Tour Itinerary
- 10:00 Meet at Hotel
- 10:35 Asakusa, Azuma Bridge, Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine
- 12:50 Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- 13:40 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
- 14:30 Shinjuku West Exit, Help with SUICA purchase, 3D Cat Display, Godzilla Head, Dismissal
Title: What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's First-Day Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. They had first spent four days in Okinawa and arrived in Tokyo the day before, where they would be staying for several days. Since this was their first day in Tokyo, they had booked a 4-hour guided tour, wanting to learn how to use public transportation and to understand the culture and history of Tokyo, which is how the above itinerary came about. When asked, "Tokyo and Okinawa are quite different, aren't they?", I replied that regional differences exist in every country. At Asakusa, the grounds were slightly harder to walk through, as preparations were underway for the fireworks festival the next day. Some of the guests were interested in shopping, while another preferred to stay in the shade and not move around much, partly due to the heat. I encouraged everyone to stay hydrated. At Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, I explained the history from the Edo period to modern Tokyo while in the shade. After that, from the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, I gave an overview of the general layout of the city. I handed over a Tokyo Travel Guide and explained the main candidate destinations to visit. Finally, at the station travel concierge in Shinjuku Station, the guests purchased a SUICA card, but since they did not have much cash on hand, they were only able to load 1,000 yen (effectively 500 yen). I demonstrated how to recharge the card in practice. Although I had explained it thoroughly in advance, it was only at the end that they finally understood that SUICA works the same as cash.
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 | Daimon～Asakusa | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Asakusa – Ueno-hirokoji～Ueno-okachimachi – Iidabashi | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Iidabashi～Tochomae | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tochomae～Shinjuku West Exit | 0JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.
My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.
I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.
I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.
Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.
A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.
In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.
Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.
Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.
I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.
Sep 24, 2026
Leslie_R
Good tour on first day
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Ted, our guide was…
Sep 24, 2026
Leslie_R
Good tour on first day
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Ted, our guide was terrific. He was well informed and took us all over Tokyo. He was very open to questions. Would recommend!
Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…
Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour to suit our families interests. Definitely a great way to see Tokyo.
Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…
Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned so much about Tokyo and Japan in a few hours. We were very fortunate to have such an excellent guide! We highly recommend Ted and appreciated his knowledgeable and thoughtful sightseeing tour of Tokyo. He planned a wonderful itinerary for us and made it all happen, with excellent pacing of breaks and good conversation.
Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…
Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We had a fantastic time with Ted, our guide. He contacted us prior to the trip to customize an itinerary that would have things of interest to everyone in our group. He shared helpful history for each of the places we visited, from Tsukigi market, Harujuku district, to Meiji Shrine. He had great recommendations for other parts of our trip. He is an expert at navigating the Tokyo train system. This tour is family friendly, but also very active in terms of walking to cover all the places we got to visit. The tour with Ted is definitely a highlight of our trip, I would highly recommend.
