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
- 13:00 Depart from Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, North Exit, and start walking to the Imperial Palace tour
- 13:15-14:10 Tour around the Imperial Palace, guide through the East Gardens.
- 14:50 Arrive at Meiji-jingumae Station
- 15:00-16:00 Meiji Shrine tour
- 16:10-17:00 Shopping along Takeshita Street.
- 18:00 Arrive at Hotel JAL Kannai
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Their accommodation was located in Kannai, which is about one hour each way from Tokyo, so I explained that a four-hour tour would spend about two hours just on travel. As a result, they decided to come to Tokyo Station instead. From there, we walked to the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens. Since the guests were interested in Japanese gardens, we spent a good deal of time exploring them. At Meiji Shrine, there were many questions of a religious nature, and the guests showed a strong interest in comparative culture. The guests had been looking forward to shopping on Takeshita Street. When I suggested that we part ways there, they said they had no idea how to get back to their hotel in Kannai and asked if I could guide them there, offering to pay an extension fee. Without charging any additional fee, I escorted the guests to their hotel in Kannai. They were very grateful.
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 | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Kamata | 320JPY |
| Total | 530JPY | ||
I am certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time…
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time to Japan. Mitch was a great guide, recommending the key sights in Tokyo. He contacted us before the trip so that he could set up an itinery that worked for our family. We learned about the culture and also how to navigate the trains! Mitch even took us back to our hotel at the end. Thank you for a great first experience in Japan!
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots of locations in one day. Mitch our guide is
very knowledgeable and the nicest person we have ever met.
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He was very polite and knew the city very well, so there wasn’t a lost minute in our day. He asked me what my preferences were so he could customize my itinerary, and it was great! I was taken to see some hidden gems out of the traditional touristic circuits (and for that Im really thankful). I feel I learnt a lot about the history and culture of Japan, and I got to listen to many good anecdotes from Mitch. I also had a great soba for Lunch, in a very small and cozy restaurant. Arigatou gosaimasu, Mitch!
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic…
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic day with our guide Mitch, he was very knowledgeable, a kind man & very generous with his time.
Mitch suggested sushi train for lunch pleasing our granddaughter greatly.
I would recommend Mitch for any type of tour, given he has excellent English.
Deb, Neil, Kate, Joel, Calla & Bodhi
Adelaide, South Australia 😃