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
- 9:00 Meet at the B&B in Okubo
- 9:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 11:30 Nezu Shrine
- 14:00 Ueno, Shinobazu Pond
- 14:30 Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, lunch soba
- 15:00 Akihabara
- 15:15 Disband at Bic Camera in Akihabara
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at B&B in Okubo and ended at 15:15. The day ran to 6 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shinjuku Gyoen at 9:30, Nezu Shrine at 11:30, Ueno, Shinobazu Pond at 14:00, Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, lunch soba at 14:30 and Akihabara at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Okubo to Sendagaya by train (170JPY); Shinjuku Gyoen to Nezu by subway (210JPY); Nezu Station to Ueno Park by bus (210JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho by subway (180JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 770JPY per person.
What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were very polite and showed great respect for Japanese culture, which impressed me. Their preferences had been clearly communicated in advance emails, which made it easy to build the plan. We entered Shinjuku Gyoen first thing in the morning through the Sendagaya Gate. I was glad it was uncrowded. The weeping cherry blossoms and Yoko-zakura were in full bloom, and the guests were delighted. To get from Nezu Shrine to Asakusa, we tried taking a bus via Ueno. It was my first time using this route, but if the timing works, it passes by Shinobazu Pond, so I think it makes a nice course. The buses do not run very frequently, but the local atmosphere was appreciated. In Asakusa, the guests tried several kinds of sweets and enjoyed the visit to the temple. At Akihabara, which the guests had specifically requested, their eyes lit up as they looked at smartphones, cameras, and figures. They were planning to visit teamLab afterward. I ended the tour hoping that this trip to Japan would become a wonderful memory for the group.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Okubo～Sendagaya | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shinjuku Gyoen～Nezu | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Nezu Station～Ueno Park | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Asakusa～Suehirocho | 180JPY |
| Total | 770JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at B&B in Okubo at 9:00, and the tour finished at Bic Camera in Akihabara at 15:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 15:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shinjuku Gyoen, Nezu Shrine, Ueno, Shinobazu Pond, Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, lunch soba and Akihabara.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 770JPY per person across 4 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?
Yumi 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’m YUMI. Japan is full of history, nature and culture. I would like to talk about them from many aspects. When you have some questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. There’re many off the beaten paths in Japan. If you want to walk in a hidden local area, I’ll tailor the special course as you wish.
Experiencing new foods is also one of many intriguing things during your trip. I would recommend anything from street foods such as Ramen, Yakitori to authentic Sushi or elegant courses. My policy is to cherish your feelings and time. Let’s enjoy talking and walking with me!
Jun 6, 2026
Michelle0309
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the tourist track in Tokyo
We had such a lovely time…
Jun 6, 2026
Michelle0309
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the tourist track in Tokyo
We had such a lovely time with our guide, Yumi. We wanted to visit places that showed us
life for Tokyo residents plus some architecture heroes. The four hours disappeared so
quickly and Yumi had planned our tour so efficiently, no wasted time. Yumi is a star!
May 25, 2026
lynnv748
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hakone was a highlight of our vacation
We loved our day…
May 25, 2026
lynnv748
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hakone was a highlight of our vacation
We loved our day with Yumi. She was so warm and friendly and very knowledgeable. She
took us to the major attractions in Hakone efficiently and helped us avoid long lines. We
took cable cars, a lovely boat ride and the bus.
May 20, 2026
Suzana F
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji Food and Toyosu Market with Government-Licensed Guide
We learned and enjoyed every minut
Yumi was a fanty…
May 20, 2026
Suzana F
Tripadvisor review: Tsukiji Food and Toyosu Market with Government-Licensed Guide
We learned and enjoyed every minut
Yumi was a fanty guide. She make us feel welcomed and tried to capture and pass to us
the history and current vibe of the markets. Also she give us insides into food and Japanese
culture.
May 14, 2026
Robert_L
Excellent tour with our outstanding guide, Yumi
Viator review: Tokyo 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Tea Ceremony Experience
Yumi is…
May 14, 2026
Robert_L
Excellent tour with our outstanding guide, Yumi
Viator review: Tokyo 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Tea Ceremony Experience
Yumi is an outstanding guide. She greatly assisted in guiding us in our choices of areas Tokyo to tour based on our likes. Yumi gave us a wealth of information on Japanese history and culture specific to the areas we toured. She met us in the lobby of our Tokyo hotel and guided us with travel using the Tokyo train and subway. We choose to see the Rikugien garden, the Asakusa area of Tokyo and the Sensoji Temple. The Japanese Tea ceremony was beautiful, calming and informative. Yumi helped us arrange to add wearing Kimonos for this experience. She graciously took our photos throughout this tour. She is such a lovely lady. We highly recommend this tour and have high praises for Yumi.