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Tokyo Staple Spots for First Visitors
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Joined 2020
Welcome to Tokyo! This tour is a walking tour designed for first-time visitors to Tokyo and includes the four or five most popular and essential spots of Tsukiji Outer Market, the Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa.
The number of visiting spots and visiting order may be reviewed, referring to guests' requirements, location of their accommodation, weather conditions, etc.
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 vibrant on Sundays and Wednesdays) 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 vibrant on Sundays and Wednesdays when Toyosu Market is closed, but many shops and restaurants welcome visitors still.
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
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 closes 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.
Asakusa (Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Alley)
Asakusa is an old town of entertainment developed around Sensoji Temple. The temple is oldest in the Tokyo (Edo) area with 1,400 years of history. The main gate of Sensoji is 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.
We will find a nice restaurant for lunch in Asakusa Town.
Tokyo Tower
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 as a standby in case of strouble at SkyTree.
When the tour goes smoothly, we may visit Zojoji Temple. The temple is one of the main temples of the Pure Land Sect which enshrines Amida Buddha. The temple's precinct is a popular photo spot of Tokyo Tower too.
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.
See you off at your hotel (time may vary depending on hotel location)
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
Pick-up from and drop-off at your accommodation in central Tokyo
Transportation expenses for your guide during the tour
Transportation expenses for you: approximately JPY2,500/person (preparation of cash or public transit IC cards is recommended)
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
Any other costs and expenses during the tour, if any
Tour Important Information
*This is a walking tour using the public transportation system in Tokyo. The total walking distance to visit the spots will be 8 km (5 miles).
*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 vibrant 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
Martin B.
“All aspects of Tokyo”
We spent two pretty full days looking around Tokyo with Yamasan. Planning with Yamasan was easy - he understood quickly what we were and were not interested in doing and put together an itinerary that got in as much possible. We followed the plans quite well and Yamasan didn’t worry about the fact that that our looking at extra things meant we finished late. Yamasan was very knowledgeable about Tokyo and its history and a nice , kind and genuine person - and we all survived eating blow fish (fugu) together.
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you so much for your review comment. I didn't know the fugu restaurant you found via the internet, but it was great. We enjoyed every fugu dish, and the best thing was we all survived as you mentioned. I sincerely hope to see you again in the near future.
Brian G.
“Art, culture, lunch and nature”
Once again we were treated to a wonderful day out with Yamasan, whose choices for us were perfect. We started with the Edo Museum, a must for visitors’ education about the development of Tokyo through its history. This was followed by lunch close by the Sumo Basho, a delicious and typical noodle based meal. Onto the Hokusai Museum which broadened our knowledge of reduction printing techniques and insights to the evolution of his work. Finally we visited the Rikugien Gardens which provided us with tranquil time to reflect on our day. On the three occasions we have spent time with Yamasan he has proved himself to be wise, thoughtful, humorous and a good friend. We shall miss him. Arigatoo gozaimasu
Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much (Arigato gozaimashita). You have had good knowledge of Japan and the Japanese language prior to the tour. I'm happy if the three-day tour could provide you with further information. I agree with you that the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a must-see spot for visitors who are interested in the ecological city of Edo, flourished commoners' culture there, and the development of Tokyo. Please enjoy the Kabuki Play and your remaining days in Tokyo. These were precious and fantastic days with such a wonderful couple for me. Zehi, mata kite kudasai. Matte imasu (Please visit Tokyo again. I'll be waiting for you).
Brian G.
“From Urban Bustle to Calm Countryside.”
Once again we were treated to the results of Yamasan’s meticulous research and planning by travelling out to Chiba Prefecture to experience the calm of the countryside. The Kominato train ride was great fun and the lunch at our destination was simply splendid. The journey back enabled us to observe local residents going about their business and ended with a short bus ride past high end shops. Thank you Yamasan for another brilliant day which showed us a different side of Japanese life.
Koichiro Y.
I appreciate your second review comment very much. It was sad that we couldn't have a full tour of the Kominato Railway to Yoro Keikoku Valley because of the record-breaking heavy rain in Chiba Prefecture last August. However, thanks to a high school student's recommendation on the railway's homepage, we enjoyed a heartfelt lunch at a local restaurant in Kazusa Ushiku town where the Satoyama Trucks driven by an SL-designed engine could reach. We strolled through the town becoming desolate, and had a short peaceful rest on the old train on Track "0" of the station. The short bus ride in Shinjuku was just something extra for your experience. I'm happy to hear that even such a small event could be of interest to you.
$345/ 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 Sake Brewery in Ome City, Tokyo, and learn about various issues related to sake. After a beautiful Japanese lunch, the brewery visit, and tasting of various types of sake, 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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Tokyo Sake Brewery and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Toshimaya Shuzo is one of ten sake breweries in Tokyo. It is located in a residential area in Higashi-Murayama City not far from central Tokyo. They organize brewery tours on Saturdays and guide their facilities introducing their sake brewing philosophies and offering several types of their sake products for tasting. In the afternoon, the tour visits Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei Park in Koganei City on the way back to central Tokyo.
Tokyo Sake Brewery and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Tokyo
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6-hour private tour in Tokyo visiting famous spots
Please select tourist landmarks of your choice. There are various famous spots like Meiji Jingu Shrine, Imperial Palace, Hama-Rikyu Gardens, Sensoji Temle, Tsukiji Outer FIsh Market, Yanesen-Street, River Cruse by sightseeing boat and so on. We visit famous spots in 6 hours. You can enjoy the sacred atmosphere in the historical places and also taking a stroll through local area.
6-hour private tour in Tokyo visiting famous spots
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Tokio, traditionell und modern
Bei dieser Tour können Sie beide traditionelle, historische Seite und moderne, urbane Seite von der Stadt genießen! ・Sensoji Tempel und Nakamise Einkaufsstraße in Asakusa (ganz historisch) ・Tokio City View in Roppongi(urban) ・Meiji Jingu Schrein in Shinjuku (traditionell, spirituell) ・Große Kreuzung in Shibuya (modern) Wir fahren gemeinsam mit dem Zug oder Metro von einem Besichtigungsort zum nächsten Zielort.
Tokio, traditionell und modern
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Exploring the spirit of the samurai in Kamakura (7-hour excursion from central Tokyo)
Samurais emerged from lower ranking nobles given the task of policing and defending the east, the Kanto region in particular. They gradually gained power, leading to their establishing the first military government in Kamakura in the late 12th century. Around the same time, Zen was imported and taken to by the samurais. Explore the spirit of the samurai and Zen in Kamakura.
Exploring the spirit of the samurai in Kamakura (7-hour excursion from central Tokyo)
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Tokyo One-day As You Like with Kaori
This tour fits all, from first timers to repeaters who love local experiences. You can choose what you like from spots listed, or I can pick up for you if you don't have clue. Just let me know your preferences. I can make a good combination of old and modern, major and local. Tokyo has a lot more besides the list. As full day tour (up to 8h), please pick up 3 or 4 spots. Or you can request specific spot not on the list. "Enjoy together with fun learning" is what you can expect with me.
Tokyo One-day As You Like with Kaori
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