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

  • 1000 Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (7 min from JR Shinjuku Station) meetup. Took 15 minutes struggling with SUICA setup on iPhone. 3D cat Display
  • 1040 Shibuya, Hachiko statue, Scramble Crossing. Since they wanted to visit the One Piece and Pokemon shops, we decided to come back after the course ended
  • 1100 Harajuku, Meiji Shrine visit, Takeshita Street
  • 1310 Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Tatsumi Yagura, Gyoko Street, Marunouchi Building pine piles, Tokyo Station
  • 1430 Asakusa, Azuma Bridge, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
  • 1620 Accompanied them to Shibuya and disbanded

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shibuya, Asakusa, and Anime Spots

The guests were visitors from North America. Until just before the tour, communication was only possible through a travel agency acting as an intermediary, which was challenging, but we managed to finalize the itinerary. When I met them, they turned out to be knowledgeable and thoughtful people, which was reassuring. As I talked with them, I learned that they love manga and anime, so when I introduced the Pokemon store at Parco and the One Piece store at Magnet in Shibuya, they said they would come back after today's tour ended. They planned to stay in Tokyo for six days, but the guided portion was only for today; from the next day onward they would explore on their own. After Tokyo, they would travel to Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka.

I gave them a Tokyo Travel Guide and explained other sightseeing spots as well. In addition to Akihabara, they showed interest in the museums in Ueno and the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Saying they preferred "one splurge item," they purchased a hand-printed ukiyo-e print at a traditional woodblock print shop in Asakusa.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShinjuku~Shibuya170JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
Section 4TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
Section 5SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
Section 6SubwayAsakusa~Shibuya260JPY
Total1,140JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…