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
- 1. 09:05 Meet up @ Onyado Nono Asakusa Bettei
- 2. 09:20 Travel: Subway
- 3. 09:50 Visit @ Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 4. 11:00 Travel: Subway
- 5. 11:20 Visit @ Tsukiji, Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi
- 6. 12:50 Travel: Subway
- 7. 13:35 Visit @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Shibuya Scramble Square
- 8. 14:10 Travel: Subway
- 9. 14:30 Visit @ Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 10. 14:55 Travel: Subway
- 11. 15:25 Visit @ Nezu Shrine
- 12. 16:05 Travel: Subway
- 13. 16:40 Disband @ Onyado Nono Asakusa Bettei
Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Shibuya
In Asakusa, some hotels have two nearby buildings, such as the View Hotel and Richmond Hotel, and the hotel for this tour also had an annex. I did not realize the guests were staying in the annex until they sent me a photo, so our meeting was slightly delayed. When I apologized for the delay, the guests laughed and said, "We got confused too." The entrance to the annex was on a back street and hard to find, and the guests said they had walked around the area several times. It is probably rare for such a place to be designated as a meeting point, but it may require caution.
Since it was a family group, at the East Gardens I also guided them toward the main keep area, but they seemed a little tired, so afterward I made sure to keep a comfortable pace. In Tsukiji, before lunch we took a break at a café and had ice cream, and in Shibuya, after showing the guests the Scramble Crossing, we stopped by Shibuya Scramble Square for some shopping.
It was too hot to guide them around Yanaka after visiting Nezu Shrine, so I saw them back to the Hotel a little earlier than planned and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Asakusa Station～Otemachi Station | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Otemachi Station～Tsukiji Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tsukiji Station～Shibuya Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Shibuya Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Meiji-jingumae Station～Nezu Station | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Free Pass | Nezu Station～Asakusa Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful…
Sep 29, 2026
Y9791IZnicks
Making the most of a rainy day
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Sam was a wonderful guide. So knowledgable and friendly. He turned a rainy day into a great experience! We had so much fun at the sites we visited and would highly recommend him to anyone who would like to have some help navigating all of the things you can do in Tokyo. If you are even considering a guide, book a tour with him right now!
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best…
Sep 25, 2026
910lorig
Best experience for a perfect day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best tour and the best tour guide ever (thank you Sam!!)! I cannot recommend this for anyone who is in Tokyo. Today was our first full day in Tokyo and we started at 9am with Sam who kindly picked us up at our hotel and reviewed our customized plan for our day. It was more than perfect.
Sam – we simply cannot thank you enough for making today a special memory for us. We hope to see you again soon!!
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!!…
Sep 15, 2026
R8612KOjanicea
Highly recommend 👍
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji & Asakusa Local Food Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Our guide, Sam, was amazing!! He communicated well throughout the process and was extremely personable. He went above and beyond to meet our every wish. This was a wonderful introduction to Tokyo!!
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable…
Sep 1, 2026
greasygrandpa
First Day In Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Our tour guide Sam was very knowledgeable and energetic. It was a pleasure touring Tokyo with him.