Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Minoruasai

July, 2024

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

  • 08:45 Meet at the lobby on the 38th floor of the Hotel. Since the guests had chosen the places they wanted to visit, we decided to follow that plan. Since the mother, Ms. Shew, had injured the sole of her left foot before the tour, we loaded a wheelchair that had been reserved in advance at the hotel into the taxi and departed. At each place visited, driver Ogawa kindly assisted by unloading and loading the wheelchair.
  • 09:20 Arrived at Sensoji Temple. Entered through the Nitenmon Gate and guided them to Asakusa Shrine, the main hall of Sensoji Temple, Nakamise-dori, and Kaminarimon Gate. Along the way, they purchased a parasol for the mother at Nakamise.
  • 10:30 Arrived at Nezu Shrine, then crossed the main street to guide them through the old streets of Yanaka. Walked and strolled for 35 minutes until 11:05.
  • 11:25 Visited the Nijubashi Bridge of the Imperial Palace, and explained the Imperial Palace and the imperial system.
  • 12:40 Arrived at the Tsukiji Outer Market, and after guiding them around the market for about 15 minutes, had lunch at Sushizanmai Main Store. Since they had walked in the heat, we took just under an hour for lunch.
  • 14:00 Arrived at Meiji Shrine. Driver Ogawa offered to the entrance guard, "Since the guest uses a wheelchair, I would like to drive up to the Kagura Hall," and the guard kindly accommodated this, so we were able to enter directly from the Kagura Hall to the main hall, which was very helpful. After finishing the guided tour of Meiji Shrine, we headed to the Hotel.
  • 15:10 Escorted them to the Hotel front desk (38th floor) and concluded.

Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Car Tour With a Wheelchair User Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

On this vehicle-included tour, there were no out-of-pocket expenses for the guide. The assigned driver was extremely attentive and considerate, and the guests were very pleased.

One of the guests used a wheelchair at every location visited, so I paid close attention to safety throughout. Moving around Tokyo by wheelchair made me realize just how many roads have significant steps and level differences. At places with considerable steps, another member of the group was fortunately present, so the guide and one other person assisted with the wheelchair as we proceeded, and the guests were very satisfied. As it was an extremely hot day with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, I used a fan to send a breeze toward the guest in the wheelchair as much as possible, which seemed to be appreciated.

The guests arrived at Haneda Airport at 4:20 a.m. after a 14-hour flight from North America, then took a taxi to their accommodation and rested in the lobby before starting the tour. I was concerned about the extreme heat as well as jet lag, but both guests were very energetic, and the tour concluded without any issues. I also heard that on this visit to Japan, the group planned to board a cruise ship from Yokohama, stopping at Kobe, Hiroshima, Busan, Hakodate, and Aomori, enjoying a 12-day cruise.

Regarding the attached photo taken at Nijubashi Bridge, permission was granted for its use only on the strict condition that no names be disclosed.

This concludes my report.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by MINORUASAI

I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.

Request Booking

Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…

Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…

Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…

Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…