Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30 Meet @ Hotel Osaka
    • 11:15 @ Osaka Castle
    • 13:45 @ Shinsekai
    • 15:15 @ Dotonbori
    • 16:30 Disband @ Dotonbori

    What Is a Private Osaka Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle and Street Food The guests were the same group from the previous day, a party visiting Japan. The tour was originally scheduled to start at 11:00, but when I arrived at the meeting point at the Hotel 45 minutes early, I happened to meet the guests just as they had finished breakfast. They wanted to start the tour earlier if possible, so we began at 10:30. We moved along smoothly, but one of the guests seemed to enjoy window shopping and would suddenly step into shops, so I lost sight of the group about twice. At Osaka Castle, one of the guests in particular showed great interest and toured the site enthusiastically. They also looked carefully around the adjoining souvenir shop. Throughout the day, the guests seemed to enjoy eating while walking, and they happily tried soft-serve ice cream, yakitori, and beef skewers. Special note: As reported, on the previous day the meeting point had not been communicated correctly, so the start was delayed by more than 30 minutes and the rest of the tour ended up being rushed, which I felt bad about. I had been worried that the guests might have been a little dissatisfied, but today everyone treated me warmly, which was reassuring and much appreciated. In addition to yesterday's problem (the meeting point not being correctly conveyed to the guests), today the first thing the guests said was, "Are you guiding us again today?" This again made me feel that communication from the local agency to the guests may be insufficient. I have often heard comments from guests such as "we received no communication from the guide at all," and I feel this is something that should somehow be improved. I have asked the agency several times to share the guests' email addresses so that communication can go smoothly, but the usual reply is that "all communication is to go through the agency until the day of the tour." I continue to feel somewhat concerned about this going forward.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Umeda~Morinomiya240JPY
    Section 2TrainMorinomiya~Shin-Imamiya170JPY
    Section 3SubwayDobutsuen-mae~Namba190JPY
    Total600JPY

    Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Jul 25, 2026
    Hdixjdixj
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Local Food & Culture Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Amazing Food Tour through Osaka
    We were taken…

    Jul 20, 2026
    Eric_W
    Viator review: Himeji Castle & Koko-en in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide
    Castle journey worth your time!
    Our tour with…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Diane_B
    Viator review: Kobe Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our tour guide Yama was amazing!!
    Our tour guide…

    Jul 4, 2026
    Navigator661725
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful time!
    We absolutely loved this tour. Yama was attentive, was…

  • Miyagi in One Day: Tour Oshima Island & Tour Godaido Hall

    Miyagi in One Day: Tour Oshima Island & Tour Godaido Hall

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:15 Meet at Sendai Station
    • 11:10 Arrive at Matsushimakaigan Station via the Senseki Line
    • 11:20 Tour Oshima Island
    • 12:30 Lunch
    • 13:40 Tour Entsuin Temple
    • 14:30 Tour Zuiganji Temple
    • 15:30 Tour Godaido Hall
    • 15:50 Shopping
    • 16:12 Travel to Sendai Station via the Senseki Line
    • 17:00 End of guided tour

    Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report When we met at Sendai Station, there was a mix-up about the arrival platform, which cost us some time and caused a bit of inconvenience, but it did not significantly affect the tour schedule. Before heading to our first destination, Oshima Island, we stopped at a cafe, and the tour began in a friendly atmosphere. Oshima has fewer tourists compared to other places, but because of that, I think the guests were able to enjoy its mysterious, sacred atmosphere and quiet nature. For lunch, since one of the guests preferred a vegetarian option, I chose a cafe on a hill overlooking Matsushima Bay that could accommodate this to some extent, so they were also able to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Entsuin Temple is famous as a beautiful spot for autumn foliage, and although it was crowded, the timing was just about perfect for viewing, which I think was fortunate. Zuiganji Temple is the greatest highlight of Matsushima, and I believe the guests thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent and gorgeous interior decorations rarely seen at other tourist spots. At Godaido Hall, they enjoyed the unique architecture and the beauty of Matsushima Bay, and afterward they enjoyed shopping for local crafts and specialties of Matsushima. The guests did not request it this time, but if I have the opportunity to guide again, I would like to add variety by including experiences such as making prayer beads or a Matsushima Bay cruise if time allows.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSendai Station~Matsushimakaigan Station418JPY
    Section 2TrainMatsushimakaigan Station~Sendai Station418JPY
    Total836JPY

    I am an experienced tour guide mainly for FIT tours.
    I have also guided several tours on this website.

    Aizu, Sendai, and Matsushima are very popular sightseeing spots for foreign travelers.

    They have different charms from other areas, such as Tokyo, Kyoto.

    I hope to help you enjoy the scenic beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the city, historical sights, unique samurai culture, local delicacies and wonderful traditional art craft.

    I will customize the best plan for you according to your requests and make your trip a special and memorable one.

    May 31, 2026
    M8743JTgaryl
    Tripadvisor review: Aizu 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great value and flexibility
    We had a great tour with Nobuko of…

    Apr 22, 2026
    LuizFilipe_M
    Great day great guide
    Viator review: Ouchijuku 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    We had a lovely day with our…

    Oct 29, 2025
    K
    KC357
    Great history and culture
    Viator review: Aizu 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful way to explore the history of…

    Sep 7, 2024
    Sergio_O
    My Amazing trip
    Viator review: Aizu Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    The cemetery of samurais was the best experience to…

  • Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour

    Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • Hotel Hilton Hiroshima 9:50 meet・・・・・Tanakacho bus stop 10:03=====10:14 Hiroshima Station 10:23ーー(board delayed train)ーー10:45 Miyajimaguchi・・・・・Miyajimaguchi 11:00~~~~11:10 Miyajima Pier・・・・・Taira no Kiyomori Statue・・・・11:30 Cuillère (lunch) 12:20・・・・・13:00 Itsukushima Shrine・・・・・Momijidani Park・・・・・14:45 Miyajima Pier 14:55~~~15:05 Miyajimaguchi Pier・・・・・Miyajimaguchi Station 15:20ーー(delayed due to sudden illness of passenger on board)ーー15:42 Yokogawa Station

    What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Tour Like in Autumn? A Licensed Guide's Report Although the meeting time was set for 10:00, the guests arrived at 9:50, so we started 10 minutes early. There was a train delay at Hiroshima Station, so we boarded a delayed rapid service train. From the Miyajimaguchi ferry terminal, we took the JR ferry to Miyajima. Since Miyajima is at its busiest during the autumn foliage season, we had an early sandwich lunch at a café that was relatively uncrowded. The guests were pleased to be able to eat in a quiet setting. It was past 14:00 while we were on the way from Itsukushima Shrine toward Momijidani Park, but since the guests were returning to their Hotel, I accompanied them by ferry and JR toward Hiroshima Station. As the guide, I parted ways and got off midway at Yokogawa Station. The time I got off was around 15:42. The return train was slightly delayed due to a passenger falling suddenly ill on board.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusTanakacho bus stop~Hiroshima Station200JPY
    Section 2TrainHiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi~Yokogawa330JPY
    Total950JPY

    I was born and raised in Hiroshima, and began guiding services in full swing in July 2023. I am a second-generation of A-bomb survivor. Neither of my parents told much about the war, but I can tell you some of their experiences. In Hiroshima City, I can tell you about Peace Park, Peace Memorial Museum, and other monuments. In Miyajima, I can tell you about Itsukushima Shrine, Daigan-ji Temple, Daisho-in Temple, etc. Hiroshima has some specialties such as okonomiyaki, oysters, and conger eel. I will be able to introduce you to some delicious restaurants. Let’s learn and enjoy Hiroshima together.

    Apr 2, 2026
    Trudy M
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Ask for Nob – he’s the best guide.
    We…

    Oct 24, 2025
    David_F
    Nob did a great job…
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Nob did a great…

    Sep 28, 2025
    Phong_N
    Amazing day in Hiroshima
    Viator review: Hiroshima 6hr Private Guided Tour & Food Tasting with Concierge
    My family and I had…

    Jul 17, 2025
    linsshirl
    An Incredible Tour to Book – two places in one day! Amazing Guides and Service!
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Ujina Port➡️80:10 Hiroshima Port (shuttle bus), 09:10 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroden train), 11:55 Miyajima (World Heritage Route high-speed boat), 15:00 From Miyajima to Hiroshima Port (Setouchi Sea Line high-speed boat), 15:25 Arrive at Hiroshima Port

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report 08:00 Met the guests at the Ujina Port terminal. 08:10 Took the shuttle bus and arrived at Hiroshima Port. 08:45 Boarded the Hiroden streetcar and got off at Kamiyacho-higashi. Walking along the street, I explained the shadow of death in front of the former Mitsui Bank, the former Bank of Japan, and other A-bomb remains as we headed toward the Peace Memorial Park. 09:10 Entered the Atomic Bomb Museum. The guests seemed shocked by the devastation, which was worse than they had imagined. 10:10 Visited the Cenotaph, viewed the basement of the Rest House A-bomb remains, and visited the Atomic Bomb Dome and the hypocenter. 11:10 Although I had made a reservation, the ticket purchase area for the World Heritage Sea Route boat was very crowded, with a long line of many customers, so I purchased all the tickets together. I received the payment on Miyajima. 11:55 After arriving on Miyajima, I explained along the way how the island was formed and the reason there is a magnificent shrine and torii gate. We also discussed issues such as feeding the deer. From in front of the shrine, we went around the five-storied pagoda and Toyokuni Shrine. 13:00 At the okonomiyaki restaurant I had reserved, we ate Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. The guests said it was healthier than the Osaka style and seemed to like it. 13:30 Visited Itsukushima Shrine and headed to Daishoin Temple. At Daishoin, the guests enjoyed passing through a dark tunnel called the Kaidan. I purchased and gave them commemorative goshuin (temple seal stamps). 14:30 As time was running short, we walked briskly along Machiya-dori to the pier and arrived at the pier. 15:00 Arrived at Hiroshima Port on the Setouchi Sealine high-speed boat. 15:25 Guided the guests to the shuttle bus stop and finished my work. The walk from Daishoin to the pier took longer than expected. I felt a little rushed. I think time management around that part is a challenge for me.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherPeace Memorial Park World Heritage Route boarding area~Miyajima Pier1,100JPY
    Section 2OtherMiyajima~Hiroshima Port1,050JPY
    Total2,150JPY

    Hello everyone.
    I’m excited to have an opportunity to introduce myself to you.
    This is my third year as a tour guide.
    I enjoy chatting with customers while guiding them.
    I mainly guide tours in the western Hiroshima Prefecture area, including Miyajima, Peace Memorial Park, Shukkei-en Garden, Kure, Etajima, and Takehara.
    I also love visiting temples and shrines.
    And I love sake and fresh seafood such as oysters and sashimi.
    As a motorcycle rider, I know some hidden gems in this area.
    I look forward to providing enjoyable tours, so please feel free to join me.

    Jun 20, 2026
    Todd_C
    Viator review: Hiroshima 6hr Private Guided Tour & Shopping with Concierge
    Harry was very…
    Harry was very informative. We did the…

    Apr 26, 2026
    Glenn_L
    Viator review: Hiroshima 6hr Private Guided Tour & Food Tasting with Concierge
    Moving tour of Hiroshima
    Our guide, Harry, met us…

    Apr 2, 2026
    Roldan_T
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Harry was an great and informative guide.
    Harry was…

    May 10, 2025
    jonathan_R
    Really great tour. …
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Really great tour. Hisashi or…

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:20 Meet at hotel 8:37 Board JR train to Nara 9:41 Arrive at Nara Station 10:10 Nara Park 10:20 Todaiji Temple 12:40 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 13:30 Lunch (vegetarian restaurant) 14:45 Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie 15:15 Shopping 16:37 Board JR train to Kyoto 15:23 Arrive at Kyoto Station Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like on a Busy Weekend? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan for the first time from North America, and were traveling for about a month including Thailand and South Korea. I only managed to reach the guests the day before, and since it turned out they preferred a plant-based diet, I hurriedly booked a suitable restaurant, so the tour started in a somewhat hectic state. I was concerned that on a Saturday, many domestic tourists come to Nara by private car, and that concern proved true. On top of that, it was the season for a traditional children's celebration, so the roads leading to Kasuga Taisha Shrine were narrow and heavily congested with private cars, and the number of route buses had been reduced more than usual (which I had not anticipated). Taxis were also reluctant to go to Kasuga Taisha. In the past, during a major holiday week, the congestion had already been troublesome, but this time the number of buses was even more drastically reduced (effectively only one). In the end, we had no choice but to walk from the Great Buddha Hall to the main shrine of Kasuga Taisha. I felt sorry because one of the guests had recently undergone surgery. The guests walked as best they could, but had I done more research in advance, I think I would have removed Kasuga Taisha from the itinerary. Because we spent a considerable amount of time at Kasuga Taisha and also missed one of the return JR trains, the tour ended about an hour late. On weekends and holidays in Nara, it is wiser to leave Kasuga Taisha out of the plan. The photo was taken at a pond near Todaiji Temple.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Nara720JPY
    Section 2Free PassJR Nara Station~JR Nara Station600JPY
    Section 3TrainNara~Kyoto720JPY
    Total2,040JPY

    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…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: JR Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit

    Hiroshima in One Day: JR Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:25 JR Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit
    • 09:30 – 09:40 Move to Atomic Bomb Dome
    • 09:40 – 11:30 Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum 
    • 11:30 – 11:40 Move to JR Nishi-Hiroshima Station
    • 11:40 – 12:25 Move to Miyajimaguchi
    • 12:25 – 12:35 Move to Miyajima Port
    • 12:45- 15:40 Miyajima sightseeing
    • 15:40– 15:50 Miyajimaguchi
    • 15:50 – 16:20 Move to Hiroshima Station
    • (16:50) Dismissal @ Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan, some of whom were based in Asia and others visiting from North America. For part of the group it was their first visit to Japan, while another had visited several times before but was experiencing the Kansai region for the first time. One of the guests had completed a period of study in Japan and was scheduled to return home in January. During the peace-related visit in Hiroshima, their expressions were rather tense at first, but gradually they relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed Miyajima. Because a cruise ship had arrived at Ujina Port, the area was quite crowded, but I was very happy when they told me, "We were able to do everything we wanted to do." This private tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides serving all 47 prefectures.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusShinkansen Exit Station~Kamiyacho Station220JPY
    Section 2TrainNishi-Hiroshima Station~Miyajimaguchi Station330JPY
    Section 3TrainMiyajimaguchi Station~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total970JPY

    Hi, nice to meet you! I am Emmy. I am so honored and happy to be your guide.
    I had been teaching at a local university in Hiroshima. After I got retired in March 2023, I started guiding. I was born and raised in Hiroshima. I love communicating with people all over the world more than anything, so I have been involved in home visit, homestay, volunteer guide for people from foreign countries.
    I always hope that our guests will take away lots of positive energy from Hiroshima, a city that was resilient and revived like a phoenix, in spite of its sad history.
    While realizing customers’ wishes, I will introduce you the beauty of Hiroshima, Miyajima and so on, which are tranquil and peaceful places with a unique charm that cannot be found in big cities.
    I am happy to answer any questions about things Japanese.
    I look forward to meeting you in person soon!!

    Jul 3, 2026
    715rachnak
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Such a great experience in Hiroshima and Miyajima!
    We…

    Jul 2, 2026
    Janine_P
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Worth the money!
    From the moment we booked our…

    May 7, 2026
    Diane_F
    Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Wonderful tour and guide
    Our tour guide Emmy was…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Curious613511
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    We did a 4 hour walking tour through Hiroshima where…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Eikando by taxi autumn leaves

    Kyoto in One Day: Eikando by taxi autumn leaves

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11/22
    • 11:00 Hotel Iconic Kyoto
    • 11:30 Eikando (1000) by taxi autumn leaves
    • 12:30 Nanzenji (600) by walking
    • 14:00 Nishiki Market by taxi Lunch(Fisherman's Hut)
    • 15:30 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi autumn leaves & pottery
    • Sannenzaka
    • Yasaka-no-to
    • Ninenzaka
    • 17:00 Yasaka jinja
    • Maruyama Park
    • End of the tour
    • 11/23
    • 09:30 Hotel Iconic Kyoto
    • 10:00 Kinkakuji (500) by taxi
    • 11:00 Gioji (300) by taxi
    • 12:00 Bamboo grove by waliking
    • 12:40 Lunch (Ine)
    • 13:30 Senkoji
    • 15:30 Kyoto Station Ticket Office
    •   End of the tour

    Title: What Is a 2-Day Private Kyoto Autumn Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. This was a two-day tour. Both were extremely energetic and walked quickly, with one going ahead to take many photos of the autumn leaves. Overall, it felt about two weeks too early for the peak of the autumn foliage. Eikando was very crowded, but the fall colors were still far from their peak. At Nishiki Market, rather than sampling many items at many shops, the guests had a seafood rice bowl at one place and finished there. Afterward, they enjoyed doughnuts for dessert at a doughnut shop. At Kiyomizu-dera the autumn leaves were still early, but the evening sunlight was very beautiful. As they had made a dinner reservation at a restaurant in Maruyama Park, I took them to the front of the restaurant and we wrapped up the first day there. On the second day, I guided them mainly around the western area. We visited the classic Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, the somewhat less-known Gio-ji, and the popular bamboo grove. The Sagano and Arashiyama area was extremely crowded. For lunch, we waited in line and ate at a restaurant. While I waited in line in front of the shop, the guests did some shopping. After the meal, to escape the crowds, we skipped Tenryu-ji and I guided them to Senko-ji instead. They were pleased to get a little away from the hustle and bustle. Finally, since they had not been able to secure space for their large luggage on the bullet train they would take to Hakone the next day, I took them to the ticket counter at Kyoto Station, and once that concern was resolved, we concluded the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Kyoto240JPY
    Total240JPY

    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!

    Jul 14, 2026
    T6871WWricharde
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…

    Jun 5, 2026
    mateoe216
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Would book again
    The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…

    May 27, 2026
    Leah_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Absolutely recommend!
    I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…

    May 26, 2026
    sheilacL3330KS
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
    Kazz was an excellent guide…

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: 45M) Meiji Shrine & 30M) Hamarikyu

    Tokyo in Half a Day: 45M) Meiji Shrine & 30M) Hamarikyu

    Tour Itinerary

    • Depart at 10:00 Meet the guest at the lobby of The Westin Tokyo, Ebisu
    • 10:30-11:15 (45M) Meiji Shrine
    • 11:25-11:45 (20M) Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • 12:10-13:20 (70M) Nihonbashi
    • 13:50-14:20 (30M) Hamarikyu
    • 14:55 See off at Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Station

    What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Nihonbashi During our advance communication through a messaging app, the guests shared that they had already seen Ginza, Toyosu, Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Nezu, and Ueno, so I proposed the above schedule, to which they replied, "Perfect. Thank you." At Meiji Shrine, the Niinamesai harvest festival happened to be taking place, and the guests were delighted by the displays of vegetables and rice. In addition to explaining the shrine, the chrysanthemum imperial crest, sake, wine, and the manner of worship, I also answered their questions about the chrysanthemum displays and the children dressed for Shichi-Go-San. They purchased various omamori charms as souvenirs. The Shibuya Crossing was a request from the guests, so they crossed diagonally while recording video on their smartphone, and also filmed from the 2nd floor of Mark City on the way to transferring to the Ginza Line. When I asked whether they were satisfied, they replied, "Yes!" For Nihonbashi, we got off at Mitsukoshimae and visited the lion statues → the Mitsukoshi department store food hall → the Mitsukoshi cosmetics counter at the guests' request, where they bought Cle de Peau cleansing products → Kiya → Ninben → Hakuza Nihonbashi → Yamamoto Noriten → the Nihonbashi bridge. I explained each spot, and having heard the request that "we stayed two nights at a hotel in Ginza but did no shopping, so we would like to shop and buy Japanese cosmetics," I guided them to products at the cosmetics counter that matched their wishes. At Hama-rikyu Gardens, I explained that it was a falconry ground for the Tokugawa shoguns and that the four teahouses have been restored largely to their original form. The cosmos flowers were still in full bloom, and the conversation touched a little on global warming. At Hama-rikyu Gardens, the final stop, I took photos in various poses at the guests' request. As for the parting place, rather than the hotel, they wanted to go to a beef restaurant in Shibuya, so I saw them off at the Hachiko exit near the restaurant. The guests were based in North America and accustomed to crowds, which made guiding them easy. They also asked various general questions, such as recommended Japanese-made bags and Japan's electoral system, and I responded to the best of my ability. In line with their initial wishes, I believe they were pleased with the combination of traditional culture and fun experiences such as the Shibuya Crossing.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainEbisu~Harajuku150JPY
    Section 2TrainHarajuku~Shibuya150JPY
    Section 3TrainShibuya~Mitsukoshimae210JPY
    Section 4TrainMitsukoshimae-Kiyosumi-shirakawa~Shiodome290JPY
    Section 5TrainShiodome-Aoyama-itchome~Shibuya290JPY
    Total1,090JPY

    Dear guests,
    My name is Keiko. Kay, for short. I’m a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. Nice to meet you!

    I’m from Tokyo and I love my country. I’d be delighted to welcome you and show you around Japan, help make your stay a lot of fun, and help you better understand Japanese culture and society. Count on me to guide you to major tourist spots anywhere in Tokyo and nearby areas including Kamakura, Yokohama, Hakone and Nikko. If you would like to visit less popular and quiet places, I’ll take you to somewhere special depending on your interests!

    To give you an idea of who I am as a person, many people say I’m a well-rounded person and easy to talk to.
    I used to work in the automotive industry in the past and lived in Germany with my family for seven years. Now I’m working as a guide interpreter and a private English teacher for middle and high school students. Throughout all these experiences, I have gotten along with a lot of people from multiple countries, such as Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Thailand, China, Korea, and the USA. I’m open to new ideas and welcome differences. In my guiding work, as well as in my teaching job, I have received extremely good reviews from my guests, for which I feel delighted and thankful. Their smiles are my treasure.

    Please let me tell you a little about my personal history. I left the automobile industry to raise my two daughters. I completely devoted myself to taking care of them. My husband was then transferred to Dusseldorf, Germany, where we had a great time. After returning to Japan, I started over my work as an English teacher at a preparatory school. I received so many nominations from students and their parents that I felt confident to go independent after several years. I also started working as a tour guide, which gives me great pleasure.

    Now, please let me talk about my interests.
    I’ve got two more daughters: they’re cats! Although they can be trouble, I care for them deeply.

    As for my hobbies, I’m enthusiastic about going on trips myself. I like going somewhere I’ve never been. It’s like opening a new door, and some nice small talk with local people enhances the quality of my trips. I’m a museum goer and a member of a choir. I love reading and watching plays in theaters: musicals, operas, Japanese Noh and Kabuki performances.

    Before the pandemic, I visited New York by myself a few times, where I enjoyed museums and theaters. I also travel locally sometimes, like to western Japan. I know a good local guide is very helpful for going to remote places.

    Japan my seem like an exotic country for you, but I’ll be here to help you. Local Japanese cuisine is a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage, and even International cuisines are at a very high level here. I bet you’ll savor delicious food in Japan.

    I’m looking forward to seeing you very soon! Hope you’ll have a great time here!

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.9:30 Meet up @remm Tokyo Kyobashi
    • 2.10:00 @Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 3.11:30 @Asakusa
    • 4.12:30 Lunch @Kura Sushi Asakusa
    • 5.13:30 Disband @Tokyo Skytree

    Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Tsukiji and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. The person who booked the tour was an acquaintance and did not join the tour itself. At Tsukiji, the guests enjoyed buying strawberry candy and chopstick rests. In Asakusa, they bought soft-serve ice cream and souvenirs for friends, and for lunch we had sushi and ramen at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. The ramen seemed a little oily for their taste. As the guests keep two black cats, they enjoyed looking closely at cat-related items and goods with cat illustrations. We also visited Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda. After lunch, we took the Tokyo Skytree Line to Solamachi, where I introduced several anime goods shops before ending the tour. Some of the guests seemed a little surprised by the crowds.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyobashi~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa286JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree157JPY
    Total621JPY

    Hello, I am Fumiko, an English-speaking Tourist Guide. I have been guiding foreign visitors science 2016. Please let me know your bucket lists whiles you are staying in Japan and what you are interested in. I will make the best plan for you. This is an once in a lifetime experience for you. As for myself, I love traveling, meeting people, eating local food, drinking, history, and art. I am learning Ikebana, traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, and tea ceremony. I also love sports, especially tennis. I like children, so I can teach them some origami, folding paper. I am looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Japan.

    Jul 27, 2026
    zyarisa
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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    Mrs. fumiko was very…

    Jul 23, 2026
    734mortenp
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    Nice tour of Tokyo
    Don’t visit Tokyo without a guide! You’ll…

    Jul 10, 2026
    Jessica_A
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Fumiko was wonderful. …
    Fumiko was wonderful. You can…

    Jun 28, 2026
    alistairn2016
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  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:30 Meet up @The Peninsula Tokyo
    • 2. 10:00 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 3. 10:40 @Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Marunouchi Side Station Building, Underground Mall, Yaesu Exit)
    • 4. 11:00 @Nihonbashi (Takashimaya)
    • 5. 11:30 @Kabukiza Theatre
    • 6. 11:50 Food walking tour @Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 7. 12:30 @Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 8. 13:15 @Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, West Approach, Okuyama Omairi Street)
    • 9. 14:30 @Ginza Pedestrian Paradise walking tour (Itoya, 4-chome Intersection, Kimuraya, Kyukyodo)
    • 10. 15:15 Disband @Ginza in front of "Cafe Paulista"

    Tokyo Private Food Tour Report: What Can You Do on a Full-Day Guided Tour of Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Ginza? The guests included a university student and other members of the group. One of the guests had arrived in Japan the day before the tour, while the others had arrived in Tokyo two days earlier. Although some of the guests had previously visited Japan in connection with work, this was their first time sightseeing here, and for others it was their very first visit to Japan. They had a particularly strong interest in Japanese cuisine. At the food floor in the basement of a department store in Nihonbashi, the guests were quite impressed by distinctly Japanese ingredients, such as the leeks, even though they already had some familiarity with a similar department store abroad. They also enthusiastically tried a variety of street foods. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed tuna and salmon sushi and sample tastings of small dried fish. Along Nakamise Street near Senso-ji Temple, they had soy-sauce rice crackers wrapped in seaweed, as well as smelt tempura and fried chicken from the stalls. On a bench at the Ginza pedestrian paradise, they enjoyed red-bean anpan and cheese danish from a well-known bakery. They had a wonderful time and were very satisfied with the flavors. To finish, since one of the guests loved coffee, I guided them to a historic café in Ginza. As it was full and there would be a bit of a wait, we parted ways there. In Asakusa, we happened to come across a procession of festival floats from a summer festival event held in 2024 and were able to watch it. While traveling by subway, I received many questions from one of the guests, who was eager to gather information to add to the itinerary they planned to explore on their own from the following day. When I introduced a micro-pig café on Takeshita Street in Harajuku, they immediately made a reservation on their smartphone.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Yurakucho Station~Sakuradamon Station600JPY
    Section 2SubwayToei Asakusa Line Nihonbashi Station~Higashi-Ginza Station180JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station~Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station~Ginza Station0JPY
    Total780JPY

    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
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    Jun 16, 2026
    Hema_R
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    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!…