This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 08:00 Meet up @ Marine Port Kagoshima
- 08:40 Shiroyama Observatory
- 09:30 Sengan-en
- 11:20 Lunch @ Oukatei
- 13:20 Sakurajima Yunohira Observatory
- 14:00 Sakurajima Visitor Center
- 16:00 Dismissal @ Marine Port Kagoshima
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kagoshima began at 08:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Marine Port Kagoshima, and finished at 16:00. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @ Oukatei at 11:20.
From there the group visited Shiroyama Observatory at 08:40, Sengan-en at 09:30, Sakurajima Yunohira Observatory at 13:20 and Sakurajima Visitor Center at 14:00.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Kagoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sakurajima, Sengan-en, and Shiroyama
The guests were a group of friends visiting Japan for the second time. They came to Kagoshima as part of a two-week cruise tour departing from Tokyo. At the Shiroyama Observatory, they seemed impressed by the beautiful views of Sakurajima and the city of Kagoshima. At Sengan-en, they were impressed by the beautiful residence and garden of the Shimazu family, and also enjoyed lunch at Shokatei. At Sakurajima, they showed great interest in the magnificent scenery of the volcano. Since I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Sep 27, 2026
jonaJ5014ZK
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
Sep 11, 2026
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Higly recommend
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
Sep 8, 2026
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…
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Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
Sep 4, 2026
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We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.