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
- 10:00 Meet at Grand Hyatt Tokyo
- 10:10 Through Roppongi Sakurazaka to Azabu-Juban Station
- 10:30 From Azabu-Juban to Shiodome, Hama-rikyu Gardens
- 11:00 Stroll through Hama-rikyu, take a break at Nakajima Teahouse with a matcha and Japanese sweets set
- 12:30 From Shimbashi Station take the Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station
- 13:10 From Komagatado to Kaminarimon, Hozomon, Yogodo
- 13:55 Sushi Making Tokyo
- 15:40 Via the Asakusa Line and Higashi-Ginza to Roppongi Station, Mori Garden, Grand Hyatt
- 16:20 End at the hotel lobby
What's a Rainy-Day Private Cherry Blossom Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hamarikyu, Asakusa, and Sushi Making
Since rain was forecast for the afternoon, I focused the day on seeing cherry blossoms, and proposed starting at Hamarikyu, then heading to Ueno, and visiting the Tokyo National Museum if it started to rain.
We walked along Roppongi Sakurazaka, which begins right beside the Hotel, and made our way to Azabu-Juban. The guests were delighted by the rows of cherry trees and the falling blossoms that had begun to scatter, and I took several photos for them. Just before we reached Azabu-Juban, it began to rain earlier than forecast. By the time we arrived at Shiodome Station it was raining quite hard, but the guests said they didn't mind the rain, so we continued on to Hamarikyu. A volunteer guide at Hamarikyu (a licensed guide-interpreter I know) told us that the cherry blossoms in front of the inner gate were beautiful, so we headed straight there. As the rain did not let up, we discussed what to do next at a rest area. When I mentioned the Tokyo National Museum or, if there was availability, a sushi-making experience, the guests preferred the latter, so I booked the 2:00 p.m. session at Sushi Making Tokyo. Since that would mean a late lunch, we moved to the Nakajima Teahouse and took a break with a matcha and Japanese sweets set.
After that, we moved to Asakusa, where I first told the story of the origin of Sensoji Temple at Komagatado, then passed through Kaminarimon and Hozomon to Yogodo, so the guests could obtain the goshuincho (temple stamp book) they had requested in our earlier exchanges.
Then, five minutes before the reservation, we arrived at Sushi Making Tokyo. The guests had mentioned, "We were asked to bring back KitKats from Japan, but we don't know where they're sold and we have no time to go and buy them," so during the experience I went to the Don Quijote in the Rokku district and bought them on their behalf.
On the way back, we made a short detour to view the cherry blossoms at Mori Garden before parting ways in the Hotel lobby. The weather was not on our side, but the guests seemed very 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 | Azabu-Juban～Shiodome | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shimbashi～Asakusa | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Roppongi | 290JPY |
| Total | 690JPY | ||
I am Tatsuki Endo, English speaking guide, as well as Kikisake-shi (Sommelier of Sake) and Beer navigator.
My usual activity is walking tours around Tokyo area, including Yokohama, Kamakura and Hakone. There are a lot to see, just let me know what your interests are and I can suggest where to visit.
If you are interested in hidden gem, here are some examples;
Kawasaki, located between Tokyo and Yokohama near Haneda Airport, is the second station of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido, the 400 years old highway towards Kyoto from Edo (old name of Tokyo). You can do Hand-cut glass experiment, stopping at a bar for sake tasting, visiting Kawasaki-Daishi temple that receives 3 million worshippers in the new year period.
Another spot is Echigo-Yuzawa in Niigata prefecture, 75 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen train. Echigo-Yuzawa is “Onsen” (hot springs) town. You can enjoy visiting Sake brewery, skiing in winter, veiwing Sakura (cherry blossom) in spring. Appreciation of contemporary art displays in open air and old carvings at temples, in neighboring towns will be also memorable experience.
I am so excited to show you around !
Tatsuki
Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English)
Kikisake-shi (Sommelier of Sake)
Beer Navigator
Jul 22, 2026
melanierK3084ZH
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Memorable!
Our private tour with Tatsuki was fabulous! He was friendly,…
Jul 22, 2026
melanierK3084ZH
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Memorable!
Our private tour with Tatsuki was fabulous! He was friendly, knowledgeable and kind. Our visit to the Gotokuji Temple was our first time at a temple. Thanks to Tatsuki, we had a enriching and fun experience! He even researched the time to catch the cat train for our return. At our lunch together, Tatsuki generously answered all of our questions. As Tatsuki is also a sake sommelier, my husband enjoyed learning about and trying different sake! It was hot (97 degrees!). Tatsuki was so thoughtful about our wellbeing. He even had a cooling pouch and hydration packs for us when we needed it. This made our visit to the Imperial Palace gardens manageable. Tatsuki made our day so smooth. Thanks to him, we didn’t have to think about logistics and we saw more. We enjoyed his company and commentary.
Jun 28, 2026
Narzahni_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent Tour Guide
I had a wonderful experience with Tatsuki. He was…
Jun 28, 2026
Narzahni_C
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent Tour Guide
I had a wonderful experience with Tatsuki. He was professional, informative, articulate, and incredibly kind throughout the tour. He shared fascinating insights about Tokyo’s history and culture while making the day enjoyable and personalized. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and friendly guide.
May 27, 2026
nomadicmongrel
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great introduction to the city
Tatsuki Endo showed us around some Tokyo…
May 27, 2026
nomadicmongrel
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great introduction to the city
Tatsuki Endo showed us around some Tokyo highlights as it was our first time here. He helped us navigate the public transport, answered all our endless questions, showed us cool land marks, showed us some insider look out points for minimum crowds but maximum views, introduced us to Sake and taught me how to use chopsticks! We had the best day and it was a fabulous introduction to a fabulous city. Thank you Tatsuki!
Apr 20, 2026
B8510VNrichardf
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
The Perfect Shore Excursion to Explore Tokyo
Four of us…
Apr 20, 2026
B8510VNrichardf
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
The Perfect Shore Excursion to Explore Tokyo
Four of us had a great Tokyo adventure with Tatsuki. He met us in the Yokohama cruise terminal on time and escorted us on a series of trains to Tokyo, including a diversion we requested to ride the Shinkansen bullet train. Having a knowledgable local guide made the experience much easier and trouble free than doing it on our own, and based on reports from shipmates it sounds like doing the tour this way on foot and by train was more enjoyable and memorable than experiencing Tokyo via car or bus tours. Tatsuki spoke perfect English and provided a wealth of information about the places we visited. Highly recommended!