Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Minoruasai
February, 2025
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
- 09:00 Met at Hotel lobby, had a 10-minute meeting about the itinerary, and decided to move in the order of Sensoji Temple → Shibuya Scramble Crossing → Harajuku. Walked to Shimbashi Station and took the subway to Asakusa.
- 09:45-11:40 Guided along the banks of the Sumida River. On the way to Sensoji Temple from there, upon the request "Can we buy matcha?", I took them to Masudaya where they purchased matcha and a tea whisk. From there we moved through Sensoji Temple's Kaminarimon Gate → Nakamise Shopping Street → Hozomon Gate → Main Hall → Stone Bridge → the Danjuro bronze statue in the back garden → purchased ice cream wrapped in mochi, then returned to Asakusa Station. Moved to Shibuya.
- 12:15-12:40 Guided the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko. We decided to have lunch here, and after discussing, they said "Let's have ramen."
- 12:40-13:30 Entered "Oreryu Shio Ramen" located on the right side just as you enter Center Gai and had lunch. They also ordered gyoza and were pleased. After finishing, we went to Harajuku by JR.
- 13:45-15:15 Since the younger sister Malin was 17 years old and wanted to visit Takeshita Street, I first guided them along Takeshita Street. From there, after showing them the LAFORET building, we returned to Harajuku Station and I guided them to Meiji Shrine.
- 15:30 As they wanted to return to the hotel, we went to Shibuya by JR, and I saw them off at the Ginza Line Shibuya Station, ending the tour.
Title: What's a 6-Hour Private Tour of Asakusa and Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe on their trip to Tokyo. English was not their first language, but both spoke it well, so I guided them in clear, slow English. On the first day of their trip they had only visited Skytree, so after discussing options together, we followed the route above.
One of the guests wanted to buy a kitchen knife to take home, so I took them to "Kanesou," located just near Kaminarimon, but it was still too early and the shop had not yet opened. Since they mentioned they would visit the Tsukiji Outer Market on a later day, I recommended "Masamoto" to them.
When I asked one of the guests if there was anything they wanted to buy in Japan, the answer was matcha, so I took them to Masudaya in Asakusa, which delighted them greatly.
Also, over lunch, they said, "We'd like to try going to Kamakura on our own, so please tell us how to get around there," and when I gave them advice, they were very grateful for that as well.
It was a warm and pleasant six hours spent with such a close-knit group, and I was very glad.
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 | Subway | Shimbashi～Asakusa | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa～Shibuya | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku～Shibuya | 150JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.