Tokyo 7hr Private Guided Tour & Japanese Home Style Dish Cooking

Discover Tokyo and master Japanese home-style cooking in one day. Join our guided tour and cooking class for an unforgettable experience.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Asakusa - Asakusa (浅草) is the heart of Tokyo’s shitamachi (literally “low city”), a district where the ambiance of old Tokyo still lingers.

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

  • Imperial Palace - The current Imperial Palace stands on the former grounds 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 to 1867. After the shogunate was overthrown in 1868, the capital and imperial residence moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. The new Imperial Palace was completed in 1888. Although it was destroyed during World War Two, it was rebuilt in the same style afterward.

  • Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of Tokyo’s largest and most beloved parks. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the park’s expansive lawns, winding paths, and serene scenery offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling urban center. 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 marvel of modern urban life. You can also visit the statue of the loyal dog Hachiko here!
  • Tsukiji Fish Market - Discover the historic fish market in Tokyo! Tsukiji Fish Market is Japan’s “Food Town,” where you can find a variety of traditional Japanese foods. The streets are lined with a mix of wholesale and retail shops, as well as numerous restaurants, where new culinary trends are often born.
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine - Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Located 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 feature 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 death and six years after the empress’s. Although it was destroyed during World War Two, it was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

  • Akihabara - Akihabara (秋葉原), also known as Akiba after a former local shrine, is a central Tokyo district famous for its numerous electronics shops. In recent years, Akihabara has also become known as the hub of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture, with many stores and establishments dedicated to anime and manga now interspersed among the electronics shops. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the district’s main street, 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. The garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to seek pleasure only after ensuring the happiness of 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 with the tides and a teahouse on an island where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. The traditional garden contrasts sharply with 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 houses one of Japan’s most extensive and finest collections of art and archaeological artifacts, comprising over 110,000 items, including nearly a hundred national treasures. At any given time, about 4,000 items from the permanent collection are on display. Additionally, temporary exhibitions are regularly held. Comprehensive 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 in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and popular temples.

According to legend, in 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River. Despite returning the statue to the river, it always came back to them. As a result, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess 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 means “six poems garden” and recreates in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is a prime example of an Edo Period strolling garden, featuring a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and wooded areas, all connected by a network of trails.
  • 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 historical sites.

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

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

Over a century later, the small islands were merged into larger ones through extensive landfills, and Tokyo embarked on an ambitious development project in the extravagant 1980s to transform the islands into a futuristic residential and business district. However, development slowed significantly after the burst of the “bubble economy” in the early 1990s, leaving Odaiba nearly vacant.

  • Shibamata - Shibamata (柴又) is a neighborhood on Tokyo’s eastern edge, near the Edogawa River, which forms 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 - Miraculously spared from major damage during world wars and natural disasters, Yanaka and Nezu—two neighborhoods that make up shitamachi, Tokyo’s old downtown—retain their early 20th-century charm. Historical sites such as Yanaka Cemetery and Nezu Shrine are nestled among shitamachi’s narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, cozy coffee shops, and retro stores selling old-fashioned sweets and snacks. Here, you can step back in time to a more leisurely, genteel Tokyo.
  • Tokyo Tower - The retro-cute counterpart to Tokyo Skytree! This vermillion tower has been a Tokyo icon for generations and frequently appears in the background of famous anime.
  • Kabukicho District - Golden Gai is said to have originated around 1950 when the black market that had emerged in front of Shinjuku Station relocated, and a number of eating and drinking establishments set up shop in the new area. Although Shinjuku has undergone significant modernization since then, Golden Gai has remained largely unchanged.

The alley is narrow and crowded with numerous signs advertising the various establishments. Many of the buildings are wooden, remnants from the Showa Era, and most measure only around thirteen square meters (142 square feet). It’s a dim, lively place filled with the aroma of grilling meats. Despite the abundance of sleek new restaurants in Shinjuku, this little alley continues to attract foreign tourists. Golden Gai is a popular “un-touristy” tourist spot.

  • Yoyogi Park - Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Kōen) is one of Tokyo’s largest city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds, and wooded areas. It’s an excellent spot for jogging, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

Although Yoyogi Park has fewer cherry trees compared to other Tokyo sites, it is still a pleasant spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring. Additionally, it is known for its ginkgo tree forest, which turns a brilliant gold in autumn.

  • Tokyo - Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class: Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class offers cooking lessons for foreign tourists visiting Japan, aiming to share the delightful Japanese food culture with people worldwide. You can learn about Japanese cuisine and culture through their cooking classes!
What's Included
  • Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Tokyo
  • Japanese home style dish cooking experience
  • Customizable Tour 2 -3 sights
  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
What's Not Included
  • 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
Additional Information

This 7 hr. walking tour includes 3hr Japanese home style dish cooking experience at Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class. Before your cooking experience, you will go on a walking tour with our licensed guide! Your guide will drop you off at Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class after a 4 hour walking tour. You can customize your tour directly with the guide after placing your reservation. Please craft your itinerary by choosing 2 to 3 spots on the ‘what to expect’ or ‘itinerary’ list. Start time: Your start time for the experience may vary. Minimum number of people required for per booking is 2 people

  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
  • 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.
Location
Asakusa
Cancellation Policy

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

Select Date and Tickets
up to 10 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
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