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

  • 0900 Hotel Residence Asakusa Kappabashi (10 min from Ginza Line Tawaramachi, 15 min from Asakusa Station) Meet up
  • Stroll around Senso-ji Temple to Ginza Line Asakusa Station
  • 1015 Ueno Station Purchase Oscar's Suica and confirm whether next week's Shinkansen stops at Ueno
  • 1050 Nippori Yanaka Ginza Yomise Street Hebi Road Nezu Shrine
  • 1240 Ueno Explain the overview of Ueno Park while transferring from JR to Ginza Line
  • 1255 Asakusa
  • 1310 Tokyo Skytree
  • 1320 Purchase tickets, confirm boarding the elevator, then disband

Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like Before a Ski Trip? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting from Oceania. They arrived at Narita Airport last night and came to their hotel by a car arranged through a travel agency.

For this assignment, the travel agency acting as intermediary did not permit direct contact with the guests, so it proceeded with a certain sense of frustration. Not only the email address but also the mobile phone number were not shared until the last minute. This morning we were able to meet successfully via SMS.

The guests will stay two nights in Tokyo and then go skiing at Tsugaike for several days starting Monday the 13th. (Guests from Oceania the other day were similarly heading to Hakuba.) It does seem that there are many ski visitors from Oceania. After that, they plan to return to Tokyo the day before their departure and stay in Shinjuku.

Since they had no ideas beyond skiing, I gave them a Tokyo Travel Guide and explained candidate destinations for sightseeing in Tokyo tomorrow and on the day before their departure. Tomorrow they may go to teamLab in Toyosu.

Last night they had sushi and were delighted to try sea urchin for the first time.

One of the guests was very curious about Japanese sweets, and I explained various kinds. They apparently wanted to eat "dorayaki," but we could not find any, so I suggested they look for it at Nakamise on the way back.

Instead, at a dango shop just before Nezu Station, they enjoyed daifuku mochi and mitarashi dango very much. At checkout it came to about 800 yen, which was around 7 Australian dollars, and they were surprised at how inexpensive it was. Indeed, it was about half the price of Nakamise. Perhaps they may not feel that Nakamise prices or Toyosu prices are expensive either.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayAsakusa~Ueno178JPY
Section 2TrainUeno~Nippori146JPY
Section 3SubwayNezu~Nishi-Nippori178JPY
Section 4TrainNishi-Nippori~Ueno146JPY
Section 5SubwayUeno~Asakusa178JPY
Section 6TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree157JPY
Total983JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…