Tokyo: Meiji Shrine. — Guide Minoruasai
November, 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
- 09:30 Meet at Hotel lobby, discuss and confirm the itinerary, then depart.
- 09:50 -11:15 Visit Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple and tour the Tsukiji Outer Market.
- 11:35-12:15 Visit the Imperial Palace Plaza, the Imperial Palace Main Gate, and Nijubashi Bridge.
- 12:25-13:10 Visit Meiji Shrine.
- 13:10-13:50 Stroll through Harajuku and Omotesando Street.
- 13:50-14:50 Lunch at TGI Fridays.
- 15:40 Escort to the Yayoi Kusama Museum and conclude the service.
What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like With a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report
The tour was booked through a travel agency in North America that was looking after the guests, and instructions for the day's itinerary had come from that agency. When I met the guests at the hotel, I asked whether the proposed itinerary was acceptable and how many days they would be staying in Tokyo. They said, "We are staying five nights in Tokyo. We leave today's destinations up to you." I then asked how they planned to spend the remaining three days, and learned that the local agency had already proposed a full three-day plan. We looked at it together on a smartphone and exchanged opinions, after which the guests agreed to the itinerary above and we set off. Incidentally, the local agency had informed me in advance that three tickets to the Yayoi Kusama Museum had been purchased, but when I checked with the guests, there were only two. With that, I planned to arrive before the museum's 4:00 p.m. reservation, wait for the guests to view the interior and come out, and then see them off to their hotel in Ginza. However, in front of the Yayoi Kusama Museum, the guests said, "We'll catch a taxi and make our own way back, so it's fine to part here. We had a wonderful time today. Thank you," and so we parted ways. The guests were visitors from North America.
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 | Shimbashi～Tsukiji | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji～Hibiya | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Waseda | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.