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
- 10:00 Hotel
- 10:40 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 12:00 Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Fish Market (Lunch)
- 14:00 Tokyo Tower
- 15:00 Matcha Latte in Shinjuku
- 16:00 Escort to Takashimaya, disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Imperial Palace East Gardens at 10:40, Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Fish Market (Lunch) at 12:00, Tokyo Tower at 14:00, Matcha Latte in Shinjuku at 15:00 and Escort to Takashimaya, disband at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Iidabashi by train (167JPY); Iidabashi to Takebashi by subway (178JPY); Otemachi to Tsukiji by subway (178JPY); Tsukiji to Kamiyacho by subway (178JPY); Daimon to Shinjuku by subway (220JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 921JPY per person.
Cherry Blossoms and Tsukiji: What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. After viewing the cherry blossoms at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, we went to Tsukiji, but since they were unsure which shop to choose, I selected one for them. I told them that lunch usually costs within about 2,000 yen and that this price range is a good choice, and they were very grateful that, thanks to the guide, they were able to avoid shops that overcharge tourists. At Tsukiji, they mentioned they had been asked to bring back some shichimi (Japanese seven-spice), but they wanted one with the highest proportion of paprika, which is not common in Japan, so we were unable to find it.
Since the guests were from North America, they were dressed lightly even though the high for the day was 9 degrees, but as it grew colder they wanted to buy a jacket, so I guided them to the North Face store at Shinjuku Takashimaya, and the tour came to an end.
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 | Shinjuku～Iidabashi | 167JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Iidabashi～Takebashi | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Otemachi～Tsukiji | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Tsukiji～Kamiyacho | 178JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Daimon～Shinjuku | 220JPY |
| Total | 921JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Fish Market (Lunch), Tokyo Tower, Matcha Latte in Shinjuku and Escort to Takashimaya, disband.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 921JPY per person across 5 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?
Sam 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.
Hi, I’m Sam.
I am happy to welcome you all to Japan.
Since I was a child, my parents welcomed many international students into our home and I had many opportunities to interact with them. My mother is a translator, and I have always seen her guiding foreigners around Japan, so it was natural for me to start doing the same.
I am good at guiding people to popular places such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Asakusa, as well as photogenic spots in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Since I was a child, I’ve watched anime like Pokémon and played Nintendo games, and I still buy around 100 manga comic books a month. I love shopping in Akihabara! I currently live in Urayasu City, Chiba, so close that I can see fireworks from Disneyland from my house every night.
Please feel free to ask me anything!
Jul 10, 2026
Brooke_J
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tokyo History Modernized!
This tour was a wonderful experience.…
Jul 10, 2026
Brooke_J
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Tokyo History Modernized!
This tour was a wonderful experience. Sayumi-San (Sam) was an absolutely amazing tour guide. She met me at my hotel and was a complete professional from the word ‘go.’ We did a good amount of walking to the sights/sites and rode the train to some places that were farther away from each other. Sam was very knowledgeable about the history of Japan and the places we visited. She was very respectful of my interests and curated a tour that fit well with what I wanted to see. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her and the tour.
The six hour tour included lunch. I recommend bringing water, though, while walking around and bringing a hat or small umbrella because the sun can be brutal. Finally, wear comfortable shoes.
Jun 19, 2026
Catherine_S
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
We had a wonderful time with Sam, who took our…
Jun 19, 2026
Catherine_S
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
We had a wonderful time with Sam, who took our requests and made them into a
manageable itinerary. She was wonderful with our daughter, too! Highly recommended.
Jun 7, 2026
Elena_Q
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun visit to Tokyo!
Wonderful customized tour of Tokyo with Sam. She…
Jun 7, 2026
Elena_Q
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun visit to Tokyo!
Wonderful customized tour of Tokyo with Sam. She meticulously coordinated our itinerary based on our preferences and included great local places to eat that were reasonably priced and delicious. Her insights and own personal experiences made the visit extra special.
May 12, 2026
Leonard B
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome experience with a very knowledgeable friendly guide.
We had an…
May 12, 2026
Leonard B
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Awesome experience with a very knowledgeable friendly guide.
We had an amazing time in our tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We hit all of the main sites in Tokyo. Each stop our guide walked us through the experience and we felt immersed in the local culture. Would highly recommend this tour guide.