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

  • 9:00 Hotel – Shinjuku Station – Tsukiji Station
  • 9:40 Tsukiji Market – Tsukiji – Otemachi
  • 11:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens – Otemachi Station
  • 12:30 Meiji Jingumae Station – Meiji Shrine
  • 13:30 Lunch at Meiji Shrine Food Court – Harajuku
  • 14:40 Shibuya Station – 15:00 Disband at the Mario Kart meeting spot

Can You Do a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Covering Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Shibuya? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. The tour was arranged according to their requested destinations, which were Tsukiji, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Meiji Shrine, with a request to drop them off at a go-kart activity in Shibuya by 3:00. Since the itinerary was quite full, I focused on keeping to the schedule and skipped some of the detours I would usually include, in order to stay on time. Because we had exchanged messages several times before the tour, such as confirming the sushi restaurant reservation and moving the tour start time one hour earlier, the guests expressed their gratitude, and I truly realized the importance of preparation before a tour.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayShinjuku~Tsukiji209JPY
Section 2SubwayTsukiji~Otemachi178JPY
Section 3SubwayOtemachi~Meiji Shrine209JPY
Total596JPY

Hello! I am Kyoko who has been working as a guide since 2017. I was born in Kyoto. So, my name comes from Kyoto which is Japan’s beautiful ancient capital . And “ko” literally means child in Japanese. Thus, my name Kyoko means Kyoto’s child, Kyoko. But some guests call me Kyoto. It’s okay, not a big problem.
But to say the truth, I feel like this, ” Am I like an ancient person? No way~!!…” I am mainly guiding in and around Tokyo. Tokyo has two faces of well-advanced and old-fashioned. So, you can enjoy both high-tech technology and historical culture plus delicious food and drinks,too. You will surely be inspired in this city with me. Anyway, looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Thank you in advance!

Sep 9, 2025
salanicolas
Superb Tokyo guide
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoko was great! Super knowledgeable, a lot of fun,…

Jun 19, 2025
josephk547
A definite must-do when visiting Tokyo!
Tripadvisor review: Nikko Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Government-Licensed Guide (Tokyo DEP.)
Absolutely amazing tour…

May 24, 2025
sandrashachar
Terrific Tokyo Tour!
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a fantastic tour of the Asakusa Shrine,…

May 22, 2025
andywP8147WV
Private Guided Tour in Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our wonderful guide Kyoko prepared an excellent…