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
- 10:00 Meeting place: Hinode-yu, Japan, 〒111-0041 Präfektur TokioTaito City, Moto-Asakusa2 Chome−10−5
- 10:10 Depart Inaricho Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Ueno Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- 10:30 Arrive Nippori Station
- Nippori Yanaka Ginza
- Yanaka Cemetery
- 11:00 Depart Sendagi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 11:10 Arrive Nezu Station
- Nezu Nezu Shrine
- 11:40 Depart Nezu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 12:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
- Harajuku Meiji Shrine
- Break: Cafe Terrace Meiji Jingu
- Takeshita Street
- 12:45 Depart Meiji-jingumae Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Omotesando Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 13:00 Arrive Shibuya Station
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- 13:30 Shibuya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 14:00 Arrive Ginza Station
- 14:00 Disband: Ginza Station
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Yanaka, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe, both on their first trip to Japan. The night before, they had arrived at Haneda Airport via a connecting flight, then taken a taxi to their accommodation (a B&B with an attached public bathhouse). This time they were on a two-week trip to Japan, spending four days in Tokyo, then traveling to Kyoto, Hida-Takayama, and Mount Fuji, before returning to Tokyo and flying home. The next day they planned a day trip to Kamakura. Both guests were big fans of Japan. It was a tour under clear skies and intense summer heat.
They said they disliked crowds and wished to visit places not usually frequented by ordinary tourists.
First, we went from Nippori Station to Yanaka Ginza. I explained the origins and history of "Fujimizaka" and "Yanaka Ginza." For some reason, there were many visitors from overseas. The guests commented, "It feels nostalgic," and "We're happy to experience the atmosphere of old Tokyo."
Next, we went to Nezu Shrine. I explained the history of Nezu Shrine, as well as Shinto and torii gates. They asked questions such as "What kind of teaching is Shinto?", "When did Shinto originate?", and "How many shrines are there in Japan?"
We then moved to Harajuku and visited Meiji Shrine. Again, I explained about Shinto, torii gates, Emperor Meiji, and why wine barrels are displayed there. They also asked, "What kind of teaching is Buddhism?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" Because of the extreme heat, we took a break for a while at the cafe terrace at Meiji Shrine.
After strolling along Takeshita Street, we headed to Shibuya. First, we took photos looking down at Scramble Square from the entrance to the Keio Inokashira Line platform, then actually crossed the scramble intersection. They asked, "Why do so many people gather here?" We also took photos in front of the Hachiko statue. They commented and asked, "Japanese people are all so quiet and polite," "The city is clean with no litter on the ground," and "Why are there no trash cans on the streets?"
At their request to be taken to Ginza, I escorted them to 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 | Train | Inaricho (Tokyo)～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Ueno～Nippori | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Sendagi～Nezu | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Nezu～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Shibuya～Ginza | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,108JPY | ||
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.