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 up @ Hotel Shinjuku (2-2-17 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
- 2) 10:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 3) 12:00 Meiji Shrine
- 4) 13:00 Harajuku Takeshita Street
- 5) 13:20 Omotesando Cat Street →THE MATCHA TOKYO Omotesando Store
- 6) 14:40 Asakusa <Senso-ji Temple・Nakamise Street>
- 7) 15:00 Tea Ceremony Experience @ Tea Utensils Kakinuma
- 8) 16:10 Dismissal @ Senso-ji Main Hall (2-3 Taito-ku, Tokyo)
What Does a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Asakusa
The guests were a group visiting from North America. During the hotel meet-up, we reviewed the itinerary, which included a tea ceremony experience reserved for 3:00 PM. The guests mentioned that they had already visited the main gate of the Imperial Palace and wished to go to Akihabara instead. I happily agreed and we began the tour. It was their second day of the stay, and they had already downloaded Suica. At Shinjuku Gyoen we spent about an hour, and at Meiji Shrine one of the guests wanted a goshuin stamp and waited in line for 10 to 15 minutes. On Takeshita Street in Harajuku, the guests enjoyed Korean snacks. On Cat Street in Omotesando, I recommended matcha drinks. With the temperature and humidity both high, we were able to take a relaxed 20-minute break. Due to time constraints, we skipped Akihabara and headed to Asakusa. We walked through Nakamise Street and the grounds of Senso-ji Temple, then proceeded to the tea ceremony experience. All of the guests seemed intrigued and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and afterward we parted ways in front of the main hall of Senso-ji Temple.
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 | Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Higashi-Shinjuku Station～Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shinjuku-sanchome Station | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shinjuku-sanchome Station～Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Kita-sando Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Omotesando Station～Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Hi! I’m a local guide in Tokyo and have been working as a licensed tour guide for almost 10 years. I love helping guests discover the “real Japan” beyond the guidebooks. I enjoy showing guests both famous sights and places that many tourists miss. My tours are based on your interests and can include not only famous sightseeing spots, but also local neighborhoods, culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. I also help guests enjoy Japanese cultural activities and make communication easier. If you’d like vegan or gluten-free meals, let me help you find suitable restaurants in Tokyo. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please feel free to let me know in advance. I look forward to showing you around Tokyo!
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and…
Jun 19, 2026
Daniel_O
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
10/10 would do again!
Our guide, Tachi was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and patient with our group. Their
expertise made our vacation fun, educational, and stress-free!
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and…
May 24, 2026
Meander63637687943
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover’s Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour guide Tachi is the best!
A most enjoyable and personalized tour . Tachi was most professional and knowledgeable.
She provided very very thorough historical information about the 4 gardens we visited. I
would highly recommend her!
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi…
May 19, 2026
Jai_K
Viator review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
I would definitely…
I would definitely recommend this tour. Our guide Tachi was so helpful in showing us around and answering all our questions. It was a great idea to do this on the first day since we covered most of the popular cultural sights and areas with her leaving the ret of our days for other specific interests.
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What…
May 5, 2026
Gary33556
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wonderful tour of the highlights of Tokyo
Tachi was our guide. What a wonderful experience. She communicated very effectively before our departure to plan a very nice tour around the city. On the day of departure, it was raining very heavily in Tokyo and we considered rescheduling, but went ahead anyway. She met us at our hotel just as planned and set out on a very nice tour that visited all the sites we wanted to see. We used the subway system to move about the city. We we very happy with the tour and would book with her again in the future if we return to Tokyo. Hint: download PASMO to your phone to pay for subway rides.