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

  • 0800 Hotel Tokyo Ginza (3 min from Ginza Station on the Ginza Line) Meet. Explain the historical background of Ginza. Kabukiza Theatre. Tsukiji Outer Market. Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
  • 0930 Asakusa. Nakamise. Sensoji Temple. Asakusa Shrine
  • 1140 Shinjuku. 3D Cat Display. Godzilla Head
  • 1215 Harajuku. Visit Meiji Jingu. Takeshita Street
  • 1350 Shibuya. Hachiko Statue. Scramble Crossing. Explain the route to Parco and the route to Nakameguro where the participants will have a tea ceremony experience
  • 1400 Dismissal

Can You Do a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo from Tsukiji to Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, making their first trip to Japan. One of the guests had previously worked at a game company in North America, and had relatives who taught English in Japan, so they had many opportunities to interact with Japanese people before, but this was their first time actually visiting.

They planned to stay in Tokyo for a few nights, then continue on through Hakone and Hamamatsu before touring Kyoto. They had put together quite a full itinerary.

Today, after my tour ended at 14:00, they had a tea ceremony experience scheduled from 16:00 in Nakameguro, with dinner reserved in Ginza. Tomorrow they planned to visit TeamLab Borderless and others, and a car-accompanied tour of Hakone had also been arranged.

Since we started early in the morning, we strolled toward Tsukiji while adjusting for the time until the shops in Asakusa opened. However, the guests had already walked to Tsukiji first thing in the morning and eaten strawberries there. Even so, they enjoyed sashimi, and also tried and savored whale meat, which they said they could not eat in North America.

At Nakamise and Takeshita Street, they bought various souvenirs.

Since they had about an hour of free time in Shibuya and wanted to buy Pokémon souvenirs at PARCO, I explained the route to them and we parted ways.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayTsukiji – Ueno~Asakusa209JPY
Section 2SubwayAsakusa – Akasaka-mitsuke~Shinjuku252JPY
Section 3TrainShinjuku~Harajuku146JPY
Section 4TrainHarajuku~Shibuya146JPY
Total753JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…