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
- 10:30 Leave the hotel
- 10:40-11:30 Guide through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- 11:30-12:20 Lunch
- 12:50-13:30 Guide at Nezu Shrine, Azalea Festival
- 13:40-14:10 Sensoji Temple, Asakusa guide
- 14:30 Guide through Zojoji Temple and arrive at the hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Leave the hotel at 10:30, Guide through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace at 10:40, Guide at Nezu Shrine, Azalea Festival at 12:50, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa guide at 13:40 and Guide through Zojoji Temple and arrive at the hotel at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Daimon (Tokyo) to Otemachi (Tokyo) by train (220JPY); Otemachi (Tokyo) to Nezu by train (180JPY); Nezu to Asakusa by train (210JPY); Asakusa to Daimon (Tokyo) by train (220JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 830JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Yanaka, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan from Europe. One of the guests enjoyed flowers and occasionally stopped to take photographs of them, while another showed a keen interest in Japanese history and religion, asking quite specialized questions. Nezu Shrine happened to be holding its azalea festival, and the guests were very pleased with it. We walked through the Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi area, and they listened attentively to the historical explanations. Although we covered a considerable distance on foot, they showed no signs of tiredness at all. At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and at Senso-ji Temple, they walked around actively and captured many photographs. Since Zojo-ji Temple was near the Hotel, I guided them there at the end. They were satisfied with the tour.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Daimon (Tokyo)～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nezu～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Asakusa～Daimon (Tokyo) | 220JPY |
| Total | 830JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Leave the hotel, Guide through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Guide at Nezu Shrine, Azalea Festival, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa guide and Guide through Zojoji Temple and arrive at the hotel.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 830JPY 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?
Mitch 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 am certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time…
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time to Japan. Mitch was a great guide, recommending the key sights in Tokyo. He contacted us before the trip so that he could set up an itinery that worked for our family. We learned about the culture and also how to navigate the trains! Mitch even took us back to our hotel at the end. Thank you for a great first experience in Japan!
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots of locations in one day. Mitch our guide is
very knowledgeable and the nicest person we have ever met.
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He was very polite and knew the city very well, so there wasn’t a lost minute in our day. He asked me what my preferences were so he could customize my itinerary, and it was great! I was taken to see some hidden gems out of the traditional touristic circuits (and for that Im really thankful). I feel I learnt a lot about the history and culture of Japan, and I got to listen to many good anecdotes from Mitch. I also had a great soba for Lunch, in a very small and cozy restaurant. Arigatou gosaimasu, Mitch!
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic…
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic day with our guide Mitch, he was very knowledgeable, a kind man & very generous with his time.
Mitch suggested sushi train for lunch pleasing our granddaughter greatly.
I would recommend Mitch for any type of tour, given he has excellent English.
Deb, Neil, Kate, Joel, Calla & Bodhi
Adelaide, South Australia 😃