Category: Uncategorized

  • Kyoto: Philosopher's Path & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Philosopher’s Path & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at the hotel
    • 9:25 Philosopher's Path
    • 10:20 Nanzen-ji Temple
    • 11:50 Kiyomizu-dera Temple, lunch
    • Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Yasaka Koshindo
    • 13:45 Nishiki Market
    • 14:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
    • Since it was time for the car, I released it.
    • The customer asked, "Since we couldn't go to Gion yesterday, could you give us a little guided tour?", so
    • 15:40 Guided tour of Gion and Hanamikoji Street.
    • 16:15 Showed them Tatsumi Bridge and the walk along the Shirakawa River, then ended the tour.
    • I received payment for one hour.

    What Does a Private Full-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Since they had come from a warm region, they mentioned that they had bought down coats after arriving in Japan. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide began the tour from the midway point of the Philosopher's Path. At Otoyo Shrine, the guests enjoyed seeing the altars dedicated to guardian animals such as komainu, mice, snakes, monkeys, foxes, and kites. At Nanzen-ji Temple, I guided them through three beautiful styles of gardens, the fusuma paintings by the Kano school, and the Suirokaku aqueduct of the Lake Biwa Canal. They said the atmosphere was superb. At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they were delighted by the view from the veranda and the Otowa Waterfall, and they also enjoyed lunch. After walking down Sannenzaka slope, we visited Nishiki Market, where they took photos of the interesting-looking shops. At Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, they experienced the Senbon Torii and the Omokaru-ishi stones. They said they wanted to visit Gion, so I guided them along Hanamikoji Street before ending the tour. They were very pleased and told me they would write an excellent review.

    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.

    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…

  • Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 11:00 Kyoto Station Meet 11:40 Kinkaku-ji  12:55 Short break (Lunch) 13:55 Kyoto Imperial Palace  15:00 Fushimi Inari 16:20 Gion 17:00 Tour End

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors making their first trip to Japan from North America. They traveled from Osaka to Kyoto Station by transferring between the subway and JR. One of the guests appeared to walk with almost no difficulty, moving along energetically alongside the rest of the group. Today was a relatively warm day, though there was occasional light rain. One good thing was that, with schools now on winter break and no more student groups on excursions, all of the sites we visited were relatively uncrowded. It also felt as though the number of foreign travelers had decreased a little. Perhaps at this time of year people are traveling to warmer countries. The autumn foliage finally seems about to end. After I showed the guests around Gion, they took a taxi to Kyoto Station. The photo was taken at the Imperial Palace grounds.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassKyoto~Kitaoji1,100JPY
    Section 2Free PassKitaoji Bus Terminal~Kinkakuji-michi0JPY
    Section 3Free PassKinkakuji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal0JPY
    Section 4Free PassKitaoji~Imadegawa0JPY
    Section 5Free PassImadegawa~Kyoto0JPY
    Section 6TrainKyoto~Inari150JPY
    Section 7TrainInari~Tofukuji150JPY
    Section 8Free PassTofukuji~Gion0JPY
    Total1,400JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Ishibei-koji Alley

    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Ishibei-koji Alley

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:30  Meet at Hotel TAKASEGAWA
    • 10:35  Itinerary explanation, about the history of Kyoto
    • 11:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • 12:45 Sanjusangendo
    • 14:00 Lunch at Sanjo
    • 15:00 Kodaiji Temple
    • 16:00 Ishibei-koji Alley
    • 16:15 Gion: Tatsumibashi Bridge to Shinbashi-dori Street
    • 16:40 Disband at Gion, Furumonzen-cho

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashiyama and Gion The guests were visiting Japan and Kyoto for the first time from North America. The destinations for this visit were decided according to the guests' wishes. One of the guests was always chatting, and whenever I explained something about a site in response to a question, they would enthusiastically add that there was something similar back home, sharing story after story. They were thoroughly enjoying the trip, and I found listening to them delightful. Another of the guests was interested in history and asked me a variety of questions. I thought they asked excellent questions, such as why the 15th Tokugawa shogun returned the samurai government, which had lasted some 700 years, to the Emperor. For lunch I took them to a very local spot. At Kodaiji Temple, even though Christmas was near, the autumn leaves and the golden ginkgo foliage sparkled in the evening sun, and the scene looked more autumnal than autumn itself — truly beautiful. Kyoto today turned from light rain to clear skies, with both the morning and evening sun shining beautifully, and the streets of Gion glowed with a wonderful atmosphere, so we took many photographs. The guests were very pleased. I hope it made for a lovely Christmas Eve for them.

    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

    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…

  • Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:00 Meeting JR Kyoto Station
    • 12:30 to 13:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • 13:15 to 14:30 Sanjusangendo
    • 14:45 to 15:30 Gion stroll and lunch (ramen)
    • 16:15 to 16:45 Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 17:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 18:00 Dismissal JR Kyoto Station

    What Can You See on a 6-Hour Private Kyoto Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. They mentioned that it gets even colder where they live than in Japan, but that the difference in temperature between day and night was hard on the body. They left Tokyo this morning, arrived in Kyoto at 11:51, and departed Kyoto at 18:45, making it a literal whirlwind tour with only six hours in between. Due to traffic congestion, there was no time left to visit the final spot, Fushimi Inari, so we ended up only driving past the great torii gate of Fushimi Inari. I hope they were not too tired.

    Personal data
    Born in : May 1st, 1957
    Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
    historic spots, Japanese
    gardens and old townscape
    Former career : Worked for electric
    company and engaged in
    international sales for
    about 40 years.
    Travel history in the former career :
    Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

    Career as guide interpreter
    Acquisition of guide license : 2016
    Career of guide : 8 years
    Genre of my specialty :
    Japanese historic structures such as
    temple, shrine, castle and garden.
    Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
    Himeji

    Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

    Dec 30, 2024
    shannono1010
    Haru is a Rock Star
    Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

    Dec 29, 2024
    Ali O
    Amazing!
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

    Dec 4, 2024
    D5658ZEjohnr
    Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

    Dec 3, 2024
    Charlie_Jane00
    Kyoto Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…

  • Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:00 Meet up @Hiroshima Station
    • 2. 08:15 @Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum
    • 3. 12:00 @Miyajima
    • 4. 12:10 Lunch @Kuwaranka
    • 5. 13:00 @Itsukushima, Daisho-in Temple
    • 6. 15:00 @Omotesando
    • 7. 16:00 Disband @Hiroshima Station

    Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. During their trip they planned to enjoy skiing and a theme park. In Hiroshima, in addition to today's tour, they were scheduled to join a cooking class the next day, and they asked for advice on how to get to the venue. Today we first visited the Peace Memorial Park and the museum, where there were no crowds, so everyone was able to take their time and view the exhibits carefully. On Miyajima, in addition to lunch, they also enjoyed treats such as fried momiji manju. The group was sincere and calm, always listening attentively to my explanations. They also told me about how Christmas is celebrated in Oceania.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1BusIn front of Peace Memorial Museum~Nishi-Hiroshima220JPY
    Section 2TrainNishi-Hiroshima~Miyajimaguchi330JPY
    Section 3FerryMiyajimaguchi~Miyajima200JPY
    Section 4FerryMiyajima~Miyajimaguchi200JPY
    Section 5TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima Station420JPY
    Total1,370JPY

    Hi, I’m Kahori, a nationally licensed tour guide, and delighted to show people around this area. For the past almost 10 years, I have mainly guided foreign medical professionals around Hiroshima City and Miyajima, gaining a deep understanding of the effects of radiation and the support for A-bomb survivors.
    Hiroshima is a city of rivers and the sea. Along the rivers Cherry trees line, and the calm Seto Inland Sea, dotted with islands, creates a stunning landscape. Also, the sea has many islands called “art islands” which have fantastic arts relating to the art festival “Setouchi Triennale”. In addition to our two World Heritage Sites, this area is rich in attractive resources. I hope many of you will come and experience this fascinating land. Personally, I am very passionate about modern art and enjoy sports like stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) on our rivers.
    I look forward to meeting you, interacting with you, and also, learning from you!

    Oct 6, 2025
    DJ C
    We visited the atomic bomb museum, Hiroshima castle, a beautiful garden, and shrines and Torrey Gate.
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima /…

    Sep 23, 2025
    lorrainel669
    Awesome Hiroshima
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
    The tour was fantastic. It covered everything…

    Jul 26, 2025
    T
    Tracy_P
    Outstanding Tour of Hiroshima with Kahori…
    Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
    Our tour of…

    Jun 28, 2025
    Fernando A
    We knew the best of Hiroshima in 8 hrs
    Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed…

  • Kyoto: Arashiyama & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Kyoto: Arashiyama & Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • AM11:00 Agora Karasuma Kyoto meet up
    • 11:40. Arashiyama (Monkey Park, Bamboo Grove Path)
    • 14:20 Nishiki Market
    •  16:20 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    •  17:30 Kiyomizu-michi dismiss

    Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Nishiki Market The guests were visitors from Europe. One of the main concerns beforehand was maintaining interest and energy throughout the day, but with breaks for food at the Monkey Park, Arashiyama, and Nishiki Market, we managed to finish the tour in good spirits. Since much of the time was spent traveling by train and bus, I made an effort to keep communication open by talking about daily life in Europe and Japan. As the guests were drawn to shops that caught their interest and stopped to do some shopping, things did not go exactly as originally planned, but they seemed to enjoy the day very much, especially the food, and I received words of thanks.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainHankyu Karasuma~Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 2TrainRanden Arashiyama~Shijo-Omiya250JPY
    Section 3TrainOmiya~Kawaramachi170JPY
    Section 4BusShijo-Karasuma~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total890JPY

    I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
    I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
    work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.

    Jul 11, 2026
    Trevor_F
    Viator review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    4 hour Private Tour
    Naomi was our guide and did a…

    Jun 6, 2026
    May_O
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Wonderful time in Kyoto
    We had a terrific time with Naoki. He…

    May 1, 2026
    Sanfrancisco820
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
    Naoki is an…

    Mar 28, 2026
    Tanya_R
    Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great guide
    Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji Outer Market & Meiji Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet at hotel, take shuttle to Shinagawa Station
    • 10:40-11:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 11:30-12:20 Akihabara sightseeing
    • 12:30-14:00 Visit Senso-ji Temple, lunch
    • 14:00-15:40 Visit Meiji Shrine,
    • 15:45-16:10 Move to Suidobashi, disband

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from North America. The group made requests, and I guided them to Tsukiji, Sensoji Temple, Akihabara, and Meiji Shrine in response. Akihabara seemed to be the most enjoyable spot for one of the guests. One of the guests was especially enthusiastic, taking photos in many places and listening attentively to the explanations. I also received questions from another of the guests. Although it was near the end of the year, the Pacific side of Japan is usually blessed with good weather, so I felt it was easy to help them appreciate the fun and beauty of Tokyo.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinagawa~Higashi-ginza370JPY
    Section 2TrainTsukiji~Akihabara178JPY
    Section 3TrainSuehirocho~Asakusa178JPY
    Section 4TrainAsakusa~Kanda178JPY
    Section 5TrainKanda~Harajuku178JPY
    Section 6TrainHarajuku~Suidobashi178JPY
    Total1,260JPY

    Thank you for your entry in this tour. Nice to meet you in this mail.
    Your tour guide Kappa is my nickname. Kappa is a traditional, imaginary creature who came into being in Japan over 300 years ago. She is good at swimming, like me, for I like swimming. I would like to make our tour operated smoothly as Kappa does when she swims in the river or pond. It is my pleasure to introduce many aspects in our tour, especially cooking, for it is my hobby and I went to the professional cooking and SAKE school, respectively. If you have any questions or requests about Japanese cooking, of course our tour, I am very delighted to answer to you anytime!

    Jul 30, 2025
    Michael_R
    Customized Hakone tour
    Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Kappa-san, modified the typical Hakone tour…

    May 18, 2025
    Leigh_M
    Kappa, our guide met us…
    Viator review: Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa, our guide met us at the…

    May 4, 2025
    panderhigs
    Kappa A+ Guide!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kappa was an amazing guide who created a thorough…

    May 4, 2025
    O9621SBscottp
    Kappa is a wonderful tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I were treated…

  • Kyoto: Gion & Ginkaku-ji

    Kyoto: Gion & Ginkaku-ji

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet (Ryokann Ginkaku Kyoto)
    • 9:30-10:10 Travel (chartered car; Hotel → Kiyomizu Gojo)
    • 10:10-11:10 Visit Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Pagoda, Koshin-do
    • 11:10-11:20 Travel (chartered car; Yasaka Pagoda → Gion Hanamikoji)
    • 11:20-11:50 Stroll around Gion
    • 11:50-12:00 Travel (Gion → Restaurant; Takayama/Sanjo Rokkaku-dori)
    • 12:00-12:50 Lunch (@Takayama)
    • 12:50-13:20 Shopping at Shinkyogoku
    • 13:20-13:50 Travel (chartered car: Sanjo Rokkaku-dori → Ginkaku-ji)
    • 13:50-14:40 Visit Ginkaku-ji
    • 14:40-15:30 Travel (chartered car: Ginkaku-ji → Fushimi Inari Taisha)
    • Farewell at Fushimi Inari

    Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Visiting Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkaku-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America and Asia. I guided them to Kiyomizu-dera, the Yasaka Pagoda, Koshin-do, Gion, Shinkyogoku (shopping), and Ginkaku-ji. Since we began to spend quite a lot of time at Kiyomizu-dera, I asked the guests for their cooperation with the schedule. As there was also a request for some shopping time, I switched the originally planned stroll through Nishiki Market after the meal to shopping, and asked the driver to change the waiting location accordingly. During the shopping time, some of the guests purchased kimono, and they were also able to enjoy the matcha ice cream they had been looking forward to, so they were very satisfied. At Ginkaku-ji, I explained the background and meaning of Zen as well as the shoin-style architecture, though it may have been a little difficult to follow.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHotel (Ryokan Ginkaku Kyoto)~Kiyomizu Gojo-zaka0JPY
    Section 2OtherYasaka Pagoda~Gion Hanamikoji0JPY
    Section 3OtherGion (Tatsumi Bridge)~Restaurant (Takayama) @Sanjo Rokkaku-dori0JPY
    Section 4OtherSanjo Rokkaku-dori~Ginkaku-ji0JPY
    Section 5OtherGinkaku-ji~Fushimi Inari Taisha0JPY
    Total0JPY

    My name is (Mr.)Michiharu Aioi and I worked at Electronic Manufacturing Company (Panasonic) for more than 40 years in charge of overseas sales.
    I learned a lot in these 40 years and now I would like to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding with foreign countries being involved in tourism busines utilizing my long experience in my previous company. I will do my best to make each trip very fruitful for each foreign visitor.
    As for my language ability, in addition to English, I can speak Spanish which I used in my job and I can communicate with Chinese people with intermediate level. Finally It is my great pleasure if my activity could work in the mutual understang with foreign visitors. Thanks a Lot !

    Aug 4, 2026
    Elie_S
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Wonderful and informative walking tour with Michi
    We had a lovely…

    Jul 19, 2026
    Wander35832177180
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Kyoto temple tour
    Our Kyoto guided tour (Aioi Michiharu) was a…

    Jul 16, 2026
    Abby_M
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Excellent tour. Highly recommend
    Michi our guide was excellent!…

    Jul 13, 2026
    Javier P
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kyoto gems
    Michi was incredibly courteous and informative.…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in Half a Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 08:50 Meeting point: Osaka Castle, Otemon Gate
    • 09:00 Sightseeing ①: Osaka Castle tour
    • 10:30 Sightseeing ②: Dotonbori tour (including lunch)
    • 12:20 Sightseeing ③: Kuromon Market tour
    • 13:00 Dismissal: Kuromon Market

    Title: What's a 4-Hour Private Osaka Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Kuromon Market The guests were a group visiting from Oceania for the first time. Prior communication and itinerary discussions were handled mainly through one of the guests. Since it was their first visit to Japan, the itinerary was left entirely to me as the guide, so we chose a 4-hour course covering the three most basic highlights: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Kuromon Market. On the day of the tour, it was cloudy and quite cold at first, but by around noon the sun came out and the weather became pleasant. At Osaka Castle, our first stop, the elevator repairs had been completed, so we were able to go up to the main keep smoothly. The guests showed great interest as they learned about the final stage of history when samurai rule became firmly established. We then took the subway to Osaka's Minami district for the first time since their arrival, and the guests were delighted by the lively atmosphere of Dotonbori. After walking around Dotonbori, we entered an okonomiyaki restaurant and enjoyed a lunch of so-called "konamon" dishes: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakisoba. The takoyaki and okonomiyaki, rich with Japanese-style dashi, were very well received. The guests said, "We've had them in Oceania too, but Osaka's takoyaki and okonomiyaki are completely different and delicious!!" At our final stop, Kuromon Market, we strolled leisurely through the shopping arcade lined with fresh fish, meat, vegetables, and fruit, and I explained Japan's food culture. With the year-end approaching, the market was crowded with locals and international visitors alike, but the guests seemed very satisfied to experience the heart of Osaka's food scene. Although it was a short 4-hour course, the guests moved smoothly between locations, making for a rich and rewarding tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Nipponbashi190JPY
    Total190JPY

    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.

    Aug 10, 2026
    Paul_H
    Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Kind and knowledgeable guide – highly recommended
    Nori communicated…

    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
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  • Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 10:15 Meet up @ Entre Marché (Shin-Kobe Station)
    • 2. 10:40 @ Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
    • 3. 12:30 @ Harborland
    • 4. 12:55 @ Meriken Park
    • 5. 13:20 @ Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
    • 6. 13:30 Disband @ Ito Grill (Motomachi Shopping Street)

    Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kobe Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Herb Garden, Harborland, and Kobe Beef The guests were visitors from Oceania on their first trip to Japan. They had arrived early at Shin-Kobe Station and stepped away from the meeting point, so I searched around for a while, but we were able to meet successfully and start the tour. We first visited the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden. Because it was the Christmas season, the ropeway fare was higher than usual. There were a few disappointments, such as having to leave the Herb Garden well before the illumination hours, and the guests' smartphones and credit cards not being usable at the specially prepared Christmas market. After the Herb Garden, we went on to sightseeing at Kobe Harborland, Meriken Park, and Nankinmachi (Chinatown). We took the subway toward Sannomiya Station, but I was told that the guests' smartphone SUICA was still showing as having entered JR Osaka Station two days earlier. The guests had a JR Pass. It appeared that the issue was caused by tapping the smartphone SUICA at the ticket gate when entering Osaka Station. We had this reset at JR Sannomiya Station, then visited Harborland, Meriken Park, and Nankinmachi, and finally went to a restaurant (recommended by me as the guide) where they could eat Kobe beef, which was the guests' main goal for their Kobe sightseeing, and the tour concluded. The guests seemed to have a great time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Subway[Kobe Municipal Subway Shin-Kobe] Station~[Kobe Municipal Subway Sannomiya] Station110JPY
    Section 2Train[JR Sannomiya] Station~[JR Kobe] Station140JPY
    Total250JPY

    Hello, my name is Norio Oki, a Government-Certified Tour Guide in Japan.
    I specialize in guiding visitors through the beautiful and historic regions of Himeji and Kobe.

    My expertise includes Japanese history, traditional culture, castles, and sake. I enjoy sharing not only facts, but also the stories and spirit behind each place.

    In Himeji, I offer guided tours of Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, and Nadagiku Sake Brewery.
    In Kobe, I guide guests through the Nada Sake Breweries area, Mt. Rokko, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, Harborland, Meriken Park, the Kitano District, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the lively Motomachi Shopping Street.

    Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or local experiences, I will create a personalized tour tailored to your interests.

    If you’re planning to visit Himeji or Kobe, I would be delighted to be your guide.
    I look forward to meeting you soon!

    Sep 29, 2026
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