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
- 09:30 Meet at the hotel in Shinjuku
- 10:00 Visit Meiji Shrine
- 11:50 Walk-and-eat lunch at Tsukiji Outer Market
- 13:00 Kabukiza Theatre
- 13:30 Disband at Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at hotel in Shinjuku at 09:30, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 13:30. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Meiji Shrine at 10:00, Walk-and-eat lunch at Tsukiji Outer Market at 11:50 and Kabukiza Theatre at 13:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae Station by train (210JPY); Higashi-ginza to Asakusa by train (210JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 570JPY per person.
What Is a Private Meiji Shrine and Tsukiji Market Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions The guests loved the atmosphere of Meiji Shrine, and they were thrilled to come across a scene where a newly married couple was walking in procession through the shrine grounds. One of the guests had an interest in archery and, drawn to the goma arrows, purchased one. They also wrote a prayer on an ema votive tablet to leave behind, and thoroughly enjoyed Meiji Shrine.
At Tsukiji, the guests requested, "Please take us to the places Toru recommends," so I introduced them to a sushi restaurant I frequent, grilled tuna skewers, fish cakes from Hamato, yakitori from Torito, and strawberry daifuku from Soratsuki. They enjoyed all of the dishes and seemed very satisfied. In particular, one of the guests works as a pastry chef and was amazed, saying that Japanese strawberries were "amazing." Since I heard that the next day was a birthday for one of the guests, I treated them to beer and we held a small celebration together, which they were delighted with.
2. Other comments, special notes, and requests to [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) The tour arrangements were made through a travel agency in Oceania, and it turned out that the agency had communicated the Skytree reservation time after the tour incorrectly by 30 minutes, which left us without enough time to fully see the Imperial Palace. After consulting with the guests, I guided them to Kaminarimon and then explained how to get to Skytree before ending the tour. I feel there is a risk that, without speaking directly with the guests beforehand by email, a miscommunication can arise somewhere along the way. This time in particular, even the messaging app contact was the agency's, so it was difficult to communicate and quite a struggle. I understand that when booking through an OTA it is hard to tell whether a contact is the guest's or the agency's, but when direct contact with the guest is not possible, it is impossible to predict what problems may arise on the day. It would be helpful if [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) could consider some kind of measure for this. For the time being, I will simply make a point of confirming who my communication counterpart is.
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 | Shinjuku～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Meiji-jingumae Station / Shibuya Ward, Tokyo～Tsukiji | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Higashi-ginza～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Total | 570JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel in Shinjuku at 09:30, and the tour finished at Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple at 13:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 09:30 to 13:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Walk-and-eat lunch at Tsukiji Outer Market and Kabukiza Theatre.
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?
Toru 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.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
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We had a tour booked with Toru…
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
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Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.