Tokyo in Half a Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa — 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
- 9:30 Meet up
- Mimaru Akasaka
- 10:00 Tsukiji
- 12:00 Asakusa
- 13:45 Disband @ Asakusa Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:30 at Meet up and ended at 13:45. The day ran to 4 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Tsukiji at 10:00 and Asakusa at 12:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Akasaka (Tokyo) to Tsukiji by subway (180JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 180JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Tsukiji and Asakusa Family Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, who came to Japan during a school break. The guests were friendly, polite, and very easy to guide. Although they attended a school where French was the primary language and seemed more comfortable in French, they had no trouble with English and spoke only English even among themselves while with me. I had asked in advance for children's Suica cards to be purchased at the airport, which made guiding on the day very smooth. I had been a little concerned about whether one of the younger members of the group would be able to walk the whole way, but they never complained once during the tour. When I praised them for doing so well, they told me they had practiced walking back home in preparation for the trip to Japan.
At the guests' request, I showed them around Tsukiji and Asakusa. Along the way, I helped them purchase Shinkansen tickets at Ueno Station. To make sure the tour was enjoyable, we visited a sweets shop in Tsukiji, and in Asakusa we went to a character goods store and a goldfish scooping stall. One of the group had a peanut allergy, so I made sure to check at every shop we visited. The goldfish scooping was a big hit, and they took the challenge very seriously, managing to catch a goldfish successfully even though it was their first time.
At first I had thought we might part ways in Asakusa so the group could have lunch on their own, but as it was the first day of sightseeing, they seemed tired and said they wanted to return to their accommodation. I explained the way back to the Akasaka area and said goodbye at the ticket gate of Asakusa Station.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Akasaka (Tokyo)～Tsukiji | 180JPY |
| Total | 180JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Meet up at 9:30, and the tour finished at @ Asakusa Station at 13:45.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 9:30 to 13:45.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji and Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 180JPY per person across 1 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.