Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Nezu Shrine — Guide Leo
August, 2026
Hello! I’m Ryosuke—please call me Leo.
I’d love to help you create great memories in Japan, especially around Tokyo and my hometown, Hiroshima.
I once traveled 44,000 km by bicycle across four continents (every continent except Australia!). There’s a chance I might even have passed through your hometown. Through that journey, I learned not only how wonderful travel can be, but also the things travelers should watch out for.
With that experience, I’m sure I can help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s have a great time exploring Japan together!
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
- 9:00 Meet@Hotel
- 9:30 Meiji Shrine
- 11:00 Shibuya Crossing
- 12:00 Gotokuji Temple
- 13:00 Lunch@Shibuya
- 14:00 Asakusa
- 15:00 Yanaka Ginza
- 15:30 Nezu Shrine
- 16:15 Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge)
- 17:00 Dismissal@Tokyo Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @Hotel and ended at 17:00. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch@Shibuya at 13:00.
Over the course of the day the route took in Meiji Shrine at 9:30, Shibuya Crossing at 11:00, Gotokuji Temple at 12:00, Asakusa at 14:00, Yanaka Ginza at 15:00, Nezu Shrine at 15:30 and Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge) at 16:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Harajuku to Gotokuji by train (330JPY); Gotokuji to Shibuya by train (260JPY); Shibuya to Asakusa by train (260JPY); Asakusa to Nippori by train (340JPY); Nezu to Nijubashimae by train (180JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,530JPY per person.
What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji, Yanaka, and Gotoku-ji
The guests were friends visiting from North America. We shared many topics of conversation and enjoyed the tour from start to finish. Although they mentioned they were still experiencing jet lag right after arriving in Japan, they ended up staying very active throughout, without needing frequent breaks. At Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple, they were impressed by Japan's unique religious sensibility, in which Shinto and Buddhism are intricately intertwined. They were also delighted to visit places beyond the usual well-known spots, such as Yanaka and Gotoku-ji, which they had not expected to see.
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 | Shinjuku～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Gotokuji | 330JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Gotokuji～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shibuya～Asakusa | 260JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Asakusa～Nippori | 340JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Nezu～Nijubashimae | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,530JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel at 9:00, and the tour finished at @Tokyo Station at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 9:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Gotokuji Temple, Asakusa, Yanaka Ginza, Nezu Shrine and Imperial Palace (Nijubashi Bridge).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,530JPY per person across 6 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?
Leo 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.
Hello! I’m Ryosuke—please call me Leo.
I’d love to help you create great memories in Japan, especially around Tokyo and my hometown, Hiroshima.
I once traveled 44,000 km by bicycle across four continents (every continent except Australia!). There’s a chance I might even have passed through your hometown. Through that journey, I learned not only how wonderful travel can be, but also the things travelers should watch out for.
With that experience, I’m sure I can help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s have a great time exploring Japan together!
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our…
Jul 30, 2026
BrianBurnette
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great Memories
We really enjoyed this tour. Leo, our guide, was very knowledgeable regarding the culture and history of each site we visited. And for lunch he found a delicious authentic Ramen counter restaurant. It was a really nice day with great memories.
Jul 24, 2026
893cydneyh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best Tour Guide
We had an incredible 6-hour tour…
Jul 24, 2026
893cydneyh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Best Tour Guide
We had an incredible 6-hour tour with Leo, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Tokyo! We were visiting Japan to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, and Leo made the day even more special from start to finish. From the moment he picked us up at our hotel until he dropped us off, everything was seamless, thoughtful, and perfectly planned.
Our first stop was a beautiful temple, where Leo explained the traditional hand-washing ritual before entering. We also tossed a coin to make a wish, and learning the meaning behind these customs made the experience so much more meaningful.
Afterward, Leo took us to an amazing sushi restaurant called Kura, where we had a delicious meal. We also visited the famous Shibuya Crossing, explored the Pokémon Center, and picked up some wonderful souvenirs. Traveling around Tokyo by train with Leo was an experience in itself—he made navigating the city so easy while teaching us so much about Japan, its history, traditions, and culture.
One of the sweetest surprises was that Leo gifted my daughter and me beautiful traditional Japanese fans to celebrate her birthday. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to us and is something we’ll always remember.
Leo was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, kind, and personable. He answered every question I had and shared fascinating insights throughout the day that we never would have learned on our own. His passion for Japan shines through in everything he does, and he made sure both my daughter and I had an unforgettable experience.
If you’re visiting Tokyo and looking for a guide who is professional, friendly, and genuinely cares about making your experience special, I cannot recommend Leo enough. We will absolutely recommend him to our friends and family, and the next time we’re in Japan, we won’t hesitate to book another tour with him. Thank you, Leo, for making my daughter’s birthday trip so memorable!
May 25, 2026
llindgren0604
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A seamless experience
Leo was a great tour guide. We got…
May 25, 2026
llindgren0604
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A seamless experience
Leo was a great tour guide. We got to do and see all of the major Hakone sites. It was a
perfect day.
May 21, 2026
lyndapI1304ZZ
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Walking guide in Hakone
Unfortunately the weather restricted some of our…
May 21, 2026
lyndapI1304ZZ
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Walking guide in Hakone
Unfortunately the weather restricted some of our options, but Leo adapted the tour and we
had a fantastic time.