• Asakusa - Asakusa (浅草) is the heart of Tokyo’s shitamachi, or “low city,” a district where the ambiance of Tokyo from past decades is still alive.

The main highlight of Asakusa is Sensoji, a highly frequented Buddhist temple established in the 7th century. Visitors reach the temple through Nakamise, a shopping street that has been offering a variety of traditional local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.

• Imperial Palace - This tour does not include access to the interior of the Imperial Palace
  The current Imperial Palace is situated on the former site of Edo Castle, a vast park area encircled by moats and massive stone walls in central Tokyo, just a short walk from Tokyo Station. It serves as the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.

Edo Castle was once the seat of the Tokugawa shogun, who governed Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the nation’s capital and imperial residence were relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo. The construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed in 1888. The palace was destroyed during World War Two and subsequently rebuilt in the same style.

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most beloved parks. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the park’s expansive lawns, winding walking paths, and serene scenery offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling urban center nearby. In spring, Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the city’s top spots for cherry blossom viewing.
• Shibuya Crossing - Known as the busiest crossing in the world, Shibuya Scramble is a wonder of modern urban life. Visitors can also see the famous Hachiko dog statue here!
• Tsukiji Fish Market - Discover the historic fish market in Tokyo!
• Meiji Jingu Shrine - Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Situated next to the busy Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park form a large forested area within the densely built city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths perfect for a leisurely stroll.

The shrine was completed and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the emperor’s passing and six years after the empress’s passing. The shrine was destroyed during World War Two but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

• Akihabara - Akihabara (秋葉原), also known as Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo renowned for its numerous electronics shops. In recent years, Akihabara has become recognized as the hub of Japan’s otaku (enthusiast) culture, with many shops and establishments dedicated to anime and manga now interspersed among the electronic stores in the district. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).
• Koishikawa Korakuen Garden - Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園, Koishikawa Kōrakuen) is one of Tokyo’s oldest and finest Japanese gardens. It was constructed in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. Like its counterpart in Okayama, the garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people. Koishikawa is the district where the garden is located.
• Hama Rikyu Gardens - Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū) is a large, beautiful landscape garden in central Tokyo. Situated alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds that change level with the tides and a teahouse on an island where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the nearby Shiodome district.
• Tokyo National Museum - The Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館, Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) is the oldest and largest of Japan’s premier national museums, which also include the Kyoto National Museum, the Nara National Museum, and the Kyushu National Museum. It was initially established in 1972 at Yushima Seido Shrine and moved to its current location in Ueno Park a few years later.

The Tokyo National Museum boasts one of the largest and finest collections of art and archaeological artifacts in Japan, comprising over 110,000 individual items, including nearly a hundred national treasures. At any given time, about 4,000 different items from the permanent museum collection are on display. Additionally, temporary exhibitions are regularly held. Excellent English information and audio guides are available.

• Senso-ji Temple - Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and popular temples.

Legend has it that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they returned the statue to the river, it always came back to them. As a result, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple.

• Rikugien Garden - Rikugien (六義園) is often regarded as Tokyo’s most beautiful Japanese landscape garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Constructed around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien literally means “six poems garden” and recreates in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is an excellent example of an Edo Period strolling garden and features a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.
• Yoyogi Park - Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Kōen) is one of Tokyo’s largest city parks, featuring expansive lawns, ponds, and forested areas. It is an ideal location for jogging, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees compared to other sites in Tokyo, it offers a pleasant cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Additionally, it is known for its ginkgo tree forest, which turns a vibrant golden color in autumn.

• Takeshita Street - Harajuku (原宿) refers to the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station, situated between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the epicenter of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights.

The focal point of Harajuku’s teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined with numerous trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothing stores, crepe stands, and fast food outlets catering to fashion and trend-conscious teens.

• Odaiba District - Odaiba (お台場) is a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. It originated as a series of small man-made fort islands (daiba literally means “fort”), constructed towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) to protect Tokyo against potential sea attacks, specifically in response to the gunboat diplomacy of Commodore Perry.

More than a century later, the small islands were merged into larger islands through massive landfills, and Tokyo embarked on a spectacular development project aimed at transforming the islands into a futuristic residential and business district during the extravagant 1980s. However, development was significantly slowed after the burst of the “bubble economy” in the early 1990s, leaving Odaiba nearly vacant.

• Shibamata - Shibamata (柴又) is a neighborhood on the eastern edge of Tokyo, not far from the Edogawa River, which serves as the natural border between Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture. The town retains its nostalgic charm from days gone by and offers a perfect escape from modern Tokyo. One of the main attractions is the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, located not far from the station.
• Nezu - Having miraculously avoided major damage during world wars and natural disasters, Yanaka and Nezu—two of the neighborhoods that make up shitamachi, Tokyo’s old downtown—retain their last-century charm. Visitors will find historical sites such as Yanaka Cemetery and Nezu Shrine tucked away among shitamachi’s narrow back alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, atmospheric coffee shops, and retro stores selling old-style sweets and snacks. Here, one can step back in time to a slower-paced, more genteel Tokyo.
• Shinjuku Golden Gai - Golden Gai is said to have originated around 1950 when the black market that had emerged in front of Shinjuku Station relocated, and in this new area, a number of eating and drinking establishments were established. Although Shinjuku has undergone significant modernization since then, Golden Gai has remained largely unchanged.

The alley is narrow and crowded with countless signs advertising the various establishments that line the way. Many of the buildings themselves are made of wood, remnants from the Showa Era. Most measure only around thirteen square meters (one hundred forty-two square feet). It’s a dim, lively place filled with the aromatic smoke of grilling meats. Despite the nearly endless number of sleek new restaurants available in Shinjuku, this little alley continues to attract foreign tourists. Golden Gai is a popular “un-touristy” tourist spot.

• Tokyo Tower - Only up to the main deck, top deck is not included
  The Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, constructed in 1958. Standing at 332.9 meters, it is the second-tallest structure in Japan.
• Gotokuji Temple - Gotokuji Temple, located in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, is a Buddhist temple believed to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or “luck-inviting cat figurine.”

These small statues, depicting a cat sitting up and beckoning with its front paw, have become quite popular worldwide among cat enthusiasts.

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Tokyo
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private Vehicle
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Join us for a streamlined, half-day exploration of Tokyo, guided by a government-certified, multilingual expert! They will acquaint you with both the modern and traditional facets of this bustling Japanese city.

Given the enormous expanse of Tokyo, one of the world’s vastest metropolises, a full-day tour could likely only cover a minor part, still leaving you astonished by the city’s scale. In Tokyo, you find a unique blend of the new and the old, and your expert private guide will facilitate a smooth and enjoyable half-day journey through this energetic Japanese capital.

Share your interests and preferences, and we shall tailor a four-hour excursion that suitably matches them!

Note*1: Please choose your preferred attractions from a list provided in the tour details to build your personalized itinerary.

Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification, awarded by the Japanese government, necessitates a thorough understanding and knowledge of Japanese culture and history.

• Tour dates can be changed up to 2 days before the tour. Any tour date change may result in a change of tour guide or tour unavailability.
• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.