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
- 9:50 Meet at ANA Intercontinental
- 10:20 Tsukiji (have a few snacks)
- 12:00 Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko
- 12:20 Walk along Cat Street
- 12:45 Meiji Shrine (got to see a wedding procession)
- 13:30 Walk along Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 14:10 Disband at ANA Intercontinental
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:50, when the guide met the guests at ANA Intercontinental, and finished at 14:10. The day ran to 4 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Tsukiji (have a few snacks) at 10:20, Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko at 12:00, Cat Street at 12:20, Meiji Shrine (got to see a wedding procession) at 12:45 and Harajuku Takeshita Street at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tameike-Sanno to Tsukiji by Free Pass (700JPY); Tsukiji to Shibuya by Free Pass (0JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Tameike-Sanno by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 700JPY per person.
What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Shibuya, and Meiji Shrine
Although there were some light showers, they did not interfere much with the tour, and everything proceeded smoothly. We arrived a little ahead of the meeting time, but once the guests arrived, we started. At Tsukiji, in addition to the outer market, I guided them to various shops, but they only had a little of the Shine Muscat grapes that I had bought to try, so we progressed faster than expected. At the Shibuya crossing, they simply took a commemorative photo in front of the Hachiko statue, commenting that they had "just wanted to come and see it." Since they walked quickly, we headed to Meiji Shrine via Cat Street. There were two wedding ceremonies taking place, and they seemed delighted to take photos. We were slightly running over on time, but with permission we walked along Takeshita Street before returning to the Hotel, where we parted ways. 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 Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Completed in 1920, the shrine is surrounded by roughly 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, creating a peaceful natural sanctuary within the city. Visitors often pass through massive torii gates along the wide gravel approach, and it is a popular place to witness traditional Shinto wedding ceremonies and seasonal rituals throughout the year.
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 | Tameike-Sanno～Tsukiji | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tsukiji～Shibuya | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Meiji-jingumae～Tameike-Sanno | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at ANA Intercontinental at 9:50, and the tour finished at ANA Intercontinental at 14:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 9:50 to 14:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji (have a few snacks), Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko, Cat Street, Meiji Shrine (got to see a wedding procession) and Harajuku Takeshita Street.
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.