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
- 9:00 Meeting place: Keio Presso Inn Tokyo Station Yaesu
- 9:10 Depart Tokyo Station
- (JR Ueno-Tokyo Line)
- Omiya Station
- (JR Saikyo Line)
- 10:16 Arrive Kawagoe Station
- 10:30 Kawagoe Kitain Temple
- 11:30 Honmaru Goten of Kawagoe Castle
- 12:00 Lunch: Yuno Udon
- 13:00 Kawagoe Festival Museum
- 14:00 Candy Alley
- Kurazukuri townscape
- 14:25 Kawagoe Station
- (JR Saikyo Line)
- Akabane Station
- (JR Ueno-Tokyo Line)
- 15:36 Arrive Tokyo Station
- 15:36 Dismissal: Tokyo Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at Keio Presso Inn Tokyo Station Yaesu and ended at 15:36. The day ran to 6 hours and 36 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch: Yuno Udon at 12:00.
Over the course of the day the route took in Tokyo Station at 9:10, Kawagoe Station at 10:16, Kawagoe Kitain Temple at 10:30, Honmaru Goten of Kawagoe Castle at 11:30, Kawagoe Festival Museum at 13:00, Candy Alley at 14:00, Kawagoe Station at 14:25 and Tokyo Station at 15:36.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tokyo Station to Kawagoe Station by train (858JPY); Kawagoe Station to Tokyo Station by train (858JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 1,716JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Kawagoe Walking Tour from Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This was their first trip to Japan, and they mentioned that they had a tradition of taking family members abroad before starting university. They planned to stay in Japan for only about ten days and had arrived two days earlier. They enjoyed outdoor activities, so they deliberately avoided sightseeing in central Tokyo and had visited the Nagatoro Gorge the previous day. They said a friend had strongly recommended that they visit Kawagoe if they came to Japan. This evening they would head to Osaka, then visit Nara and Hiroshima, and return to Tokyo before flying home.
It was a hot and humid day for the tour. We discussed the meeting point at length, and since they wanted to use their JR Pass as much as possible, we decided to meet at their accommodation near Tokyo Station and travel by JR. We toured everything on foot. After arriving at JR Kawagoe Station, we first went to Kitain Temple. They commented that it was not as crowded as Asakusa and Sensoji Temple. They asked questions such as "What kind of religion is Buddhism?" and "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" As souvenirs, they purchased two models of Nio guardian statues.
After this, we walked to the Honmaru Goten of Kawagoe Castle, but it was closed that day and we could not go inside. The museum across from it was also closed, so we received a goshuin (temple/shrine seal stamp) at a nearby shrine. We then moved to the Kurazukuri Warehouse District and had a light lunch. Afterward, we entered the Kawagoe Festival Museum. We walked through the building and watched a video about the Kawagoe Festival, and the guests listened attentively to the staff member's explanation. We then went to Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley), where they bought sweet potato confections as souvenirs. They mentioned that in the southeastern United States, sweet potatoes are increasingly being grown in place of tobacco, and that instead of French fries, sweet potato fries are also being sold.
After that, we slowly strolled through the Kurazukuri Warehouse District toward Kawagoe Station. Along the way, they also bought a coffee cup set as a souvenir. They commented that it was wonderful to feel the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Japanese town, different from Tokyo, though they were surprised there were more tourists than expected. They also remarked that the town was orderly and clean, that everyone was polite, and that the trains were quiet with no one making a fuss. I saw them off at Tokyo Station, and we parted ways.
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 | Tokyo Station～Kawagoe Station | 858JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kawagoe Station～Tokyo Station | 858JPY |
| Total | 1,716JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Keio Presso Inn Tokyo Station Yaesu at 9:00, and the tour finished at : Tokyo Station at 15:36.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 36 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 15:36.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tokyo Station, Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe Kitain Temple, Honmaru Goten of Kawagoe Castle, Kawagoe Festival Museum, Candy Alley, Kawagoe Station and Tokyo Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,716JPY 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?
Masa 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.
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
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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.