Shimizu Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“Moto is MOTOamazing :)”

We had the absolute pleasure of touring Shimizu with Moto as our guide, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. From start to finish, Moto was warm, friendly, and incredibly thoughtful—he truly treated us like royalty. Our visit included a stop at a local sake brewery and several scenic spots with breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Thanks to Moto’s deep knowledge of the area and his great sense of timing, we were able to experience the beauty of the region in a truly unforgettable way. Moto went above and beyond to make sure our family had a memorable experience. He made us feel welcome and cared for every step of the way. We can’t speak highly enough of him—our whole family absolutely loved him! If you’re visiting Shimizu or the Mount Fuji area, don’t miss the chance to tour with Moto. He’s the best!

Motoyuki H.

(37 reviews)

Thanks for the wonderful review! I am so happy to know you enjoyed the tour. Also, I appreciated your keen interest in our nature, culture, and customs. There are many places worth seeing in the area, so I hope you to come again and stay for a few days next time. Mt. Fuji and I are welcoming. Good days!

“Incredible Day at Mt. Fuji, Shiraito Waterfalls, and Lake Tanuki!”

Our family of four — my wife and I, along with our 10 and 13-year-old daughters — recently had the privilege of experiencing an unforgettable private tour with Yasuhiro M., affectionately known as “Motchee,” while visiting Japan on a cruise. From start to finish, the day was truly exceptional and a highlight of our trip! Motchee arrived 30 minutes early at the Shimizu port to greet us with a warm smile. He was incredibly knowledgeable, not just about Mt. Fuji and the surrounding sights, but also about Japanese culture, traditions, and daily life. He patiently answered all our questions — and even tailored his explanations in a way that kept our daughters engaged and curious. The itinerary was beautifully crafted, taking us from the peaceful Shiraito Waterfalls, to the tranquil Lake Tanuki, the spiritually rich Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, and the fascinating and modern Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center. Along the way, Motchee shared insights and stories that brought each location to life — far beyond what we could’ve experienced on our own or through a large group tour. What truly stood out was his flexibility and attentiveness. On a hot afternoon, he graciously made time for an unscheduled stop so the kids could cool off with ice cream — a small gesture that made a big impression. His driving was extremely safe and conscientious, giving us peace of mind throughout the day. We made it back to the cruise ship with plenty of time to spare! He If you’re a family looking to avoid the crowds and impersonality of cruise line bus tours, we wholeheartedly recommend Motchee’s private tour. His kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail made us feel like honored guests rather than tourists. He even took family photos at each location and shared them with us - so we can always remember the majesty of Mt. Fuji and this incredible tour. Domo arigatou gozai, Motchee!!!!! — Mark N and family

Yasuhiro M.

(6 reviews)

Hi Mark, Thank you for such a wonderful review. I cannot express my gratitude for your reply. Your daughters are very charming as well as good mannered. I admire your attitude towards your daughters. I hope you will come back to Japan soon. I’m willing to guide you anywhere you want to go in Japan. Regards, Yasuhiro Mochizuki

“Excellent comprehensive tour of Shimizu ”

Moto was a wonderful tour guide. He gave us choices of things to do and see. After being picked up from our cruise ship in a clean, air conditioned van, we took the Nihondaira ropeway tram to look out over Suruga Bay. The six of us experienced a traditional tea ceremony at a small green shop with a tea field where we also got to pick some new tea leaves. Lunch was at a lovely hotel restaurant. The hotel, to me, appeared to be beautifully maintained from many years ago. It was not a tourist restaurant, but one that locals went to for a special lunchtime experience. There was a young couple in traditional wedding apparel having their wedding pictures taken in the beautiful Japanese gardens. We climbed high to view a shrine and Mt Fuji. It was a beautiful clear day and our views of the mountain were perfect. There were vendors selling sweet strawberries and delicious Fuji apples larger than softballs that were sliced and cored for us. At one of the Five Lakes, our group was given a motor boat ride around the perimeter of the lake, where once again we viewed Mt Fuji in a very different way. Visited Miho sea coast with black sand beach and the green pine grove where the pine trees are twisted into unusual, but beautiful configurations. Moto always provided us with lots of history and answered our questions. Restrooms everywhere were clean and very modern. At the end of our very full tour, Moto returned us to our cruise ship. Shimizu was the Japan I had always imagined and wanted to visit.

Motoyuki H.

(37 reviews)

Thanks for your excellent review! I appreciate your interest in our nature and culture. I always intend to offer something surprising to guests. What will you discover in the next time? I'm waiting for the chance to guide you again. Good days!