Tokyo: Meiji Shrine & Senso-ji Temple — Guide Seizo

June, 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

  • 09:55　Meet up @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (departing by private car)
  • 10:20　Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
  • 10:45　Meiji Shrine
  • 11:40　Shinjuku Gyoen
  • 12:15　Godzilla Store (Shinjuku 3-chome)
  • 13:15　Imperial Palace
  • 14:15　Lunch @ Tanaka Soba Shop (Asakusa branch)
  • 14:45　Senso-ji Temple
  • 16:00　Disband @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 09:55 at @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (departing by private car) and ended at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tanaka Soba Shop (Asakusa branch) at 14:15.

Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 10:20, Meiji Shrine at 10:45, Shinjuku Gyoen at 11:40, Godzilla Store (Shinjuku 3-chome) at 12:15, Imperial Palace at 13:15 and Senso-ji Temple at 14:45.

What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report (Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, Asakusa)

The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. Before coming to Tokyo, they had already visited Hiroshima, and after sightseeing in Tokyo they planned to return home. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed admiring the beautiful roses in the rose garden. At the Godzilla Store, one of the guests was a big fan of Godzilla and purchased many Godzilla goods. 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 Senso-ji Temple, they listened with interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines and about Kaminarimon Gate. I responded to the guests' wishes as requested, so I believe they were satisfied.

This tour included a vehicle, so there were no advance transportation expenses for the guide.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Seizo

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

Request Booking

Jul 10, 2026
surferbikerdude1
Tripadvisor review: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Beautiful Tour of Kamakura
Seizo Kamiuto was out…

Jun 9, 2026
stacy_grana
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with an experienced guide
Our guide, Seizo, was amazing.…

Jun 6, 2026
U9351HJjakes
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Tour
Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…

May 20, 2026
HugoJ670
Tripadvisor review: Edo Tokyo & Japanese Culture Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende…