Kyoto in Half a Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Sanjusangendo Temple

Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

February, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:00 Meet up ＠Mimaru Kyoto Nijo castle
9:49 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
11:09 Gion Kagai Art Museum
12:14 Sanjusangendo Temple
13:14 Dismiss ＠Nishiki Market

What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Gion and Sanjusangendo The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They were a very cheerful group and thoroughly enjoyed their trip. In particular, at the Gion Geisha District Art Museum, which was our second stop, the guests studied the exhibits very attentively, and it was clear that they had a deep interest in this world. At the final stop, Sanjusangendo, the guests seemed overwhelmed by the countless Buddhist statues, and at the exit they thanked me, saying, "Thank you for showing us something wonderful!" Afterwards, at the guests' request, we parted ways at the entrance to Nishiki Market.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Shijo Horikawa～Kiyomizu-michi	230JPY
Section 2	Bus	Kiyomizu-michi～Gion	230JPY
Section 3	Train	Gion-Shijo～Shichijo	340JPY
Total			800JPY

Tour Report by Hiro

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!

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Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
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Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
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Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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My wife…

May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
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Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

August, 2026

Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Arashiyama

Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

February, 2025

Tour Itinerary

8:30 meet at Kyoto Sanjo
8:50-9:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
9:50-10:50 Sanjusangendo
11:30-12-30 Ginkaku-ji Temple
13:10-14:00 Lunch (Arashiyama area)
14:20-14:50 Arashiyama
15:20 Tour ends at the hotel

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, and Arashiyama The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Some of the guests were fond of Japan and were visiting for the third time, while the others were visiting for the first time. At Kiyomizu-dera, only some of the guests entered, so I gave a compact tour focused on the main stage. At Sanjusangendo, all of the guests visited and were overwhelmed by the Kannon Bodhisattva statues. Their visit coincided with a Setsubun ritual service, and they listened solemnly. At Ginkaku-ji, the guests enjoyed the Philosopher's Path and the moss garden. At lunchtime, the guests requested an extension, so I guided them to the bamboo grove and an observation deck before returning to the hotel. *This was a tour with a vehicle, and the driver was cooperative. However, at the end of lunch, I could not reach the driver by phone for about 15 minutes, which meant the guests had to wait. Since the guests had eaten lunch quickly to save time, this was quite awkward. The reason the call did not connect was that the driver was in a meeting about a guided tour on a different day. While the guests waited, I explained that this time would not be included in the extension fee and gave an explanation about the history of Arashiyama.

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

Tour Report by Mizu

Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
Every city has a unique charming point.
The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

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Jul 27, 2026
OscarBrisenoJr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Awesome tour of Kyoto
Seeing the temples and shrines…

Jul 21, 2026
MarcL3556
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Jul 8, 2026
Ranvt
Local tour kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
I had a great experience on this local…

Jun 11, 2026
MamaL843
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Amazing Kyoto with Mizu
Mizu-San gave us an AMAZING tour of Kyoto.…

August, 2026

Hyogo: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & JR Sannomiya Station

Kobe Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

February, 2025

Tour Itinerary

10:00 Meet @ JR Sannomiya Station
10:30 @ Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
11:45 @ Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
12:15 @ Kitano Ijinkan-gai (Hunter House)
13:45 @ Hamafukutsuru Sake Brewery
14:30 @ Hakutsuru Sake Brewery
15:45 @ JR Sannomiya Station

What Is a Private Sightseeing Tour of Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nada Sake Breweries and Nankinmachi The guests were visitors from North America. Although the group moved at a somewhat relaxed pace (partly because they took many photos), we were able to proceed largely smoothly. The driver knew the roads very well and drove carefully. Originally the group had hoped to visit the Nunobiki Herb Garden, but since the ropeway was under maintenance (until the 16th of this month), we unfortunately changed the plan to a tour of the Nada sake breweries. At each spot, the guests showed great interest and listened attentively to my explanations. Nankinmachi was very crowded due to events for the Chinese New Year and Setsubun. The guests purchased many souvenirs at each location, and at the sake breweries they enjoyed both the free tastings and paid tastings, and bought souvenirs as well. They thanked me, saying I had chosen good spots. After the tour, the group planned to return to their hotel in Osaka, but before that they wanted to have a light meal of sushi, so I guided them to a recommended restaurant, where we parted ways.

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

Tour Report by Yama

Dear my guests,

This is (Mr.) Yama, greeting from Kobe, Japan.
I would like to warmly welcome you to Japan this time. I am from the city of Kobe, which is of course, well-known for very tasty Kobe Beef . You can taste
real genuine Kobe Beef here. Kobe is also called “Home of Japanese Sake” with lots of Sake breweries, and I recommend you would visit those breweries
if you have any interest in Japanese Sake as well as one aspect of Japanese cultures. Of course, you can have tastings of various kinds of Sake there.

Whenever during the tour, I always try to make it safe, pleasant and comfortable for all of the guests, which is my first priority. I am very much confident
that you can have a pleasant and unforgettable experience in Japan. Just tell me about your preference; what you would like to like to see, have, know
and eat and so on. Particularly, I hold the license for cooking qualified by the government here and maybe, I can reply you for questions related to the
foods here. In this respect, I strongly recommend you would try not only famous Japanese cuisine such as Sushi, Tempura or Suki-yaki but some
Japanese traditional local foods, like Tako-yaki, Okonomi-yaki and Kushkatsu. They are sometimes called the soul foods of Japan. Here is the brief
explanation for these three foods.

1) Tako-yaki
Tako-yaki is a snack filled with pieces of octopus in a batter of flour , egg and soup stock. You can call them octopus dumplings or balls. “Tako” means
octopus and “yaki” means grilled or broiled.
2) Okonomi-yaki
This word Okonomi-yaki means “cook just as you like” and you can use whatever you like as toppings, such as beef, pork, shrimp, squid and octopus.
Okonomi-yaki is round shape and just like pancakes or pizza in shape mainly made from egg, flour and water.
3) Kushi-katsu
Kushi-katsu is skewered cutlet or deep-fried foods on a stick. “Kushi” means skewer and “katsu” means cutlet. Various kinds of foods are used for
ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, octopus and lots of kinds of vegetables.

Actually, the western Japan including Osaka, Kobe and Himeji is called as “Home of such local soul foods”. You should give it a try and I am sure
that you like them very much.

I sincerely hope that I can be your tour guide this time in Kobe, Osaka and Himeji. If my guests said to me after the tour, “I have had a very good
and pleasant time with you today. I hope I can come here again and name you as our guide”, which is my great pleasure. Moreover, I would be
great honored if they say “I like Japan now thanks to you”.

Looking forward to meeting you soon here.
Doomo Arigato Gozaimasu!
Yama

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Jul 25, 2026
Hdixjdixj
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Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
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Navigator661725
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A wonderful time!
We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

August, 2026

Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

February, 2025

Tour Itinerary

10:00 Meet up @ The Machiya Ebisuya
10:50-11:40 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
12:40-13:20 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
13:45-14:20 @ Yoshinoya Enmachi Store
15:00-15:30 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
17:00 Dismissal @ In front of Yasaka Pagoda

What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama The guests were a group from Oceania visiting Japan for the first time. They arrived in Tokyo, stayed there for a few days, and then went skiing and snowboarding in Hakuba. They said the powder snow was wonderful, though one of the guests had hurt their tailbone after a fall and mentioned that it was painful to sit down or stand up. Since I had not been able to find out in advance where they wanted to go, we decided the plan together after meeting. They had arrived in Kyoto the previous night and were leaving the following day, so they said that today was effectively their only full day to explore Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha was quite crowded, but I was glad we were able to take a good group photo. For some reason, only one of the guests tried the Omokaru-ishi stone. Kinkaku-ji was relatively empty, and although it was cloudy, there was no wind, so the Golden Pavilion was beautifully reflected on Kyoko-chi pond. After exploring Kinkaku-ji, they said they wanted to have lunch, so on the way to the Arashiyama bamboo grove we stopped at a Yoshinoya branch in Enmachi for lunch. Everything went smoothly up to our walk through the Arashiyama bamboo grove, but afterward the bus heading to Yasaka Pagoda got caught in traffic, so we arrived near Yasaka Pagoda around 17:00. I gave a brief explanation of Yasaka Pagoda, and then we parted ways.

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	Train	Kiyomizu-Gojo Station～Inari Station	220JPY
Section 2	Train	Inari Station～Enmachi Station	200JPY
Section 3	Bus	Nishinokyo-Enmachi～Kinkakuji-michi	230JPY
Section 4	Bus	Kinkakuji-michi～Nishinokyo-Enmachi	230JPY
Section 5	Train	Enmachi Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station	190JPY
Section 6	Train	Randen Arashiyama Station～Shijo-Omiya Station	250JPY
Section 7	Bus	Shijo-Omiya～Kiyomizu-michi	230JPY
Total			1,550JPY

Tour Report by Kaz

Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!

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May 19, 2026
498stephenq
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An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
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Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
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Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
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Kaz was an excellent tour…

August, 2026

Kyoto: Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall & Kofuku-ji Temple

Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

February, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:00 Meet up @ Hotel
10:17 Travel: Walk @ Nara Park
10:37 Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
11:32 Nigatsu-do
11:57 Sangatsu-do
12:37 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
13:32 Lunch
14:37 Kofuku-ji Temple
16:53 Disband @ Hotel

What Is a Private Cultural Tour in Japan Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They both had a strong interest in Japanese history and culture, and observed each site very carefully and attentively. They mentioned that they had met while studying at a university, and shared a strong interest in Asia. For lunch, I took them to an udon restaurant that they were keen to try, and they were very satisfied, finding it delicious. Since there was time before their return train, I guided them through a shopping street at their request, and they enjoyed shopping there. Overall, I believe they were very satisfied with the tour.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Gion-Shijo～Tambabashi	560JPY
Section 2	Train	Tambabashi～Kintetsu Nara	1,880JPY
Section 3	Bus	Kintetsu Nara Station～Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall / Kasuga Taisha Shrine	250JPY
Section 4	Bus	Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine～Kasuga Taisha Main Shrine	100JPY
Section 5	Bus	Kenchomae～Kintetsu Nara Station	250JPY
Total			3,040JPY

Tour Report by Hiro

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!

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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.
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Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…

Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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My wife…

May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
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Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…

August, 2026

Hakodate Customized Half-Day Tour

Hakodate Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

February, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:50 　 Meet at Hakodate Morning Market. Hand over the itinerary and decide which route to take.
10:15　Take the direct bus from Hakodate Station to Goryokaku Park (@¥280). Board the tower and enjoy the scenery (@¥900).
11:50　Return to Hakodate Station by bus, explain the morning market and enjoy various food samples.
12:23　From the morning market to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway (since it is at the top of the hill, this saves walking up from below) (@¥250).
Stroll around the Motomachi area (churches, Hachiman-zaka slope, Motomachi Park, etc.)
13:45　Arrive at the Red Brick Warehouse district. Guide to several places for souvenirs and lunch, explain the overall layout from the bridge over the canal.
14:30　Tour ends
12:40　Arrive at the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hakodate's Motomachi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report In the morning we were blessed with beautiful clear weather, so much so that I wanted to take the guests up to Mount Hakodate. From the afternoon, however, snow began to fall and the weather forecast was completely off, turning cold. Even so, both the guests and I energetically walked around the Motomachi area, sniffling in the cold. The guests were interested in Japanese history and had also visited Nagasaki, so we hit it off right away. When we talked about history, they asked many questions, and they seemed to understand and appreciate the unique background of the city of Hakodate very well.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Hakodate Station front～Mt. Hakodate Ropeway Station	250JPY
Section 2	Bus	Higashiyama Park～Hakodate Station	560JPY
Total			810JPY

Tour Report by Keichan

Hello, my name is Keiko Ichinei. I was born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Hakodate is located in the southernmost in Hokkaido, so compared with Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Hakodate is not so cold or hot all through the year, very moderate climate and comfortable to live in.

Hakodate has been chosen one of the three most popular destinations for travelers in Japan, including Kyoto and Sapporo. A few years ago Hakodate was chosen number one for three years consecutively. Why don’t you come to Hakodate and find why Hakodate is so popular?
My family consists of four: husband, daughter and son. My husband is an alpine photographer and is a curator of his own photo museum. His museum is not in Hakodate but in Asahikawa city, 400 km away from Hakodate. The museum opens on May 1 and closes at the end of October, because it’s too cold there in winter time. That means we live separately for 6 months every year. We enjoy this kind of life style, because, you know, “A mouse will have to play when a cat is away !”
I have five grandchildren. My two kids and all my grandchildren are so gentle and kind and always support me, to my thanks.

I used to be an English teacher at a junior-senior high school for about 24 years while working as an interpreter and a tour guide sometimes. I love kids, flowers and dogs. However, I wanted to be a “through guide”, who accompanies the clients for a few weeks traveling all the way together with them. Consequently, I quit being a teacher in 2015 and decided to focus on guiding since then.
As an interpreter, I have experienced in a wide range of fields, including interpretation for VIPs and seminars, facility and factory tours, and medical interpretation at hospitals.

I believe that my job is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so my priority is to create as many happy memories as possible. I will do my best to make sure that you return home fully satisfied and with a smile on your face

Request Booking

Apr 20, 2026
Gail_H
Viator review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great private tour of Hakodate!
We had a great tour of Hakodate…

Apr 1, 2026
Sandra_G
Viator review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hakodate
Our guide tour in Hakodate keiko was great. Very knowledgeable of…

Oct 8, 2025
Edward_P
Great full day
Viator review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Full day of fun and cultural experiences with our…

Apr 29, 2025
monika_everywhere
Beautiful – even on a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour…

August, 2026

Hakodate Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

Hakodate Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

January, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:00 Meet at the Hotel Hakodate Ekimae Walk to the Hakodate Morning Market
9:45 Take a taxi to Goryokaku Park Board the tower Tour the Hakodate Magistrate's Office Stroll around the park
11:50 Return to Hakodate Station by direct bus
12:15 Take a taxi to the Mount Hakodate Ropeway Lunch at the summit restaurant
13:45 Descend the mountain. Stroll around the Motomachi district (Enter the Catholic church; only the exterior of the Russian church as it is closed during winter)
14:40 Red Brick Warehouses Introduction of major shops, etc.
15:05 Tour ends

Title: What's a Private Winter Tour of Hakodate Like? A Licensed Guide's Report It was a day with occasional snow flurries. I had proposed two possible itineraries via a messaging app before the tour, and since some blue sky appeared, the guests chose to have lunch on Mount Hakodate. This only requires adding 200 yen to the round-trip ropeway fare, which feels like a very good deal. Unfortunately, it clouded over after lunch, so we were not able to enjoy the magnificent view very much. The guests said they would like to visit Hokkaido again in summer or autumn, and they became quite interested in Hokkaido. The guests had visited Japan several times to ski and had happened to become acquainted at the Hakuba ski resort. They wanted not only to ski but also to visit various sightseeing spots around Japan and learn more. They also had a strong interest in the Japanese language, and were pleased with the handout of basic Japanese conversation phrases. Walking was no problem at all, so we were able to move through the itinerary smoothly. They also seemed interested in Japanese history, which made explaining things rewarding.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Bus	Higashiyama Koen-mae～Hakodate Station	560JPY
Total			560JPY

Tour Report by Keichan

Hello, my name is Keiko Ichinei. I was born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Hakodate is located in the southernmost in Hokkaido, so compared with Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Hakodate is not so cold or hot all through the year, very moderate climate and comfortable to live in.

Hakodate has been chosen one of the three most popular destinations for travelers in Japan, including Kyoto and Sapporo. A few years ago Hakodate was chosen number one for three years consecutively. Why don’t you come to Hakodate and find why Hakodate is so popular?
My family consists of four: husband, daughter and son. My husband is an alpine photographer and is a curator of his own photo museum. His museum is not in Hakodate but in Asahikawa city, 400 km away from Hakodate. The museum opens on May 1 and closes at the end of October, because it’s too cold there in winter time. That means we live separately for 6 months every year. We enjoy this kind of life style, because, you know, “A mouse will have to play when a cat is away !”
I have five grandchildren. My two kids and all my grandchildren are so gentle and kind and always support me, to my thanks.

I used to be an English teacher at a junior-senior high school for about 24 years while working as an interpreter and a tour guide sometimes. I love kids, flowers and dogs. However, I wanted to be a “through guide”, who accompanies the clients for a few weeks traveling all the way together with them. Consequently, I quit being a teacher in 2015 and decided to focus on guiding since then.
As an interpreter, I have experienced in a wide range of fields, including interpretation for VIPs and seminars, facility and factory tours, and medical interpretation at hospitals.

I believe that my job is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so my priority is to create as many happy memories as possible. I will do my best to make sure that you return home fully satisfied and with a smile on your face

Request Booking

Apr 20, 2026
Gail_H
Viator review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great private tour of Hakodate!
We had a great tour of Hakodate…

Apr 1, 2026
Sandra_G
Viator review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hakodate
Our guide tour in Hakodate keiko was great. Very knowledgeable of…

Oct 8, 2025
Edward_P
Great full day
Viator review: Hakodate 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Full day of fun and cultural experiences with our…

Apr 29, 2025
monika_everywhere
Beautiful – even on a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Hakodate 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour…

August, 2026

Tokyo in Half a Day: Hamarikyu & Kappabashi Kitchen Town

Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

January, 2025

Tour Itinerary

9:00 Meet up @ Celestine Shiba
9:30 Hamarikyu
10:45 Tsukiji (Fish Market ~ Honganji Temple)
12:00 Asakusa (Kaminarimon ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Hoppy Street ~ Denboin Street)
12:45 Lunch @ Daikokuya
13:45 Kappabashi Kitchen Town
14:30 Dismiss @ Asakusa Line Asakusa Station

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hamarikyu, Tsukiji, and Kappabashi The guests were a group visiting from Europe. After three days in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Kyoto and Osaka before returning home. As this was their first visit to Japan, we set off after I explained the geography of Tokyo and the history of Japan. Before arriving, the guests had expressed a wish to visit Tsukiji and Asakusa, along with one more destination of my choosing, so on the way to Tsukiji we stopped at Hamarikyu Gardens. There I explained the Edo Shogunate and the Edo period. The rape blossoms and plum trees were beginning to bloom, and the guests were more delighted than I had expected. To avoid the crowds at the outer market, I guided them to the fish market, where they purchased tuna sushi and enjoyed it on a rooftop. Over lunch, I explained how to spend their time in Tokyo and how to use public transportation so they could get around on their own. Since they mentioned they had been asked to buy a knife at Kappabashi, I guided them to several knife shops in Kappabashi as a courtesy. Afterward, as they wished to visit the Skytree, we returned to Asakusa Station on the Asakusa Line and parted ways.

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Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Subway	Oedo Line Akabanebashi～Oedo Line Shiodome	178JPY
Section 2	Subway	Asakusa Line Higashi-ginza～Asakusa Line Asakusa	220JPY
Total			398JPY

Tour Report by Hideki

Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
1. Cross-cultural communication
2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

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

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

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

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

August, 2026

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

January, 2025

Tour Itinerary

1. 10:30 Meet at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
2. 11:00 Imperial Palace (Outer Garden, East Gardens)
3. 13:30 Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple)
4. 14:30 Lunch at Maguroto
5. 15:40 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street)
6. 16:35 Disband at Harajuku

What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The weather was favorable on the day, and we were able to follow the itinerary we had confirmed in advance with the guests as planned. I believe the guests were satisfied with the tour overall. It was the group's first visit to Japan, and although they had been to Japan before, they had not had time for sightseeing, so they wanted to first visit the main spots. Since they wanted sushi for lunch, I took them to "Magurobito" in Asakusa, and they were very pleased. They were very friendly and listened attentively to my explanations, making them easy guests to accommodate. F.Y.I. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the plum blossoms have started to bloom.

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	Subway	Roppongi～Hibiya	178JPY
Section 2	Subway	Otemachi～Asakusa	178JPY
Section 3	Subway	Asakusa～Meiji-jingumae	252JPY
Total			608JPY

Tour Report by Nobu

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

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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…

August, 2026

Tokyo in One Day: Meeting at Segafredo & Enoshima

Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

January, 2025

Tour Itinerary

8:00 Meet
8:10 Meeting at Segafredo
8:30 Taxi to Kamakura
10:00 Great Buddha of Kamakura
10:45 Hasedera Temple
12:00 Take the Enoden to Kamakura
12:20 Komachi Street
12:40 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
13:40 Lunch at Minemoto
14:40 Taxi to Enoshima
15:20 Enoshima sightseeing
16:30 Taxi to Shinjuku
19:00 Tour ends

What Is a Private Kamakura and Enoshima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. Since they needed to have a meeting, they wanted to take a taxi to Kamakura, so I arranged a taxi from in front of the Hotel. I made various creative efforts to create a romantic atmosphere so the guests would enjoy their time. They were delighted by Kamakura, saying the air was clean and there was so much greenery, which they found very soothing. Since they loved flowers, I guided them to the peony garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and they were moved by how beautiful it was. They were also impressed by the vivid view of Mount Fuji at Enoshima. We rang the Bell of the Dragon's Love and celebrated everlasting love. At the end, we talked about Australian films and music, sharing stories that made for a lively and enjoyable conversation!

Click here for more details: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Hase Station～Kamakura Station	200JPY
Total			200JPY

Tour Report by Romy

Hello!

My name is Romy, and I’m a licensed tour guide based in Tokyo.

I believe that travel is not just about visiting new places, but about enriching your life, expanding your horizons, and experiencing sensational moments that leave you with a deep sense of wonder. I’m here to help you discover Japan in a way that will touch your heart and inspire you to see the world through a new lens.

Let me share how I became a tour guide. Since I was a child, I’ve always been fascinated by foreign films and cultures. I studied English and French, traveled to the U.S. and Europe multiple times, and was always captivated by the diversity of the world.

But as I started working and met foreign colleagues who practiced martial arts and had a deep knowledge of Japanese culture, I realized how rich and beautiful Japan’s culture truly is. From traditional architecture and tea ceremonies to Bushido and kimono, Japan has so many hidden treasures that moved me deeply, and I wanted to share these with people from around the world.

In addition to guiding in Tokyo, I’ve also had the privilege of taking guests to iconic places like Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, Kanazawa, and Takayama. Each destination offers a unique story and charm, and I love sharing these gems with my visitors.

I was born in the heart of Tokyo, in Chiyoda Ward, and I’m familiar with the Imperial Palace and the fascinating history of Japan’s royal family and samurai. I’ve even worked for the Imperial Household Agency, and I take great joy in sharing these lesser-known aspects of Japan’s culture with my guests.

I love meeting new people, expanding my horizons, and sharing the wisdom I’ve gathered along the way.

Every tour is an opportunity for me to learn and grow, and I continually strive to improve my skills to be the best guide I can be.

I’d like to share the magic of Japan with you. Let’s begin a beautiful journey together, and create moments that you’ll cherish always.

Thank you,
Hello!

My name is Hiromi, and I’m a licensed tour guide based in Tokyo.