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
- 9:30 Meet @Hotel
- 10:15 Matsuchiyama Shoden
- Imado Shrine
- Asakusa
- 13:00 Lunch @Sansada
- 14:00 Kappabashi Kitchenware Street
- 15:50 Disband @Ueno Park
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:30, when the guide met the guests at @Hotel, and finished at 15:50. The day ran to 6 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @Sansada at 13:00.
From there the group visited Matsuchiyama Shoden at 10:15 and Kappabashi Kitchenware Street at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kokkai-gijidomae to Asakusa by Free Pass (700JPY); Tawaramachi to Ueno by subway (0JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 700JPY per person.
What Can You See on a Private Tour of Asakusa and Kappabashi in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe. At their request, they left everything up to me except for Imado Shrine, so I guided them around the Asakusa area including Imado Shrine, as well as the Kappabashi Kitchen Town.
When we met, they told me they had learned about Imado Shrine through social media. They also knew about Gotokuji Temple, another birthplace of the maneki-neko (beckoning cat), but chose Imado Shrine because Gotokuji was farther away.
Since arriving in Japan, the guests had been getting around by taxi and did not have an IC card, so they purchased a one-day subway pass and used public transportation on the day of the tour.
While viewing the hydrangeas beginning to bloom in Sumida Park, I guided them to Matsuchiyama Shoden and Imado Shrine. They were delighted that this part of Asakusa had hardly any tourists and was quiet and relaxing. At Matsuchiyama Shoden they purchased a goshuincho (stamp book) and collected temple stamps throughout the tour.
After visiting Asakusa Shrine and Sensoji Temple, we had lunch and walked to the Kappabashi Kitchen Town. There they bought an apron with a maneki-neko design and personalized chopsticks. Since the personalized chopsticks would take time to make, they arranged to have them shipped to their hotel.
At Kappabashi Kitchen Town, one of the guests took a liking to the tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines rather than the kappa, and took photos of them here and there. I had never noticed before, but once I paid attention, there were tanuki figurines all over the place.
Because they took their time shopping, we ran short on time, so I saw them off before the antique market at Ueno Park, which had been planned as our final stop, and we parted ways.
The guests had apparently signed up for various experience tours on their own, but they said they had wanted to join a tour like this one that lets them visit places they couldn't reach by themselves, and they were very pleased with this tour, which made me happy.
I hope they enjoy the rest of their trip in Japan.
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 | Kokkai-gijidomae～Asakusa | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tawaramachi～Ueno | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel at 9:30, and the tour finished at @Ueno Park at 15:50.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 9:30 to 15:50.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Matsuchiyama Shoden and Kappabashi Kitchenware Street.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 700JPY per person across 2 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?
Yoko 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.
I’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Yoko Kusmoto is exceptional . Her deep knowledge of Japan history, Tokyo’s
architecture and interesting Tokyo places made us appreciate all Tokyo has to offer. Her
smile, infectious laugh, kindness and interest added to our wonderful day.