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 Meeting place: Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo-Hatchobori
- 10:10 Depart Kayabacho Station
- (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
- Monzen-Nakacho Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- Tsukishima Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Toyosu Station
- (Yurikamome)
- 10:40 Arrive Shijo-mae Station
- Toyosu Toyosu Wholesale Market Building
- Toyosu Intermediate Wholesale Market Building
- 11:30 Depart Shijo-mae Station
- (Yurikamome)
- Toyosu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Tsukishima Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 12:00 Tsukiji Market Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Market
- Tsukiji Uogashi
- Lunch: Tsukiji Sushisei Tsukiji Annex
- 13:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 13:30 Arrive Tawaramachi Station
- Tawaramachi Kappabashi Kitchen Town
- 14:00 Depart Tawaramachi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 14:30 Shibuya Station
- Disband: Shibuya Station
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Toyosu Market, Tsukiji, Kappabashi, and Shibuya
The guests came from North America. One member had visited Japan several times before (the most recent visit being seven years earlier), while the others were visiting Japan for the first time. The main purpose of this trip was a one-week journey to Hokkaido.
They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous night. They mentioned that clearing customs took more than two hours. They then made their way to the hotel by transferring between the Tokyo Monorail and other lines.
The tour took place in light rain.
First, we went to Toyosu Market. The whole group said they loved sushi and sashimi.
In the seafood wholesale building, we watched a video of the "tuna auction." They asked questions such as, "How much tuna is put up for auction?" "What is the price per fish?" and "What kind of tuna is expensive?" They also asked, "Which part of the tuna is the most delicious?"
In the intermediate wholesalers' building, most of the shops had already closed, but they asked, "Why aren't we allowed inside?" and "Why do they sell vegetables and not just fish?"
After that, we transferred between the Yurikamome and other lines to reach the Tsukiji Outer Market.
At the Tsukiji Outer Market, there had been a prior request for a sushi lunch, so we had lunch at the counter of a sushi restaurant in Tsukiji (they said the squid and the flounder fin were delicious). Afterward, we strolled through the market. They also asked, "Why are there so many people here? Is it always this crowded?"
There was a strong request: "We really want to buy kitchen knives at Kappabashi," so we then went to Kappabashi Kitchen Town. They purchased two knives they had been looking for.
After that, they requested, "Please take us to Shibuya," so we went to Shibuya. They commented, "The streets are so clean. There's no litter." "The public restrooms are clean and pleasant." They also remarked that in some cities in North America, homelessness has increased sharply and safety has deteriorated rapidly.
We parted ways at Shibuya Station.
Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Kayabacho Station～Monzen-Nakacho Station | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Monzen-Nakacho Station～Tsukishima Station | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukishima Station～Toyosu Station | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Toyosu Station～Shijo-mae Station | 189JPY |
| Section 5 | Other | Shijo-mae Station～Toyosu Station | 189JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Toyosu Station～Tsukishima Station | 178JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Tsukishima Station～Tsukiji Market Station | 178JPY |
| Section 8 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Tawaramachi Station | 209JPY |
| Section 9 | Subway | Tawaramachi Station～Shibuya Station | 252JPY |
| Total | 1,729JPY | ||
Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.