If you have more than 2 days in Tokyo, exploring one day in East, one day in West would be recommended, since Tokyo is such a huge city. This tour is basically walking tour, using public transportation, but we can take a taxi occasionally upon your request. My Eastern highlights is more with tradition and samurai history, and Western one is more with modern, young, Kawaii culture. Both are making today's Tokyo. Don't forget to check my Western Highlights too!
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel, or your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
Imperial Palace (East Gardens of Imperial palace or Nijubashi bridge)
The former Edo Castle. East Gardens of Imperial Palace closed on Mondays & Fridays, we visit Nijubashi Double Bridge instead, which is a very popular photo spot at Imperial Palace ground.
Noted : Imperial Palace building itself is not visible even from outside on usual visit, since it is off-limits area.
Tsukiji Market (Lunch)
Enjoy sushi lunch! (lunch fee is not included). Tsukiji Market has become more bustle as street food paradise even after Fish Market has moved to Toyosu in 2018. You can experience Japanese people's food life here. If you don't like seafood, just let me know. I love to suggest other options for you!
Asakusa - Senso-ji Temple
Stroll around Senso-ji Temple, one of the oldest and popular temples in Tokyo. Try Japanese delicacies and Japanese-style souvenirs at Nakamise shopping arcade. Don't forget to take a pic at huge red lantern at Kaminari-mon Thunder Gate, which is symbol of Asakusa!
Akihabara (or Ginza instead)
Japanese people call it "Akiba" for short. Known as electrical town. Countless electrical appliances shops. Also famous for otaku (geeks) culture, manga comics, amine, gaming. Unique cafes such as maid cafes with stuff in costumes can be seen here. You'll see very unique side of Tokyo.
*If you are not interested in Akihabara, Ginza (the latest district in Tokyo) is possible instead.
End of the tour : Your choice!
We end the tour in Akihabara or other. Or I can take you back to your hotel if you like.
Ending Point
At your hotel, or your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee, hotel meet-up, send-off in Tokyo
transportation fee (you and guide), food and drink (you and guide), entrance fee (you and guide)
【Major fees on tour day】
For guide, a one-day subway ticket costs 900 JPY.
For you, depending on what you have. (Ex. Welcome Suica.)
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>Transportation Tips in Tokyo.
If you’re staying in Tokyo for a few days, getting either of below at the airport makes your travel easier. Both require passport to purchase.
●Welcome SUICA for travelers (transportation IC card) is recommended to get around easily in Japan. Conveniently usable in all major cities in Japan.
●Tokyo Subway Ticket(24h / 48h / 72h)
Unlimited travel ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Metro (Not available for JR). Best value for Tokyo visitors. But limited line availability.
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For more information for transportation system in Tokyo, refer to my blog.
"What's the best ticket for Tokyo transportation?"
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【Optional】Hired cars
I'm happy to work with hired car you arranged at your end.
・Please bring some Japanese Yen, because some small shops don't accept credit cards in Japan.
●Imperial Palace
・East Gardens of Imperial Palace is closed on Mondays and Fridays. We visit Nijubashi Bridge of Imerial Palace instead.
●Tuskiji Market
・Tuskiji Inner Market has moved to Toyosu. But we can still enjoy Tsukiji Outer Market for street food and Sushi restaurants.
・Some shops are closed on Sundays and Wednesdays at Tsukiji Market
- Kindly make an inquiry only for my available days on my calendar on GoWithGuide.
- I do tours up to 4 people to maximize each person's experience.
- I'm Tokyo based. My tours basically start/end in Tokyo. If you like to start/end outside Tokyo 23 wards, kindly cover my transportation fee from/to there. Thank you for understanding.
Kon-ni-chi-wa. Hello! I'm Kaori, having lived in Tokyo for more than 20 years since I got married to a photographer who lives here. Originally from Shizuoka prefecture which has Mt.Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. I took 2 working-holiday-visa stays in my younger days. One is in Toronto, Canada, and another is Australia touring by motorcycle. One year respectively.
I love travel both international and domestic. That's why I love helping individual travelers rather than group tours, because I myself love travel freely. Love nature, gardens, trekking, greenery, also anime. My favorite is taking you to the off-the-beaten tracks where I love.
As a national government licensed guide, I've got deep knowledge of Japanese culture and history. I really enjoy talking about the way of life with people from different cultures. We see what you like and talk what you are interested in. That's my style. If you don't know what to want, I can help you with that.
I'm happy to make tailor-made tours only for you (up to 4 people) upon your request.
・Half Day as you like (up to 4 hours) : 40,000 JPY
・Full Day as you like (up to 8 hours) : 64,000 JPY
・Extra hour over 8hours : 6,000 JPY/hour
I'm quite an outgoing person, ( but organized well! ), easy to get along with anybody, including small kids to teenagers. Can't wait to see you soon!
Peter S.
“A great day”
We chose the option to drive from Tokyo in Kaori's very comfortable car. That made getting around Kahone very easy. The other guide (her husband) also is a photographer and loves to take family photos! They are both very pleasant and easy to talk to. We also went to the open air museum, which was amazing. Highly recommend.
Kaori S.
Thank you for taking time to give us an excellent review while you are still traveling, Peter-san. Glad to hear your family loved Open Air museum. That is also my favorite museum in Hakone. It was fun to enjoy foot bath together! Your expertness in travel impressed us a lot. We really loved time with you. Thank you again for choosing our tour among a number of tours you searched for Hakone. Big hugs, Kaori
Cindy L.
“Wonderful Guide”
Kaori is a wonderful guide, she is very organized with her planning and her itinerary ideas were right up the alley of what we were looking for as this was our first-time visiting Japan. Thank you Kaori for an amazing time and sharing Japanese culture with us!
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for giving me an excellent review, Cindy-san. I loved the uniqueness of your request. It was a great joy for us, my husband and me, meeting and chatting with them. They gave us the best friendliness, which we are truly appreciating. Thank you again for the great opportunity. Wishing to have next adventure, hopefully with you too sometime in the future! Big hugs, Kaori
Diana T.
“Wonderful Tour! ”
A friend highly recommended taking this tour w/ Kaori and she certainly did not disappoint! She was the consummate host, very knowledgeable and offered great assistance. We enjoyed very much our personalized tour of Kamakura with Kaori!
Kaori S.
Thank you for an excellent review, Diana-san. It is a great honor for me to receive referrals from my guests I had guided to their friends, family and relatives. Also it is fun to meet people who have mutual acquaintances. Expanding circle of friendship to the world gives me immense pleasure to be a tour guide who lives in Japan. I'm so grateful. Hope to see you again for another adventure! Big hugs, Kaori
$411/ per group