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
- 10:00 Meet up @ MIMARU TOKYO STATION EAST
- 10:45 Yanaka Ginza
- 11:50 Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, 3D Cat Screen, Godzilla Head)
- 12:45 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Isetan Kaikan Store
- 13:45 Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hachiko
- 14:05 Disband @ Shibuya
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:00 at @ MIMARU TOKYO STATION EAST and ended at 14:05. The day ran to 4 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei Isetan Kaikan Store at 12:45.
Over the course of the day the route took in Yanaka Ginza at 10:45, Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, 3D Cat Screen, Godzilla Head) at 11:50 and Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hachiko at 13:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hatchobori (Tokyo) to Ueno by subway (180JPY); Ueno to Nippori by train (150JPY); Nippori to Shinjuku by train (260JPY); Shinjuku-sanchome to Shibuya by subway (180JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 770JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Yanaka, Shinjuku, and Shibuya
The guests were a group from Europe visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to travel to Kiso, Takayama, Fukui, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Amami Oshima. At Yanaka Ginza, some of the guests showed great interest and purchased souvenirs at several shops. In Shinjuku, some of the guests were very interested in the 3D cat screen and the Godzilla head. In Shibuya, the guests listened with interest to the story of the loyal dog Hachiko and took many photos of the lively scramble crossing. Since the guests said they could return to their hotel on their own after shopping in Shibuya, we parted ways there. For this tour, the guests had made requests about the places they wanted to visit in advance through a local travel agency, and since I accommodated those requests as specified, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Hatchobori (Tokyo)～Ueno | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Ueno～Nippori | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nippori～Shinjuku | 260JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shinjuku-sanchome～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Total | 770JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ MIMARU TOKYO STATION EAST at 10:00, and the tour finished at @ Shibuya at 14:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 14:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Yanaka Ginza, Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho, 3D Cat Screen, Godzilla Head) and Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hachiko.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 770JPY per person across 4 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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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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