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
- 09：00 Meet up @ Kita-Aoyama 3-4-3 (Class Aoyama Apartment)
- 09：25 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10：15 Imperial Palace
- 11：30 Lunch @ Tanaka Soba Shop (Asakusa)
- 12：10 Sensoji Temple
- 13：30 Disband @ teamLab Borderless (Kamiyacho)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:00 at @ Kita-Aoyama 3-4-3 (Class Aoyama Apartment) and ended at 13:30. The day ran to 4 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tanaka Soba Shop (Asakusa) at 11:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 09:25, Imperial Palace at 10:15 and Sensoji Temple at 12:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Omotesando to Shibuya by subway (180JPY); Shibuya to Nijubashimae by subway (210JPY); Yurakucho to Ginza-itchome by subway (180JPY); Ginza to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Kamiyacho by subway (210JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 990JPY per person.
What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like Before Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to continue to Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.
At Shibuya, they were very interested in the lively atmosphere of the Scramble Crossing and took photos from the Starbucks in front of the intersection. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Sensoji Temple, they were fascinated by explanations of the difference between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. Based on the guests' request, I guided them to teamLab Borderless in Kamiyacho before we parted ways. Since I responded exactly as the guests had wished, I believe they were satisfied.
This private one-day Tokyo tour, arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), covered Shibuya, the Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple, and teamLab Borderless. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures.
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 | Omotesando～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shibuya～Nijubashimae | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Yurakucho～Ginza-itchome | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Ginza～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Asakusa～Kamiyacho | 210JPY |
| Total | 990JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Kita-Aoyama 3-4-3 (Class Aoyama Apartment) at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ teamLab Borderless (Kamiyacho) at 13:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 13:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Imperial Palace and Sensoji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 990JPY per person across 5 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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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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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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