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
- 12:20 Meet up @ teamLab Planets (Toyosu)
- 13:15 Shinjuku Godzilla Head (around Shinjuku Kabukicho)
- 13:30 Shinjuku Isetan (food floor)
- 14:30 Lunch @ Ichiran (Shinjuku)
- 15:40 Meiji Shrine
- 17:10 Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, FUKURAS)
- 17:50 Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
- 18:20 Dismiss @ Hotel Otemachi
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 12:20, when the guide met the guests at @ teamLab Planets (Toyosu), and finished at 18:20. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @ Ichiran (Shinjuku) at 14:30.
From there the group visited Shinjuku Godzilla Head (around Shinjuku Kabukicho) at 13:15, Shinjuku Isetan (food floor) at 13:30, Meiji Shrine at 15:40, Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, FUKURAS) at 17:10 and Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate) at 17:50.
What Is a Private 6-Hour Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived a few days earlier and had already visited Senso-ji Temple and experienced go-kart driving in costume. On the morning of the tour, they enjoyed teamLab Planets in Toyosu before starting the 6-hour tour.
One of the youngest members of the group, who had recently begun to walk, was very charming, and many passersby as well as strangers shopping at Isetan in Shinjuku smiled and remarked how adorable the child was. At Meiji Jingu, the group let the little one take a few wobbly steps. The child made lively, almost word-like sounds, yet somehow they never felt noisy, which was quite remarkable. During the car transfers, the child slept peacefully, and all of this added to the endearing atmosphere.
The Isetan basement food hall made a strong impression on the guests. They commented that every item looked delicious, and above all fresh and clean. They took many photos and purchased items such as shrimp and chicken kushikatsu, fried sweet potato, and spicy skewers of chicken with shishito peppers and paprika. Afterward, they requested Ichiran Ramen, so I searched online and we went to the branch near the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku. As a popular restaurant, there was a line, and the staff said the wait would be about 30 minutes. However, the guests were keen to eat Ichiran Ramen even if it meant waiting, so we lined up. In practice, we were able to start lunch after about 20 minutes, so it did not significantly affect the tour. That said, the guests asked to walk at a slower pace, and since the little one appeared to be getting sleepy later on, we skipped the originally planned stroll along Takeshita Street in Harajuku. At the Imperial Palace, I explained Sakuradamon from the car and we got out only to walk to Nijubashi. In addition, from the car I was able to show them the Ginza 4-chome intersection and Ginza main street, the Kasumigaseki government district, the National Diet Building, and the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station.
On this trip they did not visit Kyoto and stayed only in Tokyo for a short period, but they expressed how much they had come to love Japan, saying that they would definitely return and already had plans to do so.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a…
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a great guide and just a wonderful human being that felt like an old friend. We had first visited Tokyo eight years ago, so we had not planned on getting a tour, but we felt like we got both a Food Tour and a cultural tour with her and we were so grateful for both. My daughter is moving to Japan, and so we were excited to be here but we were disappointed that we had not been able to find vegetarian food as easily. Noripy had tips and tricks and language she suggested we use and helped us with our first vegan ramen which was excellent. I highly recommend anything you can do with a Noripy, you should run and go do it! She trained at Boston University and international relations, and had ties with both my daughters from her schooling which tickled us with delight. She is a spry woman and the kindest soul and I’m so glad our paths crossed as Tokyo came to life through her welcoming eyes. We were nervous about going on this tour because we had a bad experience with a different tour with someone else the night before, but she restored our faith in humanity and tour guides and that was a tall order.
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Jody D
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Best Post cruise tour ever
It was a GREAT TOUR with Noripy! With a family of many different ages and walking levels this was fantastic. We were picked up from our cruise in Yokohama and dropped off at Haneda airport. We had about 10 hours before our flight and it went flawlessly.
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Alec T
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Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…
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Alec T
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Noripy was excellent! She guided us through several parts of the city: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Sangedatsumon, Zojo-ji, Meiji Jingu, and Golden Gai. A great way to see many Tokyo sites and get acquainted with the city on your first day!
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Hema_R
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Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
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Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady who managed to fit all the iconic Tokyo spots into my 6-hour tour without anything feeling rushed. She was knowledgeable, organised, and genuinely kind. Toward the end she even helped me with some shopping, which I really appreciated. A wonderful introduction to Tokyo and a guide I’d happily recommend….