An experienced guide will showcase the essence of Tokyo.
First, we visit the Fish Market, known as the kitchen of Tokyo. Here, you can enjoy local delights such as fresh sushi and wagyu beef.
Next, you'll head to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, where you can admire the contrast between the past and the future. I’ll also bring you to the GHQ buildings, the legacy of G.MacArthur.
Finally, you’ll visit Asakusa, a historic district, famous for its popular culture of Edo-Tokyo period.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your hotel (central area in Tokyo)
- At your hotel (central area in Tokyo)
Starting at the Fish Market, often called Tokyo’s kitchen, you’ll find over 400 shops packed with fresh seafood, meats, and local delicacies.
The atmosphere is electric, with vendors calling out to customers and the aroma of fresh ingredients wafting through the air.
Take your time to sample fresh sushi, sashimi, and unique snacks, immersing yourself in the local culinary culture.
It’s a sensory delight that captures the essence of Tokyo's vibrant food scene.
Let’s take a bus ride and enjoy the views of central Tokyo. We’ll travel from Tsukiji fish market through fancy shopping area Ginza, then visit the stunning brick structure of Tokyo Station. Nearby, you’ll find the fashionable Marunouchi buildings, the elegant Gyoko-dori avenue, known as the Emperor’s avenue, and the Tokyo Central Post Office.
From there, we’ll walk to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Let’s stroll through what is considered one of the most elegant streets in Japan!
The Imperial Palace is located on the site where the shogun's residence once stood, surrounded by the estates of various daimyo (feudal lords). Today, it serves as the official residence of the Emperor (in Fukiage area). A guide who previously worked at the Imperial Household Agency will share insights about the history of the shogunate and the imperial family, enriching your understanding of this significant site.
Welcome to this exciting place where the past and future intersect. Currently, it is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Agency, but from the 17th century until the mid-19th century, it was the residence of the shogun, the top samurai. Let’s immerse ourselves in the dynamic atmosphere of the Edo period, when samurai ruled Japan.
This park offers two contrasting experiences: the vibrant history of the former Edo Castle and the tranquility of the Japanese garden. Once the largest castle in Japan, the majestic Edo Castle was unfortunately destroyed by fire, but a 1/50 scale replica remains today.
As you stroll through the gardens, you’ll find beautiful koi swimming gracefully, providing a peaceful retreat for visitors. Let’s enjoy the rich history together and connect with the stories of the samurai and the imperial family!
After World War II, Japan was under the control of the occupying forces. These buildings were used as offices by the occupation army, and you can find General MacArthur's office here as well. Immerse yourself in the breath of history, and you are sure to feel inspired!
Let's enjoy delicious lunch near the Imperial Palace!
Asakusa flourished as a lively town during the Edo period, and you can feel the vibrant and friendly energy here. The history of this area began in the 6th century when two fishermen discovered a statue of Kannon in the Sumida River. This story marks the origin of Senso-ji Temple. The fishermen who found the statue were later enshrined at Asakusa Shrine.
Let me explain the difference between a temple and a shrine. One of the main attractions is the Kaminarimon Gate, featuring a massive red lantern that weighs 700 kilograms. It is a symbol of Tokyo and a popular tourist spot, originally dedicated by a samurai in the 10th century who was blessed with promotion thanks to the local deity.
Next, let’s stroll through Nakamise Street, said to be the oldest shopping street in Tokyo. Here, you can enjoy traditional snacks like ningyo-yaki and matcha, as well as various souvenirs. Don’t forget to take in the sights of women dressed in kimono and the rickshaws that add to the charm of Asakusa!
Asakusa station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee, hotel pick up central area
transportation fee (about ¥1000 per person), lunch fee (you and guide),
We can create a tailor made tour for you, for 6 hours, JPY 50000 per group. Please message me for the information.
I am Romy, a national certified tour guide.
A guide, having grown up near the Imperial Palace and worked at the Imperial Household Agency and an expert on Tsukiji and Asakusa,I am confident to showcase the essence of Tokyo for you!
I used to work for Imperial Household Agency. I am proud to have been familiar with the imperial culture that laid the foundation of Japanese culture.It was a wonderful experience to discuss Japanese mythology with the attendants of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun, as well as the members of the Imperial Guard.
I have also worked at Goldman Sachs. Collaborating on projects with people from different countries and cultures has been an enjoyable experience. I excel in cross-cultural communication and overcoming our differences to foster mutual understanding.
In addition to this, I studied French literature at university and lived in Venice, Italy. I am multilingual, able to speak both French and Italian. I have a deep love for European art, including the works of Raphael and Bach.
I grew up in Chiyoda Ward and achieved second place in the Imperial Palace Marathon. I have also played the piano at the Hibiya Civic Hall. I have a passion for both the arts and sports!
My mother plays the koto, a traditional Japanese instrument, composes waka poetry, and recites it. My father works for a newspaper company and loves discussing international issues. We also have a Siberian Husky dog.
My whole family loves cooking, and we often have sushi parties together at home. We also enjoy inviting friends over for these gatherings.
I love meeting new people while traveling and expanding my horizons. I also enjoy sharing wisdom and knowledge with everyone.
So far, I have guided people from various countries, including America, Europe, Africa, and China, over 100 times.I have received five stars over 30 times.
I can’t wait to welcome you to Tokyo, Japan!
Let’s create special memories together as you explore the wonders of this vibrant city, Tokyo.
Fiona H.
Tokyo's Culinary Delights A Tantalizing Tsukiji Fish Market Tour
“An outstanding tour of Tsukiji Markets with a superbly talented guide”
Romy gave us an outstanding tour of Tsukiji Fish Markets that surpassed our expectations. (We felt she showed us the spirit of Japan.) She gave us a warm welcome and shared her deep knowledge of the history and culture of the area from the moment we set off together. We enjoyed a brief stop at a Buddhist temple to begin with, which gave us a sense of the area's history and spirituality. Then, as our tour of the markets began, Romy picked some absolutely delicious treats to enjoy, while also explaining useful local phrases (which we'll use over the rest of our visit). It's difficult to pick which foods we enjoyed most, because their quality was always high, but the grilled wagyu beef was amazing (sugoii!). The tuna sushi was the best we've ever had. We also enjoyed tea and local snacks so much that we bought several longer-lasting items to take home with us. I am certain that having Romy choose the food for us vastly improved our experience of Tsukiji markets compared to if we'd gone on our own. Plus, her impressive knowledge of history behind the foods and sights added the depth we were after. Romy is a delightful and skilled hostess, and a very warm, intelligent and courteous person. She treated us like royalty the entire time. I would love to do another tour with her, and recommend her without hesitation to anyone visiting Tokyo. We feel very fortunate to have spent the morning with her. Thank you so much again, Romy!
Frank P.
Tokyo's Culinary Delights A Tantalizing Tsukiji Fish Market Tour
“A tour for lovers of food & history. ”
Hiromi is a wonderful guide. She is very knowledgeable and generous. Her passion for the local food and history makes this tour of the Tsukji inner & outer markets most enjoyable. We loved soaking in the atmosphere and tasting a range of traditional foods and drinks. Highlights for us included beautiful sushi and our first taste of sake. Niromi shared information about her life & was interested to hear about ours. We would highly recommend this tour to other travellers. Thank you Hiromi for a most memorable experience in Tokyo!
Hiromi N.
(3 reviews)Dear Simon, Heather, and Frank and your lovely wife, I just want to start by saying a massive thank you for coming all the way from Australia to visit Japan, and for choosing my tour. It really means a lot to me. Simon, I have the utmost respect for your profession. You’ve spent your career in one of the most important fields, supporting and sustaining human life, and I’m genuinely grateful for that. Your keen eye for food quality, especially as a specialist in your field, really impressed me. I was especially moved by the conversation about the grinding mill for sharpening knives. It made me realise that, no matter where we are in the world, becoming a top-notch professional takes years and years of dedication and effort. Heather, with your background in teaching, you have such a refined, elegant way of speaking, choosing your words with great care. You gave me the impression of being a truly graceful lady, almost like Queen Elizabeth herself! I really appreciated how thoughtfully you listened to everything I shared. Your stories about how you and Simon met, your travels to Italy and Alaska, and the lovely photos of your grandchildren and children were such a joy to see. I hope I can build a warm and happy family, just like you two have. And finally, Frank, to you and your wife, my deepest condolences once again. May your son's soul rest in peace. I’ve said a prayer at Tsukiji’s Namiyoke Shrine for your family, wishing for a future filled with happiness and peace. Thank you all so much once again. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Warm regards, Romy
Tom H.
Tokyo's Culinary Delights A Tantalizing Tsukiji Fish Market Tour
“Fantastic Fish Market Experience thanks to Hiromi!”
Hiromi gave us really helpful directions to our meeting place prior to the tour, as well as other places we might like. She was really attentive toward our interests and preferences, having prepared small gifts for us upon meeting us and arranging for various foods to be picked up ahead of time which was very much appreciated. She couldn’t have made our experience any more comfortable, constantly making sure we’re doing alright (it was a scorching day, 35 degrees with harsh sun I believe). She acquired us local food and drinks at the market so we didn’t have to queue such as wagyu sushi, green tea and local snacks. She took us to the market at the perfect time to witness a ginormous tuna being filleted and prepared which was a spectacle. We finished off with a delicious tuna sashimi bowl she organised beforehand which couldn’t have been fresher or tastier. She’s super knowledgeable about Japanese culture and local history of Tsukiji which was fun to talk with her about. There’s no way you won’t be looked after with Hiromi, she’s a perfect guide for a first-time Tokyo visitor who wants to branch off and see a vibrant street market. Bubbly, eager and attentive. Such a kind person, we need more Hiromis in the world!
Hiromi N.
(3 reviews)Dear Tom sama and his lovely family, Thank you for choosing to visit Tsukiji despite the sweltering heat and for entrusting me with the role of your guide. While the United Kingdom may not require air conditioning, Tsukiji felt like a tropical island. I imagine the long journey must have been exhausting. Again, thank you for choosing to spend a precious part of your lives in Japan. Your graciousness and respect for Japanese culture and people were truly admirable. I was deeply impressed by your composure, keen observations, thoughtful remarks, and the wonderful vision you have for the future. I sincerely hope that your trip to Japan has provided valuable inspiration for you and your family. How did you find the food? Britain offers a delightful culinary experience, with delicacies such as Yorkshire pudding, which your sister lovingly prepares for her charming boyfriend, and the ever-popular fish and chips. I'm glad that you enjoyed a variety of Japanese local cuisine. Japan, emerging onto the global stage at the end of the 19th century, formed its first alliance with Britain. Since then, we have been greatly influenced by British ethics and morality, which have played a significant role in shaping Japanese society. We continue to aspire to learn more from Britain. I sincerely wish for the continued prosperity and happiness for all of you. Please remember that the gods of Tsukiji are always rooting for your happiness and success. May all your dreams come true! Words cannot fully express my gratitude for your visit. May all good things come your way... Thank you very much. Warmest regards, Hiromi
$370/ per group
Reserve