Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Take

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 at Hotel New Otani. Head to the Imperial Palace. Enter the East Gardens through the Otemon Gate, view from the Honmaru to the Ninomaru, and exit through the Hirakawamon Gate. Take the subway from Takebashi to Asakusa at 11:00. Stroll from the Kaminarimon Gate through Nakamise to the main hall, then Asakusa Shrine, the Nishi-Sando Shopping Street, Hoppy Street, Rock Street, Denboin Street, and Orange Street. Have a meal at Zanmai on Kaminarimon-dori at 1:30. Take the Ginza Line and Yamanote Line to Harajuku. Enter through the First Torii, pass through the Second Torii along the South Approach, and head to the main shrine. On the way back, return to Harajuku via the back streets. As it's time, with everyone's consent, introduce the highlights at the entrance of Harajuku Takeshita Street and disband at 3:00.

What Is a Private History and Culture Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Asakusa

The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests works for a Japanese company and comes to Japan occasionally, but this was their first leisure trip, while it was the first visit to Japan for the other. As they wished to learn about history and culture, I explained the Imperial Palace (from the Warring States period through the Edo period), Meiji Shrine (the Meiji era), and Asakusa (the everyday life of ordinary people from old times through the Edo period to the present). One of the guests follows a specific diet, and we confirmed sushi was possible. They requested salt instead of soy sauce, but had brought a sample of tamari soy sauce to use. Using photographs and other materials, I also explained the life of the current Emperor, which they listened to attentively. They were very friendly guests, and the tour proceeded in an enjoyable atmosphere throughout. In Asakusa, at a chopstick shop, I explained that China, Korea, and Japan all use chopsticks but with different shapes and materials, and the reasons behind this. I also explained cultural differences such as the distinction between the maneki-neko raising its right paw versus its left paw, and how the gesture for calling someone over differs from other countries — pointing the palm downward is considered friendly, while pointing it upward can come across as somewhat arrogant.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayNagatacho～Otemachi180JPY
Section 2SubwayTakebashi～Asakusa210JPY
Section 3SubwayAsakusa～Shibuya260JPY
Section 4TrainShibuya～Harajuku150JPY
Total800JPY

Tour Report by Take

Hi, everyone!
My name is Ryoji Takeuchi. Please call me Take.
I am really glad to have an opportunity to guide you.
I would like to tell you why I became a tour guide. About 10 years ago I traveled mountain area. On the same day I arrived there, Tyhoon hit the area too. A river was raging and maddy but at noon of the next day, the river became transparent, I could see the garvel at the bottom of the river, so clear. I just thought it was because Typhoon had passed, but the guide walking with me said water soaked into the mountain ground, then filtered. That pure water sprang up from the bottom of the river, so it became clear so quickly. Without a guide, I could not notice that natural mechanism. And I want to be like her, then I am a guide now.
BY the way I would like to introduce my career and myself, briefly.
I was born in the suburbs of Tokyo. I grew up there in nature, so I like nature very much. I worked at a construction company for 26years, a massage practice and an architect’s office for about 15 to20 years, and retired. I started to work as a tour guide in 2019. I like sports, such as swimming, scuba diving, Japanese martial arts(Judo, karate, sumo etc.), soft ball and so on, now walking and watching rugby.
I often guide Tsukiji market, sumo watching ,Ninja and Samurai experience, and one day tour of Tokyo or old city Kamakura and so on.
I often travel in Tokyo here and there with my wife. Tokyo has various faces, high technology, traditional culture, historical building, fish market, subculture spot and so on.

Enjoy Tokyo with me!

Request Booking

May 8, 2025
Jennifer_K
Great way to start our 2 week trip!
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Take was a wonderful…