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
- 9:00 Leave the hotel
- 9:20-10:00 Guide around Meiji Shrine
- 10:45-11:30 Guide around Nezu Shrine
- 11:30 Stroll around Yanaka
- 12:00-13;00 Eat soba at a soba restaurant
- 13:00-14:00 Guide around Yanaka Cemetery, temples, etc.
- 14:30-14;50 Guide around Asakusa Sensoji Temple
- 15:00 Disband at Shibuya
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Leave the hotel at 9:00, Guide around Meiji Shrine at 9:20, Guide around Nezu Shrine at 10:45, Stroll around Yanaka at 11:30, 13;00 Eat soba at a soba restaurant at 12:00, Guide around Yanaka Cemetery, temples, etc. at 13:00 and 14;50 Guide around Asakusa Sensoji Temple at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku-sanchome to Meiji Shrine (Harajuku Station) by train (280JPY); Meiji Shrine (Harajuku Station) by train (310JPY); Nippori to Asakusa by train (330JPY); Asakusa to Shibuya by train (260JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 1,180JPY per person.
What Is a Private Walking Tour of Meiji Shrine, Yanaka, and Asakusa in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was a visitor from South America who was taking an extended holiday, traveling through several countries in Asia before arriving in Japan. Having arrived a few days earlier, the guest had already explored quite a few places independently. The goal for today was to learn about the historical background of Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple. The guest especially wanted to walk through Tokyo's old, traditional streetscapes, so I carefully guided them around the Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi (Yanesen) district. Since the guest wanted to try soba, I took them to one of my favorite soba restaurants. Afterward, I guided them around Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, including quieter back-street temples and shrines that visitors do not usually see.
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-sanchome～Meiji Shrine (Harajuku Station) / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | 280JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Meiji Shrine (Harajuku Station) / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo～Nezu | 310JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nippori～Asakusa | 330JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Asakusa～Shibuya | 260JPY |
| Total | 1,180JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Leave the hotel, Guide around Meiji Shrine, Guide around Nezu Shrine, Stroll around Yanaka, 13;00 Eat soba at a soba restaurant, Guide around Yanaka Cemetery, temples, etc. and 14;50 Guide around Asakusa Sensoji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,180JPY 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?
Mitch 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 certified as a Top Guide by the JGA.
Drawing on my past experience as a guide, where I have consistently received positive feedback from guests, I will focus on the following key points in my guiding:
Explain the historical transition from Edo to Tokyo through engaging episodes and stories.
Offer a cross-cultural perspective on why concepts such as honji suijaku (the idea of local deities being manifestations of Buddhist figures), as seen at places like Meiji Shrine, represent a worldview that Japan can be proud of.
Provide warm and humorous interaction, incorporating the spirit of hospitality I learned while studying at Columbia University in the United States.
Use my experience working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to explain Tokyo’s present-day situation with the support of statistical data.
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time…
Jul 7, 2026
Ruppa_L
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great guide and first experience in Tokyo
It was our first time to Japan. Mitch was a great guide, recommending the key sights in Tokyo. He contacted us before the trip so that he could set up an itinery that worked for our family. We learned about the culture and also how to navigate the trains! Mitch even took us back to our hotel at the end. Thank you for a great first experience in Japan!
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots…
Jun 8, 2026
TAMARA_R
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience!
Great experience, learning a lot. Get to see a lots of locations in one day. Mitch our guide is
very knowledgeable and the nicest person we have ever met.
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He…
May 7, 2026
Marianela25
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great customized Itinerary with Mitch!
Mitch was a fantastic tour guide. He was very polite and knew the city very well, so there wasn’t a lost minute in our day. He asked me what my preferences were so he could customize my itinerary, and it was great! I was taken to see some hidden gems out of the traditional touristic circuits (and for that Im really thankful). I feel I learnt a lot about the history and culture of Japan, and I got to listen to many good anecdotes from Mitch. I also had a great soba for Lunch, in a very small and cozy restaurant. Arigatou gosaimasu, Mitch!
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic…
Apr 29, 2026
163neilh
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asakusa Sensouji Temple, Imperial Palace & Meiji Shrine.
We had a fantastic day with our guide Mitch, he was very knowledgeable, a kind man & very generous with his time.
Mitch suggested sushi train for lunch pleasing our granddaughter greatly.
I would recommend Mitch for any type of tour, given he has excellent English.
Deb, Neil, Kate, Joel, Calla & Bodhi
Adelaide, South Australia 😃