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
- 09:50-10:10 Meet at the 18th floor front area of Hotel to discuss the day's schedule, then first head to Sensoji Temple by subway.
- 11:05-12:30 Tour of Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine. Afterwards, head to Tsukiji Outer Market.
- 13:15-14:05 Lunch at Sushi Zanmai in Tsukiji Outer Market. Afterwards, head to the Imperial Palace Outer Garden.
- 14:15-15:05 Get off at Hibiya subway station and walk to guide you to Nijubashi Bridge. Afterwards, head from Nijubashimae Station to Meiji Jingu Shrine.
- 15:25-16:15 Tour of Meiji Jingu Shrine. Afterwards, take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, and at 16:25, say goodbye at the east exit of Shinjuku Station to conclude.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Tour Before Exploring on Your Own? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of three visiting from Europe, with a strong love of Japan. Marking a family milestone, they undertook a long-awaited two-week trip to Japan, staying in Tokyo and Kyoto. To help them move around Tokyo freely on their own the following day, [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide explained in detail during the tour how to ride the subway and the Yamanote Line, and how to purchase Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto, which they were very happy about. All of the places we visited were locations the guests had selected when we met in the hotel lobby. In addition, when I asked what they would like for lunch, they asked whether we could visit the fish market, so I included it in the itinerary. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the sushi, which was wonderful.
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 | Free Pass | Shinjuku～Asakusa | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Tsukiji | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tsukiji～Hibiya | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Nijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 150JPY |
| Total | 750JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.