Tokyo: Westin Tokyo & Ginza — Guide Takako
December, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 The Westin Tokyo
- 9:30 Meiji Shrine
- 10:40 Imperial Palace Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Statue of Kusunoki Masashige
- 11:40 Nezu Shrine
- 12:30 Ameyoko
- 13:00 Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Sensoji Temple, Don Quijote
- 14:30 Ginza
- 15:05 Dismissal @ In front of Kimuraya
Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Tokyo Tour Like? Ginza, Ameyoko, Asakusa and Nezu — A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from Oceania. They were a pleasant group who listened attentively to my explanations. Since they had visited Tokyo Tower the previous day, we decided to end the tour in Ginza, and as we had extra time, we stopped by Ameyoko. However, it was packed with year-end shoppers, which unfortunately left the guests even more tired. Along the way, they purchased sanshoku dango and lip balm. I introduced them to the Kintaro candy shop in Nezu, where they bought some candy and wished to give a tip to the elderly shop owner, but he politely declined.
I had looked up a halal restaurant in Asakusa in advance, but since the guests had dinner plans, they said they did not need lunch, so we did not go. As they were not used to walking long distances, after viewing Sensoji Temple from the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, some of the guests said they could walk no further, so they called an Uber and returned to their hotel. After that, I continued the tour with the remaining guests. One of the guests wanted to buy various flavors of Kit Kat, so I took them to Don Quijote. They also reacted to melon bread and enjoyed eating some.
Since the group was somewhat large, a pointer with a mascot attached in place of a flag was very useful. In Ginza, we walked toward a fried sandwich shop that one of the guests had seen on social media, but there was a long line, so we gave up. We returned to Chuo-dori to go to Uniqlo, and although it was still early, the guests said they wanted to explore on their own from there, so I introduced them to Kimuraya and we parted ways in front of the shop. It was scheduled as an 8-hour tour, but everyone seemed tired and did not wish to visit other places, so it ended two hours early.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Ebisu～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Kasumigaseki (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Nezu Shrine Entrance / Toei Bus～In front of Ueno Matsuzakaya (Chuo-dori) / Toei Bus | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Ginza | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,110JPY | ||
Hello!! I’m Takako. Thank you for seeing my page. I’ve been showing guests around Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura for over six years. There are various things from historic sites, shrines and temples to cultural spots, good restaurants and anime shops in Japan.
I love watching sumo wrestling, Japanese traditional sport.
My favorite place is Tsukiji food market. It’s really exciting and you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
I also like visiting Japanese gardens such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Rikugien Gardens.
Please let me know what interests you.
I would be happy to make a suitable tour for you and help you stay in Japan comfortably.
Looking forward to meeting you!!
Sep 30, 2026
16shelleyb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Great day in Toyko
Four of us spent an…
Sep 30, 2026
16shelleyb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Great day in Toyko
Four of us spent an enjoyable day touring Tokyo the day before our Japan cruise. Our guide, Takako, was great and ensured we saw what we wanted to see. Tokyo traffic is crazy but our driver, Mr. Isizuka, was amazing. Takako asked for our lunch preference and suggested a terrific steak house…so fun! She explained all the traditions and rituals at the shrine and temple so we felt at ease visiting these places. Because of traffic, we were running a little behind (no fault of hers or our driver) so we only got a drive through of the Ginza area. We will spend one more day in Tokyo at the end of the cruise and now have a better idea of where to concentrate our time. All in all, we had a great time, despite the rain.
Sep 29, 2026
982marvf
Yokohama Experience
Tripadvisor review: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Takako is an outstanding tour guide who knows Yokohama…
Sep 29, 2026
982marvf
Yokohama Experience
Tripadvisor review: Yokohama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Takako is an outstanding tour guide who knows Yokohama real well. Despite miserable weather conditions, she was able to show us all the great sites and explain everything.
Sep 24, 2026
marshad422
A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
Tripadvisor…
Sep 24, 2026
marshad422
A great day of seeing so much and gaining knowledge of the historical and spiritual meaning to the places visited.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Takako was the perfect guide; extremely articulate and knowledgeable, friendly, passionate about Japan and giving her customers the best experience in gaining knowledge of the area and covering so much in one day. She showed a great understanding of her customers’s needs and desires and went out of her way to make you feel comfortable. She had a great sense of humour which made the day so very delightful and enjoyable.
Sep 18, 2026
7
770stefanieg
Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Takako, our guide…
Sep 18, 2026
7
770stefanieg
Wonderful, personalized tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Takako, our guide for the day, was an absolutely wonderful companion in Tokyo. She took the time in advance to understand our interests and wishes, and the whole day was tailored exactly to what we wanted to see and experience.
My mother isn’t very steady on her feet and can’t walk long distances, and Takako handled this beautifully, she adjusted the pace and made sure my mother could fully enjoy the day without feeling rushed or left out. It’s reassuring to know that a tour like this can be adapted so well for someone with limited mobility.
Her knowledge, warmth and preparation made the day truly special. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and can highly recommend her to anyone visiting Tokyo.