Private tour in Tokyo Masaharu N
5.0
(4) reviews
8 hours
1
8 hours
1
Masaharu N.
4.9
Guide rating
451
Reviews
Tours delivered
4 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello, I am Masaharu, the national licensed English speaking tour guide. I was born and brought up in the suburb of Tokyo. After graduating from the university, I worked for a Japanese global logistics company where I had wonderful chances to stay overseas as an expatriate. I have stayed in London three times over fourteen years in total. A long time stay in London enabled me to interact with lots of people from diverse backgrounds and it highly broadened my horizons. Fortunately enough, I have so far visited 38 countries. The invaluable experience helped me deepen my view on a cross cultural comparison between Japan and overseas. Therefore, I am pleased to help you enjoy your stay in Tokyo as my return of the experience I was blessed with. Now, it is my utmost pleasure sharing your precious time with me and satisfying your interest to the best of my ability. How wonderful it is to see you excited! I love playing tennis, piano and travelling around Japan. It is my unforgettable memory that I spent much time waiting in a long queue to get a ticket for Wimbledon tennis tournament games over twenty times during my stay in London. As for travelling, I like visiting historical places and natural hot spring sites where I feel relaxed and also love to taste fabulous local specialty. I have a eighteen year old black & white cat named Jelly who was born and brought up in London. I brought him back to Japan. He took such a long journey with me all the way from London to Japan. He takes great delight in Japanese cuisine such as fresh tuna. Japan is a the pet friendly country. So, you can find plenty of pet cafes in the center of Tokyo like cat cafe, owl cafe, etc. Let's enjoy my tour together, featuring authentic Japanese history, interesting mixture of old and modern culture, natural beauty, unique coexistence of Shinto and Buddhism religion, and seasonal delicacy of Japanese cuisine. I am pleased to customize my tour flexibly according to your interest and request. If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city, I will be delighted to take you to off the beaten track places where you can feel utmost comfortable and relaxed. Should you have any inquiries about my tours, please feel free to ask me. I would love to see you soon! National Licenced Tour Guide-Interpreter (English) : Certificate No. EN00790 Itinerary Administration Manager Certificate I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle. I also can arrange for a separate car and driver.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Masaharu N.
The Edo period, when samurai governed the country, enjoyed a long time peace over 260 years until late 19th century. Kawagoe, called Little Edo, was a merchant town that is now home to a wealth of architecture and designs. One of the symbolic structures in Kawagoe is the tall Clock Bell Tower (Toki-no Kane) that dates back over 400 years. We will enjoy strolling around the town steeped in the tradition of Edo, such as fire proof Storehouses that are still beautifully preserved in the town center. Other attractions are Kawagoe Castle which has remained for a long time since late in the Edo period, and historical temples and shrines including Kita-in Temple that was originated in 830. The third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu was born there. There is also a prestigious Hikawa Shrine. You can surely enhance deep insights into the old history and culture in Kawagoe.
Masaharu was an excellent tour guide. He spoke English well and had lots of interesting information on the history of Japan. Kawagoe was a nice, historical town. The shopping street had a lot of great, older architecture. It was very busy because we were there during the Golden Week holidays so I would recommend a less busy time. You will have a great tour with Masaharu.
We had a most enjoyable day with Masaharu N. in Kawagoe. Easy to be with, flexible on the day. He guided us around Kawagoe, suggested local foods, had a strong knowledge of the town and of Japanese history, the day went by quickly. He also offered us tips on other things we might do during our trip. I highly recommend.
Excellent guide-We had a great tour of Tokyo's old town areas- a glimpse into the city's rich history and traditional culture, featuring charming neighborhoods like Yanaka and Asakusa. Highly recommend this guide and all of his tours
We highly recommend Masaharu's Kawagoe tour for his historical knowledge and itinerary which included an unforgettable cherry blossom festival at Kitain Temple, Kawagoe Castle's huge weeping cherry tree in full bloom, Hikawa Shrine, and Fireproof Store house Street. He arranged for a private car in Kawagoe and ensured that we maneuvered through the train stations roundtrip from Tokyo to Kawagoe by elevators to get to the gates. Thanks to Masaharu, we have many lasting memories of a wonderful day trip!
Below is my model itinerary. I am pleased to organize it flexibly according to your interest. -9:30 or 10:00, Meet you at your hotel and move to Shinjuku or Ikebukuro station to take trains for Kawagoe. -Around 11:00, Reach Kawagoe station -Take a local bus or taxi to Hikawa Shinto Shrine -Walk along Shingashi River to Kawagoe Castle -Visit Kawagoe Castle, bringing you back to the Edo period -Take a comfortable walk to Kitain Buddhist Temple -Enjoy a lunch break at a traditional Japanese restaurant -Walk to the center of town "Kura no Machi"(preserved area full of lots of historical architectures such as fire proof storehouses) -Enjoy strolling around historical area including "Candy street" -Around 15:30, Return to Kawagoe station by bus -Return to Ikebukuro station/JR Shinjuku station/any convenient stations -Around 17:00, See you off at your hotel
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
1. We mainly use public transportation such as subways or JR trains. 2. I can also arrange a car-hire service upon your request. (Explanation) Basically, you need to buy the tickets with cash when taking trains. Credit card is not acceptable for short distance transportation in Greater Tokyo, while credit card is acceptable for bullet trains or other long distance super express train tickets. IC transportation card including "SUICA" or "PASMO" is highly recommended to purchase. It is obtainable online. You can also buy SUICA (named "Welcome SUICA") at Haneda and Narita Airport railway stations. The card is convenient to travel around Tokyo as you do not need to buy different tickets each time. If you want me to arrange a car-hire service with driver, please request me as early as possible especially in busy seasons, since many people use the service.
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Hotel
English
JapaneseWho is this private tour in Tokyo best suited for?
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Tokyo be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
8 hours
1
8 hours
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works