Category: Uncategorized

  • Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour

    Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet in front of the Sea Bass ticket counter on the 1st floor of Hammerhead
    • 10:11 – 11:20 Take the Red Shoe sightseeing bus around the tourist spots, then to Sakuragicho Station
    • 11:50 – 12:30 Lunch @ Rikyuan
    • 12:45 Take the Air Cabin from Sakuragicho to World Porters
    • 13:50 Disband at Hammerhead

    What's a Private Bus-Based Sightseeing Tour of Yokohama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The best part of the day was that the weather finally improved, clearing up beautifully into a warm day, as if the stretch of cold days beforehand had never happened. The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. During the exchange about the itinerary, I offered them a choice between a plan with a good amount of walking and a plan using a sightseeing bus with little walking, and we went with the bus-centered plan. Since one of the guests had long worked as a bus driver, the bus plan was exactly what they had hoped for, and they were very pleased. For lunch, the restaurant we had originally planned, "Tenkichi," was unexpectedly crowded, and after learning it would be a 90-minute wait, we decided to give up on it. Instead, we chose "Rikyuan," another well-known restaurant right nearby, where we were able to get in after about a 20-minute wait, and it was fortunate that they did not dislike soba. And because the weather was so nice, they were able to enjoy the beautiful local scenery of Yokohama. They told me they had a very good time, which was the best reward of all.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHammerhead~Sakuragicho Station220JPY
    Total220JPY

    I registered as a national guide in February 2015 and began working as an interpreter guide in 2019. I have been guiding throughout Tokyo (I was born and raised in Setagaya and went to elementary and junior high school in Aoyama, Minato-ku. I am familiar with sightseeing spots and gourmet food in this area, including Shibuya), and I now live in Kanagawa (Yokohama where I have lived more than 30 years, and Kamakura, Odawara, Hakone)
    I worked for the Japanese branch of an American advertising company for over 30 years and, thus, have deep knowledge of marketing and branding.
    My hobbies are travel (domestic and international) and bicycling (I have participated in the Tour de Okinawa citizens’ race every year since 2017. I ride approx. 7,000 kilometers a year). When traveling in Japan, I enjoy traditional crafts, local products, food, and sake from each region. I am also active in a band as a third hobby, performing live once a year for ten years.
    As a guide, I mainly guide small groups (about 4-5 people), where I can communicate more closely and politely with them, rather than large groups.
    My activity aims to deepen the understanding of Japanese traditional culture and the Japanese people among foreign visitors and to make a small contribution to making Japan the number one country to revisit in their hearts.

    May 31, 2026
    Carol_S
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great way to start a trip
    Hidecki reached out a couple of…

    May 7, 2026
    Alain_V
    Viator review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Belle visite
    Merci beaucoup à notre guide Ideaki qui nous a permis…

    Apr 16, 2026
    Julia_S
    Viator review: Kamakura Private Tour from Yokohama with Guide and Vehicle
    Excellent Guide made for an Excellent Tour
    We enjoyed our…

    Mar 25, 2026
    Jeff_M
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Short tour of a huge city
    Hideiki obviously wanted to give us…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Memorial Park & Hiroshima Station

    Hiroshima in One Day: Peace Memorial Park & Hiroshima Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Hiroshima Station (Meeting Point)
    • 11:00 Peace Memorial Park
    •    (Atomic Bomb Dome, Memorial Cenotaph, Museum, Hypocenter)
    • 13:15 Lunch (Indian Restaurant Kanak)
    • 14:30 To Miyajima via World Heritage Sea Route
    • 15:40 Itsukushima Shrine (Too crowded, did not enter)
    • 15:45 Senjokaku
    • 16:00 Omotesando Shopping Street
    • 18:00 Hiroshima Station
    • 18:30 Tour End

    What Is a Private Guided Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a tour requested through a travel agency for guests visiting from Asia. The guests were very interested in the Peace Memorial Park and listened carefully to my explanations. Since one member of the group had difficulty with stairs, we walked at a slower pace and used elevators where possible. Sensing their interest in history, I also guided them to the hypocenter and the Rest House. They had come from Tokyo and started early in the morning, so they were hungry and looking forward to lunch. At a reserved Indian restaurant, they enjoyed curry. Afterward, we took the World Heritage Sea Route to Miyajima. On the boat, they dozed off a little. At first, the guests did not know much about Miyajima and did not seem very interested, but once we arrived they took many photos, touched the deer, and enjoyed themselves. It was very crowded, with a long line in front of the shrine, so they decided not to go inside. Instead, we visited Senjokaku and went in to look around. One member of the group who could not climb up rested nearby. In the shopping street, they enjoyed fried oysters, momiji manju, juice, and other treats. They browsed the souvenir shops and, although they did not buy anything in particular, they had a good time. Since they were heading to Osaka, we returned to the station early, and I helped them collect their stored luggage and exchange money before seeing them off. I was glad they were able to spend an enjoyable time without any trouble.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
    Section 2OtherPeace Memorial Park~Miyajima1,100JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total1,760JPY

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

    Jul 21, 2024
    yasminc961
    Incredible Tour Guide Experience!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We weren’t sure what to…

  • Kyoto: bamboo forest heading to Kiyomizu-dera

    Kyoto: bamboo forest heading to Kiyomizu-dera

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 Meet
    • 9:30 Depart from the hotel heading to Arashiyama
    • 10:10 Shopping from the Tenryu-ji parking lot to the bamboo forest
    • 10:40~12:00 Bamboo forest, Nonomiya Shrine
    • 12:30 Depart from the bamboo forest heading to Kiyomizu-dera
    • 13:10~14:20 Kiyomizu-dera, heading to the main hall while shopping
    • 14:40~15:20 Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, lunch
    • 15:45 Arrive at the hotel

    What Does a Private Kyoto Day Tour Cover? Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and Ninenzaka — A Licensed Guide's Report For a group visiting Japan for the first time, the itinerary was left entirely to me, and I planned to show them places that capture the essence of Kyoto. The shops in Arashiyama caught the interest of the whole group, and they did a lot of shopping there. They also greatly enjoyed the bamboo grove. Kiyomizu-dera was so crowded that it was almost difficult to walk, but they took a liking to the Kiyomizu-yaki pottery I introduced and made a purchase. As some of the guests seemed tired from all the walking, I recommended lunch along Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Fushimi Inari Taisha had also been included in the plan, but since the guests wished to shop around Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, we spent a long time there instead. The group let me know how much they had enjoyed everything, and we said our goodbyes.

    Hello, I am a tour guide, Chiyuki. If I write my name in Japanese, it means one thousand happiness. Please call me Chiyuki. I am looking forward to seeing you.
    I have been guiding many visitors from all parts of the world since I became a tour guide.
    I hope Japan can attract many people with beautiful scenery, culture, historical buildings, food and so on. What are you interested in?
    And I couldn’t be happier if I can help you to create memories of a wonderful trip.
    I will make my best effort to satisfy my guests. See you soon. Thank you very much. Chiyuki

    Aug 9, 2026
    Angelika_H
    Viator review: Kyoto in 1 Day from Kobe: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide
    Tour
    Super Tour who was Shaped for us…

    Jul 9, 2026
    727tessv
    We had the best time in Kobe
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide Chiyuki was…

    Jun 21, 2026
    M9524SIphilippel
    Tripadvisor review: Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Sake tour in Kobe
    Chiyuki is one of the…

    Jun 16, 2026
    Pinoy V
    Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very interesting and informative.
    Chiyuki kept us informed on our itinerary…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Noku Kyoto & Nijo Castle

    Kyoto in One Day: Noku Kyoto & Nijo Castle

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:50 Noku Kyoto
    • 09:15 Fushimi inari (0) by subway and JR train
    • 10:30 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
    • Sannenzaka by walking
    • Yasaka-no-to (400)by walking
    • 12:00 lunch(Namaste Dhaulagiri)
    • Gion by walking
    • Hanamikoji by walking
    • 13:10 Nijo Castle (1300) by taxi
    •   Marukyukoyamaen by walking
    • 15:00 End of the tour

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Yasaka Pagoda, and Nijo Castle The guests were visiting Japan from North America. The previous day they had visited the bamboo grove in Arashiyama. Today's itinerary was arranged mainly based on one guest's wishes. We had coffee at the Vermilion cafe near Fushimi Inari, but after that they did not shop or buy any souvenirs. The Yasaka Pagoda was open, so we were able to climb up to the second floor, which I think was a great experience. The plum blossoms at Nijo Castle seemed to be past their peak. Since the itinerary went smoothly and we had some extra time, at the end I took them to the Marukyu Koyamaen Nishinotoin branch, where we relaxed with green tea topped with matcha ice cream.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainMarutamachi~Kyoto260JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Total410JPY

    I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo: Tsukiji & Shinjuku West Exit Odakyu Travel Center

    Tokyo: Tsukiji & Shinjuku West Exit Odakyu Travel Center

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @Blossom Shinjuku
    • 9:45 Tsukiji (Fish Market ~ Outer Market ~ Honganji Temple ~ Kabukiza Theater)
    • 11:30 Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Shin-Nakamise)
    • 13:15 Break@Dean & Deluca Otemachi
    • 13:45 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 15:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 16:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 17:00 Shinjuku West Exit Odakyu Travel Center
    • 17:15 Disband@Blossom Shinjuku

    What Is a Private 8-Hour Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Tsukiji The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. As with this booking, a travel agency was involved as an intermediary and did not share the guests' contact details until the day before, so before departure I confirmed the guests' requests, added Meiji Shrine to the agency's proposed plan, and minimized time spent in Shibuya. Information about transit IC cards had not been conveyed either, so we purchased a PASMO at the station. Since we had 8 hours, it was good to be able to guide them carefully. At Meiji Shrine, they were delighted to be able to see two wedding ceremonies. Considering the guests' well-being, we took breaks at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple and at a D&D café. At the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine, since the British King is also the King of Oceania, we ended up discussing the British monarchy and the Japanese Imperial system. Because they needed to exchange a voucher for tickets to take the Romancecar to Hakone the day after next, I also guided them to the Odakyu trouble center as an extra. Going forward, I think it is best to avoid taking older guests to Shibuya Station on weekends, as there is a risk of lowering their satisfaction.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayOedo Line Shinjuku~Oedo Line Tsukijishijo272JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa Line Higashi-Ginza~Asakusa Line Asakusa220JPY
    Section 3SubwayGinza Line Asakusa~Ginza Line Otemachi178JPY
    Section 4SubwayChiyoda Line Otemachi~Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Section 5TrainJR Harajuku~JR Shibuya146JPY
    Section 6TrainJR Shibuya~JR Shinjuku167JPY
    Total1,192JPY

    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, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, 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…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Meet at mesm Tokyo Autograph Collection
    • 10:00 Tsukiji Outer Market 10:30
    • 11:00 Meiji Shrine ~Yoyogi Park~Koen-dori
    • 12:30 Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko
    • 13:00 Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store Basement Food Hall, Pedestrian Paradise
    • 13:30 Disband at Ginza

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Japan the day before. After staying in Tokyo, they planned to join a two-week cruise around Japan. Both enjoyed running as a hobby, and at Yoyogi Park they showed interest in the preparations for the women's marathon taking place the next day, as well as Yoyogi Gymnasium, which served as a venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. When I heard that they wished to revisit Tsukiji at a more leisurely pace the following day, and that they wanted to explore Ginza on their own after we parted ways, I handed them detailed maps and a subway route map, which they were delighted to receive. They kindly gave me a souvenir from North America.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayDaimon~Tsukiji Market180JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji Market~Yoyogi220JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya~Ginza210JPY
    Total610JPY

    Hi I am Hiroaki. I am pleased if I could help you to have a good and memorable experience here in Japan.
    I started as a guide in 2017 after retiring. My expertise is outdoor/town walking tour as well as universal tourism.
    If you like, I might show you a lively ordinal local life during the tour.
    I love tourism. I visited all 47 domestic prefectures in Japan and all 50 states in US. I like long journey like walking/biking historical/pilgrimage routes, and love sports especially rugby, triathlon.
    I would like to make your tour as much as customized according to your preference. So the information about spots you want to visit, things you want to do is very helpful for me to prepare plan some options of the day.
    Do not hesitate contact me via email.

    Mar 22, 2025
    Tracy_L
    Special Day in Tokyo with Hiroaki!
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful day with Hiroaki! He tailored…

  • Tokyo Japanese Gardens Private Tour

    Tokyo Japanese Gardens Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Asakusa → Sensoji Temple 9:15-10:15 → Nezu Museum 10:50-11:50 → Omotesando ~ Meiji Shrine 12:00-13:20 → Sushi Lunch 13:30-14:20 → Takeshita Street 14:30-15:00 → Disband in front of Harajuku Station

    What Is a Private Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were very cheerful, and we had a wonderful time together. They were very well-behaved and rode the trains quietly. Since they came from Europe, the movie was a little hard for them to catch, and they often asked me to repeat my English several times, but we never had any trouble communicating. When I took one of the guests to a kanzashi (hair ornament) shop along the way, they liked it very much and purchased an umbrella and a kanzashi. I heard that they would be heading to Kanazawa and Kyoto next, so I asked whether they planned to hire a guide. When they asked me for advice, I recommended that in Kyoto, where there are many similar temples and shrines, it would be best to hire a guide who can clearly explain the differences between them.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainAsakusa~Omotesando252JPY
    Total252JPY

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

    Oct 14, 2025
    Randi R
    Amazing tour of Tokyo with Yuji
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuji was an amazing guide.…

    Sep 30, 2025
    K6530TRangelor
    Great tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yuji was excellent. He was very punctual and…

    Sep 19, 2025
    belindaf2022
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful day with being shown the key…

    Sep 8, 2025
    S8908ADcarolinab
    Family friendly guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great experience with our 6 hour…

  • Tokyo: Sensoji Temple & Arrived in front of Shibuya Parco

    Tokyo: Sensoji Temple & Arrived in front of Shibuya Parco

    Tour Itinerary

    • 3/22
    • 10:35 Meet at hotel
    • 10:45 ~11:45 Sensoji Temple, shopping
    • Walking through Nakamise in a wheelchair is difficult
    • 12:00~13:30 The guests themselves go up to 450m8.
    • 13:45 Hamburg restaurant, but had to wait a very long time.
    • 14:10 Took out the hamburg
    • Departed Skytree
    • Car passed through Ginza and Nijubashi
    • 14:40~15:30 Imperial Palace, East Gardens
    • They wanted to enter the East Gardens.
    • Travel by car
    • 16:10~16:50 Meiji Shrine
    • 17:00 Arrived in front of Shibuya Parco
    • 17:10 Guided them to the 6th floor of Parco, in front of Nintendo.
    • Gave greetings and thanks, and completed the service.

    Title: What Is a Private 6-Hour Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sensoji, Skytree, and Shibuya The tour required a great deal of care and attention. We visited the Nakamise shopping street at Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Skytree, both of which were crowded, partly because it was a weekend. I was relieved to have finished the tour safely. Some of the guests took turns pushing the wheelchair, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Although the tour ran over the scheduled time, both the driver and I said there would be no additional charge for the extension, and we added the Imperial Palace, a place the guests wished to see. In exchange, the guests understood that our time at Skytree and Meiji Shrine would be a little shorter. That said, covering four locations in a 6-hour sightseeing tour with a wheelchair was quite challenging. The photo was taken in front of the Nintendo store on the 6th floor of Shibuya Parco at the end of the tour. The itinerary was completed as the guests had wished. I understand their overall itinerary includes skiing in Niseko, then Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, and back to Tokyo. The guests would also like to fill out the questionnaire. Please send it to them, as they would like to respond. Thank you very much.

    Hello! How are you?
    I am a National Licensed Tour Guide Interpreter, Yumiko Komatsu. Nick name is coco.

    I have started this guide job since 2014. I live in Tokyo, but I was born in Matsumoto. I guided many places throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. I guided and am interested in Japanese Art, pop culture, Manga, Japanese landscape, Japanese history, culture, religions and Japanese custom. In Tokyo there are a lot of things you need to visit such as Asakusa temple, Shrine, Team labo, food, Shibuya, and Akihabara. Every place is changing on everyday in Tokyo. I will get you updated information and I hope that you may enjoy your staying in Tokyo. Shall we go?

    Mar 22, 2025
    Deborah_S
    Amazing Day in Toyko
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    What an amazing experience…

    Oct 15, 2024
    David_S
    Tokyo Highlight Tour with private guide
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed seeing Tokyo with Coco.…

    Oct 9, 2024
    961harlanh
    Coco is a great Tokyo tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    I had a great experience…

    Oct 3, 2024
    Dreamer43508203689
    Tokyo highlights – Imperial Palace, Fish Market, Rotation Sushi lunch, Takeshita Street.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0830 Meet at Tempozan Passenger Terminal
    • 0950 Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine)
    • 1100 Kinkaku-ji
    • 1205 Maikoya pick-up/drop-off (wait until after 14:00)
    • 1430 Gion stroll
    • 1500 Nishiki
    • 1640 Disband at Dotonbori

    What's a Private Osaka Day Tour Like from a Cruise Ship Port? A Licensed Guide's Report This was a private tour for a group from North America who arrived at Osaka Port by cruise ship. During the tour, the guests took part in a kimono-wearing tea ceremony and sweets-making event that lasted a little over two hours, so I needed to coordinate the timing before, after, and overall, which was a bit complicated. Thanks to the driver's cooperation, however, it went reasonably well. The original plan was to drop the guests off at Osaka Port by car at the end, but at the guests' request, we changed this to a drop-off at Dotonbori, where I did a little guiding and helped with restroom arrangements.

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

    Oct 10, 2025
    alijohn48
    Just what we were looking for
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Tomy was…

    Aug 8, 2025
    Katherine_G
    Fantastic day touring Kyoto with private tour guide & driver!
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max…

    Jul 22, 2025
    98patrickn
    early morning tour of Kyoto with guide Tomy
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We did an early…

    Jul 20, 2025
    Mark_S
    Great day in Kyoto
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    We had a great…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Sanjusangendo

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle & Sanjusangendo

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30   Hotel Meet (@Hotel)
    • 8:30-9:00 Travel (Subway Karasuma Line & Tozai Line; Karasuma-Gojo → Nijojo-mae)
    • 9:00-10:00 Nijo Castle visit
    • 10:00-10:30 Travel (Tozai Line; Nijojo-mae → Sanjo Keihan, Keihan Train; Keihan-Sanjo → Keihan-Shichijo)
    • 10:30-11:20 Sanjusangendo visit
    • 11:20-11:50 Travel (City Bus; Sanjusangendo-mae → Kiyomizu-dera)
    • 12:00-12:20 Yasaka Pagoda, Koshin-do visit
    • 13:30 Farewell at Tea House Maikoya (customer's afternoon reservation location)

    Title: Can You Customize a Private Kyoto Day Tour On the Spot? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. After we met, I explained the schedule that had already been agreed upon with their travel agency. The pre-agreed tour route was to visit Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Yasaka Pagoda and Koshin-do), and then take them to the venue of a tea ceremony reserved for 13:30. However, the guests mentioned that they had already visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple on a bus tour the previous day, so I decided to take them to Sanjusangendo Temple instead of Kiyomizu-dera. Considering the next reserved appointment at 13:30 (I also needed to account for the timing and location of lunch), I decided to take them to Sanjusangendo Temple after visiting Nijo Castle. After visiting Nijo Castle and Sanjusangendo Temple, I also showed them the Yasaka Pagoda and Koshin-do, which had been part of the original plan, and at 12:30, the end of the tour, I took them to the tea ceremony venue, introduced a nearby restaurant, and said goodbye. The guests commented that they each enjoyed different highlights, with some favoring Sanjusangendo Temple and others Nijo Castle, and everyone said it was a good experience.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKarasuma-Gojo~Nijojo-mae220JPY
    Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
    Section 3TrainKeihan-Sanjo~Keihan-Shichijo170JPY
    Section 4BusSanjusangendo-mae~Kiyomizu-dera-mae230JPY
    Total840JPY

    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 !

    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
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