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,
guide's transportation in the city,
hotel meet-up, send-off in Tokyo
transportation fee (you), food and drink (you and guide), entrance fee (you and guide)
【Major fees on tour day】
For you, depending on what you have. (Ex. Welcome Suica.)
It would be around 1,000~2,000 JPY per a day.
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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 or Mobile 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
- I'm FULLY BOOKED on OCT 2025. Sorry for inconvenince.
- Private Group only for Up To 4 People.
- Kindly make an inquiry on my available days selectable.
- 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!
Rowena S.
“Customized Private Tour in Tokyo”
I had the pleasure of having Kaori-san as our tour guide, and it turned out to be a truly special experience. Rather than just a regular sightseeing tour, it became a supportive journey that helped us with important parts of our trip across Japan. She assisted us with practical matters such as finding the necessary vouchers, issuing Shinkansen bullet train tickets, and setting up our e-SIM card, which made our travels so much smoother. Beyond the practical support, we shared wonderful moments exploring Tokyo together. Highlights included visiting Tokyo Skytree and discovering the unique charm of Yanaka on a local walking tour. Kaori-san is a friendly, kind, and very informative guide. By the end of the day, it felt less like a guide–guest relationship and more like being with a friend. I’m very grateful for the time we spent together and sincerely wish her continued success in her career.
Kaori S.
Special thanks for your kind consideration to take your time to share feedback from your clients for my tour. As soon as we met each other in the morning, I found many practical challenges they were facing for their whole Japan trip ahead. I wanted to solve them as much as possible while I was with them. We felt like friends when we departed at the end of the day. I loved to be with them. Hope to see them again. Thank you for giving me such a beautiful encounter. I truly appreciate their warmest words on my success in my career. Being a guide is such a treasure. Much thanks always, Kaori
Pam M.
“Kaori is an excellent guide!!!”
Every aspect of our experience with Kaori was excellent!!! She corresponded responsively and frequently before our visit to help create a wonderful custom day. She persevered through several lotteries to get us sumo tickets for the day of our tour. She taught us how to use the tokyo immediately. And throughout our day she taught us about Japanese culture and customs. She recommended excellent restaurants for our lunch and dinner and suggested additional visits and restaurants for after our visit. Thank you Kaori!!!
Kaori S.
Thank you for giving an excellent review on me while you are still traveling, Pam-san. It was fortunate to win sumo tickets for us as it was getting harder these days! It was funny that Mark-san summarized our highlight as delicious (oishii!) sushi dinner after the match. He looked so happy to enjoy each sushi, which chef loved to see. Great that you are planning Japan trip No.2 already. Will be waiting for your contact early enough for Ghibli ticket next time! Enjoy the every moment of your dream trip! Big hugs, Kaori
Stanley H.
“My Fuji trip”
Outstanding. Kaori was an excellent guide. Friendly, knowledgeable exceptional. Had a wonderful time Highly recommend her!!!!!!
Kaori S.
Thank you so much (Arigatou gozaimasu) for giving me an excellent review just after we departed each other, Stanley-san. Though Mt.Fuji was too shy to show up, we had a wonderful day in a relaxed manner. I was so glad you mentioned us (me and my husband) as your new friends during our tour. We hope the rest of your stay is full of charming memories. Big hugs, Kaori
$408/ per group