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
- 09:10 Meet up @ Henn na Hotel Asakusabashi
- 09:50 Imperial Palace
- 11:20 Lunch @ Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya
- 11:50 Sensoji Temple
- 12:50 Akihabara
- 13:15 Disband @ Akihabara Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:10 at @ Henn na Hotel Asakusabashi and ended at 13:15. The day ran to 4 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya at 11:20.
Over the course of the day the route took in Imperial Palace at 09:50, Sensoji Temple at 11:50 and Akihabara at 12:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusabashi to Ochanomizu by train (160JPY); Shin-Ochanomizu to Nijubashimae by subway (180JPY); Yurakucho to Ginza-itchome by subway (180JPY); Ginza to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 910JPY per person.
What Is a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Akihabara
The guests were a group from Europe visiting Japan for the first time. Before coming to Tokyo, they had already visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone, and planned to return home after sightseeing in Tokyo. 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 interested in explanations about the differences between temples and shrines. It also happened that the Sanja Matsuri festival was being held that day, and they showed great interest in the enthusiasm of the people carrying the portable shrines. In Akihabara, one of the guests was a fan of anime, so they were very interested in the anime shops. As they said, "We can get back to the hotel on our own, so we would like to explore Akihabara a little more," we parted ways in Akihabara. Since I responded according to the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.
In the morning, I waited for more than 30 minutes in the second-floor lobby of the hotel, but even when the meeting time of 9:00 a.m. came, the guests did not appear. When I called their hotel room, there was no answer, so I called the guest phone number listed in the guest information, but that number turned out to be the phone number of a travel agency, and I could not reach the guests, which was very troubling. I had confirmed several times by email that the meeting point was the hotel lobby, but just to be sure, I went down to the first-floor entrance at 9:10 a.m., where the guests were waiting, and I was finally able to meet them.
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 | Asakusabashi～Ochanomizu | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shin-Ochanomizu～Nijubashimae | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Yurakucho～Ginza-itchome | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Ginza～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Asakusa～Suehirocho (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Total | 910JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Henn na Hotel Asakusabashi at 09:10, and the tour finished at @ Akihabara Station at 13:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 09:10 to 13:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple and Akihabara.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 910JPY 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
Jul 10, 2026
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Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。