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.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
- 10:30 Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko
- 10:50 Meiji Shrine
- 12:00 Imperial Palace
- 12:50 Lunch @ Hakata Menbo Akanoren (Marunouchi Building)
- 14:00 Sensoji Temple
- 15:20 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 16:10 Disband @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, and finished at 16:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Hakata Menbo Akanoren (Marunouchi Building) at 12:50.
From there the group visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko at 10:30, Meiji Shrine at 10:50, Imperial Palace at 12:00, Sensoji Temple at 14:00 and Shinjuku Gyoen at 15:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shinjuku-sanchome to Shibuya by subway (600JPY); Shibuya to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji Shrine to Nijubashimae by subway (0JPY); Tokyo to Ueno by train (170JPY); Ueno to Asakusa by subway (0JPY); Asakusa to Shinjuku-gyoenmae by subway (0JPY); Shinjuku-gyoenmae to Shinjuku-sanchome by subway (0JPY). Across 7 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, and Senso-ji
The guests were visitors from Europe, and it was their first time in Japan. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to visit Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. At Meiji Shrine, they seemed deeply impressed by the quiet and solemn atmosphere, which was very different from Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, they listened with great interest to historical explanations about the role of the Emperor, the Meiji Restoration, and the Edo Shogunate. At Senso-ji Temple, they showed interest in the lively Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise Street, and also listened with interest to explanations about the differences between shrines and temples. At Shinjuku Gyoen, they enjoyed strolling through the beautiful Japanese garden. Since I accommodated the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied.
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 | Subway | Shinjuku-sanchome～Shibuya | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shibuya～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Meiji Shrine～Nijubashimae | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tokyo～Ueno | 170JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Ueno～Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Shinjuku-gyoenmae | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Shinjuku-gyoenmae～Shinjuku-sanchome | 0JPY |
| Total | 920JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku at 10:00, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Gracery Shinjuku at 16:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 16:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing・Hachiko, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple and Shinjuku Gyoen.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 920JPY per person across 7 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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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
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We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.