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

  • 0900 Meet at Hotel (2 min from Keiyo Line Shiomi Station)
  • 0920 At Tokyo Station, guide to the location of the Station Travel Concierge for later JR Pass exchange and Shinkansen ticket purchase.
  •   Explain the historical background from Tokyo Station to Marunouchi. ~ Gyoko-dori Avenue ~ Tatsumi Yagura Turret
  • 1100 Visit Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street (you can take your time here another day)
  • 1240 Shibuya, Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing
  • 1340 Asakusa, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
  • 1450 Tokyo Skytree, after explaining the route to Solamachi,
  • 1500 At the 4F entrance gate, confirm admission and disband

Can You Do a First-Day Private Tour of Tokyo to Learn the JR Pass and Train System? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group of four visiting from Oceania. One of the guests had visited Japan about 25 years ago but did not have clear memories of it. Their main purpose in requesting a guide on their first day was to understand the transportation system and to confirm things like purchasing a JR Pass and Shinkansen tickets. They mentioned that since guide time is valuable, once they knew the locations they would handle the rest on their own later. They planned to stay in Tokyo for several days, but the destinations for the following days had not yet been decided. Ginza and Tokyo Midtown seemed to be candidates, but since shopping was important to some of the guests, they planned to revisit Harajuku and Shibuya.

After Tokyo, they planned to visit Takayama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto.

Since their accommodation was on the Keiyo Line, I chose Tokyo Station as the first destination, partly to introduce the station travel concierge, but the distance from the Keiyo Line platform to the Marunouchi North Exit turned out to be quite long.

Due to time constraints (in particular a 15:00 reservation at Skytree), it was not possible to set aside a proper lunch break, so the guests enjoyed things like melon bread and strawberry candy on Takeshita Street and in Asakusa. I introduced the food court at Skytree, so they planned to have their meal either there or somewhere near Sensoji Temple.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShiomi~Tokyo167JPY
Section 2SubwayNijubashimae~Meiji-jingumae209JPY
Section 3TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
Section 4SubwayShibuya~Asakusa252JPY
Section 5TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree157JPY
Total931JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…