Tokyo tour à la carte
Joined 2014
This tour covers my favorite places in Tokyo.You can choose three places from the list of more than 30 places in Tokyo, classified as Temple&Shrine, Garden, Shopping, Observatory, Museum, Experience, and Others.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- I will meet you near the reception. I will show your name on my iPad. If you can't find me there on time, please text or call me through What'sapp. You can find my phone number at the bottom of the itinerary since two days before the tour date.
Choose three places to go from the following list of about 50 places and request for lunch if any.
You can see the photos of these places at the following link to this tour.
By clicking the (>) mark in the pictures window, you can find the pictures of these places indicated by the same ID number at the bottom of each picture. If you have only one day, I would recommend T1. Meiji shrine, G1. Imperial Palace and T2. Asakusa.If you have any request or restrictions on lunch, please let me know.
The following is an example of itinerary when you choose places #1, #2, and #3.
10:00 AM Hotel pick-up
10:30-11:30 Place #1
12:00-13:00 Place #2
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:30-15:30 Place #3
16:00 Return to your hotel
I will provide you a more specific itinerary considering the location of your hotel and the three places you choose.
{TEMPLE & SHRINE}
T1. Meiji-Jingu Shrine
Meiji-Jingu Shrine: It is the most popular Shinto shrine in Tokyo where you will feel a special sacred atmosphere. It was built in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji who changed Japan into a democratic industrialized country after a long feudal period. (Admission free except Inner garden including the Kiyomasa's well and its iris garden. (Optional with 500 JPY))
T2. Asakusa including Senso-ji Temple
Asakusa including Senso-ji Temple: It is a very popular area for shopping such as the Nakamise street where you can find Japanese souvenirs with reasonable price. It has been developed with Senso-ji Temple which was established in the 7th century and has been very popular among common people to get rid of their sickness by the mercy of the statue of Kannon (Goddess of mercy), hidden in the cabinet.
T3. Zojo-ji Temple
Zojo-ji Temple: This used to be the temple of Tokugawa family who had governed Japan for 265 years during the Edo Period. It is not so touristic nor crowded where you will feel authentic Japanese Buddhist atmosphere. You can see and photo its marvelous statue of Amida which is the most popular Buddha in charge of the heaven. (Admission free)
It will be very impressive to visit the cemeteries of Tokugawa family there. (Optional with admission of 500 JPY)
Link to English HP:
T4. Sengaku-ji Temple
Sengaku-ji Temple: This Temple is famous for the graves of 48 Ronin who revenged to kill the high ranking samurai named Kira for their Lord Asano's resentment. Its story, "Chushingura" is well known among Japanese for their Samurai Spirit. (Admission free)
We can visit the museum of those samurai worriers to appreciate the story.(Optional with admission of 500 JPY)
Link to English HP:
T5. Ueno Kanei-ji Temple and the grave of the last Shogun
Ueno Kanei-ji Temple and the grave of the last Shogun: It is one of the temples of Tokugawa family who had governed Japan for 265 years during the Edo Period. It is a very authentic Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect. There are graves of the Tokugawa Shoguns including the last one, Yoshinobu Tokugawa. (Admission free)
T6. Ueno Tosho-gu Shrine
Ueno Tosho-gu Shrine: It is one of the branches of Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko, which worships the 1st Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, who started the Edo Period in 1603. If you have no time to visit the main shrine in Nikko, this is the place to come. (Admission free)
Link to English HP:
T7. Gotoku-ji Temple
Gotoku-ji Temple: This temple is famous for the numerous statues of cats with one paw raised in invitation for good business. There are cemeteries of Ii family who supported this temple during the Edo Period. Naosuke Ii was assassinated at the end of the Edo period, which paved the way to the end of Samurai period. (Admission free)
Link to English HP:
T8. Hie Shrine
Hie Shrine: This shrine was established in 1498 and had been worshiped by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo Period as the protection of Edo from evil spirits. There is a series of numerous red torii gates similar to the one at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. (Admission free)
Link to Japanese HP:
T9. Nezu Shrine
Nezu Shrine: This shrine was said to be opened by Takeru Yamato who conquered the northern part of Japan just after Japan was established as a nation. There are many photo spots, including the series of Torii gates as this shrine has not yet well known to foreign tourists. (Admission free)
Link to Japanese HP:
{GARDEN}
G1. Imperial Palace East Gardens (closed:Mon,Fri)
Imperial Palace East Gardens: This used to be Edo castle where Tokugawa shogunate had governed Japan for 265 years. You can see several gates and defense houses of the castle renovated about 50 years ago. There is a nice Japanese garden, renovated based on the picture in the Edo period.
Note that we can't enter the western part of the Palace, including the Emperor's residence. (Admission free)
G2.Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden: This Japanese garden used to be the Samurai mansion of the Mito Tokugawa family. This garden is a typical strolling type garden of feudal lords, where they enjoy the popular sceneries in Japan such as Kyoto and Lake Biwa. (Admission: 300 JPY)
Link to English HP:
G3. Shinjuku-gyoen Garden
Shinjuku-gyoen Garden: This garden used to be a duck hunting field for samurai lords and the Emperor. This garden is next to Shinjuku area, very large, so many kinds of trees and has a well maintained Japanese garden. It is very popular in the spring with many kinds of cherry blossoms. (Admission: 500 JPY)
Link to English HP:
G4. Hamarikyu Garden
Hamarikyu Garden: This used to be owned by the Tokugawa Shoguns in the Edo Period. They enjoyed duck hunting by using trained falcons. There are large ponds filled with salt water from Tokyo Bay. There is a three hundred years old pine tree with so many branches spread all over. (Admission: 300JPY)
Link to English HP:
G5. Kiyosumi Garden
Kiyosumi Garden: This is a typical strolling type Japanese garden with the collection of massive natural stones with different shapes and colors. This has been selected as the most beautiful garden in Tokyo. There are a lot of Koi fish, turtles, and birds in the pond. (Admission: 150 JPY)
Link to English HP:
G6. Rikugien Garden
Rikugien Garden: This is a typical strolling type Japanese garden in the Edo Period made by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu who supported the Shogun. He loved Japanese poems and made the scenes described by the poems. (Admission: 300 JPY)
Link to English HP:
G7. Happo-en Garden（Closed until Oct. 1st, 2025)
Happo-en Garden: This garden is very popular for wedding parties.
It was originally owned by a Samurai load in Edo period.
You can see very old bonsai trees with 500 years old and so many pretty koi fish in its pond.
{SHOPPING & FOODS}
Note that you need your passport for Tax Free.
S1. Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Outer Market : The wholesale area has moved to Tokyosu in October, 2018. But its outer market is very popular where you can taste a variety of foods. There is a new retail area where you can see many kinds of fish including a big tuna. (Admission free)
Popular food places are over crowded recently. If you want to have a good sushi without waiting long time, you should go there before 11AM. So please have a light breakfast so that you can have lunch from 11AM.
S2 Toyosu Fish Market
Toyosu Fish Market: The world largest wholesale market was move to Toyosu from Tsukiji in Oct. 2018. The actual auctions have finished in the early morning so what you can see are the displays and video of the auctions.
But there are many sushi places, shops of processed foods for fish brokers and other eating places for visitors.
S3. Ginza
Ginza: There are large department stores, brand shops and Kitty land. How about lunch at Ginza Six? Or you can buy Japanese foods and eat at a table provided on the upper floor. Please bring your passport, if you want to buy something expensive with tax free, there.
S4. Harajuku/Omotesando
Harajuku/Omotesando: Takeshita street is very popular among Japanese young women. A busy area for shopping, foods, variety of animal cafes. (Admission: 1,000 to 2,000 JPY/h for animal cafe) Omotesando is a high end shopping street.
S5. Shinjuku Kabukicho
Shinjuku Kabukicho: There are many recycle shops to sell used high end bags and watches at a lower price. I will take you to Godzilla road with real size Godzilla head displayed on a building. There are many restaurants and drinking places but you should stay safe on the main street and avoid dubious businesses there.
S6. Odaiba
Odaiba: Newly developed area by Tokyo Bay with a lot of modern shopping malls and facilities. There is a real scale Gundam robot and a statue of liberty with a great view of the Rainbow bridge and Tokyo downtown. (Some facilities request an admission fee)
S7. Akihabara
Akihabara: There are many electrical appliance shops and other new travel attractions such as anime figures and the Maid cafes. (Admission: Maid cafe: from 2,000 JPY)
S8. Nakano Broadway
Nakano Broadway: It is a department store of used figures of Japanese anime. This shopping mall is for maniac people and very different from others in Japan. (Admission free)
S9. Yanaka Ginza
Yanaka Ginza: It's a nostalgic shopping street. There are many old local shops for crafts and street snacks/foods. (Admission free)
S10. Shibuya
Shibuya is famous for the scramble crossing where many people cross its intersection without colliding each other. We will cross it and go shopping.
There are a big capsuled toy shop, LOFT (souvenir & stationary shop), PAROCO (Nintendo, Pockemon), and MUJI (non brand shop). We can have our lunch at conveyor-belt sushi place, fresh tempura place, and Kyoto foods restaurant.
{OBSERVATORY}
You can see Mt Fuji from Tokyo on a clear day, but its possibility is about 30%.
O1. Tokyo Sky Tree (Reservation recommended)
Tokyo Sky Tree: Must visit if you visit Tokyo for the first time to over view this area called greater Tokyo where 30% of Japanese people live and work. The tallest tower in Japan with two observatories at 350m and 450m. Opened in2012 to replace the mission of Tokyo Tower as an TV antenna.
There are shopping mall, restaurants beside the tower. I will book its online tickets for you beforehand to save time.
(Admission: 2000 JPY for the 350m only, +1000 JPY for the two observatories)
The following is the link to English HP:
O2. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower: Tokyo tower is a nice place to observe Tokyo without waiting so long. If the sky is clear, you can see Mt.Fuji. Opened in 1958 for TV and FM transmission. (Admission: 1,500 JPY for the main observatory at 150m, 3,500 JPY for the one at 250m)
The following is the link to English HP:
O3. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory: Nice place to view Tokyo for free. There are two observatories at 200 m with a great view of Tokyo. Currently, only the South Tower is available. Usually not too crowded without waiting not too long. (Admission free)
O4. Roppongi-Hills
Roppongi-Hills: Tokyo City View; Observatory at 270m. It has Sky Deck which is an outdoor observatory. (Admission: 1,800 JPY, +500 JPY for Sky Deck)
O5. Shibuya Sky (Reservation recommended)
Shibuya Sky: Open air observatory deck at 226m on the 45th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square Building. It has 360 degree view of Tokyo.
I will book the online tickets for you but it is very popular now so you have to book my tour one week before the date. (Admission: 2,000 JPY per adult including the guide)
{MUSEUM}
M1. Tokyo National Museum in Ueno
Tokyo National Museum in Ueno: The most popular museum in Japan, which has the largest collection of Japanese treasures such as statues of Buddha, Japanese sword, Japanese painting, and Kimono. The museum has a nice museum shop for souvenirs. (Admission: 600 JPY per adult)
M2. TeamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills (need online reservation)
TeamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills: This new digital museum was opened in 2024. Many kinds of moving computer graphics are projected on the walls of dark rooms. You will have a very strange experience, so different from the real world. Great fun for adults as well as children. I will book your tickets online beforehand but it is popular so please book my tour one week before the date. (Admission: -18: 3,800 JPY, 17-13: 2,800JPY 12- :1500 JPY)
The following is the link to English HP:
M3. TeamLab Planets at Toyosu (need online reservation)
The popular Digital Art Museum in Odaiba was closed in 2022 which was taken over by this attraction in Toyosu.
They have many dark rooms where they show the projection mapping of various images on various surfaces including water.
I will book your tickets online but it is popular so please book my tour one week before the date.
(Admission is 3,000 JPY per adult)
They charge the guide so I will stay outside unless you want me join you.
The following is the link to English HP:
M4. Edo-Tokyo Museum (Not available now due to renovation)
Edo-Tokyo Museum: Unique Museum for Edo Period, including scale models of Edo Castle, display of the daily life of common people. Must see for those are interested in Japanese history. (Admission: 600 JPY per adult)
M5. Nezu Museum (closed; Mon)
Nezu Museum: Nezu collection of traditional Japanese arts with a very unique and quiet garden. (Admission: 1,100 JPY)
The following is the link to English HP:
M6. Fukagawa Edo Museum (closed: 2nd and 4th Mon except Holidays)
Fukagawa Edo Museum: This museum is more focused on the life of common people in Edo. The real scale model houses look very real. (Admission: 400 JPY)
The following is the link to English HP:
M7. One Hundred Steps Staircase
One Hundred Steps Staircase: A very unique place with lots of displays and exhibits of paintings and cloths during Taisho Period when women started to establish their social positions.
(Admission 1600 JPY)
Following is the link to English HP:
M8. Sumida Hokusai Art Museum
Sumida Hokusai Art Museum: Special museum to display art works of Katsushika Hokusai. He is very famous for the block print painting of "Great Wave" and "Red Fuji".
If you like his works, you should visit this museum. They have a museum shop with his works which may be nice for souvenirs.
Admission: 400/1,500 JPY for Basic (replica)/+Special exhibit(original)
No photo at the special exhibit room.
The following is the link to English HP:
M9. Bonsai Museum
Bonsai is the living art of trees with moss in a flowerpot.
This museum is operated by famous bonsai creator "Kunio Kobayashi".
You can appreciate so many bonsai master peaces in the garden and in the rooms.
(Admission 2,000 JPY/person, including the guide, closed on Mondays)
M10. Aqua Park Shinagawa
Nice place to visit on a rainy day if you have small children.
You can enjoy a full spec aquarium in the middle of Tokyo just 5 min.walk from Shinagawa station. They provide latest projection mapping on the floor of the aquarium. It's dolphin show is very entertaining even for adults.
Admission: 2,500JPY for high school to adult, 1300 JPY for elementary to middle school, 800 JPY for infants
M11. Art Aquarium Ginza
Nice place to visit on a rainy day.
They have all kinds of goldfish in numerous small fish tanks. It locates in the middle of Ginza where you can try many kinds of high end Japanese sweets and lunch box near the aquarium.
Admission: 2,500 JPY for middle school to adult, free for elementary school and younger children
{EXPERIENCE}
E1. Ninja Experience (closed: Tue. Wed.)
Ninja Experience: It is a new place for children to practice some arts of Ninja. Forty minutes practice of basic skills of Ninja such as throwing shurikens.
I will book the experience when you book my tour.
(Admission: Adult/Child/Infant: 3,840/3,360/1,200 JPY)
The following is the link to English HP:
E2. Tea ceremony (needs Reservation)
Tea ceremony: Experience a formal tea ceremony with English guidance for 60 min. After you book this tour, I will arrange your itinerary and reserve your tickets for the proper time frame. (Admission: 2700 JPY/ adult)
E3. Strawberry picking (Seasonal, needs reservation)
Strawberry picking: You can eat all the strawberries you pick. They are sweet and delicious. (from Feb. to April only, Admission: 3,800 JPY per adult, 3,300 JPY per child, Reservation needed, please ask.)
E4. Memory Lane & Golden Gay
Memory Lane & Golden Gay: Both places are for locals to enjoy eating and drinking casually at night around Shinjuku station.
You can have dinner at Memory Lane and have some drinks at Golden Gay for two hours.
To visit these places, you must start the tour after 13:00PM.
E5. Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo with Experience (needs reservation)
Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo: This museum is new but similar to the popular one in Shinjuku which was closed during the pandemic.
You can applicate various samurai armers and swords with English explanation. You can experience Ninja by throwing shuriken knives. You can ask for putting a samurai armer on to take photo.
Admission is 3,000/2,700 JPY per adult/child under 13 for 60 min.
After you book this tour, I will arrange your itinerary and reserve your tickets for the proper time frame.
The following is the link to English HP:
E6. Glance at Kabuki at Kabuki-za Theater (need reservation, no photo, up to 4 people)
Glance at Kabuki at Kabuki-za Theater: Kabuki is the most popular traditional Japanese drama performed by mail actors with conspicuous costumes, musical sounds, and stage effects.
There are about 70 seats for a single act of Kabuki for 30 to 100 min. at Kabuki-za Theater in Tokyo. The seats are on the 4th floor but you can feel what it likes from a distance. Its availability depends on their stage schedule so please let me know if you are interested. They accept reservation of up to 4 seats after the noon of previous day. As I can't assure you the seats before the tour, please choose the other place for plan B. (admission from 910 to 2,000 JPY depending on the length of the act, no photo during the stage)
E7. Goma Ritual at Fukagawa Fudo Temple (no photo)
Goma Ritual is the Fire Ceremony performed at those temples who practice Esoteric Buddhism and worship Fudō Myō-ō; the Immovable Wisdom King with an intimidating face who protects the faithful and destroys evil.
The Esoteric Buddhism has been practiced in Shingon (Mantra) sect started in 9th century by Monk Kukai (Kobodaishi) who learned the Buddhism in China.
Admission free but the following donations are recommended.
from 500 JPY to buy a Goma wooden stick to be burnt in the ritual.
from 5000 JPY to buy a Goma prayer tablet to be blessed in the ritual.
The ritual takes about 30 min. starting at 11 am, 13 pm, and 15 pm everyday.
You should be quiet during the ritual and no photo within the hall.
There are lots of statues of Fudō Myō-ō and other Buddha in the temple hall.
{OTHERS}
X1. Tokyo Carmii Mosque
Tokyo Carmii Mosque: This mosque is the largest mosque in Tokyo, it is a beautiful mosque and open to public. (Admission free)
X2. Chidorigafuchi abyss for cherry blossoms
Chidorigafuchi is a part of old Edo caste's moat.
There are so many cherry trees along the moat which bloom at the same time.
If you are lucky enough to come the season, this is the one of the best place.
The season depends on the weather condition during winter so please check my blog below before you choose.
X3. Meguro river for cherry blossoms
There are so many cherry trees along Meguro river which bloom at the same time.
If you are lucky enough to come the season, this is the one of the best place.
The season depends on the weather condition during winter so please check my blog below before you choose.
If you have any other places to visit, please let me know.
Request for Lunch if any
I will find my favorite restaurant for lunch near the places you choose. They have Tempura (2000JPY), Sushi (3000-5000), Ramen (1000), Udon (800), Okonomiyaki (2000) or Kaiseki (4000-7000).
Please let me know if you have any request or food restrictions for lunch.
Ending Point
At your hotel or the last place if you want
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
Hotel pick up
Transportation cost of the guide within Tokyo
Transportation cost of you (about 1,500 JPY each within Tokyo).
Transportation cost of the guide outside of Tokyo (if you stay outside of Tokyo such as Disneyland)
Lunch cost of you and the guide (from 1,000 JPY)
Entrance fees (shown in the description of each place in highlights)
Tour Important Information
We will use public transportations during this tour but we can take a taxi if you want.
I can lend you an IC card for easy use of public transportations and help you to charge your deposit in it.
- The tour guide is not available on Mondays and Fridays.
- Please, send a direct message to the tour guide for confirming the availability before booking
Not available on Mondays and Fridays.
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 2014
About Tour Guide Yuki K.
I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015.
Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them more deeply than just visiting there by yourself or a member of group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!
Reviews
Katja W.
“Absolutely amazing tour”
Thank you so much Yuki! Yuki was perfect. He was absolutely amazing and reliable. And even as we had rain on the day of the tour it was the highlight of our trip in Tokyo. Communication was easy and he helped us so much to make the best of the day! He did his very best to organize our day. I texted him in advance that we would like to ride the Shinkansen. He organized everything und met us in time at the hotel lobby. After the train we had the most amazing lunch at Tsukiji fish market! I highly recommend booking Yuki ! Thank you so much!
Yuki K.
Dear Katja, Thank you for your great review of my Tokyo tour. It was a unique tour just taking the Shinkansen to/from Odawara. The view was very impressive when other Shinkansens passing by the station with their full speed. We were lucky to have sushi lunch at my favorite place in Tsukiji without waiting so long. Then we visited Samurai museum at Asakusa. Everything went well even though it was raining. Thank you for taking my tour. Yuki
Lesley B.
“Fantastic first day in Tokyo”
Just finished a lovely day with Yuki and I couldn’t think of a better way for my family to spend our first day in Tokyo. He added local and historical context to make our visit more meaningful. He also pointed out food stops we may have overlooked on our own. Yuki was acommodating of the needs of everyone in the group and answered all my questions beforehand. Highly recommended if you want to get a local view of the city!
Yuki K.
Dear Lesley, Thank you for the nice review of my Tokyo tour. We visited Meiji Shrine and Fukagawa Fudo Temple. You were very lucky to see the water lily and Iris flowers in full bloom at the shrine. The fire ceremony at the temple was very impressive. The rain was not so hard and made our tour more attractive. Thank you for taking my tour. Yuki
Jackie F.
“Fantastic guided Tour!!!”
Mr Yuki is a brilliant guide. We learned so much about Tokyo from him. We really enjoyed his tour and I would highly recommend him!
Yuki K.
Dear Jackie, Thank you for your review. We visited Meiji Shrine at first including its inner garden where we see the full broom of water lilies on the pond and beginning of iris flowers. Then, I took you to Harajuku for shopping and lunch. The weather was perfect for walking. Please enjoy Tokyo with your family. Yuki
$207/ per group
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