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: Hilton Tokyo
- 9:10 Depart Tochomae Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- Ueno-okachimachi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 9:50 Arrive Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
- Asakusa Shrine
- 10:30 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Akasaka-mitsuke Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- 11:00 Arrive Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station
- Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gyoen
- 11:40 Depart Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- Shinjuku-sanchome Station
- (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line)
- 12:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
- Harajuku Meiji Shrine
- Break: Cafe Terrace Meiji Shrine
- 12:45 Depart Harajuku Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- Shinjuku Station
- Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 13:00 Arrive Tochomae Station
- 13:00 Disband: Tochomae Station
What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Meiji Shrine
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was a two-week trip to Japan, with four days in Tokyo. After Tokyo, they planned to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara before returning to Tokyo and then heading home. They had also planned a day trip to Mount Fuji the following day. Both were big fans of Japan. The tour took place under clear skies in intense heat.
First, we went to Asakusa. As always, it was crowded with large numbers of visitors. We started from in front of Kaminarimon Gate. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-story pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the differences between Buddhism and Shinto." We took a commemorative photo in front of Kaminarimon and strolled slowly along the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people follow?" Unable to bear the sunlight, the guests purchased a parasol.
We then moved to Shinjuku Gyoen (there had been a request to "see a Japanese garden, since there aren't any where we live"). Inside the Japanese garden, they took photos in many spots, and commented that "in Japan there is so much greenery, so it's very relaxing."
Next we moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about "Shinto," "the torii gate," "Emperor Meiji," and "why wine barrels are displayed there." There were questions such as "What kind of teachings does Shinto have?", "When did Shinto originate?", and "How many shrines are there in Japan?" Because of the extreme heat, we rested for a while at the cafe terrace at Meiji Shrine. There were also comments and questions such as "Why don't Japanese people wear sunglasses?", "Japanese people are all quiet and polite," "The streets are clean and there is no litter," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?"
As they said they were tired and wanted to return to their hotel, I saw them off at Tochomae Station, 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 | Train | Tochomae～Ueno-okachimachi | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Ueno-okachimachi～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Asakusa～Shinjuku-gyoemmae | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shinjuku-gyoemmae～Meiji-jingumae | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 150JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Shinjuku-nishiguchi～Tochomae | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,170JPY | ||
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.