Harajuku: Between a frantic street & tranquil forest!
Harajuku is like Japan; a place where ancestral traditions meet with modern society!
On one side, Meiji Jingu, a tranquil century-old forest home of a majestic Imperial temple.
On the other side, Takeshita Street, a vibrant and frantic place to be for young Japanese, known for its cosplay & Gothic shops.
But also Omotesando, equivalent to Paris "Champs-Élysées", large avenue full of the most famous luxury brands shops.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- Upon request, we can arrange another meeting point in Tokyo.
Harajuku - Takeshita Street
We will take a stroll down one of the most popular street among young people in Japan.
Lunch Break
We'll take a short detour to have lunch in a less crowded location.
But it's entirely up to you to decide on the restaurant.
Omotesando - Luxury Brands Avenue
We can also walk a little through Ometetsando if you are interested.
Meiji Jingu - Imperial Temple hidden in a century-old forest.
Meiji Jingu is a large sacred forest surrounding a temple in honor of the late emperor Meiji. An authentic outdoor excursion, situated in the heart of Tokyo.
An ideal place to recharge during your trip.
On the way to Shinjuku
We will go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, whose design was inspired by the Paris "Notre-Dame" cathedral.
Metropolitan Tower - A 360° view of Tokyo !
Let's take the elevator to the 45th floor of the tower. From there, all of Tokyo can be seen, and even far beyond when the weather is good.
We can adjust the time accordingly to suit your preference for seeing Tokyo during the day or at night. In truth, both perspectives are fantastic !
Shinjuku at Night & Restaurants
If you're still feeling energetic, we can also explore Shinjuku at night together and have dinner at a fine restaurant before returning to your hotel.
Ending Point
At your hotel or Anywhere 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
English/French/Japanese speaking guide
Various anecdotes about the history of the places visited
Help you in your seach for a souvenir
Pick up and Drop off at your hotel
Train fee for you and the guide, 150JPY ≈ 1USD/EUR p.p.
Lunch and drinks for you and the guide 1000JPY ≈ 7USD/EUR p.p.
(Opt.) Diner and drinks for you and the guide 1500JPY ≈ 10USD/EUR p.p.
Tour Important Information
Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies
Important message from the supplier
I am unable to make bookings for customers (e.g. chartered taxi / accommodation....), but I can provide guidance and end my tour at a specific location upon request.
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 Hardy M.
Being a former student and staff member of the University of Tokyo,
I have a natural ability to communicate with people from all corners of the world.
Regardless of whether you prefer to speak English, French, or Globish with me !
I have practiced Aikido, Iaido (Katana), and Kyudo (Bow) martial arts, and I have also worked on the restoration of Japanese armor. Therefore, I am well-versed in the art of war in ancient Japan.
But my passion for history goes further, and during my guided tours, I will share various anecdotes that will bring ancient Japan to life for you !
I'm also a huge fan of old Japanese video games, especially RPGs, so if you want a true otaku experience, follow me to Nakano Broadway and Akihabara!
If you're interested in arranging a tour that's tailored to your preferences, feel free to send me a message !
Reviews
Rodrigo A.
“great guide with kids”
We had a fantastic experience with Hardy in Tokyo. He is extremely knowledgeable about the city and was especially great with our kids, which made a huge difference for our family. From the beginning, he understood exactly what we wanted to see and helped us plan our days so we could make the most of our time. He took us through so many different parts of Tokyo, including places and museums that were particularly interesting for the children, and shared lots of details and insights along the way. One of the things we appreciated most was how much he taught us about getting around Tokyo. He showed us how to use the trains and navigate the city confidently, and even on our last day he made sure we knew how to continue exploring on our own. We spent several days with Hardy, coordinating some activities with him and doing others independently, and the whole trip worked perfectly. By the end, we honestly felt like we had not left an inch of interesting Tokyo unseen! Hardy was knowledgeable, patient, flexible, excellent with children, and very attentive to what our family wanted to experience. He played a big part in making our time in Tokyo such a great trip. We highly recommend him, especially for families who want to really discover Tokyo rather than just visit the main tourist spots.
Sheila J.
“A Stress-free introduction to Tokyo”
We really enjoyed our tour with Hardy. It was the perfect intro for our first day in Tokyo. He was full of information and made our time at the Samurai museum, Senso-ji Temple, cat cafe, and hunt for Pokemon cards a stress-free day. Just what we were looking for!
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Hardy M.
Dear Sheila, thank you for your kind message ! I’m delighted you enjoyed your first day in Tokyo so much, but let’s stay humble: the cats played a big part in relieving your stress ;) The Joke aside, allow me to wish you a pleasant stay in Japan.
Anjali V.
“Excellent customized tour”
We had an exceptional time with Hardy. We were traveling with three 18 years old boys and they had very specific interests. He created a specialized tour covering where we wanted to go. He even recommended some good places to eat. He could tell what they boys were intersted and when they were bored and pivoted easily.
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Hardy M.
Thank you very much for the kind feedback; I was delighted to see that my choices for this special tour were appreciated by everyone. As for the Hard Rock Cafe, I was very lucky that it happened to be on our way to Ueno Park :) I wish you to enjoy Kyoto as much as you liked Tokyo !
$201/ per group
More tours by Hardy M.
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Once upon a time in Asakusa: Handicraft & Samurai
The Edo period, when Tokyo became the capital, is often seen as the peak of Japanese art and culture! Temple architecture, woodworking, woodblock prints, porcelain... I will use traditional handicrafts to illustrate the history and lifestyle of the people of Tokyo. Who were the samurai? What difference with a Ninja? How were armors crafted? I am also going to teach you all you need to know about those fierce warriors in front of a large collection of authentic weapons & armors.
Once upon a time in Asakusa: Handicraft & Samurai
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Nakano & Koenji: Otaku & Punk Culture !
Dive into Japanese Otaku and Punk subcultures only 10 minutes away from Tokyo. Nakano Broadway is a cheaper and easier alternative to Akihabara for Anime, Manga, Figurine, and Video Games lovers. Thus, I highly recommend visiting Nakano Broadway first and then heading to Akihabara. Koenji is the hub of Punk, alternative rock, and Gothic subculture in Tokyo, and it has a lot of vintage clothing stores. Also, there are a lot of barbecue bars in the vicinity of the station.
Nakano & Koenji: Otaku & Punk Culture !
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Mt. Takao: temples, monkeys & waterfall
Get the Tengu's protection with an easy forest trail just 1h from Tokyo! The temple devoted to those deities, is surrounded by centuries-old trees, home of flying squirrels and monkeys. With along the way waterfalls still in use by monks for meditation. Mt. Takao hiking is relatively easy and only requires comfortable shoes, and if the weather is favorable, Mt. Fuji can be seen at the submit! And in the old town, restaurants and snacks offer a different taste than the capital.
Mt. Takao: temples, monkeys & waterfall
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History of Tokyo Bay: Battleships & Industrialization of Japan
Take a day to discover how the destiny of Tokyo & Japan was shaped by the Tokyo Bay! From Yokohama, the first industrial port, to boarding the Mikasa, once the flagship of the imperial Navy. Let me tell you the complex love story between the Japanese & the sea, with centuries-old and modern ships of the Japanese & American navies as a backdrop. Traveling along the Miura Peninsula coast, you will discover what most of Japan is really like: small towns nestled between mountains and rivers / sea.
History of Tokyo Bay: Battleships & Industrialization of Japan
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Tokyo
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Traditional and Modern One-day Tour in Tokyo
Best recommended tour for the first-time visitor to Tokyo. Tokyo is a unique city with various traditional and contemporary attractions. Let’s create your personalized time in Tokyo by discussing the places you want to visit. You should plan a tour of different sites, such as Kamakura and Hakone, along with my other plan. I am based in Tokyo, but I would happily arrange your tour.
Traditional and Modern One-day Tour in Tokyo
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Once upon a time in Asakusa: Handicraft & Samurai
The Edo period, when Tokyo became the capital, is often seen as the peak of Japanese art and culture! Temple architecture, woodworking, woodblock prints, porcelain... I will use traditional handicrafts to illustrate the history and lifestyle of the people of Tokyo. Who were the samurai? What difference with a Ninja? How were armors crafted? I am also going to teach you all you need to know about those fierce warriors in front of a large collection of authentic weapons & armors.
Once upon a time in Asakusa: Handicraft & Samurai
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Alte Japanische Kulturgüter besuchen
Besuchen wir alte Japanische Kulturgüter, um die Geschichte und Kultur Japans zu lernen. Zu den Kulturgütern gehören Meiji-Jingu, dem Kaiser Meiji gewidmet und eines der bedeutendesten Pilgerziele Japans, Kaiserpalast umgeben von Wassergraben sowie Asakusa, eine Kernziele der Eddoko, der alteingessenen Bewohner der Stadt und wegen der von Andenkenläden gesäumten Straße bekannt. Das heißt, SIe können die alte Kultur Japans gut lernen.
Alte Japanische Kulturgüter besuchen
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Explore Old and Modern Tokyo One Day Tour
The tour can be customized according to your preferences. You can select 3 or 4 places to visit for the tour. My recommendations in Tokyo are Asakusa Sensoji Temple, Nihonbashi, Ueno, Harajuku, Shibuya, Kagurazaka and Daikanyama. If you like art, I'm happy to shows you some beautiful museums like Nezu Museum and other contemporary art museums in Tokyo.
Explore Old and Modern Tokyo One Day Tour
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