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 at the Hotel lobby. In advance we had discussed that the places they wanted to visit were Sensoji Temple and the Imperial Palace, and that they would leave the other destinations up to the guide, so we consulted. In doing so, I heard that they had arrived at Narita on July 12 and gone to Asakusa on the 13th, and upon inquiring further I found that they had also visited Sensoji Temple. As a result of our discussion, we decided to first head to the Imperial Palace no matter what, and then decide the other destinations as we consulted along the way. Since there were also time periods when heavy rain was expected due to Typhoon No. 5, we decided to determine where to go while watching the weather. First we headed to the Imperial Palace.
- 09:40-10:50 We got off the subway at the National Diet Building, and while showing them the National Diet Building, I guided them to Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, and the Imperial Palace Main Gate. After finishing, we discussed the next place and decided to go to the Tsukiji Outer Market.
- 11:15-11:40 Guided them to Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple.
- 11:40-12:15 Guided them to the Tsukiji Outer Market. While walking, they asked, "Is there a place where we can easily eat sushi?" so we decided to go to a Sushizanmai conveyor belt sushi restaurant.
- 12:15-13:00 Lunch (Sushizanmai conveyor belt sushi restaurant at the Tsukiji Outer Market). From there I guided them to Namiyoke Shrine. During lunch, we consulted and decided to go to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing next.
- 13:45-14:15 In Shibuya, I guided them to Hachiko, the Scramble Crossing, and Shibuya Yokocho. After finishing, we consulted and decided to guide them to Meiji Shrine.
- 14:30-15:20 Guided them to Meiji Shrine.
- 15:20 The guests wanted to take a stroll along Omotesando, so I explained how to return to Shinjuku on the Yamanote Line from Harajuku Station and said goodbye.
What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Guests from Europe? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Europe, with the tour booked by one of the group. They arrived at Narita and spent the previous day activating their JAPAN RAIL PASS at Shinjuku Station, visiting Senso-ji Temple, and enjoying a dinner restaurant where they could watch sumo performed by retired wrestlers. As a result, the only request made in advance had become the Imperial Palace, so we first headed to the Imperial Palace and then decided on the next destinations along the way, which led to the route noted in the tour itinerary.
As we talked, many questions came up about trends in Japanese society, so I explained in detail about Japan's declining birthrate, the state of economic development, the participation of women in the workforce, and more. At the same time, understanding that their country is known as a high-welfare society, I also asked them about how things currently stand there as we went along. The guests remarked that Japan seemed to have been Americanized to a greater degree than they had expected, and I agreed that this aspect is indeed strong, so we exchanged views as I guided them around the various sites.
For lunch at a sushi restaurant, they were very fond of the seared fatty tuna and were quite satisfied, so bringing them there was the right choice. When we parted, they told me, "Today I understood a great deal about Japanese society. Thank you very much," so I thanked them in return, saying, "It is I who should thank you, as I learned a great deal about your society from you," and we said goodbye.
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 | Free Pass | Shinjuku～Kokkai-gijidomae | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Nijubashimae～Tsukiji | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tsukiji～Shibuya | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Shibuya～Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.