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
- 8:20 Meet at the cruise terminal
- 8:50 View of Mt. Fuji from Nihondaira Yume Terrace
- 9:35 Ride the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
- 11:10 Sunpu Castle Park
- 12:10 Lunch at a seafood restaurant at Shimizu Port Fish Market
- 13:30 Miho no Matsubara
- 14:30 Arrive at the cruise ship terminal, end of guide
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered View of Mt. Fuji from Nihondaira Yume Terrace at 8:50, Ride the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine at 9:35, Sunpu Castle Park at 11:10, Miho no Matsubara at 13:30 and the cruise ship terminal, end of guide at 14:30.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Shizuoka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nihondaira, Kunozan Toshogu, and Sumpu Castle
The guests were a group visiting from North America. As one of them had difficulty walking, we proceeded slowly throughout the day. At the Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Mount Fuji was visible all the way to its summit — a rare sight for this time of year — and the guests were delighted. We then took the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. Since Tokugawa Ieyasu is familiar to visitors from North America through a Disney television drama, the guests were deeply moved to see this National Treasure shrine. Next was Sumpu Castle, also associated with Ieyasu, and as it was apparently their first time seeing a Japanese castle, they were very impressed.
For lunch, they enjoyed seafood rice bowls, tempura rice bowls, an assorted tempura platter, and local Shizuoka craft beer, all of which they found delicious. By then Mount Fuji was hidden behind clouds and no longer visible, so at Miho no Matsubara I briefly introduced the story of the Hagoromo Pine, and the guests found it fascinating.
Click here for more details: Shimizu Shore Excursion: Mt. Fuji View Tour, Licensed Guide
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
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A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.