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. 08:55 Transit∶Subway, Train
  • 3. 09:25 Stay@Shibuya Scramble Crossing
  • 4. 09:45 Transit∶Subway
  • 5. 10:10 Stay@Imperial Palace (Exterior), Tokyo Station
  • 6. 11:10 Transit∶Subway
  • 7. 11:30 Stay@Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 8. 12:30 Lunch@Tsukiji Sushisei Shinkan
  • 9. 13:55 Transit∶Subway
  • 10. 14:35 Stay@Senso-ji Temple
  • 11. 15:40 Disband@Senso-ji Temple Kaminarimon Gate

What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji, and Asakusa

The guests were visitors from North America, and one of them had family roots in Japan. One of the guests had visited Japan several times before and was especially familiar with the geography of western Japan.

The original plan included Meiji Shrine, but since the guests had visited it the day before, I decided to show them the exterior of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station instead. Hearing that they would later travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen, I explained where to find the Shinkansen platforms at Tokyo Station. On this particular day, which happened to be the day after a Monday public holiday, the East Gardens were exceptionally closed, yet many people who were unaware of this had gathered in front of the Otemon Gate.

Since one of the guests enjoys fishing as a hobby, Tsukiji was very well received. As some of the guests also shopped for kitchen items, we ended up spending quite a long time there. Finally, after a full tour of Senso-ji Temple, we concluded the tour a little later than scheduled.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayTochomae~Yoyogi180JPY
Section 2TrainYoyogi~Shibuya150JPY
Section 3SubwayShibuya~Otemachi (Tokyo)210JPY
Section 4SubwayTokyo~Tsukiji180JPY
Section 5SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa210JPY
Total930JPY

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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