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
- 9:00 Meet up @Hotel Kyushu
- 9:20 Shinjuku Station
- 9:30 Harajuku Station
- Meiji Shrine guided tour
- 10:20 Harajuku Station
- 10:30 Shibuya Station
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Shibuya Scramble Square, Hachiko
- 11:30 Shibuya Station
- 11:40 Harajuku Station
- 11:50 Matcha House
- 12-20 Takeshita Street, Ura-Harajuku
- 13:00 Disband @Shibuya Station
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Harajuku
The guests were visitors from North America, and they had come to Japan to celebrate a milestone. Ahead of the tour, I received plenty of information about the interests of one of the guests, which helped me prepare.
After strolling through Meiji Shrine, we headed to Shibuya to see the famous scramble crossing, which had been one of their requests. We then went to Shibuya Scramble Square, where we took a quick look at fashion accessories and cosmetics so that they could return later if they wished. After stopping by the Hachiko statue, we went back to Harajuku.
Since the guests were fond of matcha, we took a break at a café, and they were delighted with the high-quality matcha. After checking the location of a cat café they had requested, we walked along Takeshita Street and then to the Ura-Harajuku area, which is well known for its selection of vintage clothing. The guests purchased the clothes they had been looking for and seemed very satisfied. As they planned to return to Shibuya, we parted ways there.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Shinjuku Station～Harajuku Station | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku Station～Shibuya Station | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shibuya Station～Harajuku Station | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae Station～Shibuya Station | 180JPY |
| Total | 630JPY | ||
Hi there! Thank you so much for hitting my page!
I’m Yuriko, but please call me Lily!
I’m a qualified guide and interpreter, proud to be awarded as one of the finalists of Japan guide awards 2025.
I have conducted over 100 tours a year since March 2024, with more than 90% of my clients awarding a five-star rating.
I love Japanese food(eating and cooking!), cultures such as traditional arts and crafts, and so much more! I’ve always explored places seeking new things and love to share them with you.
I was born and raised in Tokyo(for over 40 years!) but used to live in the U.S. for a couple of years as a child.
I am proud to be able to introduce the charms of Japan from multiple perspectives based on my experience of interacting with people from many different nationalities.
I am happy to tailor an original plan or to arrange your bucket list advancing it to a better option.
The following is my contact information:
lilyjapanguide@gmail.com
I’m looking forward to guiding and sharing the excitement of Japan!!
Sep 17, 2025
785hongc
Wonderful 6 hour Tokyo tour with Lily in September
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a…
Sep 17, 2025
785hongc
Wonderful 6 hour Tokyo tour with Lily in September
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour with our guide Lily. Lily speaks excellent English and thoughtfully designed our tour itinerary based on our preference on leaning culture and history of Japanese. She brought history and culture information booklets full of historic photos and literature making sure that we understand the content and key historic facts. She also brought us along a Tokyo maps and attraction guide carefully explained how the Tokyo public transportation system along with more attraction recommendations for our planning purpose. Lily introduced us to some lovely authentic Japanese food and artwork shop including an incense shop that we could never found by ourselves. She is extremely knowledgeable and also patiently answering a variety questions that we had and also navigate timing and traffic perfectly. We could not have asked a better guide, thank you Lily!
Sep 16, 2025
H
Hong_C
A wonderful day tour of Tokyo in September
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best relaxed educational…
Sep 16, 2025
H
Hong_C
A wonderful day tour of Tokyo in September
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best relaxed educational experience about historic Tokyo! Lily is a wonderful guid who had designed a perfect tour itinerary for our 6-hour tour for a hot humid day in September. Her English skill is perfect and she is very thoughtful about introducing Japanese history, cultures, art work and authentic food to us. She is also extremely helpful to explain Tokyo public transportation system to us and provided us step by step instructions on some JR line ticket purchase options to make sure that we could catch a chance to see Mt Fuji on our way to Kyoto. Most amazingly she was also able to locate an incense shop that we could never found it ourselves. Perfect time management too! Perfect tour!
Jul 18, 2025
Venture26940872209
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lilly was an excellent guide .. lots of communication before the visit…
Jul 18, 2025
Venture26940872209
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lilly was an excellent guide .. lots of communication before the visit to understand what we
liked .. and then a very enjoyable 4 hours
Highly recommend
Jul 1, 2025
michaellG938KC
Lily is the best. Highly recommended
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lily is an amazing guide and…
Jul 1, 2025
michaellG938KC
Lily is the best. Highly recommended
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lily is an amazing guide and her tour was the highlight of our trip. Lily was friendly, knowledgeable, and perfectly tailored the experience to my teenage kids. From trendy boutiques in Shibuya to hidden vintage gems in Harajuku, every stop felt special. They helped with translations, provided helpful advice and made the whole day fun and stress-free. My daughters found pieces we never would’ve discovered on my own at vintage thrift stores. Highly recommend for anyone who loves fashion and wants a local’s guide!