Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Meiji Shrine — Guide Yoko
November, 2025
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
- 9:00 Meet up @Hyatt Centric
- 9:15 Tsukiji
- 11:00 Asakusa
- 13:15 Lunch @Fukuras Soba Restaurant
- 13:45 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- 14:15 Meiji Shrine
- 15:10 Disband @Takeshita Street
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @Hyatt Centric and ended at 15:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @Fukuras Soba Restaurant at 13:15.
Over the course of the day the route took in Tsukiji at 9:15, Asakusa at 11:00, Shibuya Scramble Crossing at 13:45 and Meiji Shrine at 14:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ginza to Tsukiji by subway (180JPY); Tsukiji to Asakusa by subway (290JPY); Asakusa to Shibuya by subway (260JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 880JPY per person.
What Can You See on a Private Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine Day Tour in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. At the guests' request, I guided them to Tsukiji, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine.
In our prior communication, the guests had downloaded the mobile Suica app, but they ran into trouble being unable to withdraw cash. Since international transactions had not been activated, cash could not be withdrawn, so I explained this and the guests contacted their card company, but they remained without cash during the tour. At Tsukiji, it is difficult to enjoy the street food without cash, so I suggested we just look around today and that they return on another day on their own.
During the tour, I helped the guests pick up their JR Pass and the shinkansen tickets they had reserved. Since they wanted something light for lunch, we went to a soba restaurant.
In Shibuya, they experienced the scramble crossing, and I introduced a few shops so they could go shopping on their own later. Since shops get crowded on weekends, I recommended they do their shopping on a weekday.
Although there was the trouble of not being able to withdraw cash, the guests were pleasant and I believe they enjoyed themselves. They mentioned they would likely be able to withdraw cash by asking their family, which was a relief. I felt that it is still quite difficult to get by in Japan without cash.
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～Tsukiji | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji～Asakusa | 290JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Total | 880JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hyatt Centric at 9:00, and the tour finished at @Takeshita Street 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 Tsukiji, Asakusa, Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Meiji Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 880JPY 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?
Yoko 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’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Yoko Kusmoto is exceptional . Her deep knowledge of Japan history, Tokyo’s
architecture and interesting Tokyo places made us appreciate all Tokyo has to offer. Her
smile, infectious laugh, kindness and interest added to our wonderful day.