Category: Uncategorized

  • Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

    Tochigi in One Day: Shinkyo Bridge & Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30  Meet up @ Hotel
    • 9:45 Shinkyo Bridge
    • 10:00 Rinnoji Temple Shoyoen Garden
    • 10:20 Rinnoji Temple Sanbutsudo
    • 10:50 Toshogu Shrine
    • 12:00 Futarasan Shrine
    • 12:10 Lunch @ Maruhide Diner
    • 13:00 Kanmangafuchi Abyss
    • 13:30 Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
    • 14:50 Disband @ In front of Shinkyo Bridge

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group from North America. They traveled from Tokyo to Nikko early in the morning, dropped their luggage at their hotel, and then began the tour. Perhaps because of the early start, one of the guests seemed a little tired, while the others spent the whole day smiling. One of the guests had visited Japan many times before and was familiar with the country, but the rest of the group were visiting Japan for the first time. Since they mentioned that they knew almost nothing about Japanese culture or history, I made an effort to explain general topics about Japan—such as Buddhism, Shinto, and the Edo period—in a simple and approachable way, without making it too heavy. They said they did not want to visit crowded places, so they deliberately came during this quiet off-season. Even at Toshogu Shrine, which is usually crowded, they were able to sightsee smoothly, and at the Imperial Villa they seemed to greatly enjoy the calm and serene atmosphere. Everyone walked quickly, so we made faster progress than planned. Since they were also tired from the early morning, we finished and parted a little earlier than the scheduled end time. We visited all the places on the itinerary, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTamozawa Imperial Villa~Shinkyo Bridge220JPY
    Total220JPY

    Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?

    Aug 24, 2026
    arzed
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A perfect day!
    My family and I had an…

    Jul 1, 2026
    laine164
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day!
    We had a wonderful time exploring Nikko.
    Our friendly…

    Apr 7, 2026
    V2097LInickd
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Guide Yumi Highlights Nikko on walking tour
    Our 16,000 step tour…

    Apr 4, 2026
    O4367MVkarenv
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Fantastic day in Nikko
    We had a fantastic day with Yumi. She…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Market - Tsukiji - Otemachi

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Market – Tsukiji – Otemachi

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hotel – Shinjuku Station – Tsukiji Station
    • 9:40 Tsukiji Market – Tsukiji – Otemachi
    • 11:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens – Otemachi Station
    • 12:30 Meiji Jingumae Station – Meiji Shrine
    • 13:30 Lunch at Meiji Shrine Food Court – Harajuku
    • 14:40 Shibuya Station – 15:00 Disband at the Mario Kart meeting spot

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Covering Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The tour was arranged according to their requested destinations, which were Tsukiji, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine, with a request to drop them off at a go-kart activity in Shibuya by 3:00. Since the itinerary was quite full, I focused on keeping to the schedule and skipped some of the detours I would usually include, in order to stay on time. Because we had exchanged messages several times before the tour, such as confirming the sushi restaurant reservation and moving the tour start time one hour earlier, the guests expressed their gratitude, and I truly realized the importance of preparation before a tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinjuku~Tsukiji209JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Otemachi178JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi~Meiji Shrine209JPY
    Total596JPY

    Hello! I am Kyoko who has been working as a guide since 2017. I was born in Kyoto. So, my name comes from Kyoto which is Japan’s beautiful ancient capital . And “ko” literally means child in Japanese. Thus, my name Kyoko means Kyoto’s child, Kyoko. But some guests call me Kyoto. It’s okay, not a big problem.
    But to say the truth, I feel like this, ” Am I like an ancient person? No way~!!…” I am mainly guiding in and around Tokyo. Tokyo has two faces of well-advanced and old-fashioned. So, you can enjoy both high-tech technology and historical culture plus delicious food and drinks,too. You will surely be inspired in this city with me. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Thank you in advance!

    Sep 9, 2025
    salanicolas
    Superb Tokyo guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoko was great! Super knowledgeable, a lot of fun,…

    Jun 19, 2025
    josephk547
    A definite must-do when visiting Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (Tokyo DEP.)
    Absolutely amazing tour…

    May 24, 2025
    sandrashachar
    Terrific Tokyo Tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a fantastic tour of the Asakusa Shrine,…

    May 22, 2025
    andywP8147WV
    Private Guided Tour in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our wonderful guide Kyoko prepared an excellent…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Received contact from the guest saying "I am waiting at The Prince Park Tower Tokyo now."
    • 10:35 Contacted Mr. Nezu of JGA and asked him to inform the guest that the guide is waiting at the Hotel listed as the meeting point in the Booking information.
    • 10:40 Asked the reception at Hotel to confirm whether the guest is staying at the affiliated The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.
    • 10:42 The stay was confirmed, and used a taxi (Mr. Nezu confirmed it was OK to use) to head to The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.
    • 10:50 Met not at the Hotel listed in the Booking information but at the affiliated The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
    • 11:25 Meiji Shrine, received a goshuin (temple stamp)
    • 12:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street, played with pigs at the micro pig cafe "mipig Harajuku Takeshita Street branch"
    • 14:10 Lunch at "Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan"
    • 15:30 Asakusa Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple, received a goshuin (temple stamp)
    • 16:50 Put the guest in a taxi at "Asakusa Kokusai Street" and dispersed

    Title: What Can You Do on a Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Japan and were staying in Tokyo before continuing on to Kyoto and Osaka. As noted in the tour route, it turned out that the guests were staying not at the hotel listed in the booking information but at a different affiliated hotel. I contacted Mr. Nezu at [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). Thanks to his prompt response, we were able to meet up with the guests without any problem. Before coming to Japan, the guests had gathered a variety of information on social media and had put together an itinerary for their stay in Tokyo. A micro-pig cafe was one of the places they wished to visit, and fortunately we were able to enter without a reservation. Surrounded by many pigs, the guests were very satisfied. ☆ Since we took a taxi from the hotel at the meeting point in the tour route to Meiji Jingu Shrine, no transportation fee is required.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherTokyo Prince Hotel~The Prince Park Tower Tokyo500JPY
    Section 2TrainTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae 〈Harajuku〉 Station~Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station210JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station~Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station210JPY
    Total920JPY

    Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
    You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
    Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).

    Aug 25, 2026
    T8432CMjeffr
    6 hr Tokyo tour with Bruce
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    The tour was…

    Aug 5, 2026
    Polly1818
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Bruce was the best !! 5⭐️
    Bruce was our…

    Aug 3, 2026
    AJEDav
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Bruce Sagano was terrific! He was very…

    Jul 2, 2026
    jamespmccormick
    Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
    We booked a 6 hour…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 11:00 Meet up @ Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    • 2. 11:30 @ The National Art Center, Tokyo
    • 3. 12:00 @ Meiji Jingu
    • 4. 13:30 Lunch @ Asakusa
    • 5. 14:30 @ Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, "Kaminari Issa" cafe break, Sumida Park)
    • 6. 16:00 @ Nihonbashi (Takashimaya food floor)
    • 7. 17:15 Disband @ Grand Hyatt Tokyo

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Roppongi, Meiji Shrine, and Asakusa The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. On the morning of the tour, they asked to push the start time back by two hours because someone was not feeling well due to jet lag, but a little later they contacted me again to say things looked fine and we would start at 11:00 as originally planned. When I actually met them, there seemed to be no issue with anyone's condition, so we were able to begin on schedule without any trouble. They mentioned an interest in historical things, and since Tokyo Midtown Roppongi and the National Art Center, Tokyo are located along the way to the first subway station, I introduced them as modern structures built in an area that was home to feudal lord residences during the Edo period. They seemed to greatly enjoy Meiji Shrine as well, and at Senso-ji Temple, one of the guests said they loved the place, so I suggested revisiting at night if there was a chance. Unexpectedly, some early-blooming cherry trees were in full bloom at Sumida Park, and the group took many photos there. For lunch, they wished to try local cuisine, so I guided them in Asakusa, but since everyone's preferences differed, it took quite some time to decide. In the end they chose an izakaya-style seafood restaurant and ordered somewhat blindly, but they thoroughly enjoyed crab they grilled at the table, grilled squid and mushrooms seasoned with squid miso, deep-fried dried squid, and some unusual sushi. The tour was originally planned to conclude with a loop around the Imperial Palace, but at the basement food floor of Nihonbashi Takashimaya, which we stopped by along the way, they purchased macarons, chocolates, and cakes to enjoy at their hotel, and decided to head back straight away. Although some fatigue had set in, we parted at the hotel with treats to look forward to.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nogizaka Station~Meiji-jingumae Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station~Ginza Line Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station~Nihonbashi Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihonbashi Station~Hibiya Line Roppongi Station0JPY
    Total600JPY

    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!

    Sep 10, 2026
    Sonal_G
    Noripy is just the best
    Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Noripy is such a…

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Meet 13:00 @ Hotel
    • Meiji Shrine 13:20
    • Shibuya 14:30
    • Asakusa 15:10
    • Dismiss 17:20 @ Hotel

    What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, and Asakusa The guests were visiting from North America and were looking forward to riding the trains and subways. At Meiji Shrine, they said, "I can't believe there is a forest like this in the middle of the city. It feels wonderful," and on Takeshita Street they were delighted by an animal cafe. In Asakusa, they enjoyed some shopping. They also seemed fond of taking photos, and showed me pictures from their travels while on the train. Since they were staying one more day, I recommended Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno, but they mentioned they would also like to visit Harajuku again.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Harajuku146JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
    Section 3SubwayShibuya~Asakusa253JPY
    Section 4SubwayAsakusa~Nishi-Shinjuku252JPY
    Total797JPY

    Hello,
    I’m Rumi.Welcome to Japan!!
    I’m a government-licensed guide in the Tokyo area.
    I’m so excited to have a chance to show you my favorite places in Tokyo.
    Tokyo is a fantastic city with many aspects like history,culture and food.
    What interests you about Tokyo?
    What kind of Japanese food would you like to try?
    I’ll take you to various places according to your request.
    My favorite spot is Meiji Shrine.
    It’s so peaceful that I’m sure you like it.
    I really like to talk with foreigners about various topics.So, I love my job.
    I look forward to meeting and guiding you soon.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Darrin_T
    Tokyo Tour with Rumi
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Local tour guide Rumi took…

    Sep 29, 2026
    anettesoegaardn
    Rumi Hosoya is a very good tour-guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our guide was Rumi…

    Sep 25, 2026
    Frances_K
    Rumi was a wonderful…
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Rumi was a wonderful guide that provided…

    Sep 19, 2026
    K6328IFcarolinel
    Tokyo highlights
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Had a great day
    Rumi was very…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:55 Meet up@Hoshinoya Tokyo
    • 2. 09:00 Travel∶Subway
    • 3. 09:25 Stay@Meiji Shrine
    • 4. 10:20 Travel∶Subway
    • 5. 10:30 Stay@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 6. 10:45 Travel∶Subway
    • 7. 11:05 Stay@East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 8. 12:15 Travel∶Subway
    • 9. 12:40 Lunch@Tsukiji Sushisei New Building
    • 10. 13:15 Stay@Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 11. 13:35 Travel∶Subway
    • 12. 14:10 Stay@Asakusa
    • 13. 15:05 Travel∶Subway
    • 14. 15:40 Disband@Hoshinoya Tokyo

    What Does a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the East Gardens, and Asakusa The guests were visitors from North America. They walked at a brisk pace and did not do much shopping along the way, so the tour progressed smoothly from start to finish. Since they seemed interested in traditional culture and history, I put together a classic course covering Meiji Shrine, the East Gardens, and Asakusa. We took our lunch break at Tsukiji, as they enjoyed sushi. Because they seemed a little unsure about transferring between subway lines, after finishing the tour of Asakusa I saw them off at their hotel in Otemachi and we parted ways. On the way from Asakusa to Otemachi, we used the Toei Subway partway to save time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassOtemachi Station~Meiji-jingumae Station900JPY
    Section 2Free PassMeiji-jingumae Station~Shibuya Station0JPY
    Section 3Free PassShibuya Station~Otemachi Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassOtemachi Station~Tsukiji Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTsukiji Station~Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 6Free PassAsakusa Station~Otemachi Station0JPY
    Total900JPY

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

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Konchi-in & Philosopher's Path

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Konchi-in & Philosopher’s Path

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hotel Meet (Hotel)
    • 8:00-9:00 Travel (Hankyu Line; Hankyu Omiya → Hankyu Karasuma, Tozai Line; Shijo Karasuma → Keage)
    • 9:00-10:20 Visit Konchi-in (including special viewing/Hasso seat)
    • 10:20-10:35 Visit Aqueduct
    • 10:35-11:20 Visit Nanzen-ji (Hojo)
    • 11:20-12:00 Stroll along the Philosopher's Path
    • 12:00 Farewell at the Philosopher's Path

    What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Tour That Avoids Crowds? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Since they had requested avoiding crowded places, I took them to Konchi-in, Nanzen-ji, and the Philosopher's Path. At Konchi-in, they paid an additional fee of ¥700 for the special viewing (Hasso-seki tea room). Each site we visited was uncrowded and the weather was warm and pleasant, so I believe the guests were able to enjoy the tour comfortably. In particular, during the special viewing at Konchi-in, they were deeply moved by the Hasso-seki tea room and Tohaku's painting of a monkey reaching for the moon's reflection in the water. The guests commented that a friend would be visiting Kyoto the following month and that they would highly recommend a visit to Konchi-in. The special viewing at Konchi-in included an explanation from a temple staff member, and I felt it was well worth the additional fee.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHankyu Omiya~Hankyu Karasuma170JPY
    Section 2TrainKarasuma Shijo~Keage260JPY
    Total430JPY

    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
    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.…

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at hotel  9:30 Yasaka Pagoda 10:10 Kiyomizu-dera Temple 11:45 Lunch (soba) 12:25 Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka 13:00 Yasaka Shrine 
    • 13:20 Kanji Museum (watch Gion Festival video) 13:50 Gion  14:30 Kennin-ji Temple  16:00 Return to hotel, coffee time  16:30 Tour ends

    What Is a Relaxed 8-Hour Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Because an agency was involved as an intermediary, it was difficult to reach the guests directly, which caused some concern. The initial guest information listed a phone number from one region, but when I checked with the agency it was changed to another. I confirmed their stay at the hotel front desk, called the guest, and then met them in the lobby. The guests were visiting from North America and were in Kyoto for the first time. Since one of the guests had difficulty walking quickly and stairs took extra time, the tour became a slow-paced walking tour overall. It was an 8-hour tour, and because the destinations were concentrated in one area, there was plenty of time to spare. Perhaps because I usually guide at a busy pace, this felt very relaxed, and I thought it was nice to have a tour like this once in a while. After Kenninji Temple, one of the guests felt a little tired and asked to return to the hotel early. We took a taxi back to the hotel a little before 4:00. After returning to the hotel, the guests invited me to have coffee together. Since it was still within the assigned time, we had coffee at the café in the lobby and chatted about various topics before saying goodbye at 4:30. The photo was taken near the Yasaka Pagoda in Higashiyama.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusKyoto Station~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Section 2OtherKennin-ji Temple~Kyoto Century Hotel0JPY
    Total230JPY

    I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at Hiroshima Station
    • 11:00 Miyajima
    • 14:00 Lunch
    • 16:00 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 18:00 Hiroshima Station – Dismissal

    Tour Report: A Private Day Tour of Miyajima and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a Licensed Japan Guide Agency Guide Tour Report Tour Date: March 2025 Places Visited: Miyajima, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Guests: the guests Weather: Sunny Experiences: Itsukushima Shrine, worship etiquette : Daisho-in Temple, Kaidan-meguri (walking the dark underground passage) : Strolling along Maple Road : Silent prayer of remembrance at the Peace Memorial Park Details: The guests were a group from North America. It had been reported in advance that the guests followed a specific diet. Since the guests did not have transportation IC cards such as Suica, I asked them to use the Suica cards I always prepare in advance and to settle the amount at the end of the tour. During the busy season this saves a great deal of time, so it is very useful.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station~Hiroshima Peace Park240JPY
    Section 4BusGenbaku Dome-mae~Hiroshima Station240JPY
    Total1,230JPY

    Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
    But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
    I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
    I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
    I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
    Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
    Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.

    Jun 1, 2026
    John_W
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    A top day with a top guide
    My wife…

    May 27, 2026
    Annabelle_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Hiroshima in a day
    Yuji was a great communicator…

    May 12, 2026
    satishp656
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
    Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…

    May 10, 2026
    StephanieB6076
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Incredible Experience
    We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…

  • Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:30 Meet @ the HILTON KYOTO
    • 8:50 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 9:55 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 11:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ~ Tenryu-ji Temple
    • 12:35 Lunch
    • 13:35 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 14:30 Disband @ Nijo Castle

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Family Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had all been looking forward to this tour. The weather was fairly pleasant this day, and at each place we visited they repeatedly exclaimed "beautiful!" We finished almost exactly on schedule, so I saw them off at Nijo Castle as they had requested, and we parted ways there. One note: their accommodation, a hotel, was reportedly not listed as an option among the meeting point choices. I was asked to reconfirm right before the tour, and it was also pointed out when we met in the morning. Since it is a hotel we often pick up guests from, I would appreciate it if it could be added to the list of options.

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

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

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

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

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