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

  • Meet at the Marunouchi North Gate ticket gate at Tokyo Station at 6 AM, travel to Yurakucho on the Yamanote Line, then walk to Tsukiji Outer Market while strolling through Ginza. At 6:50, enjoyed nigiri sushi at Sushizanmai. After strolling through Tsukiji, walk to Yurakucho. Travel by train to Tokyo Station. At 8:40, tour the Tokyo Station building. Walk to the Imperial Palace and Nijubashi Bridge. At 8:55, visit Nijubashi Bridge. Walk to Yurakucho Station. Travel by train to Takanawa Gateway Station. At 9:30, visit Newoman and the 28th floor observation deck. Disperse at 10 AM.

Title: What's an Early-Morning Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji and Beyond

The meeting time was early, at 6:00 in the morning, but Tokyo Station was quiet, so we were able to meet up smoothly. The guests were visiting from North America. Since Tsukiji was their top choice, we decided to head first to the Tsukiji Outer Market. After that, they asked me to suggest some recommendations, so I proposed the Imperial Palace, Takanawa Gateway, and Newoman. For each part of the walk on foot, I obtained their consent before moving on. We walked quite a distance, but with the clear skies and pleasant weather, I believe it was very comfortable. At Tsukiji, the guests enjoyed nigiri sushi at a sushi restaurant (a tuna set, along with individual nigiri of salmon, shrimp, and amberjack). It was very well received. During our movements I explained the rail routes each time using a simplified train line map, so after we parted ways at 10:00, the guests planned to continue strolling around on their own a little longer.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainTokyo~Yurakucho150JPY
Section 2TrainYurakucho~Tokyo150JPY
Section 3TrainYurakucho~Takanawa Gateway170JPY
Total470JPY

English / Guide in English and German / Guiding areas are in Tokyo, Yokohama and my home town Okayama. (Since I’m based in Tokyo, I might not be able to guide in Okayama, depending on the timing.) My profile in German follows!
First of all, thank you very much for your taking time to have a look at my profile. My name is Naoki Shimono. Naoki would be fine. I’m a certified tour guide in English and German. After long years of work at Japanese electronics manufacturer, always in charge of international marketing, I’m focusing on tour guide and interpreter. As of now, I did tour guide more than 50 times in English and more than 50 times in German. Not only in Tokyo but also other cities, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakodate, Niigata, Shimizu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha etc. It is always a big pleasure for me to show around Japan to guests from abroad. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Japan!

Deutsch / Reiseleiter auf Deutsch und Englisch / In Tokio und Yokohama sowie in meiner Heimatstadt Okayama. (Da ich in Tokio ansässig bin, kann ich je nach Zeitpunkt möglicherweise nicht in Okayama als Reiseleiter tätig sein.)
Zunächst einmal vielen Dank, dass Sie sich die Zeit genommen haben, mein Profil anzusehen. Mein Name ist Naoki Shimono. Naoki wäre schön. Ich bin zertifizierter Reiseleiter in Englisch und Deutsch. Nach langjähriger Tätigkeit bei einem japanischen Elektronikhersteller, wo ich stets für das internationale Marketing verantwortlich war, konzentriere ich mich nun auf die Reiseleitung und Dolmetschertätigkeit. Bisher habe ich über 50 Mal auf Englisch und über 50 Mal auf Deutsch als Reiseleiter gearbeitet. Nicht nur in Tokio, sondern auch in anderen Städten wie Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakodate, Niigata, Shimizu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha usw. Es ist mir immer eine große Freude, Gästen aus dem Ausland Japan zu zeigen. Ich freue mich darauf, Sie in Japan zu sehen!

Oct 16, 2025
Songqi_L
Highly recommend!
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Oct 11, 2025
Gizelle K
Wonderful Experience
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