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 Pickup at hotel
- 10:30 Stroll through Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- 12:40 Lunch at Gonpachi Asakusa Azumabashi
- 13:30 Stroll through Asakusa
- 15:00 Wait for sumo wrestlers coming out at Ryogoku Kokugikan May tournament (photo with wrestlers)
- 15:30 Shopping at Ginza Mikimoto
- 16:00 Tour ends at Meiji Shrine
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour Like Including Sumo, Asakusa, and Ginza? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The Guests' Experience and Reactions One of the guests had some difficulty with their knee. Walking on flat ground was not a problem at all, but climbing and descending stairs required moving slowly. I tried to use elevators and escalators whenever possible, but at Asakusa Station the station entrances with such facilities were far away or inconveniently located, so moving around took more time than expected. For this reason, after visiting the Kokugikan, we used a taxi for the rest of the itinerary at the guests' request and expense. In addition, the guests requested to purchase pearls at Mikimoto in Ginza, so I adjusted the itinerary. After confirming with the guests that there would no longer be time to visit Meiji Shrine, I added a visit to Mikimoto and guided them to the first torii gate of Meiji Shrine, where the tour concluded. For this tour, I suggested waiting to see the sumo wrestlers after the May Grand Sumo Tournament. A lower-division wrestler who came out of the Kokugikan after finishing their bout kindly agreed to take a photo, and the guests were absolutely delighted. After the tour, I also received the following message from the guests. Thank you so much today. You were the icing on our Asia trip cake!!
2. Other Notes Since I had not been aware beforehand that one of the guests had difficulty with their knee, it took time to adjust our route, which is a point of reflection for me. Going forward, I will improve by confirming during pre-tour email exchanges whether any care regarding walking is needed, and by researching station layout maps in advance.
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 | Train | Akasaka-mitsuke～Suidobashi | 380JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Iidabashi～Asakusa | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Asakusa～Ryogoku | 330JPY |
| Total | 930JPY | ||
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru…
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.