Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen Park. & Shibuya Crossing — Guide Chas
September, 2024
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
- 8:00 Meet at Hyatt Regency Tokyo
- 8:20 Stroll around Shinjuku Kabuki Cho, Goldengai and Hanazono Shrine
- 9:00 Shinjuku Gyoen Park.
- 10:30 Koishikawa Korakuen
- 12:00 Asakusa: Viewing from Asakusa Culture Center, Nakamisedori , and Sensoji Temple
- 13:30 Lunch＠Yoshinoya (in front of Harajuku Station): Stroll around Takeshita Street and Omotesando
- 14:30 Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 15:20 Shibuya Crossing
- 16:00 The tour ends at Hyatt Regency Tokyo
What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo's Gardens Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were first-time visitors to Japan from North America. For the itinerary, I took over and followed the plan that had originally been drawn up by the guide first assigned to the tour. Since one of the guests was interested in plants and gardens, the group seemed very interested in Shinjuku Gyoen (especially the greenhouse within the grounds) and Koishikawa Korakuen. As the guests had requested something casual for lunch, and taking into account a preference for not eating seafood, I took them to a Yoshinoya beef bowl restaurant, which was very well received. As the afternoon went on, the temperature rose and the sunlight grew stronger, so I made sure to take frequent breaks for hydration and rest. I believe the guests enjoyed the tour overall.
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-sanchome～Shinjuku-gyoenmae | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shinjuku-gyoenmae～Suidobashi | 345JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Suidobashi～Asakusa | 324JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Asakusa～Meiji-jingumae | 252JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Omotesando～Shibuya | 178JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Shibuya～Tochomae | 345JPY |
| Total | 1,622JPY | ||
My name is Chikara. I know it is not an easy word to pronounce, so please call me Chas.
I have dealt with Import and Export Cargoes Insurance while working for an insurance company for 35 years. Such a career gave me opportunities to visit 20 plus over seas countries including 4 year stay in New York as an expat. Through these experiences, I found myself enjoying communiation with people from different countries, appreciating local culture, cuisine and beautiful landscape.
People have always been kind to me, and I came to think that I want to give back to them by OMOTENASHI to foreign visitors to Japan.
In addition, as I learned more about different cultures of different countries after years, I came to be more and more aware of how little I know about my own country Japan and it’s unique culture.
So, I began to study more about Japan, and wish to have good things about my country more understand and appreciated by other countries.
That’s how I decided to become a national government licensed tour guide.
Now that I am a guide, I am ready to offer a tailor-made tour in accordance with my guest’s needs. I take it to my job to make the tour enjyoable and memorable, and make my guests fans of Japan.
My favorite things are
Walking around not just to follow big strreets but to explore samller “hiden” paths by detour, sometimes excited by the possibility of getting lost.
Jazz music, Museums, Movies, Architecture, etc.
Sep 20, 2024
S9139WWspencerb
Must do for new travelers
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My girlfriend and I took our tour…
Sep 20, 2024
S9139WWspencerb
Must do for new travelers
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My girlfriend and I took our tour with Chas Yokoi and it was absolutely amazing. It was our first full day in Japan and he gave us an amazing tour of shrines, temples, and gardens all across Tokyo. Not only was he very knowledgeable about everywhere that we went. But he also helped us figure out how to ride the subways and get through the notorious Shinjuku station. We also mentioned we were going to buy green tea after the tour, and because we were a bit ahead of schedule, he took us to his personal recommendation and helped us speak to the staff to figure out what tea was best for us. If you are new to Japan the 8 hours is long, but an absolute MUST. We will be doing another tour whenever we return to Japan. Thank you Chas and JGA for making our first day so memorable!
May 25, 2024
Timothy_B
Best tour in Tokyo!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an outstanding tour guide! He…
May 25, 2024
Timothy_B
Best tour in Tokyo!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an outstanding tour guide! He met us after lunch and took us on a private tour to the locations we selected, teaching us many things along the way. Chas was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about everything in Tokyo. I highly recommend him to anyone!
May 19, 2024
Geoffrey P
Japan Guide Agency’s guide in Tokyo (Chas Yokoi) was magnificent!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
CHAS…
May 19, 2024
Geoffrey P
Japan Guide Agency’s guide in Tokyo (Chas Yokoi) was magnificent!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
CHAS YOKOI our JGA guide, was ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT!
His English was superb, he had excellent knowledge of all the tour sites we visited, and everywhere we went he rushed forward to find us lifts and escalators for the elderly.
Then he took us to SUPERB lunch, which we still talk about.
This guide from JGA, Chas Yokoi, was wonderful, fun, friendly and knowledgeable. We thank him so
very much for making our Japan stay a trip to remember
WELL DONE , JGA and Chas Yokoi!
May 19, 2024
SueJ211
5 star experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable, fun, responsive…
May 19, 2024
SueJ211
5 star experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable, fun, responsive to our needs and very
willing to take us to a specific site. He made our first visit to Tokyo very memorable