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
- 9:00 Hotel
- 9:35-10:20 Meiji Shrine tour
- 10:20-10:40 Harajuku, Takeshita Street tour
- 11:10-12:10 Viewing azaleas at Nezu Shrine, guide to the Azalea Festival
- 12:50 Viewing cherry blossoms at Ueno Park, tour around Shinobazu Pond
- 13:20-14:15 Lunch at a sushi restaurant in Ueno
- 14:25-14:45 Asakusa sightseeing, Senso-ji Temple tour
- 15:00 Hotel
Title: What Can You See on a Full-Day Private Tokyo Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Nezu Shrine, Ueno, and Asakusa
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Their accommodation was a private lodging, which I found quickly. We went from Hatsudai to Meiji Shrine. At Meiji Shrine, I explained its history and religious background, and everyone showed great interest. Since it was their first time in Japan, they were moved by everything they saw. Afterward, we walked along Takeshita Street in Harajuku, and they wondered why it was so crowded with people. From there we went to Nezu Shrine. The azaleas were in full bloom, so we paid the entrance fee and strolled around the hill covered with blooming azaleas. Then we walked to Shinobazu Pond in Ueno. In Ueno, I took them to a sushi restaurant I frequent, which they enjoyed very much. After that, we went to Asakusa and toured Senso-ji Temple and the surrounding area. Finally, I saw them off back to Hatsudai.
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 | Train | Hatsudai～Meiji-jingumae | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Meiji Shrine (Harajuku Station)／Shibuya-ku, Tokyo～Nezu | 310JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Ueno～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Asakusa～Hatsudai | 420JPY |
| Total | 1,200JPY | ||
I am certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time…
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time to Japan. Mitch was a great guide, recommending the key sights in Tokyo. He contacted us before the trip so that he could set up an itinery that worked for our family. We learned about the culture and also how to navigate the trains! Mitch even took us back to our hotel at the end. Thank you for a great first experience in Japan!
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots of locations in one day. Mitch our guide is
very knowledgeable and the nicest person we have ever met.
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He was very polite and knew the city very well, so there wasn’t a lost minute in our day. He asked me what my preferences were so he could customize my itinerary, and it was great! I was taken to see some hidden gems out of the traditional touristic circuits (and for that Im really thankful). I feel I learnt a lot about the history and culture of Japan, and I got to listen to many good anecdotes from Mitch. I also had a great soba for Lunch, in a very small and cozy restaurant. Arigatou gosaimasu, Mitch!
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic…
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic day with our guide Mitch, he was very knowledgeable, a kind man & very generous with his time.
Mitch suggested sushi train for lunch pleasing our granddaughter greatly.
I would recommend Mitch for any type of tour, given he has excellent English.
Deb, Neil, Kate, Joel, Calla & Bodhi
Adelaide, South Australia 😃