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
- 08:55 Meet up @ Hotel Ryogoku
- 09:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10:00 Meiji Shrine
- 11:10 Shinjuku (3D Cat Screen / Godzilla Head, etc.)
- 11:40 Lunch @ Hakata Tenjin Shinjuku East Exit Station Front Branch
- 12:20 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 14:00 Tokyo Tower
- 15:20 Imperial Palace
- 16:10 Disband @ Akihabara Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel Ryogoku at 08:55, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 16:10. The day ran to 7 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Hakata Tenjin Shinjuku East Exit Station Front Branch at 11:40.
The itinerary covered Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 09:40, Meiji Shrine at 10:00, Shinjuku (3D Cat Screen / Godzilla Head, etc.) at 11:10, Shinjuku Gyoen at 12:20, Tokyo Tower at 14:00 and Imperial Palace at 15:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ryogoku to Shibuya by train (230JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Harajuku to Shinjuku by train (150JPY); Shinjuku to Shinjuku-gyoemmae by subway (700JPY); Shinjuku-gyoemmae to Kamiyacho by subway (0JPY); Kamiyacho to Nijubashimae by subway (0JPY); Tokyo to Akihabara by train (150JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,380JPY per person.
What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe who were in Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which contrasted greatly with Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed strolling through the beautiful rose garden and the Japanese garden. At Tokyo Tower, they appeared impressed by the magnificent views of Tokyo. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. Since I responded according to the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Ryogoku～Shibuya | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shinjuku～Shinjuku-gyoemmae | 700JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoemmae～Kamiyacho | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Kamiyacho～Nijubashimae | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Tokyo～Akihabara | 150JPY |
| Total | 1,380JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Ryogoku at 08:55, and the tour finished at @ Akihabara Station at 16:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 08:55 to 16:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku (3D Cat Screen / Godzilla Head, etc.), Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Tower and Imperial Palace.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,380JPY 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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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
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