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
- 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Lobby
- 10:30 Meiji Shrine
- 11:30 Takeshita Street
- 12:00 Galaxy Harajuku
- 13:00 Lunch @ Nana
- 15:00 Asakusa
- 16:30 Dismissal @ Itoya (Ginza)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Lobby, and finished at 16:30. The day ran to 6 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Nana at 13:00.
From there the group visited Meiji Shrine at 10:30, Takeshita Street at 11:30, Galaxy Harajuku at 12:00 and Asakusa at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tameike-Sanno to Meiji-jingumae by subway (180JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shibuya by subway (180JPY); Shibuya to Asakusa by subway (260JPY); Asakusa to Ginza by subway (210JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 830JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe. Since the day of the tour was their only chance to sightsee in Tokyo for a full day, I guided them to the major attractions. Considering the possibility of extreme heat that day, I planned a relaxed schedule with room for breaks. The guests showed little interest in shopping and did not need many breaks, so we finished visiting Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street earlier than planned. Since there was more than 30 minutes before lunch, I asked about their interests, and when they showed interest in the teamLab exhibit at Galaxy Harajuku in Harakado, I took them there. The guests had a rather mature impression, but they seemed to really enjoy Galaxy Harajuku, staying until it was time to move on. After sightseeing in Asakusa, they said they wanted to shop in Ginza, so I recommended several places and parted with them in front of a stationery store. They plan to join a Mount Fuji and Hakone tour the next day, so I hope they will be able to see Mount Fuji.
I introduced the 24-hour metro ticket, but the guests already had a Welcome Suica and wanted to become comfortable using it during the tour, so they did not purchase the 24-hour ticket.
Thank you very much. This was the first time I printed and used visual aid images during the tour. The guests especially liked the image that briefly explained Japanese history, praising it as very easy to understand, and they even asked to see it again during lunch. I did not create it myself, but I was happy to receive such praise. Thank you for providing such wonderful materials.
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 | Tameike-Sanno～Meiji-jingumae | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Shibuya～Asakusa | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Asakusa～Ginza | 210JPY |
| Total | 830JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Lobby at 10:00, and the tour finished at @ Itoya (Ginza) at 16:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 16:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Galaxy Harajuku and Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 830JPY 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?
Yoko 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’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Yoko Kusmoto is exceptional . Her deep knowledge of Japan history, Tokyo’s
architecture and interesting Tokyo places made us appreciate all Tokyo has to offer. Her
smile, infectious laugh, kindness and interest added to our wonderful day.