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 Meeting place: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
- 9:10 Departure: Daiba Station
- (Yurikamome)
- Shimbashi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Nihombashi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
- 10:00 Arrive at Otemachi Station
- Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Nijubashi Bridge
- 11:00 Depart Otemachi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Kasumigaseki Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- 11:30 Arrive at Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station
- Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gyoen
- 12:00 Depart Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- 12:30 Arrive at Nishi-shinjuku Station
- Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- 13:00 Depart Shinjuku Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- Akasaka-mitsuke Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Shimbashi Station
- 13:30 Disband: Shimbashi/Yurikamome Station
Title: What Can You See on a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe, and it was their first time in Japan. Their main purpose for coming to Japan was to board a cruise ship departing from Yokohama the following day, sailing via Kagoshima, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam before finishing in Singapore. They had arrived at Haneda the previous afternoon and then went to a digital art museum. Their stay in Japan was only two days.
They mentioned that military forces were reportedly gathering around the Taiwan area, and the guests seemed a little anxious about the cruise portion of their trip to come.
The sky was overcast, but we managed to avoid the rain, though it was a rather hot and humid day for the tour.
First, we went to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. I explained about "the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji period," "the Meiji Restoration," and "the challenges facing the current Imperial family." The guests said, "The pine trees are beautiful and we love the Japanese garden." They also asked questions such as, "Does the Emperor really live inside here?"
After this, we moved to Shinjuku Gyoen. I explained the history of Shinjuku Gyoen. The guests commented, "It's impressive that there is such a vast park in the middle of a big city." They seemed especially fond of the Japanese garden.
From here, we headed via West Shinjuku to the Metropolitan Government Building observation deck. The guests commented, "It really shows how expansively Tokyo spreads out. It's different from London." They also said, "The city is clean. There's no litter on the ground." "There are no trash cans on the streets." "You don't see any homeless people." "The public toilets are clean and pleasant." "The subway is quiet, clean, and reassuring."
I saw them off at Shimbashi Station, at the entrance to the Yurikamome line, and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Daiba Station～Shimbashi Station | 325JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shimbashi Station～Otemachi Station | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae Station～Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station | 209JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station～Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station | 178JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shinjuku Station～Shimbashi Station | 209JPY |
| Total | 1,099JPY | ||
Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.