Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Lance
October, 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
- 1.900-910 subway to Ohtemachi
- 2.910-1020 Imperial Palace East Gardem
- 3.1020-1030 subway to Nezu
- 4.1030-1200 Nezu and Yanaka area
- 5.1200-1220 JR railway and subway
- 6.1220-1310 Asakusa
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginza, the Imperial Palace, Yanaka, and Asakusa
We met at a very refined hotel on Marronnier Street in Ginza 1-chome, where boutiques such as Vuitton and Bulgari line the street. The guests were visitors from Oceania. They had come to Japan four times for family ski trips to Niseko and Furano. Although some of the guests had visited Otemachi many times for work, this was their first sightseeing trip. I was asked why the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo during the Meiji period, and I explained that the northern domains had fought on the side of the shogunate, so the new government needed to be placed in Edo to keep them in check. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I was asked why the keep of Edo Castle burned down for the third time, and I explained that a monk had tried to burn the kimono of a young woman who had died of a broken heart as a memorial offering, when a strong wind blew and the fire spread all the way to Edo Castle. Both of the guests really enjoyed the Asakura Museum of Sculpture in Yanaka. At Yanaka Cemetery, I was asked about sotoba, and I explained that they originally derived from towers built over the graves of kings in India, but since commoners could not build towers, they were simplified. At the Nitenmon Gate in Asakusa, I was asked whether what Zochoten is holding is a flashlight (it does indeed look somewhat similar), and I explained that it is a ritual implement used in ceremonies. One of the guests, who had worked at a bookshop, told me that many translations of Japanese books are published in Oceania, and showed me that they were currently reading "Butter" by Asako Yuzuki. One of the guests walked extremely fast — the first guest ever to walk faster than me.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Ginza～Ohtemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Ohtemachi (Tokyo)～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nippori～Ueno | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 690JPY | ||
I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He…
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He had a good sense of humor and was so kind to meet us at our Air BnB, which was a bit out of the way. He gave us a great crash course on Japanese history before heading out on our adventure around Tokyo, visiting shrines, markets, a museum and garden. It was so helpful to have him with us navigating the train system, and he took us to an amazing sushi place for a lovely lunch. All in all, it was really fun and we were able to better appreciate the places we visited with him providing information and history along the way. Would definitely recommend!…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10, 12) had a fantastic experience with Lance as a tour guide on our full day Tokyo tour. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very flexible with kids on the trip. We highly recommend him!
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and…
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and Lance was such a great guide. my mother is handicapped and Lance researched the best ways to use the train stations always found us an elevator or ramp. He knew so much about the Japanese culture and history. His English was very strong and easily understood. The temples and markets were beautiful. Two things that really made Lance stand out as a great guide was when we went to the offering area at one of the temples Lance didn’t want us to miss out because we didn’t have a coin so he provided on for each of us. The second thing was I asked a question that he wasn’t sure the answer to, but after the tour I was surprised to see a message from Lance answering my question. He did not gain anything from this I had already paid and tipped him it really just reflected how amazing and dedicated to his job Lance was.thank you Lance for making our tour of Japan so special.
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me after I booked, guiding me through the options. Several days before the tour, rain was in the forecast. Lance revised our options to include mostly indoor tours. He also requested our likes and dislikes prior to picking a lunch spot.
Lance was very knowledgeable about Japan’s history. We appreciated his explanations at each tour site. Descriptions were a nice overview without being overly detailed. Lance’s organization and timing for each stop was spot on and his English was excellent.
It was a pleasure to spend the day with Lance. He epitomized the Japanese culture with his calmness, true kindness and respect for all!