Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine & Akihabara — Guide Seizo
September, 2025
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
- 10:20 Meet up @ Hotel Groove Shinjuku
- 10:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 11:15 Meiji Shrine
- 12:40 Imperial Palace
- 13:40 Tsukiji Market
- 14:45 Sensoji Temple
- 15:45 Akihabara
- 16:40 Disband @ Hotel Groove Shinjuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:20 at @ Hotel Groove Shinjuku and ended at 16:40. The day ran to 6 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 10:50, Meiji Shrine at 11:15, Imperial Palace at 12:40, Tsukiji Market at 13:40, Sensoji Temple at 14:45 and Akihabara at 15:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku-sanchome to Shibuya by subway (180JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (210JPY); Nijubashimae to Tsukiji by subway (180JPY); Tsukiji to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY); Akihabara to Shinjuku by train (180JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,290JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report Covering Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Akihabara
The guests were visitors from Europe on their first trip to Japan. They had arrived at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal this morning by cruise ship and planned to enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo before returning home. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they were interested to hear explanations about the difference between shrines and temples, as well as about the Kaminarimon Gate. In Akihabara, they enjoyed browsing shops selling anime and related goods. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes throughout, I believe they were satisfied. As the guests planned to join a food tour after this tour, we proceeded without lunch.
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 | Shinjuku-sanchome～Shibuya | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Nijubashimae | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijubashimae～Tsukiji | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Tsukiji～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Suehirocho (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Akihabara～Shinjuku | 180JPY |
| Total | 1,290JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Groove Shinjuku at 10:20, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Groove Shinjuku at 16:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 10:20 to 16:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Market, Sensoji Temple and Akihabara.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,290JPY per person across 7 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?
Seizo 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 am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing. He was informative without being overwhelming, matched
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Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。