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: Hotel
- 9:10 Depart Hiroo Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Ginza Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 9:45 Arrive Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Asakusa Shrine
- 10:45 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 11:00 Arrive Ueno Station
- Ueno Tokyo National Museum
- 12:00 Depart Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 12:30 Arrive Shimbashi Station
- Shimbashi Lunch: Hidakaya
- 13:30 Depart Shimbashi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 14:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- Shibuya PARCO (POP MART)
- 15:10 Depart Shibuya Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- Ebisu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 15:30 Arrive Hiroo Station
- 15:30 Dismissal: Hiroo Station
Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like After a Cruise to Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America, though originally from Asia before relocating. The main purpose of this trip was a cruise from Oceania that ended at the port of Yokohama. They had arrived at the port of Yokohama the previous day and traveled by connecting trains from Yokohama to their Hotel. They had strolled around Roppongi the night before. They were scheduled to return home from Narita Airport the following day.
The tour took place in cold, continuous rain.
We started at Asakusa. Despite the rain, it was extremely crowded. I explained the history of Senso-ji Temple and the transition from Edo to Tokyo, what a five-story pagoda is, what Buddhism is, 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 Shinto?" We strolled along the Nakamise shopping street, where they bought T-shirts as souvenirs for their grandchildren.
Because of the rain, I changed the plan and, instead of the Imperial Palace, we visited the Tokyo National Museum. This too was very crowded with visitors, perhaps because of the rain. I explained Japanese history, what samurai were, and the tea ceremony. There were questions such as "Are there no more samurai?" and "What is the situation with the Japanese Imperial Family?"
They said they wanted to have ramen for lunch, so we went to a casual ramen restaurant near Shimbashi. They commented, "Since it's cold, ramen is very welcome. The price is reasonable too — a good choice."
We then moved to Shibuya, where I explained the history of Shibuya. We walked across the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue. They also said they wanted to buy souvenirs requested by their grandchildren, so we went to a character goods shop in a Shibuya department building.
They made comments such as "Japanese people are all quiet and polite," "There is no trash on the streets," "The public restrooms in Japan are clean and pleasant," and "There are no trash cans anywhere in the city."
Finally, I saw them off at Hiroo Station, and 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 | Hiroo Station～Asakusa Station | 252JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Asakusa Station～Ueno Station | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Ueno Station～Shimbashi Station | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shimbashi Station～Shibuya Station | 178JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Shibuya Station～Ebisu Station | 146JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Ebisu Station～Hiroo Station | 178JPY |
| Total | 1,110JPY | ||
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.