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

  • 0900 Hotel (2 min from JR Keiyo Line Shiomi Station) meet up
  • 1020 Musashi-Koganei Station ~ Bus to Koganei Park West Exit, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
  •    Lunch with Musashino udon inside the park
  • 1320 Kichijoji, shopping at Chara Park and Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory
  • 1435 Shinjuku Station, help purchasing Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto, 3D Cat Display, Godzilla Road
  • 1500 Explain the way back and disband

Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour Combining Ghibli, Anime, and Historic Sites Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. In our initial communication, the main interests were manga, anime, studios, and games, but many of these were not located within central Tokyo, and many admission fees were not included in "what to expect," which made planning difficult.

After some discussion, we settled on visiting the Suginami Animation Museum, and otherwise focusing on quieter places to learn about Japanese history and culture. I set up a course covering Nezu Shrine, the Nikolai Cathedral in Ochanomizu, Yushima Seido, Kanda Myojin, and the Hakuhinkan in Ginza.

However, the night before, since they had already visited shrines and temples that day, they said they very much wanted to do the course I had first suggested — "seeing Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum."

This was included in the materials I submitted to [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and part of this museum has been incorporated into many of the displays at the Ghibli Warehouse in Ghibli Park. I explained everything while comparing it with scenes from the films they knew.

Ghibli rarely makes definitive statements about many of its subjects, but since director Hayao Miyazaki was heavily influenced by buildings from the Taisho to early Showa periods, this place is a kind of sacred site.

They were so delighted here that we ended up spending more time than expected, so we skipped the Suginami Animation Museum. Instead, I took one of the guests shopping for goods at Kiddy Land Kichijoji (Chara Park).

By this point we had almost run out of time, so we bought tickets at Shinjuku Station, then saw the 3D cat and the Godzilla head before finishing the tour.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShiomi ~ Tokyo~Musashi-Koganei571JPY
Section 2BusMusashi-Koganei~Koganei Park West Exit180JPY
Section 3BusKoganei Park West Exit~Musashi-Koganei180JPY
Section 4TrainMusashi-Koganei~Kichijoji178JPY
Section 5TrainKichijoji~Shinjuku230JPY
Total1,339JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…