Tokyo in One Day: Ueno　Ameyoko & Harajuku — Guide Kei

June, 2025

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

  • 8:00 Shibuya　Meet at the hotel. Take the Ginza Line to Asakusa.
  • 9:00-11:00 Asakusa　Sensoji Temple grounds.
  • 11:30 Ueno　Ameyoko
  • 12:30 Ueno Park　Toshogu Shrine, baseball stadium
  • 13:30 Shibuya
  • 14:00 Harajuku

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Over the course of the day the route took in Asakusa　Sensoji Temple grounds. at 9:00, Ueno　Ameyoko at 11:30, Ueno Park　Toshogu Shrine, baseball stadium at 12:30, Shibuya at 13:30 and Harajuku at 14:00.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shibuya to Asakusa by subway (260JPY); Asakusa to Ueno by subway (180JPY); Ueno to Shibuya by train (210JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 800JPY per person.

What's a Private Family Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Ueno, and Harajuku

The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests had visited Japan about 30 years earlier and led the group with a guidebook in hand. Based on a pre-meeting discussion arranged before the tour, we planned to visit Asakusa and Ueno Ameyoko in the east, and Omotesando and Harajuku in the west. Since some of the guests would be staying for about two weeks for a special lecture, I provided not only sightseeing information but also practical tips useful for daily life in Japan.

At Sensoji Temple, the guests enjoyed street food, and while looking at Tokyo Skytree, I introduced some of its technical aspects. At Ameyoko they experienced a lively, bustling atmosphere, and in Ueno Park we also visited Toshogu Shrine. We took the JR line to Shibuya. We had planned to have a light meal, but at the guests' request to visit Meiji Shrine, I extended the time to accommodate them. The Japanese irises in the Inner Garden were beautiful and much appreciated. The tour ended at the entrance to Takeshita Street.

I provided information on recommended spots according to the guests' requests, including a micro pig cafe, a Jump Shop, a sushi restaurant, and Shibuya Yokocho. Since the guests planned to sightsee in Hakone and then travel to the Kansai region at a later date, I also offered travel tips such as using takkyubin luggage delivery and the delivery service at Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayShibuya～Asakusa260JPY
Section 2SubwayAsakusa～Ueno180JPY
Section 3TrainUeno～Shibuya210JPY
Section 4TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
Total800JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Asakusa　Sensoji Temple grounds., Ueno　Ameyoko, Ueno Park　Toshogu Shrine, baseball stadium, Shibuya and Harajuku.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 800JPY 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?

Kei 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.

Tour Report by Kei

Hello, Bonjour, Buongiorno!

I’m Kei, Keisuke YAMAMOTO, japanese freelance Government-licensed guide and interpreter in French and in English, speaking Italian as well. Having accompanied guests to all over Japan by now with whole 47 prefectures, all year round. 11 years and over 1500 days of experience as a professional guide since 2015, after 24 years of work at French Tourist Board in Tokyo in charge of promotion and marketing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Je suis Kei, Keisuke YAMAMOTO, guide-interprète indépendant japonais, agréé par le gouvernement en langues française et anglaise, parlant également italien. Ayant accompagné des clients dans tout le Japon avec se 47 départements, toute l’année. 11 ans et plus de 1500 jours d’expérience en tant que guide professionel depuis 2015, après 24 ans de travail à l’Office de Tourisme Français à Tokyo en charge de la promotion et du marketing.
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Sono Kei, Keisuke YAMAMOTO, un guida-interprete indipendente giappone e approvato dal governo per le lingue francese e inglese, parlo italiano anche. Avo accompagno i clienti in tutto il Giappone, con sue 47 province, tutto l’anno. 10 anni e piu di 1500 journi di esperienza come guida professionista dal 2015, dopo 24 anni di lavoro presso l’Ufficio del Turismo francese a Tokyo come responsabile della promozione e del marketing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Having lived mostly in Kawasaki city attached to Tokyo in the West, I have a good knowledge and profound experience of Tokyo and its surrounding areas such as Mount Fuji, Hakone and Kamakura or Nikko.
A history lover and food lover, qualified as JSA Wine Expert, I’d like to help you choosing good restaurants and good drinks including Sake.
Let’s go together for a delightful discovery in Japan.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ayant vécu principalement dans la ville de Kawasaki rattachée à Tokyo à l’Ouest, j’ai une bonne connaissance et une profonde expérience de Tokyo et de ses environs comme le Mont Fuji, Hakone et Kamakura ou Nikko.
Passionné d’histoire et de gastronomie, diplômé JSA Wine Expert, j’aimerais vous aider à choisir de bons restaurants et de bonnes boissons dont le Saké.
Partons ensemble pour une délicieuse découverte du Japon.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Avendo vissuto principalmente nella città di Kawasaki, vicina a Tokyo, ho una buona conoscenza e una profonda esperienza di Tokyo e dei suoi dintorni, come il Monte Fuji, Hakone e Kamakura o Nikko.
Appassionato di storia e gastronomia, laureato Wine Expert presso la JSA, vorrei aiutarvi a scegliere buoni ristoranti e buoni bevande, tra cui il sakè.
Partiamo insieme per una deliziosa scoperta del Giappone.

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