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 Takeshita Street, Omotesando
- 12:30 Gotokuji Temple
- 13:30 Lunch @Bonus Track
- 15:30 Disband @Shimokitazawa Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:30, when the guide met the guests at @Hotel, and finished at 15:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @Bonus Track at 13:30.
From there the group visited Meiji Shrine at 10:00, Takeshita Street, Omotesando at 11:30 and Gotokuji Temple at 12:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Omotesando to Gotokuji by train (330JPY); Gotokuji to Setagaya-Daita by train (140JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 620JPY per person.
【Meeting point: Hotel】
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shimokitazawa — A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests came from Europe and had already traveled to Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto before returning to Tokyo for this tour. They seemed perfectly capable of getting anywhere on their own by searching public transportation on Google Maps. Precisely because they seemed like people who might not need a guide, I told myself from the start that I really had to do my best.
In our exchanges beforehand, the guests requested Meiji Shrine and Harajuku, and, if time allowed, Gotokuji and Shimokitazawa in a flexible manner, so I guided them exactly as requested.
Since they had already seen so many temples and shrines in Kyoto, it was wonderful that at Meiji Shrine we were able to see a chrysanthemum exhibition and a wedding procession. After walking through Takeshita Street, they also showed interest in Omotesando, so we strolled leisurely to Omotesando Station. The guests told me they love wandering and exploring towns on foot.
I guided them to Gotokuji and Setagaya Hachimangu Shrine, and then we had lunch in Shimokitazawa and enjoyed exploring the streets before saying goodbye at Shimokitazawa Station. They were talkative and pleasant, and they shared many stories about the places they had visited.
Shimokitazawa in particular is full of small shops scattered along narrow, tangled streets and can be hard to navigate, and I was delighted when the guests said they could never have explored this area on their own.
This tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures and winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best.
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 | Shinjuku～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Omotesando～Gotokuji | 330JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Gotokuji～Setagaya-Daita | 140JPY |
| Total | 620JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Hotel at 9:30, and the tour finished at @Shimokitazawa Station at 15:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 9:30 to 15:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Omotesando and Gotokuji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 620JPY per person across 3 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?
Yoko 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’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.