Tokyo: Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 — Guide Masa
March, 2025
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
- 13:00 Meeting point: Narita Airport Terminal 2/3
- 14:00 Narita Airport Terminal 2/3
- (Shuttle bus)
- 14:44 Narita Airport Terminal 1 UA counter
- (Keisei Narita Sky Access Line)
- 15:42 Arrive at Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
- Asakusa Shrine
- 17:00 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 17:15 Arrive at Ueno Station
- Ueno Ueno Park
- Ameyoko Shopping Street
- Lunch: Ueno Sushiko
- 18:08 Depart Ueno Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- Nippori Station
- (Keisei Skyliner)
- 19:45 Narita Airport Terminal 1
- 19:45 Dismissal: Narita Airport Terminal 1
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 13:00 at Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 and ended at 19:45. The day ran to 6 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 at 14:00, Narita Airport Terminal 1 UA counter at 14:44, Asakusa Station at 15:42, Ueno Station at 17:15 and Narita Airport Terminal 1 at 19:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station to Asakusa Station by train (1,372JPY); Asakusa Station to Ueno Station by subway (178JPY); Ueno Station to Nippori Station by train (146JPY); Nippori Station to Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station by train (2,567JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 4,263JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See in Tokyo During a Layover at Narita Airport? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report
The guests were visitors from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. The main purpose of their trip was scuba diving in Oceania, and they used their transit time at Narita Airport to enjoy some sightseeing in Tokyo. They mentioned that simply sitting inside the airport was not their style. Their request was to visit as many famous spots as possible within the limited time, and above all, they very much wanted to eat sushi.
They arrived carrying a large amount of luggage, including their scuba diving equipment, and I met them at the arrival gate. Carrying their luggage, we took the shuttle bus from Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminal 1. First, we checked their luggage at the check-in counter to travel light. Then we departed from Terminal 1 and headed first to Asakusa.
At Sensoji Temple and Kaminarimon Gate, I explained the history of Sensoji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, what Buddhism is, and the differences between Buddhism and Shinto. There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?", "What kind of teachings does Buddhism offer?", "What are the teachings of Shinto?", and "Are there Christians in Japan?"
The Nakamise shopping street was crowded as always, and we strolled through it slowly.
We then moved on to Ueno and walked through Ueno Park. We were able to see some early-blooming cherry blossoms and took commemorative photos. Afterward, we strolled through the Ameyoko shopping street. We purchased cup sake and canned beer and enjoyed walking while drinking. One of the guests, who enjoys smoking, purchased some cigars. There were comments such as "Japanese shopping streets are fascinating," and questions like "Do ordinary Tokyo residents all come here to shop?"
We then went to the sushi restaurant they had been eager to visit. They ordered tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and squid, and commented that "sushi eaten in Japan is fresh and reasonably priced."
They also remarked that "Japanese people are all so polite," "the trains are quiet, with no one talking loudly," and "there is no litter on the streets."
Since they did not want to be late for their boarding time, we wrapped up a little early and headed to Narita Airport. I saw them off at Terminal 1 of Narita Airport, where we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Layover Customized Tour from Narita, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station～Asakusa Station | 1,372JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa Station～Ueno Station | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Ueno Station～Nippori Station | 146JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Nippori Station～Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station | 2,567JPY |
| Total | 4,263JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 at 13:00, and the tour finished at : Narita Airport Terminal 1 at 19:45.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 45 minutes in total, from 13:00 to 19:45.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Narita Airport Terminal 2/3, Narita Airport Terminal 1 UA counter, Asakusa Station, Ueno Station and Narita Airport Terminal 1.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 4,263JPY per person across 4 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?
Masa 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 Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
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
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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
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Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
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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.