See the highlights of Shinjuku in half a day—Meiji Jingu Shrine near Harajuku station, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and finally Kabukicho with a large Godzilla behind the Toho cinema.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu, located in Tokyo's Shibuya district, is a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Established in 1920, its grand wooden architecture and serene forest setting provide a tranquil escape from the city. Visitors engage in traditional rituals like purification and prayer, while seasonal festivals and cultural events showcase Japan's rich heritage. This sacred site symbolizes Japan's deep reverence for its imperial history and spiritual traditions.
Oedo Subway Line Yoyogi station to Tochomae station
We will go just one stop by train to save time walking.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a prominent landmark in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Comprising twin towers with observation decks offering panoramic city views, it's a hub of government administration. Designed by Kenzo Tange, its modernist architecture features soaring structures and a central plaza. Free to enter, it's a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, offering an unparalleled vista of Tokyo's sprawling metropolis.
Kabukicho
Kabukicho is Tokyo's vibrant entertainment district, nestled in Shinjuku. Known for its neon lights, theaters, and nightlife, it pulsates with energy day and night. Home to diverse establishments like host clubs, karaoke bars, and restaurants, it caters to various tastes. While famed for its lively atmosphere, Kabukicho also harbors quieter corners with traditional izakayas and quaint alleyways. Despite its bustling nature, it maintains an intriguing blend of modernity and old-world charm.
New Kabukicho Tower
Kabukicho Tower, a sleek skyscraper in Tokyo's Kabukicho district, stands as a modern icon amidst the bustling nightlife. Housing an array of entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants, it epitomizes the area's vibrant spirit. With its illuminated facade dominating the skyline, the tower offers a panoramic view of Kabukicho's neon-lit streets. It serves as a focal point for visitors exploring the dynamic blend of entertainment and culture in this iconic Tokyo neighborhood.
Ending Point
Your Hotel
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Tour Guiding
Japanese/English Interpreting
Hotel Pick up/Drop off within Tokyo 23wards
Guide's Rail fare
Your Rail fare
Your Lunch and/or dinner
My tours focus on the Tokyo subway and rail-accessible locations. I am not able to provide a driver on this site.
*Bookings for cherry blossom season are full; if the date on the calendar is greyed out I am not available*
Hello! My name is Grant, and I’ve spent over a decade living and exploring Japan. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, I first came to Japan as a high school exchange student in Inuyama, a historic castle town in Aichi. My love for Japan began early—sparked by childhood games like Pokémon that were released in Japanese before English. This passion led me to pass the N2 Japanese Language Proficiency Test in 2018, study at language schools across Japan, and graduate from the Japan Visual Media Translation Academy.
I’ve traveled to every prefecture in Japan, often using unlimited rail passes to explore castles, historic sites, and regional specialties.
I hold a degree in Asian Studies from a Tokyo university, and my extensive experience living in Tokyo has made me an expert on the city’s transportation system, hidden gems, and affordable eats. With over 30 visits to Kyoto, I have deep knowledge of its historical sites and the broader cultural landscape of Japan. I studied at Japanese language school in Kyoto. I visited all the world heritage sites in Kyoto and have a lot of knowledge on the history of Japan. I can provide tours of Kyoto or places outside of Tokyo for an additional transportation fee.
Tour options:
Half-Day Tour: 20,000 yen (4 hours)
Full-Day Tour: 40,000 yen (8 hours)
Full-Day Tour Outside of Tokyo: 40,000 yen plus transportation expense
Victoria M.
“Enoshima island, Enoshima iwaya sea cave, Kamakura great Buddha, Hase temple, Tsugaokahachimangu street market and shrine”
So much was packed into a one day trip! This was a great opportunity to see more than Shibuya/Harajuku. I am in Tokyo alone so would never have been able to see everything by myself in one day. Grant is very knowledgeable about Japan and speaks Japanese/English fluently. I highly recommend him for your tour guide.
David O.
“Incredibly well informed and thorough”
Fantastic tour! He knew his stuff about whiskey and it showed. From finding the best prices on bottles to bring back home to learning the back story of how Japanese whiskey came to be, if you’re a whiskey geek this is your tour!
Jess A.
“Great 3.5 days with Grant ”
We booked 3.5 days with Grant and we weren’t disappointed We booked • Ginza Line Tour • Shibuya Anime Half-Day Tour • Nikko Toshogu World Hertiage Site Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo with Utsunomiya gyoza stopover • Off the Beaten Path: Utsunomiya Full Day Tour It was well worth it. We saw so much and learnt a lot. Grant showed us how to get, use and recharge our suica cards. He also gave us a run down of how the train system works. Also gave us instructions how to get back to the airport in Tokyo from Osaka We did a lot of shopping and my requests were to see Pokémon, Nintendo, Harry Potter, Ghibli, Jigsaw Puzzles and find a bottle opener with Japan on it. He delivered this request and some We got to participate in the annual bean throwing ceremony. It was a lot of fun, taking home 3 bags of beans of good luck Grant went above and beyond and gave us a lot of information of Japan. He knows a lot and knows what he is talking about. He always met us at our hotel and dropped us off Took us to some great places to eat as well I recommend venturing out of the busy life of Tokyo as it’s well worth it.
$135/ per group