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Tokyo Staple Spots for First Visitors
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Joined 2020
Welcome to Tokyo! This tour is designed for the first visitors to Tokyo and includes the six most popular and essential spots of Tsukiji Outer Market, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Omotesando Shopping Street, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in the central Tokyo
Meet up at your hotel (time may vary depending on hotel location)
After a short orientation, the tour will begin by taking complicated but convenient public transportation in Tokyo.
Tsukiji Outer Market (not active on Sundays and Wednesdays), Namiyoke Jinja Shrine, and Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
Tsukiji Market was the world's largest fish market that closed when the new market of Toyosu started its operation in 2018. However, over 300 iintermediate wholesalers and retail shops remain in Tsukiji Outer Market for domestic people and visitors worldwide. It is not active on Sundays and Wednesdays when Toyosu Market is closed, but many shops and restaurants welcome visitors still.
Namiyoke Jinja is a shrine to protect the market area from evil spirits. Its fantastic lion heads march the area on the occasion of the festival every three years.
Tsukiji Hongqwanji is a unique Indian-style exterior temple of the True Pureland Sect. Its RC construction was designed to reconstruct the temple damaged by the earthquake disaster in 1923.
Imperial Palace East Gardens (closed on Mondays and Fridays)
The Imperial Palace is the residence of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and his family. It was the Edo Castle in the Edo Period when the Tokugawa Shogunate governed this country. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are open to the public where we can see and climb on the foundation of the Edo Castle's keep. The wide area of the gardens also includes a strolling-style Japanese garden.
The gardens close on Mondays and Fridays. On such a day, the tour may highlight the old-fashioned Tokyo Station and a popular photo spot beside the Imperial Palace where many sightseeing buses drop in every day.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine is surrounded by "artificial and wild" woods in the core of Tokyo. It enshrines the Meiji Emperor and his wife. He was the first emperor after the Meiji Restoration which followed 260 years of the reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the last samurai government. You will learn the basis of the Japanese domestic religion of Shintoism, and the manners of visiting shrines.
Omotesando, Cat Street and Takeshita Dori Shopping Streets
Omotesando Street is the main access road to Meiji Jingu, and on it, many brand shops are handling high-end clothes and fashion items.
On a lateral path called Cat Street, you may find something new in young designer's brand shops.
Takeshita Dori is filled with fashion and street food shops for the young generation.
We may have lunch in Harajuku area on or around Omotesando.
Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple
Constructed in 1958, the 333 m height of Tokyo Tower was the highest radio tower in the World. It was a tv radio tower for Tokyo and surrounding regions until handing over the main role to Tokyo SkyTree in 2012. Its technical function now is for FM radio and standby in case of some trouble in SkyTree.
Zojoji is one of the main temples of the Pure Land Sect which enshrines Amida Buddha. Its precinct is a popular photo spot of Tokyo Tower too.
Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Lane)
Asakusa is an old town of entertainment developed around Sensoji Temple. The temple is oldest in the Tokyo (or Edo) area with 1,400 years of history. The main gate of Sensoji is the Kaminarimon Gate which is guarded by two fierce-faced deities of the thunder and wind. From the gate, along a 250 m length straight shopping lane of Nakamise are many souvenir and sweet shops.
See you off at your hotel (time may vary depending on hotel location)
An Origami Workshop can be optionally included with extra cost when a booking is successfully made. Please let me know in message if you are interested.
<Option> Origami Workshop
One-hour Origami Workshop for beginners in the guide's house in central Tokyo's residential area, Bunkyo City. One of the above visiting spots will be replaced with this option. [optional price: JPY3,000/participant]
Ending Point
At 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
English-speaking guide
Hotel pick-up and sending-off
Transportation expenses for your guide during the tour
Transportation expenses for you
(approximately JPY1,500/person)
Admission fee for Tokyo Tower for you
(JPY1,500/person)
Lunch for you and your guide
(JPY 1,500 to 5,000/person depending on your selection)
Taxi fare, when taken, and any other costs during the tour
Tour Important Information
*This is a walking tour using the public transportation system in Tokyo.
*The tour itinerary can be modified to meet your requirements. Let me know your ideas or concepts for your tour in Tokyo. We will discuss details via the message page to create a beautiful itinerary for your precious day.
*Times in the itinerary are approximate.
Imperial Palace East Garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and Tsukiji Outer Market is not vivid on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Important message from the supplier
The inbound tour has been resumed. Wearing a mask depends on individual decisions, and you can enjoy tours and cultural experiences in Japan now.
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 2020
About Tour Guide Koichiro Y.
Hello! I’m Koichiro. Please call me “Yamasan”. It derives from my family name and my friends call me so.
I worked for a machinery company as a project manager and engineer for mechanical and electrical construction projects both domestic and overseas for over 35 years. I recall my first overseas project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when I was 26, and the second was in Singapore. I visited many countries for surveys, meetings, commissioning, project handing over, and so on.
In 2014 at the age of 60, I decided to retire from the company and live the expected further 30 years of life with a new career and experiences. I, then, studied translation and guide interpretation. I passed the national examination for licensed guides (English) in 2015 and registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in February 2016.
Until now, I have been guiding many beautiful guests mainly to popular sightseeing spots such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Omote-Sando, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree, and also cultural experiences of Origami making, Furoshiki wrapping, and Sushi cooking.
I am happy that I can freely arrange a customized tour together with you, or can propose my tours to you. I want to show you some parts of daily Tokyo life and introduce you to Bunkyo City which is located in the heart of Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live a happy life now.
Now, we can tour around the world but have not yet overcome COVID-19 completely. Recently, the number of passengers wearing masks on public transportation in Tokyo reduced to some 25% but we should mind about it still. Please carry your mask to wear it where or when necessary (December 2024, Yamasan).
Reviews
Anne L.
“Tokyo Gardens and Shrines Oct. 2025”
We had a great tour with Yamasan! He was knowledgeable, entertaining and fun to be with. He took us to places we never would have discovered on our own. We would highly recommend him for a great day in Tokyo.
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your review comment. I am happy that I could introduce you to some parts of our daily life while walking and dropping in several local facilities in the residential area in my Bunkyo City. I hope you continue the wonderful tour in Japan.
John R.
“The best guide we have ever met”
Yamasan helped organise a tour for our group. He helped with transport arrangements and the tour program. He is quite an extraordinary and knowledgeable guide.
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your kind comment. I just wanted you and your guests to have a beautiful and impressive day in Tokyo. I was also very happy with you and your wife. I hope you are enjoying your days on the excellent cruise ship. See you again!
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Karl H.
“Great Guide, great day.”
Well what can we say about this all round lovely man. We went with Koichiro (Yamasan), to Hakone. Travelling by train and bus it was a great experience. Koichiro (Yamasan) was great company, his relaxed and calm approach to everything made our day go smoothly. Even before we met him we knew by his efficiency and kindness we would like him. We highly recommend Koichiro (Yamasan).
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much for your fantastic review comments. It was not a fine day, and we could not see Mt. Fuji, however, I relaxed knowing that you enjoyed the tour. I was happy to be with a nice and tough couple. We walked over 20,000 steps throughout the Hakone walking tour. Amazing! Thank you very much again.
$317/ per group
More tours by Koichiro Y.
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Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
Bunkyo City is in the heart of central Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live now. We'll move around the city with a Bunkyo City Community Bus, B-guru ( “beagle”, the mascot character of the bus), and visit Edo-Tokyo Japanese gardens and other calm and pleasant sites. You'll also catch a glimpse of Tokyo citizens’ life during the tour.
Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
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Tokyo Sake Brewery Tour plus One
You are interested in Sake, aren’t you? Sake is popularly explained as “rice wine”, but the expression is not correct. On this tour, you will visit Ozawa Shuzo in Ome City, Tokyo, and learn about various issues on sake. After beautiful Japanese lunch, the brewery visit, and tasting of various types of sake there, you will touch nature in a suburban area in metropolitan Tokyo.
Tokyo Sake Brewery Tour plus One
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Japanese Gardens and Origami Workshop in Central Tokyo
The tour consists of two characteristic Japanese cultures; typical strolling style Japanese gardens, Rikugien, and origami paper folding. Rikugien is one of nine Japanese gardens in the Tokyo Metropolis. Its strolling-style garden has a fine and warm touch with scenery images from classical Japanese poems. After the visit, you will be invited to the guide’s residence nearby, and have a joyful origami workshop of 90 minutes.
Japanese Gardens and Origami Workshop in Central Tokyo
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Your First Origami Online Workshop
Touch the tip of Japanese culture prior to your tour by picking up this online experience of Origami. It is an art and a joy of paper folding which can be enjoyed by everybody interested in this oriental culture. With just an hour workshop, you will be able to create your own Origami works such as a great samurai helmet, a pretty butterfly, a joyful jumping frog, a paper container for candies, and a traditional Japanese crane (orizuru) from square sheets of paper.
Your First Origami Online Workshop
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Tokyo
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Die ganztägige Stadtführung durch Tokyo
Das ist eine ganz private Führung nach Ihren Wünschen. Erzählen Sie mir bitte im Voraus, was Sie in Tokyo machen/ ausprobieren möchten. Unten ist nur ein Beispiel!
Die ganztägige Stadtführung durch Tokyo
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How about an enjoyable walking in Tokyo?
There are lots of sightseeing spots in Tokyo. I will arrange a customized one-day tour based upon your requirements so that you could enjoy your stay in Tokyo. We can discuss and decide places to visit effectively for a limited amount of time. One example is shown here as follows, but I'm sure I will take you to some of my best selections so that you could enjoy both of traditional and modern culture. I can arrange an appropriate lunch restaurant based upon your requirement.
How about an enjoyable walking in Tokyo?
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Tokyo,Now &Then
Tokyo is a modern metropolitan city built on an ancient Edo, where Tokugawa samurai government was settled. Even now we can find old relics of ancient Edo among truly modern Tokyo streets. Asakusa, Ueno and the Imperial Palace itself are some of the examples. Let’s explore Tokyo with me and find the soul of Japan.
Tokyo,Now &Then
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Tokyo Personalized One-day Tour
This tour will be the highlights of Tokyo to visit the Skytree and Asakusa area for traditional experience. We will also go on river cruise and visit the Garden, and Akihabara. This is a fully customizable tour only for you! Before you book my tour, let me know about you, your age, things you would like to try, your interests etc... Let's make your journey special one together.
Tokyo Personalized One-day Tour
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