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
- 09:00 Meet up @ Toyoko Inn Shinagawa Konan Tennozu Isle
- 09:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10:10 Meiji Shrine (including Meiji Shrine Inner Garden)
- 11:35 Imperial Palace
- 12:15 Lunch @ Kiji Marunouchi branch (okonomiyaki)
- 13:25 Sensoji Temple
- 14:20 Kappabashi
- 15:20 Disband @ Kamiyacho (teamLab Borderless)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Toyoko Inn Shinagawa Konan Tennozu Isle at 09:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 15:20. The day ran to 6 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Kiji Marunouchi branch (okonomiyaki) at 12:15.
The itinerary covered Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 09:40, Meiji Shrine (including Meiji Shrine Inner Garden) at 10:10, Imperial Palace at 11:35, Sensoji Temple at 13:25 and Kappabashi at 14:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinagawa to Shibuya by train (180JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (210JPY); Tokyo to Ueno by train (170JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (180JPY); Asakusa to Kamiyacho by subway (210JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,100JPY per person.
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji, and Kappabashi
The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Nagoya and Kyoto. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. They purchased an omamori amulet as a souvenir. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji, they were intrigued by explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon gate. At Kappabashi, one of the guests, who enjoys cooking, purchased a kitchen knife. Since the guests had reserved teamLab Borderless after this tour, I guided them to teamLab Borderless in Kamiyacho and we parted ways there. I responded to all of the guests' requests, so I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Train | Shinagawa～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tokyo～Ueno | 170JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Kamiyacho | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,100JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Toyoko Inn Shinagawa Konan Tennozu Isle at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ Kamiyacho (teamLab Borderless) at 15:20.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 15:20.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine (including Meiji Shrine Inner Garden), Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple and Kappabashi.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,100JPY per person across 6 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?
Seizo 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 am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Jul 10, 2026
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing. He was informative without being overwhelming, matched
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a great personality, kept us on
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Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。