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
- 08:30 Hotel (Hyatt Regency Yokohama)
- 09:45 Meiji Shrine
- 10:45 Harajuku (Takeshita Street / Omotesando)
- 11:45 Imperial Palace (Imperial Palace East Gardens)
- 13:15 Purchase same-day tickets for Tokyo Skytree
- 13:30 Lunch (Solamachi / Nagoya Binchotan)
- 14:30 Viewing each deck of Tokyo Skytree
- 16:00 Return trip
- 17:30 Arrive at hotel
What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who had a full day of Tokyo sightseeing before boarding a cruise departing from Yokohama Port to travel around various parts of Japan. Each had certain circumstances to consider, such as not being comfortable with crowded trains, having dietary restrictions, and finding extended walking a little difficult, so we spent plenty of time exchanging messages in advance to prepare the tour itinerary. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful on the day, and the conversation flowed easily, so the guests seemed to comfortably enjoy sightseeing at Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. We also had lunch at Tokyo Skytree, where the guests greatly enjoyed the experience of eating "hitsumabushi," which I had recommended in advance, following its unique method of preparation and eating, and they were able to create wonderful memories.
Click here for more details: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Motomachi-Chukagai～Meiji-jingumae | 720JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Omotesando～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Oshiage | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Oshiage～Ueno | 290JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Ueno～Yokohama | 580JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Yokohama～Motomachi-Chukagai | 230JPY |
| Total | 2,210JPY | ||
Welcome guests!
I am Masa Abe, though everyone calls me MASA. For over 40 years, I worked as an in-house lawyer for one of the most renowned Japanese companies in the world. During my tenure, I spent eight and a half years in New York, where I had the pleasure of studying, working, and making friends with wonderful people. I truly enjoyed living and traveling in the U.S.
After retiring from the company in 2023, I pursued a new path and soon qualified as a National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter. As your guide, I am excited to offer professional and heartfelt services to you, my new friends from abroad.
Best wishes, MASA
May 21, 2025
CraigMaplewood
Informative and knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masa brought his strong historical knowledge and easy…
May 21, 2025
CraigMaplewood
Informative and knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masa brought his strong historical knowledge and easy personality to complement our day
visiting the Imperial Palace and the Yanaka area of Tokyo. His English was excellent. He
answered all the questions we asked and made the tour day both easy and informative.
May 15, 2025
luc_arY4023MB
A memorable Tokyo tour with Masa
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I had a great time on…
May 15, 2025
luc_arY4023MB
A memorable Tokyo tour with Masa
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I had a great time on this tour! Our guide, Masa, was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Communication was amazing even before the tour started—he listened to our interests and tailor-made the itinerary just for us. He shared interesting facts at each stop and made the whole experience feel personal and meaningful. My favorite parts were exploring Rikugien Garden and walking through Yanaka Ginza. The pace was perfect, and everything ran smoothly. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Masa as your guide!
May 8, 2025
Catherine_R
Great Tour to take on Day 1
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of Tokyo including…
May 8, 2025
Catherine_R
Great Tour to take on Day 1
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of Tokyo including tsukiji market and asakusa shrine. We learned how to get
a SUICA card and use the Tokyo train system. Mr Masa was very knowledgeable. It made us
confident to get around Tokyo for the rest of our trip!
Apr 25, 2025
TomQ188
A wonderful day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I had a wonderful…
Apr 25, 2025
TomQ188
A wonderful day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I had a wonderful 6-hour private tour with Masa Abe, who took us to Tokyo highlights that we had selected from a number of options he suggested. He was knowledgeable, interesting, taught us how to use the subway and spoke perfect English! We learned that he spent several years working for Sony in New York. If you can get him for your guide, you’ll be in very good hands.