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
- 8:30 Meet at The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
- 8:55 Todoroki Valley
- 10:35 Snack @ Natural Lawson Shibuya Daikanyama Store
- 11:00 Meiji Shrine
- 12:45 Asakusa (Skytree photo)
- 13:55 Ueno Toshogu Shrine
- 14:40 Disband at The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 8:30, when the guide met the guests at Prince Park Tower Tokyo, and finished at 14:40. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included snack @ Natural Lawson Shibuya Daikanyama Store at 10:35.
From there the group visited Todoroki Valley at 8:55, Meiji Shrine at 11:00, Asakusa (Skytree photo) at 12:45 and Ueno Toshogu Shrine at 13:55.
**What's a Private Day Tour of Todoroki Ravine, Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Ueno Like? A Licensed Guide's Report**
The weather was not very favorable, with occasional light rain, but we rarely needed umbrellas and were able to complete the tour without trouble. From the Hotel to Todoroki Ravine, we used the expressway and the drive went smoothly. At Todoroki Ravine, we spent some time as the guests purchased a goshuin (temple seal) at Todoroki Fudo. Despite being a weekday, Meiji Shrine was quite crowded, and I felt that the season for international visitors had arrived. Even in Asakusa the weather was poor, with the top of the Tokyo Skytree hidden in mist, but we finished sightseeing without issue, and finally viewed the golden gate of Ueno Toshogu Shrine before returning to the Hotel. A notable stop on the tour was Ueno Toshogu Shrine. Ueno Toshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located within Ueno Park in Tokyo, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. The shrine is known for its lavishly decorated golden gate and ornate main hall adorned with intricate gold leaf and detailed carvings, reflecting the architectural style of the Edo period. It is one of the few structures in the area to have survived earthquakes, wars, and fires over the centuries, making it a valuable piece of Japan's cultural heritage.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
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.