Tokyo in One Day: Imperial Palace — Guide Hide
March, 2025
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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 【The Fuji Five Lakes tour was cancelled due to the suspension of the JR Chuo Main Line, so it has been changed to a 5-hour tour within Tokyo】
- 9:00 Depart from the hotel (New Otani, The Main) → 9:15 Depart from Yotsuya Station
- 9:30 Imperial Palace
- 10:30 Asakusa (Kaminarimon → Nakamise → Sensoji Temple)
- 12:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Tour ends at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Can You Change a Fuji Five Lakes Tour to a Tokyo Day Tour When Trains Are Cancelled? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. The tour was originally planned as a Fuji Five Lakes tour, but the day before, due to heavy snow forecast in the Lake Kawaguchiko area, the JR Chuo Main Line announced a full-day planned suspension, making the tour impossible to carry out. After contacting the guests the day before, I visited the Hotel early in the morning on the day, and after discussion, we changed the plan to a 5-hour tour within Tokyo. (This was carried out with the support and advance guidance of the [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) office.) Although the tour they had looked forward to and planned through many discussions had to be cancelled, the guests remained calm and were able to actively discuss an alternative tour. Since the group had an appointment with their companions at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum at 14:00, we decided to visit the Imperial Palace and Asakusa, which had not been covered in their Tokyo sightseeing the previous day. It snowed from the morning, with especially large snowflakes at the Imperial Palace, but the guests were delighted, calling it a "unique experience." It also rained in Asakusa, but the guests happily bought souvenirs such as tenugui hand towels and beautifully wrapped cosmetics at Nakamise. They enjoyed sukiyaki for lunch, and I took them to the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum right at 14:00, concluding the tour.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Yotsuya～Ginza | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Hibiya～Asakusa | 209JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Shirokanedai | 252JPY |
| Total | 639JPY | ||
About HIDE
Hello, my name is Hideki (HIDE), a licensed tour guide based in Tokyo.
I spent more than 40 years working in the airline industry, including 12 years living and working overseas.
During that time, I had extensive opportunities to interact with people from Europe, the United States, and Asia. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for cultural exchange and shaped the warm, attentive hospitality I now bring to my tours.
My goal is to help visitors enjoy Japan in a relaxed and meaningful way—through not only sightseeing, but also friendly communication, small discoveries, and genuine local experiences. I want guests to leave Japan with a deeper understanding of the culture and a lasting fondness for the country.
I mainly guide private tours (FIT) in Tokyo, introducing both iconic highlights and hidden local spots that are often missed by first-time visitors. Tours to Kamakura, Hakone, and Nikko can also be arranged upon request.
Guests often tell me that touring with me feels like traveling with a knowledgeable local friend—something I consider the greatest compliment. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing an enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable time together.
Languages: English, Indonesian
Max group size: Up to 4 people
Contact:
📱 +81-80-5118-2800 (WhatsApp available)
📧 morikin57@yahoo.co.jp
Apr 6, 2026
Mercedes_G
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Great guide in Tokyo
Wonderful tour with friendly…
Apr 6, 2026
Mercedes_G
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Great guide in Tokyo
Wonderful tour with friendly Hide, thank you so much for showing us a bit of lovely Tokyo
city, we really enjoyed. Highly recommended *****
May 30, 2025
Paradise22352245597
Great! Hide was the best!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I did this with my brother on…
May 30, 2025
Paradise22352245597
Great! Hide was the best!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I did this with my brother on our first day of our amazing Japan trip and were so glad we did! Our friend for the day, Hide, was the nicest and knowledgeable guide we could have ever asked for.
Some of my favorite pictures of the trip were i the various spots we chose. Hide if you read this we can’t thank you enough for giving us the best note to start off the best two weeks we could have imagined on :).
※お世話になっております。JGA佐藤です。メールでご連絡いただき、誠にありがとうございました。
レビュー内容から“Hide”さんであることは分かっていたのですが、東京には“Hide”というニックネームのガイドが複数おり、どの方か特定ができず、そのままになっておりました。
今回ご連絡いただけて、本当に助かりました。ありがとうございます。
今後スムーズに確認ができるよう、もし可能であれば、ゲストの方へレビュー投稿時にフルネームでご記載いただくことをおすすめいただくか、もしくは他の方と重複しにくいニックネームにご変更いただくなど、ご協力を賜れますと幸いです。今後とも、何卒よろしくお願いいたします。
May 15, 2025
TrishaK454
Personalized tour with a very lovely guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was a delightful guide.…
May 15, 2025
TrishaK454
Personalized tour with a very lovely guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was a delightful guide. He spent many hours preparing our itinerary and even planned
a special surprise for my husbands birthday. He was informative and very kind, also helping
us secure our tickets to Hakone. Thank you Hide!
Apr 29, 2025
Imelda_B
Grateful
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was amazing tour guide. He organised our itinerary very well.…
Apr 29, 2025
Imelda_B
Grateful
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was amazing tour guide. He organised our itinerary very well. Tell us about history and
culture of their country. Which is really good for a tourist like us it’s a good learning
opportunity. I highly recommend him. Thank a lot Hide from the bottom of our hearts.