Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Tachi
June, 2026
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
- 1) 10:00 Meet @ Hotel Kaminarimon by HULIC (2-16-11 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Hotel)
- 2) 10:05 Asakusa <Senso-ji Temple・Nakamise Shopping Street>
- 3) 11:30 Higashi-Gyoen (East Gardens) <Hirakawamon Gate→Ninomaru Garden→Otemon Gate>
- 4) 12:30 Meiji Shrine
- 5) 13:20 Shibuya <Crossing>
- 6) 14:00 Dismiss @ Starbucks Coffee SHIBUYA TSUTAYA 2F Store (5-1-21 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 6QFRONT 2F)
Title: What Is a Private Rainy-Day Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya
Body: [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private Tokyo walking tour for a group visiting from North America. Before the tour, the guests indicated that every part of the proposed itinerary was fine except for Tsukiji, so I sent back a revised plan accordingly. Late the night before, a message arrived from an overseas travel agency asking whether the tour would go ahead as scheduled despite an approaching typhoon. Because the weather forecast showed a typhoon without a violent-wind zone, I had immediately replied that the tour could proceed as planned. At the meeting point on the day, we confirmed this again and started the tour. The guests had already downloaded the PASMO/SUICA app in advance. Some of the guests had spent very little time sightseeing in Tokyo during a past stay in Japan, so we followed the planned itinerary of Senso-ji Temple, the Japanese garden at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and the Shibuya crossing. On the trains between destinations, I shared recommendations for restaurants within Tokyo's 23 wards via a messaging app. I also heard interesting stories connected to the guests' university background, and recommended sightseeing spots in Okayama, such as Kurashiki, as well as the Takehara district in the outskirts of Hiroshima. Although there was intermittent rain due to the approaching typhoon, we were able to visit all of the planned destinations, and we parted ways with smiles at a spot overlooking the Shibuya scramble crossing.
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 | Asakusa～Takebashi | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Harajuku～Shibuya | 160JPY |
| Total | 660JPY | ||
Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and patient with our group. Their
expertise made our vacation fun, educational, and stress-free!
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and…
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and personalized tour . Tachi was most professional and knowledgeable.
She provided very very thorough historical information about the 4 gardens we visited. I
would highly recommend her!
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi was so helpful in showing us around and answering all our questions. It was a great idea to do this on the first day since we covered most of the popular cultural sights and areas with her leaving the ret of our days for other specific interests.
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What…
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What a wonderful experience. She communicated very effectively before our departure to plan a very nice tour around the city. On the day of departure, it was raining very heavily in Tokyo and we considered rescheduling, but went ahead anyway. She met us at our hotel just as planned and set out on a very nice tour that visited all the sites we wanted to see. We used the subway system to move about the city. We we very happy with the tour and would book with her again in the future if we return to Tokyo. Hint: download PASMO to your phone to pay for subway rides.