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
- 11:30 Meeting place: Sotetsu Fresa inn Tokyo Kyobashi
- 11:40 Depart Kyobashi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 12:00 Arrive Asakusa Station
- Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- Asakusa Shrine
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- 13:00 Depart Asakusa Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 13:20 Arrive Tsukiji Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- 14:30 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Hibiya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- 15:00 Arrive Meiji-jingumae Station
- Harajuku Meiji Shrine
- Takeshita Street
- Cat Street
- 16:00 Depart Harajuku Station
- (JR Yamanote Line)
- 16:10 Arrive Shibuya Station
- Shibuya Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- Shibuya Center-gai
- 17:30 Depart Shibuya Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- 18:00 Arrive Kyobashi Station
- Dismissal: Kyobashi Station
Title: What Is a Rainy-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Two weeks earlier they had arrived at Narita and headed straight to the Kansai region. They toured Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima before arriving in Tokyo the previous day. The night before, they had strolled around Ginza and enjoyed ramen. They were staying in Tokyo for only three days, and planned a day trip to Mount Fuji the next day. "We had always wanted to come to Japan, and this time it finally came true," they said. The tour took place in rainy weather.
Despite the rain, Asakusa was very crowded. I explained the history of Senso-ji Temple as well as the history of Edo and Tokyo. There were questions such as "Do all Japanese people believe in Buddhism?" and "Are there people who believe in religions other than Buddhism?" Everyone drew omikuji fortune slips, and there was great excitement as the results were shared.
We went to the Tsukiji Outer Market, and I explained the difference between Tsukiji Market and Toyosu Market. The guests eagerly looked around in every direction and bought some bean snacks. They also enjoyed grilled king crab, shrimp, oysters, and scallops standing at the food stalls. They asked, "Why are there so many people here?" and remarked, "There are so many kinds of fish," and asked, "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?"
At Meiji Shrine, there were questions such as "What is the purpose of a torii gate?" and "How do Buddhism and Shinto differ?" There were also questions about the Japanese Imperial family and "Why did the Meiji Restoration happen?" In the rain, we took a break at a cafe near Meiji Shrine.
After that, we strolled along Takeshita Street and Cat Street, then moved on to Shibuya and crossed the Scramble Crossing. There was a question: "Why is it so crowded here?" The guests also commented, "The whole city is clean," "The subway is quiet and no one is being loud, completely different from the subway back home," and "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant."
I saw them off at Kyobashi Station, where we parted ways.
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 | Subway | Kyobashi Station～Asakusa Station | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa Station～Tsukiji Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku Station～Shibuya Station | 146JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shibuya Station～Kyobashi Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 746JPY | ||
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
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
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.