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
- 1. 9:00 Meet up @ the b ginza
- 2. 9:10 @ Ginza (Ginza main street [Cafe Paulista, Shiseido, Ginza LION, M Ginza Whisky Museum, Kyukyodo, Ginza Mitsukoshi]
- 3. 10:00 @ Tsukiji Market
- 4. 11:00 @ Meiji Shrine
- 5. 12:00 @ Aoyama Cemetery
- 6. 12:30 Lunch @ "Gonpachi" (Nishi-Azabu)
- 7. 13:30 @ Roppongi (Roppongi Hills, Roppongi Crossing, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi)
- 8. 14:15 @ Omotesando (Aoyama Flower Market, Sou Sou Kyoto, Blue Note Tokyo, Taro Okamoto Museum, Nezu Museum)
- 9. 15:00 @ Shibuya (Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, Midori no Madoguchi)
- 10. 15:30 @ Shimbashi (Midori no Madoguchi)
- 11. 15:50 Dismissal @ the b ginza
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Omotesando, and Shibuya
The guests were part of a group visiting Japan for the first time from Europe, who had been friends for many years. The main purpose of this trip to Japan was to attend the Osaka Expo, which they planned to enter over two days in mid-April after sightseeing at Mount Fuji and in Kyoto. They conversed in German, and one of the guests could speak German, Spanish, English, French, and Italian. The other found English a little difficult to use, so the details of my guiding in English were interpreted into German by their companion to deepen understanding. One of the guests laughingly shared that they had been asked to bring home a goshuincho (temple/shrine stamp book) as a souvenir. So at Meiji Shrine, they had the goshuincho stamped and dated with brush calligraphy right before their eyes, and were very delighted. The goshuincho counter at Meiji Shrine often has a long line, but fortunately this time we were able to get through with only about a 10-minute wait.
For lunch, I guided them to "Gonpachi" in Nishi-Azabu, which was the inspiration for the film Kill Bill, and they were greatly moved to be able to sit and have lunch there themselves. The shops in Omotesando were chosen to cover points the guests had raised, though there were also quite a few they had noted as wishes without fully knowing what to expect. There were also some places where the image of the shop name differed from what the shop actually offered. However, while strolling around the Aoyama and Omotesando area, it happened to be cherry blossom season, so I introduced them to the nearby Aoyama Cemetery, and passing through the tunnel of blossoming cherry trees, they were deeply impressed and took many photos. At Shibuya, our final stop, we stopped by the JR ticket office at Shibuya Station to validate the JR ticket, but the procedure could not be completed because the passport had been left behind, so just before returning to the hotel I pointed out the JR ticket office at Shimbashi Station. From there, so they could easily return on their own later, I saw them off to the Hotel about a 5-minute walk away and we said goodbye.
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 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Tsukiji Station～Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station～Nogizaka Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nogizaka Station～Omotesando Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Omotesando Station～Shibuya Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shibuya Station～Shimbashi Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a…
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a great guide and just a wonderful human being that felt like an old friend. We had first visited Tokyo eight years ago, so we had not planned on getting a tour, but we felt like we got both a Food Tour and a cultural tour with her and we were so grateful for both. My daughter is moving to Japan, and so we were excited to be here but we were disappointed that we had not been able to find vegetarian food as easily. Noripy had tips and tricks and language she suggested we use and helped us with our first vegan ramen which was excellent. I highly recommend anything you can do with a Noripy, you should run and go do it! She trained at Boston University and international relations, and had ties with both my daughters from her schooling which tickled us with delight. She is a spry woman and the kindest soul and I’m so glad our paths crossed as Tokyo came to life through her welcoming eyes. We were nervous about going on this tour because we had a bad experience with a different tour with someone else the night before, but she restored our faith in humanity and tour guides and that was a tall order.
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was…
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
Best Post cruise tour ever
It was a GREAT TOUR with Noripy! With a family of many different ages and walking levels this was fantastic. We were picked up from our cruise in Yokohama and dropped off at Haneda airport. We had about 10 hours before our flight and it went flawlessly.
June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…
June 19, 2026
Alec T
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
Noripy was excellent! She guided us through several parts of the city: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Sangedatsumon, Zojo-ji, Meiji Jingu, and Golden Gai. A great way to see many Tokyo sites and get acquainted with the city on your first day!
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady who managed to fit all the iconic Tokyo spots into my 6-hour tour without anything feeling rushed. She was knowledgeable, organised, and genuinely kind. Toward the end she even helped me with some shopping, which I really appreciated. A wonderful introduction to Tokyo and a guide I’d happily recommend….