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

  • 0930 Meet at Pullman Tokyo Tamachi (5 min from JR Tamachi Station)
  • 0950 Shibuya, Hachiko Statue, Scramble Crossing
  • 1005 Harajuku, Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine visit
  • 1210 Tokyo Station, Maru Building pine piles, Gyoko-dori Avenue, Tatsumi Yagura Turret
  • 1315 Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
  • 1420 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
  • 1520 Akihabara
  • 1520 Overview explanation of Akihabara,
  • 1530 Disband at Chuo-dori Avenue

Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Koishikawa Korakuen and Shinjuku Gyoen

The guests were visiting from Europe. After arriving yesterday morning, they had already made their way to Azabudai Hills. They planned a free day tomorrow, followed by Nikko the day after, and then would travel via Hakone to Osaka and Kobe before heading home.

For this booking, a travel agency was involved from the start as an intermediary, so all itinerary adjustments were handled through them. After I confirmed the phone number with the agency, they seem to have passed my guide information on to the guests, and I soon received a message via a messaging app.

Since it was their first visit to Japan, they left everything up to me. However, because I had informed them about mobile SUICA in advance, they had already been using it since yesterday, so their free day looked like it would go smoothly.

Today, I had thought about extending the tour to Asakusa if we had time, but the topic of cherry blossoms came up. When I mentioned that "there should be something blooming at Shinjuku Gyoen," they wanted to go there, so after visiting Koishikawa Korakuen we managed to make it to Shinjuku Gyoen as well.

The double-flowered cherry blossoms and mountain cherries, which usually last until late April, had almost finished due to the warm temperatures of the past few days, but the guests were satisfied nonetheless. At Akihabara, they decided to explore and have a meal on their own, and we parted ways there.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainTamachi (Tokyo)~Shibuya210JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
Section 4SubwayOtemachi (Tokyo)~Iidabashi220JPY
Section 5TrainSuidobashi~Sendagaya200JPY
Section 6TrainSendagaya~Akihabara210JPY
Total1,210JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…