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 Prince Park Tower
- 10:00 Imperial Palace
- 11:30 Omote Sando Omohara, Tips on Eatery
- 12:10 Meiji Shrine
- 13:00 Harajuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Prince Park Tower at 09:00, Imperial Palace at 10:00, Omote Sando Omohara, Tips on Eatery at 11:30, Meiji Shrine at 12:10 and Harajuku at 13:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Akabanebashi to Otemachi (Tokyo) by subway (220JPY); Otemachi (Tokyo) to Omotesando by subway (180JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 400JPY per person.
What Do American Guests Ask on a Private Tour in Japan? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. Are the Japanese wives subservient? If one works out and she stays home, it's okay. If both work, it must be shared. 2. The House is more prioritized than the Senate. I work for the legislature. 3. We commit suicides, too, back home. They jump over the barrier at railway platform. 4. Back home, 65 percent of legislators are men, 35 percent women. 5. It's mandatory to wear a helmet in some regions and not in others, it depends on the area. 6. Basic hourly wage is 15 or 16 dollars back home. 7. McDonald's here is tastier, it costs 12 or 14 bucks back home. 8. I work in healthcare and can live independently. I have children. 9. I have a family member in the navy who won't help us. 10. So, you can't stand on the threshold. I'm learning the culture.
Supplementary notes on the tour route above
1. A group of guests from North America.
2. Their interest in Japan was very high, and they asked many questions. Not only about Japanese cultural and historical subjects, but they kept asking questions while we were moving between locations. In particular, about the image of modern Japan.
The current situation surrounding women in Japan, the maternity leave system, wages, the proportion of women in managerial positions, the ratio of women among members of the national legislature, the Japanese parliamentary system, the elderly cleaning workers often seen at stations and shrines, prices, pensions, wages, employment and unemployment issues, housing prices, the imperial succession issue, current Japanese university students, young people's views on marriage, overtime hours, and so on.
I noted in advance that my own opinions do not represent the whole, and I explained everything they asked about.
I felt that the guests, not only this time but in general, have a high level of interest in Japanese history and culture. At the same time, I feel every time that their interest in modern Japan is also very high. I strive to improve daily, and the questions I receive from guests serve as encouragement. That is all.
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 | Akabanebashi～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Omotesando | 180JPY |
| Total | 400JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Prince Park Tower, Imperial Palace, Omote Sando Omohara, Tips on Eatery, Meiji Shrine and Harajuku.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 400JPY per person across 2 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Hideaki is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
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!