Tokyo: Rikugien Garden & Nezu Museum — Guide Yoko
November, 2024
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
- 10:00 Meet up @Sunshine Prince
- 10:30 Rikugien Garden
- 12:00 Shinjuku Gyoen
- 13:30 Lunch @Oedo Katsu
- 14:45 Nezu Museum
- 16:40 Disband @Sunshine Price
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @Sunshine Prince at 10:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 16:40. The day ran to 6 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @Oedo Katsu at 13:30.
The itinerary covered Rikugien Garden at 10:30, Shinjuku Gyoen at 12:00 and Nezu Museum at 14:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Ikebukuro to Komagome by train (170JPY); Komagome to Shinjuku-gyoemmae by Free Pass (600JPY); Shinjuku to Harajuku by train (150JPY); Meiji-jingumae to Omotesando by Free Pass (0JPY); Omotesando to Ikebukuro by Free Pass (0JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 920JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Japanese Garden Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were from North America. This was my first time guiding the Japanese Garden Lover's Tour. I had visited both Rikugien Garden and the Nezu Museum on my own before, but it was my first time guiding there, so I paid careful attention to time management throughout the tour. It was still a little early for the peak of the autumn foliage, but because of that it was not crowded, and the guests were pleased to be able to view the gardens at a relaxed pace.
The guests had been sightseeing all around Japan on a group tour, and the day I guided them was their first and only day of free time. One of the guests enjoyed gardening at home and had signed up for this tour for that reason. During our correspondence beforehand, the guests researched the places they wanted to visit and made their own requests.
The guests had seen a video of a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on YouTube and wanted to try it, so for lunch we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant near Shinjuku Station. Since the pandemic, the sushi does not really go around on the belt much anymore, and it was more a matter of ordering and having it freshly prepared, but the guests were delighted and said it was fun.
I had originally prepared the itinerary to end at the Nezu Museum, but when I confirmed on the day, the guests asked to be taken back to their Hotel, so although we went over time, I saw them off at their Hotel and said goodbye.
I think all the walking must have tired them out, but they thanked me for taking them to the places they had wanted to visit on their last day in Japan, which made me very happy.
To [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/): I was finally able to put the Rikugien Garden training into practice. Thank you very much. The Shinjuku Gyoen training has also been useful every time. I would love to guide these places again on regular tours as well.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Japanese Gardens Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Ikebukuro～Komagome | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | Komagome～Shinjuku-gyoemmae | 600JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shinjuku～Harajuku | 150JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | Meiji-jingumae～Omotesando | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Free Pass | Omotesando～Ikebukuro | 0JPY |
| Total | 920JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Sunshine Prince at 10:00, and the tour finished at @Sunshine Price at 16:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 40 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 16:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Rikugien Garden, Shinjuku Gyoen and Nezu Museum.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 920JPY per person across 5 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.