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

  • 08:55 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 09:25 Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko
  • 09:50 Meiji Shrine
  • 11:30 Imperial Palace
  • 12:20 Lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Sushi (Marunouchi Building)
  • 13:40 Sensoji Temple
  • 14:30 Akihabara
  • 15:00 Dismissal @ Akihabara

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Meeting at @ Hotel at 08:55, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Sushi (Marunouchi Building) at 12:20.

The itinerary covered Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko at 09:25, Meiji Shrine at 09:50, Imperial Palace at 11:30, Sensoji Temple at 13:40 and Akihabara at 14:30.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Shibuya by train (200JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (160JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (210JPY); Tokyo to Ueno by train (200JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (180JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,130JPY per person.

What Does a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Akihabara

The guests were a group visiting from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. They planned to continue to Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima after touring Tokyo. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was so different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they were intrigued by explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as the Kaminarimon Gate. In Akihabara, some of the guests showed a strong interest in anime and game shops. Since they said they wanted to look around more anime shops in Akihabara and could return to their hotel on their own afterward, we parted ways in Akihabara. As I responded exactly according to the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainShinjuku~Shibuya200JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku160JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae210JPY
Section 4TrainTokyo~Ueno200JPY
Section 5SubwayUeno~Asakusa180JPY
Section 6SubwayAsakusa~Suehirocho (Tokyo)180JPY
Total1,130JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 08:55, and the tour finished at @ Akihabara at 15:00.

How long does the tour last?

About 6 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 08:55 to 15:00.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple and Akihabara.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 1,130JPY per person across 6 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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