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
- 8:30 Meeting point: HOTEL METROPOLITAN TOKYO MARUNOUCHI
- 8:40 Departure: Tokyo Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- Ginza Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 9:00 Arrive at Tsukiji Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Lunch: Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan
- 11:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Ueno Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 11:30 Arrive at Tawaramachi Station
- Tawaramachi Kappabashi Kitchenware Street
- 12:30 Depart Tawaramachi Station
- (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- Ueno-hirokoji Station/Ueno-okachimachi
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- Tsukishima Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Toyosu Station
- (Yurikamome)
- 13:15 Arrive at Shin-Toyosu Station
- 13:15 Dismissal: Shin-Toyosu Station
What's a Private Tsukiji and Kappabashi Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. It was their first visit to Japan.
They had arrived at Haneda Airport the previous evening and taken a taxi to their hotel. In the evening they went out to Asakusa and enjoyed a steak dinner.
From the next day, they planned to sightsee in the western part of Tokyo and head to Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. After that, they intended to travel around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, and then return home after coming back to Tokyo.
The guests said, "We love sushi and sashimi, and we want to enjoy them to the fullest during our stay in Japan."
Contrary to the weather forecast, the tour took place under clear skies in what was almost hot weather.
First, we went from Tokyo Station on the Marunouchi Line to Tsukiji.
I explained "the history of the Tsukiji Outer Market" and "the difference between Tsukiji Market and Toyosu Market."
At Tsukiji Uogashi, we watched a tuna cutting demonstration.
The guests asked, "Is it always this crowded? Is it always like this?" and "Do all the people in Tokyo come here to buy fish?"
We slowly walked around the market and sampled sashimi and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet).
Since they said, "We haven't had breakfast," we lined up for about 15 minutes at Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan for an early lunch.
They commented, "It's amazing that we can eat sushi that is far fresher than in New York, and at one-third of the price."
After that, since they said, "We want to buy a kitchen knife," we went to Kappabashi Kitchenware Street.
We strolled around at a leisurely pace, and they purchased a kitchen knife and chopsticks as souvenirs.
After this, they said, "We have a reservation at teamLab Planets, so please take us there," so I saw them off at Shin-Toyosu Station on the Yurikamome Line, where we parted ways.
They also commented, "Above all, the city is so clean, with no litter on the ground," "There are no trash cans on the streets," "The public toilets are clean and pleasant," and "The subway is completely different from New York — quiet, clean, and reassuring."
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 | Tokyo Station～Tsukiji Station | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Tawaramachi Station | 209JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tawaramachi Station～Ueno-hirokoji Station | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Ueno-naka-okachimachi Station～Tsukishima Station | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Tsukishima Station～Toyosu Station | 178JPY |
| Section 6 | Ferry | Toyosu Station～Shin-Toyosu Station | 189JPY |
| Total | 1,152JPY | ||
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.