Historical Exploring in Ueno (half day)
Concise Japanese history tour. Recommended especially for those who like to overview Japan’s history and art at the start and the end of your trip. Focusing on the early modern era in Ueno Park, we survey the entire history at Japanese Gallery in Tokyo National Museum. It’s not in a lecture style, but in relaxed, interactive way. Why don’t you share its real treasures with me, an Ueno local?
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Parkside Exit (Koen-guchi) of JR Ueno station *I will be waiting just across the street from the exit with a signboard or something you can recognize me
Ueno Park (walking in nature and visiting historical spots)
Tokyo National Museum (Japanese Gallery, etc.)
Ending Point
At Tokyo National Museum
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 (you and guide),
- admission fee of Tokyo National Museum (1,000 yen / adult , if you are under aged 18 or 70 or over, showing your ID will make your admission free)
□ admission fee of Ueno Toshogu Shrine if you want to take a close look at it. ( 500 yen / person) * You can have its general view from outside
□ lunch if needed
Tour Important Information
■ Please wear comfortable shoes and outfits for walking.
■ I could extend the tour and guide you to Yanaka * if requested.
*Yanaka is a nostalgic residential temple town with old houses and lifestyle remaining, just adjacent to Ueno.
■ Maximum number of participants is 6 (taking the convenience of other visitors to the museum considered.)
Not available on Mondays or the Tuesdays just after National holidays as Tokyo National Museum is closed
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 Tomoko H.
Hi everyone! Hearty welcome to Japan.
I’m Tomoko.
I am an English-speaking licensed tour guide, and a registered nurse as well.
“Fun Discovering Experience Walking like a Local!” – F-D-E-W-L!
That’s what I suggest.
【Experiences】
My work history is as follows.
1) high school teacher ---12 years
2) nurse--8 years + 2 years as operational manager for Kamakura city vaccination team (during COVID period)
3) tourism related jobs such as tour conducting, guiding, and backyard supporting---10 years
As a tour conductor, I’ve visited about 20 foreign countries (possibly yours?) as well as countless number of towns and villages in Japan.
I’ve enjoyed these jobs while being a mother.
Through these experiences with lots of people from different backgrounds, I've found it a great pleasure to share the joy of learning and experiencing something new!
【Guiding Areas】
<Basic> Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Fuji, Yokohama, Nikko, and other neighboring areas from Tokyo
I’m a specialist in Tokyo and Kamakura as I have lived and enjoyed walking a lot in those cities for decades. To be honest, even after all my years here, I still enjoy exploring like a tourist as Tokyo is such an enormous city with great diversity and is constantly changing.
Kamakura is a historical small city with nice beaches and hills and lots of hidden spots of beauty. Almost every time I go out, I feel I’m still making new discoveries. That’s why I cannot stop exploring.
I would take you to some neighboring areas like Hakone, Yokohama, Nikko, and Mt. Fuji area (Lake Kawaguchiko), etc.
<Based on Requests > *if my transportation & accommodation are covered
Nagoya, Kyoto, Nagano(Nagano city, Snow Monkey park, Kisoji trail, etc.), Hida (Takayama, Shirakawa-go), Kanazawa, Oita, Yamagata, Akita, etc.
My original family is from Nagoya, so I know their culture and even their language(dialect) well. Later in my life, I have lived in Oita, Kyushu(far south west of Tokyo) for nearly 10 years and traveled a lot in Kyushu. I love traveling Tohoku, the northern Japan area, too. I’ve planned and enjoyed visiting many of those local areas in the north, too. So, I could share those experiences with you even while having tours in Tokyo or online.
【Personality and others】
- I love meeting people, listening and talking to them.
- I'm friendly and caring, I hope:)
- I love nature and enjoy hiking and skiing.
- I love seasonal flowers and good local food.
- You will see a lot about Japanese culture, nature, and lifestyle with me.
What has made you decide to come to Japan, by the way? Is it its scenic beauties, exotic culture, history, food, anime, or what else? Is it your business that has brought (or will bring) you here? Let me have a clue and customize your tour. I will make the best tour suggestion for you.
Why don’t you contact me now? I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you! Arigato-gozaimas!
Reviews
Beatrix O.
“A real first day in Tokyo!”
I came to Tokyo with my elderly mother and a healthy amount of anxiety about getting it right. Tomoko dissolved both. Communication beforehand was prompt and warm; the itinerary felt custom-built rather than off-the-shelf. She has a rare instinct for pace — knowing when to linger and when to move on — and a quiet attentiveness that my mother noticed and appreciated. And she is genuinely brilliant company: conversation wandered from sumo to food to Japanese culture with the ease of someone who loves the city and loves talking about it. If your first day in Tokyo is in Tomoko's hands, it's in very good hands.
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Tomoko H.
Thank you so much, dear Beatrix, for taking the time to post such a wonderful review despite surely being very busy after returning to the UK with your mother. I really enjoyed spending time with you, such a kind and thoughtful daughter, and your mother, who has the heart of a child full of curiosity and humour. We took the train and subway to Meiji Shrine and Asakusa, and we had a great time exploring all kinds of food with you. At the monjayaki restaurant, it was funny how we seemed to be the ones attracting other customers. The monjayaki was better than it looked, wasn't it? Wishing the best to you and your sweet mom, Maureen! - Tomoko
Roger R.
“Wonderful day in Hakone”
Ms Tomoko provided a very interesting and fun day touring the Hakone region for my wife & I on March 13th 2026. The weather was a bit cold and overcast but Tomoko made the day bright and enjoyable even with the unpleasant cold weather! We got a very good overview of the history and we were able to experience the cable car, boat excursion, we took a short walk along lake Ashi and observed the Hakone check point and Hakone shrine and temple. Fortuntely we got a glimpse of Mt Fuji before the clouds set in. I can't say enough for her patience and guidiance with us. Bravo Tomoko!
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Tomoko H.
Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Roger. It was a very cold day with snow still on the ground and the trees from the previous day, but I’m grateful to have shared such a heartwarming and enjoyable time filled with laughter with you and your wife, Angun. When I heard that you would be staying in Hakone for three nights, I was able to give you an overview of the Hakone area at a leisurely pace. I imagine you're relaxing in a lovely hot spring right at this moment. Someday, I’d like to visit Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium. Please enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan. Thank you again:) - Tomoko
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Rhonda K.
“Yanaka tour with Tomoko ”
Had the most wonderful experience Tomoko was so informative and went out of her way to make sure we had the best time she catered the tour to what we wanted to see and do Then she made sure we tried some wonderful treats Tomoko made our day highly recommend Mal and Rhonda from Australia
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Tomoko H.
Rhonda, Mal, it was so nice walking around Yanaka with you today. I'm glad you both enjoyed this quiet, relaxed area. Having just spent a week walking the pilgrimage trails through the mountains of the Kumano Kodo until yesterday, I felt a sense of peace guiding you around the familiar neighborhood near my home this afternoon. It was wonderful sharing the nostalgic shopping streets, temple town, cemetery, and interactions with local middle schoolers with you, experiencing the daily lives of ordinary people, and enjoying my favorite snacking (roasted sweet potatoes and rice crackers called “kakinotane(persimmon seeds)”) together. Enjoy Disneyland tomorrow with the younger members of your family. Thank you again! - Tomoko
$229/ per group
More tours by Tomoko H.
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One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
Recommended for those who want to make the best of your limited days in Tokyo! First, choose 1 or 2 places from the selection list in ‘Highlights,’ and let me know your requests. Then I will suggest the best itinerary especially for you. If you are thinking of touring around other areas starting from Tokyo or ending at Tokyo, I could assist your planning as a tour guide+consultant. Feel free to contact me.
One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
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Hakone Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
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Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Kamakura, a small, coastal city just one hour south of Tokyo. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments as well as beautiful beach and forestry hills. Refer to this model plan, and I will customize your tour based on your tastes and requests. Count on me, Kamakura specialist!
Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
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Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Nikko from Tokyo. Nikko is the perfect destination for those who want to escape busy Tokyo and enjoy great nature and historical beauty. Nikko is designated as Japan’s National Park as well as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. 2 hours north-east of Tokyo by train. Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine is what you cannot miss. Your tour can be customized depending on your interests. Do not miss tasting local food, too. Let’s enjoy the beauties of Nikko together!
Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Tokyo
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Harajuku, Omotesando & Shibuya, Half Day Tour
Our Tour will start from Meiji Shrine, then move to Takeshita street where you can find cute ‘Kawaii’ culture. On Omotesando Promenades you will find a gorgeous line-up of newly designed architecture, such as Omotesando Hills by Tadao Ondo etc. Finish is Shibuya where you can enjoy Shibuya Crossing. Goal will be good Japanese restaurant.
Harajuku, Omotesando & Shibuya, Half Day Tour
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Asakusa, 3 hours.
Asakusa is not only a temple town but also a traditional town of common peoples's culture. In the typical Tokyo Shitamachi (old residential town), there is Japanese Broadway, interesting and unique river view and many many shops worth to visit. You can enjoy the essence of Shitamachi.
Asakusa, 3 hours.
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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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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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