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

  • 1000 B GINZA (5 min from Ginza Line Shimbashi Station) Meet Explanation of Ginza Street
  • 1015 Tokyo Station Marunouchi Gyoko Street Tatsumi Yagura
  • 1115 Nezu Shrine Yomise Street Yanaka Ginza
  • 1230 Ueno Park Kiyomizu Kannondo
  • 1315 Asakusa Nakamise Sensoji Temple
  • 1410 Disband beside the main hall

Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like in Cherry Blossom Season? A Licensed Guide's Report

Body:

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe. One of the guests had visited Japan about ten years earlier but had not had much opportunity for sightseeing at that time. The group had arrived at Haneda the previous night.

For this booking, a travel agency was involved as an intermediary, so I was not able to hear their specific requests directly. It seems the agency had ordered guides for multiple days, and today's assignment was for the northern part of Tokyo, so I planned the itinerary accordingly. Tomorrow the group is apparently heading toward the Shibuya area.

There was still some chill in the morning, but it became quite warm from around midday.

On Yanaka Yomise Street, the guests enjoyed Japanese sweets such as manju and dorayaki.

At Ueno Park, the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms, which had been held back by the rain and low temperatures of the past few days, were nearly in full bloom, and the guests were delighted. They were surprised to see people holding drinking parties, but I explained that this happens only during the cherry blossom season.

The group will be in Tokyo for about four days, and during that time they expressed a wish to visit the Imperial Palace once more. The East Gardens are closed on Fridays and Mondays. Today the Inuimon passage was open to the public, but due to time constraints it was difficult to include that.

After Tokyo, the group will travel to Kyoto via Hakone.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShimbashi~Tokyo146JPY
Section 2SubwayNijubashimae~Nezu178JPY
Section 3TrainNippori~Ueno146JPY
Section 4SubwayUeno~Asakusa178JPY
Total648JPY

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…