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

  • 0900 Went to pick up guests at what seemed to be an Airbnb vacation rental (5 minutes from Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome Station on the Toei Oedo Line), but the building sign I had seen beforehand on Google Street was gone, so I wandered around the area a few times. Somehow I contacted them via WhatsApp in front of what I thought was the place, and we managed to meet safely.
  • 0930 Tsukiji Outer Market, Kabuki-za Theater, Ginza 4-chome Intersection
  • 1110 Imperial Palace Outer Garden, Tatsumi Yagura Turret, Gyoko-dori Avenue, Marunouchi Building pine piles, Tokyo Station
  • 1215 Akihabara, Radio Kaikan, Don Quijote, lunch at Sushiro
  • 1345 Asakusa, Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise, Senso-ji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate
  • 1500 Tour ended within the temple grounds
  • Since we were heading in the same direction on the way back, I saw them off to Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome Station and said goodbye

What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Some of the guests had visited Japan two years earlier as part of a school trip, but for the others it was their first visit to Japan. Following prior contact, I had checked their accommodation, a private lodging booked through an online rental platform, using Google Street View, but when I actually arrived the building sign had been removed. I walked back and forth in front of it two or three times, and since there were nail holes on the wall where a sign had been, I contacted them via a messaging app and we were able to meet without trouble.

The group had arrived two days earlier, and the previous day they explored Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku on their own. The next day they planned to visit places such as teamLab, and the following week they would travel around the Kansai region before returning home.

At the Tsukiji Market, they started with tamagoyaki, then enjoyed wagyu skewers, and had seconds of sashimi. They also sampled strawberry daifuku and takoyaki. I thought they might skip lunch, but they had a hearty meal at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant.

They seemed to enjoy anime-related things. The previous day they had visited the Pokémon shop in Shibuya Parco and a One Piece store, and they said they would take their time visiting the Tokyo Character Street I introduced today and Akihabara, which we visited, the next day.

At Asakusa the weather was poor, and only about a third of the Skytree was visible. They mentioned they had gone to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building the previous night, and they were glad they had (it would not have been possible today).

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayNishi-Shinjuku-gochome~Tsukiji Market280JPY
Section 2SubwayGinza~Nijubashimae180JPY
Section 3TrainTokyo~Akihabara160JPY
Section 4SubwaySuehirocho (Tokyo)~Asakusa180JPY
Section 5SubwayAsakusa~Nishi-Shinjuku-gochome330JPY
Total1,130JPY

I had worked in the international business scene for over 40 years and traveled to North America and European countries over 1000 days.
After I retired from the business, I traveled to most of the major sightseeing spots in all 47 prefectures in Japan.

My guide is starting from a brief history of the site where I am going to guide. I usually add a briefing about Japanese culture based on religions, such as Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples. A geographic background behind the history is also important.
My course includes 4 to 5 (in 6 hours) sites from the following depending on where I will pick the guests up;
– Senso ji Temple
– Kappabashi Kitchenware Market
– Tokyo Skytree
– Ueno Park
– Nezu Shrine
– Imperial Palace outer park
– Tokyo Central Station, Marunouchi historic district
– Tsukiji Fish Market
– Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
– Ginza
– Odaiba
– Hama Rikyu Garden
– Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
– Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
– Roppongi
– Meiji Shrine
– Harajuku & Takeshita Street
– Shibuya
– and Any of your interest.

I am happy to introduce Japanese Manga/Anime cultures such as Akihabara, Nakano Broadway and Ghibli related sites.
Travelling along the JR central line where guests can stopover at major animation studios (it is not accepted to visit the inside). The majority of animation studios such as TMS Entertainment, SUNRISE, A1 Pictures etc. are located in this area. Suginami Animation museum, Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum are also located.
Guests can feel old houses in the Spirited Away scene in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.

I can also provide a pilgrimage to the sacred place (shooting location) for the Shinkai Makoto animation movies such as Your name, Weathering with you, and Suzume.

Another interesting feature is to visit authentic Japanese style pub meals such as Yakitori, Karaage, and Sushi etc.
Asakusa Hoppy Street, Ameyoko Street, Yurakucho, Shimbashi, Shinjuku Golden gai, Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho are nice to visit.

A Sake tasting at Sake Cellar can be an option.

In addition to the above, I am available in the neighboring cities.

Kawagoe is an old town developed in the 17th century. It has very close relationship with the Edo central government. Kawagoe castle ruins, Kitain temple and 500 Buddha statues will welcome the guests.
These areas are renovated and provide an old days atmosphere.
Japanese style sweets food stands will fascinate the guests.
Kawagoe is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura is the first Samurai worriers government established in the late 12th century.
The Buddhism are introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and flourished at Nara and Kyoto later. A newer Buddhism sect such as Zen has well developed at Kamakura area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Gigantic Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple and the flower temple Hasedera Temple are must-see.
Kamakura is about 1 – 1.5 train trip from Tokyo.

I am also happy to develop any other site the guests have interest.

Jul 2, 2026
Susan M
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Family fun in Tokyo.
A wonderful day. Ted customized our tour…

Jun 26, 2026
ann r
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Educational with kind, generous guide
My teenage sons and I learned…

Jun 14, 2026
141yunb
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Can’t believe all that we got to see in 6 hours
We…

May 18, 2026
B
Beth56646
Great tour
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Ted and I agreed upon what we would see…