Tokyo in Half a Day: Asakusa & Meiji Shrine — Guide Kris
October, 2026
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
- 9:30 Meet at Hotel, from Toranomon Hills to Asakusa
- 10:10 Asakusa
- 11:20 East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- 12:30 Meiji Shrine
- 13:30 Disband at Harajuku Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Hotel, from Toranomon Hills to Asakusa at 9:30, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 13:30. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Asakusa at 10:10, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace at 11:20 and Meiji Shrine at 12:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Toranomon Hills to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Otemachi (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY); Otemachi (Tokyo) to Meiji-jingumae by subway (210JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 600JPY per person.
What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Meiji Shrine
The guests were a young group visiting from Oceania. As it was their first time in Japan and they wished to see some of the most representative spots, I guided them to Asakusa, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Meiji Shrine. They were a very cosmopolitan and sophisticated group. They were deeply interested in history and culture, and it was clear that they were mindful of a multicultural, coexisting society. They tried to understand Japan down to the details of its historical periods, and in a very warm and friendly atmosphere, we were able to have in-depth conversations. I gave them a single A3 sheet of material I had compiled summarizing the historical eras, which they were very pleased to receive.
A notable stop on the tour was Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Shibuya, Tokyo, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort. Completed in 1920, it is surrounded by a vast forest of some 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, creating a tranquil green oasis in the heart of the city. Visitors pass through towering wooden torii gates along wide gravel paths before reaching the main shrine buildings, making it one of Tokyo's most visited and most peaceful spiritual sites.
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 | Toranomon Hills～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel, from Toranomon Hills to Asakusa at 9:30, and the tour finished at Harajuku Station at 13:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 9:30 to 13:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Asakusa, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 600JPY per person across 3 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?
Kris 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.
My name is Kris,
Before becoming a tour guide, I worked for a major steelmaking company as an engineer for many years. During my career, I lived and worked in both Germany and the United States for a total of five years. These experiences helped me understand different cultures and ways of thinking, which now helps me connect easily with guests from around the world.
After retirement, I chose a second career as a tour guide because I truly enjoy meeting people from different countries and sharing Japanese culture, history, and daily life. I have been working as a guide for more than nine years and continue to enjoy every tour.
I currently live in Tokyo, but I was born and raised in Kobe, near Osaka, and my family roots are in Kyoto. As a result, I have extensive knowledge not only of Tokyo but also of Kyoto, Osaka, and many other parts of Japan. I enjoy introducing both famous landmarks and hidden local gems that many visitors might otherwise miss.
I am energetic, friendly, and very sociable. I always try to create tours that are relaxed, flexible, and tailored to my guests’ interests.
Travel is one of my greatest passions, especially visiting hot spring resorts. I have visited more than 80 onsen destinations throughout Japan, giving me a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and regional traditions.
Whether you are visiting Japan for the first time or returning for another adventure, I would be delighted to help you discover the real Japan from a local perspective.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you create wonderful memories in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.
See you in Japan!
Kris
May 10, 2026
Matt_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A Wonderful Introduction to Tokyo
We were so lucky to have Kris-San…
May 10, 2026
Matt_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A Wonderful Introduction to Tokyo
We were so lucky to have Kris-San as our guide for our first full day in Tokyo. He was great about communicating before the trip, and he even left our hotel a beautiful note welcoming us to the city. He met us at our hotel early the day of the tour and showed us how to use the subway. We toured Senso Ji, the Tobacco and Salt Museum, the Honjo Disaster Prevention Center, and the Kiyosumi Gardens. He also recommended a fantastic noodle restaurant close to one of our tour spots where the duck soba noodles were incredible. Kris-San was warm, personable, and funny, it was hard to say goodbye after such a wonderful tour.
Apr 29, 2026
Rebecca_M
Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour
We had such a wonderful…
Apr 29, 2026
Rebecca_M
Viator review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour
We had such a wonderful tour with Kris! He was very knowledgeable and kept things so fun.
Meeting and transport were seamless and stress-free. This was a wonderful memory of our
time in Tokyo!
Apr 21, 2026
jacquir581
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We love Kris
Kris was awesome! He was very flexible when our…
Apr 21, 2026
jacquir581
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We love Kris
Kris was awesome! He was very flexible when our flight was cancelled and we weren’t able
to make our original tour.
Apr 2, 2026
Frank_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A great day in Tokyo
Great tour with an excellent guide, Kris.…
Apr 2, 2026
Frank_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A great day in Tokyo
Great tour with an excellent guide, Kris. He made suggestions in advance, we were able to tweak the schedule before the tour adjusted as we went along. He had a restaurant in mind for lunch but when we got there the wait time was more than we wanted to spend. So he came up with other alternatives that worked well. He knows his stuff and added interesting bugs of information, making the visits special.