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
- 13:30 Hyatt Regency Tokyo
- 13:40 Hotel
- 14:15 Rikugien Garden
- 15:30 Nezu Shrine
- 16:30 Yanaka walk
- 17:45 Harajuku walk
- 19:30 Disband at Omotesando
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Hyatt Regency Tokyo at 13:30, Rikugien Garden at 14:15, Nezu Shrine at 15:30, Yanaka walk at 16:30 and Harajuku walk at 17:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Komagome by train (178JPY); Kamifujimae to Nezu Shrine Entrance by bus (210JPY); Nippori to Harajuku by train (208JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 596JPY per person.
What's a Private Afternoon Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rikugien, Yanaka, and Harajuku
The guests were visitors from North America who were looking forward to Tokyo as a highlight of their trip through East Asia. Throughout the tour they asked many questions, showing a strong interest in the places we visited and in Japanese culture and history. Because of hotel check-in in the morning, the tour started at 13:30. At Rikugien Garden, they enjoyed the wonderful scenery and a matcha set at Fukiage Chaya teahouse. At Nezu Shrine, they fully experienced Shinto and shrine culture in the quiet atmosphere, and then relaxed while watching the carp and turtles in the pond below Otome Inari. It was a fulfilling time. Walking through Yanaka, I think they were able to savor the charm of an old downtown neighborhood, quite the opposite of the business district of Shinjuku. After buying their favorite bread at a bakery in Yanaka Ginza to satisfy a light hunger, we headed to Harajuku. I guided them through Takeshita Street, Cat Street, and Omotesando, and along the way they stopped at shops and each did some shopping. As they walked around, they were also able to spot a place for the two of them to have dinner, and the tour concluded as we parted ways in Omotesando.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Shinjuku～Komagome | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kamifujimae～Nezu Shrine Entrance | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nippori～Harajuku | 208JPY |
| Total | 596JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hyatt Regency Tokyo, Rikugien Garden, Nezu Shrine, Yanaka walk and Harajuku walk.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 596JPY per person across 3 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?
Masa 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.
Welcome guests!
I am Masa Abe, though everyone calls me MASA. For over 40 years, I worked as an in-house lawyer for one of the most renowned Japanese companies in the world. During my tenure, I spent eight and a half years in New York, where I had the pleasure of studying, working, and making friends with wonderful people. I truly enjoyed living and traveling in the U.S.
After retiring from the company in 2023, I pursued a new path and soon qualified as a National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter. As your guide, I am excited to offer professional and heartfelt services to you, my new friends from abroad.
Best wishes, MASA
May 21, 2025
CraigMaplewood
Informative and knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masa brought his strong historical knowledge and easy…
May 21, 2025
CraigMaplewood
Informative and knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masa brought his strong historical knowledge and easy personality to complement our day
visiting the Imperial Palace and the Yanaka area of Tokyo. His English was excellent. He
answered all the questions we asked and made the tour day both easy and informative.
May 15, 2025
luc_arY4023MB
A memorable Tokyo tour with Masa
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I had a great time on…
May 15, 2025
luc_arY4023MB
A memorable Tokyo tour with Masa
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I had a great time on this tour! Our guide, Masa, was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Communication was amazing even before the tour started—he listened to our interests and tailor-made the itinerary just for us. He shared interesting facts at each stop and made the whole experience feel personal and meaningful. My favorite parts were exploring Rikugien Garden and walking through Yanaka Ginza. The pace was perfect, and everything ran smoothly. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Masa as your guide!
May 8, 2025
Catherine_R
Great Tour to take on Day 1
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of Tokyo including…
May 8, 2025
Catherine_R
Great Tour to take on Day 1
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of Tokyo including tsukiji market and asakusa shrine. We learned how to get
a SUICA card and use the Tokyo train system. Mr Masa was very knowledgeable. It made us
confident to get around Tokyo for the rest of our trip!
Apr 25, 2025
TomQ188
A wonderful day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I had a wonderful…
Apr 25, 2025
TomQ188
A wonderful day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I had a wonderful 6-hour private tour with Masa Abe, who took us to Tokyo highlights that we had selected from a number of options he suggested. He was knowledgeable, interesting, taught us how to use the subway and spoke perfect English! We learned that he spent several years working for Sony in New York. If you can get him for your guide, you’ll be in very good hands.