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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 12:50 Meet up @JR Maiko Station
- 13:00-14:30 Bridge Memorial Hall, Maiko Park Promenade sightseeing
- 14:48-14:54 Maiko→Kobe 320 yen JR
- 15:00-16:45 Stroll around Harborland, Meriken Park
- 17:00 Disband @Kobe Kisshokichi Main Store
What Is a Private Day Tour of Kobe and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from North America. We first visited the Bridge Exhibition Center, where I explained the construction technology and history of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. The group showed great interest in the exhibits, with some of the guests actively asking questions and showing genuine curiosity. Next, we walked along the Maiko Park Sea Promenade and enjoyed the spectacular views of the Akashi Strait. The group was impressed by the scenery from above the sea and took plenty of photos as they strolled.
Afterward, we visited Harborland and Meriken Park, where the group enjoyed the scenery of Kobe Port and strolled freely. Everyone in the group was very talkative, and the atmosphere remained lively and pleasant throughout. At the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial, I explained the damage caused by the earthquake and the recovery that followed, and the guests listened attentively.
After the tour, I took them to a restaurant famous for Kobe beef for dinner and saw them off safely. The group enjoyed Japan's technology, history, and scenery, and appeared satisfied and smiling throughout the day.
Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Maiko～Kobe | 320JPY |
| Total | 320JPY | ||
Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.
I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.
There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.
I look forward to attending you in Japan.
Best regards,
Andy Murao
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our itinerary. He was flexible with changes we requested. Andy was very informative during the tour. He also was willing to take our family’s pictures. We were able to stop and check out shops as we pleased along the way. He also accommodated lunch requests(as our daughter has food allergies).
One thing I wish we realized was that there is quite a bit of walking. We were fine but for people who are perhaps older or with young children you may want to consider taking a cab between different sites.
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience…
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience with our walking tour since we had a 14 yr old with
us. Very informative and picked us up and dropped us off our hotel. Thank you Andy for
showing us Osaka
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide. He reached out to us with some ideas for our private tour. He worked with us as we made the tour perfectly suited to our needs. He met us on time. He navigated the crowds and the sites perfectly. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. He even put together a nice photo collection of photos he emailed us after. Highly recommend.
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour…
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour & Andy looked after us well. He managed to change things to suite our
walking limitations & we had a good day.