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
- 10:00 Gather@Hotel by HULIC
- 10:30 Nezu
- 12:00 Rikugien
- 13:30 Lunch@Jangara Ramen
- 14:00 Akihabara
- 15:10 Disband@Hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:00 at @Hotel by HULIC and ended at 15:10. The day ran to 5 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch@Jangara Ramen at 13:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Nezu at 10:30, Rikugien at 12:00 and Akihabara at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hibiya to Nezu by subway (180JPY); Nezu Shrine Entrance to Kamifujimae by bus (210JPY); Komagome to Akihabara by train (180JPY); Akihabara to Yurakucho by train (150JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 720JPY per person.
What Is a Private Rainy-Day Tour of Nezu, Rikugien, and Akihabara Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. At the guests' request, I guided them around Nezu, Rikugien, and Akihabara. The forecast called for rain all day, so we borrowed plastic umbrellas at the Hotel. Both Nezu Shrine and Rikugien were almost empty of visitors, but just as we were leaving each place, tour groups arrived, so we moved on to the next spot saying how lucky we were. Since the guests had specifically requested these two places, I found their somewhat muted reactions curious, so I asked, and it turned out that what they really wanted to see was Akihabara, and they had chosen these spots thinking that places near Akihabara would be easier for me to guide. They were considerate and kind guests. The row of torii gates at Nezu Shrine cannot be passed through while holding an umbrella, so I would not recommend it on a rainy day. At Rikugien, we enjoyed matcha at a teahouse to shelter from the rain. At their main destination of Akihabara, the guests shopped at Radio Kaikan, Don Quijote, and Super Potato. We were also able to enter the always-crowded Jangara Ramen in Akihabara without waiting, and I told the guests that there can be some lucky things about rainy days too. Since we had time to spare, I asked whether they would like me to guide them around Ginza, where the Hotel was located, or somewhere else, but because it was raining they said they wanted to return to the Hotel, so we parted a little earlier than planned. During the tour we used the subway, buses, and trains, so I think they will be able to get around on their own from the next day relying on Google Maps.
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 | Hibiya～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Nezu Shrine Entrance～Kamifujimae | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Komagome～Akihabara | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Akihabara～Yurakucho | 150JPY |
| Total | 720JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel by HULIC at 10:00, and the tour finished at @Hotel at 15:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 15:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Nezu, Rikugien and Akihabara.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 720JPY 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?
Yoko 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’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Yoko Kusmoto is exceptional . Her deep knowledge of Japan history, Tokyo’s
architecture and interesting Tokyo places made us appreciate all Tokyo has to offer. Her
smile, infectious laugh, kindness and interest added to our wonderful day.