Tokyo in Half a Day: Departure: Daiba & Tsukiji — Guide Masa
November, 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
- 9:00 Meeting place: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
- 9:10 Departure: Daiba Station
- (Yurikamome)
- 9:30 Shimbashi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 10:00 Arrive at Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Asakusa Shrine
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- 11:00 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 11:15 Arrive at Ueno Station
- Ueno Ueno Park
- Ameyoko Shopping Street
- 12:00 Depart Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 12:15 Arrive at Tsukiji Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- 13:10 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 13:10 Shimbashi Station
- (Yurikamome)
- 13:30 Arrive at Daiba Station
- 13:30 Dismissal: Daiba Station
Can You Do a Half-Day Private Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise Departure? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Their main purpose was a cruise departing that evening from the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, traveling to Japan as well as other parts of Asia. The tour was based on the idea of "seeing a bit of Tokyo before boarding," with the request to "get a general sense of Tokyo in a short time." The tour took place under clear skies.
First, we went to Asakusa. We passed through the Nakamise shopping street from the Kaminarimon Gate to the main hall. It was extremely crowded. I explained about "Sensoji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what a five-story pagoda is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?", "What kind of teachings does Buddhism have?", "How do Shinto and Buddhism differ?", and "Why are there so many people wearing kimono?" As souvenirs for family, the guests purchased items such as chopsticks, tenugui hand towels, hats, and magnets along the Nakamise shopping street.
We then moved to Ueno. I explained about the "Edo period" and the "Meiji Restoration," among other topics. There were questions such as "How large is Ueno Park?"
Next was the Tsukiji Outer Market. We walked around looking at various shops, and the guests purchased sweet potato chips and wasabi peanuts. There were questions such as "Why are there so many people even on a weekday?" and "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" There were also questions such as "What is the population of Tokyo?", "How much is housing?", and "How many people own cars?" The guests also commented, "The city is so clean. There's no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans on the streets. Why?", "How is garbage handled in Japan?", and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."
I saw them off at Daiba 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 | Other | Daiba Station～Shimbashi Station | 325JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shimbashi Station～Asakusa Station | 209JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa Station～Ueno Station | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Ueno Station～Tsukiji Station | 178JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Shimbashi Station | 178JPY |
| Section 6 | Other | Shimbashi Station～Daiba Station | 325JPY |
| Total | 1,393JPY | ||
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.