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
- 1) 10:30 Meet @ Hotel Annex Rokku (9-10 Asakusa 2-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
- 2) 11:10 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 3) 12:30 Higashi-Shinjuku <Golden Gai → Hanazono Shrine>
- 4) 13:30 Harajuku <Takeshita Street → Break @ CHRISTIE Harajuku Main Store (1-16-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)>
- 5) 15:00 Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square (8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
- 6) 15:40 Azabudai Hills
- 7) 16:15 Disband @ teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B B1, 5-9 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Overseas Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private Tokyo day tour for a group visiting from Oceania. Before the tour, the guests had expressed an interest in purchasing Imari ware. For the teamLab Borderless visit, I asked the guests to make an advance reservation. At the meeting, we reconfirmed the itinerary and began the tour. Some of the guests had previously visited Japan in 2022. On this trip, they toured Osaka and Kyoto before coming to Tokyo. The day after next, they planned to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. In welcome rain, I guided them through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Higashi-Shinjuku, and Harajuku. After a break at a cafe in Harajuku, some of the guests bought strawberry candy. When I called ahead to a pottery shop near Yoyogi-Koen Station that we had originally planned to visit, they told me they only carried Imari ware sake vessels. So we visited Aoyama Square instead, where some of the guests purchased Imari ware tea utensils and chiyogami paper as a souvenir. We arrived at Azabudai Hills earlier than planned. After confirming the teamLab Borderless entrance, I guided them to the market, where they bought some fruit. Due to the light rain, the outdoor free space was mostly closed, so I took them to the free space on the second floor of the Mori Tower building for a rest, and we parted ways with smiles 15 minutes before the scheduled end time.
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 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Tawaramachi Station～Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Takebashi Station | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Otemachi Station～Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Shinjuku Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shinjuku-sanchome Station～Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Aoyama-itchome Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Toei Oedo Line Aoyama-itchome Station～Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Kamiyacho Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and patient with our group. Their
expertise made our vacation fun, educational, and stress-free!
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and…
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and personalized tour . Tachi was most professional and knowledgeable.
She provided very very thorough historical information about the 4 gardens we visited. I
would highly recommend her!
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi was so helpful in showing us around and answering all our questions. It was a great idea to do this on the first day since we covered most of the popular cultural sights and areas with her leaving the ret of our days for other specific interests.
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What…
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What a wonderful experience. She communicated very effectively before our departure to plan a very nice tour around the city. On the day of departure, it was raining very heavily in Tokyo and we considered rescheduling, but went ahead anyway. She met us at our hotel just as planned and set out on a very nice tour that visited all the sites we wanted to see. We used the subway system to move about the city. We we very happy with the tour and would book with her again in the future if we return to Tokyo. Hint: download PASMO to your phone to pay for subway rides.