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
- 1. 9:00 Meet up @ Hotel <Higashi-Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower>
- 2. 10:00 @ Meiji Shrine
- 3. 10:50 @ Ginza (Kabukiza, Ginza Main Street)
- 4. 11:30 @ Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, Main Gate)
- 5. 12:20 Lunch @ Washoku En (inside Marunouchi Oazo)
- 6. 13:30 @ Tokyo Station (Station Square, Station Building, Midori no Madoguchi)
- 7. 14:00 @ Nihonbashi (Takashimaya Food Floor)
- 8. 14:30 @ Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, "Kaminari Issa", Sumida Park)
- 9. 15:40 Dismiss @ Akasaka-mitsuke Station (on the Ginza Line)
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, and Nihonbashi
The guests were a group from North America and Europe who had gathered in Tokyo the day before, originally connected through a shared background. This trip was arranged as a memorable getaway with friends. One member of the group had visited Japan a few years earlier, had loved it, and recommended it as a travel destination. For the others, it was their first visit to Japan. One member of the group was in charge of video recording and planned to create a commemorative video of the trip.
They seemed to enjoy every place we visited, taking commemorative photos against many backdrops: the torii gate and sake barrels at Meiji Shrine; Sakuradamon Gate, the Nijubashi Bridge, the pine trees, and the moats at the Imperial Palace; the Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise shopping street, and the five-story pagoda at Asakusa; the early-blooming cherry blossoms at Sumida Park; and the view of the Tokyo Skytree from there. They also had a lively time at the food floor in the basement of the Nihonbashi Takashimaya department store. I pointed out and introduced Japanese daikon radish and bananas imported from abroad, and they were amazed to see white strawberries unique to Japan for the first time, taking photos in surprise.
For lunch, they each ordered their favorites — sushi, tempura, soba, simmered fish, and fried chicken — and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. At the table, some of the guests proudly shared with me, a Japanese guide, a couple of Japanese phrases they had been taught back home, which turned out to be quite rude. While cautioning them, "You absolutely cannot say those out loud during a meal!", we all burst out laughing together. At "Kaminari Issa," located just past the Nitenmon Gate of Sensoji Temple, everyone tried matcha beer and liked its refreshing taste.
At first I had thought that guiding this energetic group might be quite demanding, but everyone was so cheerful and easygoing that, strangely, I felt no fatigue at all after the tour ended.
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 | Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Higashi-Shinjuku Station～Meiji-jingumae Station | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Meiji-jingumae Station～Hibiya Line Higashi-Ginza Station | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Ginza-itchome Station～Sakuradamon Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihonbashi Station～Asakusa Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station～Akasaka-mitsuke Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Noripy.
I am a lively woman in my 60s who loves having fun. My charm lies in my bright and approachable personality. Drawing on over 30 years of international experience, I began working as a tour guide in 2023. I have conducted over 100 tours annually, ensuring that my clients enjoy Tokyo and its surrounding areas. I have received high praise from a wide range of customers, from teenagers to people in their 80s. I cater to solo travelers, couples, newlyweds, families, and groups of up to about 10 people. Living in the heart of the city, I actively guide tours primarily in Tokyo. In addition to being certified in English, one of my strengths is being able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all in Tokyo!
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a…
Sep 10, 2026
Sonal_G
Noripy is just the best
Viator review: Tokyo Vegetarian and Halal Food Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Noripy is such a great guide and just a wonderful human being that felt like an old friend. We had first visited Tokyo eight years ago, so we had not planned on getting a tour, but we felt like we got both a Food Tour and a cultural tour with her and we were so grateful for both. My daughter is moving to Japan, and so we were excited to be here but we were disappointed that we had not been able to find vegetarian food as easily. Noripy had tips and tricks and language she suggested we use and helped us with our first vegan ramen which was excellent. I highly recommend anything you can do with a Noripy, you should run and go do it! She trained at Boston University and international relations, and had ties with both my daughters from her schooling which tickled us with delight. She is a spry woman and the kindest soul and I’m so glad our paths crossed as Tokyo came to life through her welcoming eyes. We were nervous about going on this tour because we had a bad experience with a different tour with someone else the night before, but she restored our faith in humanity and tour guides and that was a tall order.
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Jody D
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Jody D
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Best Post cruise tour ever
It was a GREAT TOUR with Noripy! With a family of many different ages and walking levels this was fantastic. We were picked up from our cruise in Yokohama and dropped off at Haneda airport. We had about 10 hours before our flight and it went flawlessly.
June 19, 2026
Alec T
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Noripy was excellent! She guided us through…
June 19, 2026
Alec T
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Noripy was excellent! She guided us through several parts of the city: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, Sangedatsumon, Zojo-ji, Meiji Jingu, and Golden Gai. A great way to see many Tokyo sites and get acquainted with the city on your first day!
Jun 16, 2026
Hema_R
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Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
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Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Lovely experience. My…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady who managed to fit all the iconic Tokyo spots into my 6-hour tour without anything feeling rushed. She was knowledgeable, organised, and genuinely kind. Toward the end she even helped me with some shopping, which I really appreciated. A wonderful introduction to Tokyo and a guide I’d happily recommend….