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!
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
Marisa S.
“G. O. A. T.! Look no further…”
Konnichiwa! My family and I had the best time in Tokyo with Kaori-san. Even prior to our meeting, she was always quick to respond to my numerous emails/messages; very helpful with information to help us customize our tour (especially with my kids in mind as well as their interests) and very patient with all my questions. On tour day, she arrived on time and taught us our first lesson in greeting eachother in Japanese (kids vs. adults). We shopped and toured around the Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku area. We got to take photos of Godzilla head, 3D cat and Hachiko (my personal fave). We ate at a great spot for lunch, Karu, which was a rotating sushi restaurant. There was a fun game at table side that the kids enjoyed, the sushi was great (such a variety), and it was a hit seeing the special conveyor belt speed deliver your food! At the end of the day, we didn’t want to say goodbye to Kaori. Planning this trip had given me some anxiety…and I knew our first day in Tokyo would be overwhelming in trying to navigate the train system, crowds and just being in a new country! However, our day with Kaori put all of us at ease, she really helped us to get a Handle on the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. My kids haven’t stopped talking about Kaori even as we are still trekking through Japan. So sweet and very informative! We all really loved her!
Kaori S.
Konnichiwa! Arigato gozaimasu for taking your precious time to write such an exceptional review for me and attaching nice photos of us while you are still traveling. I’m delighted to hear your sweet kids remembered me in such a lovely way. All of your family were so kind and friendly to me. It is always my pleasure to have fun together, but also to support my guests to make their travel smooth as possible for their own time. I'm so happy you are enjoying Japan! Can't wait to see you all again in the future, maybe Ghibli next time!! Big hugs, Kaori
Rowena S.
“Customized private tour for client”
Hello Kaori san, thank you so much for your taking care of our guests. We are glad to know that they enjoyed their day with you. Looking forward to working with you again.
Kaori S.
Thank you very much for taking your time to write an excellent review. It was a great honor to be given the opportunity to guide your precious clients. I look forward to working with you again for your clients anytime into the future! With much appreciation, Kaori
$418/ per group