GICSS

Government Licensed Tour Guides

Language
English, Chinese, Korean, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese
Qualifications
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter
Likes and interests
Music, History, Manga・Anime, Sake, Traditional Culture, Fashion, Nature・Scenery, Outdoor・Sports, Gourmet, Technology, Art and Architecture, Cooking, Animals, Crafts, Movies
Organization
General
About Mediator
“Guide Interpreting and Communication Skill Studies Association” is one of the major certified guide-interpreter organizations with about 500 members nationwide and head office in Tokyo. Since 1999, GICSS has been offering various guide skill training for our professional registered guides. Our members are full of variety with wonderful personalities and are full of "o-mo-te-na-shi" hospitality mind, bringing foreign visitors with happy memories and satisfaction. Enjoy taking a look and feel the specially selected scenery, scenes, places, architecture, food, handicrafts, souvenirs, various culture, and particularly live communication with local people and feel our lifestyles. We are only a few clicks away and would like you to experience the best! Awaiting to meet with you!

GICSS's Tours

Recommendations

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Reviews

Customer Reviews

Traveler

Chisato-san explained to us about the background of attractive points of Japan's iconic mountain, Mt. Fuji and how to climb it. Especially, I was impressed by her detailed explanation about climbing. Her guiding made me feel like climbing up Mt. Fuji again! Last but not least, her English is excellent! Thank you so much, Chisato-san.

Traveler

Chisato-san is such a wonderful guide! She invited us to Shinjuku area in a friendly manner. I got interested in
visiting the places like Kabukicho and "Golden" district thanks to her explanation.

Traveler

Yoshirin is very informative and has deep knowledge in Kumano-kodo. She loves and respects nature. It would be so fun to have her as a guide. Thank you, Yoshirin!

Traveler

Mari's tour was informative and well-organized.
Her visual aids were wonderful and lots of useful tips were included.
I really recommend that you join her tour before going to Japan.

Traveler

I truly had an enjoyable time joining your wonderful virtual tour! The well-organized presentation with the cute-looking drawings you did is just superb. I’m really impressed with your great knowledge about Shintoism. You made me realize that how deeply Shintoism is rooted in our lives. Thank you very much, Nobuko!! This virtual tour is highly recommended.

Traveler

I learnded a lot from his explanation. Thank you so much, Yoshida-san.

Traveler

Very informative and educative!

Traveler

Tour guide Mr. Yoshida is always smiling and I could spend a very relaxing time with a lot of knowledge.
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Traveler

This tour provides value-added special feelings, because Nobu got an approval to make a video of actual prayers given by Shinto priest. I also liked her hand-drawn information which explains essence of Shinto world. Japan truly has a mystery of coexistence of Shinto and Buddhism. This tour would be a very helpful guidance in this aspect.

Traveler

This is an excellent tour to understand and enjoy Shinjuku. The images are all good and I learned a lot which I did not know. Some Q&A interactions were good and I recommend this tour for those who are interested in big cities of Tokyo. Thank you.

Traveler

Thank you for your introduction to Mt Fuji and kind explanation for climbing the mountain.
I absolutely recommend the tour to those who are going to prepare for it.
In addition your illustration on the routes charms me a lot. Can't wait next summer for trial!

Traveler

I highly recommend this tour. The quality of the visual material and the harmony between the motion of the video and his guiding was excellent. It was so fun to explore Jindaiji Temple, the unique local café, the old soba noodle restaurant, and the pottery workshop. Thank you very much, Horie san.

Traveler

Our guide, Chisato was friendly and professional, with broad knowledge and enthusiasm. Her gentle way of speaking and charming smile made us relaxed and happy. The tour was compact and easy to understand. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Chisato.

Traveler

Nobuko-san is a fluent English speaker. She is very knowledgeable about Shintoism. Her explanation was so educative.

Traveler

Thank you very much, Nanako-san! I really enjoyed the tour. I had very gorgeous , wonderful time . Through 30 min. I could learn wide range of Japanese culture such as festival, history, UKIYOE, GEISHA, SUMO, and so on. Her English was clear and beautiful and very charming in her coool YUKATA.
I would like to see and join MIZUKAKE Festival and try curry -pan.

Traveler

I really enjoyed Nobuko's tour. It was awesome!
She explained well about Shinto in an easy way using her hand-drawings of Japanese myths.
It was also interesting to listen to Shinto priest's payer with her English translation.
The tour was so informative and her English was very easy to listen to.
Thank you Nobuko!

Traveler

広島で必ず見なければならない二大スポット、広島原爆ドームと宮島・厳島神社を簡潔に要点を纏めながら案内してくださり、本当に有難うございました。と同時に温かい語り口の説明も強く印象に残りました。コロナ収束後、実際のツアーに参加させていただきたい、と思いました。

Traveler

It was fully-prepared, well-organized. His expression was easy to understand.
As a matter of fact, I've been to Hiroshima three times, but I really enjoyed Hideyoshi-san's tour!
He is very kind, attractive guide. I recommend this tour to you all !!

Traveler

The tour was excellent. By the photos and the videos, I felt as if I was taking a trip with him. I learned a lot about the atomic bomb, and it is the place I should visit soon. Later I enjoyed the beautiful scenery in Miyajima. He taught us which ferry we should take when we visit Miyajima. That's a good tip for me. Thank you, Hideyoshi-san!

Traveler

I enjoyed her "Japanese Lesson " very much. Mari-san's expression was clear, simple, and easy to understand. She answered any questions from the guests.
The tour was informative and wonderful. DOMO-A-LI-GA-TO-U- GO-ZA-I-MASHITA !!

Traveler

Yoshida-san's castle tour was very informative.
His visual aid was wonderful and easy to understand the things without going to the actual sites.

Traveler

Very organized and enjoyable, I highly recommend this tour. Hideyoshi san(Yoshida san's nickname) guided us through Hiroshima's Peace Park and Miyajima so concisely and educationally, using short videos and power points he prepared. As all the participants were tour guides today, he kindly gave us his experience and valuable tips to serve Hiroshima tours. Thank you so much!

Traveler

I enjoyed this tour.
It was nice to see Chisato-san taking us to different parts of Shinjuku, wearing yukata.
Also, her explanation was easy to understand as she divided the area into small sections at the beginning.
All the spots seemed interesting, but I would like to visit Suehirotei, in particular, in the future. 

Traveler

It was a superb trip to understand Japanese indigo dyeing. Many beautiful pictures and interviews were impressive. Even some singing! The dyeing processes are described very well and everything was informative. Thank you very much for a great tour

Traveler

I could feel relaxed and enjoy her tour very much because she always cared about the guests during all the time. Also, she allowed us to ask questions anytime. As for me, after the pandemic I want to visit Suehirotei that she recommended the most and see Godzilla show in the center of Shinjuku.
Thank you Chisato-san!

Traveler

Nanako-san is a very enthusiastic guide. We fully enjoyed the culture around the Fukagawa area. All the pictures in her slides were beautiful and spectacular! We can feel the lively atmosphere of the festival with Nanako-san's powerful narrative.
I also like the story of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine and the beautiful scenery of Kiyosumi Garden.

Traveler

We enjoyed three Japan's representative castles. Yoshida-san is very knowledgeable. He kindly answered our questions.

Traveler

Keiko-san guided me around Kiyomizu Temple so passionately. She not only explained the background history of the temple in details but also showed many nice spots to take a picture.
Her English is very clear and wonderful.

Traveler

Mari-san's lesson of Japanese is very helpful and practical. Her explanation is clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much, Mari-san.

Traveler

Our guide, Masako, was friendly, kind, and fun. She made a video to show how to make a ninja onigiri, and it was informative and successful. I want to make a ninja onigiri by myself. Thank you for a delightful time, Masako!

Traveler

Tour guide Nobuko first gave us basic information about Shintoism - its history, today's situation, difference between Shintoism and Buddhism, etc., so that we could understand what Shintoism meant for the Japanese. She told us interesting stories from Japanese myths using presentation files and illustrations of her own.
The video she took in a Shinto shrine was so special! After enjoying a little travel through the precincts of the shrine, we viewed 'Norito' or a Shinto prayer recited by a priest for the sake of a client. She explained the prayer words, interior of the prayer hall and the way they worship the god.
It was a great opportunity that travelers usually could not experience.

Traveler

I really enjoyed the tour! Nobu explained us clearly what the indigenous religion of Japan 'Shinto' is like. I think I can now understand a little bit more about Japanese religious life and their thinking way, which is so unique!

Traveler

It is what I want to experience in Japan. The Japanese festival is fantastic! And I think she introduced the nicest one for us. The history of the area was also impressive. Thank you!

Traveler

Nanako is a cheerful and enthusiastic guide who is a big fan of her birthplace, Fukagawa. She was well prepared and provided a lot of information along with many great pictures. Especially the ones at the Fukagawa Water Throwing Festival were awesome! I learned from her that Fukagawa is the birthplace of curry bread. I want to get it a try in Fukugawa! Thanks for a happy and tasty tour, Nanako.

Traveler

I enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. The explanations of the highlights and interesting episodes of the three famous castles were clear and compact. The pictures, videos, and illustrations were also nice and informative. I recommend this tour to all the tour guides who will definitely have chances to visit these castles.

Traveler

Our guide, Nobuko, prepared well for the tour by drawing some nice pictures for explanations and visiting a local Shinto shrine to take a video. She was a good storyteller, and her English was clear, gentle, and convincing. After she told several famous anecdotes from Japanese myth, the highlight was to experience the Shinto ritual, including Norito prayers performed by a Shinto priest, which was interesting and informative. I really enjoyed this tour. Thank you very much, Nobuko.

Traveler

Your professional introduction to ”Cha-no-yu” culture was excellent.
Truly recommend the tour to those interested in Japanese culture and the real atmosphere of "Chashitu", tea room.

Traveler

It was good! Ms. Mari taught us not only some expressions but also the history of the Japanese language and customs. That was interesting.
She was wearing a kimono, and she told me about kimono for summer before the class. Next time I'd like to learn more about it from her. And, of course, the language, too.

Traveler

This is very interesting session. She told me a lot about that festival with lots of nice pictures, Ukiyoe-pictures、Sumo cloth and interesting curry food. I enjoyed very much.
Thank you.

Traveler

Tour was wonderful. Everything she prepared for the athletes has meaning. That is the true meaning of hospitality.
Thank you very much for your warm welcome, Hourai-san.

Traveler

Horai san was such an elegant tea master, nicely wearing kimono and speaking beautiful English. In the first half, she explained the tea room, and in the latter half, she showed us making tea. That made me feel as I had attended a tea ceremony. This tea tour is an excellent cultural experience. I highly recommend it. Thank you so much. Horizon.

Traveler

Thank you very much for your nice tour. Under many difficult situations, we could see the real scenery at the temple. Live tour was worth joining. Keiko's cheerful way of proceeding the tour was wonderful.

Traveler

Mari-san's tour focused on Japanese lesson is very helpful and informative. Moreover, her
explanation and contents are clear and concrete.

Thank you very much for the enjoyable tour.

DOMO ARIGATO-GOZAIMASHITA!

Traveler

この炎天下の中、清水寺の様子を見せて頂い大変有意義な時間でした。ライブツアー、炎天下にもかかわらず、興味深いガイドトークが聞くことができて満足しております。
ありがとうございました。

Traveler

浴衣を着て、末広亭の雰囲気が伝わり素敵でした。新宿を地区に分け、うまくまとめておられたので、新宿を訪れた際に回ってみたいと思いました。

Traveler

My friends and I joined a live tour around Kiyomizu Temple. Although the difficult situation in awful heat and coincidental obstruction by a mean man on the temple ground, our guide, Keiko walked well and showed us many wonderful views. Well done, Keiko! I enjoyed the tour very much. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were much fewer tourists, so that the scenery of the temple was different from the usual one. It was a very valuable experience. Thank you so much, Keiko! You are a superb and charming guide!

Traveler

茶室のツアー。常々、疑問に思っておりましたことを、お伺い致しました。大変、丁寧にご対応を頂きました。ありがとうございました。

Traveler

I've enjoyed Mt. Fuji online tour very much . Chisato san is considerate and informative guide. For me, this tour was so encouraging because I was thinking of climbing Mt. Fuji next year. I could understand the deep connection between Mt.Fuji and Japanese people well. And Chisato san's story was very interesting. Personally,I like her kawaii illustration and route map as well as awesome pictures. Thank you very much for your useful tips. Anytime challenging people are beautiful!!

Traveler

Chisato, our Fuji climbing tour guide, was very professional and charming. She gave me a concise introduction to the useful tips of climbing Mt. Fuji; several climbing routes, equipment and what to bring, how to climb and walk, how to stay in the huts around the 8th station. Some drawings were drawn by herself and so cute and informative. Of course, the magnificent views from the top of Mt. Fuji were breathtakingly fantastic. This tour is highly recommended. Thanks for a great tour, Chisato!

Traveler

大変有意義な情報満載で、勉強になりました。ご自身のご体験をもとに話されているので興味が増しました。ありがとうございました。

Traveler

I really enjoyed Kiyomizudera Temple live tour. Keiko san is very humorous and cheerful guide with much information .While strolling in the precincts of the temple,
I feel as if I were actually there in Kyoto. Thank you very much again . I 'll surely go to Kiyoto when the pandemic is over.

Traveler

Mari's Japanese lesson was informative and fun. It was interesting to learn the origin of some Kanji letters. She also taught me some useful Japanese phrases, which I am sure are of great help to foreign visitors. Thank you, Mari!

Traveler

I'd like to go to Kyoto as soon as possible! Truly I want to go in spring to see cherry blossoms!!
This tour reminds me all my experiences in Kyoto.
I'm not sure foreign tourists can understand our love to cherry blossoms whose full bloom season is only 1 week.
It is difficult for us to tell this transitory-love to them.
But Yoshihide-san online tour made me remember my heartaches for cherry blossoms.
Not only cherry blossoms, but also other Yoshihide-san's sightseeing spots called my nostalgia.
I shall be very glad if I myself can make my foreign friends feel about Kyoto in the same say.
Thank you very much.
I'd like to attend other tours too.

Traveler

Horai-san is a wonderful tea master. On this tour, she navigated me to the world of the tea ceremony in an elegant way. She wore beautiful kimono and talked about the tea ceremony as a comprehensive Japanese art in fulent English. I was impressed by beautiful tea utensils and decor in the tea room. Thank you so much for your lecture and warm hospitality, Horai-san.

Traveler

Thank you for showing us how to make "Ninja onigiri" It looked simpler than I imagined. I'll try it for my friend's birthday as she likes Ninja and onigiri.

Traveler

Thank you for your wonderful tour, Yoshida-san. Your talk was audience-friendly and easy to understand. In addition, the images in the slides and videos were all beautiful! I was impressed by your skills in making PPT meticulously. I fully enjoyed the online tour in Kyoto.

Traveler

It was informative and enjoyable. Miyuki-san is fluent and very knowledgeable!
One suggestion: why don’t you conceal the voices of the artist and instead put your narration
or subtitles which explain his talk? I am afraid that it is difficult to catch his voice anyway.

Traveler

I really enjoyed her tour! I learned how to make Ninjya Onigiri. It is very fun to watch somebody make Onigiri. I want to try to make some Onigiri like her Onigiri.
If you like to make some rice balls especially Ninjya style, you should join this tour.

Traveler

柔らかく、ほんわかとしたガイディングが魅力的でした。次回は実際にお会いして、一緒に「おにぎり」が食べたいです。

Traveler

簡潔で力強く、分かりやすいガイディングでした。次回は実際に現地に行ってみたくなりました。

Traveler

It was fun to know about Shinjuku new to me. Chisato’s is cool wearing Yukawa, Japanese traditional wear.
The photo’s were beautiful but a little bit small for tablet I use, so less pictures on each slide would be easier to see clearly.

Thank you.

Traveler

Chisato-san is honest, reliable, and positive in any situation.

I wish I would go to real Shinjuku with her in near future.