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

  • 09:55 Meet up @ Nishi-shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line)
  • 10:35 Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko
  • 11:00 Meiji Shrine
  • 11:40 Takeshita Street
  • 12:50 Lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei New Building
  • 13:30 Tsukiji Market
  • 14:40 Senso-ji Temple
  • 16:10 Disband @ Nishi-shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line)

Tour Itinerary in Detail

This private tour of Tokyo began at 09:55, when the guide met the guests at @ Nishi-shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line), and finished at 16:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Tsukiji Sushisei New Building at 12:50.

From there the group visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko at 10:35, Meiji Shrine at 11:00, Takeshita Street at 11:40, Tsukiji Market at 13:30 and Senso-ji Temple at 14:40.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nishi-shinjuku to Shibuya by subway (180JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Tsukiji by subway (210JPY); Tsukiji to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Nishi-shinjuku by subway (260JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,020JPY per person.

Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Tsukiji, and Senso-ji

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They planned to travel to another destination after sightseeing in Tokyo. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. On Takeshita Street, some of the guests showed interest in an animal cafe and many shops. At Tsukiji, they enjoyed a sushi lunch. At Senso-ji, they listened with great interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. Since I accommodated the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayNishi-shinjuku~Shibuya180JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Tsukiji210JPY
Section 4SubwayTsukiji~Asakusa210JPY
Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Nishi-shinjuku260JPY
Total1,020JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @ Nishi-shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line) at 09:55, and the tour finished at @ Nishi-shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line) at 16:10.

How long does the tour last?

About 6 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 09:55 to 16:10.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing / Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Tsukiji Market and Senso-ji Temple.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 1,020JPY per person across 5 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?

Seizo 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 Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto

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