Half-Day Tokyo Highlights : Imperial Majesty and Historic Asakusa
Joined 2018
Discover the heart of Tokyo with a visit to the Imperial Palace and the historic district of Asakusa.
Begin your journey at the Imperial Palace. Visit the Double Bridge and stroll through the beautiful East Gardens, where the serenity of nature meets the grandeur of Japan's history.
Next, travel to Asakusa, a district that retains the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Visit Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, and Nakamise Shopping Street, where you can find traditional snacks and souvenirs.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
- I will meet you at the lobby of your hotel.
Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is former Edo Castle. We will first visit the Double Bridge which is located near the main entrance to the Imperila Palace.
Next, we walk through the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace to the East Gardens. In the East Gardens, you can see buildings of the Edo period such as stone walls and watch towers, and walk around the Japanese garden with a pond, stone lanterns, flowers, etc.
Asakusa
Asakusa is known for its old-town and historic Buddhist temples. Asakusa is one of the most traditional districts in Tokyo. The most popular area of Asakusa is located several blocks around Sensoji Temple, which itself is the main attraction of the area.
You can also visit the Nakamise Shopping Street which is the entrance road to Sensoji, and Asakusa Shrine which is a religious institution of Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion. You can feel the atmosphere of both Buddhism and Shinto in Asakusa.
Asakusa
End of the tour.
Ending Point
Asakusa
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
1. Guide fee
2. Hotel pick-up
* Hotel pick-up is included if your hotel is located near a station on JR Yamanote Line or inside the circle of JR Yamanote Line. If the extra transportation fee is necessary for hotel pick-up, I will let you know.
1. Transportation fee (you and your guide) : About 1000 yen/adult
2. Admission fee (you and your guide) : None
3. Lunch
4. Beverages (beer, juice, etc.)
Tour Important Information
* The Imperial Palace East Gardens are usually closed on Mondays and Fridays, except for national holidays.
* Depending on your preference, the tour starting time can be between 8am and 1pm, and the starting and ending points of the tour can be customized to your convenience (ex.: your hotel, nearby stations, etc.).
Important message from the supplier
Nothing speceial.
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
Joined 2018
About Tour Guide Hiroshi S.
Hello, I'm Hiroshi.
I am a National Government Licensed Tour Guide Interpreter in English. I have got a master's degree in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the U.S.
I have been living in a city of Fujisawa, which is the city next to Kamakura, for more than 20 years, and also lived in Kamakura for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited almost all the temples and shrines in Kamakura. So I am sure I can offer you a pleasant trip to the historical city, Kamakura.
In addition to Kamakura, I can also guide Tokyo, Yokohama, Hakone, Nikko, etc. because I have visited many places in Kanto area. For example, in Tokyo I can show you around the sightseeing spots such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree, etc.
I like baseball and used to play baseball, but now enjoy watching professional baseball games. And I like watching Rakugo, Japanese traditional story-telling performance.
Of course, I also like travelling very much, and am interested in Japanese culture and history. So I would like to show you Japanese tradition and culture.
Let’s enjoy a trip in Japan together.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Reviews
Alex K.
“Fantastic half day tour with Hiroshi”
We had the best day with Hiroshi as our guide! We booked a half day tour on our first full day in Tokyo and Hiroshi was amazing. He took us to all of the spots we wanted to go and even added a few things in based on the season (seeing the cherry blossoms at a park) and having the time to do so. He even went the extra mile and showed us how to get to our afternoon destination! Highly recommend Hiroshi - he is very knowledgeable and extremely kind.
Hiroshi S.
Thank you for writing a review. I also had a great time with you. It was raining in Shibuya in the morning, but it had subsided by the time we arrived in Harajuku. It was raining lightly in Yoyogi Park, but we were able to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. I also explained how to pray at shrines and temples, and I was happy to see that you prayed in the correct way at Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Honganji Temple, Sensoji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine. There are many tourist spots near Tokyo, such as Hakone with its beautiful scenery and Nikko, a World Heritage site. I hope to show you those places the next time you come to Japan. I hope to see you again in the future! Hiroshi
Rosemary C.
“Excellent Guide!”
We had a wonderful time on our tour of Tokyo with Hiroshi! He was extremely helpful prior to our tour by providing us with a suggested itinerary and answering all our questions. He is extremely knowledgeable of Japan's rich culture which made the tour more interesting and was able to help us get around the city. He even made a few follow up suggestions for the rest of our trip! Thank you Hiroshi for a wonderful tour and Happy New Year!
Hiroshi S.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I really enjoyed the Tokyo tour with you and your family. We visited Asakusa, Imperial Palace, Harajuku, etc. Asakusa was crowded because it was the end of the year, but we were able to enjoy the atmosphere of Buddhism by drawing omikuji, breathing the smoke of incense at the incense burner, and purifying ourselves at the hand-washing basin. In Harajuku, we visited Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street, where we were able to experience Shinto, a traditional Japanese religion, and youth culture. My family and I enjoyed the chocolates I received as souvenirs. They were so delicious. Also, a cap is indispensable in the hot Japanese summer. I will use it this summer. Let's enjoy Japanese culture and customs together again when you come back to Japan. Thank you so much for the wonderful day! Hiroshi
John S.
“Tokyo December 2024”
Very knowledgeable and helpful Thank you Hiroshi-san for looking after me
Hiroshi S.
Thank you for the review. I really enjoyed the tour with you. We visited the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya. At the Imperial Palace, we were able to see the Edo period turrets and castle stone walls and get a feel for the atmosphere of those days. At Meiji Shrine, we saw a Japanese traditional wedding ceremony, and from Shibuya Sky we got a panoramic view of the city of Tokyo. Your stay in Tokyo was brief this time, but please contact me again the next time you come to Japan. I am sure I can tell you more about Japanese culture and customs.
$122/ per group
More tours by Hiroshi S.
One-Day Historic Tokyo and Sky Adventure (Tsukiji, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Boat Cruise)
Enjoy shopping and spectacular view, and feel the atmosphere of Buddhism and Shinto! We will visit Tsukiji outer market and enjoy shopping and delicious sushi lunch. We also visit Namiyoke Shrine and Tsukiji Honganji Temple, which are the heart of Tsukiji people. From Hinode pier near Tsukiji we will take a boat to Asakusa. You can enjoy the view of Tokyo from a river. In Asakusa we will visit Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree.
One-Day Hakone Nature and History Expedition (Owakudani, Boat Cruise on Lake Ashi, Hakone Sekisho)
Feel the atmosphere of Hakone volcano, and enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi! Owakudani and Lake Ashi were made by the volcanic activity of Mt. Hakone about 3,000 years ago. At Osakudani you can see the sulfur vapor blowing up and beautiful Mt. Fuji on sunny days. From a boat on Lake Ashi you can enjoy beautiful scenery every season. Hakone sekisho, which was built about 400 years ago, was a facility to investigate travelers. You can learn more about it in Hakone.
One-Day Spiritual Highlights of Nikko (Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Taiyuin, Futarasan Shrine)
Feel the atmosphere of Tokugawa Shogunate at the world heritage site! Rinnoji was established by Saint Shodo in the 8th century, and the beautiful Taiyuin mausoleum is located in the precincts of Rinnoji. Toshogu was built in the 17th century to worship Tokugawa Ieyasu. You can see the beautiful carvings of Yomeimon Gate, three wise monkeys, etc. Futarasan Shrine is famous for the benefit of good marriage and inviting good luck. The beautiful Shinkyo Bridge is a property of Futarasan Shrine.
One-Day Ancient Wonders in Kamakura(Bamboo Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple)
Enjoy the historical city Kamakura and feel the old Japanese atmosphere of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrine! At Hokokuji Temple you can enjoy matcha tea while viewing a beautiful bamboo forest. Then we will visit Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu Shrine which was a shrine for samurai warriors and enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori shopping street near this shrine. After lunch we will visit Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple using Enoden local train.
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