Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: Arashiyama & Sanjusangen-do Temple

    Kyoto: Arashiyama & Sanjusangen-do Temple

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet @ Hotel (Nishitetsu Solaria)
    • 09:30 Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji Temple visit – Bamboo Grove walk – Togetsukyo Bridge walk)
    • 11:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple visit
    • 12:15 Kyoto Imperial Palace visit
    • 13:15 Fushimi Inari visit
    • 14:15 Sanjusangen-do Temple visit
    • 15:00 Dismissal @ Gion Hanamikoji

    What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting from Asia. One of them had visited Japan many times before, while it was the first visit for another member of the group. After staying five nights in Tokyo, they arrived in Kyoto and had gone sightseeing in Nara the day before. Today, the guests wanted to see Kyoto's most representative sightseeing spots, so we followed the itinerary above. During the tour, the guests asked many questions about Japanese history, culture, and Kyoto's specialties. It was a relaxed tour, with plenty of conversation as I answered their questions and we chatted along the way. Because we moved at a comfortable pace—neither rushed nor too slow—and covered the sights efficiently, the guests were both very satisfied.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Shoji

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Hiroshima: Hiroshima Station & Orizuru Tower

    Hiroshima: Hiroshima Station & Orizuru Tower

    Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11/6/2024
    • 11:30 Hiroshima Station
    • 11:45/12:10 Maple-loop (220 yen) –
    • 12:15/13:40 Atomic Bomb Museum
    • 13:40 Peace Park Tour
    • 14:05/15:00 Orizuru Tower
    • Go through Shareo to Kamiyacho-Higashi / Hiroshima Station Bus (220 yen)
    • 15:30 Tour ends at Hiroshima Station

    What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report When we met, I confirmed the plan for the day. I had originally heard they would travel from Hiroshima to Fukuoka at 18:00, but when they moved the start of the Hiroshima tour earlier from 13:00 to 11:30, they also changed their departure from Hiroshima to 16:00. I had let them know in advance that many people spend around an hour and a half inside the Atomic Bomb Museum, and that if the museum was to be the main focus, a tour centered on the museum and the area around Peace Memorial Park would allow for a more relaxed visit. As planned, we used the Maple-loop bus and entered the museum. Among the guests, one person viewed the exhibits very carefully, so the group stayed in the museum for a total of an hour and a half. Since this matched my earlier estimate, no one was rushed and the tour proceeded at everyone's own relaxed pace. Wherever I guided them, everyone appeared in the photos with wonderful smiles. On the Maple-loop bus, it was memorable to see the guests laughing happily together over the picture of the "deer," the bus company's character, saying "What is this?" I heard they had stayed on Miyajima the night before the tour, and they said they had eaten momiji manju and bought some as souvenirs. They each cheerfully told me how delicious the custard and the cream cheese ones were. When I heard that one of the guests works as a nurse, I mentioned that there is currently a drama in Japan called "Travel Nurse" and asked whether such a profession really exists in North America. They said it does exist, that contracts are usually about 13 to 14 weeks, and that the pay is often around double that of a regular nurse. They also said that while there is an exam to become a travel nurse, many nurses quit during the pandemic, so quality can vary from person to person. After the Peace Park tour, I took the group to Orizuru Tower. One of the guests, who knew how to fold paper cranes, folded a very beautiful one. When I asked how they could fold it so well, they told me "Actually, I once folded a thousand cranes." When I asked whether there was something they had wished for, they said there was a university they wanted to enter and a career they wanted to pursue, so they folded the cranes while wishing for those. I did not ask about which university they attended or their current occupation, but the tail and head of the crane were thicker than in the usual folding method, giving it great stability and a beautiful finish. Everyone was delighted with the slide at Orizuru Tower, which made me happy as well. One of the guests had a birthday coming up in a few days, so I said "It's a little early, but happy birthday!" and taught them how to say it in Japanese, and the three friends practiced saying it. It was a heartwarming group. There is one thing I regret. One guest, who said they cannot drink alcohol but always buy soy milk ice cream whenever they find it, had been looking forward to the soy milk ice cream sold on the first floor, but I completely forgot about the ice cream and only realized it on the bus heading to Hiroshima Station. When I said "Oh, the soy milk ice cream!", they kindly told me, "It's okay, getting to the station on time is more important to us than the ice cream (since we moved up the Shinkansen departure)." They retrieved the luggage they had stored in a coin locker at Hiroshima Station in the morning, took a selfie before departing, and set off for their next destination, Fukuoka. Information sharing: [Inside the Atomic Bomb Museum, photography and video recording are allowed, but the use of flash is prohibited.] Today, several visitors inside the museum were taking many photos while using flash. Even though everyone was viewing the exhibits quietly in the dark, the sound of the shutter combined with flash rang out, and the intense light was almost blinding. I watched for a while wondering who was taking flash photos, and found it was some overseas visitors, so I told them, "Inside the Atomic Bomb Museum, photography and video recording are allowed, but flash is prohibited," and they said, "Oh, I didn't know that. Understood," and stopped using the flash. However, the shutter sounds and flashes still continued quite frequently, so when I looked more closely, it was a photographer wearing an armband reading "Photography Permitted" who was taking pictures of school trip students. I did not have time to ask the museum today, but I wondered whether "Photography Permitted" includes flash photography, and I felt it was very disruptive for the general visitors. I strongly felt that if they are going to take photos, they should do so without flash, just like everyone else.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusHiroshima Station～Peace Park220JPY
    Section 2BusKamiyacho-Higashi～Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total440JPY

    Tour Report by miki

    Dear guests,
    Hello! My name is Miki. I was born and brought up in Hiroshima. I enjoy traveling around Inland Sea areas and I enjoy chatting with guests from overseas!

    In Hiroshima, you can see many beautiful rivers and old bridges. Lately, I often take photos of Hiroshima city including bridges and rivers. There are not many tall buildings here, but I know some places you can visit and see the view for free. By the atomic bomb dome, there is a building called Orizuru(paper crane) Tower. You need to pay to go up to the top floor but you can see the view of Hiroshima city and the Miyajima Island(Itsukushima).

    Many tourists from overseas as well as Japan want to visit Miyajima Island. You can see a beautiful shrine from Heian Period which is around 12th century and a huge Torii gate in front of the shrine and it is in the water. There are several ways to visit the island from Hiroshima city. If you are going to stay near JR Hiroshima Station, we will visit the island by JR train and JR ferry. If you are staying in the city area, we can go there by streetcar and ferry, or there is a high-speed boat from Peace Memorial Park pier directly to the island and vise versa.

    Hoping to see you in the near future!

    Miki
    Your tour guide in Hiroshima

    Request Booking

    May 20, 2026
    Barbgal
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Walking tour of Hiroshima – 4 hours
    It was a…

    May 16, 2026
    E8055FUjamesg
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great day in sunny Hiroshima
    We were with Miki Nakashima,…

    Apr 5, 2026
    jacquid804
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miki was amazing
    Miki was fabulous very informative and knowledgeable…

    Aug 19, 2025
    J
    Jemma H
    Excellent tour of Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Miyuki was a very…

  • Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour

    Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • ①　10:00　Meet on the JR Osaka Station platform
    • ②　11:00　Kyoto Imperial Palace
    • ③　12:15　Nijo Castle
    • ④　13:30　Lunch and stroll at Nishiki Market
    • ⑤　14:45　Shopping around Teramachi Street
    • ⑥　16:30　Pontocho～Shinbashi Street・Shirakawa～Chugenji Temple～Hanamikoji Street～Yasui Konpira Shrine～Yasaka Pagoda
    • ⑦　18:00　JR Kyoto Station
    • ⑧　18:30　Disband at JR Shin-Osaka Station

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto History Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America, and this was their first trip to Japan, stopping over on their way home from another destination. Both listened attentively to my explanations, so we were able to talk about many topics. In particular, they wanted to see the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle before heading back, and their questions seemed to focus on historical themes such as the Emperor and the Shogun. We also chatted about a variety of subjects, including politics abroad, technology hubs, and Japanese cuisine. For the return trip they wished to take the Shinkansen, and although one ticket was misplaced within the Shinkansen area, causing a bit of a delay at Shin-Osaka Station, we managed to sort it out. I hope the tour became a good memory for the guests.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainOsaka～Kyoto580JPY
    Section 2TrainKyoto～Shin-Osaka1,450JPY
    Total2,030JPY

    Tour Report by Kazu

    Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

    Request Booking

    Jul 29, 2026
    James_G
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Great guide and very…
    Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

    Jul 13, 2026
    peterhR6472GA
    Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    A wonderful day with Kazu…

    Jul 12, 2026
    cgalvez73
    Fantastic tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Winni_H
    Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
    Highly recommended when in Kyoto
    Our tour guide…

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Park

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:00 Meet at hotel
    • 09:00 Miyajima
    • 11:00 Hiroshima Peace Park
    • 13:30 Hotel, dismissal

    Tour Report Tour Date: November 2024 Destinations: Miyajima, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Guest: The guests Weather: Sunny with occasional clouds Experiences: Kaidan-meguri, stroll along Maple Road The guests were visitors from North America. Because of changes to the guests' schedule, I had received a message beforehand asking to shorten the tour time, so I suggested having lunch after the tour ended, and we arranged to visit both Miyajima and the Peace Memorial Park. The conversation tended to turn toward current events, but since it was a delicate topic, I steered it toward general remarks.

    Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi Station420JPY
    Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi Station～Nishi-Hiroshima Station330JPY
    Section 3BusNishi-Hiroshima Station～Hiroshima Peace Park220JPY
    Total970JPY

    Tour Report by Yuji

    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.

    Request Booking

    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…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet at Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    • 2. 9:30 Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Nakamise
    • 3. 11:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • 4. 12:30 Lunch Ramen Santouka
    • 5. 13:00 Omotesando
    • 6. 14:00 Meiji Shrine
    • 7. 15:00 Disband at Nogizaka Station

    What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine The itinerary prepared by the travel agency was nearly perfect, so I followed it almost entirely, but for the Imperial Palace, with the guests' consent, I changed the plan from the Outer Garden to the East Gardens. Some of the guests were already familiar with Japanese culture, while others were visiting almost for the first time, and the guests showed great interest in the townscape of Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa and Nakamise, which was completely different from the area around their accommodation. At the Imperial Palace East Gardens, I gave a clear explanation of the imperial system and the feudal domain system. In particular, the guests seemed to accept that one aspect of Japanese culture lies in the way stone walls are built, which respects natural stones and differs from the Western approach. At Meiji Shrine, the guests experienced a different culture through the chrysanthemum exhibition of the autumn grand festival and the bonsai. As for ramen, since one of the guests had eaten Sapporo ramen the previous day, we enjoyed the difference with Asahikawa ramen at Santouka, which they liked very much.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassRoppongi～Asakusa600JPY
    Section 2Free PassAsakusa～Otemachi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassOtemachi～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 4Free PassMeiji-jingumae～Nogizaka0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Tour Report by Kei

    Born and raised in Tokyo a half-century ago, I have lived in Tokyo all my life except for one year in the UK to study for a master’s course. I am a Tokyo Native with viewpoints based on broader local knowledge than anyone else. I have specialised in Japanese history, culture, and architecture since I was an architect.
    Also, I am a foodie emphasising Japanese traditional & healthy foods. I’ve been to many countries around the world, such as the US, Central America, Europe, and Asia. As such, I believe I can anticipate the needs of foreign tourists in Japan.

    Despite my experience as a guide for just two years, we can make the best out of our tour by travelling from your hotel to spots time-efficiently with my local knowledge, while accommodating your unexpected requests during the tour.
    My strong area includes Yanesen; Old Temples in a Quaint Village, Kamakura, Asakusa Sensoji, Meiji Shrine and Imperial Palace. All give you peace of mind.

    Request Booking

    Oct 22, 2025
    I5562SWphilipk
    Great intro to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kei was a genial and knowledgeable host, who…

    Oct 12, 2025
    Gary H
    Great tour of Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We loved our tour! Our guide was…

    Oct 5, 2025
    C
    Cindy_S
    Had one day in Tokyo and…
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Had one day in Tokyo…

    Sep 15, 2025
    chrishN2970OC
    A highly enjoyable tour of Tokyo with knowledgeable local guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had…

  • Kyoto: Kifune Shrine & Fushimi Inari

    Kyoto: Kifune Shrine & Fushimi Inari

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    October, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel
    • 11:30-12:30 Kifune Shrine
    • 12:30-13:15 (Lunch)
    • 14:30-15:00 Tea ceremony experience
    • 16:00-17:30 Fushimi Inari
    • 18:00 Arrive at hotel
    • Hotel: RIHGA Gran Kyoto (8-min walk south from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit)

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour with a Tea Ceremony Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a family visiting from Europe. During our correspondence beforehand, changes were requested many times. On top of that, on the evening before the tour, there was a sudden request to add a "Tea Ceremony." I thought it was basically too late to arrange anything, but I managed to find an available spot for a "Tea Ceremony Experience (with a matcha-grinding demonstration)" at a Japanese cultural experience venue in Kyoto, and I was able to meet their request. This venue used a large-scale, mass-production style, with desks lined up in a big room accommodating around 50 people at once, but the presentation was reasonably good and the guests were pleased. It took some effort, but I was able to find a place that can accommodate even last-minute requests to some degree, which added a new option to my repertoire for the future. As for the route, the guests had spent about three days in Kyoto before this and said they had "already been" to most of the usual spots, so we traveled all the way to Kifune Shrine, then after the tea ceremony experience, we were able to wrap up at Fushimi Inari.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayKyoto～Sanjo Keihan260JPY
    Section 2TrainKeihan Sanjo～Keihan Demachiyanagi230JPY
    Section 3TrainEizan Railway Demachiyanagi～Eizan Railway Kifuneguchi470JPY
    Section 4BusKifuneguchi～Kifune200JPY
    Section 5BusKifune～Kifuneguchi200JPY
    Section 6TrainEizan Railway Kifuneguchi～Eizan Railway Demachiyanagi470JPY
    Section 7TrainKeihan Demachiyanagi～Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo280JPY
    Section 8SubwayGojo～Kyoto220JPY
    Section 9TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 10TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
    Total2,630JPY

    Tour Report by Ichiro

    Hello!
    I’m Ichiro F. I’m a government-certified English guide. I guide in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Kobe. Since I started in March 2023, I’ve already led over 130 tours.
    (I am 64 years old, live in a city that is the western neighbor of Osaka City, married, and have one daughter who is 30 years old. My favorite pastimes are reading books and going to a gym. )

    In September 2019, I retired from an IT company after working there for 37 years, because I turned 60. At that time, I wanted to start something new. I had never lived outside of Japan or used English in my previous job. But, I had been learning English on my own for almost 50 years. I also love reading about Japanese history and culture. That’s why being a guide for English-speaking visitors is perfect for me.

    I got my government license in February 2020, but then COVID-19 happened, and Japan closed its borders. I had to wait three years to start working. But, that time was good for preparing. I learned more about Japan and traveled around Kyoto and other places.

    I finally started guiding in March 2023 and really enjoy it. Japan, especially Kyoto, has many historical places. Japan has four seasons, and I can experience the changes by walking outside with my clients. The more I guide, the more I know about it. Now, I guide about 15 days a month.

    Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Kobe each have their own history and places that amaze foreign visitors. I’m confident I can give you the best experience while visiting Japan. Please feel free to ask what I can offer you.

    Request Booking
  • Tokyo: Hamarikyu & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo: Hamarikyu & Nezu Shrine

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Hotel
    • 10:00 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Outer Market, Fish Market, Namiyoke Shrine
    • 11:00 Hamarikyu
    • 12:10 Asakusa Lunch @ Janbara, Sensoji Temple
    • 13:50 Kappabashi Kitchen Town
    • 14:30 Nezu Shrine
    • 15:30 Dismissal @ teamLab Borderless Azabudai Hills

    Title: What's a Private Car Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, and teamLab I guided a group visiting from North America on a private car tour of Tokyo with a driver. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) arranged this full-day private tour. There was some confusion at the start: a morning message came from a different person than the one I had originally been told about, so the driver and I assumed there had been a change and began the tour. Then the original contact called to say they had also come to meet us. I am not sure exactly how the mix-up happened, but I explained the situation to the caller and continued the tour as planned. The guests showed a strong interest in religious topics, such as the differences between temples and shrines. At the Tsukiji fish market, they enjoyed a sake tasting flight. For lunch they wanted ramen, so I took them to a ramen shop in Asakusa, which was very well received. At Sensoji Temple they bought protective charms, and along Nakamise Street they tried the sweet potato pie I recommended, while some of the guests purchased caps. At Nezu Shrine, they took photos of a Shichi-Go-San celebration after getting permission. It happened to be the day of a major overseas election, so the guests followed the results and discussed various topics while we were on the move. Finally, I took them to the teamLab venue, where we parted ways. I was relieved to finish right on schedule.

    Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Takako

    Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
    I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
    My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
    I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
    Please let me know what interests you.
    I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
    Looking forward to meeting you!!

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    Z222TCshannonr
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    6 hour guided tour of Tokyo
    Our wonderful guide,…

    Jul 9, 2026
    cronima2
    Perfectly guided day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing day with…

    Jul 3, 2026
    johnoD792VT
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely Guide!
    Takako was an amazing guide! She gave strong insights on…

    Jul 3, 2026
    71nidhim
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Tokyo Tour
    Takako was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the main…

  • Kyoto in Half a Day: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji & Ended around Shichijo

    Kyoto in Half a Day: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji & Ended around Shichijo

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel meet (the guest contacted us and came down 15 minutes late) Taxi used (2 cars, arranged by guest)
    • 10:45 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, walking
    • 11:30 Sagatoriimoto Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, walking
    • 12:00 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, taxi used (2 cars, arranged by guest)
    • 13:00 Sanjusangendo
    • 14:00 Ended around Shichijo Station

    What Is a Private Kyoto Sagano Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, part of a group traveling from Asia. Since the group included young children, they preferred to avoid crowded places and temples, so I suggested a temple in the Sagano area of Kyoto. They were pleased that it was not crowded and offered plenty of nature. I believe the children also enjoyed seeing the rows of rakan statues and ringing the bell. Since the travel time was long, I folded some origami as gifts for the children, which they were very happy to receive. The group had left their cash at the Hotel, so I covered the costs on their behalf (I was later reimbursed), and I realized it would have been better to confirm this again before departure. Also, they had initially planned to use a stroller, but since stroller movement is difficult in many places, I think it is necessary to inform guests of this in advance.

    Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Tour Report by Makiko

    Hi, I’m Makiko originally from Kobe.
    I have graduated from high school and University in the U.S., and working as an English Tour Guide in Japan since in my 20s.
    I want my guests to experience the beauty of Japan in Kansai region.
    Also, I’m a Sado, tea ceremony instructor , so ask me anything about tea ceremony, and other traditional Japanese culture.
    Especially, I would like to take you where you can find peace in your mind through my tour, my recommended places in Kyoto are Fushimi Inari and Nanzenji Temple.
    I’m very much looking forward to meeting you!

    Request Booking

    Mar 21, 2025
    J
    Jet815326
    Maximized our short visit to Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We only had a few…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Y8716YMkathyb
    Highly recommend this tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Makiko was a fantastic guide and really taught…

    Nov 14, 2024
    TrailBlazer145790
    Kyoto Introduction
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Makiko was very knowledgeable about Kyoto’s shrines and temples, guiding…

    Oct 18, 2024
    Z2198GLjohannah
    Wonderful experience
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Both Makiko (our guide) and our driver were incredibly kind,…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Umeda Sky Building

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Umeda Sky Building

    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet up @ The Lively Osaka Honmachi
    • 11:30-13:06＠Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 13:35-14:10@Shitennoji Temple
    • 14:25-14:45@ Shinsekai
    • 15:25-15:30@Umeda Sky Building
    • 15:30 Disband＠Umeda Sky Building

    What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Osaka Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Japan the previous evening. From the outset they had clearly decided on the places they wished to visit, so I selected the spots that could be covered efficiently within a 4-hour tour and guided them there. Since they planned to explore the rest on their own the following day, I advised them on how to use Osaka's public transportation, local customs, and points to keep in mind. The itinerary involved a fair amount of walking, but we completed the plan at a brisk pace. After watching the 5 o'clock sunset from the Umeda Sky Building, the guests said they were looking forward to enjoying dinner in Dotonbori.

    Click here for more details: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwaySakaisujihommachi～Tanimachi 4-chome190JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome～Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3SubwayDobutsuen-mae～Umeda240JPY
    Total620JPY

    Tour Report by Sachiko

    I’m Sahiko Ogura, Sachiko literally means ‘happy child’, please call me Sachiko or Sachi for short. I was born and raised in Osaka. I’ve been guide for 6 years mainly in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara after having worked far trading company. I love traveling and visited about 30 countries, where I had a great time and experienced something new and exciting. I also like sports, tea ceremony and gardening, I’m growing veritable and flower in my garden. Please let me know your interest and anything what you would like to do during your tour. I’m happy to make an itinerary customized for you.
    I’m looking forward to meeting you and exploring in my home town!

    Request Booking

    Jul 30, 2026
    135ulrikh
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We spent half…

    Jul 12, 2026
    angiegI1120DY
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great tour! Great guide!
    Sachi was a great guide. She customized…

    Jul 8, 2026
    surferbikerdude1
    We Miss Osaka Already
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko O. was our guide…

    Jun 23, 2026
    Relax64382499520
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    A memorable experience!
    Wonderful experience with an amazing guide! Ms. Sachiko Ogura,…

  • Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour

    Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    November, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:30 Meet @ Nagoya Port Kinjo Pier
    • 2. Nagoya Castle: View the interior of Honmaru Palace and the area around the castle tower
    • 3. View the Japanese garden at Tokugawa Garden
    • 4. View the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER (former Nagoya TV Tower)
    • 5. Return to Nagoya Port Kinjo Pier and disband 13:30

    What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Tour from Nagoya Cruise Port? A Licensed Guide's Report The meeting and dismissal point for this tour was the Kinjo Pier at the Port of Nagoya, where the guests' cruise ship docked. Under the condition of traveling back and forth between the pier, located far from central Nagoya, and the sights, we used a taxi to move between Kinjo Pier and Tsukijiguchi Station, the closest subway station to the pier, in order to make the 4-hour tour as smooth and full of content as possible. As a result, the guests were able to visit three sites — Nagoya Castle, Tokugawaen Garden, and the Mirai Tower — and they were very pleased. Among the sites visited, the guests were especially interested in the Honmaru Palace and the area around the main keep of Nagoya Castle, and they commented that it was truly wonderful. They also enjoyed the tasteful and atmospheric setting of the Japanese garden at Tokugawaen.

    Click here for more details: Nagoya Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTsukijiguchi Station～Nagoyajo Station270JPY
    Section 2SubwaySakae Station～Tsukijiguchi Station270JPY
    Total540JPY

    Tour Report by Todd

    Hello, guests of JGA tours, I’m Takao (Todd) Miura, a national licensed guide of Japan.
    I have experiences as a professional guide over 5 years. The themes in which I’m well versed include castles, Japaneses landscape gardens, museums, festivals, and traditinal Japanese arts and crafts.
    Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture, where I live, have many attractive sites to visit. I would like to introduce you to the most popular sites and spots in this area.
    I really wish to have a very nice time with you as a guide of your tour in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture.

    Request Booking

    Feb 16, 2026
    B9190RXcolleenm
    The Nagoya walking tour was great!
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    Todd was the perfect…

    Oct 2, 2025
    Jeffrey_B
    Nagoya with Todd Miura
    Viator review: Nagoya / Aichi Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    A great 4 hour…

    Sep 17, 2025
    sjhppy
    Todd Was A Fabulous Guide
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    I highly recommend Todd! He…

    Jul 22, 2025
    guelphturfgrassinstu
    Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
    We enjoyed this tour with a knowledgeable guide. Todd shared…