Tokyo in One Day: Shinjuku Gyoen — Guide Yumi
April, 2026
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
- 10:30 Meet at Hotel
- Metropolitan Tokyo
- 11:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 12:00 Stroll around Shinjuku Isetan area
- 12:45 Travel to Shibuya by taxi
- 13:00 Walk across Shibuya Crossing
- 13:15 Lunch at Shibuya Fukuras "Arakiyama"
- 14:30 Stroll around Akihabara
- 15:30 Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple
- 16:30 Get on a taxi near Asakusa Station and disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Shinjuku Gyoen at 11:00, Stroll around Shinjuku Isetan area at 12:00, Travel to Shibuya by taxi at 12:45, Walk across Shibuya Crossing at 13:00, Stroll around Akihabara at 14:30, Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple at 15:30 and Get on a taxi near Asakusa Station and disband at 16:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tokyo to Shinjuku-gyoenmae by train (210JPY); Shibuya to Akihabara by train (260JPY); Suehirocho (Tokyo) to Asakusa by subway (180JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 650JPY per person.
What Can You See on a One-Day Private Tokyo Tour in Cherry Blossom Season? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. We had discussed and decided on a tour plan in advance, but when we met in the morning they mentioned they also wanted to see the Shibuya Crossing, so I added it to the plan. The cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen were in full bloom. The weather was fine, and the cherry blossoms stood out beautifully against the blue sky, allowing them to take many photos of the lovely scenery. Afterward we walked around the Isetan area in Shinjuku, and at their request we took a taxi to Shibuya. They experienced the Shibuya Crossing and were also able to see the 3D advertising screen. One of the guests was delighted by the video of a large dog. In Akihabara, they enjoyed looking at electronics and shopping at Don Quijote. By the time we reached Asakusa, some of the guests were tired, so instead of sightseeing at a leisurely pace they only visited the temple for a prayer before returning to the Hotel. In a single day of touring, I was able to show them the cherry blossoms in full bloom, the lively crossing and electronics district, and Sensoji Temple, and they were 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 | Train | Tokyo～Shinjuku-gyoenmae | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Akihabara | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Suehirocho (Tokyo)～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 650JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shinjuku Gyoen, Stroll around Shinjuku Isetan area, Travel to Shibuya by taxi, Walk across Shibuya Crossing, Stroll around Akihabara, Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple and Get on a taxi near Asakusa Station and disband.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 650JPY per person across 3 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?
Yumi 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’m YUMI. Japan is full of history, nature and culture. I would like to talk about them from many aspects. When you have some questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. There’re many off the beaten paths in Japan. If you want to walk in a hidden local area, I’ll tailor the special course as you wish.
Experiencing new foods is also one of many intriguing things during your trip. I would recommend anything from street foods such as Ramen, Yakitori to authentic Sushi or elegant courses. My policy is to cherish your feelings and time. Let’s enjoy talking and walking with me!
Jun 6, 2026
Michelle0309
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the tourist track in Tokyo
We had such a lovely time…
Jun 6, 2026
Michelle0309
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the tourist track in Tokyo
We had such a lovely time with our guide, Yumi. We wanted to visit places that showed us
life for Tokyo residents plus some architecture heroes. The four hours disappeared so
quickly and Yumi had planned our tour so efficiently, no wasted time. Yumi is a star!
May 25, 2026
lynnv748
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Hakone was a highlight of our vacation
We loved our day…
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lynnv748
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Hakone was a highlight of our vacation
We loved our day with Yumi. She was so warm and friendly and very knowledgeable. She
took us to the major attractions in Hakone efficiently and helped us avoid long lines. We
took cable cars, a lovely boat ride and the bus.
May 20, 2026
Suzana F
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We learned and enjoyed every minut
Yumi was a fanty…
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Suzana F
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We learned and enjoyed every minut
Yumi was a fanty guide. She make us feel welcomed and tried to capture and pass to us
the history and current vibe of the markets. Also she give us insides into food and Japanese
culture.
May 14, 2026
Robert_L
Excellent tour with our outstanding guide, Yumi
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May 14, 2026
Robert_L
Excellent tour with our outstanding guide, Yumi
Viator review: Tokyo 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Tea Ceremony Experience
Yumi is an outstanding guide. She greatly assisted in guiding us in our choices of areas Tokyo to tour based on our likes. Yumi gave us a wealth of information on Japanese history and culture specific to the areas we toured. She met us in the lobby of our Tokyo hotel and guided us with travel using the Tokyo train and subway. We choose to see the Rikugien garden, the Asakusa area of Tokyo and the Sensoji Temple. The Japanese Tea ceremony was beautiful, calming and informative. Yumi helped us arrange to add wearing Kimonos for this experience. She graciously took our photos throughout this tour. She is such a lovely lady. We highly recommend this tour and have high praises for Yumi.