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
- 9:30 @Meet up (Hotel)
- 10:00 Meiji Shrine
- 11:30 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 13:20 Lunch@Amairo
- 14:30 @Asakusa
- 16:30 @Nijubashi
- 17:45 @Disband (Hotel)
What Is a Private Tokyo Tour Visiting Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji, and Shinjuku Gyoen Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, and one of them had previously lived in Asia and sometimes found English difficult to catch, but was a very gentle person, so we were able to enjoy going around together as a group.
One of the guests was looking forward to collecting goshuin (shrine and temple seal stamps), and we received goshuin at Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine. I explained that it is proper etiquette to pay your respects first and then receive the goshuin. At Meiji Shrine, in the past you could enter through a separate entrance to receive a goshuin book with almost no waiting, but now everyone has to line up in the same queue, so it took some time. The goshuin at Senso-ji also required lining up, and lunch was crowded and took a while, so we could not keep our usual pace. We also rested for a while on a bench inside Shinjuku Gyoen, and at one point I got separated from some of the guests at Yurakucho Station. Since there were many requested destinations to begin with, the tour ran significantly over time. I was glad I had informed them in advance that an extension fee might apply if we went over the scheduled time. Recently I had been guiding with plenty of time to spare, so I reflected a great deal on the significant overrun, and I would like to review how to adjust the schedule well if delays occur during a 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 | Shinagawa～Harajuku | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoemmae～Asakusa | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Sakuradamon | 210JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijubashi～Hibiya | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Yurakucho～Shinagawa | 170JPY |
| Total | 1,000JPY | ||
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.