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
- 9:30 Meet at the hotel
- 10:10 Tokyo Tower
- 11:20 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- 12:15 Lunch in Ueno
- 13:10 Tokyo National Museum
- 15:10 Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko
- 15:25 Cat Cafe
- 16:00 Guide to the Pokemon Shop, Jump Shop, etc.
- 16:10 End of guide
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at hotel at 9:30, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 16:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch in Ueno at 12:15.
The itinerary covered Tokyo Tower at 10:10, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace at 11:20, Tokyo National Museum at 13:10, Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko at 15:10, Cat Cafe at 15:25 and Guide to the Pokemon Shop, Jump Shop, etc. at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Roppongi to Kamiyacho by subway (180JPY); Kamiyacho to Otemachi by subway (180JPY); Otemachi to Ueno by subway (180JPY); Ueno to Shibuya by train (210JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 750JPY per person.
What Can You Do on a Rainy Day Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
After hearing the forecast for heavy rain the day before, I suggested changes to the itinerary to the guests. I added the Tokyo National Museum, a cat cafe, a Pokemon shop, a Jump shop, and more. Since the guests wanted to visit Tokyo Tower and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace even in the rain, we walked there. The rain leaked through the umbrellas and our socks got soaking wet. At Tokyo Tower one of the guests was very excited, and at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace the guests listened attentively to my guiding even in the rain. Including the lunch menu, I believe they were ultimately very pleased.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Roppongi～Kamiyacho | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Kamiyacho～Otemachi | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Otemachi～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Ueno～Shibuya | 210JPY |
| Total | 750JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 9:30, and the tour finished at of guide at 16:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 40 minutes in total, from 9:30 to 16:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tokyo Tower, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Tokyo National Museum, Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko, Cat Cafe and Guide to the Pokemon Shop, Jump Shop, etc..
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 750JPY 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?
Shuji 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.
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Osaka Tour
Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Osaka Tour
Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.