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
My L.
“Tour of Mt. Fuji/Hakone”
Because of a typhoon, we had to cancel our trip to Mt. Fuji, but we still had a great time with Tomoko in Tokyo. She was terrific! She helped us with our change of plans and we end up with a wonderful day in Tokyo. She is a joy to be around and I would highly recommend her as a guide! She has great communications skills and very personable. We hope to see her again when we come back to Japan!
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Tomoko H.
Hi My Le, Thank you for your lovely review. It was quite a nerve-wracking experience with the typhoon, wasn’t it? It was a shame you couldn’t visit Fuji and Hakone, but I’m relieved that we were able to change the itinerary to Tokyo and that you were able to have a safe and enjoyable time. After viewing Japanese paintings and doing some shopping, we were among the very last visitors at both the sushi restaurant and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, but I had a wonderful time with your three-generation family, who were full of humour, and it was a truly memorable day. Your parents and you both have taught me the secret to staying young: taking an interest in all sorts of things, enjoying life with an open mind, and laughing. With respect,- Tomoko
Laureen J.
“ A Perfect Day in Tokyo with Tomoko – Beyond Our Expectations!”
Our day in Tokyo was absolutely out of this world! We had a group of 11 and chose to hire a driver so we could make the most of our limited time in the city. It was one of the best decisions we made, and having Tomoko as our guide made the day truly unforgettable. Tomoko was outstanding from start to finish. She planned a wonderful itinerary that included the Imperial Palace and its surroundings, Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo Skytree Town, and the Harajuku and Shibuya areas. One of the highlights of the day was lunch that Tomoko arranged for us on the 30th floor of a skyscraper overlooking Tokyo. The views were incredible, and the sushi was outstanding. What made the experience so special was Tomoko herself. She was kind, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cared about making sure everyone in our group had a wonderful day. She walked with us through the shopping districts, helped us find the Onitsuka Tiger shoes that several members of our group were hoping to purchase, and never made us feel rushed. At the end of the day, Tomoko accompanied us all the way back to our cruise terminal, made sure everyone was safely back on the ship, and only then headed home herself. That level of care and dedication speaks volumes about the kind of person she is. Tomoko is truly one of a kind. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, caring, and exceptional guide for a perfect day in Tokyo, look no further. I cannot wait to return to Tokyo and see her again. Thank you, Tomoko, for a memorable day that our family will never forget.
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Tomoko H.
Dear Laureen, thank you for the wonderful review. You’ve been so generous with your praise that I feel like I could “crawl into a hole” (I’m a bit embarrassed), but I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Our exchange started in a very interesting way. I received an inquiry with almost the exact same details from another lady—whose name also starts with “L”—at around the same time. (She mentioned that you were traveling on a cruise ship and that your family consists of 11 members.) I immediately realized that you must be a very loving family.Even though we were both working and dealing with the time difference, I really enjoyed our detailed planning emails. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review despite your busy schedule after returning from your trip. I hope you and your family are all doing well. I look forward to seeing you again.‐ Tomoko
Josh K.
“Fun, full day tour with a true professional”
We spent a full day with Tomoko exploring Kamakura and Enoshima as a daytrip from Tokyo. Tomoko knows this area extremely well so she had everything planned out and adapted logistics as the day unfolded. She provided just the right amount and type of commentary on places visited and brought us to a very traditional soba&tempura restaurant for lunch. She is a natural conversationalist and will feel like a friend by end of the day. Her pre-tour communications are extensive as well. We had a great time with Tomoko and saw everything imagined and then some. We recommend Tomoko 100%, 10 out of 10, a top notch tour guide.
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Tomoko H.
Thank you for the wonderful review. The Kamakura tour with you and your family was so much fun. Even with jet lag, everyone walked so well! The beautiful bamboo temple, Hachimangu Shrine, lunch and shopping, the Great Buddha and Hase-dera Temple, and then the caves carved by the waves on the back side of Enoshima (where the dragon lives!)—I’d secretly worried we might not make it that far. Since you told me your family’s specific requests and preferences in advance, it made planning much easier. I appreciate your cooperation. Thank you, Joshi, Amy, Caroline, and Adelaide!
$227/ 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
One-day fun excursion to Hakone from Tokyo. Hakone is a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. This tour covers the highlights of Hakone. You will enjoy its natural beauties, spectacular views of volcanic activity, a lovely museum with great masterpieces, historical sites, and fun vehicle rides. If weather permits, the view of Mt. Fuji is gorgeous! Fun excursion for both adults and children.
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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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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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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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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Cultural and City Experience Tour
One of the most popular private tours among my guests, this immersive day includes a stroll through Tokyo’s oldest temple, a memorable kimono and tea ceremony experience, and a visit to must-see spots like the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the Pokémon Center. It’s a well-curated, time-efficient way to enjoy the very best of Tokyo in a single day!!
Cultural and City Experience Tour
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