# English-Speaking Private Guide in Tokyo | Mario URL: https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/tokyo/ Idioma: en > Private English-speaking guide in Tokyo: Senso-ji at opening, Meiji Jingu, the Imperial Palace gardens and Shibuya, with sushi counters booked in Japanese. [Private guide](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/) · Tokyo # Tokyo, made simple and personal Old Edo and the modern capital in one well-paced day: early temples, quiet gardens, a sushi counter booked in Japanese, and none of the guesswork of the world’s largest rail network. [Plan Tokyo with Mario](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20for%20Tokyo.%20Dates%3A%20)[or message Mario directly](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20) Guided in English · also speaks Spanish · ¥69,600 · full day · 8 h · for the whole private group (The five-story pagoda of Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo) The five-story pagoda of Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo Photo: [Real Estate Japan from Tokyo, Japan](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Five-Storey_Pagoda_of_Sens%C5%8D-ji,_Asakusa_-_New_Year%27s_Day_2021_(50786251791).jpg) · CC BY 2.0 案内人 マリオ In brief With Mario, a private day in Tokyo links Asakusa, the Imperial Palace gardens, Nihonbashi, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya in a logical order, using trains or a car with driver. He reserves sushi counters and experiences in Japanese and adapts on the spot. A full day (8 hours) is ¥69,600 per private party. Mario is part of the Tony Kansai Guide team; WhatsApp +81 70 8996 8582. Mario travels from Kansai; his train fare (and hotel if overnight) is added at cost. Tokyo: quick facts Best for Arrival days, first-time visitors, families Ideal time Three or four days, plus day trips Day trips Mount Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura Guide travel Mario travels from Kansai; his train fare (and hotel if overnight) is added at cost. Guide Mario, private English-speaking guide (also speaks Spanish); four years guiding Rates Half day ¥45,600 · full day ¥69,600 · long day trips from ¥84,000 (per private party) Book [WhatsApp +81 70 8996 8582](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20) Tokyo ## Highlights with Mario (Senso-ji and Kaminarimon) Photo: [Another Believer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaminarimon_(F%C5%ABraijinmon)_at_Sens%C5%8Dji_in_Asakusa,_Tokyo,_2019_-_412.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 ### Senso-ji and Kaminarimon Tokyo’s oldest temple and its great red lantern. The main hall opens at 6:00, and an early visit sees Asakusa before the shopping street fills. (Meiji Jingu) Photo: [Asanagi](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meiji_Shrine_Minami-sando-torii_2023-01-26.jpg) · CC0 ### Meiji Jingu The shrine to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, deep in a planted forest beside Harajuku. Its gates open at sunrise, the calmest time to walk in. (Shibuya) Photo: [Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tokyo_Shibuya_Scramble_Crossing_2018-10-09.jpg) · CC BY-SA 2.0 ### Shibuya The famous scramble crossing and the city seen from above at dusk. Mario times the viewpoint so you see the lights come on. (Imperial Palace East Gardens) Photo: [Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imperial_Palace_East_Gardens_(9000324274).jpg) · CC BY 2.0 ### Imperial Palace East Gardens The stone walls and moats of Edo Castle in the heart of the city. The gardens are usually closed on Mondays and Fridays, which Mario plans around. (Tokyo Skytree) Photo: [Basile Morin](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Worm%27s-eye_view_of_Tokyo_Skytree_with_vertical_symmetry_impression,_a_sunny_day,_in_Japan.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 ### Tokyo Skytree At 634 meters, Japan’s tallest structure, with decks at 350 and 450 meters. Clear winter mornings can show Mount Fuji on the horizon. (Nihonbashi) Photo: [Kakidai](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019_Takashimaya_Nihonbashi_02.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 ### Nihonbashi The old merchant heart of Tokyo. Takashimaya’s 1933 store was the first department store named an Important Cultural Property, and its food halls are a lesson in Japanese hospitality. (Inokashira Park) Photo: [Htanaungg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inokashira_Pond.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 ### Inokashira Park A leafy pond park in Kichijoji, a short walk from the Ghibli Museum, where Tokyo slows down. Ghibli tickets are sold in advance and go quickly. A suggested day ## How the day could unfold A starting point, not a script: Mario adjusts the order and pace to the season, the crowds and your interests. - 08:00 Hotel lobby pick-up and a short ride to Asakusa for Senso-ji before the crowds. - 10:00 Imperial Palace East Gardens and the walls of Edo Castle. - 12:00 A sushi counter in Ginza or Nihonbashi, reserved in Japanese. - 14:00 Meiji Jingu and its forest approach, then Omotesando’s architecture. - 16:30 Shibuya crossing and a timed viewpoint at dusk, then a car or train back to your hotel. Insider tips ## What Mario wants you to know - Tokyo is a cluster of cities; grouping neighborhoods saves hours. East (Asakusa, Ueno), center (Palace, Ginza, Nihonbashi) and west (Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku) each fill a half day well. - A guided first day pays off: Mario sets up IC cards, shows you how the trains and transfers work, and leaves you confident for the free days that follow. - Avoid trains between about 7:30 and 9:30 on weekdays with luggage; send suitcases ahead with luggage forwarding instead. - The best sushi counters seat eight to twelve guests and accept bookings weeks ahead, often in Japanese only. ¥69,600 · full day · 8 h · for the whole private group (half day ¥45,600 · 4 h) Mario travels from Kansai; his train fare (and hotel if overnight) is added at cost. Trains, admissions, meals and any private car with driver are paid separately, at cost. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. [All prices](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/#prices) Questions ## Tokyo: frequently asked Who is a good English-speaking private guide in Tokyo? Mario, a private English-speaking guide based in Kansai, guides Tokyo (his train fare and hotel if overnight added at cost) and plans the whole day, bookings included. Mario is part of the Tony Kansai Guide team; message him on WhatsApp at +81 70 8996 8582. Is a private guide worth it in Tokyo? For a first visit, yes, especially on day one. Tokyo’s rail network, station exits and reservations are where most time is lost. A guided day teaches the system, covers the main neighborhoods efficiently and makes the rest of the trip easier. Can Mario plan day trips from Tokyo? Yes. Mount Fuji and Hakone, Nikko and Kamakura are classic day trips. Long day trips such as Mount Fuji or Nikko start from ¥84,000 per private party, plus Mario’s train fare and hotel from Kansai at cost. Many guests combine Tokyo with a multi-day journey with Mario. Does Mario meet guests at their hotel? Yes. Days usually begin with a hotel lobby pick-up, and Mario can also meet you at a station or at your first sight. (Mario, private English-speaking tour guide in Japan) **Mario** · private English-speaking guide in Japan. Four years of guiding, fluent Spanish too, and the logistics of someone based in Kansai who married into a Japanese family. [Message Mario on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20for%20Tokyo.%20Dates%3A%20) Plan ahead ## Read next Read next - [Private guide: Mount Fuji & Hakone](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/mount-fuji-hakone/) - [First time in Japan? The essential tips](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/first-time-japan-tips/) - [The ideal two-week Japan itinerary for a first visit](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/japan-itinerary-two-weeks/) More journeys ## Other places Mario guides - [01 ### Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera · Fushimi Inari Taisha · Arashiyama Full day · 8 h · Private group ¥69,600 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/kyoto/) - [02 ### Osaka & Nara Osaka Castle · Dotonbori · Kuromon Market Full day · 8 h · Private group ¥69,600 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/osaka-nara/) - [03 ### Mount Fuji & Hakone Lake Kawaguchi · Oshino Hakkai · Lake Ashi Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group from ¥84,000 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/mount-fuji-hakone/) - [04 ### Nikko & Kamakura Shinkyo Bridge · Kegon Falls · Lake Chuzenji Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group from ¥84,000 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/nikko-kamakura/) Continue? ## Let Mario plan your Japan Send your dates, the size of your party and where you are staying. Mario replies with a plan, and every reservation is made for you, in Japanese. [Message Mario on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20for%20Tokyo.%20Dates%3A%20)[See prices](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/#prices)