy_L
    Special Day in Tokyo with Hiroaki!
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM 09:00 Start at hotel
    • Move to Kenrokuen by bus
    • AM 09:20-AM 09:50 Kenrokuen Garden tour
    • AM 09:50-AM 10:30 Kanazawa Castle Park tour
    • Move to Nishi Chaya District by bus
    • AM 10:50-AM 11:20 Nishi Chaya District Ninja Museum
    • AM 11:30-PM 12:20 Join Myoryuji Temple tour
    • PM 12:30-PM 13:20 Lunch at Nishi Chaya District
    • Move to Nagamachi Samurai District by bus
    • PM 13:40-PM 15:00 Nagamachi Samurai District (Nomura Family Residence tour, Takada Family, Ashigaru Museum)
    • Move to Kanazawa Station by bus, tour ends

    What's a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report Although the tour conditions were poor due to unseasonable cold and rain, I minimized walking as much as possible and used buses for transportation whenever I could. I also made a point of giving explanations in covered areas wherever possible. This was a tour for a group visiting from North America and Central America. Some of the guests spoke Spanish as their native language and understood some English, and when needed, another member of the group interpreted into Spanish. Everyone loved jokes, but they also listened intently to the history and culture of Kanazawa. Regarding lunch, I had been informed in advance that some of the guests could not eat shellfish and others could not eat pork, so I guided them to a local restaurant I had confirmed beforehand, and they were very pleased. Some of the guests mentioned they were not fond of sake because of its strong alcoholic smell, but when I recommended a Junmai Daiginjo, they enjoyed it. Everyone was a cheerful and fun group with a lively, upbeat spirit.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKanazawa Station～Kenrokuen-shita210JPY
    Section 2BusKenrokuen-shita～Hirokoji210JPY
    Section 3BusHirokoji～Korinbo210JPY
    Section 4BusKorinbo～Kanazawa Station210JPY
    Total840JPY

    Tour Report by YOSHI

    Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
    I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
    Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
    Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
    ” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!

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    Jul 25, 2026
    Ann W
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    Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Rigtig god guidet tur
    Rigtig god oplevelse og gode forklaringer

    とても良いガイドツアーでした。
    とても良い体験でした。説明も分かりやすく、とても良かったです。