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
- 9:30 Meeting point: Hotel Annex Rokku
- 10:30 Hamarikyu Gardens
- 12:15 Imperial Palace Outer Garden
- 13:00 Tokyo Station (ticket purchase support)
- 13:40 Lunch: The City Bakery
- 14:30 Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street)
- 15:30 Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing)
- 15:40 Dismissal: Shibuya
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:30, when the guide met the guests at Hotel Annex Rokku, and finished at 15:40. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch: The City Bakery at 13:40.
From there the group visited Hamarikyu Gardens at 10:30, Imperial Palace Outer Garden at 12:15, Tokyo Station (ticket purchase support) at 13:00, Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street) at 14:30 and Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing) at 15:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Shimbashi by subway (220JPY); Shimbashi to Hibiya by subway (178JPY); Tokyo to Meiji-jingumae by subway (209JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shibuya by train (178JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 785JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace and Hamarikyu Gardens
The guests were visitors from Europe who were well versed in Japanese history and were aware that trade with the Netherlands took place while Japan was under its policy of national isolation. Regarding the Imperial Palace, I informed them that the East Gardens were closed, but since they still very much wanted to visit, I guided them around the outer gardens. They also expressed a wish to visit Shinjuku Gyoen, but as it was closed that day, I proposed Hamarikyu Gardens as an alternative, and in the end they were very pleased with it. They had no particular preferences for lunch and said a salad or a sandwich would be fine, so I took them to a sandwich shop near Tokyo Station (in OAZO), which they also enjoyed. As they planned to travel from the next day through Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka, they wanted to buy tickets, so I supported their purchase at Tokyo Station, suggesting the most efficient and economical method, for which they were grateful. When I proposed a more affordable option, they were very happy, which made the assistance especially worthwhile.
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 | Subway | Asakusa～Shimbashi | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shimbashi～Hibiya | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tokyo～Meiji-jingumae | 209JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Shibuya | 178JPY |
| Total | 785JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel Annex Rokku at 9:30, and the tour finished at : Shibuya at 15:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 9:30 to 15:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hamarikyu Gardens, Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Tokyo Station (ticket purchase support), Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street) and Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 785JPY per person across 4 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?
Nobu 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.
Hi, I am Nobu, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English).
I have been an English guide in Tokyo area since January 2017.
Tokyo is a wonderful city, and you may enjoy this city by yourselves.
Even so, I recommend you go around with a guide, especially if it is your first time visit to Tokyo.
A good guide will help you to understand about Tokyo and Japan as well as how to use convenient but complicated public transportations more effectively.
I am glad if I can help you to make your tour more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo soon!
Nobu
Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He…
Jun 2, 2026
amandavW9846AW
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo day trip!
We had a wonderfull day with Nobu! He showed us the hight lights of Tokyo and was very
helpfull with getting us a Suica card.
May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide…
May 25, 2026
Matthew_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nobu was an excellent and…
Nobu was an excellent and informative guide who showed us around our selected 4
destinations and their surroundings.
May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide.…
May 24, 2026
Diane D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pleasant Intro to Tokyo
Nobu was an experienced and informative guide. It was a great introduction to Tokyo – a busy and vastly interesting city. We learned about Japanese history and toured some of the major sites including the Imperial gardens, a Buddhist temple, a Shinto shrine, and the bustling Shibuya Crossing. Nobu helped us get familiar with the subway system and explained some of Japanese cuisine. We greatly enjoyed our tour and recommend it to others!
Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable…
Apr 28, 2026
GrandTour57165664797
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome!
It was our first visit to Japan. Nobu was very knowledgeable and patient. Perfect start to our
Japan trip.