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

  • 9:00 Meet up @Hotel
  • 9:40 @Asakusa, Sensoji Temple
  • 11:20 @Ginza
  • 12:30 @Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge)
  • 13:20 @Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
  • 14:30 @Shibuya
  • 15:00 Disband @Shibuya Station

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Meeting at @Hotel at 9:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.

The itinerary covered Asakusa, Sensoji Temple at 9:40, Ginza at 11:20, Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge) at 12:30, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku at 13:20 and Shibuya at 14:30.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Asakusa by Free Pass (900JPY); Asakusa to Higashi-Ginza by Free Pass (0JPY); Ginza-itchome to Sakuradamon by Free Pass (0JPY); Nijubashi to Meiji-jingumae by Free Pass (0JPY); Omotesando to Shibuya by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 900JPY per person.

What's a First-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like for Visitors from Overseas? A Licensed Guide's Report

I had the pleasure of guiding the first Tokyo sightseeing experience for the guests, who had arrived in Japan from North America the previous evening. When I explained how to use the subway network and convenience stores, the guests were very pleased. In Ginza, we also visited the food section in the basement of a department store, and the guests seemed amazed at how beautifully the many bento boxes and food items were displayed. They mentioned that tonight they would buy bento at a department store basement in Shinjuku and eat it at their hotel. After Tokyo, the guests plan to visit Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1Free PassShinjuku~Asakusa900JPY
Section 2Free PassAsakusa~Higashi-Ginza0JPY
Section 3Free PassGinza-itchome~Sakuradamon0JPY
Section 4Free PassNijubashi~Meiji-jingumae0JPY
Section 5Free PassOmotesando~Shibuya0JPY
Total900JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @Hotel at 9:00, and the tour finished at @Shibuya Station at 15:00.

How long does the tour last?

About 6 hours in total, from 9:00 to 15:00.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Ginza, Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge), Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Shibuya.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 900JPY per person across 5 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?

Seky 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.

Hi friends, I’m Seky, a tour guide in Tokyo, but I cover all over Japan, namely from Hokkaido to Kyushu. I have lived overseas for more than 15 years in total, such as US, UK, Singapore and others, and enjoyed local culture there. Back in Japan, I wish I could help travelers to Japan enjoy Japanese culture, and this is why I became a tour guide.
In Tokyo, my favorite places are Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa, and if you are interested in fish market, I’d love to take you to the world largest Tuna auction and/or if you are sports lovers, I’ll go to ball games (baseball) too.

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