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
- 9:00 Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN Meet up
- 9:40 Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-ji Temple
- 12:00 Lunch "Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan"
- 12:50 Tsukiji "Sugimoto Cutlery Main Store"
- 13:30 Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street
- 15:10 In front of the ticket gate of "Shinjuku Station" on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, we will explain how to get to the station nearest the hotel (Akasaka-mitsuke Station) and disband.
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN Meet up at 9:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 15:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch "Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan" at 12:00.
The itinerary covered Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-ji Temple at 9:40, Tsukiji "Sugimoto Cutlery Main Store" at 12:50 and Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Akasaka-mitsuke to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Tsukiji by subway (210JPY); Tsukiji to Meiji-jingumae by subway (210JPY); Harajuku to Shinjuku by train (150JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 780JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Like for Guests on a Multi-City Japan Trip? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. After arriving at Narita Airport, they stayed at a traditional Japanese inn with over 200 years of history in front of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. The next day they traveled to Kanazawa by shinkansen, strolling through Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park, and then continued through Nagano City and Matsumoto before arriving in Tokyo the previous day. They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few days, then stay in Kyoto for several days, pass through Osaka, and move on to Hyogo to visit Himeji Castle. One of the guests had studied Japanese intensively for this trip and asked many questions, such as the difference between "kudasai" and "onegaishimasu," and whether Japanese has an expression equivalent to the English "Bless you" or the German "Gesundheit." At Meiji Shrine, the autumn grand festival chrysanthemum exhibition was being held, and the guests admired the beautiful cascade chrysanthemums, bonsai, and miniature landscape gardens.
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 | Akasaka-mitsuke～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa～Tsukiji | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukiji～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 150JPY |
| Total | 780JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel New Otani Tokyo EXECUTIVE HOUSE ZEN Meet up at 9:00, and the tour finished at In front of the ticket gate of "Shinjuku Station" on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, we will explain how to get to the station nearest the hotel (Akasaka-mitsuke Station) at 15:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 15:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-ji Temple, Tsukiji "Sugimoto Cutlery Main Store" and Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 780JPY per person across 4 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?
Bruce 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.
Hello (Konnichiwa). My name is Masanori SUGANO. Most of my friends call me Bruce, so you can call me Bruce. It would be my pleasure to act as a guide for you as I have been a guide for over twenty years. I curate my tours to suit your quest for knowledge and make you laugh with Dad jokes as an ice breaker. I can add some of my experiences as seasoning since I’m a seasoned guide. I always gain a new perspective through my guests’ eyes, and that’s why I am passionate about my job.
You can create your own itinerary, and when we meet, you can let me know what things you want to see. I am very flexible and can go off the beaten track on your request.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting you.
Thank you (Arigatou-gozaimasu).
Aug 25, 2026
T8432CMjeffr
6 hr Tokyo tour with Bruce
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
The tour was…
Aug 25, 2026
T8432CMjeffr
6 hr Tokyo tour with Bruce
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
The tour was a fantastic experience. Bruce engaged with me early on to determine what we wanted to see and what would be most effective. He met us at the hotel, and let us to some amazing sites, and leading us through the Tokyo transit system. He showed us the customs which really made us feel to be part of the experience. Bruce took us to a lunch spot which was an amazing experience. This tour provided Tokyo experiences that we wouldn’t have been able to do in one day on our own.
Aug 5, 2026
Polly1818
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Bruce was the best !! 5⭐️
Bruce was our…
Aug 5, 2026
Polly1818
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Bruce was the best !! 5⭐️
Bruce was our guide for the day. He was amazing , kind, patient, interested and most interesting. He tailored his tour around our likes, avoided a lot of touristy type things ( though included some we would have been sorry to miss )
Aug 3, 2026
AJEDav
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide
Bruce Sagano was terrific! He was very…
Aug 3, 2026
AJEDav
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide
Bruce Sagano was terrific! He was very patient, kind and knowledgeable. He took us to Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street and Tsujiki Fish Market. We ate at a great sushi restaurant in Tsujiki and we visited one of his favorite coffee shops. I highly recommend Bruce!
Jul 2, 2026
jamespmccormick
Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
We booked a 6 hour…
Jul 2, 2026
jamespmccormick
Tripadvisor review: The Best Family-Friendly Tokyo Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great Tokyo tour with Bruce!
We booked a 6 hour Tokyo tour with Bruce Sugano and had a great experience! Bruce’s English is very good and he was flexible with us setting and changing the itinerary when we saw things we wanted to experience. We took the tour on our 2nd day in Japan and It was helpful to introduce us to the culture and help us gain an understanding of the city and some of its important sites. At the end of our tour, Bruce took us to one of his favorite sushi restaurants and introduced us to Japanese sushi! I would definitely recommend this tour!