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 up @ Hotel Kaminarimon
- 09:50 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10:20 Meiji Shrine
- 12:10 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 13:20 Lunch @ Hakata Menbo Akanoren Marunouchi Branch
- 14:10 Imperial Palace
- 15:15 Disband @ Hotel Kaminarimon
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 09:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Kaminarimon, and finished at 15:15. The day ran to 6 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Hakata Menbo Akanoren Marunouchi Branch at 13:20.
From there the group visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 09:50, Meiji Shrine at 10:20, Shinjuku Gyoen at 12:10 and Imperial Palace at 14:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asakusa to Shibuya by subway (260JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shinjuku-gyoenmae by subway (180JPY); Shinjuku-gyoenmae to Tokyo by subway (210JPY); Yurakucho to Ginza-itchome by subway (180JPY); Ginza to Asakusa by subway (210JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,190JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, and the Imperial Palace
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, with some of the guests having visited Japan before and others for the first time. Before arriving in Tokyo, they had toured Kyushu and Korea by cruise, and planned to return home the next day. At Meiji Shrine, they listened with great interest to the explanation about the difference between shrines and temples, and seemed deeply impressed by the quiet, solemn atmosphere, which was so different from Shibuya. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed the beautiful Japanese garden scenery and the early-blooming cherry blossoms. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. Since the guests had already visited Senso-ji Temple on their own the previous day, I changed the original plan on short notice and guided them to Shinjuku Gyoen instead of Senso-ji Temple. As I accommodated the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Shinjuku-gyoenmae | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoenmae～Tokyo | 210JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Yurakucho～Ginza-itchome | 180JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Ginza～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,190JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Kaminarimon at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Kaminarimon at 15:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 15:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen and Imperial Palace.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,190JPY per person across 6 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Jul 10, 2026
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Our guide, Seizo, was amazing. He was informative without being overwhelming, matched
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Seizo Kamiuto was great and super knowledgeable. He had a…
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Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。