Tokyo tour à la carte half day
Joined 2014
This tour covers my favorite places in Tokyo.You can choose two places in Tokyo within 4 hours of tour time from the list of more than 30 places classified as Temple&Shrine, Garden, Shopping, Observatory, Museum, Experience, and Others.
The following is a typical schedule.
13:00 Hotel pick up
13:30-14:30 Meiji shrine
15:00-16:30 Imperial Palace
17:00 return to the hotel
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.
Choose one or two places to go within 4 hours from the following list of about 50 places.
The following is an example of itinerary when you choose places #1 and #2.
13:00 Hotel pick-up
14:00-15:00 Place #1
15:30-16:30 Place #2
17:00 Return to your hotel
I will provide a more specific itinerary considering the location of your hotel and the two places you choose.
{TEMPLE & SHRINE}
T1. Meiji-Jingu Shrine
Meiji-Jingu Shrine: This shrine was built in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji who changed Japan into a democratic industrialized country after a series of long feudal period. It is one of the most popular Shinto shrines in Japan where you will feel a special sacred Japanese atmosphere. (Admission free except Inner garden including the Kiyomasa's well and iris garden (Admission: 500 JPY))
T2. Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple
Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple: Asakusa is a very popular area with Nakamise shopping street for Japanese souvenirs which is the main street to Senso-Ji Temple. The temple was established in 8th century and has been very popular among common people.
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:
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
Imperial Palace East Gardens: It used to be Edo castle where Tokugawa shogunate governed Japan for 265 years. You can see several gates and defense house of the castle renovated about 50 years ago. There is a nice Japanese garden, but no Palace nor Tower of the castle. (Closed on Monday and Friday. 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:
G7. Happo-en Garden （Closed until Oct. 1,2025)
Happo-en Garden: It is very popular for its wedding party.
This garden 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}
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)
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
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
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:
{EXPERIENCE}
E1. Ninja Experience (closed on Tue. and 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.
After you book this tour, I will arrange your itinerary and reserve your tickets for the proper time frame.
(Admission: Adult/Child/Infant: 3,840/3,360/1,200 JPY)
The following is the link to English HP:
E2. Tea ceremony (reservation needed)
Tea ceremony: Experience a formal tea ceremony with English guidance for 60 min. 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) (Admission: 2700 JPY/ adult)
E4. Memory Lane and Golden Gai (2-4h)
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 (reservation needed)
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:
{OTHERS}
If you have any other places to visit, please let me know.
X1. Tokyo Carmii Mosque
Tokyo Carmii 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.
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
Guide fee
Hotel pick up
Transportation cost of the guide within Tokyo
Transportation cost of you (about 1000 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 the itinerary)
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.
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
Blake H.
“Thank you.”
Thank you.
Ana liza M.
“Exceptional Service by Mr. Yuki”
This our second time availing the service of Mr. Yuki, and once again, it was an outstanding experience. The tour was well-organized, and our guide, Mr. Yuki, was knowledgeable, helpful, patient and friendly. He assisted us in navigating from Tokyo Station, coming from Shin-Osaka, and ensured we successfully arrived at our hotel. His patience and willingness to wait for us were greatly appreciated. I highly recommend Mr. Yuki for his exceptional service and dedication to making our trip enjoyable and stress-free.
Yuki K.
Dear Ana Thank you for your review. It was challenging for you to move from Tokyo station to your hotel in Shinjuku. I found the message app was very useful to communicate until I met you at your hotel. We visited Shinjuku Gyoen with cherry blossoms and Asakusa. Please give my best regards to your friends. Yuki
Chris M.
“Visit to Hakone ”
Yuki met us at our hotel at the agreed time and guided us on public transport to Hakone, we used the metro , the trains and mountain railway. The bullet train each way was a great experience and Yuki had booked our tickets in advance. We visited the shrines at Hakone , Lake Aashi cruise, Gora park, glass museum and many scenic places. Lovely Japanese lunch in Hakone. Yuki was very friendly and knowledgeable and we had a great day.
Yuki K.
Dear Chris Thank you for writing such a nice review of my tour. I feel very sorry that you missed Mt. Fuji. Hakone is very busy now so I tried my best to make it easy for you. I hope you can see the mountain during your stay. Thank you for taking my tour. Yuki
$141/ per group
More tours by Yuki K.
Tokyo tour à la carte
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.
Best Memories of Hakone
Hakone is very popular place for one day trip from Tokyo. We will take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara and a mountain train, a ropeway and cruise Lake Ashi by the Pirate ship to enjoy her various scenery. Hakone is famous for hot spring public baths, you can try one if you want. If the weather is fine, you can see the magnificent view of Mt. Fuji from several places. I've been to Hakone more than 100 times and can help you to make best memories.
One day Door to Door tour of Kyoto from Tokyo
This tour is for those who want to visit Kyoto and return to Tokyo within a day. We will use the fastest bullet train "Nozomi" for our round trip to Kyoto station, which costs about 30,000 JPY per adult (you and the guide), in addition to my guiding fee. You can't use the JR Pass for this tour due to its restrictions. You can choose one route from the list bellow. 1. Miyabi route (Most popular places) 2. Golden route (Most scenic places) 3. History route (Most quiet and historical places)
Best Memories of Kamakura
Kamakura used to the capital of Japan during 12th to 14th century. It was the first period governed by the samurai warriors; Shoguns.Since samurai practiced Zen Buddhism, there are many Zen Temples which were built before those in Kyoto.
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Tokyo
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.
TOKYO Tour of your choices
If this is your first trip to Tokyo or your first time to have free time in Tokyo, I recommend visiting "three" major spots of your choice, I will show you the brief history of Japan from the Edo Period to the Meiji Period by explaining these spots. You can also enjoy shopping in this trip if you want, I want you to know two sides of Tokyo; historical side and modern side.
Tokyo City Walk(2) - Highlight of Western Tokyo (7 hours)
This tour covers main and major highlights in Western Tokyo, which is rather modern and urban places, including high rise commercial buildings, contemporary art places, subculture sites and entertainments.
Kahoko's Tokyo "As you like" One Day Tour
What would you like to see and try in a one day tour? Here ,I will show you three recommended tours . You can try one or two of them. Or, if you you have enough time to try these three , you can cover most of the places in Tokyo. Of course you can change some parts of contents freely or a total customized one along with your requests or interests is also available. Tokyo is such a versatile city. You could definitely enjoy enchanting time in Tokyo with ME !
