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
- 9:50 Meet at hotel
- 10:20 Shiba Rikyu
- 12:00 Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
- 13:00 Lunch
- 14:10 Tokyo Tower
- 15:10 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 16:10 Hanazono Shrine, Golden Gai, Godzilla Head, 3D Billboard
- 16:50 Shibuya Station
- 17:00 Guide ends
**Title:** What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
**Body:**
The guests were visiting from Europe, and the tour focused on cherry blossom viewing. We began at Shiba Rikyu Gardens, where the guests, who enjoy photography, happily took many photos of the beauty of this former feudal lord's garden. Although the cherry blossoms there are few, they match the garden beautifully. At Asakusa, the weeping cherry tree in front of the Hozomon Gate was just past full bloom, but it paired wonderfully with the gate and the five-story pagoda. As the guests are fond of sushi, lunch was, of course, sushi. At Tokyo Tower, they enjoyed the cherry blossoms of Zojoji Temple and other spots from the observation deck. Shinjuku Gyoen was crowded with throngs of people who came to enjoy the Somei Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom, and the guests admired the various different types of cherry blossoms. They took a liking to the deity of performing arts at Hanazono Shrine and took commemorative photos with the cherry blossoms.
We walked 20,000 steps, and this morning I received an email from the guests saying, "It was fun, it was interesting, thank you."
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 | Train | Kanda～Hamamatsucho | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Daimon～Asakusa | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Akabanebashi | 360JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Akabanebashi～Kokuritsu Kyogijo | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Shinjuku～Shibuya | 170JPY |
| Total | 1,140JPY | ||
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
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Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
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A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
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AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
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Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.