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
- 09:00 Hotel Groove Shinjuku , Hotel
- 09:30 Nippori, Yanaka Ginza
- 10:20 Sendagi
- 10:50 Imperial Palace
- 12:30 Otemachi
- 13:30 Lunch at Chikuan
- 15:10 End at Funawa
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Hotel Groove Shinjuku , Hotel at 09:00, Nippori, Yanaka Ginza at 09:30, Sendagi at 10:20, Imperial Palace at 10:50 and Otemachi at 12:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Nippori by train (260JPY); Otemachi (Tokyo) to Asakusa by subway (180JPY); Sendagi to Otemachi (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 620JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who ran a business producing 100% pure honey.
They mentioned that living in their home region is expensive.
They traveled to Kyoto and Chiba and spent time in Tokyo before flying home.
One of the guests worked for a hotel company and traveled frequently for work.
The guests shared that they were looking forward to welcoming a new addition to their family soon.
At the Imperial Palace, one of the guests remarked, "The pine trees are beautifully manicured."
They spoke about the maternity leave system in their home region.
They mentioned that families in their region often leave their young children with relatives or at day care centers.
Regarding the massive stones, I explained that they weigh more than 40 tons and were transported from a stone quarry.
By the end of the day, one of the guests noted that they had walked more than 15,500 steps.
Toward the end, the guests said, "We'll sit here for a while and think about what to do next."
Note: The guests had visited a theme park, Kyoto, and Osaka, and planned to spend their remaining time in Tokyo. I offered a few suggestions on how they might spend the evening and the following morning. After the tour, they planned to stay a little longer in Asakusa to finalize their plans.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Shinjuku～Nippori | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Sendagi～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Total | 620JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hotel Groove Shinjuku , Hotel, Nippori, Yanaka Ginza, Sendagi, Imperial Palace and Otemachi.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 620JPY per person across 3 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?
Sep 27, 2026
Jan_v
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Very kind and knowledgeable guide. Taylor made flexible tour. Important to pick the sights to be visited yourself.
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Viator review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Hideaki was our guide today and he did an outstanding job. We walked in the rain but he did the best to show us as much of Tokyo as possible.
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135ulrikh
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Private guide – a very good experience
We spent a half…
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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.
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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!