Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide KenOhashi
November, 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
- Hotel (10:00) -> Asakusa (10:30) -> Ginza/Yurakucho (12:30) -> Higashi-Ginza Station (14:45)
- Since they plan to sightsee in the western Tokyo area on November 8th and 9th, it has been decided in advance to sightsee in the eastern area.
What Can You See on a Private Tour of Asakusa and Ginza in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests had planned to explore western Tokyo on other days, so it had been decided in advance to focus on the eastern part of the city. We met at the hotel lobby on time, and after a brief mutual introduction, we headed to Asakusa. I recommended a no-deposit SUICA card, but since one of the guests had left their smartphone at the hotel, they purchased a PASMO card at Daimon Station before we set off for Asakusa. From the rooftop of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, I gave an explanation of Senso-ji Temple and the surrounding Asakusa area. Next, after touring the Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise shopping street, the main hall, and Asakusa Shrine, the guests wanted to rest after walking, so we took a short break at a cafe. I explained the differences between temples and shrines, and between Buddhism and Shinto. Around noon, we headed toward Ginza. We visited Ginza Mitsukoshi, the Nissan Gallery, the Kabukiza Theatre, Kyukyodo, and Itoya (where a few cards were purchased). Around 13:30, the guests wanted to eat something, so I looked for a restaurant, but everywhere had long waiting lines, so we moved toward the Yurakucho area. We had lunch together at a ramen shop. Around 14:45, I guided them to Higashi-Ginza Station, and the tour concluded. The guests mentioned that the 4-hour tour felt short and that a 6-hour tour might have been better.
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Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Shibuya～Onarimon | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Daimon (Tokyo)～Asakusa | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Ginza | 210JPY |
| Total | 720JPY | ||
I have lived in the US for about 12 years, after my MBA/MS, working for a Japanese American company in the Chicago area and a Wall Street investment bank in NYC that I continued to work in Tokyo for about 23 years till my retirement in 2016. After the retirement, I obtained a National Government Licensed Guide certificate and have guided over 100 times mostly in Tokyo and Kanagawa areas in 2023 thru 2025. My guide is tailored for each guest, accommodating guest request as I am very much flexible with the guiding spots. While I was in the US, I have obtained a permanent residency status (green card), and am also USCPA, Japan CFP and an intellectual property right administrator among others.