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
- 09:00 Meet at the Hotel lobby. After reconfirming the itinerary previously sent by the travel agency manager in charge on the client's side, we decided to visit in the order of Sensoji Temple → East Gardens of the Imperial Palace → Harajuku → Shibuya. Departed from Suidobashi Station on the Toei Line.
- 10:00 Arrived at Asakusa Station on the Toei Line. Guided through Sumida Riverside → Kaminarimon Gate → Nakamise Shopping Street → Hozomon Gate → Main Hall → Stone Bridge → Danjuro Statue → Asakusa Shrine → Kannon Street. Along the way, they shopped at the dyed picture tenugui shop Fujiya. After finishing, moved to Takebashi Station.
- 11:50-12:40 Guided through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. After finishing, moved to Harajuku. Upon arrival, we had lunch at their request to eat.
- 13:30-14:05 Lunch at the Omotesando branch of Oreryu Shio Ramen. After finishing, moved on foot to Meiji Shrine.
- 14:15-15:00 Guided through Meiji Shrine.
- 15:00 The 6 hours ended, but when I was about to take them to Shibuya as promised via the Yamanote Line, they said, "We want to shop at the @COSME store in front of Harajuku Station. We'll go to Shibuya on our own afterward," so we parted ways in front of @COSME.
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like for a First-Time Visitor? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was traveling solo, visiting Japan from North America. Having already visited Kyoto and Hakone, the guest arrived in Tokyo and planned to explore the city at a relaxed pace over four days, including today, before returning home. The booking to [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) appears to have been made through a travel agency. The guest listened attentively to my explanations and kindly said, "I learned so much about Japanese history and culture, and it was wonderful." When I asked what they would like for lunch, they said they loved ramen, so before heading to Meiji Shrine, I took them to a ramen restaurant near the Omotesando intersection, which they greatly enjoyed. Since I had promised to show them the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, even though it was already just before 3 p.m., I offered to take them there. However, there was a cosmetics shop right in front of Harajuku Station that they very much wanted to visit, and they said, "I'll go to Shibuya on my own later, or another day." So we finished the tour as scheduled at 3 p.m.
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 | Suidobashi～Asakusa | 900JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Asakusa～Takebashi | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Otemachi～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.