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

  • Guests disembarked around 08:10, walked to Bashamichi Station and headed to Shibuya, arriving around 10:30. After seeing the Scramble Crossing and Hachiko, took the Hachiko Bus to Meiji Shrine, arriving at 11:10. Rented a wheelchair for the guest who uses a walker and toured the shrine. Around 12:50, went to Asakusa via Takeshita Street, arriving at 13:30, and after lunch visited Senso-ji Temple. Around 15:30, took a taxi to Nijubashimae, arriving at 16:00, strolled around the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens, then around 16:40 headed to Yokohama from Sakuradamon Station, arriving at Bashamichi Station around 17:30. Since the guest said they would take a taxi from Bashamichi Station back to the ship, saw them off at the station and concluded the escort duties. As expected, travel took a lot of time, so we had no choice but to skip Tsukiji Market and Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. The guest understood that the number of sightseeing spots was small, saying the original plan was a "wish list."

Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Using Public Transport Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Tokyo. According to the advance information provided, one member of the group could walk with support but not for long distances, and going up and down stairs many times was not feasible. Because walking pace was slow and finding elevators at subway stations took extra effort, moving between locations required more time than expected. Even so, everyone made their way through the itinerary without complaint, and although they may have gotten tired, I believe they were able to see as much as possible within the given constraints.

I think it should be communicated in advance that sightseeing in Tokyo using public transportation requires a fair amount of walking.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayBashamichi~Shibuya510JPY
Section 2OtherShibuya~Meiji-jingumae100JPY
Section 3Free PassMeiji-jingumae~Asakusa900JPY
Section 4Free PassSakuradamon~Shibuya0JPY
Section 5OtherShibuya~Bashamichi510JPY
Total2,020JPY

I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.

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