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
- 08:00 Meet at the main gate of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
- 08:05 Tsukiji Outer Market
- 10:20 Former Shiba Rikyu Garden
- 11:30 Meiji Shrine
- 12:00 Disband at Harajuku Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 08:00, when the guide met the guests at main gate of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, and finished at 12:00. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Tsukiji Outer Market at 08:05, Former Shiba Rikyu Garden at 10:20 and Meiji Shrine at 11:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tsukiji to Daimon by train (290JPY); Hamamatsucho to Harajuku by train (210JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 500JPY per person.
Title: What's a Rainy-Day Private Walking Tour of Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsukiji, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden, and Meiji Shrine
Despite the unfortunate rain, the crowds at Tsukiji Market were smaller than usual, which allowed the guests to stroll slowly through all the streets and enjoy a variety of foods. Some of the guests particularly liked the beef bowl at Kitsuneya and ate it with big smiles. Another of the guests enjoyed Japanese dashi and was delighted to buy dashi packs to take home.
At Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden, the rain had eased and there were no other visitors, so the guests were able to enjoy it almost entirely to themselves.
At Meiji Shrine, heavy rain fell and we had to take shelter inside Harajuku Station for a while, but the guests appreciated the quiet atmosphere of the shrine grounds in the rain.
The guests stayed energetic and cheerful throughout despite the rain, which made for a bright and enjoyable tour, and I am very grateful for that.
I had the pleasure of guiding a group of eight. I had anticipated that walking through the Tsukiji outer market with eight people would be challenging, but thanks to the cooperation of the guests, we moved the tour start time one hour earlier to 8:00, which allowed us to avoid the busiest hours and made it relatively easy to enjoy strolling and eating.
The next day, I received a thank-you message from the guests. It made me truly happy to know that they had enjoyed the tour. We really appreciated your great tour yesterday.
Click here for more details: Tsukiji Local Food & Culture Half-Day Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Tsukiji～Daimon | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Hamamatsucho～Harajuku | 210JPY |
| Total | 500JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at main gate of Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple at 08:00, and the tour finished at Harajuku Station at 12:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 08:00 to 12:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsukiji Outer Market, Former Shiba Rikyu Garden and Meiji Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 500JPY per person across 2 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!
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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!
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Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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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
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Outstanding experience at the…
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S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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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
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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.