Tokyo: Ryogoku & Shibuya — Guide Yoko
May, 2025
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
- 10:00 Meet up @Bellustar Tokyo
- Shinjuku
- 11:30 Ryogoku
- 12:30 Lunch @Sansada
- 13:30 Asakusa
- 15:30 Meiji Shrine
- 16:30 Harajuku
- 17:00 Shibuya
- 17:30 Dismiss @Shibuya Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @Bellustar Tokyo at 10:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:30. The day ran to 7 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @Sansada at 12:30.
The itinerary covered Ryogoku at 11:30, Asakusa at 13:30, Meiji Shrine at 15:30, Harajuku at 16:30 and Shibuya at 17:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Ryogoku by train (230JPY); Ryogoku to Asakusabashi by train (150JPY); Asakusabashi to Asakusa by subway (180JPY); Asakusa to Shibuya by subway (260JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Harajuku to Shibuya by train (150JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,120JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on an 8-Hour Private Tour of Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe, and they mentioned that although they travel widely, this was their first time in Asia. Since the guests' phone was an Android device, it was difficult to download a mobile Suica, so I asked them in advance to purchase a Welcome Suica at the airport.
They had arrived the previous day, and the tour day was their first day of sightseeing. Since they said they would leave the destinations up to the guide, I showed them the Shinjuku East Exit area around their hotel, as well as Ryogoku, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya. At Ryogoku Kokugikan, the May Grand Sumo Tournament was underway, so I showed them the actual ring at Edo Noren and we watched lower-division wrestlers coming and going at the arena. I asked one of the friendly-looking young wrestlers, and we were able to take a commemorative photo together. We also visited the former Yasuda Garden next to the Kokugikan.
After having lunch at Sandaime in Asakusa, I guided them to Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine, and then we headed to Shibuya. However, judging that it would be better to visit Meiji Shrine first (as Meiji Shrine would close), we returned to Harajuku and I guided them through Meiji Shrine and Harajuku first. Finally, we went to Shibuya, where we saw Pepper Parlor, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the Hachiko statue, and a Star Wars exhibition along the way, and we said goodbye at Shibuya Station.
The guests were very pleasant, and the 8-hour tour went by in a flash. I do not often do 8-hour tours, but I felt that having 8 hours allowed me to guide them at a relaxed pace.
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～Ryogoku | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Ryogoku～Asakusabashi | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusabashi～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Harajuku～Shibuya | 150JPY |
| Total | 1,120JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Bellustar Tokyo at 10:00, and the tour finished at @Shibuya Station at 17:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 17:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Ryogoku, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Shibuya.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,120JPY 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?
Yoko 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’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Yoko Kusmoto is exceptional . Her deep knowledge of Japan history, Tokyo’s
architecture and interesting Tokyo places made us appreciate all Tokyo has to offer. Her
smile, infectious laugh, kindness and interest added to our wonderful day.