Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Hozenji Yokocho

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Hozenji Yokocho

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel
    • 10:00　Osaka Castle > Plum Grove
    • 11:30　Kuromon Market
    • 12:30　Shinsekai
    • 13:20　Hozenji Yokocho > Dotonbori
    • 13:30　Tour ends

    What's a Private Day Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku, and Namba The guests were visitors from North America. At Miraiza in Osaka Castle, they enjoyed throwing shuriken, and at Tsutenkaku they took on the slide. They managed to hit the target with the shuriken a few times, and they were pleased with the shuriken souvenirs as well. The plum grove at Osaka Castle was in full bloom, looking very beautiful, and the guests were delighted. At the end, they wanted to do some shopping, so we finished in Namba. Unfortunately, the small alley leading from Hozenji to the main street was under construction and could not be passed through. It was a smooth tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTennoji～Tanimachi 4-chome820JPY
    Section 2TrainOsaka Business Park～Nipponbashi0JPY
    Section 3TrainNipponbashi～Ebisucho0JPY
    Section 4TrainDobutsuen-mae～Namba0JPY
    Total820JPY

    Tour Report by Mimmy

    Bye bye smart phone!! Let’s enjoy Japan without bothering to check up your phone all the time with not AI but a local guide like me. Hi, my name is Mimmy. You may think this sounds like a kitten’s name.
    I use this nickname because it sounds cute and easy to remember. However,
    I actually look rounded, a middle aged woman more like a yellow character of M&Mchocolate, which reminds you of my name easily when you see me.
    I was born in Osaka, went to school in Kobe, went to work in Kyoto and married but still live in Osaka. I am a local, native Osakan. My 3 children are all grown up and live separately except one son. Now I live with one son and a husband in suburbs of the Osaka city.
    I like travelling, walking around the town and anything new.
    I got my guide license in 2017 and started guiding after that. I wasn’t able to work during Covid period but start guiding in 2022 again. I guide Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe and have experienced more than100 tours including bus tours.
    I would like to tell you about the itineraries I usually have in each area.
    In Osaka, we usually go to Osaka castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori Namba area.
    I think most important part you should see is Dotonbori Namba in Osaka.
    This place is vibrant , energetic, full of 3D signs and different from any other place in Japan.
    In Kyoto, we cannot see all famous sightseeing spots in one day.
    It will be better to visit each area respectively. I recommend guests who come to Kyoto first time to visit East area, Kiyomizu Temple>Sannenzaka>Ninenzaka>Ishibeikouji>Yasaka shrine> Gion area. This area has an atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto. The most Kyoto like places which suit Kimono. You can rent Kimono in a lot of places around here.
    The second place I recommend you is West area: Golden temple and Arashiyama area where Bamboo forest , Tenryuji temple, mountains and a river. There are several nice gardens in this area. If you want to enjoy the nature quietly, you
    should come here when it is not crowded (Winter is the most quiet)
    In Nara which used to be a capital even older than Kyoto, we visit Todaiji Temple where a huge Buddha is sitting inside of one of the largest wooden hall and you can play with deer everywhere in Nara. Naramachi: a small town in this area is a local place where small interesting shops are.
    In Kobe, a port city, you can visit Japanese Sake breweries, Herb garden and the top of Mt.Rokko for viewing Kobe city. A small China town is there, too.

    Now I bet you want to leave home to explore somewhere else you do not know.
    Not only going to somewhere else, we can help you to do several experiences: making tea, making Japanese sweet, making Takoyaki(food), wearing Kimono, making food samples, attending a tea ceremony, throwing Shriken like Ninja, Using bow and arrow like Samurai, , , ,
    I am very happy indeed if I can help you find things impressive enough and have once in a life time experience during our tour.
    I am looking forward to sharing a good time with you.

    Request Booking

    Mar 24, 2025
    Jennie_N
    Ask for Mimmy
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A must if visiting the first time. Will save…

    Mar 15, 2025
    Eric B
    Wonderful Osaka castle and tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mimmy was a wonderful…

    Mar 12, 2025
    williampP2709MA
    Amazing time in Osaka with Mimmy
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Mimmy was an amazing tour guide!…

    Oct 30, 2024
    Niaz_M
    Great choice if you have limited time in Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine & Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine & Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel Nihombashi Bakurocho-Ekimae Meet up
    • 10:10 Assistance with purchasing Welcome Suica JAPAN at the Shinjuku Station South Exit Ekitabi Concierge
    • 10:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:10 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 12:10 Asakusa Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple
    • 13:10 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 13:30 Lunch at "Tsukiji Sushisei"
    • 14:15 Dismissal in front of "Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station"

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like for a First-Time Solo Visitor? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was visiting Japan for the first time from Europe and planned to stay in Tokyo for around two weeks. The guest first encountered Japanese anime as a child, which made traveling to Japan one of the items on a bucket list, and much of the guest's knowledge about Japan had been gained through anime. When there are multiple guests, they often chat among themselves during train rides, but this time it was a solo guest. I was a little concerned about losing direction in conversation during transit, but in reality there was never a shortage of topics, and we were able to enjoy talking throughout. As came up in conversation, the guest was quite tall, so there was no worry about losing sight of the guest in the crowds during the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Sobu Line Bakurocho Station～JR Chuo Line Shinjuku Station230JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Yamanote Line Shinjuku Station～JR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station～JR Chuo Line Kanda Station180JPY
    Section 4TrainTokyo Metro Ginza Line Kanda Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station180JPY
    Section 5TrainTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station～Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station210JPY
    Total950JPY

    Tour Report by Bruce

    Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
    You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
    Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).

    Request Booking

    Jul 2, 2026
    jamespmccormick
    Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
    We booked a 6 hour…

    Jun 12, 2026
    716suzannab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing experience
    Bruce was an amazing guide. He taught us some essential…

    May 27, 2026
    beaufordtjustice
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Tokyo with Bruce!
    My son and I had a…

    May 24, 2026
    A2151KImelissab
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Day out in Tokyo
    I enjoyed a solo guided tour of Tokyo…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 10:15 Asakusa (Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Hoppy Street)
    • 11:00 Lunch @ Daikokuya
    • 12:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 13:45 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:45 Shibuya Scramble Square 12F & 11F
    • 16:00 Dismissal @ Hotel

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, coming from Oceania, and planning to stay in Japan for a couple of weeks. Their itinerary covered Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto (Osaka and Nara), and then returning to Tokyo. Since the cherry blossoms were expected to be in full bloom when they returned to Tokyo, I introduced some recommended cherry blossom spots on a map before we set off. The weather forecast predicted high temperatures with light rain from 3 to 4 PM, but it was completely off — the temperature felt low, and rain began falling from 10 AM. Taking an early lunch at a long-established restaurant in Asakusa turned out to be the right choice, as we avoided waiting in line in the rain. Like other guests, they were surprised by the contrast between the quiet Imperial Palace and the Otemachi business district. The rain grew heavier at Meiji Shrine, so we viewed the Shibuya Scramble Crossing from the 12th floor of a square building. At the request of one of the guests, we stopped by a Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten store and a sweets shop inside the building before I saw them off at their hotel, ending the tour. Despite the poor weather, I believe the guests were quite satisfied.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa Line Daimon～Asakusa Line Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayGinza Line Asakusa～Tozai Line Otemachi178JPY
    Section 3SubwayChiyoda Line Otemachi～Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 4SubwayJR Harajuku～JR Shibuya146JPY
    Section 5TrainJR Shibuya～JR Hamamatsucho208JPY
    Total961JPY

    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

    Request Booking

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Station & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meeting place: In front of the main gate of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • (Accommodation: Hotel, Shinjuku)
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Breakfast: Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan
    • 10:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 10:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 11:30 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:35 Arrive Tawaramachi Station
    • Tawaramachi Kappabashi Kitchenware Street
    • 12:00 Depart Tawaramachi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • Cat Street
    • 13:30 Depart Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 13:45 Arrive Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Bic Camera
    • Tokyu Food Show
    • 14:15 Depart Shibuya Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • Shinjuku Station
    • 14:30 Dismissal: Shinjuku Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was a short stay in Japan of about one week. They planned to visit the Imperial Palace the next day and to have whale-meat cuisine for dinner, followed by a day trip to Mount Fuji the day after, and then a two-day stay in Kyoto before returning to Tokyo and heading home. They had arrived at Narita Airport the day before, taking the Narita Express to Shinjuku. The previous evening they explored the west exit area of Shinjuku and enjoyed ramen for dinner. Despite the short stay, they said they wanted to enjoy as much Japanese food as possible before returning home. The tour took place in warm and pleasant weather. We met in front of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, walked around the grounds, and then headed to the Tsukiji Outer Market. As always, it was very crowded. I explained the "history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." After first enjoying coffee at a café, we walked around the market. They tried fresh raw oysters (remarking, "I've never seen such large oysters before"), and also bought and sampled strawberry candy. They asked, "Why are there so many people here?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" Since they really wanted to have sushi there, we went to a sushi restaurant. We had to wait a little, but were able to enjoy sushi. They commented that "the fish was fresh and beautifully prepared, and the prices were extremely reasonable." I explained about "Senso-ji Temple and the history of Edo becoming Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." They asked questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?", "What are the teachings of Buddhism?", "How is Shinto different from Buddhism?", and "Are there Christians in Japan?" Nakamise shopping street was as crowded as ever. Since they really wanted to buy a sashimi knife and a bowl for ramen, we stopped by Kappabashi Kitchen Town. We then moved to Harajuku, first visiting Meiji Shrine. I explained about "what Shinto is," "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," "the history of Edo and the Meiji Restoration," "Emperor Meiji," and "the Japanese Imperial Family." They said, "It's wonderful that there is such a green park in the middle of the city," and added that their home region is a desert city with little greenery and almost no rain, so they envied Tokyo. We also strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street. We moved to Shibuya, where I explained about "the history of Shibuya." We walked across the Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. Since they wanted to buy a mobile phone connector, we visited an electronics store. They also wanted to buy Japanese sake and Japanese whisky, so we went to a food hall. They commented that "Japanese people are all polite," "there is no litter on the streets," "the public restrooms in Japan are clean and pleasant," and "there are no homeless people to be seen." I saw them off at Shinjuku Station, where we parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukiji Station～Asakusa Station209JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station～Tawaramachi Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayTawaramachi Station～Meiji-jingumae Station252JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku Station～Shibuya Station146JPY
    Section 5TrainShibuya Station～Shinjuku Station167JPY
    Total952JPY

    Tour Report by Masa

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Gion

    Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Gion

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel meet-up
    • 9:30 Fushimi Inari
    • 10:55 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 12:00 Lunch (Sushi)
    • 12:40 Kinkaku-ji
    • 14:00 Nijo Castle
    • 15:20 Gion
    • 16:28 Arrive at hotel, tour ends

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Gion, and Arashiyama The guests visited Japan and had been to the country several times before, while it was a first visit for part of the group. Since the driver was not very familiar with the traffic conditions in Kyoto, I proceeded with the tour while giving some advice along the way. Once again the weather was changeable, and we encountered occasional rain, but fortunately the temperature was high, so it did not feel cold. Kinkaku-ji was not very crowded, so we were able to take photos with ease. For lunch we went to a sushi restaurant, and the guests enjoyed the meal, though they ate lightly and finished in a short time. Thanks to this, we had a little extra time. Using that time, I guided them to Gion before heading back to Osaka. On the way back we did not run into any traffic, and we arrived smoothly at the hotel. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHilton Osaka～Hilton Osaka0JPY
    Total0JPY

    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.

    Request Booking

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Nunobiki Herb Garden & Daimaru Department Store

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Nunobiki Herb Garden & Daimaru Department Store

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet @ Port Terminal
    • 09:15 @ Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 10:15 @ Nankinmachi Chinatown
    • 11:30 @ Daimaru Department Store
    • 12:15 Dismiss @ Port Terminal

    Title: What Is a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Kobe Like from the Cruise Terminal? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. As they preferred not to walk or wait, all movement between spots was done by taxi. The meeting point had been confirmed as the up-escalator on the second floor of the cruise terminal building, but just before the tour an email said they would wait on the second floor. In addition, the itinerary had been confirmed as only two locations, but I was shown a memo listing eight or nine places and told they wished to tour all of them. I explained that visiting more than two or three places in four hours would be virtually impossible, and that this had been confirmed in advance; even after showing a copy of the email, they did not seem entirely convinced. It was difficult to understand what particularly interested them until the end. However, there was a wish to try authentic "Kobe beef," so I guided them to a shop in Nankinmachi (Chinatown) where they sampled it and seemed satisfied. There was also a wish to purchase food items, so I guided them to the Daimaru department store across from Nankinmachi, where sushi, cakes, and other foods were purchased. Regarding the meeting point and destinations, the advance confirmation emails were said to have been "unknown" or "not seen." At first I wondered whether it might have been an oversight by the local agency, but it seems the emails had simply not been read carefully. I had also informed them in advance that this was a walking tour involving 30 to 40 minutes of walking, and that Kobe in particular is a city with many hills, and I had received a reply that this would be "no problem," but this too did not seem to have been fully understood. (It felt as though the content of the emails I had exchanged had not been accurately conveyed within the group.) Because walking was somewhat difficult, we walked at the herb garden and in Chinatown, and as they were a little tired and hungry, we parted ways with just under an hour remaining. It was mentioned that a complaint would be filed with the local agency about poor communication with the guide, but I believe the issue was most likely on the guests' side. It was very unfortunate, and as a guide it was a tour that left little sense of accomplishment.

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

    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…

  • Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at The Machiya Ebisuya
    • 9:35 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Walk
    • 10:45 Yasaka Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka ~ Kiyomizu-dera
    • 11:20 Kiyomizu-dera
    • 13:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 14:10 Late lunch at Gion Gonbei
    • 15:00 Disband at The Machiya Ebisuya

    What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari Today I guided a group visiting from North America. It was a comfortable day with few people around and not much traffic. At the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the greenery was beautiful after the rain, and they took many photos. We climbed slowly from Yasaka Pagoda, but at Kiyomizu-dera one of the guests had trouble with their knee, so some of the group turned back in front of the ticket booth, while another wished to see more, so I guided them around. Since they were not very hungry, we headed straight to Fushimi Inari Taisha. They enjoyed attractions such as the Omokaru Stone and the Nezumi-no-Matsu pine, and afterward had a late lunch at a restaurant near their hotel. We were able to return to the hotel exactly at 3:00 as planned. I believe they enjoyed themselves.

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

    Tour Report by Kaeko

    Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.

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    Jul 25, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
    We spent half a day…

    Jul 24, 2026
    J6711TVnancyb
    Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
    Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
    Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…

    Jul 13, 2026
    elizabethtW414DU
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Private Tour
    Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…

    Jul 12, 2026
    johnkE8649IH
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
    We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangendo & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangendo & Fushimi Inari Taisha

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 14:00 Meet at Doubletree Higashiyama
    • 14:30~15:15 Sanjusangendo
    • 15:30~16:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 17:00~17:45 Gion Shirakawa, Hanamikoji, Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in, Maruyama Park　　Dismissal

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari, and Gion The guests came from North America and traveled to Kyoto via Tokyo. One of the guests had visited Kyoto about thirty years ago but did not remember much of it, so they were looking forward to this visit to Kyoto. In Tokyo it had apparently been snowy with low temperatures, but Kyoto was warm during the day, making it a pleasant day, and the guests enjoyed Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in, and Maruyama Park. In particular, we talked about the history of Japanese Buddhism and Shinto, as well as the relationships between the emperor, the feudal lords, and the shoguns. At Sanjusangendo especially, the guests lit candles and offered prayers. They were deeply moved by its 900 years of history and the preserved architecture, the statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva, and the Twenty-Eight Attendants.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo～Shichijo170JPY
    Section 2TrainShichijo～Fushimi Inari Taisha170JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari Taisha～Gion-Shijo220JPY
    Total560JPY

    Tour Report by shige

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

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    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    March, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 15:30 Meet at Osaka Cruise Terminal 30 minutes later than scheduled, depart by taxi　➡　Osaka Castle (enter through Otemon Gate, pass to the back side, to the plum garden)　➡　Dotonbori by taxi　➡　By taxi to the restaurant the guest had reserved (Kitashinchi), after confirming the restaurant, disband (19:10)

    What's a Private Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle and Dotonbori The guests were a group visiting from North America. Through prior communication, I had learned that mobility was a concern, so just in case I brought hiking sticks; however, they turned out to be not very convenient to use and were not used much. At the guests' request, we toured Osaka Castle, but reaching the main keep and walking around afterward required quite a lot of walking through the park, and I felt sorry that this placed a strain on one of the guests. After that, at Dotonbori, we enjoyed takoyaki and kushikatsu and took photos in front of the Glico sign; although it was only a short time, the guests were delighted. As a point of reflection for today, I would like to be able to propose efficient routes that make good use of the electric cars within Osaka Castle Park in the future.

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

    Tour Report by Emi

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

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    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • 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

    • 11:00 Hotel – 12:15 Tsukiji Outer Market – 13:30 Tokyo Station – 14:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens – 15:30 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 16:30 Meiji Shrine – 17:10 In front of Sangubashi Station

    # What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like When Guests Arrive Late? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. No one appeared at the originally arranged time, and although I sent messages, made phone calls, and sent emails, there was no reply. I even considered that if no one came after waiting for an hour, I might have to leave, but I was able to meet the guests about 30 minutes late, which was a relief. We started at the Tsukiji Outer Market. Right away, we had a light lunch with Kobe beef skewers, beer, and sake. After one member of the group joined us late at the Imperial Palace, we headed to Takeshita Street in Harajuku. There, the guests enjoyed shopping at Harajuku fashion stores. They were able to enjoy both the old and new aspects of Japanese culture.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku-gyoemmae～Tsukiji209JPY
    Section 2BusTsukiji Rokuchome～Tokyo Station210JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi～Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Total628JPY

    Tour Report by Michio

    Welcome to Japan. My name is Michio, your tour guide in Tokyo and Japan. I was born and grown up in Tokyo, and still living in western suburb of Tokyo with my wife, except for 10 years outside of Japan travelling and living in 60 countries. So I might have visited your country and still remember a few words.
    Japan has unique history, nature and culture, and there are plenty of secrets and wonders behind them such as food culture, Zen and Ninja.
    So please explore and discover the hidden and most beautiful part of Japan together. Let’s experience!

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    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking tour was fantastic! Michio…

    Oct 24, 2025
    410trishab
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Outstanding Tour with Michio and Nobuhiko!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from…

    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…