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
- 9:30 Hotel→Meiji Shrine→Tsukiji→East Gardens of the Imperial Palace→15:10 Asakusa
What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji, and Asakusa
Today's guests were a group visiting from North America. I guided them to Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa.
The highlight was the irises at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, where the guests took the most photos. The next favorite was the bonsai festival at Meiji Shrine, which also drew great interest. Yesterday's guests also enjoyed the bonsai the most. This bonsai festival runs until June 10 and is exhibited free of charge, and it is quite impressive. Bonseki (tray stones) are also displayed alongside the bonsai, making it a perfect opportunity to explain both bonsai and bonseki.
The photo shows the cafeteria on the third floor of the Odawarabashi building at Tsukiji (it also serves as a food court, with a wide variety of menu items ranging from sushi and tempura to ramen and set meals; you can also buy sashimi and other items at the market on the first floor and eat them here). I often use this place when guiding people around the Tsukiji Outer Market.
This time, since one of the guests did not eat raw fish (while another liked sushi), instead of having lunch at a sushi restaurant in the outer market, I brought them here so that each could choose what they liked (one had ramen, another had a tuna rice bowl, and I had curry udon).
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 | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Yoyogi | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Yoyogi～Tsukiji Market | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Tsukiji～Hibiya | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Takebashi～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Total | 910JPY | ||
Hello ! My name is Kazuo Inoue, please call me ,”kazu”.
I started guide business in 2016, 8 years ago . So I have a lot of experience as a guide .
Also I have joined Tokyo city guide club ,specialising in Asakusa, Meiji shrine,Imperial Palace.
I have much of knowledge of Tokyo , especially history. I am a specialist of Tokyo.
I can guide not only main sightseeing spots , but also Tokyo off the beaten path ,
like Nezu Yanaka, Shibamata , the surbuarb of Tokyo.
( the photo is the ring of the Sumo-stadium in Ryogoku ,Tokyo)
I am looking forward to seeing you. kazu
May 26, 2026
jilliand744
Tokyo sightseeing
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a good experience with our guide Kazu. He…
May 26, 2026
jilliand744
Tokyo sightseeing
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a good experience with our guide Kazu. He was very nice and made sure whatever we wanted to see or know he would accommodate. We covered a lot of ground in the 6 hour tour. He took to a wonderfully delicious sushi restaurant.
We would have been lost without him and probably would have wandered circles all day. I’m very happy with our experience
Thank you Kazu.
May 7, 2026
artsZ6836LO
Kazu in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu was very flexible and knowledgeable
Made good suggestions…
May 7, 2026
artsZ6836LO
Kazu in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu was very flexible and knowledgeable
Made good suggestions for places to visit
Knew the subway system very well
Apr 20, 2026
Fran_R
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
A glance of Tokyo
A good overview of…
Apr 20, 2026
Fran_R
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
A glance of Tokyo
A good overview of Tokyo with a guide that was very accommodating for our wants and
needs. We saw all the places we had requested. It was a great experience
Apr 7, 2026
Passenger03573064762
From ancient traditions to rapid trains
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an ambitious set of…
Apr 7, 2026
Passenger03573064762
From ancient traditions to rapid trains
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an ambitious set of Tokyo sights to see located over a wide area of this busy city. Our guide, Kazu, led us through the day with a smile, giving us lots of historical background about each area. We rode so many subways that we lost count but we felt we got a strong sense of the city’s past and its current culture.