Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Meiji Shrine — Guide Yoko
January, 2025
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
- 11:00 Meet up@Capitol Tokyu
- 11:30 Tsukiji
- 13:00 Asakusa
- 14:00 Lunch@Gonpachi
- 15:55 Meiji Shrine
- 17:00 Disband@Takeshita Street
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @Capitol Tokyu at 11:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch@Gonpachi at 14:00.
The itinerary covered Tsukiji at 11:30, Asakusa at 13:00 and Meiji Shrine at 15:55.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kokkai-gijidomae to Tsukiji by Free Pass (600JPY); Tsukiji to Asakusa by subway (0JPY); Asakusa to Meiji-jingumae by subway (0JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 600JPY per person.
Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street: A Tokyo Private Tour Report by a Licensed Guide
The guests were a group of three visiting Japan. Since one of the guests was not feeling well (recovering from an illness), we delayed the start time by one hour and began at 11:00. One of the guests came dressed rather lightly, so I recommended bringing a coat. This coat was a very bright pink, which turned out to be extremely helpful in spotting the guests during the tour. The group had traveled together several times before, and the others gave a wry smile, saying they had gotten used to one guest's love of photography but that it was still a bit much. There were many times during the tour when this guest would go off to take photos here and there and briefly disappear from sight, but thanks to the pink coat I was always able to find them right away. I myself was wearing a bright red coat so that the guests could easily find me if we got separated, which I think made me easy to spot. After the visit to Meiji Shrine, one of the guests, who was not feeling fully well, returned to the Hotel early. The rest of the group headed to Takeshita Street. They mentioned that it might have been just as well that this guest did not come, since it did not seem like a place they would enjoy. After seeing an animal cafe in Asakusa, the guests had become very curious about them, so I introduced them to a pig cafe before saying goodbye. It was nice to see the guests enjoying interacting with the pigs through the window. From here they plan to travel to Hakone and Kyoto, and then travel together to Asia.
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 | Free Pass | Kokkai-gijidomae～Tsukiji | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji～Asakusa | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Asakusa～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Capitol Tokyu at 11:00, and the tour finished at @Takeshita Street at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 11:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji, Asakusa and Meiji Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 600JPY 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.