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Shiba-Toshogu Shrine dedicated to the first Shogunate of the Edo era
Shiba-Toshogu Shrine dedicated to the first Shogunate of the Edo era
The impressive Sanmon Gate of Zojoji temple
The impressive Sanmon Gate of Zojoji temple
The mysterious Jizo Figures at Zojoji temple
The mysterious Jizo Figures at Zojoji temple
Komokuten and Zikokuten in the Nitenmon Gate, Zojoji temple
Komokuten and Zikokuten in the Nitenmon Gate, Zojoji temple
Entrance Gate of the Imperial Palace
Entrance Gate of the Imperial Palace
The top of the Imperial Palace’s Castle Tower
The top of the Imperial Palace’s Castle Tower
The historically-significant Kanda Catholic Church
The historically-significant Kanda Catholic Church
St. Nicholas Church, a Japanese Orthodox church
St. Nicholas Church, a Japanese Orthodox church
Relics of Burial Mounds in Meiji University Museum
Relics of Burial Mounds in Meiji University Museum
Yushima Seido, a former school for training Tokugawa officers
Yushima Seido, a former school for training Tokugawa officers

Tokyo Imperial Palace History Tour: Temples and Museum

Kazuo

Licensed Guide
(2) Reviews
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Tokyo
6.5 Hours
up to 5 people
Japanese ( Native ), English ( Business )
Private tour (only you and your guide)
Walking / Public Transportation Tour
( Contact guide for other options )

Are you interested in Japanese history? This history tour will perfectly fulfill your curiosity. As an important political center since the 17th Century, the Tokyo Imperial Palace has a significant cultural and historical legacy. See many significant buildings, such as Edo Castle, Shiba-Toshogu Shrine, Zojoji Temple, a Japanese Orthodox church, an archeological museum, and much more. Come and take a stroll through time around the Palace. I am looking forward to sharing Japanese history with you.

Itinerary

Feel free to personalize this offer with Kazuo.

  • 9:00 am - Shiba-Toshogu Shrine: Observe this beautifully-decorated shrine, dedicated to the first Shogunate of the Edo era, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The famous gigantic Gingko tree standing near the shrine makes the atmosphere more relaxing and lovely.

  • 10:00 am - Zojoji Temple: The impressive Buddhist temple was founded as a family temple of the Tokugawa clan. Within its complex, there are many interesting constructions, such as the big main hall, which contains a reverent Buddha image inside and monuments of the Tokugawa clan.

  • 11:00 am - The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: Founded by the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the giant Edo Castle now is open to the public. Although most of the buildings were destroyed during the huge fire in 1657, stunning stone walls, reconstructed structures, and twisted pine trees are enough to feel the good old vibes of ancient Japan.

  • 12:00 pm - Lunch at Jimbocho: The most famous used-bookstore district in Tokyo. Enjoy strolling around and finding your favorite Japanese dish.

  • 1:00 pm - Museum of Meiji University: Learn more about Japanese culture and society by visiting this archeological museum featuring lots of interesting exhibitions, such as unearthed relics and tools.

  • 2:00 pm - Nikorai-do: Enjoy strolling around the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, a Japanese Orthodox church constructed in 1891. Witness the impressive Byzantine architecture inside the 38 meter-high dome.

  • 3:00 pm - Yushima Seido: Visit the prominent Confucian temple during the Edo era, which used to be a school for bureaucrats and be amazed by a huge Confucius statue in the garden and spectacular Chinese architecture.

  • 3:30 pm - End the tour at Ochanomizu Station on JR Line or your hotel.

Want to personalize this tour?

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Departure & Return

Starting time 09:00 AM
Meeting Point Shibakoen Station (I-05) on Mita line. Hamamatsucho Station (JY-28) on the JR Yamanote line. Meeting at the visitor’s hotel is possible, but the meeting time will be earlier.
Ending Point Ochanomizu Station on JR Line. Ending at the visitor’s hotel is possible

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide Fee, Hotel Pick Up and See Off in 23 Wards of Tokyo

What‘s not included

Transportation Fee (You and Guide), Lunch (You and Guide), Contribution for Nicholai-do (300Yen/person), Transportation Fee of Guide from Home

Important

Any day available, except some paticular days.

- The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace is closed on Monday and Friday. However, if Monday is a holiday, it will be opened and closed on Tuesday instead. In this case, we will change to visit Nijubashi and Sakuradamon Gate located in the Imperial Palace Outer Garden.
- The main part of the Imperial Palace is currently occupied by the construction of Daijosai halls, which were used for the Imperial rituals. The visitors can see it from a distance, but may not be allowed to observe it closely. Please, contact the tour guide for further information.
- If the visitor would like to visit Kanda Catholic Church, located near the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, please don’t hesitate to inform the tour guide. However, it is closed on Monday. The visitor can only see it from outside. read more

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 30 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 15 to 29 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 14 day(s) prior to meeting time

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will we walk?

Please refer bellow for approximate distances. They do not include walk of inside. We will take a break depending on the situation.

Shrine and Temple 1.1ml (2.7km)
Imperial Palce 1.3ml(2.1km)
Afternoon 1.6ml(2.6km)
Total 4.0ml(7.4km)

Can I make changes after I book?

Yes! If you need to make changes such as removing or adding someone to your booking or changing the date or time of your tour, contact us by phone or email

Starting and ending points of the tour.

After you secure your booking, the starting and ending points of your tour can be customized to your convenience (ex.: your hotel, nearby stations, etc.). Don't worry, we will take care of you! Some tours may have an extra fee for this service, make sure to check the tour page.

What happens after I book a tour?

After booking a tour, the guide will accept (or decline) your booking within 24 hours. Then you will be noticed by email from GoWithGuide.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is charged per group. Which means that you make a one-time payment for your entire group and the price will not change if it is less or more people.

Can I add more people to my booking?

Some guides accept extra people (more than the specified number) for an extra charge. Please check for the extras on the tour or booking page, or contact your guide directly to clarify.

Will there be other tourists in my tour?

No. Your tour is private, only for you and your family or friends, there will be no other group of tourists together in your tour.

Can the guide pickup me at the airport?

Yes, but there will be additional charge for that and it is not by car. The guide will go pick you up using public transportations. For further details, please contact your guide directly.

I'm travelling alone. Can I book this tour?

Yes, you can and you may be able to get a discount if you are traveling alone. Price depends on which guide you choose.

View More Frequently Asked Questions read more
Reviews ( 2 )
5.0 (2) Reviews
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Chris Chris United States ( Family with kids )
Excellent
1 year ago

“ Kazuo is so passionate and detail oriented to help you have an amazing trip ”

Kazuo went way beyond what almost any other guide would do for me by helping me plan my trip in detail in advance since so many things require advance booking, planning, etc. He was fantastic!

Kazuo:

Dear Chris Thank you for writing such a very good evaluation for me. My job was given priority to arranging your travel. I was deeply impressed by your will to have your son much pleasure in this travel. And I concentrated on it. Your satisfaction is my joy. I am looking forward to assist you also in your next travel. Best Regards, Kazuo

Jane Jane United States ( Couple )
Excellent
1 year ago

“ Excellent, knowledgebale guide! ”

Kazuo is really a gentleman, his English is excellent ,and his historical and cultural knowledge of Japan are excellent. Our group was 4 adults and we spent a day with Kazuo seeing incredible places hat would have been very hard to find by ourselves. Kazuo did a lot of research for our trip and he was an excellent guide. I would not hesitate to hire him again, and I highly recommend him! Lastly, our guide took us to a very reasonably priced Japanese restaurant that had very good food for about $10 a person. Kazuo really listens to what you say you want to do, and he is very flexible. We spent a whole day with him and will definitely book with him again!

Kazuo:

Jane, I really appreciate such a good evaluation to me. Your requirements were basic knowledge of Japanese history and culture, and preparation for your own stroll in Tokyo later. According to these criteria, I gathered visiting sites in nearby area and stacked into the tour. As my prospect may have been rather optimistic, the time was nearly running out. But the delay was suppressed by your suggestion. All of you seemed to enjoy the tour. It was a wonderful experience also for me. I deeply thank you and am looking forward to next guide for you.

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