Category: Uncategorized

  • Osaka in One Day: Dotonbori & Shinsekai

    Osaka in One Day: Dotonbori & Shinsekai

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:45 Meeting point: Shin-Osaka Station (Shinkansen Central Gate)
    • 12:50 Move: From Shin-Osaka Station to Dotonbori
    • 13:00 Sightseeing ①: Stroll around "Dotonbori" (including lunch)
    • 14:30 Move: From Dotonbori to Kuromon Market
    • 14:50 Sightseeing ②: Stroll around "Kuromon Market"
    • 15:30 Move: From Kuromon Market to Shinsekai
    • 15:40 Sightseeing ③: Stroll around "Shinsekai"
    • 17:30 Move: From Shinsekai to Shin-Osaka Station
    • 18:00 Dismissal: Shin-Osaka Station
    • ※The schedule originally planned dismissal at 19:00, but it was moved up to 18:00 at the guest's request

    Title: What's a Private Osaka Food Tour Like in Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Shinsekai? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America touring Japan. Prior communication and coordination were handled through one of the guests. A reply came promptly the day after my first message, but the hotel near Shin-Osaka Station listed as the "meeting point" was not their actual accommodation; it appeared to have been chosen simply as a temporary meeting place. The guests were staying in Kyoto, and on the day of the tour they planned to visit Saihoji Temple in the morning, then come to Osaka for a "one-day Osaka sightseeing and food tour" featuring local food such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu. After discussing with the guests, we settled on three destinations: Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Shinsekai. Because of this, the meeting point was set as the Central Gate of the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka Station. In my past experience, there have occasionally been cases where a hotel was designated as the meeting point even though the guests were not actually staying there. This time, because the guests explained the situation in detail in their reply, there was no problem at all, but without such an explanation, one can mistakenly assume that the guests are staying at the hotel. Recently, even when I inquire in advance whether guests are staying at a particular hotel, the hotel will not tell me, citing "privacy protection," so it has become increasingly difficult for a guide to confirm. I feel it would be better for guests to simply write honestly, "I will select it later." On the day of the tour, fortunately the guests approached me before the scheduled meeting time, so we were able to meet right away and get off to a smooth start. All of the destinations were in the "Minami" area, which is well served by transportation, so the tour proceeded smoothly. Throughout the tour, the guests were able to fully enjoy the distinctive downtown atmosphere of Osaka, the flashy signboards, the taste of the flour-based dishes, the temperament of Osaka locals, and the charm of Osaka as a commercial city. As the sun was setting earlier and the guests were also getting a bit tired, at the guests' request the end time was moved up by about one hour, concluding at 6:00 p.m.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShin-Osaka~Namba290JPY
    Section 2SubwayNippombashi~Ebisucho190JPY
    Section 3SubwayEbisucho~Shin-Osaka290JPY
    Total770JPY

    Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
    Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Apr 9, 2026
    Ron_W
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We saw so much in the…
    We saw so much in the…

    Mar 24, 2026
    zackn719
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
    We did our private tour with…

    Oct 20, 2025
    66speech
    Highlights of Kyoto.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…

    Oct 16, 2025
    Michael_H
    Thoroughly enjoyed the…
    Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
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  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shibuya

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shibuya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place: Hotel Shinjuku
    • 9:00 Departure: Hotel Shinjuku
    • (Taxi)
    • 9:30 Asakusa
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • 10:30 Asakusa
    • (Taxi)
    • 11:00 Tsukiji
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 12:00 Tsukiji
    • (Taxi)
    • 12:30 Tokyo Skytree Tokyo Skytree
    • Tokyo Skytree
    • 14:00 Tokyo Skytree
    • (Taxi)
    • 14:30 Shibuya
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Pokemon Center/Nintendo Store
    • 15:30 Shibuya
    • (Taxi)
    • 15:40 Shinjuku: Hotel
    • 15:40 Disband: Hotel

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, Skytree, and Shibuya The guest (a travel agency) was accompanied by a group of clients visiting Japan, 11 people in total, arriving from North America. The guest was visiting Japan for the second time, while everyone else was visiting for the first time. The group arrived at Narita Airport and stayed in the Odaiba area, then moved to Shinjuku. Regarding a car, the guest repeatedly made strong requests, insisting that "this tour ought to include a car," but it was ultimately resolved by the guest arranging one themselves. The guest explained, "Until yesterday, we mostly traveled by subway, but because the group was quite tired, they really wanted to travel by car today." This was a one-week stay in Japan. The next day the group planned to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto, and after returning to Tokyo, they planned to return home. The weather was cloudy at first but gradually cleared up, and the tour took place under skies warm enough to feel hot. The guest had personally prepared the following itinerary: (1) Asakusa: Everyone to rent kimono, stroll, and take photos. (2) Tsukiji Market: Stroll and lunch together. (3) Harajuku: Stroll through Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street. (4) Shibuya However, on the morning of the tour, at the time we met, the following changes were requested, so the plan was suddenly revised: (1) The "kimono rental" was canceled because reservations were fully booked. (2) "We have already strolled through Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, and Takeshita Street, so instead we would like to go to Tokyo Skytree." First, we went to Asakusa. We passed from Kaminarimon through the Nakamise shopping street to the main hall. Everyone was surprised by the enormous crowds. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" Everyone experienced drawing omikuji fortunes. There was a request to "buy souvenirs," so I allowed 30 minutes of free time, and after gathering in front of the main hall, we took a taxi. We went to the Tsukiji Outer Market. Although it was a closed day, more than half of the shops were open, and there was a huge crowd. I explained about "the history of the fish market since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." After giving a quick tour of the outer market, I allowed one hour of free time. Each person enjoyed sushi and grilled beef skewers. There were questions such as "Why are there so many people?" and "Are these people who live in Tokyo, or are there many overseas travelers?" We moved to Tokyo Skytree. Perhaps because it was Sunday, it was packed. I allowed one hour of free time. They said, "Unfortunately we couldn't see Mount Fuji, but it was great to look down over Tokyo." We moved to Shibuya. They experienced the Scramble Crossing. They commented, "Why are there so many people? Are they mostly Japanese, or travelers?" and "I don't even understand what everyone comes here for." After this, I guided them to Shibuya PARCO and the Pokémon Center / Nintendo Store. We sent them back to the Hotel by car and parted ways. They also commented, "Japanese people all seem so polite," "It's inconvenient that there are no trash bins on the streets," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant. We were impressed."

    Guiding career:
    Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
    FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
    Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
    As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
    Self-introduction:
    In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
    Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
    I am a certified CPA in the United States.
    In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
    Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
    My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
    Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
    One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.

    Jul 21, 2026
    Christelle_G
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour guide
    Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…

    Jul 1, 2026
    97TexAg
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Amazing day in Tokyo
    Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…

    Jun 2, 2026
    Tagare S
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour and guide!
    This is a great tour, and our…

    Jun 1, 2026
    Lisa_A
    Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Adler Family Tour
    Our tour with Masa was…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Kappabashi Street

    Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Kappabashi Street

    Tour Itinerary

    • 07:50 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 08:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 09:20 Yoyogi Park
    • 09:40 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 10:50 Imperial Palace
    • 11:40 Lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Sushi (Marunouchi Building)
    • 13:10 Senso-ji Temple
    • 14:00 Kappabashi Street
    • 14:30 Dismissal @ Kappabashi Street

    What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They planned to visit Kyoto, Osaka, and other cities after sightseeing in Tokyo. At Meiji Shrine, since it was a Sunday, many people were visiting for weddings and Shichi-Go-San celebrations, and the guests observed this with great interest. On Takeshita Street, they showed interest in the many different kinds of shops. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they were interested in the explanation of the differences between temples and shrines. At Kappabashi, they purchased a cooking knife. Since they said they could return to their accommodation on their own, we parted ways at Kappabashi. I responded according to the guests' wishes, so I believe they were satisfied.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku~Meiji-jingumae600JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae0JPY
    Section 3TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno~Asakusa0JPY
    Total770JPY

    I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

    Jul 10, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
    Seizo Kamiuto was out…

    Jun 9, 2026
    stacy_grana
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with an experienced guide
    Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

    Jun 6, 2026
    U9351HJjakes
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

    May 20, 2026
    HugoJ670
    Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    Tokio in de zon
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  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car

    Tour Itinerary

    • November 17, 2025 (Sunday)
    • 8:30am
    • Depart from hotel (Garry Nijo Castle Kyoto).
    • 9:15am-10:00am
    • Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 10:15am-11:00am
    • Tofukuji Temple (garden admission)
    • 11:20am-12:40pm
    • Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Sannenzaka. Ninenzaka. Ryozen Kannon
    • 12:50pm-13:30pm
    • Nanzenji Temple (Sanmon Gate admission, Hojo Garden admission)
    • 13:40pm-14:15pm
    • Eikando Temple (garden admission)
    • 14:30pm
    • Drop off at the entrance of Teramachi Shopping Street on Oike Street
    • Guide service ends as scheduled

    What's a Private Kyoto Temple and Shrine Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. They had a strong interest in Japanese culture and listened attentively to an overview of Buddhism and Shinto in Kyoto. They viewed the beautiful Japanese gardens and Buddhist statues with great interest. In particular, they asked several times about the difference between a Buddhist temple and a Shinto shrine. At the end, we parted ways at Nishiki Market as they had requested. Some of the guests had already visited Japan more than ten times, and on this occasion they seemed especially eager to explore Japanese history and religion in depth. They chose to skip lunch in order to see as much as possible.

    Hello. Welcome to Japan! Would you like to enjoy the charm of Japan with me? Japan has interesting history, culture, food, and abundant nature.
    I’m sure you will have a memorable time in your life. I have been working as a government certified tour guide who speak English and German. Many of my guest are from Germany, Austrial and Switzerland too. My service area, for example, Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and others.
    I was originally an engineer at a japanese steel company. I was stationed overseas and worked with overseas companies. Through the life my dream is to become a cultural bridge between many other countries and Japan. If there is any information you would like to know about Japan tour, please let me know. I will be happy to help you. Shin.

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 0900 Meet at The Okura Prestige Tower (8 min from Tameike-Sanno)
    • 0925 Shibuya Hachiko Statue Scramble Crossing
    • 1000 Shinjuku Gyoen
    • 1120 Tokyo Station~Marunouchi~Gyoko-dori Avenue~Tatsumi Yagura~Nijubashi Bridge~Hibiya
    • 1240 Tsukiji Outer Market Lunch at Sushizanmai conveyor belt sushi
    • 1405 Asakusa Nakamise Senso-ji Temple Asakusa Shrine
    • 1500 As they wanted to do some shopping, disband at the Senso-ji Temple grounds

    # What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, Tsukiji, and Asakusa [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day tour of Tokyo for guests from North America who were visiting Japan for the first time. The trip had originally been planned for 2022 but was postponed due to COVID. The guests planned to stay in Tokyo for a couple of days before heading toward Kyoto via Hakone. This morning, a half marathon was being held around the Toranomon (Toranomon Hills) area, resulting in large-scale traffic restrictions. Since picking up from that side took much longer than expected, I set the starting point on the opposite side at Tameike-Sanno. At Shinjuku Gyoen, we entered through the Sendagaya Gate and traversed the garden toward the Shinjuku Gate. The weather was clear and warm enough to work up a sweat, but this made for beautiful photos. The autumn foliage had not yet advanced, but the guests were delighted. I explained that Hakone would most likely be fine. The guests wanted to collect their pre-booked tickets for Hakone and Kyoto, so I took them to the "Ekitabi Concierge" at the Marunouchi North Exit. However, since these reservations were for JR Tokai, they could not be handled at the JR East counter. There is a JR Tokai ticket office on the Yaesu side, and the guests said they would arrive early on the day to handle it there, so we continued the tour. At Tsukiji, since it was their first time experiencing conveyor-belt sushi, they enjoyed a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, and they savored the tuna. Afterward, when I explained that a nearby annex was part of the same chain, they mentioned that they had seen this same sign in North America. At Nakamise, the guests were interested in shopping for items such as cutlery, and we parted ways on site.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTameike-Sanno~Shibuya600JPY
    Section 2TrainShibuya~Yoyogi~Sendagaya167JPY
    Section 3Free PassShinjuku-gyoenmae~Tokyo0JPY
    Section 4Free PassHibiya~Tsukiji0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTsukiji~Ginza~Asakusa0JPY
    Total767JPY

    I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
    After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

    My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
    My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
    – Senso ji Temple
    – Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
    – Tokyo Skytree
    – Ueno Park
    – Nezu Shrine
    – Imperial Palace outer park
    – Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
    – Tsukiji Fish Market
    – Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    – Ginza
    – Odaiba
    – Hama Rikyu Garden
    – Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
    – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
    – Roppongi
    – Meiji Shrine
    – Harajuku & Takeshita Street
    – Shibuya
    – and Any of your interest.

    I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
    Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
    Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

    I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

    Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
    Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

    A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

    In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

    Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
    These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
    Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
    Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
    The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
    Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

    I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

    Jul 2, 2026
    Susan M
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Family fun in Tokyo.
    A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

    Jun 26, 2026
    ann r
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Educational with kind, generous guide
    My teenage sons and I learned…

    Jun 14, 2026
    141yunb
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
    We…

    May 18, 2026
    B
    Beth56646
    Great tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Museum of History

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Museum of History

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Granvia Osaka
    • 9:20~10:20   Osaka Castle Park, Castle Tower
    • 10:35~11:20  Osaka Museum of History
    • 12:15~13:00  Namba – Hozenji Yokocho – Dotonbori, dismissal

    Title: What Is a Private Osaka Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, the Museum of History, and Dotonbori The guests were visitors from Europe, and this was their first trip to Japan, with Osaka being the final destination of their journey. At Osaka Castle Park, they took many photos, feeling the sense of history in the vast outer moat structure, the castle walls, and the turrets. In the museum inside the main keep, they remarked that the way Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose from his upbringing and became consumed by power in his later years resembled European rulers. At the Osaka Museum of History, the history of Osaka from ancient times to the present was presented in an easy-to-understand way, and they toured it with great enthusiasm. They were especially surprised that the Naniwa Palace site was located right next to it. At Dotonbori, they recalled the model of Edo-period Dotonbori they had seen at the museum, and remarked that the enduring liveliness reflected the wonderful qualities of Japanese culture.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOsaka Station~Osaka Castle Park170JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Namba240JPY
    Total410JPY

    Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
    Shige.

    May 23, 2026
    Sarajean_s
    Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
    Shige was a…

    May 21, 2026
    828vickeyb
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
    Shige was an excellent…

    Apr 12, 2026
    Mariana_M
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Walking Tour with Shige
    Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Marcus_C
    Osaka tour 2025
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…

  • Others: Nijo Castle & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Others: Nijo Castle & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet @ Gion Kyoka
    • 9:15-10:15 Nijo Castle
    • 10:30-11:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 11:30-12:30 Lunch @ Gontaro
    • 13:00-14:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 14:10-15:10 Sanjusangen-do
    • 15:25-16:25 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 17:00 Dismiss @ Gion Kyoka

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari, and Kiyomizu-dera From the beginning, I had been communicating with the person who booked the tour. According to them, the group would consist of some of the guests along with other members of the group. Initially, they mentioned that they wanted to show part of the group around Kyoto first, and then have the others join later in Nara. Since I was unsure whether it was appropriate to include Nara in a Kyoto tour, I consulted [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) explained to them that an additional fee would apply. At that time, they decided to skip Nara and instead take their time exploring Kyoto, so they requested a two-hour extension. However, when we actually met up, some of the guests decided not to participate as they wanted to explore on their own, so the tour ended up being just for the rest of the group. Thanks to this, the three of us, including myself, were able to use the large van spaciously. At Nijo Castle, the guests were moved by the paintings on the sliding doors and the beauty of the garden. At Kinkaku-ji, they were impressed by the beauty of the autumn foliage and the reflection of the golden pavilion on the water's surface. After having lunch at a restaurant, we headed to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Perhaps because it was crowded in the afternoon, they seemed a bit put off by the crowds and moved through fairly quickly. Next, we went to Sanjusangendo. There, the guests were greatly overwhelmed by the thousand statues of Kannon. They were also very moved by how ancient the building was. Since the guests were originally Buddhists, at each place they visited they offered coins, put their hands together in prayer before the statues, and offered incense. At Kiyomizu-dera as well, they listened with interest to my explanation of the statues in the inner sanctuary. They were also very moved by the view of Kyoto seen from the height of the mountain, the autumn foliage, and the Koyasu Pagoda visible on the other side. Thanks to the two-hour extension, we were able to visit each site without rushing. In the car, I received many questions about topics such as Japanese education and home-buying, and I myself had a very enjoyable time. There is one point I would like to share with [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/). The driver seemed to know the meeting place for the day and arrived on time, but they said they had not been informed of the two-hour extension or the details of the course. Since the driver knew the meeting place and time, I believe [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) had properly contacted the taxi company, including about the day's itinerary, but there is a possibility that the taxi company did not properly relay this to the driver. Going forward, I think it would be good for [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) to confirm this point as well, so I am reporting it. The photo was taken beneath the autumn foliage at Kinkaku-ji. I myself was moved by the gradation of the colors, so I took the picture.

    I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!

    May 18, 2026
    WENDY_W
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent day out
    The trip was really well planned and organised, it…

    Sep 21, 2025
    joshsJ915FC
    Super tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Really wonderful tour of markets and geisha district.…

    Jun 16, 2025
    Chanyl C
    Highly recommend
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My husband and I really enjoyed the Kyoto tour.…

    May 18, 2025
    Steve J
    A relaxing, enjoyable visit to Arashiyama.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Satori was very kind and…

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  • Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori

    Kanagawa in One Day: Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
    • →9:30 Owakudani
    • →12:30 Moto-Hakone ~ Hakone Shrine Peace Torii Gate
    • →13:00 Lunch @ Fukao Soba
    • →15:00 Disband at hotel

    What Is a Private Day Trip to Hakone Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. Since they enjoyed photography, at Owakudani we decided to wait until Mount Fuji became visible. While the guests ate the famous black eggs and chose plenty of souvenirs, the weather cleared up and we were able to take great photos. At the Peace Torii Gate of Hakone Shrine, while I waited in line on behalf of the guests, they were able to visit the shrine for prayer, so we managed to take photos at the best spot without much waiting, and they were very satisfied. Afterward, we had a meal at a soba noodle restaurant I always visit before heading back.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherTogendai~Owakudani2,500JPY
    Section 2OtherTogendai~Moto-Hakone2,200JPY
    Total4,700JPY

    Hello, I’m Yukie Tachibana, national licensed tour guide living in Yokohama with my family. Please call me Yuki. I have been working as a tour guide for 5years mainly around Tokyo, Kanagawa, for example, Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama and Kawasaki. I have had an experience of attending a lot of foreign visitors from all over the world in both private and group tours for sightseeing and business in one to multi-days. I’m able to arrange the tour for you, so please feel free to ask me your favorite plan in Japan as to spot, food and some activities. I like to see Buddhist statues in temples so I’d like to introduce our history and culture. Also because I like Japanese animation and character, and animals, I can take you to some shops for the animation and animal cafes that are so popular among tourists. Looking forward to seeing you soon and share wonderful time in Japan! Thank you.

    May 1, 2026
    444CraigH
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Tokyo in a day from Yokohama
    We had a great…

    Apr 16, 2026
    Adele P
    Tripadvisor review: Yokohama 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Yokohama!
    We had a lovely day in Yokohama with Yukie…

    Oct 17, 2025
    LeslieS1560
    Intro to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yuki was awesome. She reached out right after we…

    Jun 27, 2025
    L
    L3151LVdavidl
    Amazing Kamakura Tour with Yukie
    Tripadvisor review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing tour with…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel
    • 2. 9:30 @ Tokyo Station (Yaesu Exit, Marunouchi Exit station building, station plaza)
    • 3. 10:00 @ Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate, Sakuradamon Gate)
    • 4. 10:45 @ Ginza (Ginza Street, shopping + tasting at Kimuraya and Mitsukoshi food hall)
    • 5. 11:30 @ Kabukiza Theatre
    • 6. 11:45 @ Tsukiji Outer Market (food walking tour)
    • 7. 12:15 Lunch (Koromo Sushi)
    • 8. 13:00 @ Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 9. 13:30 @ Tokyo Tower
    • 10. 14:15 @ Zojoji Temple
    • 11. 15:00 @ Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 12. 16:00 Dismissal @ Shinjuku Station front

    Private One-Day Tokyo Walking Tour Report: What Can You See Around Tokyo Station, Ginza, Tsukiji, and Tokyo Tower? [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guided a private one-day tour in Tokyo for guests visiting Japan for the first time. The guests had originally lived in Asia and now had homes in Europe and North America, departing from both regions to meet up in Japan. The day before this tour, which was their first full day of sightseeing after arrival, they had visited Asakusa. Although they had traveled widely around the world, this was their very first visit to Japan for the guests. They were remarkably energetic, walking well and handling stairs with ease. While waiting for them in the lobby of the hotel designated as the meeting point, I noticed the guests coming in from outside, and upon checking discovered that they were actually staying at a private lodging in Shinjuku and had no connection to the hotel in Kanda. The reason was unclear (the guests themselves said they did not understand why this had been set as the starting point), but since the tour did in fact start from Kanda, we began with an introduction to the nearby Tokyo Station building. It was also perfect weather for walking from in front of Tokyo Station toward the Imperial Palace, and while chatting about all sorts of things with the good-humored guests, we enjoyed an autumn stroll. One of the guests was very interested in food and had tried shabu-shabu the previous evening, laughing that the food was so delicious they were likely to gain quite a bit of weight during their stay in Japan. When we passed by the famous Kimuraya, known for its anpan, which I had only intended to mention briefly, the guests wanted to go inside and buy some, purchasing not only anpan but also croissants for a taste comparison. At the Mitsukoshi department store, they bought premium cakes requiring cooler packs as well as soup dumplings, which they sampled on the free benches on the 9th floor. Including these, and with several tastings during a food walk at Tsukiji Market, I had expected they might already be full. However, they still enjoyed a sit-down sushi lunch at a sushi restaurant. Although the tamagoyaki was not to their taste, they were satisfied, saying everything was very delicious. They also tried sea urchin for the first time. One of the guests said they did not care for raw fish, but ordered a cucumber roll and a salmon roll, finishing them completely and with satisfaction. At the end, since dessert was requested, they enjoyed taiyaki filled with sweet red bean paste at a taiyaki shop right by Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Line. They mentioned that the view from the Tokyo Skytree observation deck they had climbed the previous day had been limited due to the weather, but today, although cloudy, they were able to see the exterior view of the city from Tokyo Tower and were content. Afterward, since visiting the originally planned Koishikawa Korakuen Garden would have been difficult due to time constraints, I instead guided them to Hamarikyu, which is near Tokyo Tower. They were also very interested in the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, but by the end they were understandably tired, so we decided to return to the hotel. I helped them catch a taxi in front of Shinjuku Station and said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Yamanote Line Kanda Station~Tokyo Station150JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station~Ginza-itchome Station900JPY
    Section 3Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station~Kamiyacho Station0JPY
    Section 4Free PassToei Subway Oedo Line Daimon Station~Shiodome Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassToei Subway Oedo Line Shiodome Station~Shinjuku Station0JPY
    Total1,050JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Ginkakuji Temple & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto in One Day: Ginkakuji Temple & Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:30 Meeting (time change agreed in advance) @ client's hotel
    • 09:10 Visit Ginkakuji Temple
    • 10:00-12:30 Stroll along the Philosopher's Path and the Shishigatani area (Visit Honen-in, Shinnyo-do, Konkaikomyoji Temple)
    • 12:45 Visit Heian Shrine
    • 13:30 Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • 14:30 Dismissal @ Nishikikoji entrance

    Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Ginkaku-ji and Shishigatani Area Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Oceania. After one night in Tokyo, they arrived in Kyoto yesterday. Today they took a guided tour, and tomorrow they will explore on their own. After Kyoto, they plan to spend five days walking the Kumano Kodo. Today, we walked the familiar Ginkaku-ji to Shishigatani route, a favorite of mine, chosen because it is an area that is difficult to explore without a guide and is not too crowded. Due to this year's unusually warm weather, the autumn foliage had only just begun, but despite it being the weekend, the guests thoroughly enjoyed the charm of several uncrowded temples and the quintessentially Kyoto atmosphere of the Shishigatani neighborhood. In particular, the guests were deeply impressed by the beautiful garden of Eishoin, a small sub-temple of Konkai Komyoji. This sub-temple is truly wonderful (open only from late November to early December) and is a genuine hidden gem — one that you almost don't want to tell anyone about.

    My name is Shoji and I’m a tour guide in Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan for more than one thousand years until the mid 19th century.
    I have been doing this work since 2019 covering not only Kyoto but also its surrounding areas like Nara , Osaka and Shiga.
    I am very much interested in Japanese history, culture and traditional arts.
    Kyoto and the Kansai region are rich with many heritage sites of historical and cultural features.
    I am sure that I can provide the guests with good insight and help them appreciate the charms of our wonderful city.

    May 23, 2026
    Amber_D
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great walking tour in Kyoto!
    Shoji was a great guide around Kyoto.…

    Jun 25, 2025
    Safari35155142765
    Peaceful and perfect temple guided tour.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Brilliant private guided tour of Kyoto…

    Jun 22, 2025
    Global136391
    Shoji Ogawa Made Kyoto Come Alive!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    If you’re ever in Kyoto, you…

    Jun 9, 2025
    Amy_R
    Wonderful Nara tour
    Viator review: Private Nara Tour with Government Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Kyoto Departure)
    We had such a wonderful…