Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Sensoji Temple — Guide Seizo
October, 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
- 09:30 Meet @ Hotel
- 10:20 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10:45 Meiji Shrine
- 12:00 Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho・Kabukicho
- 13:15 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
- 14:00 Tsukiji Outer Market
- 15:00 Imperial Palace
- 16:15 Sensoji Temple
- 17:30 Dismissal @ Hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:30 at @ Hotel and ended at 17:30. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan at 13:15.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 10:20, Meiji Shrine at 10:45, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho・Kabukicho at 12:00, Tsukiji Outer Market at 14:00, Imperial Palace at 15:00 and Sensoji Temple at 16:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Shibuya by subway (260JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Harajuku to Shinjuku by train (160JPY); Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro) to Tsukiji by subway (210JPY); Tsukiji to Nijubashimae by subway (180JPY); Yurakucho to Ginza-itchome by subway (180JPY); Ginza to Asakusa by subway (210JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,360JPY per person.
What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku, Tsukiji, and Asakusa
The guests were a group from Europe visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to continue to Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. At Meiji Shrine, they appeared impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which contrasted greatly with Shibuya. In Shinjuku, they showed interest in the many eateries of Omoide Yokocho and the 3D cat screen. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed a sushi lunch. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the difference between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. I responded to the guests' wishes as requested, so I believe they were satisfied. A notable stop on the tour was Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in the year 645, and is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Its iconic Kaminarimon Gate, with its massive red lantern, leads to Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street lined with traditional stalls selling snacks and souvenirs. The temple remains one of the most visited and beloved sites in the 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 | Subway | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 160JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro)～Tsukiji | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Tsukiji～Nijubashimae | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Yurakucho～Ginza-itchome | 180JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Ginza～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,360JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 09:30, and the tour finished at @ Hotel at 17:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 09:30 to 17:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho・Kabukicho, Tsukiji Outer Market, Imperial Palace and Sensoji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,360JPY per person across 7 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
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We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.