Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Lance
October, 2025
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
- 900 Hilton Odaiba ⇒ 920-1030 Tsukiji ⇒ 1050-1130 Asakusa ⇒ 1150-1240 Yanaka & Nezu ⇒ 1330 Hilton Odaiba
What Is a Private Taxi Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Yanaka
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They arrived by plane and had made a round trip to Mount Fuji the previous day. Tonight they were scheduled to board a cruise ship from Odaiba, bound for Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other destinations. We had arranged to meet on the first floor of the Hotel, but what I thought was the first floor was actually the second floor, so even though one of the guests contacted me to say they had arrived, I could not find them and got a little flustered — but another guest came to look for me. At Tsukiji, we were treated to a skewer of grilled wagyu sirloin at a shop. At Namiyoke Shrine, when I explained that the female lion head wore ohaguro (blackened teeth), one of the guests asked me about the ingredients of ohaguro 💦 (it is iron and tannin). In Asakusa, one of the guests bought two caps with the character for "dragon" written on them. When I was about to explain the Ako Roshi (the loyal retainers) at Kannonji Temple in Yanaka, the guests already knew about the Ako Roshi. The conversation turned to Japanese politics, and I mentioned that with the major defeat of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan might see its first female prime minister. Since we could see the Fuji Television building in Odaiba where the Hotel was located, I talked about how the company president had been dismissed over a cover-up of a celebrity scandal. Today was a private chartered taxi tour, but the roads were congested all day, so it became a rather rushed tour.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He…
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He had a good sense of humor and was so kind to meet us at our Air BnB, which was a bit out of the way. He gave us a great crash course on Japanese history before heading out on our adventure around Tokyo, visiting shrines, markets, a museum and garden. It was so helpful to have him with us navigating the train system, and he took us to an amazing sushi place for a lovely lunch. All in all, it was really fun and we were able to better appreciate the places we visited with him providing information and history along the way. Would definitely recommend!…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10, 12) had a fantastic experience with Lance as a tour guide on our full day Tokyo tour. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very flexible with kids on the trip. We highly recommend him!
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and…
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and Lance was such a great guide. my mother is handicapped and Lance researched the best ways to use the train stations always found us an elevator or ramp. He knew so much about the Japanese culture and history. His English was very strong and easily understood. The temples and markets were beautiful. Two things that really made Lance stand out as a great guide was when we went to the offering area at one of the temples Lance didn’t want us to miss out because we didn’t have a coin so he provided on for each of us. The second thing was I asked a question that he wasn’t sure the answer to, but after the tour I was surprised to see a message from Lance answering my question. He did not gain anything from this I had already paid and tipped him it really just reflected how amazing and dedicated to his job Lance was.thank you Lance for making our tour of Japan so special.
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me after I booked, guiding me through the options. Several days before the tour, rain was in the forecast. Lance revised our options to include mostly indoor tours. He also requested our likes and dislikes prior to picking a lunch spot.
Lance was very knowledgeable about Japan’s history. We appreciated his explanations at each tour site. Descriptions were a nice overview without being overly detailed. Lance’s organization and timing for each stop was spot on and his English was excellent.
It was a pleasure to spend the day with Lance. He epitomized the Japanese culture with his calmness, true kindness and respect for all!