Tokyo in Half a Day: Shibuya & Omotesando — Guide Sally
November, 2024
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
- 9:45 Hotel
- 10:20 Shibuya
- 11:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 12:10 Meiji Shrine
- 13:20 Takeshita Street
- 13:40 Omotesando
- 14:00 Disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Shibuya at 10:20, Shinjuku Gyoen at 11:00, Meiji Shrine at 12:10, Takeshita Street at 13:20 and Omotesando at 13:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hamamatsucho to Shibuya by train (210JPY); Shibuya to Sendagaya by train (170JPY); Sendagaya to Harajuku by train (150JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 530JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Walking Tour of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe. One had previously passed through Japan for work but only saw the airport and the workplace, with no sightseeing, while for the other it was a first visit. They were a very close and warm group, with one preferring to stay home and the other being active and eager to show them a different world. We visited Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Meiji Shrine. They said it was fascinating to see both quiet places and crowded, lively spots. The autumn leaves at Shinjuku Gyoen had turned quite colorful, and they seemed to take many photos. They mentioned they would be heading to Kyoto in a few days. I gave them a metro map and explained today's route, how to get to Tsukiji for their visit the next day, and a ramen shop in Harajuku before we parted ways. The weather was sunny and warm enough to work up a sweat, and they were delighted with such a fine day for traveling.
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 | Hamamatsucho～Shibuya | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Sendagaya | 170JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sendagaya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Total | 530JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya, Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street and Omotesando.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 530JPY 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?
Sally 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.
Hello, I’m Hizuru.
I have a passion for sharing my knowledge and love for Japan with visitors from all over the world.
After teaching English and Japanese to Elementary school and Junior high school students for about 15
years, I got the National License of Guide and Interpreter in 2014 which allowed me to officially guide
tourists around Japan.
I have guided many tourists around Tokyo and its vicinities, helping them to discover the hidden gems of the
city and learn about its rich history and traditions.
Whether you’re interested in visiting historical landmarks, trying delicious Japanese cuisine, or experiencing
the vibrant pop culture scene, I can tailor a tour suit your interests.
My experience as a teacher greatly helped me in this role as I was able to efficiently communicate and engage
with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
I am dedicated to providing an unforgettable and insightful experience for all my guests.
I look forward to welcoming you to in and around Tokyo and sharing the wonders of Japan with you.
Oct 14, 2025
vanessajK6787GS
Great day out and about in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hizuru was an absolute delight.…
Oct 14, 2025
vanessajK6787GS
Great day out and about in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hizuru was an absolute delight. Her communication from the beginning was wonderful. She tailored the tour to the things I wanted to see. Her local knowledge was invaluable at the shrines, she is also a wonderful story teller. An important thing for me was to learn how to use the train system and she went above and beyond to help me understand how it all works. Which I am happy to say I navigated well once on my own. I would highly recommend Hizuru to anyone, she was a great companion for the day.
May 23, 2025
Inspire25413313092
Tokyo walking tour 2025
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sally did a great job putting together a…
May 23, 2025
Inspire25413313092
Tokyo walking tour 2025
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sally did a great job putting together a program for us. She reached out early in the week to understand what we were looking for and experience.
I must admit it was nice to be guided through the subway system by a “professional”. That allows me to enjoy the experience and not worry about getting to the right train & connection.
Sally was very knowledgeable and my wife & I learned a lot about the history of Japan and Tokyo.
I would recommend Sally.
May 3, 2025
davidfZ3537PI
Great tour with Hizuru!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great private tour with Hizuru! Prior to the…
May 3, 2025
davidfZ3537PI
Great tour with Hizuru!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great private tour with Hizuru! Prior to the tour, she was in email contact with us to find out exactly what we wanted to do – then she arranged the perfect schedule. She met us in the lobby of our hotel, helped us navigate the Tokyo metro and took us to Gotokuji temple, Shinjuku crossing, the Azalea festival at Nezu shrine, then to Ginza (where she dropped us off for our dinner reservation). She gave us great information during the tour, good history lessons and cultural explanations, and was a pleasure to be around. At the end of the tour, she made sure we knew exactly how to navigate on our own back to our hotel. highly recommend the private tour, highly recommend our guide Hizuru!
Apr 17, 2025
Sharon_F
Sampling of everything in one day!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great sampling of lots of different…
Apr 17, 2025
Sharon_F
Sampling of everything in one day!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great sampling of lots of different places in the city! Did the palace garden, a Shinto shrine and Buhdist temple, along with Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jungu! I appreciated the instructions at the religious sites and the history at the palace. The gardens were unbelievably beautiful this time of year! Great job on a good combination of places and info!