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
- 13:00 Meet at Hilton Tokyo
- 13:15 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 14:40 National Diet Building
- 14:50 Nijubashi Bridge
- 15:20 Nihonbashi
- 15:50 Asakusa
- 17:00 Disband at Ginza
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Hilton Tokyo at 13:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:00. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Shinjuku Gyoen at 13:15, National Diet Building at 14:40, Nijubashi Bridge at 14:50, Nihonbashi at 15:20 and Asakusa at 15:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nishi-Shinjuku to Ginza by subway (700JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 700JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku Gyoen, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa
The guests were visiting Tokyo from Europe during a cruise. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed various kinds of cherry blossoms as well as a wide variety of other plants and the Japanese garden. Both were very knowledgeable and listened attentively to stories about the history of Tokyo and Japan, including the Imperial family. They were also well versed in castles, and enjoyed my explanations of the remaining structures of Edo Castle at the Imperial Palace, including how they differ from Western castles. I took them to a dashi (Japanese soup stock) shop in Nihonbashi, but since they were not fond of fish, we left without eating there. Senso-ji Temple was crowded, but they were delighted with its atmosphere right to the end.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Nishi-Shinjuku～Ginza | 700JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hilton Tokyo at 13:00, and the tour finished at Ginza at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 13:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shinjuku Gyoen, National Diet Building, Nijubashi Bridge, Nihonbashi and Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 700JPY per person across 1 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?
Mura 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.
Konnichiwa! I’m Mura, your guide in Tokyo and surrounding regions, including Mt. Fuji and Hakone. In a world where technology can provide instant answers, my role is to offer something more—stories, connections, and a deeper experience that goes beyond the surface.
Japan is a mix of old and new, tradition and innovation. You’ll see famous sights, but what really makes a trip special are the small moments—watching daily life, trying something new, or just enjoying the atmosphere. My job is to help make that easier and, hopefully, a little more fun.
This isn’t a classroom, and there’s no test at the end. Feel free to ask questions, take your time, and enjoy at your own pace. Let’s have a relaxed and enjoyable time exploring Japan together!
Jun 1, 2026
Shannan_B
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Learned so much about Tokyo!
Our tour with…
Jun 1, 2026
Shannan_B
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Learned so much about Tokyo!
Our tour with Mura was absolutely fantastic and one of the best experiences of our trip. He was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and able to answer every question we had throughout the day. His driver was also wonderful, and the ride in the van was comfortable and enjoyable.
What really made this tour special was how personalized it was. We shared our interests and passions with Mura, and he thoughtfully created an itinerary with handpicked stops tailored to us. He even found a great lunch spot that fit my picky preferences perfectly! It truly felt like a custom experience rather than a standard tour.
If you’re looking for a personalized, stress-free, and memorable day in Tokyo, I highly recommend touring with Mura. It was a perfect day from start to finish.
Apr 12, 2026
lesley_S
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Outstanding Tour
Outstanding tour!! Mura spent the entire day showing us the…
Apr 12, 2026
lesley_S
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Outstanding Tour
Outstanding tour!! Mura spent the entire day showing us the sites of Tokyo. Not only was he
extremely knowledgeable about the history of the sites but made the experience very fun. I
would strongly recommend Mura as your guide!!
Apr 11, 2026
Glenn_E
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Great Tour and Guide
Excellent overview of the main tourist…
Apr 11, 2026
Glenn_E
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Great Tour and Guide
Excellent overview of the main tourist stops in Tokyo. Our guide, Maru, was knowledgeable,
friendly and very accommodating to our desires. Never could have seen or done as much
without his help. I highly recommend him and this tour.
Mar 25, 2026
Luke_N
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent guide and tour
Mura was an excellent guide and agreed a…
Mar 25, 2026
Luke_N
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent guide and tour
Mura was an excellent guide and agreed a full itinerary with us in advance. We covered a
lot of ground in our 6 hours by using the subway – much easier and quicker than a car
would have been.