One-Day Imperial and Cultural Tokyo (Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Imperial Palace Gardens, Ueno)
Joined 2018
Enjoy old and new Tokyo through this tour!
Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest and most famous shrines in Tokyo. Along Omotesando Street in Harajuku many luxury brand shops are located, and Takeshita-dori Street near Omotesando Street is known as a shopping place for young people.
Imperial Palace East Gardens are a big beautiful park near Tokyo Station.
In Ueno they have a lot of temples and shrines, and also museums such as Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, etc.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel
Your Hotel
Pick up at your hotel. Go to Meiji Shrine by public transportation.
Meiji Shine
Visit Meiji Shrine and Harajuku.
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine is one of the biggest Shinto shrines where the soul of Emperor and Empress Meiji are enshrined. Surrounded by forests, this area of Meiji Shrine is a place for Japanese people to relax. If you are lucky, you may see a Japanese traditional wedding.
Harajuku
There are two main streets in Harajuku. One is Omote-sando Street where many famous boutiques are located, and the other is Takeshita-dori Street where many shops that young people are interested in. Takeshita-dori Street is known as a fashion hub for young generations. You can find a lot of interesting things in Harajuku.
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Imperial Palace is former Edo Castle, and the East Gardens are a big beautiful park near Tokyo Station. 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. We will have lunch nearby.
Ueno
We will walk around Ueno Park.
During the period of Tokugawa shogunate, Ueno was a home for Buddhist temples and people living in those days. One of the most famous temples is Kan-eiji Temple which was originally established in 1625 as a family temple of Tokugawas.
Kan-eiji temple has several sub-temples such as Kiyomuzu Kannondo, Bentendo, etc. Kiyomizu Kannondo was built in the 17th century and modeled after Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. They enshrine one-thousand-armed Kannon in the hall.
Bentendo was originally built in the 17th century, but rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century because it was burnt down during WWII. They enshrine eight-handed goddess of knowledge, art, and beauty.
You can also visit Toshogu Shrine where Tokugawa's three shoguns, the 1st shogun Ieyasu, the 8th shogun Yoshimune, and the 15th shogun Yoshinobu, are enshrined. This shrine is said to have benefits for the success in business, victory in competition, health and longevity, etc.
In addition, there are several museums, festival hall, zoo which is famous for pandas, etc. in Ueno Park.
Ueno
Go back to your hotel by public transportation.
Your Hotel
End of the tour.
Ending Point
Your hotel
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 extra transportation fees are 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)
3. Lunch (you and your guide)
4. Beverages (beer, juice, etc.)
Tour Important Information
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are usually closed on Mondays and Fridays, except for national holidays.
*** FAQ ***
(Q) Can I add or delete the places to visit?
(A) Yes! You can add or delete the places to visit. Please let me know the places you want to visit. I will make a customized tour for you.
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
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.
Fynn C.
“Kamakura half day tour”
Our tour to Kamakura was a fantastic experience from start to finish. It began with a convenient meet-up at our hotel in Shinjuku, where Hiroshi, our guide, greeted us warmly. The journey was incredibly smooth, as navigating the public transport was easy and well-organized. I especially enjoyed taking the local buses, which added a nice, authentic touch to the experience. The pace of the tour was perfect, making it a relaxing day despite all there was to see. As a small group, we had plenty of time to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. One highlight was definitely the Hokokuji Bamboo Forest—such a serene and beautiful place that left a lasting impression on all of us. Hiroshi was an excellent guide, always attentive and full of interesting tidbits, especially for my kids, who were engaged and excited throughout the tour. It was clear that he genuinely cared about making the experience enjoyable for everyone. Overall, this was a memorable, stress-free day trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Kamakura.
Hiroshi S.
Thank you for writing the review. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the Kamakura tour. I also had a great time with all of your family. We visited the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and finally Komachi-dori Street. At Hokokuji Temple, we enjoyed matcha green tea while looking at the bamboo grove. It is a very quiet and calm place and one of my favorite places in Kamakura. Since it was a holiday, there were many people at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Especially since it was the season of Shichi-Go-San, which celebrates the growth of children, we could see many children dressed in kimono. There were also many stores and restaurants on Komachi-dori Street, and I am sure you enjoyed shopping and other activities. If you have a chance to come to Japan again, please contact me. There is still much to see and do in Kamakura and Tokyo, and let’s enjoy Japanese culture and customs together.
$240/ 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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