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
- 09:30 Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
- 10:15 Imperial Palace
- 11:10 Otemachi, Purchasing Pasmos
- 11:37 Nihombashi
- 12:15 Asakusa
- 13:15 Lunch Bristol-Myers
- 13:50 Tour Finished
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho at 09:30, Imperial Palace at 10:15, Otemachi, Purchasing Pasmos at 11:10, Nihombashi at 11:37, Asakusa at 12:15 and Tour Finished at 13:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Akasaka-mitsuke to Otemachi (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY); Otemachi (Tokyo) to Asakusa by subway (180JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 360JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Asakusa and Nakamise Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Body:
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
During the private tour, we had a wide-ranging conversation on a variety of topics. We talked about minimum wages, noting that the national minimum is $7.25, while it is higher in certain cities and regions, and that the amounts depend on the location.
The guests mentioned that they had previously traveled to other destinations in Asia and were planning to visit another destination in Asia the following year.
We discussed how there are very few trash cans on the streets, and the guests remarked that this helped them understand why everywhere is so clean.
We also talked about family names, and how names can be passed down through generations, with certain surnames being especially common in Europe.
One of the guests asked me a thoughtful question about Japan's concerns regarding its declining birthrate, which led to an interesting exchange.
We touched on the guests' interests and backgrounds, and I shared explanations about Japanese culture in response to their curiosity. We also talked about cooking and food, as well as wine, including imported wine from Europe.
The guests also noted that stone quarries, including limestone, can be found in their home region as well.
The guests kindly invited me to have lunch together. Afterward, they expressed a wish to return and explore the Nakamise shopping street once more, so we headed back and then said our goodbyes.
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 | Akasaka-mitsuke～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 360JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, Imperial Palace, Otemachi, Purchasing Pasmos, Nihombashi, Asakusa and Tour Finished.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 360JPY per person across 2 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Hideaki is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello, welcome to Japan you all.
I’m a resident of Ebina, Kanagawa, and am a national government licensed guide and interpreter.
I enjoy showing travelers both the new and old of central Honshu, primarily Tokyo and Kanagawa, ranging from Meiji Shrine, Edo Castle, Tsukiji Outer Market, Ueno, Asakusa, Ginza, Ginza Sky Farmstead, Shibuya Zebra Crossings, Yokohama, Kamakura, to Hakone, not to mention Mt. Fuji, and sharing views with my guests on Japanese homes and their surroundings, Japan’s labor productivity and labor market, among others.
I also enjoy introducing travelers to Japanese culture through home visits with Japanese families, touring Zen temples, and explaining the intricacies of Japanese culture.
I am happy to arrange personalized tours to other places of your interest.
I am making the most of my long experience as a foreign language education service, escorting VIPs at the Sony showroom in Ginza, Tokyo.
I also offer services to help families and individuals relocating to Japan with immigration VISA applications.
My hobbies are movies, strolling along the river in my neighborhood and am a novice at la lingua Italiano.
Let’s enjoy touring together, shall we?
Jul 16, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half…
Jul 16, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half day with Hideaki Wada, which can be highly recommended. He was on time on the spot, very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and spoke good English. We made a plan, followed it and ended up with a little extra time.
Jun 21, 2026
CJW324
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with…
Jun 21, 2026
CJW324
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with kids
Hideaki was the highlight of our time in Tokyo. We were a group of six — two grandparents and two young kids — and he handled every dynamic with ease. Patient, warm, and endlessly accommodating, he read the energy of the group and adjusted the pace so no one ever felt rushed or left behind. He was especially wonderful with our kids, keeping them engaged and curious all day — from the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, to shopping, to the wonderful craziness of Shinjuku. As a licensed guide his knowledge was deep, but what set him apart was how genuinely kind and thoughtful he was with our whole family. If you want a guide who treats you like family and makes Tokyo come alive for all ages, book Hideaki. Highest possible recommendation — thank you, Hideaki!
May 20, 2026
olgalA154QQ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with an excellent guide
Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki…
May 20, 2026
olgalA154QQ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with an excellent guide
Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki was excellent! He was fully engaged and helpful!
He explained so many things and showed us everything we wanted to see.
Apr 19, 2026
Sightseer57474900023
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
Hideaki was an incredible guide and…
Apr 19, 2026
Sightseer57474900023
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
Hideaki was an incredible guide and my family had the most wonderful first day in Tokyo with him showing us the sights! We covered so much ground, learned a ton about the city and its history and truly got acclimated to Japan!
We clocked over 20k steps by end of day and hit at least 4 different areas of the city. Plus the lunch spot Hideaki took us was delicious! A perfect start to our trip and forever grateful to Hideaki for the fantastic memories!