Category: Uncategorized

  • Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:20 Meet at hotel 9:37 Board JR train bound for Nara 10:21 Arrive at JR Nara 10:45 Nara Park 11:00 Todai-ji Temple  12:10 Lunch (tonkatsu) 13:25 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 14:15 Kofuku-ji Temple Treasure House  15:00 Naramachi (Nigiwai no Ie · Shopping) 16:37 JR Nara Station Board train bound for Kyoto 17:23 Arrive at Kyoto Station Tour ends

    Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests visited Japan from North America. Some of the guests had visited Japan around 25 years earlier, and one had also come to Japan for work seven years ago, having lived in the Nishinomiya area, so they were quite familiar with life in Japan. Since the forecast predicted heavy rain from the afternoon, we visited Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine early and saved the Kofuku-ji Treasure Hall for later, which turned out to be the right decision. From just after 2:00 p.m., the rain became so heavy that it was impossible to walk without an umbrella. The guests enjoyed sightseeing, eating, and walking, but seemed to have less interest in the historical details, perhaps because they already had prior knowledge. The group was very easygoing and considerate throughout. The photo was taken at a tonkatsu restaurant where we had lunch.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainKyoto~Nara720JPY
    Section 2Free PassJR Nara Station~JR Nara Station600JPY
    Section 3TrainNara~Kyoto720JPY
    Total2,040JPY

    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…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Hama Rikyu Garden & Meiji Jingu Shrine

    Tokyo in One Day: Hama Rikyu Garden & Meiji Jingu Shrine

    Tour Itinerary

    • 09:50Meet at Toei Asakusa Line Shimbashi Station
    • 10:00 Hama Rikyu Garden
    • 12:00 Ginza
    • 12:30 Lunch at Tendon Ramen Hageten Ginza Branch
    • 13:30 Imperial Palace Outer Garden
    • 14:00 Ueno Ameyoko, Ueno Park
    • 15:10 Meiji Jingu Shrine
    • 16:10 Tour ends at JR Harajuku Station

    What Does a Private Tokyo Day Tour Include? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Ueno The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Since they had already visited Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Tokyo Tower, I arranged an itinerary combining the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Hamarikyu Gardens. For lunch in Ginza, we had tendon at a shop where you purchase meal tickets to pay. As it is a small shop, a line formed once our group entered. They seemed very satisfied. The Imperial Palace East Gardens were closed on Tuesday this week as well. Since the guests wished to buy some small souvenirs, I added a visit to Ueno on short notice and guided them to Ameyoko. It was tight on time, but we also strolled through Ueno Park. After Meiji Shrine, rather than going to Takeshita Street, I explained how to get back to their hotel from the station and ended the tour. The guests were all delighted and said they had a wonderful time.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShimbashi~Ginza178JPY
    Section 2TrainGinza~Nijubashimae178JPY
    Section 3TrainOtemachi~Ueno178JPY
    Section 4TrainUeno~Meiji-jingumae209JPY
    Total743JPY

    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 Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 9:30 Meet at the b akasaka-mitsuke
    • 2. 10:00 Tsukiji
    • 3. 11:00 Akihabara
    • 4. 11:45 Lunch (Hokkaido Akihabara Denki-gai North Exit Branch)
    • 5. 13:15 Yanaka (Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street, Hebi-michi)
    • 6. 13:45 Nezu Shrine
    • 7. 14:45 Harajuku (Takeshita Street)
    • 8. 15:30 Disband at Ginza (in front of UNIQLO Ginza Store)

    Title: What Does a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Akihabara, Yanaka, and Harajuku The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had arrived in Japan the previous day and were staying in the country for about two weeks, planning to visit the Fuji Five Lakes, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka after Tokyo. I guided them around Tsukiji, Akihabara, Yanaka, Nezu Shrine, and Harajuku. At Tsukiji, they looked at the market shops with great interest. In Akihabara, I took them to an anime goods store and a well-known electronics building. They did not make any purchases today, but they browsed the products enthusiastically at both places and said they would like to come back another day to shop. At Yanaka and Nezu Shrine, they took many photos and enjoyed themselves. They took a quick look around Takeshita Street in Harajuku. During the consultation before the tour, the plan had been to go to Shinjuku and part ways there, but the guests expressed a wish to visit a clothing store in Ginza, so I guided them there and we parted ways at that point.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1Free PassAkasaka-mitsuke~Tsukiji600JPY
    Section 2Free PassTsukiji~Akihabara0JPY
    Section 3TrainAkihabara~Nippori167JPY
    Section 4Free PassNezu~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
    Section 5Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Ginza0JPY
    Total767JPY

    Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
    I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
    I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!

    Sep 29, 2026
    S77OGjoyh
    Excellent Guided walking tour of temple, shrine and outdoor food market Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day…

    Sep 16, 2026
    Kerry_M
    10/10 tour with Haruhiko Yokota
    Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    We toured Tokyo with Haruhiko Yokota…

    Jul 13, 2026
    529gregj
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
    Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
    Haru (Haruhiko…

    Jul 12, 2026
    Felice R
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
    Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 8:00 Hotel-9:30 Meiji Shrine-11:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street-12:10 Tsukiji Outer Market-13:00 Fukagawa Fudoson-13:40 Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine-14:00 Lunch-15:00 Ginza dismissal

    What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. During their stay in Japan, they picked up a Suica card at Shinjuku Station and began moving around smoothly. At Meiji Shrine, our first stop, there were many worshippers there for Shichi-Go-San and first shrine visits, and the guests enjoyed viewing the chrysanthemum display. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, which were supposed to be open, were closed and could not be entered, possibly due to the influence of an Imperial family funeral, so we moved on to Tsukiji Market. There, the guests purchased a chef's knife with a wooden handle, and they seemed to be looking forward to cooking with it after returning home. Afterward, we visited Fukagawa Fudoson and strolled around Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, where the guests fully enjoyed the old downtown atmosphere that still retains the charm of everyday local life.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainShinjuku~Yoyogi146JPY
    Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Otemachi209JPY
    Section 3SubwayOtemachi~Tsukiji178JPY
    Section 4SubwayTsukijishijo~Monzen-nakacho178JPY
    Section 5SubwayMonzen-nakacho~Nihombashi178JPY
    Section 6SubwayNihombashi~Ginza178JPY
    Total1,067JPY

    Welcome to Japan. My name is Michio, your tour guide in Tokyo and Japan. I was born and grown up in Tokyo, and still living in western suburb of Tokyo with my wife, except for 10 years outside of Japan travelling and living in 60 countries. So I might have visited your country and still remember a few words.
    Japan has unique history, nature and culture, and there are plenty of secrets and wonders behind them such as food culture, Zen and Ninja.
    So please explore and discover the hidden and most beautiful part of Japan together. Let’s experience!

    Oct 25, 2025
    Carla_G
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking…
    Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Our 4-hour Tokyo walking tour was fantastic! Michio…

    Oct 24, 2025
    410trishab
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Outstanding Tour with Michio and Nobuhiko!
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from…

    Oct 11, 2025
    GoPlaces52694049181
    We enjoyed our time in Tokyo with Michio our tour guide.
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    We…

    Oct 10, 2025
    PiscesV
    Sushi for breakfast at 630am? Yes please!!
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

  • Tokyo in One Day: Otemachi Station & Hamamatsucho Station

    Tokyo in One Day: Otemachi Station & Hamamatsucho Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 12:30 Meeting place: TeamLab Planets
    • 12:40 Departure: Depart from Shin-Toyosu Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • Toyosu Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
    • Yurakucho Station/Hibiya Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 13:10 Arrive at Otemachi Station
    • Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • Nijubashi Bridge
    • 14:30 Depart from Nijubashimae Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
    • 15:00 Arrive at Meiji-jingumae Station
    • Harajuku Meiji Shrine
    • Takeshita Street
    • 16:00 Depart from Harajuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 16:15 Arrive at Shinjuku Station
    • Shinjuku Kabukicho
    • Shinjuku Golden Gai
    • Omoide Yokocho
    • 17:30 Depart from Shinjuku Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 17:45 Arrive at Shibuya Station
    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing
    • Hachiko Statue
    • Shibuya Center Street
    • 18:30 Depart from Shibuya Station
    • (JR Yamanote Line)
    • 19:00 Arrive at Hamamatsucho Station
    • 19:00 Disband: Hamamatsucho Station

    Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group of friends from North America, all visiting Japan for the first time. This visit to Japan was for a total of two weeks. After arriving at Narita Airport, they went straight to the Kansai region, visiting Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. They came to Tokyo the previous day. In the morning, the guests visited teamLab. Afterward, we met at its entrance. They said, "We don't need lunch. We'd like to visit as many places as possible, even if only briefly at each." It was a tour under clear skies. First, we went to the Imperial Palace. I explained topics such as "From the Edo period to the Meiji era," "About the Meiji Restoration," "Why did Edo Castle become the Imperial Palace?" and "Current challenges facing the Imperial Household." The guests remarked, "The pine trees are beautiful." They also asked questions such as "This is different from the imperial site we visited in Kyoto," and "Does the Emperor really live inside here?" Because of the closing time, we then moved to Harajuku. I again explained "About the Meiji Restoration," "About Emperor Meiji," and "Why are wine barrels displayed here?" The guests said, "It's wonderful that there is such a green place in the middle of the city. It feels great." We moved to Shinjuku. I explained "The history of Shinjuku" and "Golden Gai." The guests commented, "It has a different atmosphere from the other places." We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I again explained "About the Meiji Restoration," "About Emperor Meiji," and "Why are wine barrels displayed here?" The guests said, "Here too, it's wonderful that there is such a green place in the middle of the city. It feels great," and "How large is this area?" We then moved on to Shibuya. The guests experienced the Scramble Crossing. They also asked, "Why are there so many people here? Are there more Japanese people, or more tourists?" They also commented, "Everyone in Japan is truly polite," "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?" "The subway is very well made, but it's hard to understand until you get used to it," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant. We don't have this back home." I saw the guests off at Hamamatsucho Station, ending the tour.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherShin-Toyosu Station~Toyosu Station189JPY
    Section 2SubwayToyosu Station~Otemachi Station178JPY
    Section 3SubwayNijubashimae Station~Meiji-jingumae Station209JPY
    Section 4TrainHarajuku Station~Shinjuku Station146JPY
    Section 5TrainShinjuku Station~Shibuya Station167JPY
    Section 6TrainShibuya Station~Hamamatsucho Station208JPY
    Total1,097JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in Half a Day: Departure: Daiba Station & Tsukiji Station

    Tokyo in Half a Day: Departure: Daiba Station & Tsukiji Station

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:00 Meeting place: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
    • 9:10 Departure: Daiba Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • 9:30 Shimbashi Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 10:00 Arrive at Asakusa Station
    • Asakusa Sensoji Temple
    • Asakusa Shrine
    • Nakamise Shopping Street
    • 11:00 Depart Asakusa Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 11:15 Arrive at Ueno Station
    • Ueno Ueno Park
    • Ameyoko Shopping Street
    • 12:00 Depart Ueno Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
    • 12:15 Arrive at Tsukiji Station
    • Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • 13:10 Depart Tsukiji Station
    • (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
    • 13:10 Shimbashi Station
    • (Yurikamome)
    • 13:30 Arrive at Daiba Station
    • 13:30 Dismissal: Daiba Station

    Can You Do a Half-Day Private Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise Departure? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Their main purpose was a cruise departing that evening from the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, traveling to Japan as well as other parts of Asia. The tour was based on the idea of "seeing a bit of Tokyo before boarding," with the request to "get a general sense of Tokyo in a short time." The tour took place under clear skies. First, we went to Asakusa. We passed through the Nakamise shopping street from the Kaminarimon Gate to the main hall. It was extremely crowded. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?", "What kind of teachings does Buddhism have?", "How do Shinto and Buddhism differ?", and "Why are there so many people wearing kimono?" As souvenirs for family, the guests purchased items such as chopsticks, tenugui hand towels, hats, and magnets along the Nakamise shopping street. We then moved to Ueno. I explained about the "Edo period" and the "Meiji Restoration," among other topics. There were questions such as "How large is Ueno Park?" Next was the Tsukiji Outer Market. We walked around looking at various shops, and the guests purchased sweet potato chips and wasabi peanuts. There were questions such as "Why are there so many people even on a weekday?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" There were also questions such as "What is the population of Tokyo?", "How much is housing?", and "How many people own cars?" The guests also commented, "The city is so clean. There's no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why?", "How is garbage handled in Japan?", and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant." I saw them off at Daiba Station, where we parted ways.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherDaiba Station~Shimbashi Station325JPY
    Section 2SubwayShimbashi Station~Asakusa Station209JPY
    Section 3SubwayAsakusa Station~Ueno Station178JPY
    Section 4SubwayUeno Station~Tsukiji Station178JPY
    Section 5SubwayTsukiji Station~Shimbashi Station178JPY
    Section 6OtherShimbashi Station~Daiba Station325JPY
    Total1,393JPY

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shibuya

    Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Shibuya

    Tour Itinerary

    • 9:30 Meet up @Peninsula
    • 9:40 GHQ site ~ Imperial Palace Outer Garden ~ Nijubashi Bridge ~ Tokyo Station
    • 11:00 Asakusa (Kaminarimon Gate ~ Nakamise ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Hoppy Street)
    • 12:15 Shinjuku Gyoen (Sendagaya Gate ~ Shinjuku Gate)
    • 13:30 Meiji Shrine
    • 14:00 Lunch @Mori no Terrace
    • 14:20 Omotesando ~ Takeshita Street
    • 15:00 Shibuya (Hachiko Statue ~ Scramble Crossing ~ Shibuya Scramble Square)
    • 15: 30 Disband @Shibuya Scramble Square HANDS

    What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace and Asakusa The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests was visiting Japan for the first time, while the other had been to Japan 18 years earlier. Although the itinerary had been agreed upon before their arrival, today happened to be the day of a state funeral ceremony, so the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were temporarily closed. Instead, I took them to the Outer Garden and Nijubashi Bridge. They seemed amazed at the vast scale of the Imperial Palace. Since today was effectively their first full day in Japan and they would be exploring Tokyo on their own for about five more days, I deliberately used the JR line for the trip from the Imperial Palace to Asakusa so they could see Akihabara Station and Ueno Station. The autumn foliage in the garden was about five days early, but some trees were still beautiful, and they enjoyed this oasis in the city. Over lunch, I introduced recommended tourist attractions to visit during the rest of their stay in Tokyo, and explained the public transportation, including how to get to the two teamLab locations they had already booked, so they could move around the city on their own.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1TrainJR Tokyo~JR Ueno167JPY
    Section 2SubwayGinza Line Ueno~Ginza Line Asakusa178JPY
    Section 3TrainAsakusa Line Asakusa~JR Sendagaya356JPY
    Section 4TrainJR Harajuku~JR Shibuya146JPY
    Total847JPY

    Hello! My name is Hideki Maruyama. I was born in Osaka and raised in the Greater Tokyo area. I obtained my National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Certificate in February 2016.
    I spent 23 years working at a leading Japanese automotive company, including 7 years posted overseas. I then worked for a German premium automotive manufacturer for 13 years, followed by 6 years as an advisor to a British energy company. Through these roles at global corporations, I developed and refined key skills such as:
    1. Cross-cultural communication
    2. A deep understanding of business elites and affluent customers
    3. The ability to deliver impactful and impressive presentations in English
    In addition to my regular duties, I often served as an interpreter for top executives during meetings with foreign government officials. I also had opportunities to introduce aspects of Japan—such as our national character and consumer preferences—to leadership teams in both the German and British companies.
    As a tour guide, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding guests from a wide range of countries especially after the pandemic, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Slovenia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Turkey, Jordan, Kenya and Israel.
    When guiding, I always keep in mind to go beyond what guests can find on social media or ChatGPT. I believe my professional background allows me to offer unique insights, and I am encouraged when guests mention this in their reviews

    Jun 14, 2026
    tiffany_w
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Phenomenal experiance
    Hideki san was an amazing guide. He was incredibly knowledgable…

    Jun 13, 2026
    Joshua_A
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    The Best Guide I Had in Japan
    Hideki was, without question, my…

    May 2, 2026
    Bruce G
    Our guide (Hideki san) was a master. It was a rainy day and he suggested a new plan in anticipation…

    Apr 30, 2026
    johnbD9596UO
    Lovely Private tour of Tokyo
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    My wife and I had a great…

  • Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Market

    Tokyo: Toyosu Market & Tsukiji Market

    Tour Itinerary

    • 5:00 Hotel Lobby
    • 5:15 Arrive at Toyosu Market
    • 6:05 Auction tour ends
    • 6:15 Enter Daiwa Sushi
    • 7:00 Move to Tsukiji Market
    • 8:05 Disband within Tsukiji Market

    What's a Private Tokyo Tour of Toyosu and Tsukiji Fish Markets Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. They were very lovely to guide. At first they had wished to visit a particular shop inside Toyosu Market, but after watching the tuna auction they asked to be taken to a restaurant serving top-quality tuna, so we changed our plans on the spot and I took them to a sushi restaurant. They mentioned they had previously dined at a high-end sushi restaurant abroad, so I was a little nervous about whether it would suit their taste, but they seemed thoroughly delighted, saying they had enjoyed a wonderful breakfast. After the meal, the guests wished to explore Tsukiji Market as well, so we headed there by an Uber arranged by the guests. They enjoyed strolling through the market and shopping for a kitchen knife and green tea. Since they wanted to take their time in the market, we parted ways on site at 8:05.

    Hello!! My name is Mami. I was born and raised in Tokyo. I enjoy watching Japanese baseball games. I became a Certified guide in 2020. After the Pandemic, I resumed my guiding work in earnest, conducting approximately 80 tours in 2023 and over 100 tours in 2024. Please feel free to ask me anything about Tokyo! Not only information about tourist attractions, but I also love to eat, so I can suggest various restaurants! I live in an area called Yanesen, and the Yanesen area and Asakusa are my go-to walking areas. I also love exploring markets and discovering delicious restaurants at places like Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Market. Why don’t you come with me and walk through the small alleys that only the residents know about? I’m cheerful and can get along with anyone. Let’s have a fun trip together!

    Mar 30, 2026
    569RickJ
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Top Notch/Highly Recommended Fish Market Tour
    This…

    Mar 13, 2026
    mchapman24
    Fish market and auction
    Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Fish Auction and…

    Jun 17, 2025
    Desiree_V
    Unieke ervaring
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    Vroeg opstaan maar dan heb…

    May 24, 2025
    Michael_H
    Incredible Time
    Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
    This tour was amazing. Our…

  • Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama Monkey Park & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama Monkey Park & Kinkaku-ji Temple

    Tour Itinerary

    • 10:00 Hotel Meet(Hotel Kyoto Sanjo)
    • 10:00-10:50 Travel (Taxi; Hotel → Arashiyama Monkey Park)
    • 10:50-12:20 Visit Arashiyama Monkey Park
    • 12:20-12:30 Travel (On foot; Monkey Park → Togetsukyo Bridge → Restaurant (Arashiyama)
    • 12:30-13:20 Lunch (@Ajio)
    • 13:20-14:10 Stroll around Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple・Sogenchi Garden)
    • 14:10-14:40 Travel (Taxi; Arashiyama → Kinkaku-ji Temple)
    • 14:40-15:30 Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
    • 15:30-16:00 Travel (Taxi; Kinkaku-ji Temple → Hotel)
    • 16:00 Farewell at the Hotel

    What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji The guests were a group visiting from North America. I took them to the Arashiyama Monkey Park, a stroll around Arashiyama (the Togetsukyo Bridge, the bamboo grove, and Tenryu-ji Temple with its Sogenchi Garden), and Kinkaku-ji. There had been a request from the group to visit the Monkey Park. In the morning the rain was not too heavy, which was fortunate, but in the afternoon the rain became much stronger, and we got quite wet during our visit to Kinkaku-ji. At the request of the guests, all transportation was by taxi. Before visiting the Monkey Park, I was a little concerned about whether the climb would be manageable, but the group climbed up energetically, with plenty of enthusiasm. At the Monkey Park, feeding the monkeys looked very enjoyable. If the weather had been better, I believe they could have enjoyed Kinkaku-ji even more.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1OtherHotel~Arashiyama Monkey Park0JPY
    Section 2OtherArashiyama~Kinkaku-ji Temple0JPY
    Section 3OtherKinkaku-ji Temple~Hotel0JPY
    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.…

  • Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day

    Tour Itinerary

    • 1. 09:30 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
    • 2. 09:45 Hamarikyu Gardens
    • 3. 11:45 Asakusa (Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine)
    • 4. 13:30 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Harajuku Street, Omotesando)
    • 5. 15:00 Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing)
    • 6. 15:30 Disband at Shibuya

    What Does a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visiting Japan for the first time. Before starting the tour, I took a little time to hear their preferences, and based on that I decided the itinerary and guided them accordingly. Since they were interested in Japanese history and pop culture, we followed the standard course (visiting Hamarikyu Gardens instead of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace). Although it was a little cold, we were blessed with good weather, and we were able to complete the planned itinerary right on schedule. Overall, I believe they were satisfied with the tour itself.

    Transportation cost per person

    No.TransportationRouteFare
    Section 1SubwayShimbashi~Asakusa220JPY
    Section 2SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae252JPY
    Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya178JPY
    Total650JPY

    Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
    I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
    Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
    Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
    A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
    I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
    I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
    Nobu

    Jun 2, 2026
    amandavW9846AW
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Great Tokyo day trip!
    We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

    May 25, 2026
    Matthew_C
    Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Nobu was an excellent and…
    Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

    May 24, 2026
    Diane D
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
    Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

    Apr 28, 2026
    GrandTour57165664797
    Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
    Awesome!
    It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…