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
- 1.8.30 Information center of Tsukiji Honganji temple
- 2.8.30-9.30 Tsukiji Outer Market
- 3.9.50-11.20 Imperial Palace（waiting outside）
- 4.11.30-12.10 Lunch Free Horse（Otemachi First Square）
- 5.12.20-13.10 Imperial Palace East Garden
- 6.13.30‐14.00 Nezu Shrine
- 7.14.00-16.30 walk around Yanaka area
- stop on a café, Asakura Museum.
- 7.17.10-18.00 Meiji Jingu Shrine
Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report from Tsukiji to Meiji Shrine
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Some of the guests were retired and enjoyed gardening and traveling, while others worked in various fields, and one had a strong physical condition from cycling and had no trouble walking for nearly ten hours.
The Thursday originally planned had a forecast of heavy rain, so we consulted via a messaging app and changed the tour to Friday.
However, on Friday the guests had a reservation to visit the Imperial Palace from 9:50 to 11:20, so we first saw Tsukiji in the morning, then I took them to Kikyomon Gate and waited at Wadakura Fountain Park.
After lunch, I explained Japanese history at the table in the restaurant. One of the guests asked, "During the period of national isolation, why did Japan allow trade with the Netherlands?" I answered, "Japan thought that Western nations were trying to colonize Japan through the spread of Christianity, but the Netherlands did not seek to spread it." Another of the guests said, "But later, didn't Japan itself colonize Korea?" I replied, "Japan was following the lead of Western colonialism." One of the guests asked, "Why did Perry demand that Japan open its country?" I answered, "The United States apparently needed a supply base for water for its whaling ships. Perhaps in truth they intended to make it a colony."
When I told the story of the Ako Roshi at the site of the Pine Corridor in the East Gardens, one of the guests said, "A similar episode appeared in the Netflix series 'Shogun.'"
At Nezu Shrine, I explained that the name "Ema" means "picture of a horse" in Japanese, and that in the old days live horses were dedicated, which surprised the guest with that name.
During a break at a coffee shop in Yanaka, one of the guests asked, "Is English your first foreign language?" I said, "Yes. What is your first foreign language?" and the guest told me, "British people are arrogant about languages and do not learn anything other than English."
Regarding the well of Kato Kiyomasa at Meiji Shrine, I said, "A young person looking for a job set a photo of the well as their phone wallpaper, and suddenly received a call and got the job." One of the guests then encouraged another to try it too. That person may also have been looking for a job.
However, since two of the guests took a photo together beneath the sacred camphor tree, it seems their marriage may also be near.
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 | Tsukiji～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Takebashi～Nezu | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nippori～Harajuku | 260JPY |
| Total | 620JPY | ||
I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He…
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He had a good sense of humor and was so kind to meet us at our Air BnB, which was a bit out of the way. He gave us a great crash course on Japanese history before heading out on our adventure around Tokyo, visiting shrines, markets, a museum and garden. It was so helpful to have him with us navigating the train system, and he took us to an amazing sushi place for a lovely lunch. All in all, it was really fun and we were able to better appreciate the places we visited with him providing information and history along the way. Would definitely recommend!…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10, 12) had a fantastic experience with Lance as a tour guide on our full day Tokyo tour. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very flexible with kids on the trip. We highly recommend him!
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and…
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and Lance was such a great guide. my mother is handicapped and Lance researched the best ways to use the train stations always found us an elevator or ramp. He knew so much about the Japanese culture and history. His English was very strong and easily understood. The temples and markets were beautiful. Two things that really made Lance stand out as a great guide was when we went to the offering area at one of the temples Lance didn’t want us to miss out because we didn’t have a coin so he provided on for each of us. The second thing was I asked a question that he wasn’t sure the answer to, but after the tour I was surprised to see a message from Lance answering my question. He did not gain anything from this I had already paid and tipped him it really just reflected how amazing and dedicated to his job Lance was.thank you Lance for making our tour of Japan so special.
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me after I booked, guiding me through the options. Several days before the tour, rain was in the forecast. Lance revised our options to include mostly indoor tours. He also requested our likes and dislikes prior to picking a lunch spot.
Lance was very knowledgeable about Japan’s history. We appreciated his explanations at each tour site. Descriptions were a nice overview without being overly detailed. Lance’s organization and timing for each stop was spot on and his English was excellent.
It was a pleasure to spend the day with Lance. He epitomized the Japanese culture with his calmness, true kindness and respect for all!