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
- 10:30 Meet the guests at their hotel (MONday Premium Ueno). Head to the Tsukiji Outer Market by subway.
- 11:00 Arrive at the Outer Market
- 11:50 Head to Iriya by subway, then walk to Kappabashi (from the Kinryu Elementary School side).
- Tour around about 10 knife shops until around 14:20.
- 14:30 Decided to buy the knife (santoku) seen at a shop called Jikko, and returned to the same shop.
- 14:45 Finished shopping.
- 15:25 Since one of the two guests, a woman, said she had not yet seen Sensoji Temple (the man had been there during his previous visit to Japan), took them to Sensoji Temple via Kaminarimon Gate and parted ways.
Title: What Is a Private Tsukiji and Kappabashi Knife-Shopping Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests looked around Tsukiji Outer Market with great interest, though they did not buy any food. They purchased a set of small packets containing dashi powder (a pack of 30). At Kappabashi, the search for a kitchen knife took us to about ten shops, and at each one the guests were shown several knives and asked questions enthusiastically. (As a guide, I was surprised that each shop had non-Japanese staff members.) We covered nearly both sides of Kappabashi, and once the guests found a knife they liked, they seemed very satisfied. The guests appeared very pleased with the purchase.
Click here for more details: Kappabashi Knife & Kitchen Town Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Iriya (Tokyo)～Tsukiji | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji～Iriya (Tokyo) | 210JPY |
| Total | 420JPY | ||
I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no need for us to do all the advance planning.
We had Mr. Toshihisa as a guide for a day in Hakone. We might have been able to do the route ourselves but it was great to have a day with no planning, it was all done ahead of time by Toshi. We got an early start to avoid spending too much time in queues, which was great. Toshi is very knowledgeable and shared many explanations, stories and anecdotes with us, which was most appreciated. The Hakone FreePass made it very easy to navigate all of the various styles of transportation – highly recommended. Overall for us, this was a great experience.
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a beautiful tour of places I would not have found on
my own.
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi San was a very well educated and friendly guide…
he took us to all the most beautiful and scenic places.. he also was very helpful person and
made sure we had a good vegetarian lunch
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are…
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are all 70+ with 1 guest using a walker, and the guide was very
accommodating and flexible to our restrictions. Guide was knowledgeable and interesting.
Excellent English. Very good at helping us navigate the trains and subway.