Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kazu

October, 2024

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

  • 1.9:00 Hotel
  • 2.9:40 Meiji shrine
  • 3.10:30 Harajuku Takeshita street Togo shrine
  • 4.11:15 Shibuya
  • 5.12:15 Imperial garden
  • 6.13:10 Masakado kubizuka finish . They would go to Ginza by Taxi.

What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from Iriya to Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Otemachi

I met the guests at a Japanese-style hotel in Iriya. One of them had once attended high school in Japan, while the others had previously worked together. In Iriya, I introduced a distinctive local public bathhouse, and the guests were impressed by the traditional Japanese architecture.

After that, we passed through Akihabara and traveled toward Shinjuku and Harajuku, with me explaining the areas along the Chuo Line. I talked about the differences between rush hour in Japan and abroad, as well as the differences in real estate prices. Some of the guests mentioned that they live in a detached house on an 8,000-square-meter plot of land in a suburban area of North America, and they were amazed at the price difference compared with Japan.

At Meiji Shrine, one of the guests remarked that it was just like a large central park (though it is a little different). In Harajuku, the guests bought a pouch of character goods at a Sanrio store.

Since the guests wanted to see Japan's financial center, I explained the area around Otemachi before we moved on to the East Gardens. Finally, at Masakado's Mound, I explained that because of strange events in the past, there is a grave in such a prime location, and then we parted ways. As the guests were involved in finance, our conversations ranged far beyond ordinary guiding. I believe they were satisfied with the tour.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayIriya～Akihabara178JPY
Section 2TrainAkihabara～Harajuku178JPY
Section 3SubwayOmotesando～Shibuya178JPY
Section 4SubwayShibuya～Otemachi209JPY
Total743JPY

Tour Report by Kazu

My name is KAZU HAKATA. 73years old (as of end AUG2025). I started as a guide from March 2023. Graduated from KYOTO Univ Intl Economics and MBA from INSEAD in France. (14 years in overseas, LUX, Paris, Hong Kong) . I used to work in Banking, Telecommunication, Air Line, Financial Trading as CFO. I did more than 150 days of Guide since 2023,Tokyo( most of the Guides), Nikko, Hakone, Kamakura, and other area. Born in Hyogo Pref. I lived 26 years in Kansai and know quite well Kyoto, Nara, Osaka ,Kobe, Wakayama ( Koya san + Kumano Kodo).
I know not only touristic sites, but I can show you hidden charming points of JAPAN. If you can enjoy your tour in JAPAN, it is also my pleasure. I will do as much as I can to assist you to understand Japanese history, culture, nature, and a real life in JAPAN.
[FRANCAIS]
J’ai commencee a Guide apres avoir obtenu Diplome de Francaise en fevrier 2023. Jusqu’a maintenant j’ai effectue plus de 150 guides dont 1/4 francais. Principalement a Tokyo , mais de temps en temps aux Nikko, Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Okayama, Naoshima.
A Tokyo, les sites frequentes sont Tsukiji, Hama Rikyu, Asakusa, Jardin Imperial, Rikugi-En , Yanaka, Ueno, Ameyoko, Musee Nationale, Akihabara, Jardin de Korakuen , Harajuku, Sanctuaire de Meiji, ruelle de Tekeshita , Aoyama, Shibuya, Temple de Gotokuji, etc.
Comme je suis ne a Hyogo ( ouest du Japon) et etudie a Kyoto, Je connais bien Kyoto,Nara,Osaka, Mont Koya, Hieizan. En plus j’ai travaille a Osaka 2017-2019.pendant cette periode j’ai souvent visitee des sites touristiques a Kyoto, Nara, Osaka. J’ai fait les randonnes a Kumono Kodo et 33 temples en Kansai.

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