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 at HOTEL MYSTAYS Iidabashi
- 10:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 11:30 Stroll around Asakusa
- 12:00 Lunch at Tsukishima Monja Okoge Asakusa
- 13:45 Stroll around Shibuya
- 14:00 Shibuya PARCO (Pokemon Center, Nintendo), disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Imperial Palace East Gardens at 10:00, Stroll around Asakusa at 11:30, Stroll around Shibuya at 13:45 and Shibuya PARCO (Pokemon Center, Nintendo), disband at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Iidabashi to Takebashi by Free Pass (700JPY); Takebashi to Asakusa by Free Pass (0JPY); Asakusa to Shibuya 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 the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Shibuya
The guests were a group of four visiting from North America. One member of the group had been to Japan once before for the 1970 World Expo in Osaka, but for the rest of the group it was their first visit. Before coming to Tokyo, they had enjoyed skiing in Niseko.
We started at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. They listened to my explanations with great interest and asked many questions. In places the cherry blossoms were nearly in full bloom, and we took many photos.
In Asakusa, we were fortunate to catch the "Golden Dragon Dance" performance just at the right moment. This was my 146th tour, and when I told them it was the first time I had ever seen it myself, they were delighted, saying we were truly lucky.
For lunch, they enjoyed okonomiyaki and yakisoba. Since one of the younger guests was not fond of ramen broth or raw foods, I recommended yakisoba, and they tried it for the first time and said it was delicious. At this restaurant, even when it is busy, the staff grill the food for you and the service is smooth, so I would happily use it again.
Our last stop was Shibuya. When arriving by the Ginza Line, the walk from Shibuya Station toward the Hachiko statue offers a view of the Shibuya Crossing from the second floor, which I often like to point out. We finished at the Pokémon Center in Shibuya PARCO. As it was quite crowded, the guests said we could end the tour there.
It was a tour where everything went smoothly, and I was very happy that the guests enjoyed it.
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 | Iidabashi～Takebashi | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Takebashi～Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Shibuya | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Imperial Palace East Gardens, Stroll around Asakusa, Stroll around Shibuya and Shibuya PARCO (Pokemon Center, Nintendo), disband.
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?
Ayaka 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! My name is Ayaka.
I originally come from Osaka, but now live in Saitama . I have a 19-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son.
My hobbies are cooking, baking sweets, playing the piano and watching movies.
On weekdays, I work as a part-time English teacher at a boys’ junior high school and a high school. Since 2023, I have started working as a tour guide on weekends and long vacations. It is mainly private tours for small groups.
I strongly believe that it is my calling to tell the greatest points of Japan to many foreigners. Through my guiding, I will do my best to give you as good an impression of Japan as possible.
Mar 28, 2026
Destination424937
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Japan
Ayaka was knowledgeable and she took us to some historical highlights of Tokyo .
Mar 19, 2035
L9685HWdianan
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing Tokyo Tour with Ayaka ? Kind, Knowledgeable & Memorable Experience
We…
Mar 19, 2035
L9685HWdianan
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing Tokyo Tour with Ayaka ? Kind, Knowledgeable & Memorable Experience
We had an amazing experience with our tour guide, Ayaka, in Tokyo. She was incredibly kind, professional, and knowledgeable, making the entire day both enjoyable and informative. Ayaka took the time to understand our preferences and thoughtfully guided us to some of Tokyo’s highlights that suited our interests perfectly.
She also showed us how to navigate the public transportation system, which made the rest of our trip much easier and less stressful. Throughout the tour, she shared personal and family experiences that gave us a deeper understanding of Japanese culture?something we truly appreciated.
Ayaka even took beautiful photos of our family, which was such a thoughtful touch and gave us wonderful memories to take home. We had a fantastic time and couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
Highly recommend! Thank you, Ayaka!
Oct 10, 2025
Maxkerry
Great day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An excellent day with Ayaka in Tokyo. She…
Oct 10, 2025
Maxkerry
Great day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An excellent day with Ayaka in Tokyo. She was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the
places we visited. Highly recommend her as a guide.
Oct 4, 2025
D
Donna_S
Private tour of Tokyo with Ayaka of Japan Guide Agency
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very…
Oct 4, 2025
D
Donna_S
Private tour of Tokyo with Ayaka of Japan Guide Agency
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very flexible. Ayaka suggested an itinerary but can accommodate your preferences. Very
Interesting culture information.