Customizable Private Tours with Local Tour Guides

“Great visit to Shimizu/Fujinomiya with Sayori”

Four of us visited Shimizu while sailing around Japan on Celebrity Millenium and arranged a tour with Sayori to get a closer look at Mt Fuji and learn more about the sacred mountain. Just a day or two prior to the tour, we realized that we would need to modify our plans since it was the last day of the cruise and we would need to be back to the ship for packing earlier than planned. She had no problem with this, rolled with the punches and adjusted our itinerary. Our day with Sayo was like spending the day with a friend in their home town. Based on her very detailed information, we met up with Sayori at the Shimizu train station. She expertly guided us to an express train that would get us to Fujinomiya more quickly than planned. In Fujinomaya, we visited the Mt Fuji World Heritage Center and the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine. As she has summited Mt Fuji herself, Sayo was able to provide us with great insight as we toured the Heritage Center. While it was cloudy to start, the skies began to magically open providing us with great views (we think she made it happen) and she was very patient as we were able to watch the mountain appear before for us. At the Shrine, Sayori explained the significance of several ceremonies we happened upon and took the time to read the very detailed fortunes we each chose for ourselves. One member of our group is gluten free and Sayo went out of her way to find a very charming, mother/daughter restaurant that specialized in delicious rice balls with all sorts of great fillings. The mom and daughter were so happy to have us that they offered us additional complimentary side dishes. As relatively experienced travelers this was just the type of opportunity we seek, to experience something that feels very authentic, away from any crowd. For Americans or other english speaking guests looking for a guide, Sayori has spent signficant time in the US, speaks flawless english and will provide a great day with many memories.

“Amazing tour with amazing guide”

Another incredible day with Naoya. He took us to a very old shrine and planned it so we were able to witness an incredible moving ceremony with drums, monks, fire and chants. We were able to take part in a purification ceremony, it was wonderful to experience something so different. We briefly wandered around to different shops and bought candy from a store that has been in multiple generations. A highlight was an incredible lunch at a very authentic Japanese restaurant that was very small and we tried some local cuisine. Then we went to the Edo museum which was very informative and interesting. We loved this tour and it was very interesting! Definitely book with Naoya. He tries to personalize every tour we have taken with him!!!!!!

“A wonderful walk in a gorgeously mossy forest”

Chinami-san is a wonderful guide. Her communication before our tour was excellent. She is friendly, enthusiastic, informative and great company. She accommodated my request for a longer tour and then adapted our itinerary on the day based on the weather. It was a true delight to walk through the beautiful Aokigahara Forest with her, and the caves we visited were unlike anything I have seen. The highlight of the trip was our final stop, at Ryugu Cave. This was particularly special as Chinami-san said it was one of her favourite places in the forest. I can strongly recommend doing a guided tour with Chinami-san, and I hope to be able to walk with her again the next time I visit this area. どうもありがとうございます.

Chinami N.

(72 reviews)

Thank you very much for such a wonderful review. I am so glad that you liked the tour. There are many other trains in the forest as you see the map I gave you and I could not explain enough about the history of Mt Fuji. So, lets walk more and hike to Ashiwada mountain next to see Mt Fuji! Have a nice Trip in Kofu and Minobu as well! Chinami