Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple — Guide Seizo
September, 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
- 14:00 Meet up @ Hotel Monday Premium Ueno Okachimachi
- 14:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 15:00 Meiji Shrine
- 16:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 17:10 Imperial Palace
- 18:00 Sensoji Temple
- 19:00 Disband @ Hotel Monday Premium Ueno Okachimachi
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel Monday Premium Ueno Okachimachi at 14:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 19:00. The day ran to 5 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 14:30, Meiji Shrine at 15:00, Shinjuku Gyoen at 16:00, Imperial Palace at 17:10 and Sensoji Temple at 18:00.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, and Asakusa
The guests were a group from Europe visiting Japan for the first time. Before coming to Tokyo, they had already visited Kyoto and Hiroshima, and had traveled from Kyoto to Tokyo this morning. In Tokyo, in addition to sightseeing, they planned to watch the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. At Shibuya, because it was a public holiday, many people had gathered at the Scramble Crossing, and the guests showed great interest in the lively atmosphere. At Meiji Shrine, the guests seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, the guests appeared impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. At the Imperial Palace, the guests listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, the guests listened with interest to explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied.
Regarding the accommodation, the guide request (confirmation) email listed the Hotel, but when I checked at the Hotel on the day, the guests' reservation was not found. After confirming again by phone with the guests, I learned that a different Hotel was the correct one, and we had to relocate. Since both the car and the guide had arrived at the originally scheduled Hotel more than 30 minutes early, we were able to start on time; however, under normal circumstances the start would have been delayed. I keenly realized that when there is a Hotel with a similar name nearby, it is necessary to reconfirm with the guests.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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
Sep 27, 2026
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Higly recommend
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
Sep 8, 2026
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…
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Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
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We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.