Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Ueno Park — 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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:55 Meet up @ Hotel Monterey Ginza
- 10:35 Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko
- 11:00 Meiji Shrine
- 12:30 Imperial Palace
- 13:20 Lunch @ Aoyuzu Tora (Marunouchi Building)
- 14:40 Senso-ji Temple
- 15:40 Ueno Park
- 16:05 Disband @ Ueno
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel Monterey Ginza at 09:55, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 16:05. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Aoyuzu Tora (Marunouchi Building) at 13:20.
The itinerary covered Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko at 10:35, Meiji Shrine at 11:00, Imperial Palace at 12:30, Senso-ji Temple at 14:40 and Ueno Park at 15:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ginza to Shibuya by subway (210JPY); 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 Ueno by subway (180JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,100JPY per person.
What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They mentioned that after sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Lake Kawaguchi, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they were intrigued by the explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. After I guided them to Ueno Park, they said they would do some shopping in Ueno and then return to their hotel on their own, so we parted ways in Ueno. Since I was able to accommodate the guests' wishes, 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 | Subway | Ginza～Shibuya | 210JPY |
| 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～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,100JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Monterey Ginza at 09:55, and the tour finished at @ Ueno at 16:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 09:55 to 16:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple and Ueno Park.
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
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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。