Tokyo: b Ginza & Meiji Shrine — Guide Takako
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:30 the b Ginza
- 10:00 Tokyo National Museum
- 12:00 Ueno Station JR East Travel Service Center
- 13:00 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
- 13:20 Lunch @ Daruma
- 14:10 Sensoji Temple
- 15:20 Shibuya Crossing
- 15:50 Meiji Shrine
- 17:00 Shinjuku Station South Exit Odakyu Counter, Odakyu Travel Center Shinjuku Station West Exit
- 17:30 Dismissal @ Shinjuku Station West Exit
What Is an 8-Hour Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ueno, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine
I guided the guests from Europe on a private tour. They were quiet and reserved, and mentioned that their flight had been delayed the previous day, arriving late at night and leaving them tired. Despite the very heavy and uncomfortable humidity, they completed the full 8-hour tour as scheduled without any complaints. As one of the guests had recently graduated from university and was going to become a designer of stage costumes, they looked very intently at the kimono and other items at the Tokyo National Museum. I handled the JR ticketing at the Asakusa exit of Ueno Station. For lunch, they wanted to try something new in Asakusa, so we went to a monjayaki restaurant, where we shared two okonomiyaki among three of us, which filled them up. They seemed to enjoy it reasonably well. At Sensoji Temple, both of them drew "dai-kichi" (great blessing) fortunes, and when I told them this was quite rare, they were delighted. Since they said they liked Kitty, we stopped by a Sanrio character goods shop. I had hoped that visiting Meiji Shrine in the evening would offer some relief from the heat, but the humidity was severe and it was quite difficult. As one of the guests was going to get a driver's license, they purchased a traffic safety charm. When we tried to activate the Hakone Free Pass at the Odakyu boarding area at the south exit of Shinjuku Station, we found that the location was actually in the basement of the west exit, and moreover it had already closed at 4 o'clock. When I went to check the location, I could not find it right away, so I asked a man wearing a helmet who was directing people, and managed to reach it. After that, the guests said they wanted to go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck, so I guided them to the entrance of the underground passage, and the tour ended there. They lived near a city in Europe, and the accent of one of the guests was strong, making it difficult to catch some words. When I could not understand "aipou" and asked again, it turned out to be "April." Even so, both of them were modest and dependable, and I was able to proceed smoothly.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Shimbashi～Ueno | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 150JPY |
| Total | 910JPY | ||
Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
Please let me know what interests you.
I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
Looking forward to meeting you!!
Sep 30, 2026
16shelleyb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Great day in Toyko
Four of us spent an…
Sep 30, 2026
16shelleyb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Great day in Toyko
Four of us spent an enjoyable day touring Tokyo the day before our Japan cruise. Our guide, Takako, was great and ensured we saw what we wanted to see. Tokyo traffic is crazy but our driver, Mr. Isizuka, was amazing. Takako asked for our lunch preference and suggested a terrific steak house…so fun! She explained all the traditions and rituals at the shrine and temple so we felt at ease visiting these places. Because of traffic, we were running a little behind (no fault of hers or our driver) so we only got a drive through of the Ginza area. We will spend one more day in Tokyo at the end of the cruise and now have a better idea of where to concentrate our time. All in all, we had a great time, despite the rain.
Sep 29, 2026
982marvf
Yokohama Experience
Tripadvisor review: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Takako is an outstanding tour guide who knows Yokohama…
Sep 29, 2026
982marvf
Yokohama Experience
Tripadvisor review: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Takako is an outstanding tour guide who knows Yokohama real well. Despite miserable weather conditions, she was able to show us all the great sites and explain everything.
Sep 24, 2026
marshad422
A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
Tripadvisor…
Sep 24, 2026
marshad422
A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Takako was the perfect guide; extremely articulate and knowledgeable, friendly, passionate about Japan and giving her customers the best experience in gaining knowledge of the area and covering so much in one day. She showed a great understanding of her customers’s needs and desires and went out of her way to make you feel comfortable. She had a great sense of humour which made the day so very delightful and enjoyable.
Sep 18, 2026
7
770stefanieg
Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Takako, our guide…
Sep 18, 2026
7
770stefanieg
Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Takako, our guide for the day, was an absolutely wonderful companion in Tokyo. She took the time in advance to understand our interests and wishes, and the whole day was tailored exactly to what we wanted to see and experience.
My mother isn’t very steady on her feet and can’t walk long distances, and Takako handled this beautifully, she adjusted the pace and made sure my mother could fully enjoy the day without feeling rushed or left out. It’s reassuring to know that a tour like this can be adapted so well for someone with limited mobility.
Her knowledge, warmth and preparation made the day truly special. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and can highly recommend her to anyone visiting Tokyo.