Essential Tokyo : Private Day Tour for Small Groups
Join this fun and relaxed day tour to explore five of Tokyo’s must-see spots!
We’ll visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, the Imperial Palace East Garden, Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku, and lively Shinjuku.
We’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch around Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi area.
This tour is perfect for first-time visitors who want to discover both modern and traditional Tokyo in a single day.
Come and experience the true essence of Japan’s capital with a friendly local guide!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
at your hotel in Tokyo
- If your accommodation is hard to find or far from a station, we may meet at the nearest station or another convenient spot.
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
The temple dates back to the 7th century and is the oldest in Tokyo. It’s famous for its main gate, the Kaminarimon, with a giant red lantern. The surrounding Asakusa area is full of charm — you can stroll along Nakamise Shopping Street, and feel the atmosphere of old Tokyo.
Imperial Palace East Garde
The Imperial Palace was once Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate from the early 17th to the mid-19th century. You can still see the remains of the massive castle and enjoy a beautiful Japanese-style garden surrounded by moats and tall stone walls.
Lunch at Tokyo Station's Marunouchi area
You can enjoy a variety of Japanese dishes in the Marunouchi area near Tokyo Station — sushi, tempura, tonkatsu, soba, and more.
Meiji-jingu Shrine in Harajuku
The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who ascended the throne in 1867 and led Japan’s transformation from an isolated feudal state to a modern nation. It was built in 1920 to honor his achievements. Surrounded by a vast forest, the shrine is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Tokyo.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku
At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a stunning view of Tokyo’s vast cityscape from the observatory, about 660 feet above the ground.
Ending Point
at your hotel in Tokyo
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
・Transportation fee for you and a guide
・Lunch fee for you and a guide
・Admission for you and a guide
Tour Important Information
1. This is a walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes. We usually don’t use tourist taxis.
2. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let me know in advance so I can plan your lunch accordingly.
3. The tour is not covered by travel insurance. I recommend purchasing your own insurance in case of any unexpected accidents or losses.
4. If you’d like to add other spots to the tour, please let me know at least one week before the tour date.
Important message from the supplier
I'm sorry, but I don't accept direct bookings. If you are interested in this tour, please kindly contact me by email in advance. I also do not accept tour requests or inquiries from travel agencies.
I truly value direct communication with my guests, as it helps me to provide the best possible tour experience.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Toru K.
Hello everyone! I'm Toru, a nationally licensed tour guide.
I mainly guide individual travelers and small groups around Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone. I live in a town near Narita International Airport.
People often say that one of the unique traits of Japanese culture is paying close attention to detail while trying not to show it. In other words, there are many unspoken stories hidden behind what you see in Japan. I always try to interpret those stories and help my guests discover the secrets of Japanese culture.
I offer three tour plans — Tokyo, Kamakura, and Hakone — which I believe are perfect for first-time visitors to Japan. Each one includes the must-see highlights of the area.
I'm really looking forward to meeting you in Japan!
Reviews
Jody G.
“Very interesting tour”
We had a good tour with Toru. He took us to Ueno Park, Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Senso-ji and Nakimise street. He gave us good historical information. Also, he took us to a good sushi restaurant for lunch. It was very easy to book and customize the tour with Toru. He was very thoughtful about our food sensitivities when he chose the restaurant. Good communication and a very nice man. Thank you, Tori!
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Toru K.
Hi Jody, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m really happy to hear that you all enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure spending the day with all four of you and sharing some of Tokyo’s history, culture, and food. I’m glad you enjoyed the sushi lunch, too! I hope you enjoy using your new kitchen knife back home, and that it brings back happy memories of your time in Tokyo! Wishing all four of you a wonderful rest of your travels! Warm regards, Toru
Daniel L.
“En perfekt första dag i Tokyo”
Då jag endast hade 2 dagar i Tokyo fick jag tipset att hyra en guide första dagen. Det var en väldigt bra ide' då jag fick se saker jag själv antagligen inte skulle hitta eller komma på att se, som att testa japanska fluffiga pankakor. Dessutom fick jag en lektion i hur Tokyos lite skrämmande tunnelbanesystem fungerade, så jag nästa dag kunde navigera det själv. Min guide skräddarsydde en hel dag med saker jag var intresserad av och saker man måste se när man besöker Tokyo. Tack Torusan för en väldigt trevlig dag och förlåt att det drog över tiden.
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Toru K.
Hi Daniel, Thank you very much for your wonderful review and your kind rating. You were my first guest from Sweden, so I really enjoyed learning about your country and talking with you throughout the day. It was especially fun because Sweden and Japan had just played each other in the World Cup. Talking about the match and sharing our thoughts made the tour even more memorable. Japan's scenery changes beautifully with each season, so I hope you'll have another chance to visit Tokyo in the future. It would be my pleasure to show you around again. Best wishes, Toru
Ricardo R.
“Thank you Toru!!”
Toru was a wonderful tour guide in every way. He made us feel welcome and comfortable. He planned a excellent day for us and was very knowledgable on the many areas that we visited. His gentle and kind demeanour was a very added pleasure to our experience. He almost felt like family by the tail end of the day. I would highly recommend Toru to anyone wanting to have a lovely guided experience of Tokyo.
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Toru K.
Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful review. Guiding you through Tokyo was truly a joy for me. it was also wonderful to see the cheerful energy and kindness of your parents throughout the day. Spending time with you felt like sharing the city with good friends. I hope our paths will cross again in the future. Until then, I wish you all continued health, happiness, and many more family adventures together.
$208/ per group
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