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
- 09:00 Meet in the Hotel Okura lobby. Reconfirm the pre-arranged guided course. (Sensoji Temple ~ Imperial Palace ~ Meiji Shrine ~ Shibuya Scramble Crossing)
- 09:45-11:45 Arrive at Asakusa → Azumabashi Bridge → Nakamise Shopping Street → Sensoji Temple → Asakusa Shrine, and before heading to the Imperial Palace, purchase tempura sold at the Sanjo counter and eat it while sitting on the chairs in front of the shop. Afterward, move to the front of Nijubashi Bridge.
- 12:20-13:10 Guide in front of the Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge. Explain about the Imperial Palace from the Edo Castle era to the present and the current Imperial Family. Afterward, move to Meiji Shrine.
- 13:30-14:20 Guide at Meiji Shrine. Afterward, move to Shibuya via the Yamanote Line.
- 14:30-15:00 Guide at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue. Afterward, move to Hotel Okura.
- 15:30 Deliver to Hotel Okura and say goodbye.
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Before an Ocean Cruise Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who came to Japan to join a cruise departing from Tokyo that would call at various ports, including Busan. They stayed one night at a hotel in Tokyo and, after the tour with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), moved by shuttle from the hotel to the cruise ship anchored in Tokyo Bay. This was the first visit to Japan for all in the group. One of the guests had studied about Japan in advance and even referred to Shinto deities as "Kami," asking many questions about the historical Japanese tradition of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. The others in the group took many photographs and clearly enjoyed the experience of Japan's distinctive cultural environment.
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 | Tameike-sanno～Asakusa | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa～Nijubashimae | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Harajuku～Shibuya | 150JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shibuya～Tameike-sanno | 0JPY |
| Total | 850JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.