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 Meet at the hotel
- 10:30 Nezu Shrine
- 12:00 Tokyo Skytree
- 13:15 Lunch in Asakusa
- 14:20 Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
- 15:40 Hamarikyu Gardens
- 16:25 At Shimbashi Station, support with reserving round-trip Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto
- 16:40 End of guide
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, and were big baseball fans planning to attend a season opener at Tokyo Dome. Regarding the delivery of their tickets, I checked in advance with their hotel on their behalf, for which they were very grateful.
At Nezu Shrine, I explained Shinto beliefs and the imperial family, and they enjoyed walking through the rows of torii gates. At Tokyo Skytree, although Mount Fuji was not visible, they enjoyed the panoramic views, and by chance an MLB exhibition was being held there, so they were thrilled to see the championship trophy and other items.
Since dinner was to be a full-course menu, we chose a casual everyday Japanese meal for lunch, and they praised the ramen, nigiri sushi, teriyaki chicken, and fried shrimp as delicious. At Sensoji Temple, I provided a guide on Buddhism. At Hamarikyu Gardens, in addition to the gardens themselves, I introduced falconry, duck hunting, and the site of the villa connected to General Grant.
We had planned to visit Meiji Shrine, but as one of the guests was tired, I assisted with arranging the bullet train for their trip to Kyoto the following day, and concluded the tour.
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～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nezu～Oshiage | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Oshiage～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Asakusa～Shiodome | 220JPY |
| Total | 840JPY | ||
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Osaka Tour
Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Osaka Tour
Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.