Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Toshi
December, 2025
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
- 09:00 Hotel
- 09:00~10:15 Pass below Tokyo Tower, in front of Zojoji Temple, the Kasumigaseki government district, and the front of the National Diet Building, then circle halfway around the Imperial Palace clockwise, get off at Hirakawa Gate, and stroll through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace.
- 11:00 Exit through Otemon Gate and head to Akihabara.
- 11:30~13:00 At Akihabara, split into groups of several people each and shop, play games, etc., according to their interests. The guide attends to the elderly couple.
- 13:10 Gather and board at the same place where we got off. Head to Asakusa.
- 13:35 Arrived at Asakusa for a late lunch, after which we planned to see Sensoji Temple, but the rain got a little heavier. After much discussion within the group, we ultimately decided to return to the hotel in Shibuya.
- 13:35~15:00 Since we had a little time to spare, we returned to Shibuya from Nihonbashi via Ginza. It being year-end and also Christmas Eve, there was traffic congestion, and we arrived at the hotel at exactly 15:00 and disbanded.
Private Tokyo Group Tour Report: What Is a Rainy-Day Walking Tour of the Imperial Palace and Asakusa Like?
It was rainy and cold all day. The guests had walked about 10 km around Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, and other spots on their first day in Tokyo, so after finishing the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, some of the guests told the group leader that they did not want to walk any further in the rain. (From my perspective as a local, it was not much rain at all.) When we arrived in Asakusa in the afternoon, the rain grew a little stronger, and one or two of the guests strongly insisted on returning to the hotel, so in the end everyone followed.
The group as a whole did not particularly voice any complaints, but I could not tell the overall level of satisfaction. As for giving up on Asakusa so easily, they mentioned that after their trip to Kyoto they would return to Tokyo again and had booked a hotel close to Asakusa for that time, so perhaps they felt they would have another chance to visit. I also think the sudden drop in temperature compared to the previous days played a part.
In addition, I keenly realized that it is not easy to bring together the opinions of a group spanning several generations.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
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.