Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu
October, 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
- 1.1000 Hotel
- 2.10:30 Marunouchi ~Imperial Garden
- 3.12:00 Gotokuji
- 4.12:50 Meiji Shrine
- 5.13:30 Lunch
- 6.14:15 Takeshita street to Cat street
- 7.15:30 Asakura House (Daikanyama)
- 8.16:30 Finish at Shinjuku 3-chome
What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
After arriving at Tokyo Station, I explained the Meiji-era architectural style of Tokyo Station, and introduced Marunouchi, the financial district, and its origins. We then walked along Marunouchi Naka-dori and entered the East Gardens through the Otemon Gate. The guests were deeply impressed by the beauty of the gardens. After that, we took the Chiyoda Line to Gotokuji. The guests seemed to enjoy experiencing a typical Japanese residential neighborhood and shopping street up close. At Gotokuji, I explained the origin of the beckoning cat (maneki-neko), the importance of the Ii family, and the guests were delighted by the long-awaited cat figurines, taking many photos.
We entered Meiji Shrine from Sangubashi, made a visit and drew omikuji fortunes, then had lunch on the terrace. The guests enjoyed casual dishes such as yakisoba and karaage, saying they were delicious. On Takeshita Street, one of the guests, a fan of a character franchise, bought five or six items, and on Cat Street bought another character item. Since the guests asked whether there was somewhere to see besides Shinjuku Golden Gai, we went from Meiji-jingumae to Daikanyama and visited the Asakura Residence. The guests were impressed by the traditional Japanese house and said they would recommend it to family members coming to Japan in the future.
From Daikanyama we returned to Shinjuku 3-chome, where I gave a general explanation of the location of Golden Gai, and we parted ways. As it was the day after their arrival, the guests seemed a little tired, but they were pleased with the tour.
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 | Train | Hamamatsucho～Tokyo | 167JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Otemachi～Gotokuji | 376JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Gotokuji～Sangubashi | 167JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Daikanyama | 298JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Daikanyama～Shinjuku-sanchome | 318JPY |
| Total | 1,326JPY | ||
My name is KAZU HAKATA. 73years old (as of end AUG2025). I started as a guide from March 2023. Graduated from KYOTO Univ Intl Economics and MBA from INSEAD in France. (14 years in overseas, LUX, Paris, Hong Kong) . I used to work in Banking, Telecommunication, Air Line, Financial Trading as CFO. I did more than 150 days of Guide since 2023,Tokyo( most of the Guides), Nikko, Hakone, Kamakura, and other area. Born in Hyogo Pref. I lived 26 years in Kansai and know quite well Kyoto, Nara, Osaka ,Kobe, Wakayama ( Koya san + Kumano Kodo).
I know not only touristic sites, but I can show you hidden charming points of JAPAN. If you can enjoy your tour in JAPAN, it is also my pleasure. I will do as much as I can to assist you to understand Japanese history, culture, nature, and a real life in JAPAN.
[FRANCAIS]
J’ai commencee a Guide apres avoir obtenu Diplome de Francaise en fevrier 2023. Jusqu’a maintenant j’ai effectue plus de 150 guides dont 1/4 francais. Principalement a Tokyo , mais de temps en temps aux Nikko, Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Okayama, Naoshima.
A Tokyo, les sites frequentes sont Tsukiji, Hama Rikyu, Asakusa, Jardin Imperial, Rikugi-En , Yanaka, Ueno, Ameyoko, Musee Nationale, Akihabara, Jardin de Korakuen , Harajuku, Sanctuaire de Meiji, ruelle de Tekeshita , Aoyama, Shibuya, Temple de Gotokuji, etc.
Comme je suis ne a Hyogo ( ouest du Japon) et etudie a Kyoto, Je connais bien Kyoto,Nara,Osaka, Mont Koya, Hieizan. En plus j’ai travaille a Osaka 2017-2019.pendant cette periode j’ai souvent visitee des sites touristiques a Kyoto, Nara, Osaka. J’ai fait les randonnes a Kumono Kodo et 33 temples en Kansai.
Apr 4, 2026
Rebecca_M
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu Rocks!!
Kazu was a gem! From our booking well in advance…
Apr 4, 2026
Rebecca_M
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu Rocks!!
Kazu was a gem! From our booking well in advance of our trip until we parted ways, his communication and attentiveness to our wants and needs was amazing. We were able to say where we wanted to explore and he found some great spots for us. He helped us figure out Tokyo’s train system, gave great facts about the area, gave us travel tips, and provided us with an unforgettable day. Oh, and we walked about 23,000 steps that day and he was only about 3 weeks post op from a knee replacement! That’s dedication!
Oct 19, 2025
geoffreysE7617EB
6-hour Tokyo Tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My guide, Kazuyasu Hakata, modified some of the tour,…
Oct 19, 2025
geoffreysE7617EB
6-hour Tokyo Tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My guide, Kazuyasu Hakata, modified some of the tour, at my request, to visit older (traditional) Temples/Shrines in the Tokyo area. The 6-hour tour included: Tsukiji Outer Market, Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple, Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon) Temple, Zuirin-ji Temple, Temples in the Taito – Yanaka Area, Daien Ji Temple (lunch break at the neighborhood festival), Nezu Shrine, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and the Kyu Asakura House. Kazuyasu Hakata was very informative about each site and answered all my questions.
Oct 9, 2025
zglus
6 Hr walking Tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazuyas brought us all around Tokyo and was…
Oct 9, 2025
zglus
6 Hr walking Tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazuyas brought us all around Tokyo and was a great guide. It is very informative to get a
personalized tour from a Japanese local. The 6 hours flew by! Definitely a recommendation
to do early on in your time in Tokyo to learn the city. Kazuyas was great!
Sep 26, 2025
JulieD4351
We saw the fish market, many shrines, the busy walkway, and much more!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed…
Sep 26, 2025
JulieD4351
We saw the fish market, many shrines, the busy walkway, and much more!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The absolute best guy. We had kazuyasu Hakata. He was absolutely wonderful. Showed us
all around Tokyo. Took us where ever we wanted to go and recommended a bunch of
places for us. Highly recommend!! We had the best day.