Japan Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe (2-day) Tour in July”

We had an excellent two-day private tour with Shawn, and his organization made it possible for our group to see an incredible amount in a short time. Traveling from a cruise ship means time is limited, but every detail was planned so efficiently that we were able to visit all of the places we had hoped to see without ever feeling stressed about getting back to the ship. One thing we especially appreciated was that Shawn arranged a private van for our group of 6 with the same driver on both days. Having the same driver made everything seamless and comfortable. Transportation was always waiting for us, transitions between destinations were smooth, and we never had to worry about logistics. Although Shawn does not speak Japanese, he has lived in Japan for several years and handled the language barrier remarkably well. Our first day in Kyoto included Fushimi Inari Shrine, the charming streets of Higashiyama, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), and the historic Gion district. Despite visiting some of Kyoto’s busiest attractions, Shawn managed the timing exceptionally well so we could experience everything on our itinerary before returning to the ship that evening. On the second day, we explored Osaka Castle, rode the ropeway to the beautiful Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe for spectacular views, and finished in the lively Dotonbori district, where we enjoyed an outstanding Kobe beef lunch. Once again, everything ran on schedule, and we returned to the ship with plenty of time before departure. If your priority is making the most of your time in port, Shawn is an excellent choice. His strength is his planning, organization, and ability to keep the day running efficiently. Thanks to his careful coordination, we were able to enjoy an ambitious itinerary comfortably and without worrying about transportation, timing, or navigating unfamiliar areas.

“Shimizu Tour in July”

We had an outstanding experience with our guide, Sayori. She met our group of 6 right outside our cruise ship at Shimizu Port, she was warm, organized, and incredibly knowledgeable. We started with a bus ride to Miho no Matsubara, where we walked through the beautiful pine grove to the beach and enjoyed spectacular views of Mt. Fuji from the shoreline. Sayori shared interesting information about the area’s history and significance, making the visit even more meaningful. We also rode the cable car to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. The shrine itself is stunning, and although there are some steps to reach the main shrine, the climb is absolutely worth it. Sayori made sure everyone was comfortable and took the time to explain the history and cultural importance of everything we were seeing. One of the highlights of the day was our visit to the fish market. We invited Sayori to join us for lunch, and we’re so glad she accepted. She recommended several local specialties that we probably wouldn’t have ordered on our own, and every recommendation was delicious. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy authentic local cuisine and conversation with her, and it made the experience feel much more personal. Throughout the day, Sayori was friendly, patient, and attentive. Transportation was straightforward, and we appreciated the flexibility of using public transportation and taxis, which kept the experience authentic while allowing us to see more than we could have on our own. We never felt rushed, yet we were able to see so much in a relatively short amount of time. She exceeded our expectations, and spending the day with her was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan.

“Wonderful introduction to Kochi!”

We had a great time exploring Kochi. We were able to fit a lot in that we wouldn’t have been able to do ourselves in a short cruise stop. Hide provided interesting info at the stops and on the travels between sites. The lunch restaurant was fantastic and had a good selections so everyone could get something they liked. Thank you Hide and our driver for the wonderful introduction to Kochi!

Hideo Y.

(224 reviews)

I'm very happy to receive your excellent review. We were blessed with good weather and I'm sure you enjoyed the Kochi tour. Kochi Castle is one of the 12 oldest castles in Japan. It looks like 4 stories but 6 floors inside. It is completely different from European Castles. We had lunch that you liked at a good restaurant at Katsurahama Beach. Lastly we visited Makino botanical Garden and Chikurinji Temple where you looked bamboos with a strong life force. I hope you enjoy Japan trip on a cruise ship. I wish you and your family good health and happiness.