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
- 10:00 Meeting place: Hyatt Regency Yokohama
- 10:10 Depart Nihon-odori Station
- (Minatomirai Line)
- 10:30 Arrive Yokohama Station
- Yokohama Yokohama Takashimaya
- 11:00 Depart Yokohama Station
- (Minatomirai Line)
- 11:15 Arrive Minatomirai Station
- Minatomirai PACIFICO Yokohama
- Red Brick Warehouse
- Break: cafe
- 12:30 Depart Minatomirai Station
- (Minatomirai Line)
- 12:40 Arrive Motomachi-Chukagai Station
- Motomachi Motomachi Shopping Street
- Yokohama Chinatown
- 13:15 Depart Motomachi-Chukagai Station
- (Minatomirai Line)
- 14:00 Arrive Nihon-odori Station
- 14:00 Disband: Hyatt Regency Yokohama
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Yokohama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Before their arrival in Japan, they had flown into Haneda Airport on a direct flight the previous night and taken a taxi to their hotel in Yokohama. They had dined at the hotel and rested early because they were tired.
This visit to Japan was centered on a round-Japan cruise departing from Yokohama Port starting the next day. The guests mentioned that they enjoy cruise travel together and take a cruise every year.
Today, as a way to warm up, they requested a relaxed walk around Yokohama to enjoy the atmosphere. The tour took place under clear skies and warm, almost hot weather, though a strong wind was blowing.
First, the guests wanted to shop at a department store, so we started at a department store near Yokohama Station, where they purchased a T-shirt and a pair of trousers.
After that, we headed to the Minatomirai district and strolled slowly along the seaside promenade. One of the guests enjoyed photography and took time to take pictures here and there. We also walked leisurely through the Red Brick Warehouse and took a short break at a café inside.
Next, we walked through the Motomachi shopping street and on to Chinatown, where the guests took photos at Kanteibyo Temple. There were many groups of students, apparently on a school trip, enjoying street food, so it was crowded. The guests remarked that while there is also a Chinatown where they live, it is not nearly as large as this one.
They made several comments and asked questions, such as: "It is so quiet inside the trains—no one is speaking loudly." "The streets are clean and there is no litter." "There are no homeless people here. Why is that? Where we live, homelessness has become a major issue."
I saw the guests off at the entrance of their hotel, and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nihon-odori～Yokohama | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Yokohama～Minatomirai | 200JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Minatomirai～Motomachi-Chukagai | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Motomachi-Chukagai～Nihon-odori | 200JPY |
| Total | 830JPY | ||
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.