Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Meiji Shrine & Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at ANA InterContinental Tokyo
    • 9:35 Commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko Statue, cross the Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 10:15 Meiji Shrine
    • 11:10 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 12:00 "Shinjuku East Exit Cat" (commonly known as the 3D cat), tour of Omoide Yokocho and pachinko parlors
    • 13:00 Disband at ANA InterContinental Tokyo

    Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan from North America, arriving the previous day and planning to stay in Tokyo before continuing to Kyoto for two days and then returning home. Part of the reason for this trip was to cheer on a runner participating in the Tokyo Marathon in March. The guests loved animals and took many photos in front of a micro pig cafe and a cat cafe. They were also very interested in Japanese culture and listened intently as I explained how prizes are exchanged at pachinko parlors.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTokyo Metro Ginza Line Tameike-Sanno Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station180JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Yamanote Line Shibuya Station～JR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station～JR Yamanote Line Shinjuku Station150JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Chuo Line Shinjuku Station～JR Chuo Line Yotsuya Station170JPY
    Section 5TrainTokyo Metro Namboku Line Yotsuya Station～Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Tameike-Sanno Station180JPY
    Total830JPY

    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 Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1130 Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro (2 min from JR Ikebukuro Station) Went to the Ekitabi Concierge to purchase Welcome SUICA (a shame, since unregistered SUICA sales resume tomorrow)
    • 1215 Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue
    • 1255 Harajuku, Meiji Shrine visit
    • 1350 Shinjuku, Lunch at Omoide Yokocho, Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
    • 1620 Escorted to Ikebukuro Station and dismissed

    Title: What Can You Do on a First-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe who had arrived at Haneda the previous evening. They had arranged a guide for their first day specifically to get used to Tokyo, before joining a Mount Fuji tour the next day and boarding a cruise ship from Sunday, March 2, for a cruise visiting Amami, Okinawa, Ishigaki, and Taiwan. Because they had intentionally arranged a guide for their very first day, they had a great many questions. First, they asked how to get to the meeting point for the next day's tour, which was in front of the LOVE sign in Nishi-Shinjuku. I explained that they should head toward Cocoon Tower from Shinjuku Station, and that if there were any concerns, taking a taxi would be the safest option. Along the way, they asked how to get to the cruise terminal on Sunday, saying that no information had come from the cruise company. This was beyond what I could handle, so I suggested they first consult the concierge at their hotel. I also explained that since the Tokyo Marathon would be held that day, they should set out as early as possible. Today's route itself was simple, but the questions along the way meant it sometimes took extra time. At one point they mentioned they had lost their reading glasses and wanted to buy a pair, so I took them to an electronics store, but the cheapest were around 2,000 yen, so they did not buy any. They seemed to have expected something cheaper. If there had been time to take them to a discount store or a 100-yen shop, I might have been able to help, but it was difficult to respond to such sudden requests on the spot. As a result, the tour ran longer than planned, but I saw them off at Ikebukuro and they were satisfied, so it worked out well in the end.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainIkebukuro～Shibuya178JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 3TrainHarajuku～Shinjuku146JPY
    Section 4SubwayShinjuku-nishiguchi～Tochomae178JPY
    Section 5SubwayTochomae～Shinjuku-nishiguchi178JPY
    Section 6TrainShinjuku～Ikebukuro167JPY
    Total993JPY

    Tour Report by Ted

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

    Request Booking

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: 30 @ Asakusa

    Tokyo in Half a Day: 30 @ Asakusa

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

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.8:00 Gather @ ulu Tokyo
    • 2.8:40 @ Toyosu Market
    • 3.10:20 @ Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 4:11:30 @ Asakusa
    • 5:12:00 Disband @ Asakusa

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Food and Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Toyosu, Tsukiji, and Asakusa The guests had spent a week skiing in Hokkaido and arrived in Tokyo the day before yesterday. They had visited Japan once before, some years earlier. One of the guests had gone fishing for tuna abroad and wanted to see Toyosu Market. After explaining tools such as the harpoon-style fishing gear, we headed to the Tsukiji Outer Market. There, the guests enjoyed a variety of foods, including sweets, tuna sushi, wagyu beef, and grilled meat. We then took a taxi to Asakusa. The guests drew omikuji fortunes, ate ningyo-yaki cakes, and offered prayers at the main hall. The atmosphere was quite different from areas like Shibuya, and the guests seemed to enjoy it. The tour concluded in Asakusa.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMonzen-nakacho～Toyosu286JPY
    Section 2TrainToyosu～Shijo-mae189JPY
    Section 3TrainShijo-mae～Toyosu189JPY
    Section 4SubwayToyosu～Shintomicho178JPY
    Total842JPY

    Tour Report by FUMIKO

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

    Request Booking

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

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

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fumiko is a great tour guide – informative, friendly and very well…

  • Osaka in One Day: Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine & Shinsaibashi

    Osaka in One Day: Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine & Shinsaibashi

    Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Osaka Tempozan Passenger Ship Terminal
    • 10:45 at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 12:15 at Namba Doguyasuji
    • 12:45 at Namba Denden Town
    • 13:30 at Kuromon Market (including light meal)
    • 14:30 at Dotonbori
    • 15:15 at Shinsaibashi (Daimaru, Pokemon Center)
    • 15:45 Disband at Osaka Metro Hommachi Station

    What Can You See on a Private Osaka Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private walking tour of Osaka for guests visiting from North America. One of the guests had visited Japan before and showed strong interest in Japanese culture, including the language. At Sumiyoshi Taisha, we were fortunate to come across a Shinto wedding ceremony, and with permission we were able to take photos, which the guests seemed very pleased about. They also experienced a shrine visit, picked up the popular "Go-Dai-Riki" small stones, and purchased protective amulet pouches. Since the guests wanted to buy Japanese anime character goods as souvenirs, I guided them to "Denden Town" in Namba. At "Kuromon Market," which we visited next, they enjoyed many food samples (takoyaki, pickles, roasted chestnuts, dried fruit, and black bean tea) and bought many souvenirs. As they were a little hungry, I took them to a local udon restaurant, where they were very satisfied. At "Dotonbori" they tried "Akashiyaki-style takoyaki." I also guided them to the requested "Pokémon Center" in the Daimaru Department Store, which they were delighted with. Special note) Today's meeting point, the "Tempozan Passenger Ship Terminal," was renovated and reopened around the summer of last year. Previously it had no facilities to protect against bad weather, heat, or cold, so I had high expectations, but entry into the terminal building was limited to passengers only. Meanwhile, near the building entrance there was a notice stating that "people seeing off passengers may enter," which I found very frustrating, and around September of last year I submitted a proposal and request to the relevant authority (the Osaka City Port and Harbor Bureau). At first the response was that it was "outside their jurisdiction," and the matter was passed to another department, and I felt further frustration at the typical bureaucratic "runaround." However, in October I received a courteous reply from the person in charge, stating that the mistaken notice would be removed immediately and that people seeing off passengers would be allowed into the terminal building from around the beginning of October. I had not visited the terminal building for a long time afterward, but when I visited today for the first time in a while, the mistaken notice had definitely been removed and there was no problem at all with entry for those seeing off passengers. I felt very grateful that submitting the proposal and request had been effective.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMorinomiya～Namba290JPY
    Section 2TrainNamba～Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine240JPY
    Section 3TrainSumiyoshi Taisha Shrine～Namba240JPY
    Section 4SubwayShinsaibashi～Hommachi190JPY
    Total960JPY

    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…

  • Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Higashiyama Area

    Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Higashiyama Area

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Tempozan Port Terminal
    • 11:40 Fushimi Inari
    • 13:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 13:50 Short break
    • 14:50 Kinkaku-ji
    • 16:30 Higashiyama Area
    • 17:15 Board the Keihan Railway, head to the cruise ship
    • 18:40 Tempozan Port Terminal, tour ends

    What Is a Private Osaka-to-Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time. The time it took to travel from Tempozan to Fushimi Inari exceeded expectations, and we missed a few trains and subways along the way, so we ended up going well over the planned schedule. The itinerary was also a bit too ambitious. Even so, the guests enjoyed every location. In particular, when they saw the Yasaka Pagoda in the Higashiyama area and told me, "This is the view featured in every travel brochure, and I really wanted to come see it," all my fatigue seemed to vanish at once. The Keihan train on the way back was quite crowded during the evening rush hour, but partway through everyone was able to get a seat, which was a relief. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOsaka Port～Yodoyabashi290JPY
    Section 2TrainYodoyabashi～Fushimi Inari420JPY
    Section 3TrainInari～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4TrainRanden Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
    Section 5BusKitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 6BusKinkakuji-michi～Nishioji-Oike230JPY
    Section 7SubwayNishioji-Oike～Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 8BusHigashiyama-Sanjo～Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Section 9TrainGion-Shijo～Yodoyabashi420JPY
    Section 10SubwayYodoyabashi～Osaka Port290JPY
    Total2,860JPY

    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…

  • Kyoto: Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group
    • 11:20 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
    • 12:30 To Nara Park – Mount Wakakusa – Todai-ji Temple
    • 1:45 Lunch at Todai-ji Emado Chaya
    • 2:45 Nigatsu-do – Bell Tower – Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
    • 4:40 Disband at JR Nara Station

    What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Todaiji and Deer Feeding Today I guided a group visiting from North America. They came to Japan to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. The weather was unfortunately cloudy with a little rain at one point, but it was not too cold and was very pleasant weather for walking around. The sites were also not very crowded, so I think it was the best season for sightseeing. The guests became completely absorbed in feeding the deer, and they also greatly enjoyed collecting shrine and temple stamps. I believe everyone had a wonderful time. At Kobaien near Todaiji, they also became interested in ink and calligraphy, and I think they had a very enjoyable time.

    Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSaga-Arashiyama～JR Nara990JPY
    Section 2BusJR Nara～Kasuga Taisha Main Hall250JPY
    Section 3BusTodai-ji Great Buddha Hall / Kasuga Taisha-mae～JR Nara250JPY
    Total1,490JPY

    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.

    Request Booking

    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 One Day: Kinkakuji & Teramachi Shopping Arcade

    Kyoto in One Day: Kinkakuji & Teramachi Shopping Arcade

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:30 HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
    • 13:00 Kinkakuji (500) by taxi
    • 14:00 Ryoanji (600) by taxi
    • 15:30 Fushimiinari by taxi
    • 16:30 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • Gion by walking
    • 18:30 Teramachi Shopping Arcade
    • End of the tour

    What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like from the Hotel? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came from North America on a 15-day trip covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Niseko. I was unable to reach them until just before the tour, but we managed to meet without any problems. In the end, they had not looked at the tentative itinerary I had sent in advance, and they had no particular requests about where they wanted to go, so I guided them along the popular route mentioned above. When I asked what they had seen in Tokyo, they did not remember the specific names, so they showed me their photos. The tour started right after they arrived at their hotel in Kyoto from Tokyo. They mentioned that where they live it can get quite cold, but as the sun went down the temperature dropped sharply and they said they felt cold, so I gave them the disposable heat packs I had stashed in my backpack. They were delighted and even asked where they could buy them. Toward the end, I guided them through Gion to Teramachi, where they could have dinner and do some shopping, but they said they wanted to head back to the hotel for the time being, so they took a taxi from Teramachi-Shijo back to the hotel and we wrapped up the tour. As the taxi pulled away, one of the guests smiled and waved, which made me feel happy.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day 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!

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel – 9:45 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace – 12:00 Tsukiji Outer Market – 12:30 Lunch – 13:30 Harajuku Takeshita Street – 14:15 Shibuya Scramble Crossing – 15:00 Disband at Shibuya PARCO

    What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors currently based in North America. They had already been traveling around the Kansai region for about two weeks and were scheduled to return home the following afternoon. Since one of the guests had difficulty walking, we moved at a slow and relaxed pace. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, in addition to camellias, we saw early-blooming cherry blossoms such as Kanzakura and Kawazuzakura, as well as white and red plum blossoms in bloom, and the guests, who love flowers, approached each one to take photos. At Tsukiji, they tried grilled eel and expressed amazement at how delicious it was. On Takeshita Street in Harajuku, they were very curious about the many animal cafés. At the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, they were captivated by the many go-karts, and we finally parted ways at Nintendo Tokyo, where they were looking for souvenirs.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza～Tokyo178JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi～Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 3SubwayTsukiji～Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku～Shibuya146JPY
    Total711JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Takeshiba Station & Imperial Palace East Gardens

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Takeshiba Station & Imperial Palace East Gardens

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Hotel
    • 10:15 Takeshiba Station
    • 10:35 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 11:55 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 13:15 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 14:00 Disband @ Ninomaru Garden

    What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Tsukiji and the East Gardens Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were first-time visitors to Japan from North America. They had originally planned to visit Akihabara, but at the hotel they mentioned they would like to change the plan to the East Gardens instead, so I accepted the request to stop by there after Tsukiji. They seemed especially interested in food, and greatly enjoyed Tsukiji, where they tried a variety of dishes. We traveled to the East Gardens by bus, and had a lively conversation comparing the transportation networks of Japan and their home region. Since Tsukiji took more time than expected, our time was up after seeing the main keep of the East Gardens. For that reason, I gave a brief explanation about the Ninomaru Garden, and we then parted ways.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTakeshiba Station～Shiodome Station190JPY
    Section 2BusTsukiji 3-chome Bus Stop～Tokyo Station Marunouchi Bus Stop210JPY
    Total400JPY

    Tour Report by Lily

    Hi there! Thank you so much for hitting my page!
    I’m Yuriko, but please call me Lily!
    I’m a qualified guide and interpreter, proud to be awarded as one of the finalists of Japan guide awards 2025.

    I have conducted over 100 tours a year since March 2024, with more than 90% of my clients awarding a five-star rating.

    I love Japanese food(eating and cooking!), cultures such as traditional arts and crafts, and so much more! I’ve always explored places seeking new things and love to share them with you.

    I was born and raised in Tokyo(for over 40 years!) but used to live in the U.S. for a couple of years as a child.
    I am proud to be able to introduce the charms of Japan from multiple perspectives based on my experience of interacting with people from many different nationalities.

    I am happy to tailor an original plan or to arrange your bucket list advancing it to a better option.
    The following is my contact information:
    lilyjapanguide@gmail.com

    I’m looking forward to guiding and sharing the excitement of Japan!!

    Request Booking

    Sep 17, 2025
    785hongc
    Wonderful 6 hour Tokyo tour with Lily in September
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a…

    Sep 16, 2025
    H
    Hong_C
    A wonderful day tour of Tokyo in September
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best relaxed educational…

    Jul 18, 2025
    Venture26940872209
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lilly was an excellent guide .. lots of communication before the visit…

    Jul 1, 2025
    michaellG938KC
    Lily is the best. Highly recommended
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lily is an amazing guide and…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    February, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00　Meet at Hotel　9:30 Meiji Shrine　10:30 Harajuku Takeshita Street　11:15 Imperial Palace Plaza ⇒ East Gardens　12:30 Senso-ji Temple　13:15　Lunch (Asakusa) 14:00 Help with Shinkansen reservations and ticket purchase at Tokyo Station　15:15 Accompany to Big Sight for Tokyo Marathon entry procedures and see off.

    The guests were a group visiting Japan, and everything went smoothly. They were calm and easy to talk with, and they asked me many questions about Japan (topics such as religion, politics, and the Emperor). I was a little concerned about lunch because some of the guests had foods they preferred to avoid, but in Asakusa we quickly spotted a Japanese restaurant serving tendon, and they were able to enjoy their meal there. A conversation started with a guest seated next to us, and it became quite lively. Since the group was very concerned about taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto the following week, I took them to Tokyo Station and helped them purchase round-trip tickets at the ticket machine. The group needed to go to Big Sight to complete the registration procedure for the Tokyo Marathon in March, so I took them there, which concluded the tour. The weather was fine, and the guests seemed to enjoy themselves throughout.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku～Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae209JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi～Asakusa178JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa～Kyobashi209JPY
    Section 5TrainTokyo～Shimbashi146JPY
    Section 6TrainShimbashi～Tokyo Big Sight388JPY
    Total1,276JPY

    Tour Report by Shinji

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…