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
- 09:30 Hotel
- 10:50 Meiji Shrine
- 12:00 Harajuku Takeshita Dori
- 13:00 Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- 13:20 Omoide Yokocho
- 13:30 Kabukicho
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Meiji Shrine at 10:50, Harajuku Takeshita Dori at 12:00, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government at 13:00, Omoide Yokocho at 13:20 and Kabukicho at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Suitengumae to Meiji-Jingumae Station by subway (210JPY); Harajuku to Shinjuku by train (160JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 370JPY per person.
What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Suitengu, Meiji Jingu, and Shinjuku
1. The guests included people working in a variety of fields, and they are visitors from Europe. They mentioned that their home city had been clean before covid, and remarked that everywhere in Japan is clean. 2. They asked whether the minimum hourly wage in Japan is 6 euros. 3. They noted that, unfortunately, they see the same atmosphere back home: people urinate on the street, and it smells bad. 4. They mentioned that there are some issues with the currency rate, noting that the rate used to be about double before. 5. They shared that in Europe, walls up to about 70 cm above the ground are painted white with a coating that contains ant-resistant calcium. 6. One of them joked, "I am like water; I listen to my spouse." 7. They observed that one should step over the threshold, not step on it. 8. They shared that in Europe, salt is thrown when there are unwanted guests, and were amused to learn that a similar custom exists in Japan. 9. They reflected that we live in a global era, and that people are becoming more self-centered in every country. 10. When I thanked them for their questions, they kindly replied, "Oh no, thank you for shedding light on the mystery of Japanese culture for me."
Suitengu, Meiji Jingumae, Shinjuku
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 | Suitengumae～Meiji-Jingumae Station / Shibuya City, Tokyo | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 160JPY |
| Total | 370JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Harajuku Takeshita Dori, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Omoide Yokocho and Kabukicho.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 370JPY per person across 2 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?
Hideaki 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, welcome to Japan you all.
I’m a resident of Ebina, Kanagawa, and am a national government licensed guide and interpreter.
I enjoy showing travelers both the new and old of central Honshu, primarily Tokyo and Kanagawa, ranging from Meiji Shrine, Edo Castle, Tsukiji Outer Market, Ueno, Asakusa, Ginza, Ginza Sky Farmstead, Shibuya Zebra Crossings, Yokohama, Kamakura, to Hakone, not to mention Mt. Fuji, and sharing views with my guests on Japanese homes and their surroundings, Japan’s labor productivity and labor market, among others.
I also enjoy introducing travelers to Japanese culture through home visits with Japanese families, touring Zen temples, and explaining the intricacies of Japanese culture.
I am happy to arrange personalized tours to other places of your interest.
I am making the most of my long experience as a foreign language education service, escorting VIPs at the Sony showroom in Ginza, Tokyo.
I also offer services to help families and individuals relocating to Japan with immigration VISA applications.
My hobbies are movies, strolling along the river in my neighborhood and am a novice at la lingua Italiano.
Let’s enjoy touring together, shall we?
Jul 16, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half…
Jul 16, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half day with Hideaki Wada, which can be highly recommended. He was on time on the spot, very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and spoke good English. We made a plan, followed it and ended up with a little extra time.
Jun 21, 2026
CJW324
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with…
Jun 21, 2026
CJW324
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Guided Tour & Tablet Guided Origami Experience
Unforgettable day in Tokyo with Hideaki — incredible with kids
Hideaki was the highlight of our time in Tokyo. We were a group of six — two grandparents and two young kids — and he handled every dynamic with ease. Patient, warm, and endlessly accommodating, he read the energy of the group and adjusted the pace so no one ever felt rushed or left behind. He was especially wonderful with our kids, keeping them engaged and curious all day — from the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, to shopping, to the wonderful craziness of Shinjuku. As a licensed guide his knowledge was deep, but what set him apart was how genuinely kind and thoughtful he was with our whole family. If you want a guide who treats you like family and makes Tokyo come alive for all ages, book Hideaki. Highest possible recommendation — thank you, Hideaki!
May 20, 2026
olgalA154QQ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with an excellent guide
Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki…
May 20, 2026
olgalA154QQ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with an excellent guide
Great experience! Our guide WADA Hideaki was excellent! He was fully engaged and helpful!
He explained so many things and showed us everything we wanted to see.
Apr 19, 2026
Sightseer57474900023
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
Hideaki was an incredible guide and…
Apr 19, 2026
Sightseer57474900023
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hideaki’s perfect first day in Tokyo!
Hideaki was an incredible guide and my family had the most wonderful first day in Tokyo with him showing us the sights! We covered so much ground, learned a ton about the city and its history and truly got acclimated to Japan!
We clocked over 20k steps by end of day and hit at least 4 different areas of the city. Plus the lunch spot Hideaki took us was delicious! A perfect start to our trip and forever grateful to Hideaki for the fantastic memories!