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
- 9:30 Meeting place: Hotel
- 9:40 Depart Shinagawa Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- 10:10 Arrive Komagome Station
- Komagome Rikugien Garden
- 11:00 Depart Komagome Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- Nishi-Nippori Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 11:30 Otemachi Station
- Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Nijubashi Bridge
- 12:30 Depart Nijubashimae Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 12:45 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
- Harajuku Meiji Shrine
- Takeshita Street
- 13:40 Depart Harajuku Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- 14:00 Arrive Shinagawa Station
- 14:00 Dismissal: Shinagawa Station
Title: What Is a One-Day Private Tour of Tokyo's Gardens and Historic Sites Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of friends visiting Japan for the first time from North America. This time they were on a short visit of only three days, as they were unable to travel for a long period. The day before, they arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight, then transferred trains from Haneda to reach their hotel. All of them love gardens and wanted to visit as many Japanese gardens as possible during their stay in Japan. They also said they wanted to learn how to use the subway and trains before returning home. The tour took place under fine, almost hot weather.
First, we visited Rikugien, which the guests had requested. I explained the history of Rikugien as well as the origins and history of Edo and Tokyo. The guests mentioned that Japanese gardens are also popular in their home region, with many people creating them in their own yards.
We then moved on to the Imperial Palace and strolled through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. One of the guests said it was a shame not to be able to see cherry blossoms and asked when the best time to view them is. I explained the history of Edo, the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji era, the Meiji Restoration, why Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace, and why the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. There were questions such as what happened to the shogun and samurai after the Meiji Restoration, and whether the current Emperor of Japan holds any political authority.
Next we moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, and why wine barrels are displayed there. There were questions such as what kind of teachings Shinto involves, when Shinto originated, and what the differences are between Buddhism and Shinto.
The guests also commented that it was surprising to see no trash on the streets, that the subway was very comfortable and convenient, and asked why there are no trash cans on the streets.
I saw them off at Shinagawa 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 | Train | Shinagawa Station～Komagome Station | 274JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Komagome Station～Nishi-Nippori Station | 146JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nishi-Nippori Station～Otemachi Station | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijubashimae Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 209JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Harajuku Station～Shinagawa Station | 178JPY |
| Total | 985JPY | ||
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.