Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Haru
November, 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. 8:00 Meet at Hotel New Otani Tokyo Executive House Zen
- 2. 8:30 Imperial Palace Outer Garden
- 3. 9:45 Ueno Park
- 4. 11:00 Asakusa
- 5. 12:00 Lunch (Asakusa Kanoya)
- 6. 13:00 Inaricho (D.Anda Ueno Branch)
- 7. 13:30 Disband at Shimbashi (Standing Sushi Akira Shimbashi Branch)
Title: What Can You See on a Private Tokyo Day Tour of the Imperial Palace, Ueno, and Asakusa? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of three from North America. Some of the group had visited Japan before for work, but this was their first time sightseeing here, and it was a first visit to Japan for one of them. They had arrived in Japan about a week earlier, traveled around Kyoto and Osaka, and come to Tokyo the previous day. They planned to return home in a couple of days.
At the time of assignment the meeting point had not yet been decided, but once it was confirmed that their accommodation was a Hotel, we met there. I guided them around the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Ueno Park, and Asakusa. They enjoyed taking photos at each spot and listening to the explanations. Some of the guests had goshuin stamp books, and they received stamps at Kiyomizu Kannon-do in Ueno, Toshogu Shrine, and Asakusa Shrine.
Since I had heard that some of the guests had a lunch reservation after the tour, I confirmed in advance whether lunch would be needed during the tour, and they requested something light. We stopped at a handmade udon shop in Asakusa.
One of the guests had a 13:00 reservation for a perfume-blending experience at a shop in the Inaricho area, so I guided them to the shop entrance. Others had a 13:45 reservation at a standing sushi restaurant in Shimbashi, and I guided them to the front of that shop as well. Since I had been told that an early end to the tour would be fine, we parted ways here.
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 | Free Pass | Nagatacho～Sakuradamon | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Otemachi～Ueno | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Ueno～Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Inaricho | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Inaricho～Shimbashi | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Haruhiko Yokota, a certified tour guide based in Tokyo and a top-ranked guide registered with JGA Inc. Please feel free to call me Haru.
I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 30 years and conducted close to 200 tours between 2023 and 2025. I’m very familiar with most major sightseeing spots in and around Tokyo, ranging from traditional temples and shrines to modern attractions. I also enjoy traveling throughout Japan, which has given me extensive knowledge of popular destinations across the country.
I’m happy to customize your tour to match your interests and preferences. If you have any requests or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to make your tour both enjoyable and memorable!
Jul 13, 2026
529gregj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
Haru (Haruhiko…
Jul 13, 2026
529gregj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Haru is an excellent guide in Tokyo
Haru (Haruhiko Yokota) was a consummate professional from the first comment he made contact with us. He asked for our visit priorities and designed an interesting and engaging tour over the several hours we spent together. Very polite, he escorted and taught us through Japanese culture and sights, which was exactly what we wanted to see and learn about. We highly recommend Haru as a guide in future.
Jul 12, 2026
Felice R
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru…
Jul 12, 2026
Felice R
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Touring gardens in Tokyo with the perfect guide , Haru
Haru was an amazing tour guide. His communication skills from the first email to his tour presentation was superb! He was able to fine tune our tour with incredible precision. Haru was extremely professional and friendly! He was able to conduct our tour in a very organized, interesting and fun way. We would highly recommend Haru to give you the perfect tour of Tokyo.
Jul 9, 2026
mariee530
An incredible walking tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This tour was beyond expectations!…
Jul 9, 2026
mariee530
An incredible walking tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
This tour was beyond expectations! Haru, my tour guide, was knowledgeable, kind and friendly. I feel like I learned so much from him throughout the day! I loved that I was able to choose from so many different sightseeing options. I simply gave Haru my list of preferred places and he did the rest! His patience with me as I took 4638 pictures was abundant! I would highly recommend this tour and I will certainly hope you have Haru as your guide!
Jun 30, 2026
simonegN55VE
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fabulous walking tour with Haru
Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour…
Jun 30, 2026
simonegN55VE
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fabulous walking tour with Haru
Haru was fabulous! We booked the tour for our first full day in Tokyo, and Haru provided us
with a perfect overview of the city. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely
accommodating to our needs. I would highly recommend him to others.