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
- 10:00 Meet guests at Grand Nikko Odaiba
- 11:00 Azumabashi, Kaminarimon, Nakamise-dori, Sensoji Temple
- 12:15 Lunch @ Soba restaurant Towada
- 13:45 Shinjuku Kinokuniya, Hobby Store Suruga-ya
- 14:30 See off by taxi in front of Shinjuku Annex
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Azumabashi, Kaminarimon, Nakamise-dori, Sensoji Temple at 11:00, Shinjuku Kinokuniya, Hobby Store Suruga-ya at 13:45 and See off by taxi in front of Shinjuku Annex at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Daiba to Shimbashi (325JPY); Shimbashi to Asakusa by Free Pass (900JPY); Asakusa to Shinjuku-sanchome by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,225JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for Guests Arriving Before a Cruise? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who arrived in Tokyo the same day, and I had been informed in advance that mobility assistance would be needed, so I attended to them while carefully considering their physical condition and stamina. Since they were scheduled to board a cruise ship to another city the very next day, I strongly wished to make their short time as enjoyable as possible.
Traveling with a wheelchair proved difficult, and although I had checked the routes from the stations in advance, moving around took more time than expected. However, at each station, including during transfers, I asked the station staff for assistance, and the guests were very moved by this kind of support.
I had planned to take them to Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Kinokuniya in Shinjuku, but along the way we decided to go shopping for a game that had been requested, so we gave up on Meiji Shrine. In Asakusa, on Nakamise Street, they enjoyed mitarashi dango. They ate them right up and said they were delicious. At Sensoji Temple, the elevator happened to be out of service for inspection, so we were unable to go up to the main hall.
At a soba restaurant, they had tendon and soba. They finished these as well. At the request of one of the guests, who is an avid book lover, we visited Kinokuniya in Shinjuku, which they had wanted to see.
On the subway from Asakusa, since they wanted to buy a board game, I had checked online in advance and took them to a shop in the Shinjuku annex, but unfortunately the item they were looking for was not available, so they could not purchase it. It was truly regrettable, but I had done my very best, and perhaps that came across, as they expressed their gratitude.
We ran about 30 minutes over the scheduled time, after which I saw them into a taxi and 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 | Other | Daiba～Shimbashi | 325JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Shimbashi～Asakusa | 900JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Shinjuku-sanchome | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,225JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Azumabashi, Kaminarimon, Nakamise-dori, Sensoji Temple, Shinjuku Kinokuniya, Hobby Store Suruga-ya and See off by taxi in front of Shinjuku Annex.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,225JPY 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?
Haruka 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.
My name is Haruka Nakagawa, a Tokyo-based licensed guide specializing in private and tailor-made experiences.
I spent part of my childhood in Sydney (ages 4–10) due to my father’s work, and later joined an exchange program in Brisbane during my first year of high school. These experiences built the foundation of my English communication skills and gave me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity from an early age.
After graduating from university in Japan, I worked for 20 years in the airline industry, where I developed a refined sense of hospitality, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to customer care.
Now, as a guide, I truly enjoy meeting guests from around the world and helping them fall in love with Japan. It is always a pleasure to see my guests connect with the culture, and I feel grateful to do what I love every day.
I have experience working with a wide range of clients, including families with young children, luxury travelers, and guests with special needs. Over the past year, I have guided approximately 100 groups, always adapting each experience to suit their individual preferences and pace.
On a personal note, I live in Tokyo with my husband and our 5-year-old son, which also gives me a natural understanding of family travel needs.
I would be delighted to support you and create memorable, meaningful experiences during their stay in Japan.
May 28, 2026
Kturne
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Guide for First Day in Tokyo. Wish we had booked more…
May 28, 2026
Kturne
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great Guide for First Day in Tokyo. Wish we had booked more time!
Haruka was the perfect guide for our first day in Tokyo! She gave our family such a warm and welcoming introduction to the city and helped make what could have been an overwhelming experience feel exciting and manageable.
We loved how she combined sightseeing with practical guidance — teaching us how to navigate the train system, explaining shrine customs, and sharing insights about Tokyo throughout the day. Thanks to her excellent preparation, we confidently made our way through Shinjuku Station on our own the very next morning heading to Hakone!
Haruka is knowledgeable, patient, kind, and fun to spend the day with. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and highly recommend her to anyone visiting Tokyo for the first time.
Apr 22, 2026
Sandra_M
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our Tour Guide Haruka
Haruka was very helpful and kind. She showed…
Apr 22, 2026
Sandra_M
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our Tour Guide Haruka
Haruka was very helpful and kind. She showed us everything we needed to know about the train ride and gave us the information about the shrine, imperial palace and all the places around Tokyo. She was very knowledgeable about the Japanese culture. She asked us where we wanted to go or eat. She was very polite and friendly. We would have her again if we ever needed a guided tour around Tokyo. It was a very fun experience because of her being able to tell us about the city and interesting places.
Apr 16, 2026
Roberta_T
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The best guide in Tokyo
Incredible first day in Tokyo with Haruka,…
Apr 16, 2026
Roberta_T
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The best guide in Tokyo
Incredible first day in Tokyo with Haruka, a Viator guide who was extraordinary: smart, knowledgeable, funny, kind, and expert in a very safe, clean, and complicated subway system. The oldest Buddhist temple, a Shinto shrine, a soho-like shopping district, a market called The Food Show with the most glorious sights of fish, meats, fruits, vegetables etc., 6 subway lines, the renown street crossing with hordes of people, and even more. 6.5 hours of walking with 2 water breaks. The best day ever.
Oct 15, 2025
Gayla_S
You create your tour with…
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
You create your tour with your private…
Oct 15, 2025
Gayla_S
You create your tour with…
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
You create your tour with your private guide based on your interests and sites you wish to
visit . Our guide Hanuka was lovely and shared so much of her knowledge with us as we
toured the sites of Tokyo