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 Tokyo Hilton Shiomi
  • 9:30 Tokyo Station
  • 10:00 Imperial Palace (East Gardens entrance, Nijubashi Bridge, viewing the Credentials Presentation Ceremony)
  • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
  • 13:00 Ginza Mitsukoshi (buying bento)
  • 13:30 Asakusa (lunch at rest area)
  • 14:30 Tokyo Skytree (just looked up from below)
  • 15:15 Ueno Park (guiding the way to the Tokyo National Museum)
  • 16:00 Hibiya Line Ueno Station

What Is a Full-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I guided a group visiting from Oceania. It was the second day (effectively the first full day) of their 19-day tour of Japan, so we began with an explanation of how to use the JR, subway, and other transportation. As we had discussed by email, they had installed Suica on their phones, which made transfers very smooth. Whenever I plan to guide guests around the Imperial Palace, I always check whether a credentials presentation ceremony will be held, and this time one was scheduled, so we were lucky to be able to watch the horse-drawn carriage procession at Nijubashi Bridge. They were also deeply impressed by the architecture of the Imperial Palace, Edo Castle, and Meiji Shrine, as well as the beautiful black pine groves. Since they preferred to keep lunch simple with something like sandwiches rather than eating at a restaurant, and since we happened to be traveling on the Ginza Line, we made a quick stop at the food section of the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store to buy bento boxes, which we then ate together at a rest area in Asakusa. As always, the department store basement food floor offers a wonderful variety and is very popular. I also picked up an English-language Tokyo Travel Guide at the tourist information office near the entrance of Ginza Mitsukoshi and gave it to the guests, who were very grateful, saying, "This is exactly what I was looking for, this really helps, thank you." Finally, I guided them from Tokyo Skytree to Ueno Park and then to Ueno Station on the Hibiya Line, ending the tour. In the morning greeting I had mentioned that we might walk about 20,000 steps that day, but they said, "That's fine, we have plenty of stamina, no problem." They were very energetic, and I believe they were able to fully enjoy Tokyo. (In the end, it did indeed come to 20,000 steps.)

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShiomi~Tokyo167JPY
Section 2SubwayNijubashi~Meiji-jingumae209JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Ginza178JPY
Section 4SubwayGinza~Asakusa209JPY
Section 5TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree157JPY
Section 6TrainTokyo Skytree~Asakusa157JPY
Section 7SubwayAsakusa~Ueno178JPY
Total1,255JPY

Nice to meet you. I am delighted to introduce myself. My nickname is Danda. I live in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, but I was brought up in Kanazawa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. My favorite things are bonsai and hiking. Also, I have been a big fun of history and sumo since my childhood. As for the guide, I have enjoyed making communication with foreign visitors since 2019. I have taken more than 30 private groups to not only major scenic spots but also their favorite places such as tea ceremony, maid cafe, sumo tournament, bonsai village, fire ritual and so on. I can arrange the original tour based on your requests and curiosity. It will be only for you. I look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you.

Apr 21, 2026
Sabrina_F
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Balade riche en découvertes
Nous avons passé un super moment avec Danda.…

Apr 14, 2026
davidjonesresponseen
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking tour with Danda in Tokyo
Excellent walking tour, we followed our…

Apr 10, 2026
Anna_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour with great guide
Excellent tour with a very good guide…

Mar 25, 2026
Nahmjee_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour guide and experience.
Danda was great with my family. He…