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
- 12:50 Meet @ 2-10-8 Shinkiba, Koto-ku (STREET KART Tokyo)
- 14:00 Tsukiji Market / Tsukiji Hongwanji
- 15:10 Imperial Palace
- 16:30 Hamarikyu Gardens
- 17:00 Disband @ Shiodome
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ 2-10-8 Shinkiba, Koto-ku (STREET KART Tokyo) at 12:50, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:00. The day ran to 4 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Tsukiji Market / Tsukiji Hongwanji at 14:00, Imperial Palace at 15:10 and Hamarikyu Gardens at 16:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinkiba 2-chome by bus (210JPY); Shinkiba to Shintomicho (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY); Tsukiji to Nijubashimae by subway (180JPY); Tokyo to Shimbashi by train (160JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 730JPY per person.
What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Hamarikyu
The guest was a person from Oceania visiting Japan for the first time. Before coming to Tokyo, the guest had already visited Okinawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Lake Kawaguchi, and planned to travel to Europe after sightseeing in Tokyo. Since the guest was joining a go-kart tour in the morning, the meeting point was set, at the guest's request, at the go-kart office in Shinkiba.
At the Tsukiji Market, the guest showed great interest in the many shops of the outer market. At Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, the guest listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines. At the Imperial Palace, the guest listened attentively to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate, and was also very impressed by the beautiful and expansive Imperial Palace Outer Garden. At Hamarikyu Gardens, although there was not much time due to the closing hour, the guest seemed deeply impressed by the beautiful Japanese garden.
Since I responded exactly as the guest wished, 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 | Bus | Shinkiba 2-chome / Toei Bus～Shinkiba Station (Meiji-dori) / Toei Bus | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shinkiba～Shintomicho (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukiji～Nijubashimae | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tokyo～Shimbashi | 160JPY |
| Total | 730JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ 2-10-8 Shinkiba, Koto-ku (STREET KART Tokyo) at 12:50, and the tour finished at @ Shiodome at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 12:50 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji Market / Tsukiji Hongwanji, Imperial Palace and Hamarikyu Gardens.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 730JPY 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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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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