Tokyo in One Day: Meiji Shrine. — Guide Toshi
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 Depart from cruise ship, take the Yurikamome to Shiodome, then head to Hamarikyu Gardens.
- 11:45 Return to Shiodome Station and take the subway to Takebashi.
- 12:15 Enter the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace through the Kitahanebashi Gate and take a stroll.
- 13:15 Exit through the Otemon Gate and head to the underground mall area around Otemachi Station. Have lunch here at a ramen shop (two of them were vegetarian, so they ordered white rice with pickled takana greens, though they did get seconds on the rice).
- 14:10 Go from Otemachi Station to Meiji-jingumae Station.
- 14:40~15:50 Visit Meiji Shrine.
- 16:00 After finishing the visit, take the Yurikamome via Shimbashi and arrive at International Cruise Terminal Station, disbanding around 16:50.
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo's Gardens and Meiji Shrine Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
It was quite a warm day for mid-April (the high was perhaps around 25°C), but the guests energetically visited three places: Hamarikyu Gardens, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine (there is little shade anywhere except Meiji Shrine). I asked them to stay well hydrated and explained the types of drinks available in the vending machines. Although I think it was hot, the guests did not complain at all, and in fact told me they had a wonderful time. At Hamarikyu Gardens and the East Gardens, most of the cherry blossoms had already fallen, but there were several late-blooming cherry trees of different varieties, and the guests took photos with great interest. The azaleas were also beginning to bloom. For lunch, the plan had been to simply have a drink and something like bread at a coffee shop, but just beforehand one of the guests said they wanted something a bit more filling, and it was suggested that as long as certain dishes were left uneaten there would be no problem, so we found a ramen restaurant and went in. However, some of the guests ultimately found ramen difficult and ordered plain white rice and rice with pickled greens instead. Since the guests spoke among themselves in a language I did not understand, I could not follow their conversation, but I reflected a little that deciding quickly based on the opinion of just one person in the group could be risky. At Meiji Shrine, the guests listened with great interest to my explanation of why Emperor Meiji came to be enshrined as a deity.
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 | Other | International Cruise Terminal Station～Shiodome | 330JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shiodome～Takebashi | 290JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Otemachi (Tokyo)～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Shimbashi | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Other | Shimbashi～International Cruise Terminal Station | 390JPY |
| Total | 1,400JPY | ||
I have worked as a diplomat for 48 years until last year(2024), so I think I am good at explaining anything about Japan in English. Though I’m a novice as tour guide, l promise that I will make detailed and thorough preparations for guiding you and to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. I myself like to experience various means of transportation and interested in local culture, history and food. You may be a bit concerned about my age(71 years old), but I am quite fit for work. Just to prove this I wish to say that I played 5 rounds of golf this summer month of August, 2025.
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no…
Apr 16, 2026
127dougg
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enjoyable to have a day being toured about with no need for us to do all the advance planning.
We had Mr. Toshihisa as a guide for a day in Hakone. We might have been able to do the route ourselves but it was great to have a day with no planning, it was all done ahead of time by Toshi. We got an early start to avoid spending too much time in queues, which was great. Toshi is very knowledgeable and shared many explanations, stories and anecdotes with us, which was most appreciated. The Hakone FreePass made it very easy to navigate all of the various styles of transportation – highly recommended. Overall for us, this was a great experience.
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a…
Oct 25, 2025
Julia_G
Tokyo gardens and museums.
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi is an excellent guide. He crafted a beautiful tour of places I would not have found on
my own.
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi…
Oct 14, 2025
M
Manohar_S
Superb must see
Viator review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very scenic and beautiful trip… Mr Toshi San was a very well educated and friendly guide…
he took us to all the most beautiful and scenic places.. he also was very helpful person and
made sure we had a good vegetarian lunch
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are…
Oct 7, 2025
Robert_H
Lots of walking. We are…
Viator review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Lots of walking. We are all 70+ with 1 guest using a walker, and the guide was very
accommodating and flexible to our restrictions. Guide was knowledgeable and interesting.
Excellent English. Very good at helping us navigate the trains and subway.