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
- 10:30 Meet up at the hotel
- 10:40 Zojoji Temple
- 11:10 Asakusa
- Stroll around Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko statue, etc.)
- 13:40 Shibuya Sky
- 14:20 Teppanyaki lunch
- 15:30 Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 16:30 Disband at the Shibuya taxi stand
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 10:30, when the guide met the guests at hotel, and finished at 16:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Zojoji Temple at 10:40, Asakusa at 11:10, Shibuya Sky at 13:40, Teppanyaki lunch at 14:20 and Meiji Jingu Shrine at 15:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Daimon (Tokyo) to Asakusa by train (220JPY); Asakusa to Shibuya by train (260JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Harajuku to Shibuya by train (160JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 800JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, Shibuya Sky, and Meiji Shrine
The guests were visitors from North America. This tour took place on the morning of their first day in Japan. I arranged the tour schedule to match their advance request to enjoy Asakusa and Shibuya Sky. Since their hotel was next to Zojoji Temple and connected to the main gate of the former Taitokuin Mausoleum of Zojoji, we passed through that gate and entered the temple grounds through the Kuromon Gate, where they could see the main hall and Tokyo Tower standing side by side. They were delighted by the contrast between the Japanese-style main hall and the modern Tokyo Tower, which resembles the Eiffel Tower.
In Asakusa, when I shared some behind-the-scenes stories about the design of the Asahi Breweries headquarters building along the Sumida River and the golden monument beside it, they were delighted and said it was "really interesting." Senso-ji Temple was crowded and they seemed a little tired, but they took many photos, saying that Nakamise-dori Street and the Kaminarimon Gate were beautiful.
In Shibuya, we first viewed the scramble crossing from a slightly elevated position. Seeing so many people crossing, they were worried, wondering "Will we be able to cross?" But after actually walking across, they were impressed, saying, "We crossed safely and surprisingly quickly."
The day was perfectly clear, so the view from the open-air observation deck "Shibuya Sky" was wonderful, and the guests were very satisfied, saying, "A 360-degree open-air observation deck on top of a skyscraper is amazing." Looking out over the vast Kanto Plain, they seemed astonished at how buildings filled such a wide area without any gaps.
At Meiji Shrine, they appreciated the quiet and solemn approach path. They remarked that it was wonderful to have such a space in the middle of the city.
At the guests' request, we returned to Shibuya (probably for shopping), and I showed them where the taxi stand was before ending the tour.
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 | Daimon (Tokyo)～Asakusa | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku～Shibuya | 160JPY |
| Total | 800JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 10:30, and the tour finished at Shibuya taxi stand at 16:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 10:30 to 16:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Zojoji Temple, Asakusa, Shibuya Sky, Teppanyaki lunch and Meiji Jingu Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 800JPY per person across 4 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?
Toru 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.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru…
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.