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Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan
Joined 2019
This tour is for the tourists who have just arrived in Japan and would like to explore Tokyo on the first day of your trip. See the typical major sites like Meijijingu Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji Wholesale Market, Imperial Palace and Asakusa, while travelling across the city from the west to the east. Also learn about some tips for strolling Tokyo by yourselves, such as transportation, reservation, dinning and shopping, unique tourist sites and so on, according to your requests and interests.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Pick up: Hotel
Any hotel you are staying at. Additional transportation costs are needed.
Meijijingu Shrine (other option: Shinjyuku Gyoen Garden and etc.)
Visit one of the most famous shrines in Japan, where the spirit of Meiji Emperor (enthroned 1867~1912) is enshrined.
Highlights:
1. Learn about Meiji Emperor and Meiji era
2. Experience Shinto's rituals like washing hands, prayer, writing wishes on Ema tablet, etc.
3. Learn about Shinto's events such as wedding, festivals, new year day, etc.
4. Stroll around the sacred and tranquil precinct of the shrine.
Tokyo Tower (other option=Tokyo Skytree and etc.)
Visit the landmark tower in Tokyo, which used to serve as a broadcast antenna and is now an attractive tourist site.
Highlights:
1. Command the bird's-eye view of Tokyo and learn about the geography and history of the city
2. Look at the places directly below like temples, graveyards, schools and so on
3. Enjoy the unique designs of the skyscrapers like Toranomon Hills, Roppongi Hills, etc.
4. See the distant views such as Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Tokyo Bay and Yokohama
Tsukiji Wholesale Market (other option=Toyosu Fish Market and etc.)
Go to Tsukiji Wholesale Market
Enjoy lunch at the outer retail market, where professional cooks and restaurant owners come to purchase fresh ingredients. There are many kinds of restaurants and street food shops lined along narrow and busy shopping streets.
Imperial Palace (other option=Sumida River Cruise and etc.)
Visit East Garden of Imperial Palace (Tue, Wed, Thurs) / Kokyo Gaien National Garden (Mon, Fri)
Highlights
1. Learn about the history of Emperors and the present situation of the Imperial Family
2. See some remains of Edo castle, like the watch tower, the foundation of the donjon, etc.
3. Learn about Tokugawa Shogunate (1600~1868), such as unique Shoguns among them
4. Stroll around Japanese gardens to enjoy the change of the seasons by flowers and trees
Asakusa Sensoji Temple (other option=Hamarikyu Garden and etc.)
End the day with Asakusa district in downtown Tokyo
Highlights:
1. Visit Sensouji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo and see the beautiful architecture and sculptures like the big red paper lantern, the statues of the God of Wind and Fire, the Five-Storied Pagoda etc.
2. Experience some rituals of Buddhism, prayer, drawing fortune telling, incense burning etc.
3. Stroll Nakamise shopping street and other side streets to enjoy shopping and eating at a variety of small shops along the streets
Drop off: Hotel or Asakusa
Choose the ending point up to your convenience. In case of dropping off at your hotel, additional costs are needed. If you want to explore Asakusa more and have dinner there, end the tour at Asakusa.
Ending Point
At your hotel or Asakusa Subway Station
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
guide fee
guide's transportation fee
guide's admission fee
transportation fee
entrance fee
Tour Important Information
1. This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
2. The order of the visiting places can be changed depending on the weather and the season. On Monday and Friday, East Garden of Imperial Palace is closed, so
3. If you have any food you cannot eat, like raw fish, meat, please let me know in advance.
4. If you have any requests or questions, I am happy to hear from before your arrival.
Important message from the supplier
I have changed the day when I am available.
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 2019
About Tour Guide Haruo T.
I live in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. I have a license to teach in high schools and was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language in the University of Birmingham. Until 2015 I had been teaching English at public high schools in Kanagawa for 37 years. During that time, I had some experience of guiding students from overseas through sister-school relationship around Tokyo and Kanagawa. Therefore, I had good command of English with the TOEIC score of 935.
As for a tour guide experience I earned the certificate of National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter in English and since then I have guided tourists to the popular sites around Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Yokosuka. My guiding focuses on introducing not only Japanese historical and cultural backgrounds but also giving tourists some tips to travel Japan only by themselves, such as how to use trains and subways, find good restaurants, reserve tickets, buy survenier, and speak basic Japanese. In addition, my tour includes opportunities to experience Japanese culture like Zen meditation, ninja performance, visiting anime's location sites based on tourists' request. Besides, by means of my hobbies of writing English Haiku and Waka (traditional Japanese poems) and performing Rakugo (traditional Japanese funny story telling) in English, I can surely entertain tourists during the tour.
My moto as a tour guide is let the tourists have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan with my profound, intelligible and interestiog guiding.
Reviews
“An amazing guide for an amazing start of our Japan Trip!”
As a first-time user of this service and traveler to Japan, I wholeheartedly recommend it to all foreigners visiting Japan for the first time. Haruo was exceptional in the lead-up to my arrival, promptly answering my questions and providing a clear itinerary while remaining flexible. His proficiency in English was impressive, and he offered insightful explanations about both the historical and modern aspects of Japan. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our tour and would gladly book him again. One tip I would suggest is to ensure you have good walking skills for any Tokyo tour! Haruo was an excellent choice for our first day in Tokyo. Given that we were mentally exhausted from a long flight the previous day, having a tour with Haruo to navigate the intricacies of shrines and subway systems was incredibly beneficial. We visited many major sites, learning a wealth of historical information, and he was more than willing to adjust our itinerary based on our interests. He is a fantastic guide, and I highly recommend his services! Thank you very much, Haruo-san.
Haruo T.
Dear Pranav You are really one of the amazing guests I’ve ever guided. Thank you for your kind words and generosity. The tour with you will be an unforgettable memory in my life. Please take care of yourselves and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Haruo
“Awesome Tour of Tokyo!!”
1st time user of this service and traveller to Japan and I would recommend it 100% to all Foreigners visiting Japan for the 1st time. Haruro was great in the lead up prior to arriving to Japan in answering my questions and was transparent on the itinerary and flexible. His English was great and he explained the history of tradition and modern era of Japan. We loved every minute of our tour. I would recommend in booking him anytime. The only helpful hint I would advise is that you better bring your walking skills when you do any Tokyo tour!! Thank you very much Haruyo.
Haruo T.
Hi, Ibrahim. Thank you so much for the kind and generous review as well as your recommendation. I’m sure you will have a great tour in Tokyo and Osaka. Good luck for the horse race! Best regards to your amazing son.
Stacey H.
Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan Kasai and Odaiba for Stacey
Customized
“Tokyo Bay walking tour ”
Haruo was a great guide - took us to do and see what we asked for and more - explained points of interest on the way - would do another tour with him
Haruo T.
Thank you for the thoughtful and heartwarming review even though I made some mistakes during the tour. This encourages me a lot. Please enjoy the tour in Japan. I’m always wishing your safe and wonderful trip in Japan.
$208/ per group
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