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.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:00 Meet up at the hotel
- 09:30 Visit Meiji Shrine
- 11:00 Stroll through Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- 12:10 Kakuuchi (standing bar) in Monzen-Nakacho
- 13:00 Visit Fukagawa Fudodo Temple
- 14:00 Standing-style sushi lunch in Monzen-Nakacho
- 15:00 Disband at Kappabashi
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 09:00, when the guide met the guests at hotel, and finished at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Meiji Shrine at 09:30, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden at 11:00, Kakuuchi (standing bar) in Monzen-Nakacho at 12:10, Fukagawa Fudodo Temple at 13:00 and Standing-style sushi lunch in Monzen-Nakacho at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Harajuku to Suidobashi by train (210JPY); Iidabashi to Monzen-Nakacho by train (220JPY); Monzen-Nakacho to Tawaramachi (Tokyo) by train (210JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 800JPY per person.
What Is a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo's Meiji Shrine and Fukagawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions The guests were a friendly group visiting Japan from North America. They were close in age to me, so we hit it off from the very start of the tour, and it turned out to be an enjoyable day. At Meiji Shrine, we happened to encounter two wedding processions, and the guests were moved by the brides dressed in traditional kimono wedding attire. At Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, the rabbitear irises were nearly in full bloom and the wisteria was just beginning to open, which delighted one of the guests very much. In Monzen-nakacho, they enjoyed ginjo junmai sake and oden at a standing bar, and they took a liking to the oden daikon radish, which had soaked up plenty of dashi broth. The guests were overwhelmed and deeply moved by the power of the goma fire ritual at Fukagawa Fudodo Temple. Afterward, they enjoyed standing-style sushi. Since they wanted to try the toppings I recommended, I mainly suggested items that cannot be found in North America, such as conger eel, sablefish, and whitebait, and we finished with a kanpyo (dried gourd) roll with wasabi, which they were very happy about. As one of the guests wished to shop at Kappabashi, I guided them to the entrance of the street and ended the tour.
2. Other impressions, notes, and requests The guests had lovely smiles, so we were able to keep a warm and pleasant atmosphere throughout the tour. At Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, the wisteria was about 20 percent in bloom and the azaleas about 30 percent, but roughly 80 percent of the white rabbitear irises had opened. Since Japanese irises and other varieties will begin to bloom after this, I would like to plan a May tour course while checking updates on the garden. I think it would be effective for [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) to create a messaging app group so that guides can share information about plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and other flowers. Other agencies already do this, and it has been helpful for keeping track of cherry blossom bloom information near Lake Kawaguchi. Please do consider it!
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 | Shinjuku～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Suidobashi | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Iidabashi～Monzen-Nakacho | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Monzen-Nakacho～Tawaramachi (Tokyo) | 210JPY |
| Total | 800JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 09:00, and the tour finished at Kappabashi at 15:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 09:00 to 15:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Kakuuchi (standing bar) in Monzen-Nakacho, Fukagawa Fudodo Temple and Standing-style sushi lunch in Monzen-Nakacho.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 800JPY per person across 4 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?
Toru 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.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru…
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
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Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.