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 up (Henn na Hotel Nishikasai)
- 10:50 Meiji-jingumae Station (Stroll around Meiji Shrine)
- 11:40 Harajuku (Stroll around Takeshita Street & Cat Street)
- 13:40 Shibuya PARCO (JUMP Shop)
- 14:00 Lunch
- 15:00 Animate Shibuya・In front of 109 Building・Hachiko Square
- 15:40 Shibuya Station
- 15:50 Harajuku Station
- 16:00 Disband at the dog cafe (RIO) on Takeshita Street
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at (Henn na Hotel Nishikasai) at 10:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 14:00.
The itinerary covered Meiji-jingumae Station (Stroll around Meiji Shrine) at 10:50, Harajuku (Stroll around Takeshita Street & Cat Street) at 11:40, Shibuya PARCO (JUMP Shop) at 13:40, Animate Shibuya・In front of 109 Building・Hachiko Square at 15:00, Shibuya Station at 15:40 and Harajuku Station at 15:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nishikasai to Meiji-jingumae by train (260JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 420JPY per person.
What Is a Private Tour of Meiji Shrine and Harajuku Anime Spots in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were interested to learn that Meiji Shrine is a man-made forest and that its omikuji fortune slips are unique, containing not the usual luck rankings but poems composed by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. One of the guests enjoyed drawing an omikuji. From our prior communication, I had heard that the guests were interested in Japanese anime such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, so I guided them on a pilgrimage of related spots from Takeshita Street to Cat Street to Shibuya, along with anime-related shops. At the end, they asked to return not to the hotel but to Takeshita Street to finish at a dog cafe, so I accommodated that request and concluded the tour there. This was my first assignment through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and the initial guidance emails were very helpful. I look forward to working together again.
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 | Nishikasai～Meiji-jingumae | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Total | 420JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at (Henn na Hotel Nishikasai) at 10:00, and the tour finished at dog cafe (RIO) on Takeshita Street at 16:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 10:00 to 16:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji-jingumae Station (Stroll around Meiji Shrine), Harajuku (Stroll around Takeshita Street & Cat Street), Shibuya PARCO (JUMP Shop), Animate Shibuya・In front of 109 Building・Hachiko Square, Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 420JPY per person across 2 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?
Taka 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.
Welcome to Japan! I am TAKA, English and Mandarin Chinese licensed guide. I am from Osaka but have lived in Tokyo for more than 20 years. Being a member of Tokyo City Guide Club, I am pleased to escort you to several must-see places in Tokyo, such as Meiji Jingu Shrine, Imperial Palace East Garden, Ueno Park, Asakusa and so on. Tokyo National Museum located inside Ueno Park is also a recommendable attraction if you are interested in history of Japan as well as cultures and art works such as Japanese swords and lacquer wares. My hobby is to travel all over Japan by train hence I am more than happy if I would have opportunities to accompany you to Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, Nikko area by utilizing public transportation. See you here in Tokyo! Thank you.
欢迎您来到日本! 我是高山干久，中文和英文国家认可导游。我出身在大阪，现住在东京已经20多年。作为东京城市导游俱乐部成员，我很高兴地陪同您去东京旅游景点例如明治神宫，皇居东御园，上野公园，浅草等等。如果您对日本的历史和文化，传统工艺包括日本刀，日本漆器等额，我推荐您也访问所在上野公园旁边的东京国立博物馆。我个人有时间喜欢坐列车旅游日本各地，所以如果您有兴趣利用公共交通访问东京郊外包括富士山，箱根，镰仓，日光等，我非常乐意陪同您去各地导游呢。希望在日本见面！