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
- 900 Hotel
- 920-1010 Asakusa
- 1030-1110 Tokyo National Museum
- 1130-1250 Meal, Edo-Tokyo Museum
- 1310-1400 Meiji Shrine
Title: What Is a Private Museum and Shrine Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
At the Tokyo National Museum, I was asked "How did Japanese writing come to be?", and at the Edo-Tokyo Museum I was asked "Why did Japan go to war with North America?" and "How did sushi stay fresh in the Edo period?"
I answered respectively that "Japanese characters were created by simplifying Chinese characters," that "Japan tried to catch up with Western nations and turned toward colonialism," and that "vinegar was used."
The guest recalled that when they chose to major in computers at university, they were once told, "What good is that going to be?" But they went on to start a company and succeed in business, and feel that this proved their own way of thinking had been right all along. Thanks to advances in computers, they were also able to greatly reduce the number of employees.
The guest is very fond of the politeness and cleanliness of the Japanese people. They said they were moved to see the Japanese national team at the World Cup neatly folding the towels on their bench after the match.
The guest surprised me by saying, "When I asked an AI for the best guide in Tokyo, your name came up. The AI examined all the reviews and made its judgment. From now on you'll get more and more guiding requests." (Surely that can't be true. I think it was said to make me happy.)
The omikuji fortunes at Meiji Shrine are waka poems composed by Emperor Meiji and the Empress, and the guest bought a fortune for me as well. When I drew it, it read: "Pale green, the clear and boundless sky — may my own heart be as vast as its expanse." (Whether we succeed or fail in building our lives is determined by the state of our heart. Let us always move forward with a heart as great as a clear, boundless sky.) I hope to keep striving in this spirit from now on.
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 | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Ueno～Ryogoku | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Ryogoku～Harajuku | 260JPY |
| Total | 820JPY | ||
I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He…
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He had a good sense of humor and was so kind to meet us at our Air BnB, which was a bit out of the way. He gave us a great crash course on Japanese history before heading out on our adventure around Tokyo, visiting shrines, markets, a museum and garden. It was so helpful to have him with us navigating the train system, and he took us to an amazing sushi place for a lovely lunch. All in all, it was really fun and we were able to better appreciate the places we visited with him providing information and history along the way. Would definitely recommend!…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10, 12) had a fantastic experience with Lance as a tour guide on our full day Tokyo tour. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very flexible with kids on the trip. We highly recommend him!
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and…
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and Lance was such a great guide. my mother is handicapped and Lance researched the best ways to use the train stations always found us an elevator or ramp. He knew so much about the Japanese culture and history. His English was very strong and easily understood. The temples and markets were beautiful. Two things that really made Lance stand out as a great guide was when we went to the offering area at one of the temples Lance didn’t want us to miss out because we didn’t have a coin so he provided on for each of us. The second thing was I asked a question that he wasn’t sure the answer to, but after the tour I was surprised to see a message from Lance answering my question. He did not gain anything from this I had already paid and tipped him it really just reflected how amazing and dedicated to his job Lance was.thank you Lance for making our tour of Japan so special.
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me after I booked, guiding me through the options. Several days before the tour, rain was in the forecast. Lance revised our options to include mostly indoor tours. He also requested our likes and dislikes prior to picking a lunch spot.
Lance was very knowledgeable about Japan’s history. We appreciated his explanations at each tour site. Descriptions were a nice overview without being overly detailed. Lance’s organization and timing for each stop was spot on and his English was excellent.
It was a pleasure to spend the day with Lance. He epitomized the Japanese culture with his calmness, true kindness and respect for all!