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
- 13:00 Hotel Ginza Takaracho
- 13:30 Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
- 14:00 Asakusa & Don Quijote (shopping)
- 15:00 Okachimachi & Takeya (shopping)
- 17:00 Hotel Ginza Takaracho
- (Ended earlier than planned at the guest's request, as they were very tired and wanted to return to the hotel)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Hotel Ginza Takaracho at 13:00, Asakusa & Sensoji Temple at 13:30, Asakusa & Don Quijote (shopping) at 14:00, Okachimachi & Takeya (shopping) at 15:00 and Hotel Ginza Takaracho at 17:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Takaracho to Asakusa by subway (220JPY); Asakusa to Shin-Okachimachi by subway (170JPY); Okachimachi to Takaracho by subway (290JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 680JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Asakusa and Okachimachi Shopping
The guests were a group visiting from Asia. They had arrived in Tokyo on an overnight flight that morning, and had spent the morning before the tour walking around the Ginza area near their accommodation, as check-in was not yet available.
When we met, I handed over a draft itinerary (Asakusa → Sumida River cruise → Odaiba → Meiji Shrine → Shibuya) and confirmed their wishes. They said they first wanted to go to Asakusa and then shop around the Ueno-Okachimachi area, so we set off by subway.
After visiting Senso-ji Temple, they mentioned they also wanted to see a Don Quijote store, so I guided them there, but they could not find much of what they were looking for, so we moved on to Takeya in Okachimachi. There they purchased many items, including a suitcase, cosmetics, and snacks. The original plan was to visit Meiji Shrine and Shibuya after shopping, but due to the intense heat and tiredness from the overnight flight, and with a Mount Fuji sightseeing trip planned for the next day, they wished to return to the accommodation and relax. We took connecting subway lines together to the Hotel, where they checked in, and the tour ended around 17:00. It seemed they enjoyed their main goal of shopping, but the heat was extremely severe and they became very tired. English conversation was difficult for the group, so I mainly communicated with the one member who spoke English best.
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 | Takaracho～Asakusa | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Asakusa～Shin-Okachimachi | 170JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Okachimachi～Takaracho | 290JPY |
| Total | 680JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hotel Ginza Takaracho, Asakusa & Sensoji Temple, Asakusa & Don Quijote (shopping), Okachimachi & Takeya (shopping) and Hotel Ginza Takaracho.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 680JPY per person across 3 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?
Sam 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.
Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
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