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 Grand Bach, Tokyo, Ginza
- 9:10 Departure: Higashi-ginza Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Ginza Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 10:00 Arrive at Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
- Asakusa Shrine
- 11:00 Departure from Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 11:20 Arrive at Tsukiji Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- 12:00 Departure from Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Kasumigaseki Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 12:00 Arrive at Meiji-jingumae Station
- Harajuku Meiji Shrine
- Break: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu
- Takeshita Street
- 13:00 Departure from Meiji-jingumae Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Omotesando Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 13:30 Arrive at Ginza Station
- 13:30 Dismissal: Ginza Station
Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Covering Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Harajuku? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of three visiting Japan from North America, all visiting Japan for the first time. They were on a two-week trip to Japan, planning to spend three days in Tokyo before touring Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima, then returning to Tokyo before heading home. The next day they planned a day trip to Mount Fuji. The day before, after arriving at Narita Airport, they took the train to their hotel, and in the evening they strolled around Ginza. Everyone was a little tired.
We managed to avoid the rain, but the tour took place in hot and humid weather.
First, we went to Asakusa. I explained about "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "the differences between Buddhism and Shinto," as well as "omikuji" (fortune slips) and "omamori" (amulets). There were questions such as "What kind of teachings does Buddhism offer?" and "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" At Asakusa Shrine, there was also a question, "How are Shinto and Buddhism different?" There was also a question, "Are there any Christians in Japan?"
We moved on to Tsukiji. We took our time strolling through Tsukiji Uogashi and the Tsukiji Outer Market. I explained about "the history of Tsukiji Market" and "the differences between Tsukiji Market and Toyosu Market." The guests bought and sampled items such as fried sweet potato, ice cream, and tuna sashimi. They also bought a T-shirt as a souvenir. There was a question, "Is it always this crowded?"
We moved on to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, I explained about the "Meiji Restoration," "Emperor Meiji," and "the Japanese Imperial Family." The guests remarked, "It's wonderful that there is such a green area in the middle of the city." After a rest at a cafe within the shrine grounds, we headed to Takeshita Street. The guests made comments such as "The city is so clean. There's no litter on the ground," "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant," "The subway is quiet and clean," and "Why are there no trash cans in the streets?"
I saw them off at Ginza Station, where we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Higashi-ginza Station～Asakusa Station | 209JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa Station～Tsukiji Station | 209JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 209JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae Station～Ginza Station | 178JPY |
| Total | 805JPY | ||
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.