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
- 9:00 Hotel Ginza Kyobashi Meet
- 9:30～10:40 Meiji Shrine sightseeing
- 10:50～11:20 Takeshita Street sightseeing
- 11:50～12:20 Imperial Palace (from the Garden Terrace)
- 12:25～13:00 Lunch
- 13:40～15:00 Asakusa sightseeing
- 15:05 Tour ends after visiting Senso-ji Temple
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at Hotel Ginza Kyobashi Meet, and finished at 15:05. The day ran to 6 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at 12:25.
From there the group visited Meiji Shrine sightseeing at 9:30, Takeshita Street sightseeing at 10:50, Imperial Palace (from the Garden Terrace) at 11:50 and Asakusa sightseeing at 13:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyobashi to Meiji-jingumae by subway (209JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Hibiya by subway (178JPY); Hibiya to Asakusa by subway (209JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 596JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, and this was the second day of their stay in Tokyo after traveling from Osaka through Hakone. Despite the rain, they were deeply moved by Meiji Shrine and purchased many good-luck charms. The Imperial Palace was mostly hidden by the rain, but I used materials on my iPad to explain the history of the emperors, the shoguns, the town of Edo, and Edo Castle. The guests listened attentively and asked many questions. Because lunch had been reserved in advance, everything went smoothly and we were able to use our time efficiently, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing in Asakusa. The guests took an interest in Japanese bakeries, and purchased many kinds of bread to eat at their accommodation, such as anpan, melon pan, and cream pan.
At the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa, they stopped at many shops, enjoyed samples, and bought ningyo-yaki, sweet beans, rice crackers, and matcha. Since there are strict restrictions on bringing food into Oceania, they seemed eager to try many things while in Japan. They were also interested in the differences between how to worship at shrines and temples, and they purified their hands properly at the water pavilion and prayed according to the proper etiquette. We finished visiting Senso-ji Temple around 15:00 and concluded the tour.
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 | Subway | Kyobashi～Meiji-jingumae | 209JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Hibiya | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Hibiya～Asakusa | 209JPY |
| Total | 596JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel Ginza Kyobashi Meet at 9:00, and the tour finished at Tour ends after visiting Senso-ji Temple at 15:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 15:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine sightseeing, Takeshita Street sightseeing, Imperial Palace (from the Garden Terrace) and Asakusa sightseeing.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 596JPY per person across 3 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?
Hide 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.
About HIDE
Hello, my name is Hideki (HIDE), a licensed tour guide based in Tokyo.
I spent more than 40 years working in the airline industry, including 12 years living and working overseas.
During that time, I had extensive opportunities to interact with people from Europe, the United States, and Asia. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for cultural exchange and shaped the warm, attentive hospitality I now bring to my tours.
My goal is to help visitors enjoy Japan in a relaxed and meaningful way—through not only sightseeing, but also friendly communication, small discoveries, and genuine local experiences. I want guests to leave Japan with a deeper understanding of the culture and a lasting fondness for the country.
I mainly guide private tours (FIT) in Tokyo, introducing both iconic highlights and hidden local spots that are often missed by first-time visitors. Tours to Kamakura, Hakone, and Nikko can also be arranged upon request.
Guests often tell me that touring with me feels like traveling with a knowledgeable local friend—something I consider the greatest compliment. I look forward to welcoming you and sharing an enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable time together.
Languages: English, Indonesian
Max group size: Up to 4 people
Contact:
📱 +81-80-5118-2800 (WhatsApp available)
📧 morikin57@yahoo.co.jp
Apr 6, 2026
Mercedes_G
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Great guide in Tokyo
Wonderful tour with friendly…
Apr 6, 2026
Mercedes_G
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Great guide in Tokyo
Wonderful tour with friendly Hide, thank you so much for showing us a bit of lovely Tokyo
city, we really enjoyed. Highly recommended *****
May 30, 2025
Paradise22352245597
Great! Hide was the best!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I did this with my brother on…
May 30, 2025
Paradise22352245597
Great! Hide was the best!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I did this with my brother on our first day of our amazing Japan trip and were so glad we did! Our friend for the day, Hide, was the nicest and knowledgeable guide we could have ever asked for.
Some of my favorite pictures of the trip were i the various spots we chose. Hide if you read this we can’t thank you enough for giving us the best note to start off the best two weeks we could have imagined on :).
※お世話になっております。JGA佐藤です。メールでご連絡いただき、誠にありがとうございました。
レビュー内容から“Hide”さんであることは分かっていたのですが、東京には“Hide”というニックネームのガイドが複数おり、どの方か特定ができず、そのままになっておりました。
今回ご連絡いただけて、本当に助かりました。ありがとうございます。
今後スムーズに確認ができるよう、もし可能であれば、ゲストの方へレビュー投稿時にフルネームでご記載いただくことをおすすめいただくか、もしくは他の方と重複しにくいニックネームにご変更いただくなど、ご協力を賜れますと幸いです。今後とも、何卒よろしくお願いいたします。
May 15, 2025
TrishaK454
Personalized tour with a very lovely guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was a delightful guide.…
May 15, 2025
TrishaK454
Personalized tour with a very lovely guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was a delightful guide. He spent many hours preparing our itinerary and even planned
a special surprise for my husbands birthday. He was informative and very kind, also helping
us secure our tickets to Hakone. Thank you Hide!
Apr 29, 2025
Imelda_B
Grateful
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was amazing tour guide. He organised our itinerary very well.…
Apr 29, 2025
Imelda_B
Grateful
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Hide was amazing tour guide. He organised our itinerary very well. Tell us about history and
culture of their country. Which is really good for a tourist like us it’s a good learning
opportunity. I highly recommend him. Thank a lot Hide from the bottom of our hearts.