Tokyo in Half a Day: Shiomi & Tokyo Skytree — Guide Masa
January, 2026
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
- 13:00 Meeting place: Hotel
- 13:10 Shiomi Station
- (JR Keiyo Line)
- Shin-Kiba Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Yurakucho Station
- Hibiya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 13:50 Arrive at Nezu Station
- Nezu Nezu Shrine
- 14:30 Depart Nezu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Nishi-Nippori Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 15:00 Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Senso-ji Temple
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Asakusa Shrine
- 16:20 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tobu Skytree Line)
- 16:30 Arrive at Tokyo Skytree Station
- Solamachi
- 17:00 Dismissal: Tokyo Skytree
Title: What Can You See on a New Year's Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They arrived in late December. After landing at Narita Airport, they took a taxi to their Hotel. The main purpose of this trip to Japan was a ski holiday in Hokkaido, with a total stay of three weeks. After spending time in Tokyo and then in the Kansai area, they planned to fly from Kansai Airport to Sapporo. After enjoying skiing at their leisure in Niseko, they intended to return to Tokyo before flying home. They were also planning to visit Tokyo Disneyland the following day. They said, "Today we would like to visit spots that are not too crowded." It was a tour under clear but somewhat chilly weather.
From Shiomi Station, we first headed to Nezu Shrine. Here, there was a very long line of New Year's worshippers stretching from the entrance. I explained about Shinto, about torii gates, and about the history of Edo and Tokyo, and while passing through the torii, I also explained about Inari shrines. There were questions such as "What kind of religion is Shinto?" and "Why did Shinto arise?"
We then moved to Asakusa. Here too there was a long line of worshippers, and the police were on strict guard. We managed to start from in front of the Kaminarimon Gate. I explained about "Senso-ji Temple and the history from Edo to Tokyo," "what the five-storied pagoda is for," "what Buddhism is," and "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." We took commemorative photos at various spots, including in front of the Kaminarimon Gate and the five-storied pagoda, and strolled leisurely through the Nakamise shopping street. There were questions such as "What are the major religions in Japan?", "How many Buddhists are there in Japan?", and "Besides Buddhism, what other religions do people believe in?"
We moved to Tokyo Skytree. I guided them around Solamachi, saw them to the entrance, and parted ways. There were also comments and questions such as "The city is so clean and there is no litter on the ground," "We don't see any homeless people," and "Why are there no trash cans in the streets?"
I saw them off to Shinjuku Station and 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 | Shiomi～Shin-Kiba | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shin-Kiba～Nezu | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nezu～Asakusa | 510JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Asakusa～Tokyo Skytree | 160JPY |
| Total | 1,080JPY | ||
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
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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
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Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
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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.