Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Meiji Jingu — Guide Tommy
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
- 10:00 Meet at the front lobby of Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
- 10:50 Asakusa(Sensoji Temple)
- 12:10 Imperial Palace
- 13:20 Lunch at Harajuku @Ippudo Harakado
- 14:00 Harajuku(Takeshita Street）
- 14:30- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 15:20 End at Harajuku Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at front lobby of Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo at 10:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 15:20. The day ran to 5 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Harajuku @Ippudo Harakado at 13:20.
The itinerary covered Asakusa(Sensoji Temple) at 10:50, Imperial Palace at 12:10, Harajuku(Takeshita Street） at 14:00 and Meiji Jingu Shrine at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Hibiya by Free Pass (0JPY); Shinjuku-gyoemmae to Asakusa by Free Pass (700JPY); Nijubashimae to Meiji-jingumae by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 700JPY per person.
What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Jingu
10:00 Meet at the front lobby of Hotel The guests were visiting from Oceania, with one member returning to Japan after a long absence and others visiting for the first time. Having arrived on a late flight the previous night, they mentioned feeling sleepy despite only a two-hour time difference. 10:50 Asakusa (Sensoji Temple) One of the guests listened with great interest to explanations about the origins of Sensoji Temple and the differences between Buddhism and Shinto, while the others showed little interest. 12:10 Imperial Palace One of the guests was intrigued by the meaning of the Nijubashi Bridge and by the recent visit of the U.S. President, who had entered the Imperial Palace through the main gate, while the others showed little interest. 13:20 Lunch at Harajuku, at a ramen restaurant Since one of the guests liked ramen, I guided them there. As it was a Sunday with rain and everywhere was crowded, I took them to a facility in Harajuku with multiple restaurants. However, the indoor temperature seemed too high for the guests. That said, one of the guests found the ramen itself very delicious. 14:00 Harajuku (Takeshita Street) One of the guests seemed tired, and I checked in with them several times, but the group preferred to pass through quickly and head to Meiji Jingu Shrine before returning to Shinjuku early. 14:30- Meiji Jingu Shrine The rain stopped and, feeling a cool breeze, they watched a wedding ceremony and families visiting for Shichi-Go-San, and the guest who had felt tired recovered. 15:20 End at Harajuku Station Since they had passed through Takeshita Street quickly earlier, the guests wished to return on their own to enjoy shopping, so we parted ways at Harajuku Station. One of the guests said it had been wonderful to learn about religion and history. The others had also recovered and cheerfully thanked me as we said goodbye.
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 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Hibiya | 0JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Shinjuku-gyoemmae～Asakusa | 700JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Nijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at front lobby of Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo at 10:00, and the tour finished at Harajuku Station at 15:20.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 15:20.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Asakusa(Sensoji Temple), Imperial Palace, Harajuku(Takeshita Street） and Meiji Jingu Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 700JPY per person across 3 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?
Tommy 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 take pride in my robust leg and overall physical strength, enabling me to complete a full marathon in under 4 hours. With a deep understanding of the Tokyo/Kanagawa area, I’ve resided in Kanagawa Prefecture for over 40 years. My expertise extends to places like Kamakura, including lesser-known hiking trails not typically found in guidebooks. With close to 30 years in a foreign IT company and over a decade in a Japanese firm, I possess extensive knowledge of the IT industry. Despite being certified as a tour guide in February 2023, I’ve already led numerous tours, earning high praise from my guests.
Apr 18, 2026
Neal_W
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Fun in Tokyo
We had a great time in Tokyo.…
Apr 18, 2026
Neal_W
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Fun in Tokyo
We had a great time in Tokyo. Our tour guide Tommy was fantastic! He met us at the port with a map of where we would go as we agreed upon before our arrival. We took the train into Tokyo and saw everything as planned. He explained everything as we went and took us to a great restaurant for lunch. We would highly recommended this tour and Tommy!