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Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan
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.
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?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
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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
Tokyo Tour Reviews
Travis V.
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
“Great locations, great guide”
We really enjoyed traveling to Kamakura and Yokosuka with Horuo. It was generally overcast (with a bit of rain) so we were often alone at some of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, and we were able to generally avoid the crowds with Haruo. Travel was very easy for us, and we learned a lot about Japan's history while on our adventures with him. Haruo is very knowledgeable about about the locations he took us to, and was able to bring each bridge and path to life with background we would have otherwise been oblivious to - stories of royalty, faith, assassination plot, wars, peace, and daily life for residents throughout history. There is so much we would have otherwise missed without Haruo, and we are deeply appreciative that we were able to share our travels with him.
Haruo T.
(10 reviews)Dear Trevis Thank you very much for your heartwarming review. This encourages me to improve my guiding. I was also very happy to have a tour with you. Please take care of yourselves. Best Regards Haruo
“An amazing start to adventure!”
Haruo is a fantastic guide and educator who helped us get our bearings on our first day in Tokyo. While on an amazing tour of the imperial gardens (and an indoor 'open air' style Edo museum) we learned about the history of Tokyo and its people, we learned about basic etiquette (tipping, bowing, etc), and how to find what we would need during our 2 week stay. We learned the basics about Shintoism, a few important phrases, we got to try some really unique (and tasty) food, and he took some really great photos of us!
Haruo T.
(10 reviews)I'm sure you had spent a great time in your whole tour in Japan. Please take care of yourselves. Thank you again. Haruo
“Fantastic tour guide!”
Haruo was a great choice for our first day in Tokyo. We knew we'd be wiped from the prior day of flying mentally, so setting up a tour with Haruo explaining all the ins and outs of shrines and how to use the subway was so helpful to get us started, plus we hit up a bunch of the big sites. Lots of history and info, more than happy to be flexible for the sights we wanted to see vs what we were not as interested in. Great guy, great tour, highly recommend!
Haruo T.
(10 reviews)Dear Elisa and Charles Thank you so much for your kind review. That encourages me to improve my tour from now on. It is not you but me that learned a lot about the culture of your country. Especially, talking about your hometown Seatle made me remember sweet memories of my trip and want to come back there. I believe you had a great time after our tour. Thank you again and take care of yourselves. Best Regards, Haruo
