Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Hachijoguchi, departure　➡　To Fushimi Inari Taisha by JR　➡　To Arashiyama by JR　➡　On foot to Tenryu-ji Temple ~ Bamboo Grove ~ Kameyama Park　➡　Kimono rental shop　➡　Wearing kimono, stroll around Arashiyama, explain how to get to Monkey Park and disband (13:20)

    What Is a Private Kimono Experience in Arashiyama, Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Today's highlight was without a doubt when the entire group strolled through the streets of Arashiyama wearing kimono. One of the guests was especially delighted, and we took many photos. The kimono rental had not been arranged in advance; while in the bamboo grove, one of the guests suddenly expressed a wish to wear a kimono, and we were able to make it happen by asking a shop that accepts walk-ins when the timing is right. The guests were very pleased. After the tour, they planned to enjoy the monkey park and some ramen on their own.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto～Inari150JPY
    Section 2TrainInari～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Total390JPY

    Tour Report by Emi

    Hello! I’m Emi (meaning “smile” or “laugh” in Japanese) , born, raised, and living in Osaka for more than half a century. I’ve been working as a government-licensed tour guide since 2018 after early retirement from a company. My favorite things are hiking, cooking, eating, laughing, learning different cultures, jazz, playing the chromatic harmonica, etc.
    I’ll provide you with a few suggested itineraries first, but of course I’ll be happy to provide you with a flexible itinerary according to your preferences and requests and to help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. I can also offer a tour visiting not only popular destinations but also hidden or less-crowded places.
    I’m looking forward to meeting and guiding you!!

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    Jul 17, 2026
    TROY_R
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    This was a perfect tour…
    This was a perfect tour of…

    Sep 18, 2025
    L9831WKjenniferb
    4 hour Kyoto tour with English speaking guide
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lovely afternoon with English…

    Aug 15, 2025
    SuperGC68
    Great value
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a two day 6hr tour with our guide…

    Jul 4, 2025
    Inspire64445626178
    Delightful day with Emi
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a delightful day with our guide…

  • Kyoto: Sanjusangendo & Hana Kisshokyo

    Kyoto: Sanjusangendo & Hana Kisshokyo

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @ Hana Kisshokyo
    • 10:15 Sanjusangendo
    • 11:50 Kinkaku-ji
    • 12:40 Ryoan-ji
    • 13:46 Lunch @ Enmachi
    • 15:30 Bamboo Grove Path ~ Tenryu-ji Garden
    • 17:47 Hana Kisshokyo

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sanjusangendo, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Some of the guests were very interested in Japanese culture, so we ended up spending more time than planned at our first stop, Sanjusangendo. Afterward, they said they really wanted to visit Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, and that it would be fine to skip Oku-Saga in exchange, so I adjusted the itinerary accordingly, ending with some shopping in front of Arashiyama Station. Since we were able to visit all the places they had hoped to see, I believe the guests were very satisfied. This private one-day tour of Kyoto 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.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusOmiya Matsubara～Museum Sanjusangendo-mae230JPY
    Section 2TrainShichijo～Sanjo170JPY
    Section 3SubwaySanjo Keihan～Nishioji Oike220JPY
    Section 4BusNishioji Oike～Kinkaku-ji-michi230JPY
    Section 5BusRyoan-ji-mae～Nishinokyo Enmachi230JPY
    Section 6TrainEnmachi～Saga-Arashiyama190JPY
    Section 7TrainArashiyama～Shijo Omiya250JPY
    Total1,520JPY

    Tour Report by Hiro

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Guide ends

    Kyoto in One Day: Nijo Castle & Guide ends

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00　Meet at the hotel
    • 9:50　Nijo Castle
    • 11:45　Lunch in Arashiyama
    • 12:30　Bamboo Grove Path
    • 13:15　Nonomiya Shrine
    • 13:30　Togetsukyo Bridge
    • 13;50　Iwatayama Monkey Park
    • 14:30　Randen train from Arashiyama to Shijo-Omiya
    • 15:10　Guide ends

    Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like with Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, and the Monkey Park? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. They mentioned that a family connection had Japanese roots, which was part of the reason for their trip to Japan. The original plan was to take the subway from the Hotel to Nijo Castle, but since one of the guests was experiencing back pain, we took a taxi to Nijo Castle instead. Unfortunately, the Ninomaru Palace was closed, but we enjoyed the Otemon Gate, the Karamon Gate, and the Japanese garden. In Arashiyama, I introduced Kyoto's traditional tofu cuisine (which developed from Buddhist vegetarian cooking), and the response was, "This is healthy and delicious." Some of the guests had wagyu beef. We visited the much-anticipated Bamboo Grove Path, and then Nonomiya Shrine, which has connections to the Imperial family. Rubbing the famous "Kameishi" (Turtle Stone), which is said to make wishes come true within one year, each of the guests made a wish. We crossed the Togetsukyo Bridge and went to the Monkey Park. Although Kinkakuji Temple had been on the itinerary, we changed plans on the spot at the guests' request. They enjoyed feeding the wild Japanese macaques and were delighted. I saw them off near their accommodation at Shijo-Omiya, ending the tour. One of the guests said, "It was a wonderful day. Thank you," and gave me a tip.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainNijojo-mae～Arashiyama510JPY
    Section 2TrainArashiyama～Shijo-Omiya250JPY
    Total760JPY

    Tour Report by Shuji

    My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
    After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
    The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
    During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
    I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
    I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
    My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
    My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
    By the way, I look young for my age of 74.

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    Sep 16, 2026
    Nusret_K
    See the best of Tokyo for a few hours
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…

    Jul 16, 2026
    salomons666
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto fun
    Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge

    Jul 15, 2026
    P9099TXkennethr
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
    A great day
    A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

    Jun 28, 2026
    A
    Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    AmyfromPlano
    Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…

  • Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden

    Hyogo in Half a Day: Himeji Castle & Kokoen Garden

    Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:45 Meet at Himeji Station
    • 13:10 Sightseeing at Himeji Castle
    • 15:30 Stroll through Kokoen Garden
    • 16:10 Leave Kokoen Garden and browse souvenir shops
    • 16:30 Genmyoan on the 1st floor of Egret Himeji
    • 16:45 Disband at Otemae-dori

    What Is a Private Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America, who came to Japan to celebrate an academic milestone. Because it was still the New Year holiday period, Himeji Castle was very crowded, but we were able to move through more smoothly than expected, and the guests listened attentively to each explanation. We then visited Koko-en Garden, where few flowers were blooming in winter, so we left a little early and browsed the souvenir shops. At the guests' request, I took them to a venue where they could enjoy sake and sake tasting. On the way toward the castle, one of the guests spotted a nice hat and wanted to visit the shop, so we went to a store on Otemae-dori, where they were able to make the purchase they had hoped for and were delighted. We said our goodbyes in front of that shop.

    Click here for more details: Himeji Castle Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Guide

    Tour Report by Rie

    Hello, I’m your tour guide, Rie Ito. Please call me Rie. I have been living in Himeji for 40 years. I would like to show you around our beautiful city. Himeji is very famous for its several sightseeing places. Especially, as the most recommended place, we boast Himeji Castle, the first World Heritage Site of Japan. When you see this message, please contact me through WhatsApp. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask me before the tour. I am sure you will enjoy this local city of Japan with me! I’m looking forward to seeing you. Thank you.

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    Apr 25, 2026
    Alix_M
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great tour of Himeji castle
    Fantastic tour of the beautiful Himeji castle!…

    Oct 3, 2025
    P
    Peggy_M
    Rie is an excellent guide with a lot of knowledge to share
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed…

    Aug 6, 2025
    OMAR_A
    Excellente visite avec guide dynamique
    Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour avec une guide compétente et…

    Apr 30, 2025
    JandK14
    A perfect day in Himeji: We saw the cherry blossoms at their peak and had Rie as our guide!
    Tripadvisor review:…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00　Meet up @ Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 10:00　@ Asakusa Kimono Rental Shop
    • 3. 11:00　@ Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Sumida Park, Azumabashi Bridge)
    • 4. 12:30　@ Nihonbashi (Takashimaya)
    • 5. 13:30　@ Harajuku
    • 6. 14:00　Lunch @ Shibuya (FUKURAS)
    • 7. 15:00　@ Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue)
    • 8. 15:30　Disband @ Hotel Tokyo

    What Is a Private Kimono and Asakusa Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time, arriving after traveling elsewhere. They had already spent time sightseeing in Osaka and traveled to Tokyo by Shinkansen, and had begun various sightseeing activities in Tokyo. The day before this tour, they had joined a thrilling tour riding high-performance sports cars around iconic landmarks. In our prior communication, the main event for today's Tokyo tour was for some of the guests to wear kimono and take photographs while walking around Asakusa. We first headed to a kimono rental shop that had been booked before their arrival in Japan. As it coincided with the special New Year period, it was extremely crowded, and one of the guests ended up waiting nearly an hour at a nearby cafe. In any case, once they chose their favorite kimono and had them fitted, the colors of the kimono looked wonderful against their skin tones and suited them beautifully. Sensoji Temple was extremely crowded with New Year worshippers, so we gave up on praying at the main hall, but we were able to take many photographs in front of the Kaminarimon Gate, the five-story pagoda, the Hozomon Gate, and the Nitenmon Gate, as well as at the main hall, and even along the Sumida River with Tokyo Skytree in the background. While taking photos from the front, I also recommended and took shots from behind so that the knot of the obi and the hair ornaments in the bun-styled hair could be seen. The guests were very satisfied. After returning the kimono, we headed to Nihonbashi and tried to have lunch at Takashimaya, but there was a very long line here as well. At the guests' request, as they did not want to wait, we headed to the next destination, Harajuku. Since they were interested in cute shops and purikura photo booths, we were about to head from Harajuku Station toward Takeshita Street when they asked, "Is this crowded too?" Tired from the driving tour they had enjoyed late into the previous night, they wanted to avoid crowded places. So I suggested skipping Takeshita Street and instead going to Shibuya, which was on the route back to the hotel, having lunch there, and then returning to the hotel. From the restaurant floor I guided them to at Shibuya FUKURAS, they chose tonkatsu and were delighted, saying the sauce was very delicious. Being able to rest a little while chatting there, they enjoyed the experience of crossing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing after lunch and took video footage. Starting the day after next, they plan to enjoy two days at Disneyland before returning home.

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

    Transportation cost per person

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

    Tour Report by Noripy

    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!

    Request Booking

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

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

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

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

  • Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & Miyajima/Peace Park

    Hiroshima in One Day: Hiroshima Station & Miyajima/Peace Park

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

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:40 Hiroshima Station
    • 9:45/10:19 Hiroshima Station / Miyajimaguchi (420 yen)
    • Miyajima stroll (oyster curry bread, shopping street, torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine from outside, Senjokaku, five-story pagoda, high-speed boat dock
    • 14:00/14:45 Miyajima/Peace Park (1100 yen)
    • Touring the monuments within the park, heading to the Atomic Bomb Museum/hypocenter/Atomic Bomb Dome
    • Take the streetcar from Atomic Bomb Dome/Fukuromachi (220 yen)
    • Book Off Otemachi store
    • Take the bus from Fukuromachi / Hiroshima Station (220 yen)
    • Tour ends at the Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station at 18:15

    What Is an 8-Hour Private Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. One of the guests mentioned an interest in Buddhism. Throughout the tour, the guests smiled, listened attentively to the explanations, and asked good questions. One of the guests had difficulty walking, with almost no cartilage in the knee, and dragged that leg with each step. During the tour, this person also rested on chairs many times. I had been in contact with the guests about the tour for several days beforehand. One of the guests had said they wanted to take a high-speed boat from Miyajima to the Peace Park but was worried about seasickness, so I had been planning to skip the boat. However, when we saw the calm Seto Inland Sea, the idea changed to taking the boat if seats were available, and we ended up taking the high-speed boat on the way back. Given the walking difficulty, I was glad there were open seats. At Miyajima, the guests were amazed at how long the line to visit the shrine was, stretching almost all the way to the ferry terminal. We had originally planned to eat in the city, but when I talked about Miyajima's local specialties, the guests decided they wanted to try conger eel, okonomiyaki, and oysters, and to eat something on the island rather than in the city. However, every restaurant we looked into had long lines reaching to the side of the road, and it seemed impossible to get in. We happened to find a restaurant with a short line and were seated, but it was about three times more expensive than an ordinary place. The guests were delighted with how delicious their orders were. I ordered oysters because they were a small, easy-to-eat portion, but afterward I developed a stomachache and regretted eating them. I had eaten oysters as takeout during tours before without any stomach trouble, so I had not been very worried, but since I struggled with a stomachache during the tour, I decided to avoid them in the future. This was also the first 8-hour tour I had accepted. Partly because of the stomachache, it felt very difficult and long. My time with the guests was enjoyable, but I had to rush to the restroom several times while trying not to let the guests notice my stomachache. Once we reached the city, we visited the memorial monuments and the Atomic Bomb Museum. Inside the museum, some of the guests looked frightened by the exhibits or did not want to look at them, while another of the guests examined the displays carefully, not wanting to miss a single word. I told that person, "Since you have come all this way, please take your time with the exhibits you want to read carefully," while I let the other guests know where they could rest on chairs and go ahead, or wait in a section where a video of survivor testimonies was playing. After leaving the museum, we continued the memorial monument tour. While chatting with the guests, one of them was interested in vintage jeans and asked if there was a shop where they could look, so we decided to go to a secondhand store. Since one of the guests seemed to be in a lot of pain from walking, I suggested taking the streetcar from in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the guests were thrilled to be able to ride yet another form of public transportation in Hiroshima. They happily said, "Today we rode the Shinkansen, a local train, a ferry, a high-speed boat, and now we can ride the streetcar!" At the secondhand store, they finally found some jeans they liked, but after trying them on they did not feel right, so we headed back to Hiroshima Station. The tour felt as though it would end at that spot, but the plan suddenly changed for everyone to return to Hiroshima Station together, so I used the fastest way back to the station (the bus), accompanied them to Hiroshima Station, and saw them off at the Shinkansen gate, ending the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi420JPY
    Section 2OtherMiyajima～Peace Park1,100JPY
    Section 3TrainAtomic Bomb Dome～Fukuromachi220JPY
    Section 4BusFukuromachi～Hiroshima Station220JPY
    Total1,960JPY

    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

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    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace public appearance

    Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace public appearance

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Meet at Tokyo Station platform – after this it took time until luggage delivery
    • 12:10 Imperial Palace public appearance (did not see the faces of the imperial family) > Stroll inside the Imperial Palace
    • 13:20 Asakusa – it took time until the visit (Skytree photos)
    • 15:30 Meiji Shrine (gave up on the visit partway and turned back)
    • 16:20 Harajuku Takeshita Street
    • 17:15 Disband at Hotel

    Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Takeshita Street I learned for the first time that when moving from the JR Central platforms at Tokyo Station to the JR East side, you need a JR East ticket or a Suica card. After some back-and-forth with a JR Central station attendant, we finally reached the baggage storage area inside Tokyo Station. We went to the Imperial Palace public appearance event, but upon hearing that there was still an hour until the Imperial Family would appear, we decided to move on without seeing them. In Asakusa there were many worshippers and we were held up a few times, but we were able to visit, and the guests enjoyed drawing omikuji fortune slips. Since Meiji Shrine was crowded, we gave up on completing the visit partway through and went to Takeshita Street instead. The guests were very pleased with the animal café. From Takeshita Street we went straight to the Hotel, saw them through check-in, confirmed that their luggage had arrived, and concluded the tour.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainTakebashi～Asakusa600JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 3TrainMeiji-jingumae～Shinjuku0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

    Request Booking

    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
    • 10:00 Visit Senso-ji Temple, then take photos of Skytree
    • 12:05 Buy lunch at the 7-Eleven in Palace Building, ate while walking
    • 12:20 Imperial Palace, from Otemon Gate to Nijubashi Bridge
    • 13:30 Meiji Shrine, it takes quite a while to reach the shrine
    • 15:00 Disband at Harajuku Takeshita Street

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine It was a cloudy day with occasional light rain (not enough to need an umbrella), but the guests enjoyed themselves. They had a 48-hour subway pass, so we were able to use public transportation smoothly. After meeting at the Hotel, we headed to Senso-ji Temple, but there was a large crowd that held us up during the visit, and shopping also took time, so we gave up on the planned visit to Ueno Toshogu Shrine. The guests enjoyed shopping for souvenirs in Asakusa. After taking photos of the Tokyo Skytree, I guided them through the Imperial Palace Outer Garden from Otemon Gate to Nijubashi Bridge. The weather was not very good, but they were satisfied with the historical explanations. We then headed to Meiji Shrine, where we were again frequently held up by large crowds. Partway through, we were directed to a fast track for those with strollers, which saved a considerable amount of time. The guests were happy to be able to make their visit. We reached the entrance to Takeshita Street when time ran out, and we parted ways there.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku～Asakusa600JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa～Otemachi0JPY
    Section 3TrainNijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Total600JPY

    Tour Report by Koba

    My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
    Please call me Koba.
    Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
    Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

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    Jul 21, 2026
    scottsD8777AR
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Great Touring Tokyo
    Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…

    Jul 9, 2026
    Quest36994121691
    First visit to Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    This was our first visit…

    Jul 8, 2026
    Χρονης Π
    A beautiful tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    It was a perfect experience…

    Jul 5, 2026
    I3699SBjonathanw
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    6hr Tokyo guide great experience
    Koba was so nice to my family…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

    December, 2024

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place (Dhawa Yura Kyoto) → Taxi → 9:40 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple → Walk → 10:30 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple → Walk → Saga Toriimoto Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings → Shoan-in Temple → Seiryo-ji Temple → 12:00 Lunch @ Ramen Arashiyama Chikurin-tei → 12:45 Sagano Bamboo Grove → Togetsukyo Bridge → 13:15 Randen Arashiyama Station → Ryoanji Station → 13:45 Ryoan-ji Temple → Taxi → 14:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple → 15:00 End

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto's Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Body: Communication had been slow, and the day before the tour the guests had expressed interest in covering both the Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and To-ji area and the Sagano and Kinkaku-ji area. Since these are in opposite directions, I asked them to choose one, and they selected the Sagano area. I proposed taking a taxi up to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and then walking downhill toward Arashiyama. Within the group, one member was the most sure-footed while others preferred a slower pace, so I had to be careful about our walking speed. One of the guests took a liking to the goshuin stamp book at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji and began collecting stamps. Along the way toward Arashiyama we noticed Shoan-in, which offers lovely goshuin, and had one hand-drawn there, which put us further behind schedule. For lunch we had ramen, and just like the guests I had guided two days earlier, the group was delighted and said it was delicious. After the meal we strolled from the Sagano Bamboo Grove to Togetsukyo Bridge, then took the Randen tram toward Ryoan-ji. Since we were running quite late, we were lucky to catch one of two taxis parked at a stand and headed to Kinkaku-ji. At Kinkaku-ji we aimed for a shorter ticket line and entered relatively smoothly. Some of the guests took their time viewing everything, so we went past our finishing time, but in the end I guided them to the taxi stand and the tour concluded. Because the group had varied interests and walking speeds, managing the itinerary was challenging — attending to one person meant leaving others waiting — but I was glad we finished safely. The guests expressed their emotions in a reserved way, but I believe their overall satisfaction was high. Some of the guests were interested in history, so when a question about Kyoto's history came up during the meal, I explained, and they seemed satisfied with the answer.

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

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainArashiyama～Ryoan-ji250JPY
    Total250JPY

    Tour Report by Nabet

    “He was easy to talk to, friendly, and knowledgeable and even made sure we successfully navigated the public transit back to our hotel. If we are ever back in Kyoto, we’d love to book a tour with him again! ”

    “At every side we got an indepth explanation to any minor detail and every question we asked was answered and explained really well. It felt like a relaxing and wholesome walk through Kyoto even while it was pouring rain. We can absolutely recommend choosing Nabet!”

    “Nabet’s English is just perfect, he knows the way around sights, little streets and hidden secrets, he is very authentic…just a perfect tour!”

    Here are just a few of the many kind reviews I’ve received from the more than 100 groups I’ve guided through Kyoto and other cities.

    I’m deeply thankful for the chance to connect with my guests and contribute to a memorable tour experience!

    +Current Occupation+
    • Associate Professor specially appointed for Entrepreneurship Education and University-Based Startup Support
    • Management Consultant for SMEs and startups
    • Government-Licensed Interpreter Guide

    +Hobbies+
    Travel, music, sake, ice hockey, squash, watching soccer

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    May 29, 2026
    Tamara M
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto bei Nacht – faszinierende Einblicke in Kultur und Spiritualität
    Ich…

    Oct 21, 2025
    Jana_C
    4-hour private tour with Nabet was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had an amazing experience…

    Oct 16, 2025
    987kayeh
    Knowledgeable guide who was will to respond to our multiple questions
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Thankyou…

    Oct 16, 2025
    janiec555
    Significant sites in Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nabet is an excellent guide. He explained Japanese…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

    January, 2025

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00@Meet at hotel
    • →9:30 Sensoji Temple
    • →10:30 Nezu Shrine
    • →11:30 Ueno Park
    • →12:30 Tokyo National Museum, disband

    What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nezu Shrine, Ueno Park, and the Tokyo National Museum The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. At the guests' request, since it was cold, they wished to use taxis for all transportation, so we traveled to Nezu Shrine by taxi. As a result, we were able to proceed ahead of schedule, strolling from Nezu Shrine to Ueno Park and resting at a cafe before heading to the Tokyo National Museum. The guests showed great interest in Japanese culture and history and asked many questions, which reminded me of the importance of continued study. I was asked about the year of the Buddha's birth but could not answer immediately; I was relieved to be able to look it up and provide the answer before the tour ended.

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

    Tour Report by Yuki

    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.

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    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…