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
- 9:00 Meet up @ mesm Tokyo, Hotel (Hamamatsucho)
- 9:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko
- 10:30 Meiji Shrine
- 11:50 Imperial Palace
- 12:40 Lunch @ Uotsuki (Tsukiji)
- 13:30 Tsukiji Market
- 14:00 Disband @ Tsukiji
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @ mesm Tokyo, Hotel (Hamamatsucho) and ended at 14:00. The day ran to 5 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @ Uotsuki (Tsukiji) at 12:40.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko at 9:40, Meiji Shrine at 10:30, Imperial Palace at 11:50 and Tsukiji Market at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hamamatsucho to Shibuya by train (210JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (600JPY); Hibiya to Tsukiji by subway (0JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 960JPY per person.
What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few days before continuing on to Kyoto. In Shibuya, they enjoyed viewing the famous scramble crossing from a coffee shop. At Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which offered a striking contrast to Shibuya. As they were fond of Japanese cuisine, they enjoyed a lunch of sushi and tempura at a Japanese restaurant in Tsukiji. After Tsukiji, we stopped by Hamarikyu Gardens, and since the guests said they could return to their hotel on their own and the four-hour guiding time had passed, we parted ways in Tsukiji.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Hamamatsucho～Shibuya | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae | 600JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Hibiya～Tsukiji | 0JPY |
| Total | 960JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ mesm Tokyo, Hotel (Hamamatsucho) at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ Tsukiji at 14:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours in total, from 9:00 to 14:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace and Tsukiji Market.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 960JPY per person across 4 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Seizo is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Jul 10, 2026
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing. He was informative without being overwhelming, matched
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a great personality, kept us on
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Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。