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: Hotel Niwa Tokyo
- 9:10 Departure: Suidobashi Station
- (JR Sobu Line)
- Akihabara Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 9.:30 Arrive at Tsukiji Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- 10:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 10:30 Arrive at Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Asakusa Shrine
- 11:30 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 12:00 Arrive at Ginza Station
- Ginza Ginza Mitsukoshi
- Shiseido Gallery
- Ginza Six
- 12:45 Depart Ginza Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 13:15 Arrive at Shibuya Station
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- 13:30 Disband: Shibuya Station
Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, Ginza, and Shibuya
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. It was their first trip to Japan.
They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening, transferring between trains to reach their Hotel. In the evening, they had enjoyed a Sumida River cruise.
They planned to stay in Japan for a total of two weeks. After three days in central Tokyo, they intended to take a cycling tour in Nikko, then travel to Toyama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto, before returning to Tokyo and heading home.
We managed to avoid the rain, though the tour took place in fairly hot and humid weather.
From Suidobashi Station, we first headed to Tsukiji.
I explained the difference between the Tsukiji Outer Market and the Toyosu Market.
I received questions such as, "Is it always this crowded? Is this the usual situation?" and "Do people in Tokyo all come here to buy fish?"
From there, we moved on to Asakusa.
I explained "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto," as well as "omikuji fortunes" and "omamori charms."
I received questions such as, "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" and "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" One of the guests mentioned having visited Vietnam and noted that there were also many temples there.
After that, we moved to Ginza.
Since the guests were interested in art galleries, we visited Mitsukoshi, Ginza Six, the Shiseido Gallery, and several other painting galleries.
From there, we moved to Shibuya.
We crossed the Scramble Crossing and took commemorative photos in front of the Hachiko statue.
I received the question, "Why do so many people gather here at the Scramble Crossing?"
There were also comments such as, "The city is so clean, with no litter on the streets," "There are no trash cans in the city," "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant," and "The subway is quiet, clean, and reassuring."
We parted ways at Shibuya Station.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Suidobashi Station～Akihabara Station | 146JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Akihabara Station～Tsukiji Station | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Asakusa Station | 209JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Asakusa Station～Ginza Station | 209JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Ginza Station～Shibuya Station | 209JPY |
| Total | 951JPY | ||
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
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
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.