About Us

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Japan Star Travel Agency –JASTA- originally started as Tokyo Star Agency to provide multilingual guides service for foreign tourists visiting Japan in 2017.

Today, Japan became one of the top desired destinations amongst in foreign tourists, showing a rapid increase, especially after recovering from the pandemic.

By meeting guests from various countries and backgrounds, I have evolved from being a general guide for popular tourist spots to providing personalized plans for individuals and groups. Moreover, by conveying the essence and spirit of Japanese culture, I aim to deepen guests’ understanding of cultural subtleties and offer experiences that might have a lasting impact on their lives as intangible, yet invaluable, souvenirs.

Although this may sound grand, it often involves simple aspects, such as how Japanese people respect nature, find beauty in everyday moments, and live each day with care—values that are often overlooked in today’s urban life. I see it as a guide to help people recognize and appreciate these elements.

My goal both as entrepreneur and as a guide, and for my team, is to serve as an intercultural interface and multicultural curator, creating exceptional experiences for every guest and offering them valuable insights into different cultures. While some may view these efforts as small actions, I believe that offering such opportunities to people from different backgrounds serves as a meaningful gift to future generations and contributes to global harmony.

Founder and CEO
Taiji Endo

Our Guides

With our specialized guides, we are passionate about creating unique and personalized experiences for each of our clients.

Depending on the client's needs and situation we will assign the best person to be your pesonal guide.

Sumiko Tashiro

I am a passionate tour guide with a love for sharing Japan's wonders. After studying English in college and working in banking, my life changed when my husband pursued an MBA in the USA. Friendship with the locals deeply inspired me. Upon returning to Japan, I became an English teacher for kids, but my true passion led me to guiding tours. As a mother and former teacher, I especially enjoy working with families, ensuring their travels through Japan are safe and memorable. My goal is to create unforgettable experiences, sharing the warmth and beauty of Japan with every traveler I meet.

Masae Chayama

Konnichiwa! and a warm welcome to my beautiful country, Japan! I’m a private tour guide specialized in the Tokyo area(including all of Kanto's must-see spots such as Mt.Fuji & Nikko) and also Kyoto, a city of ancient capital. Originally hailing from Kyoto but living in the Tokyo area for over 20 years make both places my home. I’m excited to explain the local culture and traditions, sharing with you insights as a local of these 2 great cities, old and new capitals of Japan.

Guiding is my great joy because I’m a curious person who enjoys meeting new people from totally different countries and cultures. Let’s explore with me on a remarkable journey of discovery, knowledge, and interactions of the wonders of Japan.

I’m happy to work out with you to customize your itinerary based on your interests, such as food, history, art, fashion, nature or anything special. I would love to show you my favorite things about the greatest cities in the world!

Yoshimi Sakai

I am an English interpreter tour guide based in Tokyo.

The most important thing for me on a tour is not to talk one-way, but to communicate with my guests and listen to their talking as I proceed. It is my pleasure to show not only Tokyo but also the beauty of nature like Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, Nikko, and Kyoto.

Japan is a country rich in nature. Seeing Japan's beautiful nature in all four seasons will surely help you relax if you stretch your legs a little by car from the urban city to enjoy. In addition to introducing tourist destinations, I also specialize in areas such as Japanese history and culture including Japanese gardens, the way of tea, religion, and food culture.

I'm looking forward to serving you in Japan！

Tomomi Yuyama

Hi! I’m Tomomi, a government-licensed tour guide. Born and raised at the foot of Mt. Fuji, I am at one with Mt. Fuji! One of the highlights around Mt. Fuji is to explore the forests and lake areas brimming with exceptional natural beauty. As a certified nature tour guide with enthusiasm for outdoor activities, I can offer unique and special experiences that you won't find with anyone else.

The most pleasant part in my life is to work as a tour guide because interacting with people from diverse backgrounds can enrich my life. It is absolutely a rewarding job. I love sharing the local history and culture deeply connected to Mt. Fuji with people from all over the world! All you need is just curiosity, so let’s have fun with me!

Satoshi Tsurubayashi

I was born and raised in Hokkaido, and graduated from Oklahoma State University in the United States. I used to visit about 50 countries as an overseas tour guide for a Japanese group. I have good memories of experiencing beautiful scenery, different cultures and customs, and interacting with local people.

I have now lived in Tokyo for over 25 years and have been a tour guide for more than 10 years. I love to visit various parts of Japan, as there is still so much that I do not know. My hobby is traveling, hiking, snorkeling, hot springs, and reading (non-fiction, history and culture). My work as a guide and my hobbies keeps me in good shape. lol

Japan is blessed with nature, culture, and history. If you could gain insight of Japan through JASTA tours, it's my pleasure. Join us on a tour of little bit of everything!

Kenji Shigeshima

I’m Ken, a former trading company employee and have been working as a JSTA English guide since March 2024. With my connections both in Japan and abroad, and strong legs built through marathons and daily walks with my Shiba Dog, Koharu, I’ll help you discover unbeaten places and new experiences, making your trip to Japan memorable and exciting. I look forward to guiding you.

Elina Kodera

Born in Matsuyama (Shikoku Island, Ehime Prefecture in western japan), I grew up in Geneva, attending Japanese and swiss school. At Geneva university, I specialized in Japanese history and religious history (Buddhism and Polytheism), then started working as an interpreter. In 2011, after the great Tohoku earthquake, I felt a calling to share my attachment to the motherland and moved to Japan. Now using my passion for communication and languages (English, French, Italian, Japanese), my insatiable interest for people and my unstoppable food craze to help travelers make the most of their visits, I am grateful for all the stimulating encounters and inspiring conversations I have with my guests.

Yuko Matsukawa

As a local tour guide specializing in the Fujisan area, I am excited to share the natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance of Mount Fuji with international visitors. Known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this iconic mountain is not just a breathtaking sight; it is also deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of Japan. I will introduce you to the vibrant flora and fauna that thrive in the region, as well as the traditional festivals and rituals that celebrate this majestic landmark.

Moreover, I am equipped to provide guided tours in the Greater Tokyo area, Kyoto, and Osaka, where I can delve into the unique histories and cultural experiences these cities offer. Whether you're exploring the serene temples of Kyoto, vibrant street life in Osaka, or the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, my goal is to ensure you gain a profound understanding of Japan’s heritage and modern life.

With my passion for storytelling and deep knowledge of the local culture, I strive to create unforgettable experiences that connect you with the spirit of Japan. I look forward to being your guide and sharing the wonders of this incredible country with you!

Previous Review
Excerpted from Viator

Thanks to Taiji's Tokyo Star Agency !

Our original plan for we six friends was a cruise around Japan with two pre-trip tours in Tokyo. A search for local Tokyo tour companies led me to Taiji Endo who we later learned was the owner of the Tokyo Star Agency. He offered what we wanted and was completely willing to make some modifications to better fit our needs. Unfortunately, our cruise and a second planned cruise were cancelled (Covid and post-covid overbooking). We decided to pursue a land trip instead of a cruise. Since I had had such good interactions with Taiji previously, I contacted him and proposed a 2-week land trip booked through his agency. After a series of discussions about what we wanted to see and what was possible/logical in our time frame, Taiji and I created an excellent 2-week plan that my fellow travelers embraced.

We spent 2 1/2 days touring the city of Tokyo, including a 1/2 day trip with Taiji, introducing us to Japan and many of its customs. Our trip also included a day trip to Nikko and a day trip to Enoshima and Kamakura. Following that, we spent two days visiting the Mt. Fuji area where the weather was wholly uncooperative. Fortunately for us, Taiji was able to adjust our itinerary without missing a beat and we were able to view Fuji from a neighboring mountain with clear skies and panoramic vistas on the morning of our departure. After a bullet train ride to Kyoto, we spent the next 2 1/2 days visiting famous shrines, temples and Geisha areas. Our local guide took us to his favorite noodle shop where we dined with the locals. Our bullet train ride back to Tokyo again allowed us to see Mt. Fiji. All of our four tour guides (Taiji, Masae, Bob and Thomas) were friendly, accommodating and, above all, knowledgeable. A sincere thank you to all of you and to our drivers (Haru and Toshi)!

Sometimes when things don’t work out as originally planned, something much better can happen; that’s exactly what happened for us. We felt that we saw and experienced much more of Japan than we would have on the cruises with the help of Taiji and his Tokyo Star Agency.

Taiji, thanks again for all you’ve done for us. We’ll happily and enthusiastically recommend you to any of our friends who would want services such as yours.

Incredible Informative Day with Delightful Guide and Driver !

Our guide Yoshi was simply an absolute joy to spend the day with. Her energetic attitude and her love for her culture and country shined through in her stories and information she shared with us all day long. We learned so much about customs, manners, traditions, history, local life, and more. Our driver who we didn’t spend as much time with was equally as kind and nice and prompt as well. This was an A team line up of women who made our day spectacular. The van was very accommodating and comfortable for the ride as well. Lunch recommendations were delicious with sashimi, tempura, etc. We cannot thank them enough as this has definitely been our best day in Japan so far.

Best tour guide in Japan !!

Our guide Mazda-san was the best tour guide we had during our 14-day trip to Japan! (We had three other tour guides.) just for context, we were a group of nine of which two were young children ages 6 and 11 and we had four seniors above the age of 70+ and one disabled adult with us. Mazda-san arrived early for our Mt Fuji tour. He was very patient with our large group. He made very efficient use of time at every site that we visited. For our tour, which started in Tokyo with a pick up at 8:30AM and ended back in Tokyo at 6 PM we were able to visit:

Arakurayama Shrine
Lake Kawaguchiko with lakeside lunch
Oishi Koen Park
Lake Kawaguchiko boat tour
Saiko iyashinosato village
Ryujin dragon cave
Mt Fuji heritage site

He knew exactly where to take us for the most scenic pictures. He even carried my father’s bag and my husband‘s bookbag for us. ❤️ he took group pictures for us without us asking and airdropped all the photos to us at the end of the tour. He made smooth detours for us when my kids had to use the bathrooms.
He is a licensed Japan tour guide, so he was very knowledgeable about all the places that we visited. I cannot say enough good things about Mazda-san. He made the entire experience stress-free. We made wonderful memories because of him.

Fabulous 2 day tour in Tokyo with Bob !!

We did a 2 day tour with Bob and it was amazing. It was 10 stars from start to finish. We did shibuya crossing, Shinjuku, ginza street shopping, sky tree, teamLab planet, disneysea, 3 different Shrines, a temple, Meiji forest& shrine, had traditional tonkatsu ramen in shinjuku, went to Takeshita street, visited a garden, lds mormon temple, Harry Potter studios, Olympic village. he even was our personal photographer. It was also my birthday eve and he got flowers and had my family sing to me. He was fantastic. If you want a fabulous guide and awesome drivers request Bob from Tokyo star agency you will be well taken care of.

Amazing guide for private Fuji and cycling !!

My guide Ken is really the most amazing guide I have ever had. He was responsive even before the trip started. Before the trip, he already communicated with me multiple times on our itinerary. When I asked if we could do biking just 2 days before the tour, he was able to diligently and swiftly coming up with lots of suggestions.

On the day of the tour, he was responsible, attentive and flexible. He is very knowledgeable too and was able to provide interesting info along the route.

We were lucky to be able to see beautiful Fuji mountain at our first stop . Although we missed the view at the 5 th station but it was no fault of his. He even generously treated us melon cake. What I also appreciated was he and driver Tak kept thinking what’s best for our family. We couldn’t be more grateful.

We cycled the 14 km route around Lake Yamanaka. It was longer than we anticipated even with electric bike. My family members were way too fast for me so Ken stayed with me throughout and encouraged me along . At the end he treated me dessert again as a reward . What a nice kind person!

I highly recommend his service. I could tell that he really did everything from his heart. I wish there are more tour guide like him in this world.

Btw, he took what I said to heart: i mentioned I would like to see hydrangeas and he kindly searched and forwarded info to me even after the trip.

Wonderful, memorable tour of Mt. Fuji !!!

We went on a tour of Mt. Fuji (& the Oshino/Kawaguchiko area) end of March 2024. Our tour guide was Bob-san & my family & I felt very blessed to have him as our tour guide (& kudos to our very patient driver, Haru-san!). Both Bob-san & Haru-san really helped to make sure we had a fun & memorable tour. We had the bad luck of lots of traffic going to Fuji. Bob-san entertained us with a fun quiz during most of the ride. All of us had fun answering the questions & learning a little more about Japan, Mt. Fuji & Japanese history.

Thankfully we were blessed with the good luck of having a perfectly clear view of Fuji all day! Bob-san consistently made sure to ask if we wanted to take pictures & helped us take them! We had a stroke of bad luck trying to reach Oshino lake & last minute he helped us find a place to at least take some pretty pictures of Lake Oshino w Mt. Fuji in the background!

With the very busy weekend plus high tourist season we were unable to go Strawberry picking (one of our pre-chosen activities). But Bob-san still made sure we got to eat & buy some strawberries (which we brought back to our hotel & ate throughout the rest of the trip!). The strawberries were delicious & everything (& more than) what we expected.

We also explored the Shinobi no Sato (ninja village), which included letting the kids (8 & 4 years old) rent ninja costumes, play on a really fun obstacle course/playground, explore a trick house (where we learned about the many tricks & secrets ninjas used to hide & enter houses) & watch a ninja arts show! We also visited the Tabi no Eki (kawaguchiko base store). We didn’t get to fully explore this place but there were so many crafts & foods here. It would make a great last minute pit stop for souvenirs or just to rest. It was very peaceful & beautiful, a wonderful mix of modern & nature. Finally, we were able to spend some time at the Arakurayama Sengen Park, including the famous Pagoda & small visit to the shrine. The stairs were arduous for us to climb, but in retrospect it was worth it for the stunning views. We also loved visiting the temple: we washed our hands & mouths with the waters from Mt. Fuji & got some fortunes (thankfully all generally lucky!!). We didn’t get to explore as much or try a lot of the food due to time constraints, but definitely if you’re visiting the Sengen park check out some of the vendors here!! Everything looked delicious & interesting.

Bob-san really went above & beyond to make this tour special for us. He really helped us out & accommodated us, especially the young kids & my elderly parents. We had some itinerary issues because of the crowds & high tourist season, but Bob-san really made sure we got our money’s worth. He stayed in long lines for us so we wouldn’t waste too much time in lines & pointed out activities & places to take photos or check out. He was also very flexible - helping us to change plans on the fly! He was also very communicative & easy to talk to.

I highly recommend taking a tour with Bob-san! He was very kind, so accommodating & did his absolute best to make sure our trip was amazing. My niece missed him a lot the rest of the week! We definitely would do this tour again & especially with Bob-san!

Excellent Guide !

We did the day tour with Taiji, who was an excellent guide! He is a native Japanese but speaks fully fluent English with a charming European accent. The long car rides sped by quickly with interesting coversation by Taiji, who has a broad range of interests, prior travel experiences, and deep insights about Japanese society, which he’s willing to share in a way that most locals would be unwilling to. The tour was well organized, with interesting sites and experiences. Definitely worthwhile.

Perfect tour of Tokyo !!

Taiji gave us the most amazing tour of Tokyo. I have done many tours on Viator and this one was by far the best. Very knowledgeable, perfect English (and perfect French), super friendly and personable. We were a group of 8 including children age 10-14.

Started with breakfast at Tsukiji fish market (who said you can't have fish or strawberry mochi for breakfast?!). Then, we headed to Hamarikyu garden (Imperial Garden) for tranquility and some matcha tea, followed by Sky Tree and Sumida Aquarium for the best views of the city from Japan's tallest building. Visited Asakusa and Sensoji temples, with some shopping from the stores in between. Next was the National Museum for a little bit of history. Of course, the boys couldn't miss Akihabara, famous for its anime and electronic shopping. Finished with a delicious meal at a Shinjuku izakaya.

Mind-blown; excellent guide with breathtaking views ★★★

Our guide Mazda San reached out to me days in advance to suggest and customize the itinerary according to our preferences. I had initially shortlisted 3 Mount Fuji private tours but went with this due to the proactive correspondence from Mazda San prior to the trip. It turned out to be an EXCELLENT CHOICE. I am quite well travelled across all the continents but Mazda San by far is the most amazing tour guide I have ever experienced out of all my international travels. He being native Japanese (and also multi-lingual in English and speaks very good Mandarin), was able to help us appreciate the history of places we visit.

We were lucky to have gone on a day where Mount Fuji was in clear view, and Mazda San made our day even more wonderful with his excellent service. We travelled as a big group of 7 including 3 young children, but I felt like Mazda San single-handedly took care of us like family. He is extremely efficient, knows exactly where the perfect photo spots are, and even looked after the entire entourage when we split into 3 groups at the premium outlets. Even when the return traffic was unforgiving due to a road accident ahead, Mazda San made a short stop and surprised us with warm drinks before continuing with the last bit of the drive back. With his efficiency and magic we were able to see all the desired spots and came home with lovely photos as memories of our day at Mount Fuji.

As a family, we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy Mount Fuji so much if not for Mazda San’s ingenuity and attention to detail. Mazda San went above and beyond. I would definitely recommend him, in a heartbeat. Would love to engage him again for all my future Japan private tours.

Best experience in Tokyo !

We recently embarked on a family trip to Mount Fuji, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience, thanks in large part to our amazing guide and driver.

Our guide Mr. Mazda, was incredibly knowledgeable, not just about Mount Fuji but also about the local culture and history. He was engaging, patient, and had a knack for making complex information accessible and interesting for our kids. He was attentive to our needs and went above and beyond to ensure that the children were engaged and learning throughout the journey.

The driver was equally impressive, providing a safe and comfortable ride. He navigated the roads with expertise and made sure we had smooth and timely transit, which is so crucial when traveling with children. His professionalism and dedication to our safety and comfort were evident throughout the trip.

The trip itself was well-organized and paced perfectly for a family. There were ample stops for rest and to explore, and each activity was suitable for all ages, making it a truly family-friendly experience. We were able to enjoy the stunning views of Mount Fuji and engage in some fun activities that the kids absolutely loved.

In summary, our family trip to Mount Fuji was a huge success, largely due to our exceptional guide and driver. I highly recommend this tour to any family looking for a memorable and educational experience. It’s not just a sightseeing trip; it’s an adventure that brings a family together and creates lifelong memories.

Fantastic All-Day Tour of Nikko! Not to be missed! Great guide and driver !

Our tour of Niko was the highlight of our trip to Japan thanks not only to the incredible shrines, UNESCO temples, the 3rd largest waterfall in Japan, the emperor’s summer residence and many more sights, but also thanks to our tour guide, Yoshi, who was incredible! On the ride to Niko with Toshi behind the wheel (a great driver), Yoshi was very engaging with a history of Japan and pointing out sights along the way. Yoshi was the most fun and enthusiastic tour guide we had in Japan and has a deep knowledge of all the sights we visited. I would rate her and this tour 10 stars if I could. Not to be missed!

The perfect private tour to Nikko - our highlight in Japan !

We took a fantastic private tour from Tokyo to Nikko, led by our guide Masae and our driver Tak. It’s important to mention that this tour provider stands out due to the setup of the tour. There are two people accompanying the visitors, an officially licensed national tour guide as well as a driver. We travelled in a very comfortable van and both of them were so lovely and knowledgeable.

We took nearly each day of our Japan trip a private tour and this one clearly was one of our outstanding highlights. We highly recommend asking specifically for Masae as the guide and Tak as the driver since they were the perfect duo for the day. They mentioned that most of the people choose a tour to Mt. Fuji with them, however, our trip to Nikko was the perfect combination of Japanese culture, stunning landmarks and fun.

Mt Fuji Trip to Remember !

At every step of the tour, we felt our guide's enthusiasm for this incredible piece of Japan as we ventured to seldom walked areas to see the best of what the Mt Fuji area has to offer. We visited many areas that we are confident were unseen by most and, while doing so, enjoyed our tour guide speaking of local flora, customs, and other areas that demonstrated her deep knowledge of the area. We got many incredible views of Mt Fuji, toured underground caves, enjoyed local cuisine, and took in breathtaking views of a historic town. Our only regret is that we did not have time to do more.

I should add that our driver was also incredible. He made every effort to make sure we were comfortable, even offering me the jacket off his back when he saw I was cold. He also introduced us to an incredible local treat that I was sure to buy more of before I left.

Our entire group highly recommends this tour. Our guide, Ms Matsukawa, and our driver Tak, were both a pleasure to be around. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, look no further.

Enriching, educational experience filled with art, beauty, and nature !!!!

Highly recommend this tour for families! The entire experience was the highlight of our visit to Japan- So beautiful and educational! In addition to Mt. Fuji, we visited historical shrines and peaceful gardens, a Kimono museum, and a traditional Japanese folk village. We ate delicious Hoto noodles and tempura, and every single place was photo worthy! We appreciate Taisho and our driver! They were both very kind, patient, and understanding. We took our time shopping for little souvenirs, which impeded on daylight, yet they still offered to take us to more places as it got dark (the ice cave and an ancient forest). Unfortunately, we declined the offer because we were tired; but we were very impressed by their commitment to make the most out of our trip!

My family and I would like to personally thank Taisho and our driver, who were very respectful and considerate of our time and needs. They were on time for pick up. We didn't feel rushed. They went out of their way, offering water and snacks. They were very knowledgable about what they were presenting to us. We discussed art, history, culture, personal experiences, spirituality, Japanese real estate, seasonal crops... the list goes on. Taisho is very engaging! He was professional yet personable.

Taisho, thank you for sharing your culture with us! We love Japan and have a stronger connection to the land now that we have a better understanding of the meaning behind its mysteries.

Mt Fuji and Gotemba shopping in a luxury vehicle with a fab guide and driver !!

Wonderful day of luxury vehicle touring from Tokyo to Mt Fuji. I’m so glad we booked this tour because it was a highlight. Our guide Ken was patient attentive kind and knowledgeable. We had a wonderful clear day to view Mt Fuji and take beautiful photos that will be cherished. We spent a long time at the outlets shopping which was to my request so we probably could have done more sightseeing but this was my preference (love to shop) I travelled alone with three kids 9,11,14 and we all felt safe, happy and engaged the whole day. Thank you to Ken and the wonderful driver who took care of us all day as if we were family ❤️

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