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
- 09:25 Meet up @ Hotel Gracery Asakusa
- 09:50 Ueno Station JR East Service Center
- 11:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko
- 11:30 Meiji Shrine
- 12:30 Yoyogi Park
- 13:10 Lunch @ Ippudo Harakado
- 13:45 Takeshita Street
- 14:45 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory
- 15:50 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 17:00 Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho
- 17:35 Dismiss @ Shinjuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 09:25, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Gracery Asakusa, and finished at 17:35. The day ran to 8 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Ippudo Harakado at 13:10.
From there the group visited Ueno Station JR East Service Center at 09:50, Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko at 11:10, Meiji Shrine at 11:30, Yoyogi Park at 12:30, Takeshita Street at 13:45, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory at 14:45, Shinjuku Gyoen at 15:50 and Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho at 17:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Ueno by subway (180JPY); Ueno to Shibuya by subway (210JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Harajuku to Shinjuku by train (160JPY); Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro) to Nishi-Shinjuku by subway (180JPY); Nishi-Shinjuku to Shinjuku-gyoemmae by subway (180JPY); Shinjuku-gyoemmae to Shinjuku by subway (180JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,250JPY per person.
What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, and More
The guests were a group of three visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Since the guests had requested help exchanging their Japan Rail Pass and reserving Shinkansen tickets, we first took care of that at Ueno Station. At Meiji Shrine, they listened with great interest to explanations about the differences between shrines and temples, and they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere. At Yoyogi Park, they were delighted to see cherry blossoms in nearly full bloom. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory, they appeared impressed by the magnificent view of Tokyo. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they were pleased to see the beautiful Japanese garden and the cherry blossoms. After I guided them around Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, they said they would do some shopping on their own and then return to their hotel, so we parted ways in Shinjuku. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Asakusa～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Ueno～Shibuya | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku～Shinjuku | 160JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro)～Nishi-Shinjuku | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nishi-Shinjuku～Shinjuku-gyoemmae | 180JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoemmae～Shinjuku | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,250JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Gracery Asakusa at 09:25, and the tour finished at @ Shinjuku at 17:35.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 09:25 to 17:35.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Ueno Station JR East Service Center, Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita Street, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory, Shinjuku Gyoen and Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,250JPY per person across 7 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Seizo is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Jul 10, 2026
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing. He was informative without being overwhelming, matched
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a great personality, kept us on
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Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。