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
- 10:00 Hotel
- 10:30 Shinjuku Station
- 11:00 Mukogaoka Yuen Station
- 11:30 Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum
- 13:30 Gotokuji Temple
- 14:30 Lunch at Fukuan
- 15:10 Shinjuku
- 16:03 Tocho Temboudai
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Shinjuku Station at 10:30, Mukogaoka Yuen Station at 11:00, Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum at 11:30, Gotokuji Temple at 13:30, Shinjuku at 15:10 and Tocho Temboudai at 16:03.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Mukogaoka Yuen (270JPY); Mukogaoka Yuen to Gotokuji (200JPY); Gotokuji to Shinjuku (200JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 670JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from the Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
Body: During a private tour in Tokyo arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), the conversation with the guests covered a wide range of everyday and cultural topics. Here are some of the questions and comments shared during the day:
1. We are used to rain where we come from. 2. We once had many bikes when raising a family — one kept at a station, one at home, and a sports bike each. 3. We don't wear helmets when we ride a bike. 4. Is it true that older people in Japan continue to work because their pension is not enough? 5. Where we live, one parent must first take several weeks of leave so that the other can take a longer leave afterward, which the government actively encourages. 6. What is the average number of children per household here? The population of Japan may be shrinking. 7. Thank you. We'll say goodbye now, but we may stay here a little longer.
The guests shared that they wish to enjoy traveling the world while they are in good health, and have already visited more than twenty countries across Africa, South America, and Asia. We parted ways at the observatory of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, where they wished to stay a little longer to take in the view after the rain had cleared.
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 | Other | Shinjuku～Mukogaoka Yuen | 270JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Mukogaoka Yuen～Gotokuji | 200JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Gotokuji～Shinjuku | 200JPY |
| Total | 670JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shinjuku Station, Mukogaoka Yuen Station, Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum, Gotokuji Temple, Shinjuku and Tocho Temboudai.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 670JPY 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?
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!