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
- 08:50 Meet up @ Hotel
- 11:00 Kawagoe Kurazukuri Ichibangai
- 11:30 Toki no Kane (Bell of Time)
- 11:45 Kawagoe Festival Museum
- 12:10 Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Alley)
- 12:30 Lunch @ Koedo Kamameshi Torisei
- 15:15 Disband @ Hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 08:50, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel, and finished at 15:15. The day ran to 6 hours and 25 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Koedo Kamameshi Torisei at 12:30.
From there the group visited Kawagoe Kurazukuri Ichibangai at 11:00, Toki no Kane (Bell of Time) at 11:30, Kawagoe Festival Museum at 11:45 and Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Alley) at 12:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Odaiba to Shimbashi by train (330JPY); Shimbashi to Ikebukuro by train (210JPY); Ikebukuro to Kawagoe by train (1,110JPY); Kawagoe Station to Ichibangai by bus (0JPY); Ichibangai to Kawagoe Station by bus (0JPY); Kawagoe to Ikebukuro by train (0JPY); Ikebukuro to Shimbashi by train (210JPY); Shimbashi to Odaiba by train (330JPY). Across 8 sections the fare came to 2,190JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kawagoe from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They planned to sightsee around Tokyo before heading off on a 10-day cruise tour. At Kawagoe's Kurazukuri Ichibangai street and Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley), they explored many shops and purchased accessories and food items. At the Bell of Time (Toki no Kane), they took commemorative photos. At the Kawagoe Matsuri Museum, they viewed the exhibits of festival floats and other displays related to the Kawagoe Festival with great interest. Originally, the plan had also included a visit to Kitain Temple, but the guests mentioned that they had already visited many temples and did not need to go to Kitain, so we skipped it. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Kawagoe Half-Day Trip from Tokyo with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Odaiba～Shimbashi | 330JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shimbashi～Ikebukuro | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Ikebukuro～Kawagoe | 1,110JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kawagoe Station～Ichibangai | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Ichibangai～Kawagoe Station | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Kawagoe～Ikebukuro | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Ikebukuro～Shimbashi | 210JPY |
| Section 8 | Train | Shimbashi～Odaiba | 330JPY |
| Total | 2,190JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 08:50, and the tour finished at @ Hotel at 15:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 25 minutes in total, from 08:50 to 15:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kawagoe Kurazukuri Ichibangai, Toki no Kane (Bell of Time), Kawagoe Festival Museum and Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Alley).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,190JPY per person across 8 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Jul 10, 2026
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Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。