Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Shinji
October, 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
- 8:50 Meet at Hotel 9:10 Shinjuku Station 10:15 Arrive at Kawagoe Flair Mall⇒Taisho Roman Street⇒Ichibangai Street 11:00 Break at cafe 11:30 Bell Tower
- 11:45 Kashiya Yokocho 12:00 Break 12:15 Kawagoe Station 13:15 Disband at Shinjuku Station

Title: What Is a Private Kawagoe Day Tour from Shinjuku Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Before the tour, the guests explained that they would be able to walk without any problem. When I met the group at the Hotel, they suggested taking a taxi to Shinjuku Station instead of walking. After arriving in Kawagoe, it was a ten-minute walk to the first destination. We rested at a cafe and then resumed the tour. About three hours after the tour began, the guests decided to end the tour early and return to Shinjuku, so the three of us headed back together. Even so, from meeting to parting it came to about four hours, so the timing worked out well. We looked for an elevator each time and used it. Although the walking portions of the tour were challenging, during our conversations on the trains to and from the destination and at the cafe, the guests enjoyed a wide range of topics such as Japanese history and the political system.
Click here for more details: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Shinjuku~Kawagoe | 648JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Ichibangai Street~Kawagoe Station West Exit | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Kawagoe~Shinjuku | 648JPY |
| Total | 1,506JPY | ||
Before I started the guiding job in 2022, I had worked for private companies and been engaged in overseas business, which led me to be stationed in various English-speaking countries. Taking advantage of such experiences and also wishing to reciprocate the kindness extended to me during my career, I have decided to help visitors to Japan enjoy their stay and obtained a national guide license.
I am very honored and pleased to assist guests from overseas and enjoy seeing them having a great time visiting interesting spots in Japan and learning about the country. I look forward to serving more new guests and seeing them smile at the end of my private tours.
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