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 point: The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
- 9:10 Departure: Akabanebashi Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- Daimon Station
- (Toei Subway Asakusa Line)
- 9:40 Arrive at Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Asakusa Shrine
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- 10:40 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Omotesando Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 11:30 Arrive at Meiji-jingumae Station
- Harajuku Meiji Shrine
- Takeshita Street
- 12:30 Depart Harajuku Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- 12:40 Arrive at Shibuya Station
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- Lunch: Hidakaya
- 14:00 Depart Shibuya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Aoyama-itchome Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 14:30 Arrive at Shiodome Station
- Shiodome Hamarikyu Gardens
- 15:15 Depart Shiodome Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- Arrive at Akabanebashi Station
- 15:30 Dismissal: Akabanebashi Station
Title: What Can You See on a One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were friends visiting Japan from North America. One of the guests had previously visited only Okinawa once, in connection with construction work, while the other was visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived at Narita Airport the previous night and traveled to their hotel via the Skyliner and other connections. They were staying in Japan for only this one day. The next day, they planned to board a cruise ship from Yokohama Port, traveling through Kagoshima, Okinawa, and Taiwan, finally arriving in Singapore, from where they would fly home. They mentioned that they had been enjoying overseas travel together since retirement.
The tour took place under cloudy skies.
We first went to Asakusa. We walked from Kaminarimon through the Nakamise shopping street to the main hall, and they were surprised by the huge crowds. I explained "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "the Five-Story Pagoda," and "the differences between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?"
We moved to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained "the differences between Shinto and Buddhism" and "the Meiji Restoration," and also spoke about "Emperor Meiji." One comment was, "It is wonderful that there is such a green place in the middle of the city."
We moved to Shibuya. The guests experienced the Scramble Crossing and took a commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko statue. There was also a question: "Why are there so many people here? Are they mostly Japanese, or mostly travelers?"
Since they wanted to eat ramen, we went to a ramen shop.
After this, we went to Hamarikyu Gardens. Both guests said that bonsai was a hobby of theirs, so they were very interested in the "pine trees" planted there. They also made comments such as "Japanese people are all polite," "The town is clean, with no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans on the streets," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant to use."
I saw them off at Akabanebashi Station, where we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Akabanebashi Station～Asakusa Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 252JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Harajuku Station～Shibuya Station | 146JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shibuya Station～Aoyama-itchome Station | 178JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Aoyama-itchome Station～Shiodome Station | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Shiodome Station～Akabanebashi Station | 178JPY |
| Total | 1,194JPY | ||
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.