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

  • 1. ​9:30 Meet @ Hotel Hillarys Akasaka
  • 2. 9:45 @ Meiji Shrine (First Torii, Second Torii, Sake Barrels, Wine Barrels, Purification Fountain, Meoto Kusu (Couple Camphor Trees), Main Hall, Car Purification Hall, etc.)
  • 3. 11:10 @ Imperial Palace East Gardens (Ote-mon Gate, Hyakunin-bansho Guardhouse, Fujimi-yagura Turret, Honmaru Lawn, Bamboo Grove, Castle Keep, Shiomizaka Slope, Ninomaru Garden, etc.)
  • 4. 12:40 Lunch @ Asakusa Gonpachi
  • 5. 13:30 @ Asakusa (Azuma Bridge, Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, Hozomon Gate, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, etc.)
  • 6. 15:00 Break @ Umezono
  • 7. 15:30 Dismissal @ Asakusa Station

What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa

I met the guests at their hotel in Akasaka and first took them to Meiji Shrine. After that, we moved to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and finally I took them to Asakusa. In Asakusa, we had lunch at a restaurant, and then we walked around to see Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, Hozomon Gate, the main hall of Senso-ji Temple, and the five-story pagoda. We enjoyed oshiruko at a shop on Nakamise Shopping Street before parting ways at Asakusa Station. The guests were very interested in Japanese history, culture, and current social affairs, so I explained a variety of topics such as the history of the Tokugawa shogunate and the Imperial family, modernization from the Meiji era onward, and recent social conditions since the collapse of the economic bubble, and they were very pleased.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainAkasaka~Meiji-jingumae180JPY
Section 2TrainMeiji-jingumae~Otemachi210JPY
Section 3TrainTokyo~Asakusa350JPY
Total740JPY

Hello! My name is Tak. I am a government licensed guide interpreter since March 2017. I specialize mainly in Tokyo and Kawagoe/Saitama area. I have an extensive overseas experience, starting with my study abroad in the U.S. and continuing with expatriate experiences in both U.S. and Asia. I enjoy interacting and communicating with people from overseas, so I would be happy to use my knowledge and experience to help foreign guests enjoy Japanese culture, history, rich nature, and delicious food. I look forward to guiding you in creating wonderful memories of your time in Japan.

May 30, 2026
JamesL_S
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tak was great.
Tak our guide was wonderful. If you could get…

May 24, 2026
scottdY5844QU
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Tokyo Guided Tour
Tak was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable on all…

May 14, 2026
MartyCow
Great tours of Tokyo with Tak!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked 2 tours with our…

Apr 11, 2026
M8348RDalexw
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Memorable day with Takashi
Tak was fantastic to spend the day with…