Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Meiji Shrine — 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
- 10:00 Meet at Hotel The Celestine Ginza
- 10:25 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
- 11:55 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 13:25 Meiji Shrine
- 14:10 Disband at Meiji-jingumae Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at Hotel The Celestine Ginza, and finished at 14:10. The day ran to 4 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Asakusa (Skytree photo) at 10:25, Imperial Palace East Gardens at 11:55 and Meiji Shrine at 13:25.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ginza to Asakusa by Free Pass (700JPY); Asakusa to Takebashi by Free Pass (0JPY); Takebashi to Meiji-jingumae by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 700JPY per person.
Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Meiji Shrine
It was an unfortunate day of rainy weather, with steady rain from a little after 11:00 onward. The guests had installed a Welcome Suica, but there were several issues, such as the touch at the ticket gate not registering properly. Asakusa was quite crowded. I received many questions about religion. At the Imperial Palace East Gardens, we entered through the Kitahanebashi Gate as planned, but due to the heavy rain the Ote Gate was closed, so we exited through the Hirakawa Gate. Despite the rain, the guests took many photographs within the gardens and enjoyed themselves. Meiji Shrine was also crowded, but the guests had a good time. I explained the difference between shrines and temples. If there had been time, I had planned to guide them to Shibuya, but there was not enough time, so I explained the way back at Meiji-jingumae Station and the tour concluded. I received a tip. 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. Completed in 1920, the shrine is surrounded by an extensive man-made forest of over 100,000 trees donated from across Japan. It is one of the most visited shrines in the country, especially during the New Year period, and offers a peaceful, natural retreat that contrasts with the bustling city just beyond its towering torii gates.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Ginza～Asakusa | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Takebashi | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Takebashi～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel The Celestine Ginza at 10:00, and the tour finished at Meiji-jingumae Station at 14:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 14:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Asakusa (Skytree photo), Imperial Palace East Gardens and Meiji Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 700JPY 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?
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.