Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji Outer & Yanaka Ginza — Guide Seizo
September, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Okura Tokyo
- 9:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
- 10:40 Imperial Palace
- 11:40 Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 12:40 Yanaka Ginza Street
- 13:30 Dismiss @ Akihabara Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @ Hotel Okura Tokyo and ended at 13:30. The day ran to 4 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Tsukiji Outer Market at 9:30, Imperial Palace at 10:40, Harajuku Takeshita Street at 11:40 and Yanaka Ginza Street at 12:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Toranomon Hills to Tsukiji by subway (600JPY); Tsukiji to Nijubashimae by subway (0JPY); Nijubashimae to Meiji-jingumae by subway (0JPY); Harajuku to Nippori by train (210JPY); Nippori to Akihabara by train (170JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 980JPY per person.
What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Tour Beyond Temples and Shrines? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan from North America. After arriving at Kansai Airport and traveling to Kyoto, they came to Tokyo. Since they had visited many temples and shrines in Kyoto, they requested places in Tokyo other than temples and shrines, which led to the tour route above. At Tsukiji, one of the guests enjoyed fatty tuna (otoro). On Takeshita Street and Yanaka Ginza shopping street, the guests enjoyed shopping. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to explanations about the role of the Emperor and the Meiji Restoration. After the tour, the guests planned to go watch sumo, so we parted ways at Akihabara Station. Since I was able to accommodate the guests' requests, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Toranomon Hills～Tsukiji | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji～Nijubashimae | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku～Nippori | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Nippori～Akihabara | 170JPY |
| Total | 980JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Okura Tokyo at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ Akihabara Station at 13:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 13:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji Outer Market, Imperial Palace, Harajuku Takeshita Street and Yanaka Ginza Street.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 980JPY per person across 5 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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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
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