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. 09:00 Meet at Hotel
  • 2. 09:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens
  • 3. 11:30 Lunch at Gonpachi Azumabashi
  • 4. 12:30 Asakusa (Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple)
  • 5. 14:30 Meiji Shrine
  • 6. 15:30 Disband at Hotel

What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I guided the guests to the main spots based on their requests. The guests seemed to want to talk about themselves rather than listen to my explanations, so I proceeded with roughly a 60:40 balance between speaking and listening. For lunch, since we arrived in Asakusa a little early, I took them to a restaurant I had not visited in a while, and they were very pleased. I had been staying away from that restaurant recently because it is always crowded with groups, but since it was early and still empty, we were able to get in without any trouble. I'm not sure when it changed, but this time payment was cashless only. This is not a problem for guests from overseas, but since there are occasionally guests who prefer to use cash, I think it requires some attention. Toward the end, one of the guests had a sore leg and seemed to find walking difficult, so we skipped Takeshita Street and I saw them off to the Hotel, but overall I believe they were satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayShibuya~Otemachi209JPY
Section 2SubwayOtemachi~Asakusa178JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae252JPY
Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
Total785JPY

Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
Nobu

Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…

May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…

May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…

Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…