Tokyo in One Day: Stroll around Asakusa — Guide Toru
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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 08:00 Meet up at the hotel in Shinjuku
- 08:40 Stroll around Asakusa
- 10:15 Walk around Ueno Shinobazu Pond, then visit Nezu Shrine
- 11:15 Stroll around Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- 12:15 Lunch with grilled fish cooked over an irori hearth in Kagurazaka
- 13:20 Stroll around the Imperial Palace
- 14:00 Disband at Sakuradamon
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 08:00 at hotel in Shinjuku and ended at 14:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch with grilled fish cooked over an irori hearth in Kagurazaka at 12:15.
Over the course of the day the route took in Stroll around Asakusa at 08:40, Walk around Ueno Shinobazu Pond, then visit Nezu Shrine at 10:15, Stroll around Koishikawa Korakuen Garden at 11:15 and Stroll around the Imperial Palace at 13:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tochomae to Asakusa by train (280JPY); Asakusa to Ueno by train (180JPY); Yushima Station by train (180JPY); Todaimae to Korakuen by train (180JPY); Suidobashi to Iidabashi by train (150JPY); Iidabashi to Tokyo by train (170JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,140JPY per person.
3．当日のツアールート
Title: What Is a Private Cultural Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. Tour Highlights and Guest Reactions The guests had studied Japanese culture well in advance and asked a variety of questions, ranging from history to the lifestyles of modern-day Japanese people. As I answered their questions, the conversation flowed naturally, and we were able to enjoy the tour in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. In Kagurazaka, the guests tried robatayaki-grilled ayu (sweetfish) and enjoyed it very much.
2. Other Comments and Notes I already reported this in my reply to the positive review, but since it is an important matter, I am writing it again here. This time the pickup was at a hotel on the west side of Shinjuku. Since there are many hotels on the west side of Shinjuku Station, I checked the location on Google Maps on my way there just to be sure. However, Google Maps was showing a completely different location, and even when I looked up directions on the hotel's official website, that website also used Google Maps, so it was of no help. I called the hotel directly to confirm the address, entered it into Google Maps, and then the correct location was displayed. Because of this process, I arrived just barely in time and felt rushed. It seems that Google Maps information can sometimes be deliberately altered by someone to be incorrect. I would recommend alerting fellow guides at [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) about this. I also explained the situation to the hotel and requested that they correct their website.
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 | Tochomae～Asakusa | 280JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Asakusa～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Yushima Station / Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Todaimae～Korakuen | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Suidobashi～Iidabashi | 150JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Iidabashi～Tokyo | 170JPY |
| Total | 1,140JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel in Shinjuku at 08:00, and the tour finished at Sakuradamon at 14:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 08:00 to 14:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Stroll around Asakusa, Walk around Ueno Shinobazu Pond, then visit Nezu Shrine, Stroll around Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and Stroll around the Imperial Palace.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,140JPY 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?
Toru 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.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru was an AMAZING host and tour guide. He went above and beyond with communication prior, during, and after to make sure my Son and I had an incredible experience. He was unbelievably knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we wanted as well. The sushi breakfast was unreal! Learning all about both Toyosu and Tsukiji markets was an experience we will never forget. 10 out of 10 for sure!!
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
This was our first time visiting a fish market, and from the time we booked the experience, Toru-san has been amazing. He helped us get to Toyosu market, where the tuna auction takes place, at the right time to get the best views and explained everything about how the auction works and made sure we didn’t miss anything. (You will need a knowledgeable tour guide because everything happens so fast and you might miss it!) We learned so much during such a short time about how the delicious tuna you eat at a sushi restaurant ends up in front of you. After the auction Toru-san took us to Okame, a great sushi restaurant, where we got to experience delicious sushi breakfast. Our next stop was Tsukiji market, and again we got to try all sorts of food and learn more about the market and got to meet some of the vendors. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. If you are interested in cooking, Japanese cuisine, or know someone home, this tour will give you the opportunity to do some shopping for unique souvenirs.
We had to get to Toyosu market before 5 am, and while you might think it’s too early, but why not do something fun and delicious with your jetlag? It was so worth it and I’m glad we chose to spend our first morning in Tokyo with Toru-san. The other advantage of being so early was that the market was not as crowded and we got to enjoy our time without having to wait in line.
Thank you, Toru-san!
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
The tour was great. We got to learn a lot about sushi and really enjoyed our time in the
market as well.
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was…
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was a fantastic guide and made our experience one to remember. He picked us up
from the hotel and clearly knew how to be there early to get a good view. He also took us to
a delicious sushi place thereafter which the whole family enjoyed.