Tokyo: Asakusa & Harajuku Takeshita Street — Guide Koba
September, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:30 Meet at the b ginza
- 10:40 Shibamata, Taishakuten Temple and approach, snacks at Takagiya
- 12:55 Asakusa (Skytree photos)
- 13:55 Snacks @ Seven Tobu Asakusa Station Store
- 14:25 Ueno Park, Kiyomizu Kannon-do, Ueno Toshogu Shrine
- 15:55 Meiji Shrine
- 17:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 17:35 Disband at Ginza Station
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Visiting Shibamata, Asakusa, and Ueno Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
It was a clear and hot day. We started after discussing the itinerary at the Hotel. At Shibamata, the guests took their time viewing the carvings and the garden. At Taishakuten they bought a goshuin stamp book, and from then on they requested handwritten goshuin at each temple and shrine. I also answered questions about religion. They seemed to like the old-fashioned atmosphere of Takagiya as well, spending some time there over snacks. Asakusa also proceeded at a relaxed pace, as they drew omikuji fortunes and received goshuin. At a convenience store, they experimented with various ways of preparing iced coffee. In Ueno Park, they received a goshuin at Kiyomizu Kannon-do, but at Ueno Tosho-gu the goshuin was pre-written on paper, which did not suit their preference, so they did not purchase it. Afterward we had planned to visit Nezu Shrine, but since they wished for a handwritten goshuin, we changed the destination to Meiji Shrine, and as there was a little time left, we passed through Takeshita Street and ended at Ginza Station. A tip was received.
A notable stop on the tour was Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in a large forested area in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Visitors enter through towering wooden torii gates and walk along tree-lined paths leading to the main shrine buildings. It is one of the most visited shrines in Japan, especially popular during the New Year period, and offers a peaceful contrast to the surrounding city.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Higashi-Ginza～Shibamata | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibamata～Asakusa | 380JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Asakusa～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Ueno～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Ginza | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,370JPY | ||
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.