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
- 13:00 Meet up @ Hotel East Tower
- 13:40 Hamarikyu Gardens
- 15:00 Imperial Palace
- 15:45 Akihabara
- 17:10 Disband @ Tokyo Skytree Ticket Office
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 13:00 at @ Hotel East Tower and ended at 17:10. The day ran to 4 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Hamarikyu Gardens at 13:40, Imperial Palace at 15:00 and Akihabara at 15:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinagawa to Shimbashi by train (200JPY); Shimbashi to Tokyo by train (160JPY); Tokyo to Akihabara by train (160JPY); Suehirocho (Tokyo) to Oshiage by subway (290JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 810JPY per person.
What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hamarikyu, the Imperial Palace, Akihabara, and Skytree
The guest was a first-time visitor to Japan from Europe, and after sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to continue on to Kyoto and Osaka. At Hamarikyu Gardens, the guest appeared deeply impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden. At the Imperial Palace, the guest listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. In Akihabara, the guest mentioned a love of Japanese anime and purchased many anime figures as souvenirs. The guest requested, "I can find my way back to the hotel on my own, so instead of returning to the hotel, please guide me to Tokyo Skytree," so I guided them to the Tokyo Skytree ticket office and we parted ways there. Since I accommodated the guest's wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Shinagawa～Shimbashi | 200JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shimbashi～Tokyo | 160JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tokyo～Akihabara | 160JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Suehirocho (Tokyo)～Oshiage | 290JPY |
| Total | 810JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel East Tower at 13:00, and the tour finished at @ Tokyo Skytree Ticket Office at 17:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 13:00 to 17:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hamarikyu Gardens, Imperial Palace and Akihabara.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 810JPY 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?
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
Sep 27, 2026
jonaJ5014ZK
Walking tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…
Sep 27, 2026
jonaJ5014ZK
Walking tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
Sep 8, 2026
OnAir57127583503
Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…
Sep 8, 2026
OnAir57127583503
Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
Sep 4, 2026
B2319ZKjoseo
Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
We had a great time learning about…
Sep 4, 2026
B2319ZKjoseo
Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.