Tokyo in One Day: Asakusa & Yamanote Line to Shibuya — Guide May
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
- 10:10 By taxi to Asakusa
- 10:45-12:45 At Asakusa (Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Rokku, etc.)
- 12:50 By taxi to Meiji Shrine
- 13:30-14:30 At Meiji Shrine
- 14:35 By Yamanote Line to Shibuya
- 14:45-15:30 At Shibuya (Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing, Center Gai)
- 16:00 Disband at Hotel
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya
The guests were visitors from Oceania. Because the booking had been made through a travel agency, I was not able to communicate directly with them beforehand, and I felt a bit uneasy as I headed to the meeting point at the Hotel. My concern turned out to be justified. As soon as we met, the first words were, "Where is the private car?"
I had sent the itinerary to the agency in advance, but the guests appeared to be seeing it for the first time. They started by saying they did not want to visit Tsukiji, and then went so far as to say they would cancel the tour if we could not travel by private car. The mood was clearly sour and I thought I was in a difficult spot, but I proposed getting around by taxi, saying, "I'll do my very best, so let's go!" and we started the tour.
We went directly by taxi from Shinjuku to Asakusa, where I bought and offered dango, tea, and taiyaki to help lift the mood as we went along. I learned that they collect woodblock prints from around the world, so I searched for a specialty woodblock print shop in Asakusa and guided them there. They were very pleased to purchase a print they liked, and also bought a cute jinbei for their grandchild. When I explained the difference between Buddhism and Shinto, etiquette at shrines, the feudal system of the Edo period, and the story of the Tokyo air raids, they listened intently. I occasionally added some jokes, and even the guest who had been in a bad mood in the morning was laughing loudly and cheerfully.
We then went by taxi to Meiji Shrine, and afterward I guided them to the Hachiko statue, which they had really wanted to see, and they were deeply moved (they said they had cried watching the film "Hachi: A Dog's Tale"). Finally, I saw them off at their Hotel and gave them handkerchiefs and folding fans as gifts, and in the end they were very satisfied. They told me that the mix-up with the private car was not my fault, that I had done a wonderful job, and that they had been very happy that day. They mentioned having friends nearby who are planning a trip to Japan, and asked for a few of my business cards so they could refer me, which I gladly gave. Although it was a stormy start, in the end I believe they were very satisfied.
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 | Harajuku～Shibuya | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Shinjuku | 200JPY |
| Total | 360JPY | ||
Hi, I’m May, your guide in Tokyo. Welcome to Japan!
I have been grown up in Tokyo and working here for more than 45 years, so I’m sure I can share the best attraction of Tokyo with you, such as food, cultural and historic sites, sub-culture, shopping, and nightlife.
Besides the tour guide, I have been working for a travel agent for more than 30 years, I can advise you the travel plan of not only in Tokyo but all over Japan.
I had lots of guests from all over the world here in Tokyo, and most of them gave me great and wonderful review.
I’m sure I can meet all of your demand and expectations, and am ready to welcome you to Japan with the best “Omotenashi” mind, or hospitality.
Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
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Sep 19, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Our guide ‘May’ had emailed us several times to work out exactly what we wanted to see in Tokyo. He was great, very funny and helpful. He even found us a vegan restaurant where we had lunch, you could tell he was a bit apprehensive himself as a self confessed carnivore but he tried it anyway. It was a great introduction to Tokyo.
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Charlene_E
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Charlene_E
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Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
You get to experience moving around in Tokyo’s subway. We were explained to the shrines and temples.
Aug 31, 2026
labrinir2016
Excellent- best in class.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We booked a private tour…
Aug 31, 2026
labrinir2016
Excellent- best in class.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We booked a private tour with May for our second day in Tokyo, and it was easily one of the best decisions we made on our trip. Tokyo can feel overwhelming at first because there is so much to see and the city is enormous, but May made the entire day feel effortless, fun, and incredibly memorable.
We started at Tsukiji Outer Market and Honganji, then went to Asakusa, where we explored Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine and stopped for lunch. May did such a wonderful job explaining the history, traditions, and proper etiquette along the way. It made visiting these places so much more meaningful than simply walking through them on our own.
From there, we visited Meiji Jingu Shrine before ending the day in Shibuya, where we experienced the famous Scramble Crossing and Center-Gai. It was such a great mix of old and new Tokyo—from peaceful, traditional temples and shrines to some of the busiest and most energetic parts of the city.
One of the most valuable parts of the tour was having May teach us how to navigate Tokyo’s trains and subway system. It felt intimidating when we first arrived, but after spending the day with him, we felt so much more comfortable getting around on our own for the rest of the trip. That alone was invaluable.
What really sets May apart is how knowledgeable, thoughtful, and personable he is. He shared so much about Japanese culture, customs, history, and everyday life, and we loved being able to ask questions throughout the day. He also tailored the experience to us, gave us great recommendations for the rest of our trip, and knew exactly where to stop for the best photos.
May is an exceptional guide and such a genuinely lovely person to spend the day with. If you are visiting Tokyo, especially for the first time, I cannot recommend booking a tour with him enough. We saw so much, learned so much, and left feeling far more confident exploring Tokyo on our own. It was absolutely one of the highlights of our Japan trip. Five stars without hesitation!
Jul 16, 2026
fernandorM8865OM
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We had a great time. Our guide Meiji “May” made our day memorable. Excellent sites and great food, May is very knowledgeable of the sites, has very good English and had very nice details during the tour. Ahh and he has all the nice spots for pictures identified. The restaurant he took us for lunch was excellent, we tried an amazing hoto udon.