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
- 13:00 Meet up @Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
- 14:00 Lunch @Hachidaime Denzaemon Meshiya
- 15:00 @Yanaka
- 16:00 @Asakusa
- 17:00 Disband @Asakusa Shrine
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @Hotel Gracery Shinjuku at 13:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:00. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @Hachidaime Denzaemon Meshiya at 14:00.
The itinerary covered Yanaka at 15:00 and Asakusa at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Nippori by train (210JPY); Nippori to Ueno by train (150JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (180JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 540JPY per person.
What Is a 4-Hour Private Walking Tour of Yanaka and Asakusa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from Europe. They were very interested in Japan and asked many questions throughout the tour, which I found very rewarding. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides lead private walking tours like this one covering Yanaka and Asakusa in Tokyo.
It was cloudy on the day of the tour, but since it was not an extremely hot day, it was good that we could walk around Yanaka. However, as the guests were not used to Japan's heat and humidity, I brought a fan and cooling towels and guided them while taking breaks along the way. The guests seemed to really like the atmosphere of Yanaka. Since they also wanted lunch, I chose a restaurant with a traditional old-house style. I had reserved a table seat to avoid discomfort from sitting on the floor, but the guests showed interest in the tatami seating; although it was possible to eat there, they just took a photo. After strolling through Yanaka Ginza, we moved to Asakusa, where I guided them through Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine, and then it was time to say goodbye.
With a 4-hour tour that also included lunch, we could not cover a great deal, but the guests seemed 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 | Train | Shinjuku～Nippori | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Nippori～Ueno | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 540JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel Gracery Shinjuku at 13:00, and the tour finished at @Asakusa Shrine 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 Yanaka and Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 540JPY 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?
Yoko 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’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Sep 22, 2026
grenfell69
Half-day tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
While visiting Tokyo we chose the Customized…
Sep 22, 2026
grenfell69
Half-day tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
While visiting Tokyo we chose the Customized half-day tour . Our local guide, Yoko, met us early morning at our hotel. She was punctual, welcoming and very well prepared for our tour . We navigated the subway and train stations with ease under her capable guidance! Yoko set the right pace which enabled us to experience so much of the city . She is so knowledgeable of the culture and history of Japan! Her tour was definitely a highlight of our trip.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.