Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Lance
October, 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
- (1)10.00 Meet at the lobby of Via Inn Nihombashi Ningyocho
- (2)10.20-11.40 Imperial Palace
- (3)12.00-1350 Tsukiji Outer Market
- (4)13.50-14.30 lunch
- (5)14.50-15.40 Koishikawa Korakuen 300Yen(150Yen)
- From the west exit heading south then east to Iidabashi Sobu Line Yoyogi Harajuku
- JR railway & subway from Iidabashi to Harajyuku (@178Yen)
- (5)16.00-16.30 Takeshita Street
Title: What Is a 6-Hour Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Imperial Palace and Koishikawa Korakuen Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting from Europe. They had booked tickets for the Grand Sumo tournament's overseas performance back in March and attended the opening day. They mentioned that once a week they volunteer, collecting expired food and providing it to low-income households.
Since this was a 6-hour tour involving around 20,000 steps, I asked in advance whether they would be comfortable with the amount of walking, just to be safe. They replied that they were both extremely fit and strong walkers. Even so, on the day, one of the guests began to feel unwell on the stairs heading toward Koishikawa Korakuen, which gave me a scare.
Beforehand, one of the guests had contacted me saying they wanted to go to "kaisendo" in Tsukiji. I could not find a restaurant by that name online, so I replied asking whether they meant a "seafood rice bowl," and it turned out they were referring to "kaisendon." I took them to a place that is reasonable, clean, and excellent in taste. When I asked a young man from Europe seated next to us how he had learned about the restaurant, he said, "I asked an AI." I was amazed.
At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, I explained that a wooden facility had been built here for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, where the Daijosai ceremony was held. One of the guests asked how many days the facility had stood. I looked it up while we were traveling by subway and answered that it had been open to the public for 20 days after the Daijosai ended. One of the guests also asked how the mosaic mural on the wall of the Tokagakudo concert hall had been colored, and I answered that the mural is made of ceramic panels colored with glaze, and that the design was conceived by the wife of Emperor Showa. At Koishikawa Korakuen, I explained that Tokugawa Mitsukuni, who completed this garden, became the protagonist of a television drama, and I sang the chorus of the theme song of "Mito Komon," translating it into English for them.
One of the guests asked whether Japan was short of rice, and I answered that this year supply was likely to exceed demand. They mentioned that their own family had once been farmers, and that in their home country too there are few people to carry on farming.
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 | Ningyocho～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Takebashi～Tsukiji | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukiji～Korakuen | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Suidobashi～Harajuku | 180JPY |
| Total | 720JPY | ||
I have been working as a tour guide once a week since the autumein 2024. I got 5 star ratings from 32 individuals or groups succesively.
Previously, I have been working with grain business for 43 years. I was sent to a subsidiary office in New Orleans for three years.
I love Japanese history, culture and nature and want as many viaitors as possible to know the good and beautiful things about Japan. There’s a Zen teaching that I hold dear. That is ‘Ichi-go ichie’, which means ’Treasure every encounter as it may not come again’. Looking forward to see you!
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He…
Jul 4, 2026
317roxaneh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great time in Tokyo!
We had a great day with Lance! He had a good sense of humor and was so kind to meet us at our Air BnB, which was a bit out of the way. He gave us a great crash course on Japanese history before heading out on our adventure around Tokyo, visiting shrines, markets, a museum and garden. It was so helpful to have him with us navigating the train system, and he took us to an amazing sushi place for a lovely lunch. All in all, it was really fun and we were able to better appreciate the places we visited with him providing information and history along the way. Would definitely recommend!…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10,…
Jul 1, 2026
Voyager795644
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo private family tour
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10, 12) had a fantastic experience with Lance as a tour guide on our full day Tokyo tour. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very flexible with kids on the trip. We highly recommend him!
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and…
Jun 26, 2026
Leslie_B
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Market, temples, Nature, and a great guide
This tour is amazing and Lance was such a great guide. my mother is handicapped and Lance researched the best ways to use the train stations always found us an elevator or ramp. He knew so much about the Japanese culture and history. His English was very strong and easily understood. The temples and markets were beautiful. Two things that really made Lance stand out as a great guide was when we went to the offering area at one of the temples Lance didn’t want us to miss out because we didn’t have a coin so he provided on for each of us. The second thing was I asked a question that he wasn’t sure the answer to, but after the tour I was surprised to see a message from Lance answering my question. He did not gain anything from this I had already paid and tipped him it really just reflected how amazing and dedicated to his job Lance was.thank you Lance for making our tour of Japan so special.
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me…
Jun 17, 2026
JKing275
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour of Tokyo
Our guide, Lance was exceptional! He immediately contacted me after I booked, guiding me through the options. Several days before the tour, rain was in the forecast. Lance revised our options to include mostly indoor tours. He also requested our likes and dislikes prior to picking a lunch spot.
Lance was very knowledgeable about Japan’s history. We appreciated his explanations at each tour site. Descriptions were a nice overview without being overly detailed. Lance’s organization and timing for each stop was spot on and his English was excellent.
It was a pleasure to spend the day with Lance. He epitomized the Japanese culture with his calmness, true kindness and respect for all!