Excellent customer service. Very flexible but with great suggestions on what to do and see. Knowledge of the the area is beyond expectation. Loved it.
Flexible & Exclusive Day Trips in Japan
Experience Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara, & Beyond
Feature Destinations
Tokushima and Naruto
A Journey to Tokushima or Naruto on Shikoku Island offers an unforgettable blend of dynamic nature, rich culture, and mouthwatering local cuisine.
Famous traditional Awa Odori dance
Ancient art of indigo dyeing
Swirling Naruto Whirlpools
Iconic Tokushima Ramen
Hikone and Nagahama
Visit Hikone Castle with its beautiful architecture and breathtaking views over Lake Biwa and Nagahama, known for its charming Kurokabe Square.
Hikone Castle
Kurokabe Square in Nagahama
Cruise to Chikubu Island
Visit Hogonji Temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine with National Treasure
Private Tours
Private Tour of Kyoto
My customized private tour of Kyoto can take you from the Buddhist temples in the ancient city to the bamboo forests just outside. On the same recommended trip, you can experience a Gion tour (Geiko and Maiko), Hanami (flower & cherry blossom viewing in spring) or Koyo (autumn color foliage) depending on the season. Alternatively, treat yourself to a Kyoto food tour or Sake brewery tour.
Private Tour of Nara
Have you ever fancied feeding rice crackers to deer? If so, now’s your chance on this amazing tour of Nara where we can head to Nara Park to feed the animals. This Nara day trip journeys through ancient Buddhist temples stopping at UNESCO heritage sites and beautiful Japanese gardens. You can also taste sake in the birthplace of the famous Japanese alcoholic drink.
Private Tour of Osaka
The bright lights of Osaka await and I can offer you a range of niche tours of my wonderful city. I have anime tours, Osaka food tours, and traditional city and history tours. You can spend your day weaving through the back alleys to see the hidden gems of the metropolis or head to famous landmarks such as the impressive Osaka Castle.
Private Tour of Kobe, Himeji, & Akashi
Explore the wonders of Kobe, Himeji, & Akashi in just one day on this day trip from Osaka. Take a train to Himeji Castle or stay in downtown Kobe and sample the delights of the city. If you’re a foodie then you may enjoy a Kobe food tour or an Akashi sushi tour. If you love sake then you must check out one of the many local breweries. In winter, why not head up the mountain and ski or soak the winter chill away in the oldest hot springs in the country.
Private Tour of Japanese Countryside & Beyond
Travel through rural Japan and beyond to experience the more traditional side of Japanese life. From the beautiful countryside to the stunning mountains and fascinating islands, rural Japan is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. My exclusive itineraries are packed with unique and unforgettable experiences from a tour of Hiroshima and WWII memorials to a visit to the dinosaur fossils and museum in Fukui.
Virtual Tours of Japan
See the beauty of Japan from the comfort of your own home with my virtual tour experience. I will provide a running commentary with local insight and perspective. Fire up your computer, phone, or tablet to see the stunning landscapes of my beautiful country from the comfort of your own home.
Tokushima and Naruto
Looking to escape the tourist crowds and experience the authentic side of Japan? A journey to Tokushima or Naruto on Shikoku Island offers an unforgettable blend of dynamic nature, rich culture, and mouthwatering local cuisine. You’ll be captivated by the pristine, untouched landscapes, the famous traditional Awa Odori dance, and unique Japanese craftsmanship, like the ancient art of indigo dyeing.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Hiroshima is a city known for its deep historical significance and tragic connection to World War II. It stands as a symbol of peace and resilience, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park. If you’re staying in Kansai, I can guide you on a memorable day excursion to this remarkable city, where history and peace intertwine.
TAKE MY GUESTS’ WORD FOR IT
We arranged a private tour with Takuya for Osaka and Kyoto. He picked us up and took us on an excellent tour. He arranged just the right amount of tourism but not too much. His knowledge of the city, its sights and its sounds, is off the charts. We enjoyed it so much and found such value that we commissioned him for another day to see Haneda Castle and Kobe. In Kobe he took us to get Kobe beef then we did a Cocktail and Whiskey tour. Thank goodness we made the last train back to Osaka with a huge smile on our faces.
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!!
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”.
Takuya Yanagisawa was a great tour guide – I have been to the old fishmarket prior to it getting moved to the new location. My advice to you is skip the new fishmarket observation decks. Go to Osaka fish market for a better experience. Takuya Yanagisawa knows the area well and just tell him what you want. He gets 5 stars.
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”.
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!
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.
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.
