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 Meet up @Hotel Groove Shinjuku
- 9:30 Meiji Shrine
- 11:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 12:30 Lunch @Gyoza no Osama
- 13:30 Asakusa
- 15:00 Dismissal @Teamlab Borderless
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @Hotel Groove Shinjuku and ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @Gyoza no Osama at 12:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Meiji Shrine at 9:30, Imperial Palace East Gardens at 11:00 and Asakusa at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Otemachi (Tokyo) by subway (210JPY); Takebashi to Asakusa by subway (210JPY); Asakusa to Kamiyacho by subway (290JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 870JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests came from Oceania. They had already started their trip in the Kansai area and had been visiting various places. Since they would only be staying in Tokyo for a few days, I guided them to the major sightseeing spots. During our prior communication they mentioned they wanted to visit teamLab, so I had them make a reservation for the end of the tour, and I saw them off in front of teamLab before parting ways. They asked whether there was a pub where they could watch a rugby match, which is popular in Oceania, so I searched online and contacted a venue. I found out that they could watch rugby rather than football, and when I told the guests, they were very pleased, saying they had not been able to find it themselves. For lunch they requested gyoza, so we went to a gyoza restaurant in Asakusa. While we were waiting outside in line, another customer kindly told us that this restaurant had been selected for the Michelin Guide (Bib Gourmand) and that the gyoza was recommended. I had not known this either, so I was grateful for the information. The guests are set to continue on to a cruise tour before returning home. We were also blessed with good weather on the day of 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 | Shinjuku～Harajuku | 160JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Meiji-jingumae～Otemachi (Tokyo) | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Takebashi～Asakusa | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Asakusa～Kamiyacho | 290JPY |
| Total | 870JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel Groove Shinjuku at 9:00, and the tour finished at @Teamlab Borderless at 15:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 9:00 to 15:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace East Gardens and Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 870JPY 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?
Yoko 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’m Yoko Kusumoto, a government lisenced English-speaking guide.
I have been living in Tokyo for more than 20 years, and it’s my pleasure to show you around Tokyo. I recommend Meiji Shrine and Asakusa if you are first time in Japan. I also recommend off-the-beaton path spots like Fukagawa Fudodo and Gotokuji Temple(lucky cat temple).
I was born and brought up in Kamakura, where the first shogun’s government was established. It will be my pleasure to introduce you my hometown as well.
I live with my husband and one teenage son.
I like traveling, flowers, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and exploring Tokyo.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some…
Jun 2, 2026
ericahT6840AD
Awesome!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our day with Yoko was great! She took us to some great spots in Tokyo and was so helpful.
We would highly recommend her as a guide. If we are back, we will certainly request her
again!
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with…
May 20, 2026
CharKris17
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo Walking Tour
We did a six-hour walking tour of Tokyo with Yoko and she was an exceptional guide. We saw multiple shrines (Meiji Shrine is a must see), the Imperial Palace, the “crossing” (there is a similar intersection in the Ginza shopping district which was also cool), the Tokyo Station, and the outer market where we ordered some fatty toro nigiri which was an etherial experience. Can’t say enough good things about Yoko. She taught ys a ton about the history of Japan and had a great sense of humor. A+
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and…
May 3, 2026
jefftK1794VZ
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fantastic day exploring Tokyo
This was our first time visiting Tokyo and spending a day with Yoko as our guide was perhaps the best decision we could have made. Even before we arrived we traded messages with Yoko about what we might like to do. She offered valuable tips which made not only our time in Tokyo more efficient but while in Japan as a whole. We saw so many amazing things but Yoko also gave us a primer in using the Tokyo subway system and navigating some of the stations. I could go on and list all the things we did but each tour will be different. However I would highly recommend Yoko as a guide. Perhaps serendipitous, but we were stopped on the street the day after we toured with Yoko by a couple who had a list of things to do but was unsure how to go about doing the things on their list and where those things were located. I was thankful we chose the best guide so we didn’t have that problem.
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour…
Oct 23, 2025
Y6401BOshaunam
Knowledgable, engaging guide Yoko Kusmoto made day of Tokyo history, architecture and insights exceptional. le.
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Yoko Kusmoto is exceptional . Her deep knowledge of Japan history, Tokyo’s
architecture and interesting Tokyo places made us appreciate all Tokyo has to offer. Her
smile, infectious laugh, kindness and interest added to our wonderful day.