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
- 08:30 Meet up at the hotel
- 09:00 Odaiba Seaside Park
- 10:00 Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden
- 11:00 Take the Sumida River water bus to Asakusa
- 11:50 Explore Asakusa and lunch
- 14:30 Drop off at the hotel near Shiomi Station and disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 08:30, when the guide met the guests at hotel, and finished at 14:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Odaiba Seaside Park at 09:00, Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden at 10:00, Take the Sumida River water bus to Asakusa at 11:00 and Asakusa and lunch at 11:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shiomi to Odaiba Seaside Park by train (440JPY); Odaiba Seaside Park to Hamamatsucho by train (490JPY); Kaigan 1-chome by bus (210JPY); Asakusa to Shiomi by train (490JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 1,630JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Family Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sumida River Cruise, Odaiba, and Asakusa
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania, and they chose this tour for their first visit. Since a "Sumida River Cruise" was a must-have request from the guests, I created the tour plan to fit the cruise schedule. As the cruise on the day departed at 11:00, I asked the guests to book that cruise in advance, and we started the tour with visits to Odaiba and the former Shiba Rikyu Garden, both near Hinode Pier. It was a fine day, so the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower could be seen clearly, and I showed the guests the great metropolis of Tokyo from the bayside, helping them understand that Tokyo has expanded through land reclamation. Since I had once been involved in the land reclamation and the construction of high-rise apartments in the Odaiba area, I also explained the ground improvement of reclaimed land against earthquakes and the earthquake-resistant structures of buildings, helping them understand Tokyo's disaster prevention. As Oceania is also an earthquake-prone region, they showed strong interest in disaster prevention, and the guests carefully conveyed these points among themselves.
The Sumida River Cruise was also under clear skies, and we proceeded in a pleasant river breeze. Many bridges span the river, and the guests took interest in each bridge, including the design of Kiyosu Bridge, which became a symbol of recovery from the great fires since the Edo period and the Great Kanto Earthquake. The first half of the tour became something like a tour on "the history and present of Tokyo's disaster prevention."
In Asakusa, the guests strolled around Senso-ji Temple. The Sanja Matsuri festival happened to be taking place, so we were able to watch the portable shrines proceed through the Senso-ji grounds and be dedicated to Asakusa Shrine. When I explained that the mikoshi serves as a "portable shrine" and that the shrine parades through the town, they laughed and admired it, saying, "Japanese people are good at making everything small."
Having only arrived in Japan the day before, and combined with the high temperature of the day, the guests became tired, so at their request I saw them back to the Hotel and ended the tour.
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 | Shiomi～Odaiba Seaside Park | 440JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Odaiba Seaside Park～Hamamatsucho | 490JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kaigan 1-chome / Toei Bus～Hinode Sanbashi Iriguchi / Toei Bus | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Asakusa～Shiomi | 490JPY |
| Total | 1,630JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 08:30, and the tour finished at hotel near Shiomi Station at 14:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 08:30 to 14:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Odaiba Seaside Park, Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, Take the Sumida River water bus to Asakusa and Asakusa and lunch.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,630JPY 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
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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
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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
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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.