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
- 9:40 Hotel→Meiji Shrine→Tsukiji—lunch also at Tsukiji→Imperial Palace Nijubashi→16:10 Asakusa
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like When Guests Arrive Late? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests joined about 40 minutes late. After 20 minutes I sent an email with the agency in cc, but received no reply, and I was considering making a phone call once 30 minutes had passed. Just after the 30-minute mark, I received an email saying they would arrive in another 10 minutes, which meant the tour started about 50 minutes late and ended about 1 hour and 10 minutes over the scheduled time. No additional fee was requested for this.
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had traveled through Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Korea, and were finishing in Tokyo before returning home the next day.
They had hired guides elsewhere as well, so I assumed they already had a certain amount of knowledge, but I explained even the basics of religion, and they listened with great interest.
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 | Shimbashi～Meiji-jingumae | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Yoyogi | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Yoyogi～Tsukijishijo | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Tsukiji～Nijubashi | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Sakuradamon～Yurakucho | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Yurakucho～Ueno | 170JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,260JPY | ||
Hello ! My name is Kazuo Inoue, please call me ,”kazu”.
I started guide business in 2016, 8 years ago . So I have a lot of experience as a guide .
Also I have joined Tokyo city guide club ,specialising in Asakusa, Meiji shrine,Imperial Palace.
I have much of knowledge of Tokyo , especially history. I am a specialist of Tokyo.
I can guide not only main sightseeing spots , but also Tokyo off the beaten path ,
like Nezu Yanaka, Shibamata , the surbuarb of Tokyo.
( the photo is the ring of the Sumo-stadium in Ryogoku ,Tokyo)
I am looking forward to seeing you. kazu
May 26, 2026
jilliand744
Tokyo sightseeing
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a good experience with our guide Kazu. He…
May 26, 2026
jilliand744
Tokyo sightseeing
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a good experience with our guide Kazu. He was very nice and made sure whatever we wanted to see or know he would accommodate. We covered a lot of ground in the 6 hour tour. He took to a wonderfully delicious sushi restaurant.
We would have been lost without him and probably would have wandered circles all day. I’m very happy with our experience
Thank you Kazu.
May 7, 2026
artsZ6836LO
Kazu in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu was very flexible and knowledgeable
Made good suggestions…
May 7, 2026
artsZ6836LO
Kazu in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu was very flexible and knowledgeable
Made good suggestions for places to visit
Knew the subway system very well
Apr 20, 2026
Fran_R
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
A glance of Tokyo
A good overview of…
Apr 20, 2026
Fran_R
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
A glance of Tokyo
A good overview of Tokyo with a guide that was very accommodating for our wants and
needs. We saw all the places we had requested. It was a great experience
Apr 7, 2026
Passenger03573064762
From ancient traditions to rapid trains
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an ambitious set of…
Apr 7, 2026
Passenger03573064762
From ancient traditions to rapid trains
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an ambitious set of Tokyo sights to see located over a wide area of this busy city. Our guide, Kazu, led us through the day with a smile, giving us lots of historical background about each area. We rode so many subways that we lost count but we felt we got a strong sense of the city’s past and its current culture.