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

  • 10:25  Meet up @ Hotel Asakusa
  • 10:40 Sensoji Temple
  • 12:00 Imperial Palace
  • 12:50 Lunch @ Aoyuzutora (Marunouchi Building)
  • 14:20 Meiji Shrine
  • 15:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
  • 16:35 Disband @ Hotel Asakusa

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 10:25 at @ Hotel Asakusa and ended at 16:35. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Aoyuzutora (Marunouchi Building) at 12:50.

Over the course of the day the route took in Sensoji Temple at 10:40, Imperial Palace at 12:00, Meiji Shrine at 14:20 and Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 15:30.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Hibiya by subway (600JPY); Tokyo to Harajuku by train (210JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shibuya by subway (0JPY); Shibuya to Asakusa by subway (0JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 810JPY per person.

What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was a visitor from Europe who was in Japan for the second time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, the guest planned to travel to Kyoto. At Sensoji Temple, the guest showed interest in the Kaminarimon Gate and the many souvenir shops along Nakamise Street. At the Imperial Palace, the guest listened with great interest to explanations about the Meiji Restoration and the relationship between the Emperor and the Shogun. At Meiji Shrine, the guest seemed impressed by the grand and solemn atmosphere as well as the barrels of sake and wine. In Shibuya, the guest enjoyed taking photos of the Scramble Crossing. Since I responded exactly as the guest wished, I believe the guest was satisfied with the tour.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Hibiya600JPY
Section 2TrainTokyo~Harajuku210JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Shibuya0JPY
Section 4SubwayShibuya~Asakusa0JPY
Total810JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Asakusa at 10:25, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Asakusa at 16:35.

How long does the tour last?

About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 10:25 to 16:35.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Sensoji Temple, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 810JPY 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

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