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
- 9:00 Meet at the hotel
- 9:40 Asakusa, Sensoji Temple
- 10:30 Kappabashi
- 11:30 Shibuya
- 12:00 Meiji Shrine
- 13:00 Tour ends at Harajuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at hotel, and finished at 13:00. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Asakusa, Sensoji Temple at 9:40, Kappabashi at 10:30, Shibuya at 11:30 and Meiji Shrine at 12:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Iidabashi to Asakusabashi by train (200JPY); Asakusabashi to Asakusa by train (180JPY); Tawaramachi (Tokyo) to Shibuya by train (260JPY); Shibuya to Kita-sando by train (180JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 820JPY per person.
What's a Private Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shibuya, and Meiji Shrine
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. They had come to Japan for a family trip. Based on their prior requests made through an agent, we started the tour at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Despite it being morning, they were surprised by the rising temperature and the large crowds, but they seemed to enjoy the traditional Japanese atmosphere, and everyone happily tried drawing "omikuji" fortunes.
We then received a sudden request from one of the guests to buy a kitchen knife, so we headed to Kappabashi, where they purchased a favorite knife and seemed very satisfied.
At the Shibuya crossing, the guests experienced a crowded intersection unlike anything seen in Europe. Afterward, we went to Meiji Shrine, where I explained Shinto, its influence on Japanese culture, and the differences between shrines and temples. Since they would be traveling to Hakone and various places in the Kansai region after Tokyo, they were pleased to gain this background knowledge in advance. Some of the guests appeared to have studied Japan well beforehand, actively asking questions and comparing the imperial families of Japan and Europe, which made for lively conversation.
Finally, since they wanted to enjoy shopping in Harajuku, we ended the tour at this point.
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 | Iidabashi～Asakusabashi | 200JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Asakusabashi～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tawaramachi (Tokyo)～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shibuya～Kita-sando | 180JPY |
| Total | 820JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 9:00, and the tour finished at Tour ends at Harajuku at 13:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 9:00 to 13:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Kappabashi, Shibuya and Meiji Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 820JPY 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?
Atsushi 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 and welcome to Tokyo!
I have been working for business with American companies for many years. I have many experiences guiding customers from around the world in Japan and taking Japanese customers to the USA and Europe.
I now have a national license as a guiding interpreter, and I want to introduce the unique gigantic city of Tokyo and the traditional Japanese culture, which is not shown in the guidebooks, to people worldwide who are interested in it. In addition, I want to introduce various Japanese foods you can enjoy only in Japan.
Unique experiences such as the Sumo Training Viewing and Tea Ceremony are optionally available.
Depending on your preference and itinerary, I can guide you in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone so that you can enjoy your time in Japan.
Jul 26, 2026
Kevin_B
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tokyo Tour
Highly recommend this tour for first time…
Jul 26, 2026
Kevin_B
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tokyo Tour
Highly recommend this tour for first time visit to Tokyo. Our guide Atsushi took great care to acclimate us with navigating through busy train stations efficiently with a group of eight family members. Along the way and at each site he explained various cultural practices and associated histories that made the tour very immersive and enjoyable. We will highly recommend Atsushi and Viator to our family and friends for future tours.
Jun 22, 2026
Ashish_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best Tour for a Short Visit
Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and…
Jun 22, 2026
Ashish_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Best Tour for a Short Visit
Atsushi-san was an incredibly well-researched and friendly tour guide. His knowledge allowed us to explore and get to the historical significance of the various locations we visited. His explanations were simple but comprehensive. The six hours flew by and included some off-the-beaten opportunities including coffee at a very austere but memorable location near the fish market. I would highly recommend him as well as this tour for anyone with limited time in Tokyo wanting see as much as possible
May 27, 2026
jackie m
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking tour of Tokyo
Our guide was really interesting and had…
May 27, 2026
jackie m
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking tour of Tokyo
Our guide was really interesting and had an amazing knowledge of culture and attractions!
We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon walk! We also navigated through the Shinjuku station
which was no walk in the park! Thank you to Atsushi!
Apr 9, 2026
Lindsey_W
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide, Atsushi, was…
Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met…
Apr 9, 2026
Lindsey_W
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide, Atsushi, was…
Our guide, Atsushi, was great! He met us at our hotel in Hakone and took us clockwise to tour all the sites. He was informative and taught us a lot. Our group was two adults and a 14 year old. We saw Mt Fuji from the rope way, but unfortunately the pirate ship was canceled because of high wind. We would absolutely use Atsushi again for this tour, or any other tour he provides.