Tour Itinerary
- 0900 Hotel Shinjuku (5 min from JR Shinjuku Station) Omoide Yokocho Godzilla Road 3D Cat Display
- 0930 Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku Gate ~ Sendagaya Gate)
- 1050 Tokyo Station Marunouchi Gyoko-dori Avenue Tatsumi Yagura Turret
- 1200 Tsukiji Outer Market Lunch at conveyor belt sushi Sushizanmai No. 2 branch Kabukiza Theatre Ginza 4-chome intersection
- 1300 We had planned to part ways at Ginza Station, but since they said "we want to go to Shibuya," and it was also on my way home, I accompanied them to Shibuya. Hachiko was under construction and couldn't be seen, but we crossed the Scramble Crossing and parted ways. I had already explained the route home by JR.
Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku, Tsukiji, and Shibuya The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Japan for the first time the previous night. They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few days and then visit Kanazawa and Ishigaki. Since they had arrived late at night and had not seen much of the surroundings, I guided them through Omoide Yokocho, Godzilla Road, and the 3D cat display before heading to Shinjuku Gyoen. Despite unexpectedly low temperatures, strong winds, and rain, the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms were about 70% in bloom, and other varieties ranged from already leafed to still in bud, offering great variety. The guests enjoyed taking photos. Since the tour they had booked for the following day also included the Imperial Palace, I explained the history of the area from Tokyo Station through Marunouchi, and then the history from Edo Castle to the Imperial Palace. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, one of the guests wanted to eat sushi while the other did not eat fish, so I guided them to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. One guest enjoyed an assortment of tuna and eel, while I introduced cucumber rolls and egg sushi to the other, which they enjoyed. As that may not have been quite enough, they also purchased some fried chicken along the way. Although the tour was originally scheduled to end at Ginza 4-chome, the guests wanted to see Shibuya, and since it was also on my way home, I guided them to Shibuya. We parted ways after crossing the scramble crossing, and the guests planned to do some shopping in Shibuya.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Shinjuku～Shinjuku-gyoemmae | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Sendagaya ~ Ochanomizu～Tokyo | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae ~ Hibiya～Tsukiji | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Ginza～Shibuya | 209JPY |
| Total | 743JPY | ||
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.
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.
May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…
May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see soon after I registered for the tour. He met us at
the hotel. Ted was very knowledgeable about both the places we visited and Japanese
history. I highly recommend him
