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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
  • 10:20 Meiji Shrine
  • 11:30 Imperial Palace
  • 12:20 Lunch @ Tokyo Station underground mall ramen shop (Soranoiro NIPPON)
  • 13:50 Sensoji Temple
  • 15:00 Akihabara
  • 16:10 Disband @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 10:00 at @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya and ended at 16:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tokyo Station underground mall ramen shop (Soranoiro NIPPON) at 12:20.

Over the course of the day the route took in Meiji Shrine at 10:20, Imperial Palace at 11:30, Sensoji Temple at 13:50 and Akihabara at 15:00.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (600JPY); Tokyo to Ueno by train (170JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (0JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho by subway (0JPY); Akihabara to Shimbashi by train (170JPY); Shimbashi to Shibuya by subway (0JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,090JPY per person.

What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America for the first time, planning to travel to Kyoto after sightseeing in Tokyo. They seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere of Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace. At Senso-ji Temple, the guests enjoyed shopping for souvenirs and other items. We had lunch at a ramen restaurant that offered options suited to their preferences. Since I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
Section 2SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae600JPY
Section 3TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
Section 4SubwayUeno~Asakusa0JPY
Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
Section 6TrainAkihabara~Shimbashi170JPY
Section 7SubwayShimbashi~Shibuya0JPY
Total1,090JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya at 10:00, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya at 16:10.

How long does the tour last?

About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 16:10.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple and Akihabara.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 1,090JPY per person across 7 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?

Seizo 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 am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

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