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
- 14:00 Meeting place: Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo
- 14:10 Depart Iidabashi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line)
- Yotsuya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- 14:30 Arrive Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station
- Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gyoen
- 15:30 Depart Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- Arrive Shinjuku Station
- Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station
- (Toei Oedo Line)
- 15:45 Arrive Tochomae Station
- Shinjuku West Exit Metropolitan Government Observation Deck
- 16:30 Depart Tochomae Station
- (Toei Oedo Line)
- 16:40 Arrive Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station
- Shinjuku East Exit Omoide Yokocho
- Kabukicho
- 17:30 Depart Shinjuku Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- Yotsuya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line)
- 18:00 Arrive Iidabashi Station
- 18:00 Disband: Iidabashi Station
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. This was everyone's first visit to Japan. This time, they were on a two-week trip to Japan. They had arrived at Narita Airport ten days earlier and first headed to the Kansai region. They toured Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima, and then went to Hakone. This morning, they traveled from Hakone to Tokyo, and had just arrived at their hotel a short while ago.
It was a tour under clear skies and hot weather.
First, in accordance with their wishes, we went to Shinjuku Gyoen. We moved along slowly while taking photos. I explained the origins and history of Shinjuku Gyoen, as well as the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration. Starting from the Japanese garden, we made a full loop. They said, "There is so much greenery, it feels wonderful," and "I would like to create a Japanese garden at my own home."
Via Shinjuku Station, we went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck. Making a loop, I explained the full panorama of Tokyo. Since it was clear, we were able to faintly see Mount Fuji. I explained the origins of Edo and Tokyo. They commented, "I really understand now that Tokyo is a vast city."
We headed to the Shinjuku-sanchome east exit. After this, we walked through Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho. I also explained the history of Kabukicho and the differences between the east and west sides of Shinjuku. They enthusiastically photographed the Godzilla Head and the 3D cat billboard. They commented, "The atmosphere here is different from other parts of Tokyo."
They also made comments and asked questions such as, "Not only Tokyo, but other cities too are clean with no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why is that?" and "The subway is complex and hard to understand, but I think it is well arranged."
I saw them off at Iidabashi Station, where 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 | Iidabashi～Shinjuku-gyoemmae | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shinjuku-gyoemmae～Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro) | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shinjuku West Exit～Tochomae | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tochomae～Shinjuku West Exit | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro)～Iidabashi | 180JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
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.