Tokyo in One Day: Tsukiji & Asakusa — Guide Yoko
March, 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
- 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel New Otani
- 9:30 Tsukiji
- 11:30 Imperial Palace East Gardens
- 13:00 Lunch @ KITTE Underground Ramen Battlefield
- 14:00 Asakusa
- 15:30 Disband @ Don Quijote Asakusa Store
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel New Otani, and finished at 15:30. The day ran to 6 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ KITTE Underground Ramen Battlefield at 13:00.
From there the group visited Tsukiji at 9:30, Imperial Palace East Gardens at 11:30 and Asakusa at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Akasaka-mitsuke to Tsukiji by subway (180JPY); Tsukiji to Otemachi by subway (180JPY); Tokyo to Kanda by train (150JPY); Kanda to Asakusa by subway (180JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 690JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa
The guests came from North America. They were enjoying a trip while their children stayed with family back home.
They love food and had reserved a sushi restaurant in Tsukiji, but on the night before the tour they contacted me to say they had already eaten plenty of sushi in Osaka and wanted ramen instead. The restaurant had already closed, so I ended up having to call to cancel during the tour. Because sudden cancellations like this can happen, when I book a restaurant I only reserve places that do not charge a cancellation fee.
I was a little worried that the guests might be quite free-spirited, but when I actually met them they were warm, friendly, and very kind.
At the guests' request, the tour covered Tsukiji, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa. At the Imperial Palace, they seemed to expect to see the palace building, so I explained that this was the site where Edo Castle once stood. While resting on a bench and eating white strawberries we had bought in Tsukiji, we talked about Japanese history. They listened very attentively.
For lunch, I had them choose from the ramen shops in the famous ramen area in the basement of KITTE. Because it was such a sudden change of plan, I was not able to scout the place in advance, but the guests were more impressed than I expected, which made me happy.
In Asakusa, we happened to encounter the Golden Dragon Dance, which delighted them greatly. I had not studied enough and did not know that the event was held that day, so I was unable to explain it well at the time. After returning home, I researched it and explained it to the guests by email.
At the end, I guided them to a discount store before we said goodbye. The next day I received an email saying that they had bought too much at the store the previous day. I am glad they seemed to have enjoyed themselves.
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 | Akasaka-mitsuke～Tsukiji | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Tsukiji～Otemachi | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tokyo～Kanda | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Kanda～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Total | 690JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel New Otani at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ Don Quijote Asakusa Store at 15:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 15:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji, Imperial Palace East Gardens and Asakusa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 690JPY per person across 4 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.