Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Toshi
March, 2026
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
- 11:30 Asakusa (meet at the Culture Tourist Information Center), visited the observation space on the 8th floor of the center, Nakamise, and Sensoji Temple.
- 12:40 After finishing the Asakusa tour, went to Kappabashi at the guest's request. (They were interested in kitchen knives.)
- 13:15 After finishing Kappabashi, went from Tawaramachi to Tokyo Station.
- 13:45 Entered the special public opening of the Imperial Palace Inui Street.
- 14:30 After finishing, headed to Hanzomon Station and went to Shibuya.
- 15:10 After arriving in Shibuya, visited the Hachiko statue and the scramble crossing.
- 15:35 Parted ways at a spot where the scramble crossing can be seen from the overpass of the Inokashira Line.
What Is a Private Tokyo Tour to the Imperial Palace and Shibuya Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
By the start of the tour the rain had mostly stopped, and the afternoon turned sunny, which the guests were happy about. It was a Monday, so the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace would normally be closed, but from the 21st to the 29th the Inui Street inside the Imperial Palace grounds, which is not usually open to the public, was specially opened, and along with this the East Gardens were also open. I had discussed with the guests that we would go to Inui Street if it was not too crowded, and to the East Gardens if it was crowded, but Inui Street was not very crowded, so we went there. The guests were pleased, saying they were lucky to have visited Japan at such a good time. The cherry blossoms were only about 30 percent in bloom, but there were also fully bloomed weeping cherry trees and others, so I believe they enjoyed it. As a guide I also wanted to show them Chidorigafuchi, but since I did not want one of the guests to get too tired, we headed straight to Shibuya after the Imperial Palace.
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 | Tawaramachi (Tokyo)～Kanda (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kanda (Tokyo)～Tokyo | 160JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Hanzomon～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Total | 520JPY | ||
I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no need for us to do all the advance planning.
We had Mr. Toshihisa as a guide for a day in Hakone. We might have been able to do the route ourselves but it was great to have a day with no planning, it was all done ahead of time by Toshi. We got an early start to avoid spending too much time in queues, which was great. Toshi is very knowledgeable and shared many explanations, stories and anecdotes with us, which was most appreciated. The Hakone FreePass made it very easy to navigate all of the various styles of transportation – highly recommended. Overall for us, this was a great experience.
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a beautiful tour of places I would not have found on
my own.
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi San was a very well educated and friendly guide…
he took us to all the most beautiful and scenic places.. he also was very helpful person and
made sure we had a good vegetarian lunch
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are…
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are all 70+ with 1 guest using a walker, and the guide was very
accommodating and flexible to our restrictions. Guide was knowledgeable and interesting.
Excellent English. Very good at helping us navigate the trains and subway.