Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Ted
August, 2024
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 Meet at Mercure Tokyo Ginza (2 min from Ginza-itchome Station)
- Stroll around Ginza to Ginza 4-chome intersection
- 0925 Shibuya – After purchasing SUICA and issuing JR tickets, Hachiko statue, Scramble Crossing
- 1030 Harajuku – Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street
- 1250 Asakusa – Nakamise, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center 8F Terrace
- 1510 Escort to Ginza Station and disband

What's a Private One-Day Tokyo Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from Oceania who were traveling in Japan. Since I could only communicate with a travel agency until the very end, I was a little worried until we actually met.
The travel agency had issued vouchers for every reservation they could make in advance (I learned for the first time that a 3-day metro free pass can also be issued as a voucher with a QR code).
However, I explained that a SUICA card is convenient for traveling in Japan, and they purchased one at the travel concierge counter at Shibuya Station (they also had their JR tickets for Takayama and other destinations issued there).
They were surprised that they could immediately buy drinks from vending machines using SUICA. I explained that it can also be used at convenience stores and many ordinary shops.
They planned to stay five nights in Tokyo. We had received notice that the Mount Fuji trip booked for the next day was canceled early due to bad weather. Tokyo Disneyland was scheduled for the day after next, so that seemed fine.
In case of bad weather the next day, I suggested Roppongi Hills, which is one direct subway ride from Ginza, as well as TeamLab Borderless and Azabudai Hills, since they are indoors.
When we arrived in Asakusa, the sky was clear and it was very hot. I set the Kaminarimon gate as the meeting point and gave them free time to shop along Nakamise, but just before the meeting time it suddenly grew dark and there was a torrential downpour. We waited out the rain together, and after about 15 minutes the sky cleared again.
Originally, since we had a little time to spare, I had thought about stopping by places like Ueno Ameyoko, but perhaps from drinking too many cold beverages, one of the guests said they were not feeling well in the stomach, so we moved to the 8th-floor terrace of the Culture and Tourism Center (where the restrooms are relatively uncrowded) and waited for things to settle down.
Once things had calmed down, we decided to head back to Ginza, but upon entering the Ginza Line concourse they said they needed the restroom again, so we stayed near the restroom around the front car area of platform 2 for a while until they felt better.
By the time we arrived in Ginza, they had recovered, and instead of going back to the Hotel they headed to Matsuya.
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 | Free Pass | Ginza~Shibuya | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya~Harajuku | 146JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Meiji-jingumae~Omotesando~Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Asakusa~Ginza | 0JPY |
| Total | 746JPY | ||
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…
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 to suit our families interests. Definitely a great way to see Tokyo.
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 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 so much about Tokyo and Japan in a few hours. We were very fortunate to have such an excellent guide! We highly recommend Ted and appreciated his knowledgeable and thoughtful sightseeing tour of Tokyo. He planned a wonderful itinerary for us and made it all happen, with excellent pacing of breaks and good conversation.
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…
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 had a fantastic time with Ted, our guide. He contacted us prior to the trip to customize an itinerary that would have things of interest to everyone in our group. He shared helpful history for each of the places we visited, from Tsukigi market, Harujuku district, to Meiji Shrine. He had great recommendations for other parts of our trip. He is an expert at navigating the Tokyo train system. This tour is family friendly, but also very active in terms of walking to cover all the places we got to visit. The tour with Ted is definitely a highlight of our trip, I would highly recommend.
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…
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 soon after I registered for the tour. He met us at
the hotel. Ted was very knowledgeable about both the places we visited and Japanese
history. I highly recommend him
