Tokyo: Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine — Guide Seizo
December, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 09：00 Meet up @ Hotel in front of Shinjuku Ward Office
- 09：40 Imperial Palace
- 10：40 Nezu Shrine
- 11：50 Lunch @ Sansada (Asakusa)
- 12：40 Sensoji Temple
- 14：20 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 14：40 Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 15：20 Meiji Shrine
- 16：30 Shinjuku Golden Gai・Hanazono Shrine
- 17：05 Disband @ Shinjuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel in front of Shinjuku Ward Office at 09:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:05. The day ran to 8 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Sansada (Asakusa) at 11:50.
The itinerary covered Imperial Palace at 09:40, Nezu Shrine at 10:40, Sensoji Temple at 12:40, Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 14:20, Harajuku Takeshita Street at 14:40, Meiji Shrine at 15:20 and Shinjuku Golden Gai・Hanazono Shrine at 16:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku-sanchome to Nijubashimae by subway (600JPY); Nijubashimae to Nezu by subway (0JPY); Sendagi to Nishi-Nippori by subway (0JPY); Nishi-Nippori to Ueno by train (150JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (0JPY); Asakusa to Shibuya by subway (0JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shinjuku-sanchome by subway (0JPY). Across 8 sections the fare came to 900JPY per person.
What Is a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. Before coming to Tokyo, they had already visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and after sightseeing in Tokyo they planned to travel to Hokkaido. At the Imperial Palace, they were impressed by the vast grounds and listened with great interest to explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Nezu Shrine, Sensoji Temple, and Meiji Shrine, they listened attentively to explanations about the differences between shrines and temples. On Takeshita Street, they showed interest in the various shops and animal cafes. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes throughout, 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 | Shinjuku-sanchome～Nijubashimae | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Nezu | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Sendagi～Nishi-Nippori | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Nishi-Nippori～Ueno | 150JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Shibuya | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 8 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Shinjuku-sanchome | 0JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel in front of Shinjuku Ward Office at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ Shinjuku at 17:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 17:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Imperial Palace, Nezu Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Harajuku Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine and Shinjuku Golden Gai・Hanazono Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 900JPY per person across 8 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
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
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