Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Kiddy Land & Shimokitazawa

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Kiddy Land & Shimokitazawa

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet at Hotel New Otani The Main
    • Travel to Omotesando by taxi
    • 11:00 Kiddy Land
    • 12:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 13:00 Takeshita Street
    • Travel to Tsukiji Market by taxi
    • 14:00 Lunch at Sushi Zanmai
    • Travel by subway
    • 15:00 Shibuya Crossing
    • Travel by Inokashira Line
    • 15:30 Shimokitazawa
    • Disband at Shimokitazawa Station

    What's a Rainy-Day Private Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Harajuku, Tsukiji, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from Europe. In response to a request from one of the guests who loves stationery and cute characters, I took the group to Harajuku and Kiddy Land, and they were delighted. They were able to experience both the lively side of Tokyo and its quieter side, such as Meiji Shrine. Because it was raining, the tour began with a taxi ride, but partway through the group wanted to experience the Tokyo subway, so for the latter half we used the Ginza Line and the Inokashira Line. At Tsukiji, since we arrived after the lunchtime peak, we were able to enter Sushi Zanmai right away and enjoy a relaxed meal. The group really liked the conveyor-belt sushi. After that, at the request of one of the guests who wanted to see the Shibuya crossing, we headed to Shibuya and crossed the intersection several times to take photos. Another of the guests wished to see Shimokitazawa, so I took the group to the station and we parted ways there. Although it was unfortunately rainy, I believe the group was satisfied that we were able to visit so many places in a short time. In the taxi, one of the guests asked me to call their accommodation in Hakone for the next day to confirm the reservation, so I made the call to confirm and also arranged a dinner reservation for them. Since it is an accommodation with a shuttle bus running from Odawara Station, I passed along that information as well, and they were very pleased to make the booking.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHigashi-Ginza~Shibuya210JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Shimokitazawa140JPY
    Total350JPY

    I’m YUMI. Japan is full of history, nature and culture. I would like to talk about them from many aspects. When you have some questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. There’re many off the beaten paths in Japan. If you want to walk in a hidden local area, I’ll tailor the special course as you wish.
    Experiencing new foods is also one of many intriguing things during your trip. I would recommend anything from street foods such as Ramen, Yakitori to authentic Sushi or elegant courses. My policy is to cherish your feelings and time. Let’s enjoy talking and walking with me!

    Jun 6, 2026
    Michelle0309
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Off the tourist track in Tokyo
    We had such a lovely time…

    May 25, 2026
    lynnv748
    Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Hakone was a highlight of our vacation
    We loved our day…

    May 20, 2026
    Suzana F
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji Food and Toyosu Market with Government-Licensed Guide
    We learned and enjoyed every minut
    Yumi was a fanty…

    May 14, 2026
    Robert_L
    Excellent tour with our outstanding guide, Yumi
    Viator review: Tokyo 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Tea Ceremony Experience
    Yumi is…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hotel meet 8:45 Fushimi Inari 10:25 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove  11:10 Short break 12:15 Kinkaku-ji 13:45 Gion  14:15 Tour ends

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Cherry Blossom Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests came from Oceania. They listened carefully to my instructions throughout the tour. When I talked about a Japanese folktale in Arashiyama, I was a little surprised that they knew the Japanese title "Kaguya-hime." The location of their accommodation was inconvenient; it had originally been a motel near the Kyoto Minami interchange that had been renovated into a hotel, but the service was far below the level of an ordinary hotel, and they would not even arrange a taxi. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to get to our first destination. We waited for a taxi on Shinborikawa-dori near the hotel, but it was hard to find one, and only after about 15 minutes did we finally catch one, and the tour began. It was windy but the weather was fine, and the cherry blossoms were blooming beautifully in many places. Perhaps because it was cherry blossom season, tour groups from various countries were noticeable. The photo was taken during a break at a bakery shop in Arashiyama.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherJonangu East Exit (near the hotel)~Keihan Fujinomori Station0JPY
    Section 2TrainFujinomori~Fushimi Inari170JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Enmachi180JPY
    Section 5BusEnmachi~Kinkaku-ji-michi230JPY
    Section 6BusKinkaku-ji-michi~Nishioji-Oike230JPY
    Section 7SubwayNishioji-Oike~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 8BusHigashiyama-Sanjo~Gion230JPY
    Total1,540JPY

    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.

    Sep 28, 2026
    Miguel_E
    Amazing Service
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful time with Kazuo.…

    Sep 27, 2026
    T
    TrailBlazer47194
    Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our guide Kazuo Sumi…

    Sep 1, 2026
    Steve6172014
    Excellent tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had a great tour…

    Aug 7, 2026
    Pascale_Q
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
    We had…

  • Kyoto: Tenryu-ji Temple & Monkey Park

    Kyoto: Tenryu-ji Temple & Monkey Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meeting point: Kyoto, Takasegawa Villa
    • 10:00 Sightseeing ①: Tenryu-ji Temple
    • 10:30 Sightseeing ②: Bamboo Grove Path
    • 11:00 Sightseeing ③: Okochi Sanso Villa
    • 11:30 Sightseeing ④: Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 12:30 Sightseeing ⑤: Monkey Park
    • 13:30 Lunch/Break (Arashiyama)
    • 14:30 Travel (Arashiyama ⇒ Kyoto Kawaramachi)
    • 15:00 Disband: Hankyu, Kyoto Kawaramachi

    What's a Private Cherry Blossom Day Tour of Arashiyama in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests on this occasion were a group visiting Japan from Oceania. I arranged the prior communication and itinerary with one of the guests. They had applied for their Japan trip more than half a year in advance, back in September of last year, and I was assigned as their guide at that time. Through our prior exchanges, I could sense their wish to fully enjoy Japan during the cherry blossom season. As for the itinerary, on April 2 they toured the eastern part of Kyoto with another guide, and on April 3, which was my day, the route centered on the northwestern area (Arashiyama and Sagano). Ultimately it became a full Arashiyama course: Tenryu-ji Temple → the Bamboo Grove → Okochi Sanso Villa → the Monkey Park. On the day, although it was a little cold, it was truly the peak of the cherry blossoms, and we could enjoy various cherry trees everywhere in Arashiyama. One of the guests originally loved gardening and was very fond of all kinds of plants and flowers, and was greatly satisfied. In particular, they marveled at the weeping cherry tree at Tenryu-ji, the bamboo thicket along the Bamboo Grove, the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees along the Hozu River, and the mountain cherries seen from the Togetsukyo Bridge. Finally we went to the Monkey Park on Mount Iwatayama, but the mountain path to the destination turned out to be harder than expected, so we made the climb taking frequent short rests along the way. At the Monkey Park, they were delighted by the cuteness of the Japanese macaques. After completing the entire itinerary, we had lunch at an udon restaurant I frequent, and they seemed to like the gentle taste of Japanese dashi and were satisfied. The above covers everything from arriving at the sites until the end, and the guests were very satisfied. However, as a guide, there were two mistakes I should reflect on, at the start and at the end. I record them here with a sense of self-reflection. The first was at the start, when we used a bus to travel from the Hotel to Kyoto Station, but we ended up on a different bus than the one I had planned. Fortunately, I noticed this, and there was a JR station where we got off, so we were able to reach Arashiyama without any delay. The second was at the point when the guiding ended. After finishing the whole itinerary with the guests, we headed back toward the Hotel by train, and when we got off at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line) near the Hotel, it was the end of the guiding time, so I directed the guests to walk from there to the Hotel (about 15 minutes). The Hotel is along the Takase River, and both sides were lined with cherry blossoms in full bloom, so I advised them, "Please enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom on your way back to the Hotel." However, on the train back to Osaka, I realized that I had mistaken the direction of the way back to the Hotel (which was southward) and had directed them to go north instead. I immediately sent an email conveying my sincere apologies, and the guests replied with extreme generosity: "Indeed, the direction of the Hotel was wrong, so it took us about an hour to reach the Hotel. But we were able to fully enjoy the beautiful rows of cherry trees, so please don't worry about it too much." This response allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief. These two errors of judgment happened due to small momentary misunderstandings, even though I had carefully prepared and confirmed the itinerary in advance. I reflected deeply, including on my own tendency to occasionally jump to conclusions, and it became an important lesson for the future.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShichijo Keihan-mae~Kyoto230JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 3TrainArashiyama (Hankyu Line)~Kyoto Kawaramachi240JPY
    Total710JPY

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

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

  • Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & To-ji Temple

    Osaka in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & To-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @ Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower
    • 10:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:25 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 11:55 Sannenzaka ~ Yasaka Pagoda
    • 12:45 Ginkaku-ji Temple
    • 13:25 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:30 Ryoan-ji Temple
    • 15:10 Ninna-ji Temple
    • 16:15 To-ji Temple
    • 17:00 Disband @ Gion

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Cherry Blossom Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. On the morning of the tour, an email came in requesting that we end the tour in Gion. Along with this, they asked to add destinations to the itinerary, so we agreed on an additional fee that would include taxi costs. At their request, we skipped lunch and visited eight spots, spending a short time at each. The guests did not seem particularly interested in history or culture, and instead kept taking photos and videos throughout. I thought that this is simply one way to enjoy the experience, and since the cherry blossoms were at their peak in many locations that day, I believe they were fully satisfied.

    Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

    Jul 13, 2025
    H2enjoy
    Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
    Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…

    Jun 20, 2025
    zoranm709
    Kyoto great tour experience.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

    Jun 18, 2025
    Adventurer310309
    Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife…

    May 26, 2025
    SK G
    Excellent tour
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:50 Meet up @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont
    • 2. 10:00 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 10:30 Stay @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 4. 11:45 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 12:05 Stay @ Tsukiji Uogashi
    • 6. 12:35 Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi Shokudo
    • 7. 13:20 Travel: Subway, Train
    • 8. 14:00 Stay @ Odaiba
    • 9. 14:30 Travel: Train
    • 10. 15:00 Stay @ Excelsior Caffé Wing Shimbashi Station
    • 11. 15:25 Travel: Subway
    • 12. 15:40 Stay @ Akihabara
    • 13. 16:10 Travel: Subway
    • 14. 16:45 Disband @ Hotel Metropolitan Edmont

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The group arranged the itinerary to match the wishes of some of the guests, so it turned out a little different from the usual route. At the East Gardens, we were still able to enjoy the cherry blossoms. The day was as cold as midwinter with strong wind and rain, but this was the best spot for taking photos. Since the group's food preferences varied, at Tsukiji I took them to a food court for a lunch break. Although I have visited Odaiba many times as a meeting point, this was my first time guiding there. Surprisingly, the Gundam statue was quite well received. However, the wind here was so strong that it was almost impossible to walk while holding an umbrella. Before heading to Akihabara, we decided to take a break at Shimbashi Station, which was very convenient on a day of bad weather since there is a coffee shop underground. In Akihabara I gave only a brief explanation, and finally I saw the group off at their Hotel before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassIidabashi Station~Otemachi Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassOtemachi Station~Tsukiji Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTsukijishijo Station~Shiodome Station0JPY
    Section 4TrainShiodome Station~Daiba Station330JPY
    Section 5TrainDaiba Station~Shimbashi Station330JPY
    Section 6Free PassShimbashi Station~Suehirocho Station0JPY
    Section 7Free PassSuehirocho Station~Iidabashi Station0JPY
    Total1,560JPY

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Nozomi No. 99 Car No. 12 15D

    Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Nozomi No. 99 Car No. 12 15D

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:39 Arrive at Hiroshima Nozomi No. 99 Car No. 12 15D
    • 10:25 Hiroshima Station → 11:30 Miyajima Port
    • 11:30 to 14:00 at Miyajima
    • (Lunch at Miyajima) 3hrs
    • 11:30 Yamaichi Bekkan
    • See matcha bowls and whisks at Omotesando Funatsuki
    • 14:00 at the ferry terminal
    • Travel by the World Heritage Route (14:15 → 15:00)
    • 15:00 to 17:00 at Peace Park 2hrs
    • 14:30 to 15:30 Peace Park guide
    • 15:30 to 16:30 Museum
    • Travel by Maple-loop Lemon
    • 17:00 Peace Park → 17:20 Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit
    • 17:20 Guide to the Shinkansen entrance

    タイトル: What Can You See on a Private Tour of Hiroshima with a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report The guests wanted to buy a matcha bowl and a bamboo whisk after enjoying a matcha experience in Kyoto, so I took them to a specialty store along Omotesando. They made their purchases and were very satisfied. At a local restaurant, they ordered conger eel sashimi and said they wanted to see the conger eel from the live tank being prepared, so I asked the restaurant and they kindly showed us the process. One of the guests was very excited and delighted to watch. At the Peace Memorial Park, the guests asked not only about the damage from the atomic bomb but also about the background of the Pacific War and the feelings of Japanese people in the postwar period. When I explained with examples and included my own perspective, they showed great interest.

    Hello, I’m Kyoko, a certified regional interpreter-guide for Hiroshima Prefecture. I was born, educated, and worked in Hiroshima while raising my children, and I absolutely love this city. I have a deep interest in learning about history and culture, and I enjoy exploring the city and trying out local foods. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and chatting with them brings me great joy, so I’m really looking forward to helping make your trip to Hiroshima a wonderful and memorable experience.

    Hiroshima is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a poignant reminder of history, standing gracefully within a beautiful park. Walking through the park together, we can reflect on the powerful message of peace it conveys. Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its red torii gate floating in the sea, is located on a picturesque island. It’s a place where you can enjoy a truly relaxing and serene time.

    I can also guide you to other popular tourist destinations, help you enjoy Hiroshima’s local delicacies such as okonomiyaki, oysters, and conger eel, or assist you with shopping.

    I will do my utmost to ensure that your trip to Hiroshima becomes a wonderful and unforgettable memory.

    May 20, 2026
    629reniea
    Miyajima Island
    Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hi Kyoko
    We are very sad to hear about…

    May 8, 2026
    Jan S
    We were blessed with perfect weather and the perfect guide. Kyoko was knowledgeable, patient, polite, fun, sense humour
    Tripadvisor review:…

    Apr 9, 2026
    dianne321
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Emotional and confronting
    Moving experience with amazing guide Kyoko.…

    Mar 26, 2026
    Carmen Maria S
    Great afternoon at Hiroshima❤️
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoko was an excellent…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Blossom Kyoto & Kyoto Sta

    Kyoto in One Day: Blossom Kyoto & Kyoto Sta

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 The Blossom Kyoto
    • 09:00 Fushimi Inari ( 0 ) by Keihan JR train
    • 10:00 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    •   Sannenzaka by walking
    •   Yasaka-no-to by walking
    • 11:50 Lunch (Namaste Dhaulagiri)
    • 13:00 Bamboo Grove by taxi
    • 13:10 Tenryuji by walking
    •   Togetsukyo Bridge by walking
    • 15:20 Kyoto Sta. by JR train
    • End of the tour

    Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Kyoto's Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Tenryu-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from North America. We arrived at Fushimi Inari Shrine at 9:00, but a large number of tourists had already gathered. The Omokaru-ishi stones were not crowded, so the guests were able to visit them. We took a taxi to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and the driver decided to approach from the back entrance because the roads were congested, which allowed us to avoid the traffic. At the Hyakkaen Garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, the weeping cherry blossoms were in full bloom, along with camellias, flowering quince, forsythia, and mountain azaleas, giving a strong sense of spring. One of the guests appeared to use a social media platform and took many photos in various places for posting. The guests purchased various amulets at Kiyomizu-dera Temple but did not do any other shopping.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 2TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Kyoto240JPY
    Total460JPY

    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!

    Sep 25, 2026
    Marvin_F
    Kazz is an outstanding…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly…

    Sep 21, 2026
    Laura_K
    Day in Kyoto with Kazz
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazz was an amazing…

    Aug 27, 2026
    M6034YWthomasm
    Worth it
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    The day went by so quickly, a…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Awesome experience
    Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 12:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 12:30 Ueno (Ueno Station, Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park, Hoshino Coffee)
    • 3. 18:00 Disband at Hotel Tokyo

    What's a Private Tokyo Museum and Ueno Park Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Since the guests were not feeling their best, partly due to the amount of walking on the previous day's tour and the unexpectedly cold weather, they requested an indoor location, so I took them to the Tokyo National Museum. Before and after that, I assisted with purchasing Shinkansen tickets at Ueno Station, continued the cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park from the previous day, took a rest at a coffee shop, and then saw them off at the Hotel to conclude the tour. At the Tokyo National Museum, the guests viewed the exhibits with great enthusiasm, spending more than three hours there. Although the itinerary for this day was significantly changed from the original plan, the guests were pleased and said that they had a wonderful time over the two days and had learned a great deal. The transportation costs had been omitted, so I am resubmitting them. My apologies.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayGinza~Ueno178JPY
    Section 2SubwayUeno~Ginza178JPY
    Total356JPY

    Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
    I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
    Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
    Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
    A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
    I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
    Nobu

    Jun 2, 2026
    amandavW9846AW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo day trip!
    We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

    May 25, 2026
    Matthew_C
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobu was an excellent and…
    Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

    May 24, 2026
    Diane D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
    Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

    Apr 28, 2026
    GrandTour57165664797
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome!
    It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1)9:00 Meet (hotel), then take the subway to Nijo Castle
    • 2)9:30~11:00 Nijo Castle, then take the bus to Kinkaku-ji
    • 3)11:30~12:30 Kinkaku-ji, then take the bus and subway to Shijo
    • 4)13:20~13:35 Nishiki Market, then walk to Samurai Ninja Museum
    • 5)13:45 Say goodbye at Samurai Ninja Museum

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like, Including Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report Since I had not been able to contact the guests in advance, I could not set the itinerary for the day beforehand. So on the day before the tour, I prepared three possible itinerary plans and sent a fax to the hotel, asking that it be passed on to the guests if they were staying there (recently, due to strict handling of personal information, hotels will not even confirm whether someone is staying). Fortunately, on the day I was able to meet the guests, and they had received the fax. They chose one of the plans, which included Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Nishiki Market, and Maruyama Park, but they wished to skip Maruyama Park and visit the Samurai Ninja Museum instead, so we replaced Maruyama Park with the Samurai Ninja Museum. Since one of the guests had trouble with their knee, I slowed the walking pace and made use of elevators and escalators as much as possible. At Nijo Castle, they carefully viewed each room of the Ninomaru Palace. The cherry blossoms were also beautifully in bloom, and they seemed very satisfied. They also seemed to like Kinkaku-ji and took many photos. As it was past noon, I asked about lunch, but they said they did not need it, and instead bought ice cream, which they kindly shared with me as well. At that time, while talking on a bench, they mentioned they had not made a reservation for the Samurai Ninja Museum, so I inquired whether same-day participation without a reservation was possible. Normally a reservation is required, but they said it looked possible to join on the same day today, and I passed this information along. At Nishiki Market, one of the guests occasionally looked at the goods, but the others seemed eager to get to the Samurai Ninja Museum, so we wrapped things up partway through and went to the Samurai Ninja Museum around 13:45. As I had heard by phone, same-day participation was possible, and they could join a tour that was about to begin, so they signed up. As the tour was said to last about an hour, I asked whether I should wait for them here, but they said this was fine. Just to be safe, I showed them the locations of the Samurai Ninja Museum and their hotel on a map, and we parted ways. At the end, they thanked me for guiding them to such enjoyable places today.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySanjo Keihan~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
    Section 4SubwayKitaoji~Shijo260JPY
    Total940JPY

    Nice to meet you.
    My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
    Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
    I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.

    I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
    How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.

    By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.

    My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
    You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.

    I look forward to meeting you.
    Best regard.

    Nov 27, 2024
    Julianne_A
    Book it
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi/Miyajima

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajimaguchi/Miyajima

    Tour Itinerary

    • 4/3/2025
    • 8:00 Hiroshima Station, breakfast at the station
    • 8:45 Hiroshima Station/Itsukaichi/Miyajimaguchi (420 yen)
    • 9:45/9:55 Miyajimaguchi/Miyajima
    • 10:00 Restroom/Purchase World Heritage Sea Route ticket (paid for by the customer)
    • 10:15-11:55 Miyajima stroll via back route, fortunately shrine, giant rice scoop, oysters, around the shrine, torii gate, fried momiji, Miyajima ferry terminal
    • 12:00/12:45 World Heritage Sea Route
    • 12:55/13:55 Lunch (reserved)
    • Hondori, Shareo, Atomic Bomb Dome, hypocenter, monument tour
    • 16:00 Tour ends in front of the Atomic Bomb Museum

    Title: What's a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Hiroshima (a request booking). This time they came to Hiroshima as a group of four. Some members of the group appeared to have specific needs, and the guide made sure to check on their wellbeing throughout the tour, confirming with them directly that everything was fine. As this had not come up during the pre-tour communication, the guide simply adapted on the spot. The next day the group planned to visit Kure on their own, so the guide provided some materials about sightseeing in Kure. During the tour, the group mentioned that one member drinks a lot of water, and there were several occasions when a long restroom break was needed. Each time, the guide, who knew where the restrooms were located, escorted them and waited outside. The guide learned that they liked to wash their hands and face thoroughly, which explained the situation. During conversations, there was also a strong interest in agriculture, with questions such as whether Japanese farmland is likely to increase in the future. In the pre-tour communication, the guests expressed an interest in Hiroshima's history and a wish to avoid crowds. For Miyajima, the guide led them along the back streets, and for the Peace Memorial Museum, the guide recommended a 5:30 p.m. reservation during a quieter time slot after the tour. Since the guests had been to Hiroshima several times before, the guide suggested something different this time. Knowing that the guests loved bread, the guide proposed a "bread tour" visiting a Hiroshima-based bakery, a bakery on Miyajima, and a currently popular bakery, buying at least one item per bakery to compare the tastes. The guests said they had eaten plenty of bread the day before, but once inside the first shop, they were drawn in by the colorful selection and wonderful aroma and thoroughly enjoyed the bread tour. Even after the tour, they sent a message saying how delicious the bread was after eating it. In line with the request to avoid crowds, the guide took them along the back streets of Miyajima, and for the oysters they wanted to try, the guide recommended a shop with fewer crowds (which previously also had lower prices). The price was the same as other shops (600 yen for two), but they were able to buy them with almost no waiting, which worked out well. The guests mentioned they would like to stay overnight on Miyajima someday. There had been news reports of a high-end hotel being built on the mainland side, and they were able to see what appeared to be its construction from the boat. Because the guests wanted to explore Miyajima at a relaxed pace, the guide arranged an 8:00 meeting time and reserved the 12:00 high-speed ferry. However, considering that they had not yet had breakfast and had read online that there was a good bakery inside Hiroshima Station, the guide had them have breakfast at that café. As a result, the time spent on Miyajima was reduced, but the guests understood. At the strong request of the guests, who wanted to return to an okonomiyaki restaurant they had visited previously, the guide made a 1:00 p.m. reservation there. Okonomiyaki can taste different depending on the shop and the person cooking it, but today it was truly delicious, and everyone in the group finished their plates. Everyone ordered the special, and they enjoyed playfully competing over the squid on top. Regarding the museum, by the time the guide met them they had already booked the 5:30 p.m. slot and an audio guide via an online booking service. Later, the guide received a message that they were viewing the museum. During the tour, the guide took them around the monuments inside and outside the park, as well as to a small, uncrowded peace museum. The guests were able to view the exhibits at a relaxed pace, and the guide was able to explain slowly using the panels, so they seemed to feel the tragedy of the atomic bomb. There was also a short video that allowed them to see what it was like at the time. One member of the group was also very interested in history, listening carefully to the guide's explanations and viewing the exhibits closely. As the tour progressed, there were more smiles and many lighthearted, friendly moments, and the guide felt fortunate to have met this group. The weather was fine, and it was reported that the cherry blossoms were in full bloom today. Since the group was staying overnight, the guide told them about the evening cherry blossom light-up at Shukkeien Garden. That night, they sent a message that they were enjoying the cherry blossoms. As mentioned, some of the guests had already visited Hiroshima several times, so the guide was a little worried that the explanations might overlap and be boring. However, after the tour, one of the guests said, "You taught us so much information we didn't know before this time. We were able to experience so many new things." Knowing that they had gained new information, discoveries, and experiences on this trip was a relief. They also brought a souvenir from Oceania. The guide was grateful that they took the time out of their busy schedule to look for a souvenir, and was moved by their kindness in carrying it all the way despite the heavy luggage of international travel.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMiyajimaguchi~Miyajima420JPY
    Total420JPY

    Dear guests,
    Hello! My name is Miki. I was born and brought up in Hiroshima. I enjoy traveling around Inland Sea areas and I enjoy chatting with guests from overseas!

    In Hiroshima, you can see many beautiful rivers and old bridges. Lately, I often take photos of Hiroshima city including bridges and rivers. There are not many tall buildings here, but I know some places you can visit and see the view for free. By the atomic bomb dome, there is a building called Orizuru(paper crane) Tower. You need to pay to go up to the top floor but you can see the view of Hiroshima city and the Miyajima Island(Itsukushima).

    Many tourists from overseas as well as Japan want to visit Miyajima Island. You can see a beautiful shrine from Heian Period which is around 12th century and a huge Torii gate in front of the shrine and it is in the water. There are several ways to visit the island from Hiroshima city. If you are going to stay near JR Hiroshima Station, we will visit the island by JR train and JR ferry. If you are staying in the city area, we can go there by streetcar and ferry, or there is a high-speed boat from Peace Memorial Park pier directly to the island and vise versa.

    Hoping to see you in the near future!

    Miki
    Your tour guide in Hiroshima

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