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
- 09:00 Meet up at the hotel
- 09:40 Visit Meiji Shrine
- 11:00 Tour the Tokyo National Museum
- 12:50 Guide to Yokozuna Tonkatsu Tanaka
- 13:00 Take photos in front of the restaurant and disband
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 09:00, when the guide met the guests at hotel, and finished at 13:00. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Meiji Shrine at 09:40, Tokyo National Museum at 11:00 and Guide to Yokozuna Tonkatsu Tanaka at 12:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kudanshita to Meiji-jingumae by train (210JPY); Harajuku to Ueno by train (260JPY); Ueno to Morishita (Tokyo) by train (290JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 760JPY per person.
What Is a Private Tokyo Tour of Meiji Shrine and the Tokyo National Museum Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions The guests were visitors from North America who came to Japan. At Meiji Shrine, they were delighted by the sacred atmosphere of the approach path. Because of the spring grand festival, a traditional stage and large taiko drums had been set up on the plaza in front of the main hall, so they were able to enjoy a lively atmosphere different from usual. We happened to come across a procession of a bride and groom heading to a wedding, along with their family and friends, and the guests were moved by the white bridal kimono. The guests also wrote their prayers on an ema votive tablet and were pleased, saying, "What a wonderful experience." Due to time constraints, we could stay at the Tokyo National Museum for only a little under an hour. Since the guests were interested in samurai culture and Buddhism, we focused mainly on those exhibits, and they were satisfied. They told me, "We'll save the rest for our next visit to Japan," which was a relief to hear.
2. Other notes and remarks The guests' hotel was in the Kudanshita area, close to Yasukuni Shrine. As it was a public holiday, right-wing and left-wing demonstrators were expected to appear around Yasukuni Shrine, and there was a heavy security presence with more than ten Metropolitan Police riot vehicles closing off the Kudanshita intersection. I explained the situation to the guests and advised them that if the security measures were still in place after the tour, they should stay inside the hotel as much as possible and go out only after the security had been lifted.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Tour & Sumo Show Lunch with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kudanshita～Meiji-jingumae | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Harajuku～Ueno | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Ueno～Morishita (Tokyo) | 290JPY |
| Total | 760JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 09:00, and the tour finished at Take photos in front of the restaurant at 13:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 09:00 to 13:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Meiji Shrine, Tokyo National Museum and Guide to Yokozuna Tonkatsu Tanaka.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 760JPY per person across 3 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?
Toru 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.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru…
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
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Victor_G
All the temples and…
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.