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

  • 1000 Hotel Tokyo (5 min from JR Shinjuku Station) meeting
  • 1030 Shibuya Hachiko Statue Scramble Crossing
  • 1055 Harajuku Takeshita Street Meiji Shrine visit
  • 1305 Imperial Palace Outer Garden Tatsumi Yagura Gyoko Street Tokyo Station
  • 1400 Akihabara
  • 1435 Asakusa Kaminarimon Nakamise Sensoji Temple Asakusa Shrine
  • 1600 Tokyo Skytree Confirm ticketing on the 4th floor and part ways

Title: Can a Licensed Guide Help with Tokyo Sightseeing and Travel Planning to Hakone? A Private Tour Report

The guests were visitors from Europe, coming to Japan for the first time. They had arrived the day before, and due to recent world conditions, their journey via Helsinki had taken 24 hours. After checking in, they had walked around the neighborhood and eaten at Omoide Yokocho, but they wanted to try something more distinctly Japanese. Since they did not have anything specific in mind, I suggested the buildings in Shibuya (such as MyCity and Scramble Square), which offer a wide variety of options.

They planned to visit the Skytree but had not been able to secure tickets. On the Japanese-based website, the language switched to Japanese partway through, and they had struggled to find the English site. Previous guests had not had this issue, so it may have simply been a misunderstanding somewhere, but in the end they were able to make a reservation, so it worked out fine.

The next day, they planned to tour the older downtown area with another guide.

Since they would be moving to Hakone the day after next, they asked me for advice on how to do this. At first, as they had a JR Pass, they were considering Shinjuku → Tokyo → Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto. Since they had a lot of luggage and were worried about transfers, I explained that they could take a single Odakyu line from Shinjuku directly to Hakone-Yumoto (had I known in advance, I could have shown them at Shinjuku Station), and I explained that advance reservations were possible if they asked at the Ticket Office at the Odakyu gates.

After that, they would be heading to the Kansai region.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShinjuku~Shibuya200JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
Section 4TrainTokyo~Akihabara160JPY
Section 5SubwaySuehirocho (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
Section 6TrainAsakusa~Tokyo Skytree160JPY
Total1,070JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…