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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Meet at ANA InterContinental Tokyo
- 9:35 Meiji Shrine
- 10:20 Takeshita Street
- 11:10 Commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya,
- 11:20 Passing through the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then strolling through Shibuya Center Street (pachinko parlors, Mega Don Quijote, etc.),
- then passing through Spain Slope to visit the Nintendo Store and Pokemon Center
- 12:40 Strolling through Ginza, commemorative photo in front of the Kabukiza Theatre
- 13:10 Lunch at "Ippudo Ginza Store"
- 14:10 Asakusa Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple
- 15:20 Disband at "Asakusa Kappabashi Kitchenware Town"
What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like Around New Year? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan from North America and had arrived in Tokyo yesterday after a three-day stay in Kyoto. They planned to stay in Tokyo through January 1, then stop over in Asia before returning home. Since they wanted to make the most of their first visit to Tokyo, we finalized today's itinerary through email exchanges in advance. I shared as much information as possible so the guests could enjoy Japan's year-end and New Year events over their remaining days. As this was my first guiding assignment in two months, I spent several days beforehand reviewing information about the planned sightseeing spots and preparing topics related to the year-end and New Year season, such as kadomatsu decorations and toshikoshi soba. The guests took part in the tour smiling throughout and seemed very satisfied with the day. During the commemorative photo with "Uncle Tokyo," they kindly pointed to their ankle as requested. Thanks to that, it looks like I can see out the year peacefully.
Thank you for your support throughout this year. I truly enjoyed the gathering at the club. I look forward to working with you again next year.
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 | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Kokkai-gijidomae Station～Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | JR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station～JR Yamanote Line Shibuya Station | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Ginza Station | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Ginza Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station | 210JPY |
| Total | 750JPY | ||
Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).
Aug 25, 2026
T8432CMjeffr
6 hr Tokyo tour with Bruce
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
The tour was…
Aug 25, 2026
T8432CMjeffr
6 hr Tokyo tour with Bruce
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
The tour was a fantastic experience. Bruce engaged with me early on to determine what we wanted to see and what would be most effective. He met us at the hotel, and let us to some amazing sites, and leading us through the Tokyo transit system. He showed us the customs which really made us feel to be part of the experience. Bruce took us to a lunch spot which was an amazing experience. This tour provided Tokyo experiences that we wouldn’t have been able to do in one day on our own.
Aug 5, 2026
Polly1818
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Bruce was the best !! 5⭐️
Bruce was our…
Aug 5, 2026
Polly1818
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Bruce was the best !! 5⭐️
Bruce was our guide for the day. He was amazing , kind, patient, interested and most interesting. He tailored his tour around our likes, avoided a lot of touristy type things ( though included some we would have been sorry to miss )
Aug 3, 2026
AJEDav
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide
Bruce Sagano was terrific! He was very…
Aug 3, 2026
AJEDav
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide
Bruce Sagano was terrific! He was very patient, kind and knowledgeable. He took us to Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street and Tsujiki Fish Market. We ate at a great sushi restaurant in Tsujiki and we visited one of his favorite coffee shops. I highly recommend Bruce!
Jul 2, 2026
jamespmccormick
Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
We booked a 6 hour…
Jul 2, 2026
jamespmccormick
Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
We booked a 6 hour Tokyo tour with Bruce Sugano and had a great experience! Bruce’s English is very good and he was flexible with us setting and changing the itinerary when we saw things we wanted to experience. We took the tour on our 2nd day in Japan and It was helpful to introduce us to the culture and help us gain an understanding of the city and some of its important sites. At the end of our tour, Bruce took us to one of his favorite sushi restaurants and introduced us to Japanese sushi! I would definitely recommend this tour!