Category: Uncategorized

  • Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Sapporo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 8:50 Meet@Hotel Sosei Sapporo MGallery Collection
    • 2. 9:05 Hokkaido Jingu Tongu Shrine
    • 3. 9:25 Nijo Market
    • 4. 9:55 Tanukikoji
    • 5. 10:55 Shiroi Koibito Park
    • 6. 13:00 Lunch@Aburiya (Bisse)
    • 7. 13:55 Former Hokkaido Government Office
    • 8. 14:05 JR Tower Observation Deck
    • 9. 14:45 Sapporo Clock Tower
    • 10. 15:20 Dismissal@Hotel Sosei Sapporo MGallery Collection

    Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Sapporo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan. They were very earnest, listening carefully to my explanations and asking thoughtful questions. The group nodded enthusiastically throughout my talks and remained calm and attentive, which made for a very smooth and enjoyable tour. Apart from the transfer to Shiroi Koibito Park, the entire tour was on foot. My pedometer recorded over 20,000 steps, and although I said, "Please let me know if you get tired of walking," and was a little concerned about it, the group ended up walking with me for more than six hours, for which I was truly grateful.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOdori Park Station~Miyanosawa Station290JPY
    Section 2SubwayMiyanosawa Station~Odori Park Station290JPY
    Total580JPY

    I was born and raised in Hokkaido and have been a resident of Sapporo for over 30 years. I have been actively involved in guiding tourists around the scenic spots of Hokkaido, primarily focusing on Sapporo. Even before becoming a licensed interpreter guide, I engaged in volunteer activities to assist and guide foreigners, providing me with valuable opportunities to delve into the rich culture and history of Hokkaido.
    Hokkaido is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, and I am well-versed in gourmet information. I believe I can offer an excellent experience by guiding individuals through the highly acclaimed food experiences that Hokkaido has to offer.

    Apr 22, 2026
    Agent PT A
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Super Sapporo in April with Tom.
    Tom was kind…

    Feb 10, 2026
    Alan_C
    Very enjoyable and well…
    Viator review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Very enjoyable and well worth it. Our…

    Sep 24, 2025
    saratW9816BN
    Tour up to the Moiwa mountain and lots more
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We’ve had…

    Sep 2, 2025
    roxannerW1499FK
    Great experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Sapporo 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful city tour with Tom in…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Rikugien Garden

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Rikugien Garden

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ Prince Park Tower Tokyo
    • 10:40 Asakusa (Kaminarimon ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Okuyama Amairimachi)
    • 12:00 Shopping on Kappabashi Street
    • 13:00 Lunch @ Tajimaan
    • 13:40 Kappabashi Street (Pick up personalized knife at Kamaasa)
    • 14:00 Nezu Shrine ~ Hebi-michi ~ Yanaka Ginza
    • 15:45 Rikugien Garden
    • 17:00 Dismiss @ Shibakoen Station

    Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Kappabashi, Yanaka, and Rikugien The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. Before their arrival, I held a preparatory meeting to explain the history of Japan and Tokyo and the geography of the city, and we confirmed the itinerary before setting out. The guests were highly curious and looked forward to food and shopping. In Asakusa they enjoyed candied sweet potatoes; in Kappabashi they purchased two kitchen knives (having names engraved took nearly an hour, which put us over time) along with small tableware; on Hebi-michi they bought traditional Japanese accessories; in Yanaka they enjoyed cat-tail-shaped doughnuts and rice crackers; and at Rikugien they purchased a matcha and Japanese sweets set. There were also many questions about Japan's cultural background, social systems, and customs, which I enjoyed answering as well. Since it was Coming of Age Day, the guests were delighted to see "real" Japanese people in furisode kimono at Nezu Shrine. As they planned to head from Shibuya toward Shinjuku the next day and to visit Hakone the day after, I gave them directions and travel tips before we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa Line Daimon~Asakusa Line Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2TrainJR Nippori~JR Komagome146JPY
    Section 3SubwayMita Line Sengoku~Mita Line Shibakoen272JPY
    Total638JPY

    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

    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…

  • Nara in One Day: Ukigumo Enchi & Kofukuji Temple

    Nara in One Day: Ukigumo Enchi & Kofukuji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:18 Kintetsu-Nara Station (Start of Tour) but the guests arrived late
    • 11:47 Start
    • 2 taxis one of them misunderstood and went to the wrong place
    • 12:20 Ukigumo Enchi
    • 12:40 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate)
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 13:00 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 13:30 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 13:40 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
    • 14:00 lunch at Emado Chaya?)
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 15:20 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill: former katana sword manufacturer's shop
    • walk 10 minutes
    • 16:00 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
    • entrance: 700 yen
    • walk 20 minutes
    • 16:40 Kofukuji Temple
    • walk 5 minutes
    • 17:10 back at Kintetsu-Nara Station (End of Tour)

    What Is a Private Walking Tour of Nara Like from Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from Oceania spanning a wide range of ages. I had explained in detail beforehand how to take the train from their hotel in Kyoto to Kintetsu Nara, and even the night before I received a message via a messaging app saying they would definitely take that train. Even so, the guests became quite confused and their arrival was considerably delayed. On top of that, one of the two taxis they split into went missing, resulting in one problem after another. Even so, members of the group showed great interest in everything, and I found myself explaining things I would not usually cover. It was also lucky that the entire course could be walked, even by the oldest and youngest members of the group, though at a fairly slow pace. They seemed truly delighted, telling me it was the first time they had ever experienced a tour like this. According to the driver of the taxi I rode in (the one that did not go missing), "That person (the driver who ended up going to the wrong place) is a little hard of hearing, so he sometimes makes decisions on his own." I intend to make a gentle complaint to the taxi company tomorrow, but I suspect the aging of drivers is the underlying cause. It is really not something I can dismiss as someone else's problem.

    Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
    I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
    After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
    I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
    What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

    May 16, 2026
    I3520JTcristinat
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nara with family
    Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

    May 3, 2026
    Maria_J
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Enjoyable day in Nara
    We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

    Apr 11, 2026
    64sandig
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
    ????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

    Mar 30, 2026
    dpadillachavez
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
    Great day at Nara!
    Best tour on Nara, Junichi…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:55 Meet@Hotel by Marriott Tokyo Ginza
    • 2. 09:00 Travel∶Subway
    • 3. 09:25 Visit@East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 4. 10:30 Travel∶Subway
    • 5. 11:00 Visit@Asakusa
    • 6. 12:05 Lunch@Aoi Marushin
    • 7. 12:40 Travel∶Subway
    • 8. 12:55 Visit@Ueno Park
    • 9. 13:20 Travel∶Subway
    • 10 13:30 Disband@Azumabashi

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's East Gardens and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Since they did not have a Suica or similar transit card, they purchased a one-day Tokyo Metro pass at Higashi-Ginza Station, which was the nearest station to their accommodation. As the guests had requested in advance, I guided them through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Asakusa, where we took a lunch break. Since their accommodation was in Higashi-Ginza and travel time was short, we had quite a bit of extra time in the latter half of the tour. One of the guests was interested in Ueno Zoo, so I took them to Ueno Park once, but since the pandas were likely to be sleeping, we decided not to enter the zoo. Instead, we headed back to Asakusa toward Tokyo Skytree, which was their next point of interest, and I ended the tour after explaining the walking route around Azumabashi Bridge.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassHigashi-Ginza Station~Otemachi Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassOtemachi Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassAsakusa Station~Ueno Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassUeno Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Total600JPY

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

    Jul 21, 2026
    G848SWmaribelm
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Tour of Tokyo sights was great!
    The tour experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Cezary P
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour of Tokyo!
    Sam, was outstanding! Showed…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Michael_C
    Tokyo tour
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour with a wonderful guide -…

    Jun 18, 2026
    David_W
    Viator review: Tokyo Tsukiji Food & Culture 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Market Tour
    Great tour. Got to see…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Gion

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Gion

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meeting @ Westin Miyako Kyoto
    • 8:50-9:30 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    • 10:20-11:10 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 11:50-12:20 @ Kiyomizu-dera
    • 12:25-12:55 @ Higashiyama Area, Hokan-ji
    • 13:00-14:10 @ Gion
    • 14:10 Dismissal @ In front of Wagashi Shop Ninigi Kyoto Gion Main Store

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like on a National Holiday? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was their first trip to Japan, and they came to Kyoto after staying in Tokyo for about three days. They planned to stay in Kyoto for a total of about five days. Since the tour day happened to fall on the Coming-of-Age Day national holiday, they mentioned that the day felt somehow special. At the guests' last-minute request, we moved the tour up by one hour. Perhaps because of the earlier start, the Arashiyama bamboo grove was less crowded than expected, and we were able to stroll comfortably. On the other hand, Fushimi Inari Taisha was extremely crowded. Perhaps because many people were visiting in connection with the Coming-of-Age celebrations, there seemed to be many young Japanese worshippers. There was also a long line at the fortune-slip (omikuji) area. Kiyomizu-dera was also very crowded, and there was a long line at Otowa Waterfall as well. While strolling around the Higashiyama area, the guests each purchased and enjoyed a skewer of grilled beef. I was surprised that a wagyu skewer cost ¥1,000, while a Kobe beef skewer cost ¥4,000. While walking through Gion, we passed by several formally dressed geiko and maiko, which delighted the guests greatly. After exploring Gion, they said they wanted to go to a cafe, so I guided them to the front of a Japanese sweets shop in the Gion Higashi area and we parted ways there. The two hours of extension fees were paid by the guests in cash.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKeage Station~Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Station260JPY
    Section 2TrainRanden Tenjingawa Station~Arashiyama Station250JPY
    Section 3TrainSaga-Arashiyama Station~Inari Station240JPY
    Section 4TrainInari Station~Tofukuji Station150JPY
    Section 5BusTofukuji~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,130JPY

    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!

    May 19, 2026
    498stephenq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An enjoyable visit
    Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
    Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

    Oct 14, 2025
    Scenic61154406959
    Great Historical Perspective
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

    Sep 29, 2025
    Jea L
    Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kaz was an excellent tour…

  • Tokyo Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour

    Tokyo Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet up @Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon
    • 2. 9:45 @Zojoji Temple
    • 3. 10:30 @Tokyo Tower
    • 4. 11:00 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 5. 11:30 @Tokyo Station
    • 6. 12:00 @Nezu Shrine
    • 7. 12:30 Lunch@Yanaka
    • 8. 13:15 @Yanaka Shopping Street
    • 9. 13:40 @Yanaka Cemetery
    • 10. 14:30 Disband@Ginza Line Kanda Station Platform

    【当日のツアールート】 10:00 Meeting point: Hotel — Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's Temples and Shrines? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America, using an extended holiday for their trip. After Tokyo, they planned to continue to other destinations to relax at a beach resort. Today was their final sightseeing day in Japan, and they had already visited Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Disneyland. They had also experienced Shinjuku Golden Gai and a dinner accompanied by a sumo show. For this tour, the guests expressed a wish to "see red gates," so I guided them to include the Sangedatsumon Gate of Zojoji Temple and the thousand torii gates of Nezu Shrine. They were especially delighted at the thousand torii gates, which seemed to be exactly the "place they had wanted to visit." Afterward, while strolling through the Yanaka shopping street, they purchased chopsticks and cat-shaped chopstick rests as souvenirs. At Yanaka Cemetery, they visited the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, and upon spotting the hollyhock crest they had seen earlier at Zojoji Temple in the morning, they nodded along to my explanations about the Edo period and the shoguns. At every stop, the guests took many photos of themselves together with the scenery.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassToei Asakusa Line Asakusa Station~Daimon Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station~Kasumigaseki Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station~Chiyoda Line Nezu Station0JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Yamanote Line Nippori Station~Kanda Station170JPY
    Total1,070JPY

    Hello, I’m Noripy.
    I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

    Jul 3, 2026
    Jody D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
    Best Post cruise tour ever
    It was…

    June 19, 2026
    Alec T
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo in 4 hours
    Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely experience. My…
    Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…

    Jun 3, 2026
    Sara B
    Tokyo walking tour with Noripy. A+!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Noripy gave a 5/5 tour!…

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40 Meet at hotel 10:07 Board JR train bound for Nara 10:53 Arrive at JR Nara Station 11:15 Nara Park 11:30 Todai-ji Temple 12:30 Nakatanidou (mochi pounding performance) 12:45 Lunch 13:50 Nigiwai no Ie 14:30 Harushika Sake Brewery (sake tasting) 15:20 Kofuku-ji Temple Treasure Hall 16:07 Board JR train bound for Kyoto 16:53 Arrive at JR Kyoto Station 
    • 17:05 Tour ends at Kyoto Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report I had been unable to reach the guests easily beforehand, so I felt some concern, but with support from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), we managed to meet at the hotel and started the tour without any trouble. The weather was clear and sunny that day, so the cold was a little more bearable. The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They mentioned that where they came from was colder than Kyoto and Nara. The guests were very interested in everything they saw and heard, and they listened attentively to my explanations. Although it was a public holiday, the trains and the various sightseeing spots were not very crowded. The mochi-pounding performance at "Nakatanidou" luckily started the very moment we arrived. We were also able to catch buses and trains at good timing, making it an efficient tour. The sake tasting at Harushika Brewery had gone up by 100 yen to 700 yen. Compared to before the pandemic, when it was 500 yen and came with a souvenir glass, this is quite an increase. I took a photo during the sake tasting.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike~Kyoto220JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Nara720JPY
    Section 3Free PassJR Nara Station~JR Nara Station600JPY
    Section 4TrainNara~Kyoto720JPY
    Total2,260JPY

    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.

    Jul 24, 2026
    Trail65429092687
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Tour
    Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…

    Jul 23, 2026
    489caelinp
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto Guided Tour
    My friend and I had a great experience…

    Jul 16, 2026
    margaretsM7923ON
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
    Great way to see Kyoto
    Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.

    Jul 9, 2026
    Sandra_B
    Kazuo was great and…
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kazuo was great and provided…

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kinkaku-ji

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kinkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Hotel Meet (Rinn Shiki Juraku)
    • 8:30-9:20 Travel (Hotel → Fushimi Inari; Karasuma Line & Tozai Line; Karasuma Marutamachi → Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Train; Keihan Sanjo → Fushimi Inari)
    • 9:20-10:10 Visit Fushimi Inari
    • 10:10-10:40 Travel (Fushimi Inari → Nijo Castle; Keihan Train; Fushimi Inari → Keihan Sanjo, Tozai Line; Sanjo Keihan → Nijo Castle)
    • 10:40-11:30 Visit Nijo Castle
    • 11:30-12:00 Travel (Nijo Castle → Kinkaku-ji; City Bus; Nijojo-mae → Kinkakuji-michi)
    • 12:00-12:30 Visit Kinkaku-ji
    • 12:30 Tour ends at Kinkaku-ji.
    • On the way back, we will take you to Shinkyogoku and say goodbye

    What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji The guests were a group visiting from North America. A few days before the tour, the date was changed, and on the night before the tour at 23:00 a request came in to start the tour one hour later than the scheduled time. I noticed this before arriving at the hotel, so I sent an email confirming the one-hour delay and waited at a fast-food restaurant. Thirty minutes later, a phone call came in saying they were ready and would like to start the tour right away, so in the end we began the tour at 8:30. During the tour I took them to Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji. They also requested a tour guide for the next day, but since my schedule did not allow it, I politely declined. Instead, I shared some candidate destinations to visit, and since they had requested some shopping on the way back, I took them to Shinkyogoku before saying goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma Marutamachi~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 2TrainKeihan Sanjo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
    Section 3TrainFushimi Inari~Keihan Sanjo220JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo Keihan~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 5BusNijojo-mae~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
    Total1,110JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Beth_D
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Excellent Tour and Guide
    Michi was an excellent tour guide! He…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Departure: Depart from Ueno & Shibuya Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Departure: Depart from Ueno & Shibuya Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meeting point: Hotel & hostel
    • 10:40 Departure: Depart from Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:00 Arrive at Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Senso-ji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 12:00 Depart from Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • Nihombashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
    • 12:30 Arrive at Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:30 Depart from Nijubashimae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 14:00 Arrive at Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • Cat Street
    • Omotesando
    • 15:30 Depart from Omotesando Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 15:45 Arrive at Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Magnet Building Rooftop
    • (Late) Lunch: Hidakaya
    • 17:00 Depart from Shibuya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 17:30 Arrive at Ueno Station
    • 17:30 Disband: Ueno Station

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, and Shibuya The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. It was everyone's first visit to Japan. Two days earlier, they had arrived at Narita Airport on a direct flight and traveled by chauffeured car to a hotel in Ueno. This time, they were on a roughly two-week trip to Japan. The main purpose was a ski trip in Myoko Kogen. After that, they planned to visit Kyoto and Osaka, and then return home after coming back to Tokyo. Everyone loved Japanese food, and one of the guests had a fish allergy. They said they wanted to enjoy a variety of Japanese dishes together. It was overcast, but it did not rain, so we had a tour under pleasant weather. First, we went to Asakusa. We passed through the Nakamise shopping street from the Kaminarimon Gate to the main hall. It was very crowded. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" At the food stalls in the temple grounds, they bought and tasted takoyaki and chocolate-covered bananas. We moved to the Imperial Palace. I explained about "the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji period," "the Meiji Restoration," "why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace," and "an overview of the current Imperial family." They said, "The pine trees are beautiful." There were also questions such as "Does the Emperor really live inside here?", "Who is the next Emperor?", and "What are the characteristics of a Japanese garden?" We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained about "the Meiji Restoration," "Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." Along the approach path, there was a display of ice sculptures, so we proceeded slowly while taking photographs. They said, "It's wonderful that there is such a green place in the city center. It feels refreshing." Furthermore, we strolled slowly through the crowded Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando. After this, we moved to Shibuya, experienced the Scramble Crossing, and took photos. We also took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. We then went up to the rooftop of MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 and viewed the Scramble Crossing. Here too, there was a question: "Why are there so many people? Are there many Japanese, or many tourists?" At their request to have a late lunch since they were hungry, we went to a casual restaurant. There were also comments such as "All Japanese people are polite," "The streets are clean and there is no litter," "Why are there no trash cans around?", "The subway seems very well made, but it's hard to understand until you get used to it," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant." I saw them off at Ueno Station, ending the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayUeno Station~Asakusa Station178JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa Station~Otemachi Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijubashimae Station~Meiji-jingumae Station209JPY
    Section 4SubwayOmotesando Station~Shibuya Station178JPY
    Section 5SubwayShibuya Station~Ueno Station209JPY
    Total952JPY

    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.

    Jul 21, 2026
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  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Ritz Carlton Kyoto

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Ritz Carlton Kyoto

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle
    • 9:52 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:11 Daigo-ji Temple
    • 12:38 Lunch @Shijo Karasuma
    • 13:47 Walk: Yasaka Pagoda ~ Sannenzaka ~ Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 14:17 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 15:02 Walk: Kiyomizu-dera Temple ~ Ninenzaka ~ Ishibei-koji ~ Yasaka Shrine
    • 15:27 Yasaka Shrine
    • 15:52 Walk: Yasaka Shrine ~ Gion
    • 17:00 The Ritz Carlton Kyoto

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from South America. They had requested a considerable number of destinations, but everything had been left entirely to an agency. Since one of the guests was interested in the geisha districts, and Miyagawacho had initially been listed, I consulted with the guest and took the group to the Gion geisha arts museum, which they were very pleased with. The guests also viewed the other spots with great enthusiasm, and I believe they enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayMarutamachi~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 3TrainInari~Rokujizo200JPY
    Section 4SubwayRokujizo~Daigo220JPY
    Section 5BusDaigo Station~Daigo-ji Temple Front420JPY
    Section 6SubwayDaigo~Shijo330JPY
    Section 7BusShijo Karasuma~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Section 8TrainGion-Shijo~Sanjo170JPY
    Section 9SubwaySanjo Keihan~Marutamachi260JPY
    Total2,240JPY

    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
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