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 Pick up at the hotel, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo
- 9:10 – 10:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 10:30 – 11:30 Asakusa Sensoji temple
- 11:30 – 12:30 Lunch Tempura Akimitsu @ Asakusa
- 13:00 – 14:00 Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 14:30 Shibuya crossings
- 15:00 End of Tour at the hotel, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at hotel, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo, and finished at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch Tempura Akimitsu @ Asakusa at 11:30.
From there the group visited Imperial Palace East Gardens at 9:10, Asakusa Sensoji temple at 10:30, Meiji Jingu Shrine at 13:00 and Shibuya crossings at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Otemachi to Asakusa by train (286JPY); Asakusa to Meiji-jingumae by train (252JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Shibuya by train (178JPY); Shibuya to Otemachi by train (209JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 925JPY per person.
What Is a First-Time Private Tokyo Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on a Classic Sightseeing Route
The guests were visiting Tokyo from Europe, and it was their first visit to the city, so I chose a classic sightseeing route for the tour. As they regularly walk and swim, their walking pace was very quick, and we were able to cover the itinerary as planned. Some of the guests did not eat fish, but as arranged in advance, I took them to a tempura restaurant where vegetable tempura was also available for lunch, which they were happy about. In Shibuya, I took them to the sky lobby on the 11th floor of Hikarie, where they seemed relieved to get away from the crowds and enjoyed the view overlooking the scramble crossing. This lounge is always uncrowded and is highly recommended. Overall, I believe the guests enjoyed 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 | Otemachi～Asakusa | 286JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Asakusa～Meiji-jingumae | 252JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Meiji-jingumae～Shibuya | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shibuya～Otemachi | 209JPY |
| Total | 925JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo at 9:00, and the tour finished at of Tour at the hotel, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo 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 Imperial Palace East Gardens, Asakusa Sensoji temple, Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shibuya crossings.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 925JPY 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?
Chas 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.
My name is Chikara. I know it is not an easy word to pronounce, so please call me Chas.
I have dealt with Import and Export Cargoes Insurance while working for an insurance company for 35 years. Such a career gave me opportunities to visit 20 plus over seas countries including 4 year stay in New York as an expat. Through these experiences, I found myself enjoying communiation with people from different countries, appreciating local culture, cuisine and beautiful landscape.
People have always been kind to me, and I came to think that I want to give back to them by OMOTENASHI to foreign visitors to Japan.
In addition, as I learned more about different cultures of different countries after years, I came to be more and more aware of how little I know about my own country Japan and it’s unique culture.
So, I began to study more about Japan, and wish to have good things about my country more understand and appreciated by other countries.
That’s how I decided to become a national government licensed tour guide.
Now that I am a guide, I am ready to offer a tailor-made tour in accordance with my guest’s needs. I take it to my job to make the tour enjyoable and memorable, and make my guests fans of Japan.
My favorite things are
Walking around not just to follow big strreets but to explore samller “hiden” paths by detour, sometimes excited by the possibility of getting lost.
Jazz music, Museums, Movies, Architecture, etc.
Sep 20, 2024
S9139WWspencerb
Must do for new travelers
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My girlfriend and I took our tour…
Sep 20, 2024
S9139WWspencerb
Must do for new travelers
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My girlfriend and I took our tour with Chas Yokoi and it was absolutely amazing. It was our first full day in Japan and he gave us an amazing tour of shrines, temples, and gardens all across Tokyo. Not only was he very knowledgeable about everywhere that we went. But he also helped us figure out how to ride the subways and get through the notorious Shinjuku station. We also mentioned we were going to buy green tea after the tour, and because we were a bit ahead of schedule, he took us to his personal recommendation and helped us speak to the staff to figure out what tea was best for us. If you are new to Japan the 8 hours is long, but an absolute MUST. We will be doing another tour whenever we return to Japan. Thank you Chas and JGA for making our first day so memorable!
May 25, 2024
Timothy_B
Best tour in Tokyo!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an outstanding tour guide! He…
May 25, 2024
Timothy_B
Best tour in Tokyo!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an outstanding tour guide! He met us after lunch and took us on a private tour to the locations we selected, teaching us many things along the way. Chas was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about everything in Tokyo. I highly recommend him to anyone!
May 19, 2024
Geoffrey P
Japan Guide Agency’s guide in Tokyo (Chas Yokoi) was magnificent!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
CHAS…
May 19, 2024
Geoffrey P
Japan Guide Agency’s guide in Tokyo (Chas Yokoi) was magnificent!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
CHAS YOKOI our JGA guide, was ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT!
His English was superb, he had excellent knowledge of all the tour sites we visited, and everywhere we went he rushed forward to find us lifts and escalators for the elderly.
Then he took us to SUPERB lunch, which we still talk about.
This guide from JGA, Chas Yokoi, was wonderful, fun, friendly and knowledgeable. We thank him so
very much for making our Japan stay a trip to remember
WELL DONE , JGA and Chas Yokoi!
May 19, 2024
SueJ211
5 star experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable, fun, responsive…
May 19, 2024
SueJ211
5 star experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Chas Yokoi was an excellent guide. Knowledgeable, fun, responsive to our needs and very
willing to take us to a specific site. He made our first visit to Tokyo very memorable