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 Meet up @ Hotel Premier Asakusa International
  • 09:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
  • 10:20 Meiji Shrine
  • 11:40 Imperial Palace
  • 12:40 Lunch @ Sushisei (Tsukiji)
  • 13:30 Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 14:40 Hamarikyu Gardens
  • 16:10 Sensoji Temple
  • 17:05 Dismissal @ Hotel Premier Asakusa International

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Meeting at @ Hotel Premier Asakusa International at 09:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:05. The day ran to 8 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Sushisei (Tsukiji) at 12:40.

The itinerary covered Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 09:50, Meiji Shrine at 10:20, Imperial Palace at 11:40, Tsukiji Outer Market at 13:30, Hamarikyu Gardens at 14:40 and Sensoji Temple at 16:10.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Shibuya by subway (600JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (0JPY); Nijubashimae to Tsukiji by subway (0JPY); Shiodome to Shimbashi by train (190JPY); Shimbashi to Ueno by train (170JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (0JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,110JPY per person.

What Does a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group from Europe, visiting Japan for the second time after roughly two decades. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takayama, and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was greatly different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Tsukiji Market, they enjoyed a sushi lunch. At Hamarikyu Gardens, they appeared impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya600JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae0JPY
Section 4SubwayNijubashimae~Tsukiji0JPY
Section 5TrainShiodome~Shimbashi190JPY
Section 6TrainShimbashi~Ueno170JPY
Section 7SubwayUeno~Asakusa0JPY
Total1,110JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Premier Asakusa International at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Premier Asakusa International at 17:05.

How long does the tour last?

About 8 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 17:05.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Outer Market, Hamarikyu Gardens and Sensoji Temple.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 1,110JPY per person across 7 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?

Seizo 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.

I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

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