This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:00 Kinjo Pier Meet
- 10:20 Nagoya Castle
- 12:00 Kinshachi Yokocho Kishimen Lunch
- 13:15 Tokugawa Art Museum
- 14:30 Depart from Art Museum
- 15:15 Arrive at Kinjo Pier
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Nagoya Castle at 10:20, Kinshachi Yokocho Kishimen Lunch at 12:00, Tokugawa Art Museum at 13:15, Art Museum at 14:30 and Kinjo Pier at 15:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kinjo Pier to Nagoya by train (720JPY); Nagoya to Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya Castle by Free Pass (620JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 1,340JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Cruise Shore Excursion in Nagoya Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa Art Museum
The guests were visiting from North America, and there was word that a flight problem might prevent them from boarding their cruise ship. Thinking the meeting point might change, I had used a messaging app the day before to share information about accommodation in Nagoya and other details. However, just before the day, I received word that they had managed to board the ship after all, so we met as planned at Kinjo Pier.
The day was an extreme heat of 38 degrees, so aside from Nagoya Castle I suggested indoor facilities, and we decided on the Tokugawa Art Museum. The guests toured the Honmaru Palace with great interest, but because of the heat we took frequent short breaks, so the time went past noon and the Kinshachi Yokocho food street was completely full everywhere. After waiting a little, we went to the least crowded kishimen noodle shop. After that we took the Meguru sightseeing bus to the Tokugawa Art Museum. Here too we ran over on time, and while heading by taxi toward Nagoya Station, we discussed it and decided not to take the Aonami Line but to continue straight to the port by taxi.
As Kinjo Pier takes more than an hour to reach the city center, even visiting just two places (plus lunch) fills up the whole schedule. In particular, I had heard that this ship, the Diamond Princess, would leave without mercy if you did not return on time, and that the next port would be Busan, so I felt very anxious. Going forward, I would like to be much more careful about time management and scheduling.
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kinjo Pier～Nagoya | 720JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Nagoya～Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya Castle | 620JPY |
| Total | 1,340JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Nagoya Castle, Kinshachi Yokocho Kishimen Lunch, Tokugawa Art Museum, Art Museum and Kinjo Pier.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,340JPY per person across 2 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Tommie is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Aichi itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hi, I’m Tommie, a local guide based in Nagoya.
After obtaining my national guide license in 2023, I have dedicated myself full-time to guiding. What I enjoy most is introducing visitors to Japan’s unique traditions, rich culture, and everyday life through meaningful local experiences.
Nagoya may not be as famous as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, but that’s exactly what makes it special. As one of Japan’s largest cities, it offers a chance to experience authentic Japanese life without the crowds and tourist traps.
I fell in love with Nagoya and its unique blend of history, culture, local food, and everyday life. Having lived abroad for many years, I understand what international travelers are looking for and enjoy helping them discover a side of Japan that many visitors miss.
I look forward to sharing my favorite places and experiences with you!
Jun 17, 2025
Gina_M
Gorgeous Castle, shopping and local food.
Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was a fantastic…
Jun 17, 2025
Gina_M
Gorgeous Castle, shopping and local food.
Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was a fantastic guide! She was very patient and flexible with what we wanted to do
and see. I highly recommend!
Oct 28, 2024
avigayelk
Best of Nagoya and Best Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was the greatest…
Oct 28, 2024
avigayelk
Best of Nagoya and Best Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was the greatest guide! She showed me and my son all the best sites in Nagoya, accommodated our lunch preferences, took a bunch of pictures for us and was extremely informative. Thank you Tommy for the most amazing Nagoya experience. We appreciate you!!
Jun 23, 2024
25aditib
Nakasendo trail with a guide
Tripadvisor review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
We are so glad…
Jun 23, 2024
25aditib
Nakasendo trail with a guide
Tripadvisor review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
We are so glad we signed up for this experience and grateful to our tour guide for the fabulous organization. We couldn’t have done this by ourselves! We were travelling with 2 kids and mom (who is 68) and our guide for the day did a wonderful job of finding us the transfers when our group couldn’t walk. We did everything we wanted and reached our hotel at a great time too. Amazing day! Would highly recommend Japan Guide Agency’s services. A big thank you to our guide Ms Tomoko Tabata! We had a great time with her.