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
- 1.9:30 Meet up＠The Westin Yokohama
- 2.11:00 ＠Imperial Palace (Sakuradamon Gate, Main Gate, Nijubashi Bridge)
- 3.11:30 ＠Tokyo Station (Station Plaza, Station Building, KITTE [Post Office])
- 4.12:30 Lunch＠Asakusa
- 5.13:30 ＠Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Sumida Park)
- 6.15:00 ＠Hamarikyu Gardens
- 7.17:30 Disband＠The Westin Yokohama (a little before)
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Day Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had been neighbors long ago and had traveled together as the same group for about fifteen years. It was everyone's first visit to Japan. They had originally booked passage on the Diamond Princess, the cruise ship where Japan's first reported cases of the coronavirus occurred, and after that cancellation this trip to Japan came true four years later. They had watched the Emmy Award-winning series "Shogun." The day before, they had joined a tour to Mount Fuji. I heard that the next day they would board a cruise ship and, after Kagoshima, call at ports such as Taipei and Singapore. On the subway, while asking about Japan, they also introduced their own town by showing photos on their smartphones. At Tokyo Station, they wished to visit a post office to buy Japanese stamps to mail postcards from Japan to their grandchildren, so we stopped by KITTE nearby, where they were able to affix ukiyo-e design stamps and mail the postcards. For lunch they requested tempura and enjoyed tendon in Asakusa. One of the guests had recently undergone knee surgery, so there was some strain on the legs and continuous walking seemed difficult. We walked while matching the pace, but at Hamarikyu Gardens the guest decided independently to wait seated at the entrance rather than going inside. Given that situation, we skipped the originally planned Shibuya and Ginza and returned to the hotel. For the return on the Toyoko Line, they preferred a local train where they could be sure of a seat even if it took longer, and we headed for Minatomirai Station. We walked together until the hotel's sign came into view, and, being considerate toward the guide, they said goodbye there.
Click here for more details: Tokyo in 1 Day from Yokohama: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Minatomirai Line Minatomirai Station～Toyoko Line Shibuya Station | 510JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line Shibuya Station～Yurakucho Line Sakuradamon Station | 600JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Otemachi Station～Ginza Line Asakusa Station | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station～Shimbashi Station | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Shimbashi Station～Shibuya Station | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Tokyu Toyoko Line Shibuya Station～Minatomirai Line Minatomirai Station | 510JPY |
| Total | 1,620JPY | ||
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.
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
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Best Post cruise tour ever
It was…
Jul 3, 2026
Jody D
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Full Day Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle from Yokohama
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
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tokyo in 4 hours
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…
Lovely experience. My guide was an absolutely adorable lady…
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Hema_R
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….