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

  • 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Vista Tokyo Tsukiji
  • 10:15 Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 11:10 Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko
  • 11:30 Meiji Shrine
  • 12:40 Imperial Palace
  • 13:20 Lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Sushi (Marunouchi Building)
  • 14:30 Senso-ji Temple
  • 15:30 Akihabara
  • 16:05 Disband @ Akihabara Station

Tour Itinerary in Detail

This private tour of Tokyo began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Vista Tokyo Tsukiji, and finished at 16:05. The day ran to 6 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Numazu Uogashi Sushi (Marunouchi Building) at 13:20.

From there the group visited Tsukiji Outer Market at 10:15, Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko at 11:10, Meiji Shrine at 11:30, Imperial Palace at 12:40, Senso-ji Temple at 14:30 and Akihabara at 15:30.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tsukiji to Shibuya by subway (600JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Nijubashimae by subway (0JPY); Tokyo to Ueno by train (170JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (0JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho by subway (0JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 920JPY per person.

What Is a Full-Day Private Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji, and Akihabara

The guest was a person from Europe visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, the guest planned to travel to Kyoto and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, the guest appeared impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Tsukiji Market and Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, although it rained, the guest showed interest in the vast grounds and in the historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo shogunate. At Senso-ji, the guest listened with interest to explanations about the differences between shrines and temples. In Akihabara, the guest wanted to explore more shops before returning to the hotel, so we parted ways at Akihabara Station. Since I responded exactly as the guest had wished, I believe they were satisfied.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayTsukiji~Shibuya600JPY
Section 2TrainShibuya~Harajuku150JPY
Section 3SubwayMeiji-jingumae~Nijubashimae0JPY
Section 4TrainTokyo~Ueno170JPY
Section 5SubwayUeno~Asakusa0JPY
Section 6SubwayAsakusa~Suehirocho0JPY
Total920JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Vista Tokyo Tsukiji at 10:00, and the tour finished at @ Akihabara Station at 16:05.

How long does the tour last?

About 6 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 16:05.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Tsukiji Outer Market, Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple and Akihabara.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 920JPY 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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