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
- 12:00 Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West
- 12:30 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- 14:00 JR Shinjuku Station
- 15:00 Shibuya
- 16:00 Kanda, disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West at 12:00, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at 12:30, JR Shinjuku Station at 14:00, Shibuya at 15:00 and Kanda, disband at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tochomae to Shinjuku by train (178JPY); Shinjuku to Shibuya by train (167JPY); Shibuya to Kanda by train (209JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 554JPY per person.
Title: What Is a 4-Hour Private Family Group Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a large group visiting from Oceania, including several younger members of the group, two of whom used strollers. Because it was a short four-hour tour with many young children, I planned an itinerary with as much flexibility as possible. We started at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building near the Hotel. Being indoors, it was warm, and since some of the guests were hungry and wanted to have lunch, it turned out to be a good choice. After that, the guests wanted to exchange their Japan Rail Pass and also purchase Suica cards, so we went to the ticket counter at Shinjuku Station. Fortunately, the counter at the south exit was open, and they were able to exchange the Japan Rail Pass, purchase reserved seat tickets for the Takayama, Kyoto, and Osaka route, and buy Welcome Suica cards, which put the guests at ease. Afterward, we went to Shibuya, where in front of the Hachiko statue they happened to be interviewed for a television news program (unfortunately, it was cut when the segment aired). After that, since some of the group wished to stay in Shibuya, I introduced them to Nintendo Tokyo, and since others had a Mario Kart reservation, I guided them to Kanda, where we parted ways.
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 | Tochomae～Shinjuku | 178JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shinjuku～Shibuya | 167JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shibuya～Kanda | 209JPY |
| Total | 554JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, JR Shinjuku Station, Shibuya and Kanda, disband.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 554JPY 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?
Koji 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.
Dear Esteemed Guests,
Greetings,
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Koji Shinjo, a nationally licensed guide residing in the Nakano district, accompanied by my cherished family consisting of my wife, one beloved daughter, and two delightful feline companions.
With a tenure of approximately two years in the field of guiding, I have had the honor of extending hospitality to over 100 families hailing from diverse corners of the globe.
My academic background is rooted in Japanese history, having pursued it earnestly during my university years. Consequently, I am deeply passionate about escorting you to historical and cultural landmarks, where I can impart profound insights into Japan’s rich tapestry of history and heritage.
Moreover, my affinity for Japanese cuisine knows no bounds, and it would bring me immense joy to acquaint you with the exquisite realms of both traditional and contemporary Japanese culinary delights.
Among Tokyo’s myriad treasures, I wholeheartedly endorse Nezu Jinja Shrine as a must-visit destination. Renowned for its resplendent vermilion torii gates, as depicted in the accompanying image, the shrine presents a breathtaking backdrop for capturing timeless moments through the lens of your camera.
Despite its fame, this sanctuary remains slightly secluded from the bustling crowds, thereby offering a sanctuary of serenity conducive to introspection and inner peace.
Allow me to shed light on a cherished Japanese tradition known as “shichi-go-san”. This venerable custom entails parents bringing their children to the shrine upon reaching the ages of 3, 5, and 7. I too had the privilege of partaking in this tradition with my own daughter when she turned seven.
Should you be embarking on this journey accompanied by your loved ones, I wholeheartedly encourage you to consider including this sacred shrine in your itinerary, where you may collectively offer prayers for the prosperity and well-being of your family.
Rest assured, it is my earnest endeavor to surpass your expectations, providing an enriching and pleasurable sojourn marked by comfort and excitement.
Anticipating our forthcoming rendezvous with great eagerness,
Warm regards,
Koji Shinjo
Jul 27, 2026
Tour30619773920
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great intro to Tokyo with Koji
We booked a 4 hour…
Jul 27, 2026
Tour30619773920
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Great intro to Tokyo with Koji
We booked a 4 hour tour of Tokyo through Viator. We were lucky to have Koji as our guide. Koji communicated with us through email and WhatsApp. He was very responsive and tailored the tour to our wishes. We booked the tour for our first morning in Tokyo. We requested that he take us to the train station and teach us how to use the Suica cards and to navigate the subways. He took us to various areas in Tokyo and showed us the highlights at each. He explained some history as we went along as well, which was very much appreciated. At the end of our tour, Koji dropped us at a place where we had a very nice lunch, and he left us with a subway map and details for how to get ourselves back to our hotel. We would highly recommend this tour, and especially our tour guide, Koji, when visiting Tokyo.
Apr 26, 2026
Leonora_N
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
We had an amazing…
We had an amazing…
Apr 26, 2026
Leonora_N
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
We had an amazing…
We had an amazing experience on this Tokyo tour! From the very beginning, everything was well organized and thoughtfully planned, making it easy to relax and fully enjoy the day. Koji was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and full of interesting insights about the city’s history, culture, and everyday life. The itinerary was a great mix of iconic sights and hidden gems, giving us a well-rounded feel for Tokyo. We never felt rushed and had just the right amount of time at each location to explore, take photos, and soak in the atmosphere. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore Tokyo in a fun, informative, and stress-free way!
Apr 25, 2026
sydnip2020
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An experience of a lifetime
Our family had an incredible time seeing…
Apr 25, 2026
sydnip2020
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An experience of a lifetime
Our family had an incredible time seeing and experiencing the Tokyo area and our lovely guide Koji made sure to put together an itinerary of all the places we had interest in seeing. He was very kind and knowledgeable and I can’t speak highly enough about the experience or hospitality. He helped us through every situation from understanding/using the public transit to translating when needed. We visited several places all around Tokyo and even though our legs were tired we went to a beautiful shrine that was nearby and it was the most beautiful part of the day, we all couldn’t stop talking about it. A true energy refresher! Having someone who truly enjoys what they do made such a difference, Koji really showed us the ropes and how much love he has for his home. 11/10 stars!
Apr 22, 2026
Elizabeth B
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Charming and informative
Koji took us on a beautifully curated tour…
Apr 22, 2026
Elizabeth B
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Charming and informative
Koji took us on a beautifully curated tour of Tokyo. From old town to fish market. With a
memorable ramen lunch, I would highly recommend.