If you want a tour guide who will provide a catered, thoughtful, intentional, experience then I recommend Takuya. He is fluent in English, but what is most special is his open mindedness and intelligence. He is comfortable discussing complex issues of culture and history and receives questions with grace. He has a good sense of what locations, including (and especially!) if they are off “the beaten path”.
Premium & Private Day Trips Across Japan
Explore Japan with Expertly Guided Private Day Tours
I offer a wide range of expertly-guided Japan day tours in the Kansai region and beyond. Whether you’re exploring the historical wonders of Kyoto, the ancient temples of Nara, or the vibrant cities of Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima, and even Tokyo area, I guarantee a flexible and fun private tour tailored to your interests.
As a National Licensed Tour Guide, I can provide multiple-day tours throughout Japan, offering you authentic cultural experiences that go beyond typical guidebooks. From must-see locations to hidden gems, I’ll combine your list of must-visit places with my own unique recommendations.
Get ready to gain insight into Japanese life, experience the beauty of the Japanese countryside, and enjoy an evening of foodie adventures with bar hopping through traditional Japanese neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a longer journey, I’m here to ensure your experience in Japan is unforgettable.
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Private Tours
Informed & Entertaining Experiences
Expertly Guided Premium Tours
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TAKE MY GUESTS’ WORD FOR IT
Takuya was an excellent tour guide! He was recommended by our aunt and did not disappoint. We had a tour of Kyoto, he took us off the beaten path ( hardly any tourists!) and we had a history lesson that was informative and so interesting. Being a 4th generation Japanese American it was truly appreciated. If we do go back to Japan we would definitely hire Takuya again!!
Do yourself a favor when visiting Japan and hire Takuya as a personal guide. We visited Japan on three occasions and every time we hired Takuya and had a wonderful time. We visited beautilful places off the beaten path, away from the very touristic areas. He really takes into account your personal interests when organising a trip and comes up with great ideas himself at the same time. Do not hesitate to hire him, you will not regret it!
Having Takuya recommended to us by Osaka locals was a highlight of our trip. Professional, knowledgeable of both historical fact and current affairs , combined with his ability to fine tune his tours to our special interests maximized our time in both Osaka and Kyoto.
Our trip was supposed to end with Takuya dropping us off at our restaurant, but we invited him to join us and he graciously did. Having him there made a great deal of difference as he order off of the Japanese menu and not the “Tourist English” menu.
My parents and I were so incredibly fortunate to discover Takuya-san here on TripAdvisor. We spent four wonderful days with him in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka last year where he served as our guide, companion, and — unexpectedly — photographer!
We had a wonderful day visiting Shoguns palace, blossom covered canal area, shrines,temple, authentic lunch, Japanese tea garden and Geisha area. Takuya gave us an insight into real Japan. It was the highlight of our 18 days in Japan.
If you are traveling to Japan and are looking for a local that is fluent in English and that will be able to give you an inside look to amazing food, culture, history plus anything else you may want to know about the country, look no further. Takuya is the one for you.
Experience Japanese Culture and Traditions
Seek out the true Japanese traditions with my carefully selected range of experiences. From relaxing in hot springs and taking part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony to going on a pub crawl in Osaka, there is something for everyone with my specially selected experiences.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Onsen (Hot Springs)
Sake Brewery and Japanese Whisky Distilleries
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300-year-old sake brewery tour in Kyoto. When I visited this sake brewery for the first time, it was 2013. I came here straight after I had the lunch at Micheline start Kappo. I had their sake there and really liked it. Then, after I became a professional licensed tour guide, I took a few guests for the brewery tour before this brewery became too popular. A huge change inside the brewery since then@as the brewing facilities seem fully upgraded and expanded. You hire me, I guide you!! #kyototour #sake #sakebrewery #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Yeah, sure, my guests are all happy when I took them to a kind of hidden izakaya. And they can pick whatever they have never even imagine at the Japanese restaurants back home with numbers of fine sake to choose from. I go out with my guests if I got no guiding in the following day, and I always choose excellent place only Japanese usually hung around. #foodietour #japanfoodietour #japanfoodie #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Scotch means this song. Whenever I go to the whisky festival, this gentleman plays the bagpipes. #scotch #bagpipes #whiskyhistoryosaka2024 #osakatour #japan #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
あー、飲んだ‼️The oldest whisky tasting festival in Japan is back. And I was lucky enough that I got invited for this special once a year event. I met the bar owner of Tokushima who told me he has almost 1,600 bottles of whisky at his bar. As I do guide my guests to Tokushima, I have to think of dropping by there next time. Most of my guests claim they are the foodies and love the bar hopping in Japan. You hire me, I guide you!! #whiskyhistoryosaka2024 #whisky #osaka #japan #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Kobe foodie and bar hopping tour! From Kobe beef, excellent cocktails, and the bar with over 450 bottles of whisky including rare Japanese! And no overtourism in Kobe!! #kobetour #kobefoodie #barhopping #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Kobe foodie and bar hopping tour!! The new way of enjoying the excellent whisky. And the whisky just to brain straight!! By the way, we are not brothers. #kobefoodie #japanfoodie #japanfoodietour #kobebar #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Sake tastes great at the old sake brewery after the brewery tour in Kyoto. #sake #sakebrewery #kyototour #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya #instax #チェキ
Peace and quiet at Sumiyoshi. #osakatour #sumiyoshitaisha #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Another view of Osaka Castle while relaxing. #osakatour #japan #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya
Honmaru Goten is open for public after 18 years of renovations and repairs. This is the former resident of the Japanese Imperial family. After this huge mansion was relocated from the imperial palace, two crown princes lodged here when they visited Kyoto. Inside you can learn beautiful and gorgeous arts and very unique architectures and interior designs. This is the only surviving imperial housing prior to 1868. Advanced reservation online is required!! #kyotoprivatetour #japan #nijocastle #honmarugoten #privatetourconcierge #privatetourjapan #japanprivatetour #tour_guide_takuya #tourjapan #japantour #japantravel #traveljapan @tour_guide_takuya #二条城本丸御殿