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

  • 1. 08:45 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 08:50 Move∶Train
  • 3. 09:20 Stay @ Tokyo Station
  • 4. 09:25 Move∶Subway
  • 5. 09:50 Stay @ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 6. 10:05 Move∶Train
  • 7. 10:20 Stay @ Meiji Shrine
  • 8. 11:50 Move∶Subway
  • 9. 12:10 Stay @ Imperial Palace (exterior)
  • 10. 12:50 Move∶Subway
  • 11. 13:20 Lunch @ Tsukiji Uogashi Shokudo
  • 12. 14:10 Move∶Subway
  • 13. 14:35 Stay @ Sensoji Temple
  • 14. 15:25 Move∶Subway, Train
  • 15. 16:00 Disband @ Hotel

Can You Do a Private Day Trip in Tokyo Visiting Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report

This tour began at the same hotel as the previous day, with the same guests visiting from Oceania. We were able to meet up early, and since they already had a Suica card, we started smoothly.

As on the previous day, after arriving at Tokyo Station I showed the guests a little of the station building before moving on to the next spot. At Meiji Shrine we took a coffee break, so we stayed a bit longer there, but since the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were closed that day and I only guided them around the exterior, the total time came out about the same as usual. We arrived at Tsukiji a little later in the day, which made it easy to find open seats in the food court.

Since the way back to the hotel was somewhat complicated, after guiding them around Senso-ji Temple I saw them all the way back to the hotel, so we parted ways a little later than usual.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShiomi~Tokyo170JPY
Section 2SubwayTokyo~Shibuya210JPY
Section 3TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
Section 4SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
Section 5SubwayNijubashimae~Tsukiji180JPY
Section 6SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa290JPY
Section 7SubwayAsakusa~Hatchobori (Tokyo)290JPY
Section 8TrainHatchobori (Tokyo)~Shiomi170JPY
Total1,670JPY

Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

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