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
- 8:00 Meet at Hotel Tokyo
- 9:00 Tokyo Station → Imperial Palace
- 10:00 Meiji Shrine
- 11:00 Tsukiji Market
- 12:30 Hamarikyu Gardens
- 13:30 Disband at the hotel
Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Tsukiji
The guests were visitors from Europe who enjoy traveling abroad several times a year. The day before, they had experienced a sushi-making class in Asakusa, visited Tokyo Tower, and been to teamLab.
We started at the Imperial Palace. I guided them from Tokyo Station to Nijubashi Bridge.
Next we went to Meiji Shrine. They seemed thoroughly charmed by its solemn atmosphere.
After that, we strolled through the Tsukiji Outer Market. Since they had eaten sushi the day before, rather than going to a sushi restaurant, they wanted to try a variety of foods while walking around. They enjoyed a tasting of three kinds of tuna, fried corn, sirloin skewers, matcha, and strawberry daifuku. They were impressed that the tuna was so fresh and that the sirloin was meltingly tender.
Finally, I took them to Hamarikyu Gardens. They enjoyed the contrast between the Japanese garden and the surrounding skyscrapers. The cosmos flowers were more in full bloom than when I had visited two weeks earlier.
When I asked which spot they liked best, they said Meiji Shrine and the Tsukiji Outer Market. They said, "The Tsukiji Outer Market especially was so crowded that if we had come on our own, we would have struggled to decide which shop to enter and probably given up."
I asked them to kindly write a review, and we parted ways at the Hotel.
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 | Train | Shimbashi～Tokyo | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Nijubashimae～Meiji Shrine | 900JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Meiji Shrine～Tsukiji | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,050JPY | ||
Hello! My name is Ayaka.
I originally come from Osaka, but now live in Saitama . I have a 19-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son.
My hobbies are cooking, baking sweets, playing the piano and watching movies.
On weekdays, I work as a part-time English teacher at a boys’ junior high school and a high school. Since 2023, I have started working as a tour guide on weekends and long vacations. It is mainly private tours for small groups.
I strongly believe that it is my calling to tell the greatest points of Japan to many foreigners. Through my guiding, I will do my best to give you as good an impression of Japan as possible.
Mar 28, 2026
Destination424937
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Japan
Ayaka was knowledgeable and she took us to some historical highlights of Tokyo .
Mar 19, 2035
L9685HWdianan
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing Tokyo Tour with Ayaka ? Kind, Knowledgeable & Memorable Experience
We…
Mar 19, 2035
L9685HWdianan
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing Tokyo Tour with Ayaka ? Kind, Knowledgeable & Memorable Experience
We had an amazing experience with our tour guide, Ayaka, in Tokyo. She was incredibly kind, professional, and knowledgeable, making the entire day both enjoyable and informative. Ayaka took the time to understand our preferences and thoughtfully guided us to some of Tokyo’s highlights that suited our interests perfectly.
She also showed us how to navigate the public transportation system, which made the rest of our trip much easier and less stressful. Throughout the tour, she shared personal and family experiences that gave us a deeper understanding of Japanese culture?something we truly appreciated.
Ayaka even took beautiful photos of our family, which was such a thoughtful touch and gave us wonderful memories to take home. We had a fantastic time and couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
Highly recommend! Thank you, Ayaka!
Oct 10, 2025
Maxkerry
Great day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An excellent day with Ayaka in Tokyo. She…
Oct 10, 2025
Maxkerry
Great day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An excellent day with Ayaka in Tokyo. She was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the
places we visited. Highly recommend her as a guide.
Oct 4, 2025
D
Donna_S
Private tour of Tokyo with Ayaka of Japan Guide Agency
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very…
Oct 4, 2025
D
Donna_S
Private tour of Tokyo with Ayaka of Japan Guide Agency
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very flexible. Ayaka suggested an itinerary but can accommodate your preferences. Very
Interesting culture information.