Tokyo in One Day: Nishi-Shinjuku Station & Shinjuku West Exit Station

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

9:00 Meeting place: Hilton Tokyo
9:10 Depart Nishi-Shinjuku Station
(Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
9:20 Arrive Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Shinjuku Station Ekitabi Concierge
9:30 Depart Shinjuku Station
(Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
　 Akasaka-mitsuke Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
10:00 Arrive Asakusa Station
Asakusa Sensoji Temple
Asakusa Shrine
Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
10:45 Depart Asakusa Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
Nihombashi Station
(Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
11:14 Arrive Otemachi Station
Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
Nijubashi Bridge
12:00 Depart Otemachi Station
(Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
12:30 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shrine
Takeshita Street
Break: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
13:30 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
(Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
Omotesando Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
13:40 Arrive Shibuya Station
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Hachiko Statue
Break: Café
14:40 Shibuya Station
(JR Yamanote Line)
Shinjuku Station
(Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
15:00 Shinjuku West Exit Station
15:00 Disband: Shinjuku West Exit Station

The guests were a family visiting Japan for the first time from North America. The group consisted of the guests. Everyone was visiting Japan for the first time. They arrived at Narita Airport last night and took a taxi to their hotel. They mentioned their arrival was delayed by three hours. This time they are on a 12-day trip to Japan. They will stay in Tokyo, then travel around Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, and after returning to Tokyo, they plan to head home. For today, they said, "We would like to visit the main spots in the city and get a sense of the transportation situation." It was a tour under a cloudy, chilly sky. Since they could not buy one at the airport, they wanted to purchase a "Welcome Suica Card," so we first went to the Ekitabi Concierge at Shinjuku Station. From there, we headed to Asakusa first. It was a Saturday, so it was very crowded. We started from the front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos at Kaminarimon and various other spots. We strolled slowly through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are Japan's major religions?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?" We moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. I explained about "the history of Japan from Edo to Meiji," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," "the history of the Imperial Family," "World War II and the air raids on Tokyo," and "how stone walls are built." There were questions and comments such as "Does the current Emperor of Japan hold political power?", "Who is the next Emperor?", and "Can a woman become Emperor?" They remarked, "The pine trees are wonderful." We also visited the Nijubashi Bridge. We moved to Harajuku and went to Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "the torii gate," "Emperor Meiji," "why sake barrels are displayed," and "why wine barrels are displayed." There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" Despite the rain, a wedding ceremony was being held, and we took photos. We took a break at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu. We also strolled along Takeshita Street. However, it was met with disapproval, as they said, "A street this crowded is crazy." We moved to Shibuya. After that, we looked at the Scramble Square and also crossed the intersection on foot. There were questions such as "Why do so many people gather here?", "About how many people cross at once?", and "Why did it become famous?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. There were comments and questions such as "The city is clean and there is no litter," and "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?" I saw them off at Nishi-Shinjuku Station, and we parted ways.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	西新宿～新宿(東京メトロ)	180JPY
Section 2	Other	新宿(東京メトロ)～浅草	260JPY
Section 3	Train	浅草～大手町(東京都)	180JPY
Section 4	Train	大手町(東京都)～明治神宮前	210JPY
Section 5	Train	明治神宮前～渋谷	180JPY
Section 6	Train	渋谷～新宿	200JPY
Section 7	Train	新宿(東京メトロ)～西新宿	180JPY
Total			1,390JPY

Tour Report by Masa

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

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Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
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Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour

Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

13:00 – 13:45 Zuihoden　14:00 – 14:50 Sendai City Museum　15:15 – 16:00 Sendai Castle Ruins　16:30 Disband at Sendai Station

What Is a Private Sendai Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report There was some confusion at the meeting point. The statement listed the Hotel, so I arrived on time, but the guests did not appear. When I asked at the hotel front desk, they told me the guests were actually staying at a different building of the property. When I headed to that building, the guests were heading to the original one, which caused a loss of time before we finally met, and in the end our departure was delayed by 30 minutes. I suspect this was a mistake in the statement. The tour itself went smoothly with no trouble. The guests did not seem very interested in historical topics, and at the museum they were absorbed in modern anime and similar exhibits. At the end, they said they wanted to eat plenty of grilled meat, so we went to the dining area in the basement of the Sendai Station building, where I found a good yakiniku restaurant and guided them there.

Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Other	Sendai～Sendai	630JPY
Total			630JPY

Tour Report by KOH

Hello. My name is Kohmin Iwabuchi, but please call me KOH for short. I have been working as a tour guide for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited hundreds of scenic spots, but there is one place I will not go. Guess what is it? That’s the top of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. I can climb the mountain, but it’s hard for me to guide people while climbing.

I am interested in traditional sports in Japan, particularly sumo wrestling. Sumo is time honored sports. We can trace its origin back to some thousand years ago. First it was played as an entertainment in a Shinto shrine. The rule of sumo is simple. The match is played by two participants in a ring. If any parts of the body of one of the participants except the sole touches the ground or he was pushed out of the ring, he will be defeated.

The appearance of sumo wrestlers is very traditional, because their samurai like hairstyle “chonmage” originates from feudal ages.

Unlike boxing and wrestling, there are no weight restrictions or classes, meaning that your opponent can be many times your own size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training. Personally my weight is about 200 pounds which enables me to be a sumo wrestler.

Sumo wrestlers live in a sumo stable. It’s the place where they eat, drink, train and sleep together. In greater Tokyo area, there are about 40 sumo stables, many of which are located in Ryogoku area. A small number of stables welcome people to come and see the morning practice. I hope some day I can visit there with you.

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Jul 18, 2024
OnAir13534982348
Tour curated to my family’s interests!
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Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

7:20 Met the client at Hotel Granvia Kyoto. Successfully joined up and made minor adjustments to today's itinerary that had been proposed in advance.
The client wanted to use public transportation, so we traveled to Kiyomizu-michi by city bus.
7:40 Arrived at Kiyomizu-michi. Walked to the Kiyomizu-dera main gate. Then toured Kiyomizu-dera.
8:20 Walked from Kiyomizu-dera to Gion. Toured Gion. Then traveled to Fushimi Inari by Keihan train.
10:00 Arrived at Fushimi Inari. Toured Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Then traveled to Saga-Arashiyama by JR.
11:30 Toured Arashiyama. Bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji.
Then traveled to Kinkaku-ji by taxi.
12:30 Toured Kinkaku-ji. After finishing, traveled to Enmachi by taxi.
13:38 Traveled from Enmachi to Kyoto Station by JR.
14:00 Escorted the client to the lobby of Hotel Granvia Kyoto. Tour ended. By using a taxi along the way, we were able to visit five sightseeing spots. No accidents or troubles.

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests enjoyed a full day of touring without taking breaks along the way, making the most of the available time. As the guests were interested in photography, I guided them to photogenic sightseeing spots, which they greatly enjoyed and appreciated. Because we started early in the morning, combining public transportation with taxis allowed us to visit each sightseeing spot efficiently in a short amount of time. In particular, for the transfer from Arashiyama to Kinkaku-ji, using a taxi saved a significant amount of time, and I believe it allowed us to provide a high-quality sightseeing experience at Kinkaku-ji.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Kyoto Station / Kyoto City Bus～Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus	230JPY
Section 2	Train	Gion-Shijo～Fushimi Inari	240JPY
Section 3	Train	Inari～Saga-Arashiyama	240JPY
Section 4	Train	Enmachi～Kyoto	180JPY
Total			890JPY

Tour Report by KEN

Hello. I have a very friendly and fun personality. I can provide you with a tour that will create unforgettable memories. Let’s explore the real Japan together!
I am very knowledgeable about Japanese restaurants and bars, and I can also provide information on sports events, cultural experiences, shopping, and more. In addition, I can guide you on a tour of various cities throughout Japan. I can also arrange visits to amusement parks such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan, historical sites such as shrines and temples, and cultural experiences such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan, historical sites such as shrines and temples, and cultural experiences such as tea ceremonies and karate.

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Jul 16, 2026
Love_traveling196
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Ken you are amazing
We had a wonderful tour of Osaka with Ken today. He was…

Jun 1, 2026
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August, 2026

Yamanashi: Walk to Mt. Fuji Station

Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

10:20 Meet at the Hotel lobby
10:30 Highland Resort – 10:40 Mt. Fuji Station (shuttle bus)
10:50 Mt. Fuji Station – 11:10 Oshino Hakkai (Fujikyu Express Oshino Hakkai)
11:10 – 12:15 Sightseeing at Oshino Hakkai, strolling around the Hannoki Bayashi Museum
12:15 Oshino Hakkai – 12:50 Lake Yamanaka Asahigaoka (Fujikyu Bus)
12:50 – 14:20 Sightseeing at Lake Yamanaka and lunch
14:20 Lake Yamanaka Asahigaoka – 14:50 Sengen Shrine (Fujikyu Bus)
14:50 – 15:45 Sightseeing at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
15:45 – 16:20 Walk to Mt. Fuji Station
16:20 End at the Mt. Fuji Station shuttle stop

What's a Private Day Tour of the Mount Fuji Area (Oshino Hakkai and Lake Yamanaka) Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Oceania. On their second trip to Japan, they shared that they felt rural areas retained more of Japan's traditional character than the big cities. Here are the details: ・We took a shuttle to Mount Fuji Station, then the limited express Oshino Hakkai train to Oshino. Sightseeing in Oshino: 1 hour We strolled along the Shinnasho River and visited the Hannoki Bayashi Museum. The guests were especially pleased with the scenery along the river. ・From Oshino Hakkai to Asahigaoka on Lake Yamanaka. Sightseeing at Lake Yamanaka, including lunch: 1 hour 30 minutes We took a walk through the Lake Yamanaka lakeside green park, but Mount Fuji unfortunately remained hidden. After the walk, we had a soba lunch in Asahigaoka — the highlight of the day. Both the soba and the tempura were delicious, and the guests were very satisfied. As it was chilly outside, the warm hospitality of the shop staff was especially appreciated. ・From Asahigaoka to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. Sightseeing at the shrine: about 1 hour The guests enjoyed the solemn atmosphere of the cedar-lined path, the lanterns, the torii gates, and the main hall. They took an interest in the dedicated banners and other items, and asked many questions. ・On foot from the shrine to Mount Fuji Station. We made our way slowly toward Mount Fuji Station, enjoying the atmosphere of the historic pilgrim lodging town and stopping by a local supermarket along the way. It was cloudy all day and Mount Fuji never appeared, but the guests were calm and pleasant throughout, and I believe they enjoyed sightseeing in the Mount Fuji area. This concludes my report.

Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Mt. Fuji Station / Fujikyu Bus～Oshino Hakkai / Fujikyu Bus	800JPY
Section 2	Bus	Oshino Hakkai / Fujikyu Bus～Lake Yamanaka Asahigaoka / Fujikyu Bus	520JPY
Section 3	Bus	Lake Yamanaka Asahigaoka / Fujikyu Bus～Sengen Shrine-mae / Fujikyu Bus	680JPY
Total			2,000JPY

Tour Report by Yumi

Dear my guests,

Hi. My name is Yumi, a national licensed English-speaking guide living in Yamanashi, home of Mt. Fuji.

Since started guiding in 2005, I have guided tours in my local area, Yamanashi and its vicinities, as well as tours visiting many places across Japan.

I would like to show you hidden gems off the beaten track and cultural treasures. The view of Mt. Fuji and lakes at the foot of the mountain is magnificent. I will make your visit to the Fuji Five Lakes Area as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

Looking forward to meeting you. Let’s have a great day.

Best regards,
Yumi

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May 23, 2026
Horace_Shao
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Area Private Tour with Licensed Guide(Kawaguchiko area Dep)
Tour with knowledge of Japanese culture and…

May 6, 2026
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Viator review: Mt. Fuji Five Lakes Area Private Tour with Licensed Guide(Kawaguchiko area Dep)
Mt Fuji Area Experience
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Morioka Customized Half-Day Tour

Morioka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

10:00 Meet and tour at the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building　10:15 Stroll along the willow-lined path by the Nakatsu River　10:20 Stroll through Konya-cho　10:25 Goza Kyu (Morikyu Shoten)　10:30 Kamasada (Nambu ironware)　10:35 Morioka Shinkin Bank Head Office (former Morioka Savings Bank)　10:50 Morioka Hachimangu Shrine　11:20 Asabiraki Sake Brewery (tour and tasting of the sake-making process)　12:00 Daiji-ji Temple (Hara Takashi's grave)　12:10 Seiryusui (one of the 100 Best Waters of the Heisei Era)　12:15 Morioka Machiya　12:20 Enko-ji Temple (Yonai Mitsumasa's grave)　12:50 Birthplace of Nitobe Inazo　13:00 Morioka Castle Ruins Park　13:40 Eboshi Rock at Sakurayama Shrine　13:50 The "handprints of medalists from the 1993 Alpine Skiing World Championships Morioka-Shizukuishi" in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum　14:00 Arrive at the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building, guide tour ends

What Is a Private Walking Tour of Morioka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The tour was arranged and guided according to the guests' wish to learn about the daily life and culture of Morioka's residents. The guests were interested in the willow-lined path along the Nakatsu River, where salmon swim upstream, and in the long-established bamboo crafts, straw crafts, and Nambu ironware of Konya-cho (all of which have been featured in The New York Times). At Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, the guests focused on the large torii gate. There were questions about how to tell temples and shrines apart, the etiquette at the purification fountain, omikuji fortunes (everyone drew one), and how to worship at a shrine. At the sake brewery, the guests listened attentively as a staff member explained the sake production process. In addition to the free tastings of junmai and ginjo sake, the guests also sampled a paid, handcrafted daiginjo that had won a gold prize at a competition a few days earlier. Some of the guests tried amazake, but unfortunately gave up after a single sip, as the taste seemed unfamiliar to them. The guests showed interest in the achievements of Takashi Hara and Mitsumasa Yonai, prime ministers from Morioka. At Seiryusui, the guests drank water from the first well. While looking with interest at the large stones of Asahidani, the guests photographed the Taiko Bridge (featured in The New York Times) and Mount Iwate as seen from the Ninomaru area of Morioka Castle Ruins Park. The guests also showed interest in the Eboshi Rock at Sakurayama Shrine. The guests paused in front of the handprints of the medalists of the 1993 Alpine World Ski Championships held in Morioka and Shizukuishi, matching the names of the athletes (many of them from Europe) with their handprints. The guests appeared to enjoy the beautiful scenery and traditional buildings unique to a former castle town.

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

Tour Report by Hitoshi

My name is Hitoshi Ohata. I’ve been an interpreter and guide for about six years since I retired. I live in Takizawa City which is at the foot of Mt. Iwate, the highest mountain in Iwate Prefecture. My hobby is playing table tennis once a week. I’m not a competitive player, I’m just having fun. I also play go, a board game. The main guides are a guide to Hiraizumi’s cultural heritage and a guide to cruise ship tours in Aomori and Iwate Prefecture. I’ve experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake, so I can talk about things like that. I try to convey Japanese culture and society to people overseas in an easy-to-understand way as much as possible.

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Jul 19, 2025
Michael_B
Morioka Marathon
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We had a great tour with Hiitoshi. He is from…

Jun 24, 2025
Matthew_M
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Viator review: Morioka Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hitoshi was a pleasure to be with and…

Sep 16, 2024
Johannes S
Hitoshi Ohata hat uns eine interessante Führung gegeben. Er hat viel Erfahrung und geht auf individuelle Wünsche ein.
Tripadvisor review:…

August, 2026

Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

10:00 Hotel pickup
10:00-10:20 Walk to arrive at Peace Memorial Park Museum
10:20-12:20 Peace Memorial Museum, various monuments in Peace Memorial Park
12:30-13:30 Lunch
14:05-14:50 To Miyajima via the World Heritage Sea Route
15:00-17:30 Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, other historical buildings, etc.
17:30-18:15 Arrive at Peace Park via the World Heritage Sea Route

What Is a Private Guided Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Since their interests were very close to my own, we were able to enjoy that topic together from the moment we met and build smooth communication throughout the tour. Unusually for this time of year, we did not encounter any student groups at the Peace Memorial Museum, and since the guests had already visited the Orizuru Tower the day before and had a good understanding of the monuments in the Peace Memorial Park, they were able to explore with plenty of time to spare. At Miyajima, they seemed soothed by the many gentle deer.

Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Other	Peace Park Motoyasu Pier～Miyajima	2,400JPY
Total			2,400JPY

Tour Report by Hiroshi

Welcome to Hiroshima.
My name is Hiroshi Tsuji, a licensed guide based in Hiroshima and Miyajima. My family has been connected to Miyajima for more than 300 years, and I am pleased to share the history, culture, and daily life of this unique island with visitors from around the world. Please feel free to call me Hiroshi.
With a background in outdoor sports—including rock climbing, scuba diving, and long-distance triathlons—I have completed several Ironman races abroad. I studied in Kyoto and later worked in management at a publicly listed company, which allowed me to live in many different regions of Japan and develop a deeper understanding of the country’s diverse culture and history.
In Hiroshima, I guide guests through the Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and share perspectives on the history of Hiroshima and modern Japan.
In Miyajima, I introduce Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, the island’s beautiful scenery, and its local cuisine. As someone whose family has been connected to Miyajima for generations, I also enjoy sharing local insights and experiences that offer a more personal connection to the island’s culture and way of life.
I look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Hiroshi

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Jul 31, 2026
Helene R
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Hiroshi was a great experienced…

Jul 26, 2026
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Jul 17, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Excellent tour, Fantastic guide!
We had an absolutely wonderful…

Jul 13, 2026
Jennifer L
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Perfect day in Miyajima and Hiroshima
Hiroshi is…

August, 2026

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path

Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

9:30 Hotel
10:00-10:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
10:55-11:40 Sanjusangendo
12:30-13:30 Lunch (Kappo Uotake)
13:40-14:10 Kinkakuji Temple
14:30-14:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
15:30 Hotel

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like from a Kyoto Hotel? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. At the sightseeing spots they took their time admiring the Buddhist statues and taking many photos, so we omitted part of the original itinerary and the route became: Hotel → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Sanjusangendo → lunch (a local kappo restaurant) → Kinkaku-ji → the Bamboo Grove Path in Arashiyama → Hotel. The guests loved all the sightseeing spots and said, "Everything looks like a picture and is so photogenic." We omitted part of the itinerary because Sanjusangendo took more time than expected; the guests stopped in front of the rows of Buddhist statues, admiring them slowly and asking questions. They also loved the garden of this temple and took photos from various angles. For lunch, I took them to a kappo restaurant frequented by Kyoto locals, and they were delighted, saying, "This is exactly the kind of place we wanted to visit but could never find on our own." During lunch they asked about the religious views of Japanese people and the variety of noodle dishes, and we had a lively conversation about the differences in customs, manners, and taboos between Japan and North America. There were moments when they were puzzled by differences in customs, but they thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

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

Tour Report by Masaki

My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

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Jun 3, 2026
Nikki G
Wonderful experience with a great guide!
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Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
Masaki was s wonderful and patient…

Nov 29, 2025
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We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…

August, 2026

Hyogo: at Nunobiki Herb Garden

Kobe Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

11:00 Meet at JR Shin-Kobe Station
11:15 at Nunobiki Herb Garden
13:00 at Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (drive to Awaji Island)
14:45 at Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum
15:30 at Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
17:15 Disband at Sannomiya Kobe Steak "Mouriya"

What Is a Private Car Tour of Kobe and Awaji Island Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. The day before, they had contacted me to say that one of the guests felt dizzy and unsteady, making walking difficult, so they might need to wait in the private vehicle. I was quite concerned, but on the day they were in better condition than expected, and at some spots they simply sat and rested on a chair. At the herb garden, the group greatly enjoyed the flowers and also had some German beer. There seemed to be insufficient communication between the guide and the driver, so instead of visiting the observation facility on the Kobe side of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge as planned, we ended up driving across the bridge itself to a roadside facility on the Awaji Island side. Since the guests had wanted to drive across the bridge, they were actually delighted by this. However, at the roadside facility on Awaji Island, while eating a doughnut and walking, one of the guests was attacked by what seemed to be a crow and suffered a minor injury to the thumb. The driver obtained disinfectant and a bandage from the information desk and treated it. It was nothing serious, which was a relief. At the two sake breweries they had looked forward to, they experienced tastings of many varieties and also bought souvenirs. I presented them with a handmade drawstring pouch made by a member of my family, and they were very pleased, saying they had never seen anything like it in their home country. After the tour, for the Kobe beef they had also greatly looked forward to, I made a reservation at a restaurant I recommend; I managed to secure a booking at an affiliated branch and guided them to the restaurant, where we parted ways. Today's driver provided very polite service and driving, and showed great attentiveness and care toward the guests, who were very satisfied.

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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

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Jul 25, 2026
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Tokyo in One Day: Shin-okachimachi Station & Shibuya Station

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

8:30 Meeting place: Hotel Ueno Shinokachimachi
8:40 Depart Shin-okachimachi Station
(Toei Subway Oedo Line)
9:10 Arrive Tsukijishijo Station
Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
Tsukiji Outer Market
10:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
Ueno Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
10:30 Arrive Asakusa Station
Asakusa Sensoji Temple
Asakusa Shrine
Nakamise Shopping Street
11:30 Depart Asakusa Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
Omotesando Station
(Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
12:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
Harajuku Meiji Jingu Shrine
Takeshita Street
12:45 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
(Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
Omotesando Station
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
13:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
Shibuya Lunch: Hidakaya
Scramble Crossing
Hachiko Statue
13:50 Shibuya Station
(JR Yamanote Line)
Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station
(Toei Subway Oedo Line)
14:30 Arrive Shin-okachimachi Station
14:30 Dismissal: Shin-okachimachi Station

Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Covering Tsukiji, Asakusa, Harajuku, and Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. The group was expected to be larger, but one member's arrival was delayed by one day, so today I guided the group as it was. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous evening and taken a series of trains to their hotel. The purpose of this visit to Japan was a longer trip, with several days in Tokyo, followed by Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, before returning to Tokyo and flying home. For today, they wanted to visit the main areas of Tokyo and get a sense of the transportation situation. It was a rainy and chilly day, so we toured while holding umbrellas. First, we went to Tsukiji. Despite the rain, it was as crowded as ever. I explained the history of the fish market dating back to the Edo period, and the difference between the Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market. They asked whether all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish, and commented that although it was crowded, it seemed there were many tourists. They wanted to sample something, and in the end they purchased and tried "mochi with strawberry" and "matcha soft serve." After that, we moved to Asakusa. Despite the rain, it was quite crowded. We started from in front of the Kaminarimon gate. I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the shift from Edo to Tokyo, the purpose of the five-story pagoda, what Buddhism is, and the difference between Buddhism and Shinto. We took commemorative photos at the Kaminarimon and various spots, and strolled slowly through the crowded Nakamise shopping street. They asked what the main religions of Japan are, how many Buddhists there are in Japan, and what other religions people believe in. We moved on to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto, the torii gate, Emperor Meiji, and why sake barrels and wine barrels are displayed. They asked what kind of religion Shinto is and how Buddhism and Shinto differ. Despite the rain, a wedding ceremony was taking place, and they took photos. We rested at Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu. We also strolled along Takeshita Street. They noticed a "cat cafe" and mentioned that the next day they planned to visit a sumo stable and a cat cafe in Asakusa. We moved to Shibuya. At the request of one of the guests to eat ramen, we first went to Hidakaya. After that, we looked at Shibuya Scramble Square and crossed the scramble crossing on foot. They asked roughly how many people cross at once and why it became famous. We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. They commented and asked why the city is so clean with no litter, and why there are no trash cans on the streets. I saw them off at Shin-Okachimachi Station, ending the tour.

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Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Shin-okachimachi～Tsukijishijo	220JPY
Section 2	Train	Tsukiji～Asakusa	210JPY
Section 3	Train	Asakusa～Meiji-jingumae	260JPY
Section 4	Train	Meiji-jingumae～Shibuya	180JPY
Section 5	Train	Shibuya～Shinjuku	200JPY
Section 6	Train	Shinjuku-nishiguchi～Shin-okachimachi	220JPY
Total			1,290JPY

Tour Report by Masa

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

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Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
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Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Imperial Palace East Gardens

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

May, 2026

Tour Itinerary

9:05 Meet at Hilton Tokyo
9:40 Harajuku Takeshita Street. They wanted to visit the Capybara Cafe, so we gave a brief tour even though it was before opening.
9:55 Meiji Shrine
11:25 Imperial Palace East Gardens
12:30 Lunch @ Tonkatsu Maruya Marunouchi Palace Building
13:20 Ueno Park, Kiyomizu Kannon-do and Ueno Toshogu Shrine
14:30 Asakusa, after taking photos of Skytree, Senso-ji Temple
15:05 Disband at Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo Private Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide: What Does a Full-Day Itinerary Look Like? The weather was not very good, but it did not rain, so the tour proceeded smoothly. Two of the three guests had already set up Mobile Suica, and the other purchased a 24-hour Tokyo Metro pass before we started. When we talked at the hotel, the guests mentioned wanting to visit a capybara cafe, so although it was before opening hours, I showed them the location of the shop on Takeshita Street. At Meiji Shrine, I explained the differences between shrines and temples, and I received a great many questions. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I explained the varieties of cherry blossoms. There was a variety that bears cherries, which the guests found interesting. For lunch I guided them to a tonkatsu restaurant, which was well received. We then went around Ueno Park and Asakusa, finishing at Senso-ji Temple at 3:00 as planned. Tip received.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Free Pass	Nishi-Shinjuku～Shinjuku	700JPY
Section 2	Train	Shinjuku～Harajuku	160JPY
Section 3	Free Pass	Meiji-jingumae～Takebashi	0JPY
Section 4	Free Pass	Otemachi～Ueno	0JPY
Section 5	Free Pass	Ueno～Asakusa	0JPY
Total			860JPY

Tour Report by Koba

My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
Please call me Koba.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

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Jul 21, 2026
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6hr Tokyo guide great experience
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