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
- 10:45 Meet at Mercure Tokyo Hibiya
- 11:25 Shibuya crossing
- 12:10 Meiji Shrine
- 13:50 Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise
- 14:40 Disband in front of the Japanese restaurant on Kannon-dori Street
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:45 at Mercure Tokyo Hibiya and ended at 14:40. The day ran to 3 hours and 55 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya crossing at 11:25, Meiji Shrine at 12:10 and Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise at 13:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shimbashi Station North Exit to Shibuya Station by bus (210JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Asakusa by subway (260JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 620JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Harajuku, and Asakusa
I was standing by from 20 minutes before the meeting time, and the guests came down 15 minutes early. The guests were a group visiting from North America.
They mentioned they wanted to see the Shibuya crossing, so we first looked down from the 12th floor of Shibuya Scramble and then actually crossed it ourselves. After seeing Hachiko, we headed to Harajuku. At Meiji Shrine, we were able to see charming Shichi-Go-San celebrations and a chrysanthemum festival, and since it happened to be Labor Thanksgiving Day and the Niiname-sai harvest festival today, we could also see a large display of many kinds of vegetables.
In Asakusa, the guests seemed to be hungry, so we parted ways a little early in front of a restaurant.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Shimbashi Station North Exit～Shibuya Station | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Asakusa | 260JPY |
| Total | 620JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Mercure Tokyo Hibiya at 10:45, and the tour finished at front of the Japanese restaurant on Kannon-dori Street at 14:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours and 55 minutes in total, from 10:45 to 14:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya crossing, Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 620JPY per person across 3 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?
Tarsha 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.
Hello !
I’m Tarsha, your tour guide.
I was born and brought up in Tokyo, now live in Yokohama, next to Kamakura.
I like music, singing, especially dancing, and am the master of Japanese traditional dance.
It’s my pleasure to be able to show you the highlights of Tokyo, my hometown.
I’d like to introduce Japanese culture with correct information during our tour,
and would be happy if my guide will help you to understand Japanese mentality a little better.
I’ll try to make our tour the best it can be, so let’s enjoy and explore Japan together !
I’m looking forward to seeing you !
May 19, 2025
Jonathan_S
Excellent Private Tour!
Viator review: Kamakura Private Tour from Yokohama with Guide and Vehicle
Our driver (Abe) and guide (Tarsha) were…
May 19, 2025
Jonathan_S
Excellent Private Tour!
Viator review: Kamakura Private Tour from Yokohama with Guide and Vehicle
Our driver (Abe) and guide (Tarsha) were excellent companions. We were able to see a lot of cultural points of interest, and Tarsha routinely provided us with tidbits of history and general facts. It was also great to have lunch with her and learn more about the locals and traditions. Highly recommended!
Apr 22, 2025
H6226ZFelisat
Muy buena experiencia!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fue una experiencia súper linda! Tarsha, nuestra guía, una…
Apr 22, 2025
H6226ZFelisat
Muy buena experiencia!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fue una experiencia súper linda! Tarsha, nuestra guía, una persona super agradable! Muy
preparada para explicarnos sobre los lugares a los que nos llevó a visitar. Definitivamente
la recomendamos
2025年4月22日
H6226ZFelisat
とても良い体験でした！
Tripadvisorレビュー:
とても素敵な体験でした！
私たちのガイド、Tarshaさんはとても感じの良い方でした。
訪れた場所についてもしっかりと説明してくれて、知識も豊富でした。
間違いなくおすすめします！
Mar 23, 2025
629leezak
Tokyo 4 Hour Tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tarsha was an incredibly kind and insightful tour…
Mar 23, 2025
629leezak
Tokyo 4 Hour Tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tarsha was an incredibly kind and insightful tour guide. We enjoyed our day with her
through Tokyo and learning about all the different shrines and temples. We would highly
recommend and can’t wait to come back!!
Oct 6, 2024
FloridaKeywest
Tarsha was FANTASTIC!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tarsha was absolutely FANTASTIC on our tour of Tokyo…
Oct 6, 2024
FloridaKeywest
Tarsha was FANTASTIC!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tarsha was absolutely FANTASTIC on our tour of Tokyo today. We saw an incredible array of sites in one day, had a great lunch and enjoyed her company very much. She also taught us about Tokyo mass transit and some of the other cities on our itinerary. We would recommend her to anyone on a first-time trip to Tokyo!!!