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
- 11:00 Meet up @ Hotel
- 11:30 Imperial Palace
- 12:30 Lunch @ Nair's (curry restaurant @ Higashi-Ginza)
- 13:40 Nippori Textile Town
- 14:50 Rikugien Garden
- 16:10 Sensoji Temple
- 17:05 Disband @ Asakusa
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 11:00 at @ Hotel and ended at 17:05. The day ran to 6 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Nair's (curry restaurant @ Higashi-Ginza) at 12:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Imperial Palace at 11:30, Nippori Textile Town at 13:40, Rikugien Garden at 14:50 and Sensoji Temple at 16:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ginza to Tokyo by subway (180JPY); Nijubashimae to Higashi-Ginza by subway (180JPY); Higashi-Ginza to Ueno by subway (180JPY); Ueno to Nippori by train (150JPY); Nippori to Komagome by train (150JPY); Komagome to Ueno by train (170JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (180JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,190JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Cruise Passengers Arriving in Yokohama? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. One of them had visited Japan several times before, while the other was visiting for the first time. They had arrived in Yokohama this morning on a cruise from North America, having stopped at Alaska, Kushiro, and Aomori along the way. 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 the Nippori Fabric Town, which they had strongly requested to visit, they were very interested in browsing the fabric and craft shops, as one of the guests enjoys handicrafts as a hobby. Unfortunately, some shops were closed on Sunday, so they planned to return on their own another day. At Rikugien Garden, they seemed deeply impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. At Sensoji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, and about the Kaminarimon Gate, and were also surprised by the large number of tourists. Since they said they could return to their accommodation on their own, we parted ways in Asakusa. As I responded exactly according to 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～Tokyo | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Higashi-Ginza | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Higashi-Ginza～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Ueno～Nippori | 150JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Nippori～Komagome | 150JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Komagome～Ueno | 170JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,190JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 11:00, and the tour finished at @ Asakusa at 17:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 11:00 to 17:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Imperial Palace, Nippori Textile Town, Rikugien Garden and Sensoji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,190JPY per person across 7 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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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
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