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

  • 1. 9:30 Meet up @Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho
  • 2. 10:10 @Rikugien Garden
  • 3. 11:20 @Yanaka Shopping Street
  • 4. 12:10 @Meiji Shrine
  • 5. 13:20 Lunch @Tsujita (inside FUKURAS)
  • 6. 14:00 Disband @Shibuya Station (Hanzomon Line ticket gate)

What Is a Private Tokyo Garden and Shrine Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rikugien and Meiji Shrine

The guest was a visitor from North America making a second trip to Japan. Their first visit to Japan had happened by chance, when a flight to another destination in Asia was diverted to Osaka due to bad weather, and having enjoyed Japan, they returned for this second visit. This tour took place the day before their departure from Japan, and they had already experienced sightseeing in Tokyo once before. As they wished to visit a Japanese garden and a shrine, I guided them to Rikugien Garden and Meiji Shrine. At Rikugien, the autumn foliage was extremely beautiful, and they were very pleased, including with my explanations about the rocks around the pond. They were a very quiet type of person, and perhaps the atmosphere of the Japanese garden suited them well. I explained features of Japanese gardens, such as how walking around the central pond reveals a different landscape at each point, and they took many photographs of the garden scenery from various angles with a professional camera, including views from atop a small hill. They seemed very satisfied to be able to capture the beautiful autumn foliage in their photos. For lunch, they requested either ramen or curry with tonkatsu, so I guided them to a ramen restaurant in Shibuya. They enjoyed a bowl of ramen with pulled chashu.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainJR Yamanote Line Kinshicho Station~Komagome Station230JPY
Section 2TrainJR Yamanote Line Komagome Station~Nippori Station150JPY
Section 3SubwayTokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Sendagi Station~Meiji-jingumae Station260JPY
Section 4TrainJR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station~Shibuya Station150JPY
Total790JPY

Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!

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