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
- 09:00 THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku
- 10:00 Exploring Shinjuku, West and East exits, Golden-gai, some more tips
- 11:00 Exploring Ginza Nissan, Sony Tourist Center, Ginza alleys, Shrine
- 12:00 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Nakamise, Sensoji
- 13:00 Asakusa Sanja Matsuri done
What Topics Come Up During a Private Guided Tour in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. One of the guests mentioned receiving a medal at a ceremony in January, which the family found exciting. The guest noted that the presenter was very easy to talk to.
2. One of the guests reflected on nearly four decades of work and an upcoming retirement, observing that younger people show less respect for certain professions and no longer view them as a career, and that people seem to be becoming more self-centered. The guest also noted that similar crimes, such as scams, occur back home.
3. There is some reluctance to switch from gasoline vehicles to EVs, though the guest mentioned having a power station at home.
4. The guest noted that the minimum hourly wage in their home region is about 20 dollars.
5. The guest described a long journey of around 20 hours to reach Tokyo, with connecting flights.
6. The guest thought it was nice that cars are restricted for pedestrians on Sundays.
7. The guest realized why three portable shrines, or "mikoshi," tour the precinct to purify the area during the festival (Senja Matsuri).
8. The guest mentioned that a family member had just reached an age allowing them to drink, and asked about the legal voting age being 18 and the drinking age being 20 in Japan.
9. The guest noted that scooters like those are not used on the street back home.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Shinjuku～Ginza | 380JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Ginza～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Total | 590JPY | ||
Hello, welcome to Japan you all.
I’m a resident of Ebina, Kanagawa, and am a national government licensed guide and interpreter.
I enjoy showing travelers both the new and old of central Honshu, primarily Tokyo and Kanagawa, ranging from Meiji Shrine, Edo Castle, Tsukiji Outer Market, Ueno, Asakusa, Ginza, Ginza Sky Farmstead, Shibuya Zebra Crossings, Yokohama, Kamakura, to Hakone, not to mention Mt. Fuji, and sharing views with my guests on Japanese homes and their surroundings, Japan’s labor productivity and labor market, among others.
I also enjoy introducing travelers to Japanese culture through home visits with Japanese families, touring Zen temples, and explaining the intricacies of Japanese culture.
I am happy to arrange personalized tours to other places of your interest.
I am making the most of my long experience as a foreign language education service, escorting VIPs at the Sony showroom in Ginza, Tokyo.
I also offer services to help families and individuals relocating to Japan with immigration VISA applications.
My hobbies are movies, strolling along the river in my neighborhood and am a novice at la lingua Italiano.
Let’s enjoy touring together, shall we?
Jul 16, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half…
Jul 16, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half day with Hideaki Wada, which can be highly recommended. He was on time on the spot, very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and spoke good English. We made a plan, followed it and ended up with a little extra time.
Jun 21, 2026
CJW324
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with…
Jun 21, 2026
CJW324
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with kids
Hideaki was the highlight of our time in Tokyo. We were a group of six — two grandparents and two young kids — and he handled every dynamic with ease. Patient, warm, and endlessly accommodating, he read the energy of the group and adjusted the pace so no one ever felt rushed or left behind. He was especially wonderful with our kids, keeping them engaged and curious all day — from the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, to shopping, to the wonderful craziness of Shinjuku. As a licensed guide his knowledge was deep, but what set him apart was how genuinely kind and thoughtful he was with our whole family. If you want a guide who treats you like family and makes Tokyo come alive for all ages, book Hideaki. Highest possible recommendation — thank you, Hideaki!
May 20, 2026
olgalA154QQ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with an excellent guide
Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki…
May 20, 2026
olgalA154QQ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with an excellent guide
Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki was excellent! He was fully engaged and helpful!
He explained so many things and showed us everything we wanted to see.
Apr 19, 2026
Sightseer57474900023
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
Hideaki was an incredible guide and…
Apr 19, 2026
Sightseer57474900023
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
Hideaki was an incredible guide and my family had the most wonderful first day in Tokyo with him showing us the sights! We covered so much ground, learned a ton about the city and its history and truly got acclimated to Japan!
We clocked over 20k steps by end of day and hit at least 4 different areas of the city. Plus the lunch spot Hideaki took us was delicious! A perfect start to our trip and forever grateful to Hideaki for the fantastic memories!