Tokyo in Half a Day: ①HACHIKO MEMORIAL — Guide Masa
August, 2024
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
- 9:00 pickup at hotel
- 9:30 ①HACHIKO MEMORIAL
- 9:40 ②SHIBUYA CROSSING
- 10:00 ④SHIBUYA SKY
- 11:30 ⑤MEIJI JINGU SHRINE
- 12:30 ⑥ST. MARY CATHEDRAL CHURCH
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in ①HACHIKO MEMORIAL at 9:30, ②SHIBUYA CROSSING at 9:40, ④SHIBUYA SKY at 10:00, ⑤MEIJI JINGU SHRINE at 11:30 and ⑥ST. MARY CATHEDRAL CHURCH at 12:30.
Title: What Is a Private Taxi-Based Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were picked up at the Hotel as scheduled, and I explained the planned itinerary. Because moving on foot presented some difficulty, the guests preferred to travel by taxi, so we departed from the hotel entrance by car. Before heading to Shibuya, the guests wished to see the atmosphere of the former Tsukiji Market, so we drove one loop around the Tsukiji outer market by taxi, and they captured it with their camera. I suggested moving on to Toyosu, but they were satisfied with the Tsukiji outer market, so we continued to Shibuya. We visited the crossing, Hachiko, and Shibuya Sky. Unfortunately, the observation tickets for that day were already sold out at Shibuya Sky, so the guests did some souvenir shopping and then went to the tax free refund counter on the third floor. We took a taxi from the taxi stand to Meiji Shrine. When I explained the walking situation at the north approach entrance, we were able to drive in as far as the Kaguraden, giving quick access to the main hall. The guests wished to visit St. Mary's Cathedral, about which they had gathered information in advance, so we traveled there by taxi and they prayed. Since the entire itinerary was by taxi, the tour finished 30 minutes earlier than planned, and I apologized to the guests, but they thanked me for a tour arranged with taxi travel, and we parted safely at the Hotel.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.
Who am I?
I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.
What can I be expected?
I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.
What do I love?
Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.
How do I spend my spear time?
I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Thank you.
Jul 21, 2026
Sandra_U
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Individualized Tour!
Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…
Jul 21, 2026
Sandra_U
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Individualized Tour!
Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour was individually crafted to the sites and activities that we wanted to see. We really enjoyed that we used public transportation. He had great insight and was very helpful. I highly recommend.
Apr 3, 2026
Celal_S
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a great tour even…
We had a great tour even…
Apr 3, 2026
Celal_S
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a great tour even…
We had a great tour even it was full day rainy and a bad day for walking. Masa san was a
great guide, he was very helpful and guided us very nicely.
Mar 30, 2026
Johanna H
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
We booked the 6…
Mar 30, 2026
Johanna H
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
We booked the 6 hour tour of Tokyo with a Government Guide for our first day, to help us ‘acclimatise’ to Tokyo….learn the trains/metro, get tips and ideas etc, plus obviously visit a few highlights. Masa our guide was brilliant, contacting us in advance to find out what we would like to see, then he produced a detailed itinerary for us to review (it was spot on). He kept in touch leading up to the day and led us through a great day. The tour (& Masa) exceeded our expectations
Mar 26, 2026
Chica717
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing private tour with Masa!
We had the absolute pleasure of spending…
Mar 26, 2026
Chica717
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing private tour with Masa!
We had the absolute pleasure of spending two days with Masa san (a 6-hr tour and an 8-hour tour). If you are able to specifically request him as your guide, I highly recommend you do. He went above and beyond to make sure our visit to Tokyo was unforgettable. We corresponded well in advance, and Masa san provided invaluable insight into planning two days’ worth of sightseeing. On the days of our tours, he arrived on time and well prepared, and answered all our questions throughout the tours, whether they were about the sites, local customs, history, or etiquette. He researched alternatives when it rained and called venues on our behalf. He was a tour guide, travel agent, interpreter, and fixer – all in one! Most importantly, Masa san is a delight to spend time with – he’s a great conversationalist, and is extremely thoughtful, kind, and funny!