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.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:25 Meet up @Hotel
- 10:45 Hie Shrine
- 11:50 Meiji Shrine
- 13:30 Imperial Palace
- 14:35 Dismiss @Hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:25 at @Hotel and ended at 14:35. The day ran to 4 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Hie Shrine at 10:45, Meiji Shrine at 11:50 and Imperial Palace at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Akasaka (Tokyo) to Meiji-jingumae Station by subway (180JPY); Meiji-jingumae Station by subway (210JPY); Nijubashimae to Akasaka (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 570JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report Covering Hie Shrine, Meiji Shrine, and the Imperial Palace
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time. They planned to travel to Kyoto and Osaka after sightseeing in Tokyo. At Hie Shrine, they listened with great interest to the explanation about the differences between shrines and temples, and they were particularly intrigued by the staircase lined with red torii gates. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which felt remarkable for a location within the city. They also purchased an ema and wrote down their wishes on it. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. Since I responded according to the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Akasaka (Tokyo)～Meiji-jingumae Station / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae Station / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo～Nijubashimae | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Akasaka (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Total | 570JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel at 10:25, and the tour finished at @Hotel at 14:35.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 10:25 to 14:35.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hie Shrine, Meiji Shrine and Imperial Palace.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 570JPY 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
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