Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & eyoko — Guide Koba
November, 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
- 9:30 Meet at Hotel Grand Bach in Ginza
- 10:10 Meiji Shrine
- 11:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 11:50 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 12:40 Lunch @ Otemachi Station (rice balls and sandwiches)
- 13:20 Nezu Shrine
- 13:50 Yanaka Temple Tour
- 14:40 Ueno Toshogu Shrine
- 15:10 The National Museum of Western Art
- 15:40 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
- 16:40 Ameyoko
- 17:15 Disband at Kanda Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:30, when the guide met the guests at Hotel Grand Bach in Ginza, and finished at 17:15. The day ran to 7 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Otemachi Station (rice balls and sandwiches) at 12:40.
From there the group visited Meiji Shrine at 10:10, Harajuku Takeshita Street at 11:00, Imperial Palace East Gardens at 11:50, Nezu Shrine at 13:20, Yanaka Temple Tour at 13:50, Ueno Toshogu Shrine at 14:40, The National Museum of Western Art at 15:10, Asakusa (Skytree photos) at 15:40 and eyoko at 16:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ginza to Meiji-jingumae by train (600JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Otemachi by train (0JPY); Otemachi to Nezu by train (0JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by train (0JPY); Asakusa to Ueno by train (0JPY); Ueno-hirokoji to Kanda by train (0JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 600JPY per person.
Tokyo Private Walking Tour Report: What Can You See in One Day from the Imperial Palace to Asakusa with a Licensed Guide?
The weather was excellent throughout, which made for an enjoyable tour. The guests asked a great many questions about Japanese history and culture and showed strong interest. They had Mobile Suica, so getting around was smooth. When I first asked about the previous day's destinations, they said they had already visited the main keep of the Imperial Palace East Gardens, so we limited the East Gardens to the garden area only. At Meiji Shrine there were many questions about Shinto, shrines, and the Meiji Restoration. Takeshita Street in Harajuku was not part of the plan, but since our time at the Imperial Palace East Gardens was shorter, I added it on the spot. The guests were very interested in things like animal cafés and were delighted. After seeing the Imperial Palace East Gardens, the shops in Otemachi were all closed, so we bought rice balls and sandwiches at a convenience store and ate them on a bench on the station platform. When I taught them how to eat a nori-wrapped rice ball, they found it novel. This day there were many visitors for the Shichi-Go-San celebration, and the guests took many photos. In Yanaka I explained Buddhism, and at Toshogu Shrine I explained Tokugawa Ieyasu and the shrine. On the way, the guests noticed the Rodin sculptures at the National Museum of Western Art, so I guided them through the front garden and explained that the building is a World Heritage Site. In Asakusa we were able to get very beautiful photos of the Skytree. At Ameyoko they enjoyed the lively atmosphere and treated me to some Belgian sweets. At Ueno Hirokoji, the guests said they could get back to their hotel in Ginza on their own from there, but I saw them off to Kanda Station.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Ginza～Meiji-jingumae | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Otemachi | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Otemachi～Nezu | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Ueno～Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Asakusa～Ueno | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Ueno-hirokoji～Kanda | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel Grand Bach in Ginza at 9:30, and the tour finished at Kanda Station at 17:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 45 minutes in total, from 9:30 to 17:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Harajuku Takeshita Street, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Nezu Shrine, Yanaka Temple Tour, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, The National Museum of Western Art, Asakusa (Skytree photos) and eyoko.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 600JPY per person across 6 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?
Koba 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.
My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
Please call me Koba.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.
Jul 21, 2026
scottsD8777AR
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Touring Tokyo
Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…
Jul 21, 2026
scottsD8777AR
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Touring Tokyo
Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly appreciated his knowledge of the history of Tokyo and Japan and his very pleasant demeanor. He is a true gentleman and was a pleasure to tour with in Tokyo.
Jul 9, 2026
Quest36994121691
First visit to Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This was our first visit…
Jul 9, 2026
Quest36994121691
First visit to Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This was our first visit to Tokyo, and our tour with Koba made the experience truly exceptional. We’re a family of four with two teenage boys (14 and 16), and Koba was wonderfully kind, patient, and engaging with each of us. The experience started even before we arrived—his first communications laid out a thoughtful, customized itinerary that perfectly matched our interests as first-time visitors. Our six hours together were full, seamless, and incredibly rewarding. Koba’s deep knowledge of the city, his attention to detail, and his warm, easygoing approach made the tour an ideal fit for our family. It was the perfect way to get a broad yet meaningful introduction to Tokyo in a short time. We’re so grateful he was our guide and highly recommend him to anyone visiting the city.
Jul 8, 2026
Χρονης Π
A beautiful tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
It was a perfect experience…
Jul 8, 2026
Χρονης Π
A beautiful tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
It was a perfect experience see learned a lot about Tokyo and our guide Koba was perfect in every way and very helpful. We had a perfect time together.Thank you Koba
Jul 5, 2026
I3699SBjonathanw
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6hr Tokyo guide great experience
Koba was so nice to my family…
Jul 5, 2026
I3699SBjonathanw
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6hr Tokyo guide great experience
Koba was so nice to my family and I. He was patient and helped carry a large toy my daughter won. I wished we had another day. Having a guide saved us hours of navigating the subway and metro.