“Lots to see in Kyoto!”
Tohru is very pleasant and mindful individual throughout this tour. Although it's only a half-day tour, Tohru thoughtfully pre-planned 3 attractions starting out with Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle/gardens, and finale at Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama District. He is excellent in navigating to all these destinations via the subway, which could get pretty complicated, but he knew the best ways to get around the busy areas to avoid the crowds, which made us feel at ease on a Monday commuter crowd. We had hoped for a bit better communication in English, at times challenging, but he did his best to get us to these destinations packed in a half day....if we did this on our own...we probably wouldn't have seen half the site attractions we visited. He led us to a great Soba restaurant, Soba Tatsuichi, which we thoroughly enjoyed whether it was hot or cold soba noodles with a dipping sauce. Our ending highlight was walking (27k steps that day!!!)thru the streets after strolling thru the lush Bamboo Forest. We certainly ended our tour with our vanilla softee ice cream (pic attached) and trying out a Japanese donut that Tohru recommended was delicious! Overall, Tohru is insightful, respectful, and a professional guide, and hope he can accept this feedback to improve communication with his English speaking clients as I am sure he is knowledgeable about the local culture historical sites. Thanks Tohru, for a very delightful tour of Kyoto!!!
Tohru S.
(11 reviews)Dear Kathryn-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so open-minded and friendly that I could spend a great time with your family in Kyoto. Hope you will have a great day in Japan. Best wishes!
“Beautiful Kanazawa!”
Yukari was very pleasant and made it very convenient to meet at our hotel. She was excellent in providing easy transit via bus to start our planned 6-hour tour with our first destination to Kenroku-en Garden. We couldn't ask for better weather to walk to all of our destinations. We enjoyed the Geisha and Samurai district as we strolled thru, but we hoped for a bit better communication with her English to learn more about the cultures and way of life during this historical period. In addition, we did not expect that the restaurant she proposed was closed that day as we wanted to experience an authentic local Japanese food for lunch. We did end up at a good small Ramen cafe. We expect the guide to call ahead to ensure the lunch plans are set, instead of researching and roaming the area, looking at menus, which caused some delay in our tour. Overall, Yukari is a good guide, and hope this feedback can help improve her tour experiences with English speaking clients.
“Osaka Day Tour”
We recently spent a lovely day with Hiroki in Osaka. He's a really nice guy (albeit not quite as chatty as some of the other guides we had in Japan) and helped minimise wait times at busy venues by organising tickets and IC cards in advance. We decided to drop something from the itinerary on the day and Hiroki was very accommodating and suggested an alternative venue that we had not considered but ended up really enjoying (the Nissin cup noodle museum). He also proactively sent us information on the best way to get to Shin-Osaka station for our shinkansen trip to Hiroshima the next day which which was much appreciated. Hiroki walks very fast so be prepared for a lively pace. A couple of us were carrying injuries which meant we fell behind a little at times, but he never got that far ahead that it became a problem. Thanks for a great day Hiroki-san. We really enjoyed our time in Osaka! Regards Steve, Michele and Liam Armstrong
Uncover Japan’s secrets and gain travel knowledge with a local private tour guide. Unlock hidden gems, cultural immersion, and an unforgettable journey.
With a tour guide, you can get to the good stuff, like the ethereal Tottori Sand Dunes and quaint Kinosaki Onsen. From enjoying bespoke traditional ryokans, to navigating the busy streets of Osaka, a tailored journey through Japan’s wonders only gets better with a local expert leading the way.
Beyond the big ticket destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, getting a personalized itinerary transforms a simple tour into lifelong memories. Customized by a local guide, your itinerary can feature lesser known sites like the Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields, where stunning panoramic views of colorful flowers await.
Yes. Local private tour guides in Japan provide comfort, convenience, information, and organization, especially in a culturally and geographically diverse country.
A Japan tour guide enhances your trip by;
Still undecided? This article might interest you: Hiring A Guide In Japan: Pros & Cons.
March to May and September to November are the best times to visit Japan because the weather is warm but not blazing and cool but not freezing.
Of course, March to May is Sakura season, so tourism is high during this time. To escape the crowds, try traveling from December to February. June to August is hot and moist, and May to June is rainy.
Need a full weather breakdown? Check out our Japan Tourism Statistics 2023.
Depending on your destination, Japan tour guides can be hired from 98 USD per group for a Kyoto Highlights Tour to upwards of 397 USD per group for a Customized Tokyo Experience. GoWithGuide's prices vary according to perks, venues, experiences, and included services. Head to the Japan Private Tours page to see our range of private tour costs.
Tokyo is the number one choice for first-time travelers to Japan. It combines the best elements from the 4 major islands (Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu) into one melting pot of culture and creativity. With so much variety, you'll find The Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Ginza Shopping District, and Yomiuriland all in one city.
Tokyo also serves as a base for those who want to travel to nearby destinations like;
Helpful Article: 5 Relaxing Day Trips From Tokyo You Have To Try
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Japan Tourism Statistics for a full breakdown of dos & don'ts, potential destinations, travel trends, weather statistics, and much more.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
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