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

  • 0900 Meet at Hotel Blossom Shinjuku (3 min from JR Shinjuku Station), assistance with PASMO purchase
  • 0930 Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 1045 Asakusa, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
  • 1240 Harajuku, visit Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street
  • 1340 Disband at Takeshita Street

Title: What's a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Until shortly before the tour, communication was only possible through a booking platform used by an intermediary travel agency, which made it difficult to coordinate. Eventually we were able to finalize the itinerary. Just before the tour, I was able to reach the guests directly via a messaging app, but I could not be certain whether the information I had sent to the agency earlier had actually reached them.

This was their first visit to Japan. They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few days and then travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

Since they had a guide only for today, the aim was to help them get used to using public transportation. They planned to visit the Imperial Palace Outer Garden the following day and Tokyo Skytree the day after, so I explained how to get to each. I gave them a Tokyo Travel Guide and explained other places as well.

This time, since the booking came through a platform, the intermediary agency was completely invisible to me, but it appeared to be a small private company based in Europe. I was told that someone from the agency would visit Japan themselves in the autumn and seemed to have shared various pieces of information with today's guests.

As it was a 4-hour tour, Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine were about all we could manage. The guests had also hoped to see Omotesando and Cat Street, so after visiting Meiji Shrine, I used a map of the surrounding area that I had prepared and marked and explained the locations. I had considered walking them to the entrance of Cat Street, but since they wanted to have lunch on Takeshita Street (with me joining them), and we had already gone over time, we parted ways there.

The guests were lovely and very understanding, but having an intermediary agency involved does make things more challenging.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayShinjuku~Tsukiji Market272JPY
Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa209JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa~Meiji-jingumae252JPY
Total733JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…