Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Mitch
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
- 9:00–9:15 AM
- Travel to the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens
- 9:15–10:45 AM
- Visit the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens, including Nijubashi Bridge and the Kusunoki Masashige Statue
- 10:45–11:20 AM
- Travel to Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 11:20–11:50 AM
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 11:50–12:20 AM
- Break (30 minutes)
- 12:20–12:30 AM
- Travel to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- 12:30 AM–13:30 PM
- Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Shinjuku Gyoen Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from North America. They told me they had met one another on a ferry while traveling around Japan. It was a very hot day. Since the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens were closed, I took them to the Outer Garden and Nijubashi Bridge. We started walking from the Hotel, but we stopped several times along the way, and as we talked about the history from Edo to Tokyo, it took more time than expected. The reason for this visit was to ride the subway, so we took the subway to Meiji-Jingumae. At Meiji Shrine, I took plenty of time to explain things. As they were quite tired, we proceeded while taking breaks. At Shinjuku Gyoen they were very delighted. We parted at Shinjuku Station, and everyone was very pleased.
A notable stop on the tour was Meiji Shrine. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in a vast forested area in the center of Tokyo, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The shrine was established in 1920 and is surrounded by a man-made forest of around 100,000 trees donated from across Japan. Visitors pass through large wooden torii gates and walk along tree-lined paths leading to the main hall, offering a peaceful retreat from the busy surrounding districts of Harajuku and Shibuya. It remains one of Tokyo's most visited shrines, especially during New Year celebrations.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Shinjuku-sanchome | 180JPY |
| Total | 390JPY | ||
I am certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time…
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time to Japan. Mitch was a great guide, recommending the key sights in Tokyo. He contacted us before the trip so that he could set up an itinery that worked for our family. We learned about the culture and also how to navigate the trains! Mitch even took us back to our hotel at the end. Thank you for a great first experience in Japan!
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots of locations in one day. Mitch our guide is
very knowledgeable and the nicest person we have ever met.
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He was very polite and knew the city very well, so there wasn’t a lost minute in our day. He asked me what my preferences were so he could customize my itinerary, and it was great! I was taken to see some hidden gems out of the traditional touristic circuits (and for that Im really thankful). I feel I learnt a lot about the history and culture of Japan, and I got to listen to many good anecdotes from Mitch. I also had a great soba for Lunch, in a very small and cozy restaurant. Arigatou gosaimasu, Mitch!
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic…
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic day with our guide Mitch, he was very knowledgeable, a kind man & very generous with his time.
Mitch suggested sushi train for lunch pleasing our granddaughter greatly.
I would recommend Mitch for any type of tour, given he has excellent English.
Deb, Neil, Kate, Joel, Calla & Bodhi
Adelaide, South Australia 😃