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
- 9:00 Meet at the 5th fl lobby in the Okura Tokyo
- 9:30 1 TSUKIJI Outer Market
- 10:45 2 ASAKUSA(i.e. Senso-ji Temple)
- 11:45 3 KAPPABASHI Kitchen Town
- 12:55 See off at the Patia Kojimachi
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in 1 TSUKIJI Outer Market at 9:30, 2 ASAKUSA(i.e. Senso-ji Temple) at 10:45, 3 KAPPABASHI Kitchen Town at 11:45 and See off at the Patia Kojimachi at 12:55.
Title: What Is a Private Chauffeur-Driven Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Everything was carried out as planned. The driver from the chauffeur service was excellent in both operation management and thoughtful attention. The guests' travel agency also coordinated with me several times in advance, which was very helpful. Unlike the days before, the weather was not extremely hot, and because we traveled in a private vehicle, I feel the guests were able to enjoy the tour comfortably. The guests mentioned that they planned to return to Kappabashi Kitchen Town after their afternoon sushi-making experience program.
I took part in a skill-improvement training session for licensed tour guides organized for the Tokyo area via ZOOM. It was one of about ten sessions in the program, and the content was as follows. Theme: Recent trends among inbound guests, etc. Overview: Now that the number of foreign visitors to Japan is at a record high, three active [National Guide-Interpreters](https://www.j-g-a.org/) share the latest guest trends and hospitality techniques, drawing on real examples from the field.
During the panel discussion, there was a talk about common complaints and how to handle them, and it made me wonder whether I might be receiving complaints without realizing it. Is there any platform through which complaints or negative evaluations from guests about my own guiding, submitted to the office, can be shared with me?
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Tour & Sushi Roll Making, Licensed Guide
Welcome to Japan. I hope you are going to enjoy your stay.
Who am I?
I am a Licensed Guide Interpreter at an age of 61.
I got an early retirement from 36 yrs of the employment in a Japanese financial sector.
I hope I can attend to you with the Japanese politeness, hospitality and smile.
What can I be expected?
I would like to introduce the photogenic sites, the indigenous experiences
and good Japanese local food around Tokyo, Hakone/Mt Fuji.
I might be able to show you the features of shrine and temple with a religious manner if you’d like.
As a matter of fact, I don’t have a specific religion to believe, though.
I love Japan and that’s why I started a new career as a guide.
What do I love?
Most of all, my family. I have a wife 56 yrs old, a son 28 yrs old and a daughter 25 yrs old.
I like eating raw fish and sushi, buckwheat noodles and curry rice.
How do I spend my spear time?
I run for 5 km in the morning listening to my favorite music.
I might have a chance to go to a studio program in the fitness club nearby once a week.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Thank you.
Jul 21, 2026
Sandra_U
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Individualized Tour!
Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour…
Jul 21, 2026
Sandra_U
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Individualized Tour!
Our tour guide, Masa, was wonderful. The tour was individually crafted to the sites and activities that we wanted to see. We really enjoyed that we used public transportation. He had great insight and was very helpful. I highly recommend.
Apr 3, 2026
Celal_S
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a great tour even…
We had a great tour even…
Apr 3, 2026
Celal_S
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a great tour even…
We had a great tour even it was full day rainy and a bad day for walking. Masa san was a
great guide, he was very helpful and guided us very nicely.
Mar 30, 2026
Johanna H
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
We booked the 6…
Mar 30, 2026
Johanna H
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6 hour Guided Tour of Tokyo
We booked the 6 hour tour of Tokyo with a Government Guide for our first day, to help us ‘acclimatise’ to Tokyo….learn the trains/metro, get tips and ideas etc, plus obviously visit a few highlights. Masa our guide was brilliant, contacting us in advance to find out what we would like to see, then he produced a detailed itinerary for us to review (it was spot on). He kept in touch leading up to the day and led us through a great day. The tour (& Masa) exceeded our expectations
Mar 26, 2026
Chica717
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing private tour with Masa!
We had the absolute pleasure of spending…
Mar 26, 2026
Chica717
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing private tour with Masa!
We had the absolute pleasure of spending two days with Masa san (a 6-hr tour and an 8-hour tour). If you are able to specifically request him as your guide, I highly recommend you do. He went above and beyond to make sure our visit to Tokyo was unforgettable. We corresponded well in advance, and Masa san provided invaluable insight into planning two days’ worth of sightseeing. On the days of our tours, he arrived on time and well prepared, and answered all our questions throughout the tours, whether they were about the sites, local customs, history, or etiquette. He researched alternatives when it rained and called venues on our behalf. He was a tour guide, travel agent, interpreter, and fixer – all in one! Most importantly, Masa san is a delight to spend time with – he’s a great conversationalist, and is extremely thoughtful, kind, and funny!