Tokyo in One Day: Zojoji Temple — Guide Toru
April, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 08:00 Meet-up at the hotel
- 08:20 Visit Zojoji Temple
- 09:15 Food tour at Tsukiji Outer Market
- 11:00 Watch the Goma fire ritual at Fukagawa Fudo
- 12:20 Shopping at the Ghibli Shop in Solamachi
- 13:00 Visit Sensoji Temple and stroll around Asakusa
- 14:00 Dismissal at Mitsukoshimae Station (at the guest's request, to enjoy shopping after the tour)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at -up at the hotel at 08:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 14:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Zojoji Temple at 08:20, Food tour at Tsukiji Outer Market at 09:15, Watch the Goma fire ritual at Fukagawa Fudo at 11:00, Ghibli Shop in Solamachi at 12:20 and Sensoji Temple and stroll around Asakusa at 13:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Mita to Daimon by train (150JPY); Daimon to Tsukiji Market by train (180JPY); Tsukiji Market to Monzen-nakacho by train (180JPY); Monzen-nakacho to Oshiage by train (290JPY); Oshiage to Asakusa by train (180JPY); Asakusa to Mitsukoshimae by train (180JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,160JPY per person.
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The weather was beautiful, and the guests were delighted that it was perfect for a walking tour.
At Zojoji Temple, the guests took photographs with great interest, capturing the contrast between the temple and Tokyo Tower against the clear blue sky.
At the Tsukiji Outer Market, the guests enjoyed tuna sushi, hearty wagyu beef BBQ, seafood BBQ, and strawberry daifuku and strawberry skewers. They were especially impressed by the juicy wagyu beef and the fresh strawberries.
At Fukagawa Fudo, the guests said the powerful drumming and the flames of the goma fire ritual were striking, and they told me it was the most exciting of all the places we visited today.
We visited the Ghibli shop at Solamachi by request, as some of the guests are Ghibli fans. The guests enjoyed shopping for Ghibli goods.
Sensoji Temple was crowded, but the guests were moved by how beautiful the Kaminarimon Gate and the five-story pagoda were. When one of the guests drew "daikichi" (great blessing) in an omikuji fortune, I explained that the probability of drawing daikichi at Sensoji is quite low, and the guest was overjoyed. Boasting, "The good weather today is thanks to my great blessing," the guest carefully carried the fortune slip home.
The guests were on very good terms with one another, and it was such a wonderful 6 hours that I found myself smiling as we chatted together.
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 | Train | Mita～Daimon | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Daimon～Tsukiji Market | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tsukiji Market～Monzen-nakacho | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Monzen-nakacho～Oshiage | 290JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Oshiage～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Asakusa～Mitsukoshimae | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,160JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at -up at the hotel at 08:00, and the tour finished at Mitsukoshimae Station (at the guest's request, to enjoy shopping after the tour) at 14:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 08:00 to 14:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Zojoji Temple, Food tour at Tsukiji Outer Market, Watch the Goma fire ritual at Fukagawa Fudo, Ghibli Shop in Solamachi and Sensoji Temple and stroll around Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,160JPY 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?
Toru 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 am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
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Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.