Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tachi
August, 2024
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
- 1) 8:30 Meet @ Hotel Tokyo (Front Desk 25F, Shiodome Media Tower, 1-7-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
- 2) 9:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 3) 10:30 Meiji Shrine
- 4) 11:40 Tsukiji Market
- 5) 13:00 Nezu Shrine
- 6) 14:20 Asakusa <Senso-ji Temple / Nakamise Shopping Street>
- 7) 14:40 Disband @ Senso-ji Main Hall (2-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the East Gardens, Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji, and Asakusa
I guided a group visiting from North America. Based on requests received in advance, I confirmed the itinerary again when we met. This was their second day in Tokyo. Some of the guests had climbed Mount Fuji the previous day via the Yoshida Route, and one of the guests is a serious mountaineer who has even summited Everest and Denali. After a satisfying first climbing experience, one of the guests had been strongly encouraged to try Mount Fuji. They had already visited Shibuya the day before.
We began at the Ninomaru Garden in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. At the site of the former castle keep foundation, one of the guests happily talked about the pyramids in Egypt that the group had visited a few years earlier, which was memorable.
After Meiji Shrine, I gave a brief explanation of the distances and travel times to Harajuku's Takeshita Street and the shopping mall, anticipating shopping during free time. We then headed to Tsukiji, which is always crowded, in search of sushi. At my regular sushi restaurant, while we waited about ten minutes, the guests were able to place their food orders, and the staff kindly served drinks to the guests even before we were shown to our table.
Since we had time after lunch, I guided them to the row of vermilion torii gates at Nezu Shrine, and finally to Asakusa. After paying respects at the main hall, they wanted to have ice cream and shaved ice, so I took them there before we parted ways. The humidity and intense heat during the latter half of the tour must have been challenging, but the guests were very cooperative and a wonderful, Japan-loving group.
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 | Toei Oedo Line Shiodome Station～Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Otemachi Station | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Takebashi Station～Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station～Toei Oedo Line Tsukijishijo Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nezu Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and patient with our group. Their
expertise made our vacation fun, educational, and stress-free!
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and…
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and personalized tour . Tachi was most professional and knowledgeable.
She provided very very thorough historical information about the 4 gardens we visited. I
would highly recommend her!
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi was so helpful in showing us around and answering all our questions. It was a great idea to do this on the first day since we covered most of the popular cultural sights and areas with her leaving the ret of our days for other specific interests.
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What…
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What a wonderful experience. She communicated very effectively before our departure to plan a very nice tour around the city. On the day of departure, it was raining very heavily in Tokyo and we considered rescheduling, but went ahead anyway. She met us at our hotel just as planned and set out on a very nice tour that visited all the sites we wanted to see. We used the subway system to move about the city. We we very happy with the tour and would book with her again in the future if we return to Tokyo. Hint: download PASMO to your phone to pay for subway rides.