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
- 09:55 Meet up @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (departing by private car)
- 10:20 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10:45 Meiji Shrine
- 11:40 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 12:15 Godzilla Store (Shinjuku 3-chome)
- 13:15 Imperial Palace
- 14:15 Lunch @ Tanaka Soba Shop (Asakusa branch)
- 14:45 Senso-ji Temple
- 16:00 Disband @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:55 at @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (departing by private car) and ended at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tanaka Soba Shop (Asakusa branch) at 14:15.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 10:20, Meiji Shrine at 10:45, Shinjuku Gyoen at 11:40, Godzilla Store (Shinjuku 3-chome) at 12:15, Imperial Palace at 13:15 and Senso-ji Temple at 14:45.
What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report (Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, Asakusa)
The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. Before coming to Tokyo, they had already visited Hiroshima, and after sightseeing in Tokyo they planned to return home. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed admiring the beautiful roses in the rose garden. At the Godzilla Store, one of the guests was a big fan of Godzilla and purchased many Godzilla goods. 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 Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines and about Kaminarimon Gate. I responded to the guests' wishes as requested, so I believe they were satisfied.
This tour included a vehicle, so there were no advance transportation expenses for the guide.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
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
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Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
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We had a great time learning about…
Sep 4, 2026
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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.