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
- 11:30 Meet at Imperial Palace Kikyomon Gate
- 12:10 Shibuya
- 12:30 Lunch @Parco Jikaseimen Sho, but had to wait quite a while.
- 13:40 Shopping on the 6th and 5th floors of Parco
- 14:55 Meiji Shrine
- 16:25 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 17:50 Disband at Higashi-nihombashi Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 11:30, when the guide met the guests at Imperial Palace Kikyomon Gate, and finished at 17:50. The day ran to 6 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @Parco Jikaseimen Sho, but had to wait quite a while. at 12:30.
From there the group visited Shibuya at 12:10, Shopping on the 6th and 5th floors of Parco at 13:40, Meiji Shrine at 14:55 and Shinjuku Gyoen at 16:25.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nijubashimae to Shibuya by train (210JPY); Shibuya to Meiji-jingumae by train (180JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shinjuku-sanchome by train (180JPY); Shinjuku-gyoenmae to Higashi-nihombashi by train (290JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 860JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Shibuya, and Meiji Shrine
Not a single drop of rain fell, making it a perfect day for guiding. Some of the guests moved at a slower pace, so we took our time getting around. I met the guests, who had just finished a tour of the Imperial Palace, at the Kikyo-mon Gate to begin. Since they did not have a Suica or similar card, I had them purchase a Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass, and we headed to Shibuya. We passed through the Scramble Crossing and made our way to a ramen restaurant they had requested, but it was quite crowded and there was a considerable wait. The ramen itself was well received. After they did some shopping at the Pokémon Center on the 6th floor of Parco (which was very crowded) and at Sylvanian Families on the 5th floor, we visited Meiji Shrine and Shinjuku Gyoen. The tour ended as I saw off the guests, who were heading to a hotel in Narita. I received a tip.
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 | Nijubashimae～Shibuya | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Meiji-jingumae | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Shinjuku-sanchome | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shinjuku-gyoenmae～Higashi-nihombashi | 290JPY |
| Total | 860JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Imperial Palace Kikyomon Gate at 11:30, and the tour finished at Higashi-nihombashi Station at 17:50.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 11:30 to 17:50.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya, Shopping on the 6th and 5th floors of Parco, Meiji Shrine and Shinjuku Gyoen.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 860JPY 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?
Koba 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.
My name is Eiji Kobayashi (Mr.), and I will be your guide during your stay in Tokyo.
Please call me Koba.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of Japan and an expert in Japanese history and culture, and also in nursing and health. I usually work as a Public Health Nurse (PHN) at a Public Health Center in Tokyo, and I hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Additionally, I have a Ph.D. in medical science.
Born in 1957 and raised in Tokyo, I have worked for 33 years mainly in the research and development area for some pharmaceutical companies. Then, I changed my career to nursing and entered a university to obtain a PHN and RN license. I took the Licensed Guide for preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and volunteered in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.
Jul 21, 2026
scottsD8777AR
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Touring Tokyo
Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly…
Jul 21, 2026
scottsD8777AR
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great Touring Tokyo
Koba is an excellent tour guide. We greatly appreciated his knowledge of the history of Tokyo and Japan and his very pleasant demeanor. He is a true gentleman and was a pleasure to tour with in Tokyo.
Jul 9, 2026
Quest36994121691
First visit to Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This was our first visit…
Jul 9, 2026
Quest36994121691
First visit to Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This was our first visit to Tokyo, and our tour with Koba made the experience truly exceptional. We’re a family of four with two teenage boys (14 and 16), and Koba was wonderfully kind, patient, and engaging with each of us. The experience started even before we arrived—his first communications laid out a thoughtful, customized itinerary that perfectly matched our interests as first-time visitors. Our six hours together were full, seamless, and incredibly rewarding. Koba’s deep knowledge of the city, his attention to detail, and his warm, easygoing approach made the tour an ideal fit for our family. It was the perfect way to get a broad yet meaningful introduction to Tokyo in a short time. We’re so grateful he was our guide and highly recommend him to anyone visiting the city.
Jul 8, 2026
Χρονης Π
A beautiful tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
It was a perfect experience…
Jul 8, 2026
Χρονης Π
A beautiful tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
It was a perfect experience see learned a lot about Tokyo and our guide Koba was perfect in every way and very helpful. We had a perfect time together.Thank you Koba
Jul 5, 2026
I3699SBjonathanw
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6hr Tokyo guide great experience
Koba was so nice to my family…
Jul 5, 2026
I3699SBjonathanw
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
6hr Tokyo guide great experience
Koba was so nice to my family and I. He was patient and helped carry a large toy my daughter won. I wished we had another day. Having a guide saved us hours of navigating the subway and metro.