Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Harukas Garden & Dotonbori

    Osaka in Half a Day: Harukas Garden & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Hotel Honmachi
    • 10:25-11:40 @ Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 12:10:13:20 @ Shitennoji Temple, Gokuraku no Niwa
    • 13:40-13:50 @ Harukas Garden
    • 14:05-14:20 @ Dotonbori
    • 14:25 Dismissal @ Hozenji Temple

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Osaka's Hozenji Area Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest was a solo traveler from North America. As an experienced traveler, they praised Japan's convenient hotel-to-hotel luggage delivery service highly. I was a little surprised when they arrived empty-handed at our meeting point, and they kept it that way throughout the day, even tucking souvenirs bought for friends during the tour into their pockets. One of their hobbies was posting travel photos on social media, and they captured images of cherry blossoms in full bloom and koi carp in a pond. Since they had made a dinner reservation at a restaurant in the Hozenji area, we went to check the location in advance, only to find a sign indicating that the restaurant was fully booked for the day. I was struck once again by the fact that a restaurant even I, as a local, did not know had earned such support from international visitors.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHonmachi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3SubwayTennoji~Namba240JPY
    Total620JPY

    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!

    Sep 26, 2026
    Y
    yolanda552
    Sachiko the best tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sachiko was our tour guide…

    Sep 9, 2026
    peteraI5718XP
    My First Visit to Osaka
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I enjoyed seeing Osaka through Sachiko’s…

    Sep 4, 2026
    S
    satchithh
    Hasabnis family
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko or Choko Ogura is a…

    Aug 3, 2026
    G6602NEeduardoa
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Osaka Tour with Sachiko
    We had a great Osaka…

  • Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @ Swissotel Nankai Osaka
    • 10:35-12:00 @ Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 12:30-14:10 @ Shitennoji Temple, Gokuraku Garden
    • 14:30 Dismiss @ Swissotel Nankai Osaka

    Can You See Cherry Blossoms on a Private Osaka Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania who booked through a travel agency. About a week before the tour, there was an inquiry from the guests asking whether the itinerary would be affected, and I replied that while it might take a little more time, there would be no problem. On the day, the group had recovered well and the tour was carried out without any issues. Since the time of booking in January, the group had hoped to enjoy the cherry blossoms and had requested a walk through the Mint Bureau's cherry blossom passage, but as the viewing period turned out to be April 5–11, that could not be arranged. However, the cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle and those in the Paradise Garden of Shitennoji Temple were in full bloom, and the guests were very delighted.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNamba~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka~Namba190JPY
    Total620JPY

    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!

    Sep 26, 2026
    Y
    yolanda552
    Sachiko the best tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sachiko was our tour guide…

    Sep 9, 2026
    peteraI5718XP
    My First Visit to Osaka
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I enjoyed seeing Osaka through Sachiko’s…

    Sep 4, 2026
    S
    satchithh
    Hasabnis family
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko or Choko Ogura is a…

    Aug 3, 2026
    G6602NEeduardoa
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Osaka Tour with Sachiko
    We had a great Osaka…

  • Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden & Peace Park

    Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden & Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 13:00 Meet at the Seven-Eleven near the hotel where you're staying that day
    • 13:30-14:30 Shukkeien Garden
    • 14:50-15:50 Hiroshima Castle
    • 16:10-17:00 Peace Park (excluding the museum, visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome and various other memorials)
    • 17:00 Disband at the Peace Park Rest House

    Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. The group was very good-humored and kind. Since they planned to visit Miyajima and the Peace Memorial Museum the following day, on this day I first guided them to Shukkeien Garden, and then walked with them to Hiroshima Castle and the Peace Memorial Park. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom at Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle, and the Peace Memorial Park, and they seemed to especially love the cherry blossoms at Shukkeien Garden. They also appeared very satisfied with the view from the top floor of Hiroshima Castle, and asked many questions about the buildings they could see. At the Peace Memorial Park, the last site we visited, they listened intently to the stories connected to young girls who lost their lives to atomic bomb-related illness, at both the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Children's Peace Monument.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainChuden-mae~Hatchobori240JPY
    Total240JPY

    Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. I was born in Nagasaki Prefecture and spent a total of approximately 17 years there. After graduating from university and completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima in 1984. Hiroshima has been my home base for more than 42 years, including approximately five and a half years during which I was posted to Germany and the United States. I worked as an engineer at Mazda Motor Corporation for 40 years. While working at Mazda, I earned a Ph.D. in Engineering through a doctoral program designed for working professionals at a national university. During the final five years of my career at Mazda, I was assigned to Hiroshima University, where I served as a Specially Appointed Professor and Deputy Director of a research center. In this role, I led the development of the center’s organizational and operational framework and advanced more than 20 industry–university collaborative research projects across four major research programs, contributing to regional revitalization. Living in Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Germany, and the United States has deepened my appreciation for the distinct histories and cultures of different regions and broadened my international perspective. Drawing on these experiences, I strive to offer tours that allow guests from around the world to feel comfortable and relaxed while enjoying a genuinely engaging experience. After retiring from Mazda at the end of March 2024, I embarked on a new chapter in my life as a licensed local guide in Hiroshima. In addition to renowned destinations such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, I am delighted to introduce guests to Hiroshima’s history, culture, natural beauty, local cuisine, and everyday life, tailoring each tour to their individual interests and preferences. It is my sincere hope that every guest will enjoy a truly personal and memorable experience while discovering the authentic spirit of Hiroshima. I very much look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima!

    Sep 28, 2026
    anita2336
    The best time in Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    This was one of…

    Sep 23, 2026
    Mostew
    Private tour with To – Hiroshima / Miyajima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    We…

    Aug 30, 2026
    644lucys
    Fantastic guide, full and wonderful day.
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Today we had…

    Jul 21, 2026
    anza
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
    We had a…

  • Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet @CONRAD OSAKA
    • 10:40-12:10@Osaka Castle
    • 13:00-13:50@Shitennoji Temple
    • 14:10-15:00 Lunch @Harukas
    • 15:30-16:10@Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 16:30-16:40@Dotonbori
    • 16:40 Disband @Hozenji Temple

    What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe. One of them had traveled to Japan many times for work, while the others were visiting Japan for the first time. Their trip started in Fukuoka, continued through Hiroshima, and reached Osaka. They planned to move to Kyoto the next day and then head north to Tokyo. They had explored Fukuoka on foot without a guide and enjoyed it so much that they said they would definitely return. Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms were only about 40-50% in bloom and there was occasional light rain, but whenever we found blossoms in bloom the group took commemorative photos together. At Shitennoji Temple, they tasted amacha (sweet tea) served for the flower festival, and enjoyed a relaxed trip together as a group.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayYodoyabashi~Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji Station-mae~Sumiyoshitorii-mae240JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha~Nankai Namba240JPY
    Total860JPY

    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!

    Sep 26, 2026
    Y
    yolanda552
    Sachiko the best tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sachiko was our tour guide…

    Sep 9, 2026
    peteraI5718XP
    My First Visit to Osaka
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I enjoyed seeing Osaka through Sachiko’s…

    Sep 4, 2026
    S
    satchithh
    Hasabnis family
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko or Choko Ogura is a…

    Aug 3, 2026
    G6602NEeduardoa
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Osaka Tour with Sachiko
    We had a great Osaka…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel 10:00 Peace Park, Museum 13:00 Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, Lunch, Senjokaku, Omotesando
    • 17:50 Disband at Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Family Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. One of the guests was rather quiet, but upon leaving the museum, they remarked simply, "Horrible." I sometimes share stories with guests from North America about the atomic bomb deaths of 12 young American prisoners of war in Hiroshima, and about the postwar support for survivors provided by American volunteers. The guests did not seem to have any particular food preferences, and thoroughly enjoyed oyster dishes on Miyajima. One of the guests, who plans to stay on Awaji Island going forward, said they would like to return to stay overnight on Miyajima and climb Mount Misen.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station North Exit~Kamiyacho240JPY
    Section 2TrainNishi-Hiroshima~Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima420JPY
    Total990JPY

    I have been an English and Italian guide for 10 years in Hiroshima, Miyajima, Okayama, Kurashiki, Iwakuni, Himeji, Osaka, Kochi and Sanin. I used to work for the Japanese trading house in Milan Italy for 9 years, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam for 2 years and Kobe /Osaka for 25 years. I was engaged in the textile and apparel division covering European and Asian market. Moreover, I worked for a food company who produce special sauce for okonomiyaki, famous local food. After retiring, I live in Hiroshima, my hometown, working as a tourist guide mainly, sometimes as an Italian interpreter for A-bomb survivor testimonies and translation. I guide you about history, culture, architecture, art, industry, economy and so on according to your interests and wishes. My hobby is oil painting of the scenery of the Inland Sea of Seto, the first national park of Japan and visiting art museum. I am interested in impressionists and works during renaissance.

    Mar 21, 2025
    Carol B
    Peaceful Tour with Kind Local
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Relaxed tour with…

    Dec 10, 2024
    Catherine_U
    Great Half Day with Shin!
    Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed our half day tour…

    Dec 8, 2024
    William W
    11/10 Great Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Mr. Itaki, is…

    Oct 7, 2024
    Shiv_K
    We had a lovely visit of…
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: the vehicle arranged by the client

    Tokyo in Half a Day: the vehicle arranged by the client

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00: Meet at the Hotel lobby as instructed by the client
    • 09:30: Depart in the vehicle arranged by the client
    • 09:45: Arrive at Toyosu Market. After touring the intermediate wholesaler building where auctions are held, move to Senkyaku Banrai and enjoy light refreshments while taking in the atmosphere of the facility
    • 11:20: Move to the Tsukiji Outer Market. After touring the Uogashi building, stroll through the outer market for sightseeing and light refreshments
    • 12:40: Lunch at a restaurant in Tsukiji
    • 14:00: Return to the hotel and end the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Fish Market Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Toyosu and Tsukiji For this tour, the guests arranged a car on their side, so it was a guided tour riding along in the vehicle. The group had a total of eight guests, and some of the guests used a wheelchair. After meeting the group at the Hotel in the morning, I discussed the route with them. Since it was not long after breakfast and they could not eat too much right away, we first went to Toyosu Market, where I explained the tuna auction area and other features. After that, we moved to Senkyaku Banrai, where the guests enjoyed the atmosphere of the facility and each sampled the light snacks they preferred. Next, we moved to the Tsukiji Outer Market, where they toured the Uogashi building and the outer market and enjoyed some light bites there as well. However, perhaps because it was a rare fine Saturday, the Tsukiji Outer Market was extremely crowded, so I paid the utmost attention to moving safely with the guests. After that, they enjoyed lunch at a restaurant popular with locals. At the restaurant, they had a lively conversation with a group of Japanese guests at the next table and enjoyed the exchange. After lunch, we returned to the Hotel, and the tour concluded. With the rare fine weather and the unexpected interaction with the Japanese guests at lunch, the guests appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed the tour.

    Welcome to Japan!
    My name is Takeshi Yamada, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter based in the vibrant city of Yokohama, Kanagawa.
    Born and raised in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, renowned for its exquisite rice and sake, I deeply appreciate Japan’s culinary delights. I love sharing laughs, exploring diverse cultures and histories, and playing tennis.
    I specialize in guiding tours around Yokohama, Kamakura, Fuji-Hakone, Tokyo, and the surrounding Kanto areas. With years of experience in multinational corporations, I excel in English communication and making foreign visitors feel at home.
    Whether you’re interested in historical landmarks, authentic cultural experiences, savoring Japanese cuisine, enjoying lively Izakaya spots, or soaking in urban energy, my tours are tailored to your interests. I am committed to providing exceptional service, ensuring each guest receives personalized attention and creates unforgettable memories.
    My greatest joy is seeing my guests fall in love with Japan, taking home cherished memories and a deeper understanding of this beautiful country.
    I look forward to meeting you and being your friendly, knowledgeable guide.

    See you soon!

    Jun 5, 2026
    cathywB8167WE
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Great 8 hour tour of Tokyo
    Takeshi was great with…

    May 13, 2026
    Kim_T
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Experience Tokyo like a local…,
    It was a wonderful way…

    May 11, 2026
    Trenee_J
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Takeshi did an amazing…
    Takeshi did an amazing job helping us plan…

    Apr 17, 2026
    Dianne_L
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Takeshi was our guide. He…
    Takeshi was our guide. He…

  • Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day

    Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:00 Meet up @Hotel
    • 2. 10:05 Travel∶Subway
    • 3. 10:40 Visit @Tsukiji Hongwanji, Outer Market
    • 4. 11:50 Lunch @Tsukiji Sushisei New Building
    • 5. 12:30 Travel∶Subway
    • 6. 13:00 Visit @Yanaka
    • 7. 14:20 Travel∶Subway
    • 8. 14:50 Visit @Kappabashi Kitchen Town
    • 9. 16:00 Disband @Tokyo Metro Tawaramachi Station

    What Is a Private Food and Shopping Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan, who I understood to be longtime friends who now live in separate places. They all had good appetites. Since it became clear that they enjoyed eating and shopping, I decided to limit the number of stops and spend more time at each one. As Tsukiji was closed that day, I guided them on a slightly longer route through the outer market, took them to Namiyoke Shrine, and added some explanation about Shinto. At Kappabashi, everyone became especially absorbed in shopping, and by the time our stroll ended it was exactly the right time to finish. Since the group appeared to have different plans afterward, we parted ways at Tawaramachi Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassShibuya Station~Tsukiji Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTsukiji Station~Sendagi Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassSendagi Station~Tawaramachi Station0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Hotel…JR Shibuya Station – Shinjuku Station…13:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 14:30 JR Sendagaya Station – Harajuku Station…15:00 Meal (WITH Harajuku Kajitsuen)…16:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 17:00 Omotesando…Cat Street…18:00 Shibuya Station (disband near the hotel)

    Title: What Can You See on a First Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, and Cat Street The guests were visitors from Europe on their first trip to Japan. Out of the many requests they made for their first day of sightseeing, I guided them through Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, and Cat Street. Because I had scouted the route from the hotel to the station, a suitable restaurant, and Cat Street in advance, the day went smoothly, and I was glad to see that the guests seemed very pleased. At Shinjuku Gyoen, the cherry blossoms were magnificent, and the guests remarked that the Japanese garden was beautiful and wonderful. At the orchard cafe, they were able to relax over a reasonably priced and delicious meal, and they were delighted, saying it was a lovely place. At the station, the staff assisted us courteously, and the guests were impressed with how excellent Tokyo's trains are. Both Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine also have accessible private restroom facilities, which was very convenient. At Cat Street, our final stop, the guests were fascinated by the many shops and seemed to love it. We said our goodbyes at Shibuya Station Sakura Stage, near their hotel. It was an enjoyable tour with wonderful guests.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShibuya Station~Shinjuku Station170JPY
    Section 2TrainSendagaya Station~Harajuku Station150JPY
    Total320JPY

    Select a guide: enter the WordPress Guide post ID or Guide ID in the block settings.

    Apr 14, 2025
    618phillipa
    Wonderful tour of Tokyo on foot and metro
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Emiko was a wonderful…

    Oct 17, 2024
    Shane_N
    Great guide and experience
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour giving a great taste of Tokyo.…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet at the hotel
    • 11:10 Arrive at Tsukiji
    • 13:15 Depart Tsukiji
    • 13:45 Arrive at Asakusa
    •   Lunch
    • 16:00 Depart Asakusa
    • 16:40 Arrive at Meiji Shrine
    • 17:50 Escort to JR Harajuku Station and say goodbye

    What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine The guests were a group visiting from Europe. We first headed to Tsukiji, where they looked at the food ingredients with great interest. They thoroughly enjoyed lots of street food, including white strawberries, mitarashi dango, sashimi, oysters, and sea urchin, which some of them were trying for the first time. In Asakusa, we first walked through Sumida Park and enjoyed the cherry blossoms. It was a very sunny day, so the cherry blossoms and the Skytree looked beautiful against the blue sky, and the guests were delighted. For lunch, they requested ramen, so we had a slightly late lunch. Since we were running quite behind schedule, on the way to Meiji Shrine I confirmed with them whether it would be alright to continue guiding them through Meiji Shrine even though we would go past the scheduled end time, and after that I guided them through Meiji Shrine at the end. We were able to look around slowly without having to rush, which was good, but as we were leaving Meiji Shrine there was an announcement that the gates would close soon, so we made it just in time. I would like to be more careful about time management going forward. Finally, since they were going to head to Shibuya by JR, I guided them to the Shibuya-bound platform at JR Harajuku Station and said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishikasai~Tsukiji209JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa209JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae252JPY
    Total670JPY

    Hello.
    Thank you for choosing Japan as your travel destination.

    I am Michi.
    It has been over 40 years since I was born and raised in Tokyo.
    And I live with my husband and two children.

    I love history,Japanese gardens,cooking,traveling,and more recently,camping.

    I have been working as a National Licensed Guide since 2016.
    Because of my husband’s job,I lived in Western part of Japan from 2012 to 2017 and spent nearly two years working as a guide in Kyoto.

    Afterward,I moved back to Tokyo,my hometown,and continued my work.

    I am truly passionate about my work as a tour guide and am very proud of it.
    Also,I am flexible and happy to adjust to your needs.

    I am looking forward to sharing lots of wonderful discoveries with you.

    Michi

    Sep 21, 2025
    Q7599JLstellav
    Tokyo Walking tour with Michi
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful guided tour with Michi
    Couldn’t ask…

    Jun 25, 2025
    R9003QBcindyk
    Michi-san is the best!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Michi-san was our amazing guide. The communication for…

    May 31, 2025
    Molly_G
    Highly recommend this private tour and Michi as your guide!
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was…

    May 12, 2025
    Anonymous
    We had the absolute…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had the absolute pleasure of spending the…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • ① 10:30 Meet at Arashiyama Suiran
    • ② 10:35 Explanation of today's itinerary・Brief explanation about the history of Kyoto
    • ③ 11:00 Stroll near the hotel・Enjoy cherry blossom viewing while eating famous bread
    • ④ 11:40 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • ④ 12:30  Specialty rice cake and matcha at Toriimoto・Hiranoya
    • ⑤ 13:20 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
    • ⑥ 14:20 Jojakko-ji Temple
    • ⑦ 15:00 Bamboo Grove・Nonomiya Shrine
    • ⑧ 15:45 Tenryu-ji Temple
    • ⑨ 16:50 Return to the hotel and disband

    Can You Do a Full-Day Private Arashiyama Tour in Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America, on their first trip to Japan and Kyoto. Tomorrow they plan to explore central Kyoto, visiting Fushimi Inari, Gion, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle, while today was a full day of sightseeing in Arashiyama. The entire itinerary was based on the guests' own requests, and it was quite a refined and understated selection. At Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, the focus was on the 1,200 rakan statues and Kannon Bodhisattva, and at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, the discussion centered on the story of Toribeno in the east and Adashino in the west, the memorial of a thousand pagodas, Sai-no-Kawara, Jizo Bodhisattva, Obon, and other uniquely Japanese religious culture and folklore traditions, all of which the guests listened to patiently and attentively. This week, the cherry blossoms in Arashiyama had finally reached about 70-80% bloom, so we enjoyed them while also engaging in these discussions, savored matcha and a locally made mochi with 400 years of history, walked through the bamboo grove, and admired a strolling pond garden. Truly refined. When I explained that the deity of Atago Shrine is the fire god who protects Kyoto, one of the guests burst out laughing and said, so essentially a firefighter! Quite clever indeed. Then the small shrine would be a fire engine—I will be borrowing that from now on.

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

    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
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