Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Noripy
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
- 1. 8:30 Meet up @Hyatt Regency Tokyo
- 2. 9:15 @Meiji Shrine
- 3. 10:00 Harajuku "Takeshita Street"
- 4. 10:40 Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
- 5. 11:50 Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street, Asakusa Shrine, Azumabashi Bridge)
- 6. 12:30 Lunch @Owariya (Asakusa Kaminarimon Street)
- 7. 13:30 Hamarikyu Gardens
- 8. 14:45 Disband @Hyatt Regency Tokyo

# What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was a visitor from North America. Having lived in Asia earlier in life before relocating to North America, the guest had visited Japan once for sightseeing long ago, but the memories were faint as it had been more than 30 years. This time, the guest was on a trip of around ten days, joining a tour group starting the following day, passing through Matsumoto Castle and touring Kyoto before returning home. The guest had arrived at Narita the previous afternoon, and this tour day was the only full day in Tokyo. A food tour in Shinjuku had been booked for the evening.
Following the itinerary that had been arranged in advance based on the guest's wishes, we visited Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Hamarikyu Gardens. While passing through the first torii gate of Meiji Shrine and walking beneath the trees, the guest seemed very satisfied, feeling the coolness and the quiet. The guest also experienced the purification fountain and offered a prayer. Many photos were taken at the Imperial Palace and Asakusa.
After touring the Imperial Palace, we could not immediately find a passing taxi, so we walked for about five minutes toward Tokyo Station before being able to get in. The taxi ride had been planned from the start, and the roughly 20-minute journey to Asakusa in a cool space seemed to help maintain the guest's energy for the rest of the day.
For lunch, after visiting Sensoji Temple, the guest enjoyed tempura soba at Owariya and found it delicious. The guest enjoyed the sightseeing spots, and during our conversations along the way, being cheerful and engaging, the guest asked many questions, including personal ones, which I answered openly and frankly.
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 | Toei Oedo Line Tochomae Station~Yoyogi Station | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Yoyogi~Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station~Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Toei Asakusa Line Asakusa Station~Shimbashi Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Toei Oedo Line Shiodome Station~Tochomae Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,050JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a…
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a great guide and just a wonderful human being that felt like an old friend. We had first visited Tokyo eight years ago, so we had not planned on getting a tour, but we felt like we got both a Food Tour and a cultural tour with her and we were so grateful for both. My daughter is moving to Japan, and so we were excited to be here but we were disappointed that we had not been able to find vegetarian food as easily. Noripy had tips and tricks and language she suggested we use and helped us with our first vegan ramen which was excellent. I highly recommend anything you can do with a Noripy, you should run and go do it! She trained at Boston University and international relations, and had ties with both my daughters from her schooling which tickled us with delight. She is a spry woman and the kindest soul and I’m so glad our paths crossed as Tokyo came to life through her welcoming eyes. We were nervous about going on this tour because we had a bad experience with a different tour with someone else the night before, but she restored our faith in humanity and tour guides and that was a tall order.
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
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It was…
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Jody D
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Best Post cruise tour ever
It was a GREAT TOUR with Noripy! With a family of many different ages and walking levels this was fantastic. We were picked up from our cruise in Yokohama and dropped off at Haneda airport. We had about 10 hours before our flight and it went flawlessly.
June 19, 2026
Alec T
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Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…
June 19, 2026
Alec T
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Noripy was excellent! She guided us through several parts of the city: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Sangedatsumon, Zojo-ji, Meiji Jingu, and Golden Gai. A great way to see many Tokyo sites and get acquainted with the city on your first day!
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
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Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
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Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady who managed to fit all the iconic Tokyo spots into my 6-hour tour without anything feeling rushed. She was knowledgeable, organised, and genuinely kind. Toward the end she even helped me with some shopping, which I really appreciated. A wonderful introduction to Tokyo and a guide I’d happily recommend….
