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
- Sorry, I'm BOOKED OUT on MARCH & APRIL this year.
- Please kindly make an inquiry only for my available days on my calendar on GoWithGuide.
- I do tours up to 4 people to maximize your 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!
Melissa H.
“Excellent customized tour”
This was my husband and my first time in Tokyo. We wanted a tour guide to show us a little bit of everything mixing in recommendations from friends and also teaching us the Metro system. Kaori was very timely and attentive messaging with me to plan the trip and took in all my recommendations mixed in with her suggestions and planning a great itinerary. She also took the time to get us into Shibuya Sky which is very difficult to reserve. On our tour Kaori spent the time teaching us the Metro system and ensuring we knew exactly what to do to easily get to hakone after our time in Tokyo before we started touring. From then on we had a lovely time with her and learned so much about Japan and the culture. In addition to touring Tokyo and doing some great shopping. Highly recommend her particularly for those that have never been. Domo arigato Kaori san!!
Kaori S.
Dear Melissa-san, thank you very much for taking your precious time to write an excellent review on me and sharing nice photos from our time here! Shibuya Sky was fabulous, wasn't it! I’m so delighted to hear you navigated yourself in Tokyo and Hakone transportation on your own after two days with me. Being of help is always my pleasure. I was so glad that both of you showed me many photos to introduce your family and things surrounding you. Getting to know new things is also much pleasure for me. I am so happy guide. Thank you again for letting me share my favorite Tokyo in this beautiful season! Looking foward to seeing you in anther adventure! Arigato gozai mashita! Big hugs, Kaori
Jill R.
“Kaori-san was lovely!”
We had a wonderful 3 days with Kaori-san. She planned a great itinerary, arranged lunch reservations and was flexible and offered alternatives when our children were tired, hungry, etc. truly wonderful experience.
Kaori S.
Thank you for taking your time to give me an excellent review. The time with you, your husband and three lovely children was truly memorable to me. I’ve felt like their aunt Kaori while I was together! Every scene makes me smile when I reminded it time to time. Wishing to see you in another adventure! Big hugs, Kaori
David Z.
“Great 1 1/2 days with Kaori in Tokyo”
I had a group of 5 adults in Tokyo for 1 1/2 days before boarding a cruise for the rest of Japan. We booked Kaori to tour us around, and she did a great job. We obviously didn’t have a lot of time to see such a big city, but Kaori put together a good itinerary to first hit the highlights on the east side, then the next 1/2 day the highlights on the west side. Kaori was flexible for our interests and able to explain the sights well.
Kaori S.
Thank you for taking your time to give an excellent feedback for me. Our two day tours went smooth thanks to a private car you kindly booked on GoWithGuide. I was delighted to share my favorite Tokyo’s seasonal best highlights before your cruise ship departure. It was great to meet you all. Thank you for choosing me as your guide for your precious people. Big hugs, Kaori
$420/ per group