Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Meet at hotel
- 9:00-9:30 Shinjuku walk
- 9:50-10:20 Sakuradamon, Nijubashi Bridge
- 10:30-11:15 Nezu Shrine
- 11:45-12:40 Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- 13:00 Arrive at hotel
Can You Do a Quiet, Crowd-Free Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were visitors from Europe. Based on their request to avoid crowds and see quieter places, I planned the itinerary accordingly. Since their Hotel was near Shinjuku West Exit, I guided them toward the Marunouchi Line while showing them the streetscape around the East Exit to avoid the construction site. This was not only their first visit to Japan but their first time leaving their home continent, so everything seemed new and fascinating, and they took so many photos that we were running a little behind from the morning. Since it was Monday, we entered from Sakuradamon Gate and went to Nijubashi Bridge. The stone walls and the pine trees all felt fresh to them, and they kept pointing their cameras at everything. Their love of photography continued at Nezu Shrine, and they took their time photographing the Inari shrine as well. Due to time constraints, I suggested giving up on Yanaka Ginza and heading instead to the next stop, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, which they agreed to. Korakuen had fewer visitors than usual, so we were able to stroll around at a leisurely pace. We then headed to Shinjuku via Suidobashi, and I saw them off at their Hotel to conclude the tour. Because we took our time going around, they seemed highly satisfied.
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 | Shinjuku～Kasumigaseki (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nezu～Shin-Ochanomizu | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Ochanomizu～Suidobashi | 160JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Suidobashi～Shinjuku | 210JPY |
| Total | 910JPY | ||
Hello everyone, and welcome to Japan!
I obtained a national tour guide license back in 2001, while I have been busy teaching English full time for many years. Since 2018 I have enjoyed guiding guests from all over the world.
I live in a western suburb of Tokyo, so I can guide you around the wider Tama area as well as central Tokyo. I love introducing visitors to both the famous highlights and the hidden gems where you can take wonderful photos and experience authentic Japanese culture. Along the way, I enjoy sharing stories about Japanese history, traditions, and daily life.
I once worked in Australia as a teacher of Japanese language, which gave me many opportunities to communicate with people from different cultures.
I also enjoy golf — I even traveled alone to the UK for a golf tour.
I look forward to guiding you and helping your time in Japan both enjoyable and memorable.
Apr 27, 2026
Matthew_T
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Highly recommend!
This was the first thing we did in Japan, it…
Apr 27, 2026
Matthew_T
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Highly recommend!
This was the first thing we did in Japan, it was perfect! Our tour guide, Masa, was very knowledgeable and helpful. He came up with a great itenerary and guided us through some cultural experiences. He was kind and easy to talk to, and even helped us find a game store that he had previously not heard of. It felt like he took care and time to research so that our experience would be the best it could be.
Apr 13, 2026
Beverly_S
Viator review: Tokyo Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Great experience
Amazing walking tour. The guide customizes…
Apr 13, 2026
Beverly_S
Viator review: Tokyo Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Great experience
Amazing walking tour. The guide customizes your tour to what you most want to do. He is organized and is very knowledgeable and friendly. He took us to restaurant where we experienced eating on the floor on mats and accommodated our son’s dietary requirements. We asked to end at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Ueno Park. Wonderful day. I highly recommend this tour.
Mar 30, 2026
Claudia M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Grosartige Tour mit tollem Guide Masa
Wir haben diese Tour als…
Mar 30, 2026
Claudia M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Grosartige Tour mit tollem Guide Masa
Wir haben diese Tour als vierkopfige Familie gebucht (51-50-18-15 Jahre) und konnen diese Tour nur empfehlen. Vielleicht hatte man noch 1-2 Stunden mehr Zeit haben mussen, da man aufgrund der Menschenmenge teilweise sehr langsam voran kommt und naturlich auch gewisse Strecken in der Bahn verbringt. Masa hat das Beste rausgeholt. Bereits im Vorfeld standen wir in einem guten Austausch bezuglich der Tour, welche Highlights uns interessieren und was moglich ist. Wahrend der Tour hat uns Masa viel zur Historie und Bedeutung auch anhand von Bildmaterial erzahlen und erklaren konnen. Mit ihm konnten wir die ein oder andere Warteschlange umgehen. Das war spitze. Beendet haben wir die Tour im Restaurant Meiji Jingu, wo uns Masa bereits einen Tisch reserviert hatte.
Zusammengefasst hatten wir einen tollen Tag mit unseren super Guide Masa! Vielen Dank!!
素晴らしいツアー、最高のガイドのマサさんと一緒に
私たちはこのツアーを、4人家族（51歳、50歳、18歳、15歳）で予約しましたが、このツアーはぜひおすすめできます。
ただ、人混みのために移動が時々非常に遅くなることや、一部の区間を電車で移動することもあり、あと1?2時間余分に時間があればよかったかもしれません。
マサさんは最高の体験にしてくれました。ツアー前から、どのハイライトに興味があるか、何が可能かについて良いやり取りをしていました。
ツアー中も、マサさんは歴史や意味について、資料を使ってわかりやすく説明してくれました。また、彼のおかげでいくつかの行列を回避することもできました。それは本当に素晴らしかったです。
ツアーの最後は、マサさんがあらかじめ予約してくれていた明治神宮内のレストランで締めくくりました。
まとめると、私たちは素晴らしいガイドのマサさんと、とても楽しい一日を過ごすことができました！本当にありがとうございました！！
