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
- 09:00 Meet at Osanbashi Meeting point, walk to Nihon-odori Station
- 09:20 From Nihon-odori Station to Shin-Yokohama via Kikuna
- 10:15 From Shin-Yokohama to Tokyo Station, Shinkansen
- 10:45 From Tokyo Station to Otemon
- 11:10 Stroll through the East Gardens
- 12:20 From Otemachi Station to Nezu Station
- 12:40 Lunch at Nezu
- 13:40 Nezu Shrine
- 14:10 From Hebimichi to Yanaka Ginza, Nippori Station
- 14:50 From Nippori Station to Shibuya Station
- 15:40 Shibuya Hikarie Sky Lobby
- 15:50 Scramble Crossing, Hachiko
- 16:00 From Shibuya Station to Nihon-odori Station
- 17:00 Disband at Osanbashi
A Private Day Tour from Yokohama's Osanbashi Pier: A Licensed Guide's Report with a Shinkansen Ride to Tokyo
After meeting the guests at Osanbashi Pier, while walking toward Nihon-odori Station, they mentioned they would love to try riding the Shinkansen. So we decided to head to Shin-Yokohama, starting by helping them purchase PASMO cards at Nihon-odori Station. We took the Minatomirai Line and Tokyu Toyoko Line, transferred at Kikuna Station, and took the Yokohama Line to Shin-Yokohama Station. There was quite a bit of trouble with the ticket machines at the Shinkansen transfer gate, which took about 20 minutes, but we safely boarded the Shinkansen to Tokyo Station.
While talking about the station and the story of the ceremonial horse-drawn carriage, we discovered double cherry blossoms at Wadakura Fountain Park and everyone took photos together. We continued our stroll from Otemon Gate into the East Gardens, and while answering the various questions from the guests, we passed through Hirakawamon Gate to Otemachi Station and took the Chiyoda Line to Nezu Station.
About three restaurants we had counted on for lunch were full, so we ended up having a pasta lunch at a Yanaka bar for the first time. At first the guests were not expecting much, but they were satisfied with the pasta, which was truly Japanese-style Italian. From there, without any explanation, we headed to Nezu Shrine, and everyone was moved when the hill of azaleas came into view. Since the inside was crowded, we passed through the thousand torii gates on the side for a photo time. They enjoyed it very much.
We strolled along the Snake Path. Since the guests had never been in a Japanese supermarket, I guided them to the Maruetsu just before Yanaka Ginza, where they observed everything with great curiosity. When I mentioned that Japanese strawberries are delicious, they bought a pack, and we took a short break outside the supermarket with the bottled drinks each of them had purchased. Everyone was impressed by the strawberries.
While walking through Yanaka Ginza toward Nippori Station, I asked whether they would prefer one more spot, Asakusa or Shibuya. They said they wanted to see the scramble crossing, so we decided to head to Shibuya. They took plenty of photos and videos both from the sky lobby of Shibuya Hikarie and at the actual crossing. We took a photo of Hachiko from a distance, and that concluded the sightseeing spots. We headed back to Nihon-odori via the Toyoko Line and Minatomirai Line, saw the guests off at Osanbashi Pier, and parted ways. They thanked me, saying that without a guide they would never have been able to visit such unusual places.
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 | Nihon-odori～Kikuna | 410JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kikuna～Tokyo | 600JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Nippori～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Shibuya～Nihon-odori | 540JPY |
| Total | 1,990JPY | ||
I am Tatsuki Endo, English speaking guide, as well as Kikisake-shi (Sommelier of Sake) and Beer navigator.
My usual activity is walking tours around Tokyo area, including Yokohama, Kamakura and Hakone. There are a lot to see, just let me know what your interests are and I can suggest where to visit.
If you are interested in hidden gem, here are some examples;
Kawasaki, located between Tokyo and Yokohama near Haneda Airport, is the second station of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido, the 400 years old highway towards Kyoto from Edo (old name of Tokyo). You can do Hand-cut glass experiment, stopping at a bar for sake tasting, visiting Kawasaki-Daishi temple that receives 3 million worshippers in the new year period.
Another spot is Echigo-Yuzawa in Niigata prefecture, 75 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen train. Echigo-Yuzawa is “Onsen” (hot springs) town. You can enjoy visiting Sake brewery, skiing in winter, veiwing Sakura (cherry blossom) in spring. Appreciation of contemporary art displays in open air and old carvings at temples, in neighboring towns will be also memorable experience.
I am so excited to show you around !
Tatsuki
Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English)
Kikisake-shi (Sommelier of Sake)
Beer Navigator
Jul 22, 2026
melanierK3084ZH
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Memorable!
Our private tour with Tatsuki was fabulous! He was friendly,…
Jul 22, 2026
melanierK3084ZH
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Memorable!
Our private tour with Tatsuki was fabulous! He was friendly, knowledgeable and kind. Our visit to the Gotokuji Temple was our first time at a temple. Thanks to Tatsuki, we had a enriching and fun experience! He even researched the time to catch the cat train for our return. At our lunch together, Tatsuki generously answered all of our questions. As Tatsuki is also a sake sommelier, my husband enjoyed learning about and trying different sake! It was hot (97 degrees!). Tatsuki was so thoughtful about our wellbeing. He even had a cooling pouch and hydration packs for us when we needed it. This made our visit to the Imperial Palace gardens manageable. Tatsuki made our day so smooth. Thanks to him, we didn’t have to think about logistics and we saw more. We enjoyed his company and commentary.
Jun 28, 2026
Narzahni_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent Tour Guide
I had a wonderful experience with Tatsuki. He was…
Jun 28, 2026
Narzahni_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent Tour Guide
I had a wonderful experience with Tatsuki. He was professional, informative, articulate, and incredibly kind throughout the tour. He shared fascinating insights about Tokyo’s history and culture while making the day enjoyable and personalized. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and friendly guide.
May 27, 2026
nomadicmongrel
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great introduction to the city
Tatsuki Endo showed us around some Tokyo…
May 27, 2026
nomadicmongrel
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great introduction to the city
Tatsuki Endo showed us around some Tokyo highlights as it was our first time here. He helped us navigate the public transport, answered all our endless questions, showed us cool land marks, showed us some insider look out points for minimum crowds but maximum views, introduced us to Sake and taught me how to use chopsticks! We had the best day and it was a fabulous introduction to a fabulous city. Thank you Tatsuki!
Apr 20, 2026
B8510VNrichardf
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
The Perfect Shore Excursion to Explore Tokyo
Four of us…
Apr 20, 2026
B8510VNrichardf
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
The Perfect Shore Excursion to Explore Tokyo
Four of us had a great Tokyo adventure with Tatsuki. He met us in the Yokohama cruise terminal on time and escorted us on a series of trains to Tokyo, including a diversion we requested to ride the Shinkansen bullet train. Having a knowledgable local guide made the experience much easier and trouble free than doing it on our own, and based on reports from shipmates it sounds like doing the tour this way on foot and by train was more enjoyable and memorable than experiencing Tokyo via car or bus tours. Tatsuki spoke perfect English and provided a wealth of information about the places we visited. Highly recommended!