Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Minoruasai
February, 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 at Hotel. A total of 4 people: a couple from Atlanta, and the husband's father and mother from Qatar. We decided on the places to visit and headed to Shinjuku-gyoemmae on the Marunouchi Line.
- 11:45-12:25 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building North Tower Observation Deck. We were able to see Mt. Fuji clearly. After that, we moved to Meiji Shrine.
- 12:50-14:00 Guided tour of Meiji Shrine. After that, we moved to Shibuya on the Yamanote Line.
- 14:10-14:40 Guided tour of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko. Since they were hungry, we went for lunch.
- 14:40-15:30 Lunch at the Hinai chicken yakitori restaurant "Hotei" in Shibuya Yokocho. We had planned to go to Asakusa afterward, but Mr. Asher, who had arrived in Tokyo from Atlanta the previous night, had become quite tired from jet lag, so we decided not to go to Asakusa and instead to tour Shinjuku, which is close to the hotel.
- 15:50-16:35 We showed them the red and white plum blossoms in full bloom at Shinjuku Hanazono Shrine, and guided them through Golden Gai next to Hanazono Shrine. After that, since Mr. Asher was already quite sleepy, we walked 7 minutes to escort them to Citadines Tokyo where they were staying, and parted at 16:45.
What's a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Fuji Views
The guests were a group visiting from the Middle East. They had arrived in Tokyo the previous week, explored various places, and were then joined by other members of the group arriving from North America, with plans to head to Kyoto and Osaka afterward. They were able to walk energetically and were in good health, so the tour went smoothly. From the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Mount Fuji was clearly visible, which delighted them. In Shibuya, the guests said they were hungry and wanted lunch, so I asked what they would like to eat, and the reply was "yakitori" (laughs). I took them to "Hotei," a Hinai jidori chicken restaurant located in the Shibuya Yokocho area developed along the Yamanote Line, where everyone enjoyed beer while saying how delicious it was and finished all their food, so I was glad I had taken them there. Because the jet lag had become quite severe, we gave up on visiting Sensoji Temple, but since the guests had two more days to explore Tokyo on their own, I explained in detail how to get around. It was a very friendly group, and the tour had a pleasant atmosphere.
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-gyoemmae～Shinjuku | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Shinjuku～Meiji-jingumae | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Harajuku～Shibuya | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Shibuya～Shinjuku-sanchome | 0JPY |
| Total | 750JPY | ||
I acquired national guide license in 2014, and I have been doing guide work full fledged since 2016. In my career before starting guide work, I was a business man and made more than 1,000 business trips both abroad and in Japan, and that experience is my foundation as a guide because I came to know so many places both abroad and in Japan. I have been taking care of both group and individual tourists, and the number of foreign guests I have taken care is close to 2,500 so far. I am based in Tokyo, but I can cover guide work in many prefectures throughout Japan. When I take care of foreign guests, my major concern is to listen attentively to them, find out what they want to know and do in Japan, and give them appropriate guiding in accordance with what I heard from my guests. I would like to provide tailor made tour as much as possible for every precious guest who kindly chose Japan as the tour destination.
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our…
Aug 1, 2025
8
898kendrap
Great first day in Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Asai, our tour guide, made our first day in Tokyo so memorable and enjoyable! He shared his knowledge and love for the city as he showed us around. We now understand how to navigate the train system, and he even left us a list of how to explore other areas of the city by train. Our tour was a fun way to get acquainted with this amazing city!
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture,…
Jul 14, 2025
Anette_V
Perfect
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our guide Minoru Asai was very friendly and knowledgeable about culture, history and
society. He picked and showed us more than We expected. Also he was good Company for
both me, my husbond and our son aged 22.
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We…
Jun 30, 2025
liammL2246HL
Amazing experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing private tour with Minoru Asai! We loved seeing all of the sights on the tour and Minoru was extremely knowledge about all things in Tokyo and else-wear in Japan. We were able to adjust the stops due to the heat (it was up to 35C!) and Minoru had great suggestions for things to check out. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored…
Jun 26, 2025
394milesd
Excellent guide making an excellent day in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A perfect day, tailored to our needs (and the weather) and delivered so attentively by our guide Minoru Asai. He was in contact in advance of the day to understand our interests, and advised us on practicalities and remained flexible throughout the day as required. His knowledge, and passion, for the history of Tokyo made the day! Could not have asked for more.