Category: Uncategorized

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:00 Meet up @Courtyard Marriott Tokyo Station
    • 2. 9:20 @Ginza (4-chome intersection, Ginza Chuo-dori, itoya)
    • 3. 9:40 @Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
    • 4. 10:00 @Tokyo Station (station plaza, Marunouchi side station building)
    • 5. 10:30 @Yanaka (Yanaka shopping street)
    • 6. 11:20 @Kabukiza Theatre
    • 7. 11:30 @Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 8. 12:00 @Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
    • 9. 12:40 @Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 10. 13:20 Dismissal @Toei Asakusa Line Asakusa Station ticket gate

    What's a Private One-Day Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Asakusa The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests was visiting Japan for the first time, while the other had previously visited Takamatsu. Although they had arrived only the day before the tour, they showed no signs of jet lag, walked briskly, and we were able to cover all the planned locations in a short time. We started the morning with them wearing thick coats, which they described as something they would never wear back home, but as we walked the sunshine grew warmer, and by the time we walked from the Nijubashi Bridge in front of the Imperial Palace to Tokyo Station, they had taken off their outer layers. Observing the Japanese streets, including the subway, they were impressed, remarking, "It's so clean. There's no litter." At Tsukiji Market, I had expected them to enjoy grazing on food equivalent to lunch, but they felt that "shopping and eating in such a crowd is a bit difficult." Even so, they tasted some dried black soybeans that they found delicious and purchased them. They also saw fresh wasabi at a greengrocer for the first time, were surprised by its shape, and took photos of it. At Sensoji Temple, they actively experienced things like drawing omikuji fortunes and purifying their hands at the water basin, though they mentioned that they do not pray due to their beliefs. After the tour, they had plans to visit the Tokyo Skytree on their own, so I saw them off at the ticket gate of the Toei Asakusa Line station and said goodbye.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassTokyo Metro Ginza Line Kyobashi Station~Ginza Station600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza-itchome Station~Sakuradamon Station0JPY
    Section 3TrainJR Yamanote Line Tokyo Station~Nippori Station170JPY
    Section 4Free PassTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Sendagi Station~Hibiya Line Higashi-ginza Station0JPY
    Section 5Free PassTokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station~Ginza Line Asakusa Station0JPY
    Total770JPY

    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!

    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…

  • Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in One Day: Osaka Castle & Kuromon Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:00 Meet up @ Hotel Osaka
    • 09:45 @ Osaka Castle
    • 12:15 @ Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
    • 13:15 @ Namba, Doguyasuji
    • 14:00 @ Kuromon Market
    • 14:30 Disband @ Kuromon Market

    What Can You See on a Private Osaka Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumiyoshi Taisha, Doguyasuji, and Kuromon Market The guests moved smoothly throughout the day. They both seemed to have a favorable impression of Japan and observed everything with great interest. I felt that the guests had a great deal of knowledge about Japan. At Sumiyoshi Taisha, perhaps because it was the last Saturday of November, there were more visitors than ever before, with Shichi-Go-San celebrations as well as many worshippers coming for first shrine visits, making it extremely lively. In addition, the guests happened to witness a Shinto wedding ceremony and seemed very pleased. At "Doguyasuji," a street frequented by professional chefs, the guests purchased a large number of keychains made from remarkably realistic food samples. They also bought an expensive kitchen knife at a shop dealing in blades from the famous Kochi Prefecture, and seemed very satisfied. As the guests wished to have "okonomiyaki" for a late lunch, I guided them to a shop inside Kuromon Market, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShinsaibashi~Morinomiya240JPY
    Section 2TrainMorinomiya~Tennoji170JPY
    Section 3TrainTennoji~Sumiyoshi Taisha Toriimae230JPY
    Section 4TrainSumiyoshi Taisha Shrine~Namba240JPY
    Total880JPY

    Dear my guests,

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sep 27, 2026
    Ross_W
    Fun with Hidden Gems
    Viator review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
    Our guide Yama was so…

    Aug 10, 2026
    Sez042
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
    Great experience
    Yama was great, he showed us around and explained…

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

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

  • Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet at Kyoto Station 9:30 JR Saga-Arashiyama Station  9:45 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple  10:50 Daikaku-ji Temple 11:40 Togetsukyo Bridge 12:15 Short break (lunch) 12:50 Tenryu-ji Temple 13:30 Bamboo Grove
    • 14:30 Yasaka Pagoda 15:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple 16:00 Return to the approach of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and end the tour as the guests wished to do shopping on their own

    What Is a Private Autumn Foliage Photography Tour in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. Photographing Japan's autumn foliage appeared to be the main purpose of their trip. The autumn colors were near their peak in many places, and the vivid reds and yellows were so beautiful that I couldn't resist taking a few photos myself as well. It was a cold day, but the weather was good and it made for wonderful autumn leaf viewing. Photography took some time, but because the guests walked quickly, did not do much shopping, and luckily we caught the bus both times without any wait, the tour progressed very smoothly. The guests were quiet and asked almost no questions, but listened carefully to my explanations. When we finished at Kiyomizu-dera Temple at 4:00, the guests said that from there they would only be shopping, so they wished to end the tour, and we concluded at the shopping street along the approach to Kiyomizu-dera. The photo was taken at the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
    Section 2OtherJR Saga-Arashiyama~Toriimoto Bus Stop0JPY
    Section 3BusDaikaku-ji Temple~Arashiyama230JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Saga-Arashiyama~JR Nijo200JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijo~Higashiyama260JPY
    Section 6BusHigashiyama-Sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
    Total1,160JPY

    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…

  • Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Kuromon Market

    Osaka in Half a Day: Shitennoji Temple & Kuromon Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Meet up @ Swissotel Nankai Osaka
    • 10:45-12:40 @ Osaka Castle, Hokoku Shrine
    • 13:10-13:50 @ Shitennoji Temple
    • 14:10-14:20 @ Kuromon Market
    • 14:20 Disband @ Kuromon Market

    What Is a Private Day Tour of Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from Europe, in Japan for a trip. Some of the guests had visited Japan earlier this spring in April and were returning, while others were visiting Japan for the first time. The weather was clear but very cold on the day of the tour, yet the guests said it was warmer than in their home region and cheerfully toured Osaka. Since the group was scheduled to return home on the evening of the tour day, they had only a little Japanese cash left, and the only thing they found disappointing was that few shops at the Kuromon Market they had been looking forward to accepted card payment. Even so, over their one-week stay in Japan they were blessed with good weather and were delighted to see the autumn foliage and the adorable children dressed up for Shichi-Go-San.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayNamba~Tanimachi 4-chome240JPY
    Section 2SubwayTanimachi 4-chome~Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka190JPY
    Section 3SubwayShitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka~Nipponbashi190JPY
    Total620JPY

    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!

    Sep 26, 2026
    Y
    yolanda552
    Sachiko the best tour guide
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sachiko was our tour guide…

    Sep 9, 2026
    peteraI5718XP
    My First Visit to Osaka
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    I enjoyed seeing Osaka through Sachiko’s…

    Sep 4, 2026
    S
    satchithh
    Hasabnis family
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Sachiko or Choko Ogura is a…

    Aug 3, 2026
    G6602NEeduardoa
    Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Osaka Tour with Sachiko
    We had a great Osaka…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nanzenji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Nanzenji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Meet @ 572-21 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, (airbnb)
    • 8:30-9:20 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
    • 10:00-10:50 @ Sanjusangendo
    • 11:20-12:20 @ Nijo Castle
    • 12:50-13:50 Lunch @ Kura Sushi Plus-type Store Kyoto
    • 14:20-14:40 @ Nanzenji Temple
    • 14:50 Dismissal @ South Entrance of the Philosopher's Path

    Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like in Autumn? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting from North America. During our pre-tour correspondence, there was a request to change the meeting time to 8:00, so we met at 8:00. (I apologize that, due to the short notice, I was unable to submit the change form to [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) in time.) They seemed to feel the cold rather easily and were dressed warmly. Because we started the tour early, Fushimi Inari Taisha was not very crowded, which pleased the guests. They mentioned that they do not have autumn foliage where they live, so they enjoyed looking at the colored leaves within the grounds and taking photos. One of the guests bought and enjoyed some xiaolongbao at a food stall near the exit of the grounds. At Sanjusangendo, the group became interested in the screen at the back of the hall that allows visitors to search for each individual Buddhist statue, and they spent some time enjoying searching through it. Since I had heard beforehand that the guests had made a reservation at a soba restaurant along the Philosopher's Path for 16:00, I had assumed they would not have lunch, but when they said they wanted to have lunch along the way, we decided to eat after strolling through Nijo Castle. One of the guests wanted to eat sushi, while another wanted to eat something other than sushi, so I took them to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant in Kyoto with an extensive menu. Since the guests had wanted to experience conveyor-belt sushi, they were very pleased. Finally, we headed to Nanzenji, where the guests fully enjoyed the autumn foliage, after which I guided them to the southern entrance of the Philosopher's Path and we parted ways there.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo Station~Fushimi-Inari Station220JPY
    Section 2TrainFushimi-Inari Station~Shichijo Station170JPY
    Section 3TrainShichijo Station~Sanjo Station170JPY
    Section 4SubwaySanjo Keihan Station~Nijojo-mae Station220JPY
    Section 5SubwayNijojo-mae Station~Shiyakusho-mae Station220JPY
    Section 6SubwayShiyakusho-mae Station~Keage Station220JPY
    Total1,220JPY

    Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

    My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

    I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

    I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
    I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

    I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!

    May 19, 2026
    498stephenq
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    An enjoyable visit
    Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…

    Apr 11, 2026
    V5131MFjodieh
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
    Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…

    Oct 14, 2025
    Scenic61154406959
    Great Historical Perspective
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…

    Sep 29, 2025
    Jea L
    Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kaz was an excellent tour…

  • Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour

    Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1.500 hotel
    • 2.520 Toyosu Auction watching start
    • 3.610 Sushi restaurant
    • 4.640 Intermediate building
    • 5.710 Took Yurikamome to Shiodome-Tsukijishijou
    • 6.750 Tsukijishijo Tsukiji Uogashi ate OOMA no Maguro at terrace
    • 7.845 Finish at Tsukiji.

    Can You Do a Private Tokyo Market Tour Visiting Toyosu and Tsukiji? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were returning visitors to Japan. Two days earlier, they had joined an "Off the Beaten Path" program (a [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) program) to see Kamakura. Although it was a Saturday, there was not much fresh tuna to see, but we observed from the viewing area, and the guests were surprised at the large amount of frozen tuna. After that they ate sushi, and mentioned that the previous day they had tried aged sushi (is that a thing? It was the first I'd heard of it). Still, they thoroughly enjoyed the sushi. Next we went to the intermediate wholesalers' building, where they looked with great interest at kombu, dried bonito, and wasabi. They even said, "I want one of those long knives used for cutting tuna." After that we rode the Yurikamome line and looked out over Odaiba, changed at Shiodome, and headed to Tsukiji. In the wholesalers' area they spotted tuna from Oma, and since I had explained at Toyosu that "Oma tuna is the best," they said, "I really want to eat it." They looked it up on Google and called it "the black diamond of tuna," bought a block of it, and the three of us ate it together. They were saying things like "It just melts." We then walked around the Tsukiji outer market before parting ways. They told me I was "a Five Star guide," though whether they will leave a review, I'm not sure…

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShijo-mae~Shiodome388JPY
    Section 2SubwayShiodome~Tsukijishijo178JPY
    Total566JPY

    My name is KAZU HAKATA. 73years old (as of end AUG2025). I started as a guide from March 2023. Graduated from KYOTO Univ Intl Economics and MBA from INSEAD in France. (14 years in overseas, LUX, Paris, Hong Kong) . I used to work in Banking, Telecommunication, Air Line, Financial Trading as CFO. I did more than 150 days of Guide since 2023,Tokyo( most of the Guides), Nikko, Hakone, Kamakura, and other area. Born in Hyogo Pref. I lived 26 years in Kansai and know quite well Kyoto, Nara, Osaka ,Kobe, Wakayama ( Koya san + Kumano Kodo).
    I know not only touristic sites, but I can show you hidden charming points of JAPAN. If you can enjoy your tour in JAPAN, it is also my pleasure. I will do as much as I can to assist you to understand Japanese history, culture, nature, and a real life in JAPAN.
    [FRANCAIS]
    J’ai commencee a Guide apres avoir obtenu Diplome de Francaise en fevrier 2023. Jusqu’a maintenant j’ai effectue plus de 150 guides dont 1/4 francais. Principalement a Tokyo , mais de temps en temps aux Nikko, Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Okayama, Naoshima.
    A Tokyo, les sites frequentes sont Tsukiji, Hama Rikyu, Asakusa, Jardin Imperial, Rikugi-En , Yanaka, Ueno, Ameyoko, Musee Nationale, Akihabara, Jardin de Korakuen , Harajuku, Sanctuaire de Meiji, ruelle de Tekeshita , Aoyama, Shibuya, Temple de Gotokuji, etc.
    Comme je suis ne a Hyogo ( ouest du Japon) et etudie a Kyoto, Je connais bien Kyoto,Nara,Osaka, Mont Koya, Hieizan. En plus j’ai travaille a Osaka 2017-2019.pendant cette periode j’ai souvent visitee des sites touristiques a Kyoto, Nara, Osaka. J’ai fait les randonnes a Kumono Kodo et 33 temples en Kansai.

    Apr 4, 2026
    Rebecca_M
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kazu Rocks!!
    Kazu was a gem! From our booking well in advance…

    Oct 19, 2025
    geoffreysE7617EB
    6-hour Tokyo Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My guide, Kazuyasu Hakata, modified some of the tour,…

    Oct 9, 2025
    zglus
    6 Hr walking Tour
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kazuyas brought us all around Tokyo and was…

    Sep 26, 2025
    JulieD4351
    We saw the fish market, many shrines, the busy walkway, and much more!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Yoyogi Station & Asakusa Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Yoyogi Station & Asakusa Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meet up @Hotel Century Southern Tower
    • 9:15 Yoyogi Station
    • 9:20 Harajuku Station
    • Meiji Shrine
    • 10:30 Takeshita Street
    • 11:20 Meiji-jingumae Station
    • 11:50 Shin-Ochanomizu Station
    • Akihabara, Radio Kaikan
    • 12:30 Lunch @Yodobashi Camera
    • 13:45 Akihabara Station
    • 14:00 Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Tourist Center, Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple
    • 15:00 Disband @Senso-ji Temple

    What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Akihabara, and Asakusa The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. Since they had expressed interest in history, culture, and food, and one of the guests enjoyed anime and manga, we settled on a balanced plan covering Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Akihabara, and Asakusa. The group especially enjoyed the fashion on Takeshita Street and the Radio Kaikan in Akihabara. We were able to find goods from a favorite manga that they had mentioned beforehand, and the whole group was delighted. At a large electronics store, I guided them through the home appliance section, where they were thrilled by the refrigerators and rice cookers. For lunch, we chose a restaurant serving xiaolongbao, which the group had wanted to try, and they were very pleased with how delicious it was.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainYoyogi Station~Harajuku Station150JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae Station~Shin-Ochanomizu Station210JPY
    Section 3SubwayAkihabara Station~Asakusa Station180JPY
    Total540JPY

    Hi there! Thank you so much for hitting my page!
    I’m Yuriko, but please call me Lily!
    I’m a qualified guide and interpreter, proud to be awarded as one of the finalists of Japan guide awards 2025.

    I have conducted over 100 tours a year since March 2024, with more than 90% of my clients awarding a five-star rating.

    I love Japanese food(eating and cooking!), cultures such as traditional arts and crafts, and so much more! I’ve always explored places seeking new things and love to share them with you.

    I was born and raised in Tokyo(for over 40 years!) but used to live in the U.S. for a couple of years as a child.
    I am proud to be able to introduce the charms of Japan from multiple perspectives based on my experience of interacting with people from many different nationalities.

    I am happy to tailor an original plan or to arrange your bucket list advancing it to a better option.
    The following is my contact information:
    lilyjapanguide@gmail.com

    I’m looking forward to guiding and sharing the excitement of Japan!!

    Sep 17, 2025
    785hongc
    Wonderful 6 hour Tokyo tour with Lily in September
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a…

    Sep 16, 2025
    H
    Hong_C
    A wonderful day tour of Tokyo in September
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Best relaxed educational…

    Jul 18, 2025
    Venture26940872209
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lilly was an excellent guide .. lots of communication before the visit…

    Jul 1, 2025
    michaellG938KC
    Lily is the best. Highly recommended
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Lily is an amazing guide and…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 ENT TERRACE Asakusa (Tawaramachi) meet ~ Senso-ji ~ Asakusa ~ 11:00 Kamiyacho ~ Tokyo Tower ~ 13:00 Omotesando ~ Lunch @ Maisen ~ 15:00 Disperse at Takeshita Street

    Title: What's a Private One-Day Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya The guests were a multi-generational family group visiting from North America. Based on their requests, the itinerary covered Asakusa, Tokyo Tower, the area around Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya. We arrived at Asakusa early, so many of the shops were not yet open, but there were still plenty of people and the atmosphere was very lively. From Tokyo Tower, we could clearly see not only the surrounding buildings but also the autumn colors of Zojoji Temple, the park, and Mount Fuji. Since Omotesando has few dining options, we headed to a restaurant that can accommodate larger groups, but many people were waiting and the wait was said to be over 30 minutes. I therefore suggested having lunch somewhere else, but the guests chose to wait in line. The wait was worthwhile, and they were very pleased that the food was delicious and reasonably priced. However, because of the waiting time and walking at a comfortable pace for the group, time ran out at Takeshita Street. Even so, we did not go over the scheduled time, and the guests were very considerate and truly wonderful to guide.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Kamiyacho209JPY
    Section 2SubwayKamiyacho~Omotesando178JPY
    Total387JPY

    Hello! I am Kyoko who has been working as a guide since 2017. I was born in Kyoto. So, my name comes from Kyoto which is Japan’s beautiful ancient capital . And “ko” literally means child in Japanese. Thus, my name Kyoko means Kyoto’s child, Kyoko. But some guests call me Kyoto. It’s okay, not a big problem.
    But to say the truth, I feel like this, ” Am I like an ancient person? No way~!!…” I am mainly guiding in and around Tokyo. Tokyo has two faces of well-advanced and old-fashioned. So, you can enjoy both high-tech technology and historical culture plus delicious food and drinks,too. You will surely be inspired in this city with me. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Thank you in advance!

    Sep 9, 2025
    salanicolas
    Superb Tokyo guide
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Kyoko was great! Super knowledgeable, a lot of fun,…

    Jun 19, 2025
    josephk547
    A definite must-do when visiting Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (Tokyo DEP.)
    Absolutely amazing tour…

    May 24, 2025
    sandrashachar
    Terrific Tokyo Tour!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a fantastic tour of the Asakusa Shrine,…

    May 22, 2025
    andywP8147WV
    Private Guided Tour in Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our wonderful guide Kyoko prepared an excellent…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Meiji Jingu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Meiji Jingu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:30 Hotel
    • 10:30 Asakusa
    • 12:30 Ginza
    • 13:00 Tsukiji Honganji, Outer Market
    • 13:30 Lunch at Tsukiji Uogashi Food court
    • 14:55 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 15:45 Tour ends at Meiji Jingu Station

    What Does a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji, and Tsukiji The guests were a group visiting from Europe who work in the travel industry. They came to Japan to experience a tour firsthand for professional purposes. In addition to Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, and Tsukiji, they had also expressed a wish to visit the Nezu and Yanaka areas, but due to time constraints these were not included in this day's itinerary. At Senso-ji, they purchased ukiyo-e postcards at a shop along Nakamise Street and all drew omikuji fortunes, enjoying a relaxed sightseeing experience. On the way to the Tsukiji Outer Market, we stopped by Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, where a lunchtime concert featuring a soprano singer and pipe organ was being held, and the group was delighted. For lunch, since some in the group were not fond of raw fish, we ate at the food court in the fish market area, enjoying a fried set meal with chunks of tuna and tempura seiro soba. At Meiji Shrine, some of the guests filled out and dedicated prayer notes. Because we took our time exploring each location, we finished at Meiji Shrine at 3:50 p.m., but since the group planned to head to Yanaka next, I explained that they could take the Chiyoda Line to Sendagi, and we ended the tour at Meiji-jingumae Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku-gyoemmae~Asakusa252JPY
    Section 2TrainAsakusa~Ginza209JPY
    Section 3TrainGinza~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 4TrainTsukiji~Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Total848JPY

    Hello there,
    I’m Harry. This nickname comes from Harry Bosch, a character in American detective novels. I like watching films, listening to music and reading books, especially detective stories. I love meeting people from different countries and would like to help them understand Japanese culture and history. I believe that tourism can connect people all over the world and change the world into something truly peaceful. I was born in Osaka and have lived in Tokyo for more than 35 years. I am very happy to welcome tourists from all over the world. I will do my best to make your days fantastic. I look forward to seeing you soon.

    Oct 8, 2025
    Denise_M
    Great tour of Kyoto
    Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our guide Harry was very knowledgeable. We learned…

    Jun 30, 2025
    Iguana74
    Customized Tour of Kyoto
    Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our four-hour private tour of Kyoto was excellent.…

    May 12, 2025
    Tonya_G
    Would do it again.
    Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
    Our guide, Harry, did an excellent…

    Mar 22, 2025
    Lauren_P
    We had a great time on…
    Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We had a great time…

  • Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 08:30 Meet up @MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori
    • 2. 08:35 Travel: Subway
    • 3. 09:00 Stay @East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
    • 4. 10:10 Travel: Subway
    • 5. 10:35 Stay @Akihabara
    • 6. 11:25 Travel: Subway, Train
    • 7. 12:15 Disband @In front of teamLab Planets

    Can You Do a Private Half-Day Tokyo Tour Covering the East Gardens, Akihabara, and teamLab Planets? A Licensed Guide's Report Although I had told the guests that I knew the location of their accommodation because I had been there before, I mistakenly thought of the hotel across the street and nearly ended up late for the meeting time. There are two branches of the same accommodation near Hatchobori Station, one on each side of Shin-Ohashi Street, and I reflected that I should have double-checked more carefully. At the time of booking, the tour start time was set for 09:00, but after hearing that the guests had reserved tickets for teamLab Planets at 12:30, I moved it up by 30 minutes. As a result, we arrived at the requested spot, the East Gardens, right around opening time, which allowed us to use our time effectively. As a place to stop by on the way to teamLab, I suggested Akihabara. Since a considerable amount of time was spent purchasing trading cards at the Radio Kaikan building, we skipped the other shops and headed straight to Toyosu. As there were younger members in the group, we took the Yurikamome line for just one stop from Toyosu and parted ways in front of the teamLab Planets venue near Shin-Toyosu Station.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayHatchobori Station~Otemachi Station180JPY
    Section 2SubwayOtemachi Station~Akihabara Station180JPY
    Section 3SubwayAkihabara Station~Toyosu Station210JPY
    Section 4TrainToyosu Station~Shin-Toyosu Station190JPY
    Total760JPY

    Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
    I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
    I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
    One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
    Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
    I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

    Sep 29, 2026
    Y9791IZnicks
    Making the most of a rainy day
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Sam was a wonderful…

    Sep 25, 2026
    910lorig
    Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Best…

    Sep 15, 2026
    R8612KOjanicea
    Highly recommend 👍
    Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
    Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…

    Sep 1, 2026
    greasygrandpa
    First Day In Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…