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.
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
- 7:30 Meeting place: HOTEL METROPOLITAN TOKYO MARUNOUCHI
- 7:40 Depart Tokyo Station
- (Tohoku Shinkansen: Yamabiko No. 125)
- 8:46 Depart Utsunomiya Station
- (JR Nikko Line)
- 9:28 Arrive Nikko Station
- (On foot)
- 9:35 Tobu Nikko Station
- Tobu Nikko Station: Lockers
- 9:45 Depart Tobu Nikko Station bus stop
- (Tobu Bus)
- 9:51 Nishisando entrance
- Nikko Nikko Rinnoji Temple
- (On foot)
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine
- (On foot)
- Nikko Futarasan Shrine
- (On foot)
- Nishisando Cafe: Break
- (On foot)
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss
- (On foot)
- 13:22 Depart Nishisando entrance bus stop Nishisando
- (Tobu Bus)
- 13:24 Arrive Shinkyo bus stop
- Shinkyo Bridge
- 13:44 Depart Shinkyo bus stop
- (Tobu Bus)
- 13:50 Arrive Tobu Nikko Station bus stop
- 13:56 Depart Tobu Nikko Station
- (Tobu Nikko Line)
- Arrive Shimoimaichi Station
- Depart Shimoimaichi Station
- (Spacia X No. 7)
- 14:32 Arrive Kinugawa Onsen Station
- Disband: Kinugawa Onsen Station
- 15:06 Depart Kinugawa Onsen Station
- (Tobu Kinugawa Line)
- 15:33 Arrive Shimoimaichi Station
- 15:34 Depart Shimoimaichi Station
- (Spacia X No. 62)
- 17:15 Arrive Tobu Asakusa Station
- 17:30 End: Tobu Asakusa Station
Title: What Is a Private Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen Day Tour by Train Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This trip was part of an approximately three-week summer holiday to Japan.
After arriving in Japan, they had already visited central Tokyo as well as Hakone, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, returning to Tokyo the previous evening. Today, after sightseeing in Nikko, they would stay one night at Kinugawa Onsen. Tomorrow, they planned to travel from Haneda Airport to Okinawa (where they planned a road trip by rental car), and then return to Tokyo before heading home. They said, "We want to visit and enjoy as many spots in Japan as possible."
Following the passing of a typhoon, Nikko had almost hot, clear weather, and we were able to complete the tour without any rain.
We met at the Hotel and traveled to Nikko by Shinkansen, as the guests had requested. On the train, I explained topics such as "the direction of Nikko as seen from Tokyo," "the origins and history of Nikko," "the Edo period of Japan, and the Edo period and Tokugawa Ieyasu," and "the Five Highways and the sankin-kotai system."
First, from Tobu Nikko Station, we took a bus to central Nikko. We walked around Rinno-ji Temple and, after paying the admission fee, also viewed the interior of the main hall. There were many questions "about Buddhism" and "about Buddhist statues." At the Gomado hall, a "goma ritual" was being performed, so we observed it for a while. The guests said, "We don't fully understand it, but we could feel the solemn atmosphere." I explained topics such as "about Buddhism" and "about Buddhism and Shinto."
From here, we walked to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Despite it being a weekday, it was very crowded with overseas tour groups and groups of elementary and junior high school students. We toured the Yomeimon Gate, the main shrine, the crying dragon, and other spots in turn. The "three monkeys" and the "sleeping cat" seemed to be particular favorites, and the guests spent time photographing them. Regarding the "three monkeys," they said they "had heard about it in advance," while "they had never heard about the sleeping cat before."
We then walked to Nikko Futarasan Shrine. There was a question, "The rows of cedar trees are wonderful. How old are they?" We strolled slowly around the grounds.
We walked to the entrance of the West Approach and took a short break at a coffee shop. After resting, we walked to Kanmangafuchi Abyss. The Daiya River was swollen with a powerful current, and we took photos here and there. We walked back to the West Approach entrance and headed to the Shinkyo Bridge. There were many tourists here as well, and we took our time photographing various spots. The guests said, "The Toshogu is quite gorgeous, with many decorations. Very interesting."
Arriving at Tobu Nikko Station, the guests bought ekiben (station bento boxes) at a shop in the station and enjoyed them on the train. (They said they had tried ekiben once and become big fans.)
From here, we traveled to Kinugawa Onsen via Shimo-Imaichi. The guests commented, "In Japan, no matter where you go, there is no litter on the ground—it's clean."
I saw them off at Kinugawa Onsen Station and we parted ways. I returned via Shimo-Imaichi Station and Tobu Nikko Station to Asakusa Station.
Click here for more details: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Tokyo～Nikko | 6,190JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Tobu Nikko Station～Tobu Nikko Station | 600JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Tobu Nikko Station～Kinugawa Onsen Station | 940JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Kinugawa Onsen～Asakusa | 3,540JPY |
| Total | 11,270JPY | ||
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.
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