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.
Tour Itinerary
- 08：50 Meet up @ Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon
- 10：00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10：30 Meiji Shrine
- 12：00 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- 13：30 Lunch @ Hakata Menbo Akanoren (Marunouchi Building)
- 14：30 Imperial Palace
- 16：00 Sensoji Temple
- 17：00 Disband @ Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 08:50 at @ Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon and ended at 17:00. The day ran to 8 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Hakata Menbo Akanoren (Marunouchi Building) at 13:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 10:00, Meiji Shrine at 10:30, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden at 12:00, Imperial Palace at 14:30 and Sensoji Temple at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Shimbashi by subway (220JPY); Shimbashi to Shibuya by subway (180JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shinjuku-gyoenmae by subway (180JPY); Shinjuku-gyoenmae to Tokyo by subway (210JPY); Nijubashimae to Ningyocho by subway (180JPY); Ningyocho to Asakusa by subway (180JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,310JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, the Imperial Palace, and Sensoji
The guests were visitors from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. Before coming to Tokyo, they had already visited western Japan (Kyoto, Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, etc.) on a cruise tour, and they were scheduled to return to North America the next day. At Meiji Shrine, they appeared to be impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they seemed impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Sensoji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as Kaminarimon Gate. Since I accommodated the guests according to their wishes, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Asakusa～Shimbashi | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shimbashi～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Shinjuku-gyoenmae | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoenmae～Tokyo | 210JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Ningyocho | 180JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Ningyocho～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,310JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon at 08:50, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 08:50 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Imperial Palace and Sensoji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,310JPY per person across 7 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?
Seizo 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 Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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