Tokyo in One Day: Rikugien Garden — Guide Rikko
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
- 11:30-12:15 Lunch at MUSMUS in Shin-Marunouchi Building
- 12:15-13:05 Kitte Garden (Kitte bldg) ⇒ Tokyo Station ⇒ Nijubashi
- 13:50-15:00 Visit Rikugien Garden
- 15:45-16:30 Ginza sightseeing (Ginza Six rooftop garden, etc.)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Kitte Garden (Kitte bldg) ⇒ Tokyo Station ⇒ Nijubashi at 12:15, Rikugien Garden at 13:50 and Ginza sightseeing (Ginza Six rooftop garden, etc.) at 15:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kokkai-gijidomae to Tokyo by train (180JPY); Nijubashimae to Komagome by train (340JPY); Komagome to Ginza by train (380JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 900JPY per person.
What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rikugien Garden, Tokyo Station, and Ginza
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they had dietary needs, it took some time to find a lunch spot, but we found a restaurant with steamed vegetable dishes, which also offered choices that suited the preferences of the group, so they were pleased. As the weather was fine, we walked from the Kitte building, enjoying the view of Tokyo Station, and headed toward the Nijubashi Bridge. At Rikugien Garden, it was relatively uncrowded, and the blooming azaleas were beautiful, so the guests fully enjoyed the calm scenery within the garden. After that, we had planned to sightsee in Asakusa, but since one of the guests had once worked in Tokyo long ago and wished to revisit the familiar area of Ginza, we changed the route on short notice. From the rooftop of Ginza Six, the guest offered detailed explanations of the surrounding buildings, down to their finer architectural details. I believe all of the guests enjoyed Tokyo at a relaxed pace.
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 | Kokkai-gijidomae～Tokyo | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Nijubashimae～Komagome | 340JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Komagome～Ginza | 380JPY |
| Total | 900JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kitte Garden (Kitte bldg) ⇒ Tokyo Station ⇒ Nijubashi, Rikugien Garden and Ginza sightseeing (Ginza Six rooftop garden, etc.).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 900JPY 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?
Rikko 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 am Rikko, an English-speaking tour guide with a strong interest in Japanese history, aesthetics, and cultural background. I enjoy guiding guests through gardens, temples, shrines, and historic city areas.I have already guided many guests to Tokyo’s famous spots, such as the gourmet destinations of Asakusa and Tsukiji, as well as the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Meiji Shrine, places layered with Japanese history .Just a short trip out of the city takes you to the ancient capital of Kamakura, where I can guide you to popular tourist spots like temples, shrines, and the coast. I look forward to meeting you and sharing Japanese culture, while enjoying a pleasant and meaningful time together in Japan.
Apr 15, 2026
microbugs88
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Highlights of Tokyo
Our guide, Rikko, was wonderful! She communicated with me…
Apr 15, 2026
microbugs88
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Highlights of Tokyo
Our guide, Rikko, was wonderful! She communicated with me soon after booking to customize the experience for us and even made a lunch reservation for us at a restaurant near Tokyo Station that had a vegetarian option.
Her knowledge of the sites we chose to visit was interesting and she also helped us navigate the subway system for the first time.
I highly recommend this tour and be sure to ask for Rikko as your guide!