Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Haru
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
- 1. 13:00 Meet at BON Tokyo Asakusa
- 2. 13:15 Toei Subway Asakusa Station
- 3. 14:15 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- 4. 15:30 JR Ueno Station Ekitabi Concierge
- 5. 15:45 Ueno Park
- 6. 16:45 Matsuya Asakusa
- 7. 17:00 Dismissal at Matsuya Asakusa
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Imperial Palace East Gardens and Ueno Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, both making their first trip to Japan, having arrived two days prior. After spending a few days in Tokyo, their schedule included Kyoto the following week and Fukushima, where J-Village is located. Some of the guests were connected to a soccer refereeing role at J-Village during a sporting event, and the group planned to visit to watch. Later, other members of the family were scheduled to arrive at Haneda Airport, so the group planned to go there to meet them. In connection with this, there had been a prior request to explain how to get to Haneda Airport and how to buy tickets, as well as how to find the platforms and purchase tickets for JR long-distance trains.
For sightseeing, I guided the group through the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Ueno Park. Along the way, to address the requests above, we visited the travel concierge counters at the Toei Subway Asakusa Station and JR Ueno Station, where I explained each point.
There was also a request to know where groceries could be bought near the Hotel, so we finished at Matsuya Asakusa. I showed the group the prepared foods and grocery section in the basement, and we parted ways there.
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 | Asakusa～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 540JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!
Jul 13, 2026
529gregj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
Haru (Haruhiko…
Jul 13, 2026
529gregj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
Haru (Haruhiko Yokota) was a consummate professional from the first comment he made contact with us. He asked for our visit priorities and designed an interesting and engaging tour over the several hours we spent together. Very polite, he escorted and taught us through Japanese culture and sights, which was exactly what we wanted to see and learn about. We highly recommend Haru as a guide in future.
Jul 12, 2026
Felice R
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…
Jul 12, 2026
Felice R
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru
Haru was an amazing tour guide. His communication skills from the first email to his tour presentation was superb! He was able to fine tune our tour with incredible precision. Haru was extremely professional and friendly! He was able to conduct our tour in a very organized, interesting and fun way. We would highly recommend Haru to give you the perfect tour of Tokyo.
Jul 9, 2026
mariee530
An incredible walking tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This tour was beyond expectations!…
Jul 9, 2026
mariee530
An incredible walking tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This tour was beyond expectations! Haru, my tour guide, was knowledgeable, kind and friendly. I feel like I learned so much from him throughout the day! I loved that I was able to choose from so many different sightseeing options. I simply gave Haru my list of preferred places and he did the rest! His patience with me as I took 4638 pictures was abundant! I would highly recommend this tour and I will certainly hope you have Haru as your guide!
Jun 30, 2026
simonegN55VE
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fabulous walking tour with Haru
Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour…
Jun 30, 2026
simonegN55VE
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fabulous walking tour with Haru
Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour for our first full day in Tokyo, and Haru provided us
with a perfect overview of the city. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely
accommodating to our needs. I would highly recommend him to others.