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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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.
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.
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.
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))
Asakusa including Senso-ji Temple: Asakusa is a very popular area for shopping such as the Nakamise street where you can find Japanese souvenirs with reasonable price. Asakusa 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.
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 Japanese traditional Buddhist atmosphere. (Admission free except the cemetery of Tokugawa family (Optional with 500 JPY))
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 except its museum (Optional with 500 JPY))
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. (Admission free)
Ueno Tosho-gu Shrine: A branch of Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko, which worship the 1st Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, who started the Edo Period. If you have no time to visit the main shrine in Nikko, this is the place to come. (Admission free)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Note that you need your passport for Tax Free.
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.
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 shops of processed foods for fish brokers and eating places for visitors.
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 there.
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.
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.
Odaiba: Newly developed area by Tokyo Bay with a lot of modern shops and facilities. (Some facilities request an admission fee)
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)
Nakano Broadway: It is a department store of used figures of Japanese anime. (Admission free)
Yanaka Ginza: It's a nostalgic shopping street. There are many old local shops for crafts and snacks/foods.
You can see Mt Fuji from Tokyo on a clear day, but its possibility is about 30%.
Tokyo Sky Tree: The tallest tower in Japan with two observatories at 350m and 450m. (Admission: 2000 JPY for the 350m only, +1000 JPY for the two observatories)
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. (Admission: 1200 JPY for the main observatory at 150m)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory: There are two observatories with great view of Tokyo. Currently, only the South Tower is available. (Admission free)
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)
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. Admission: 2,000 JPY per adult including the guide)
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)
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. (Admission: -18: 3,800 JPY, 17-13: 2,800JPY 12- :1500 JPY)
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.
It's admission is 3,000 JPY per adult and needs reservation.
They charge the guide so I will stay outside unless you want me join you.
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)
Nezu Museum: Nezu collection of traditional Japanese arts with a very unique and quiet garden. (Admission: 1,100 JPY)
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)
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)
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.
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. (Admission: Adult/Child/Infant: 3,840/3,360/1,200 JPY)
Tea ceremony: Experience a formal tea ceremony with English guidance for 60 min. (Previous reservation required. Admission: 2700 JPY/ adult)
Strawberry picking: You can eat all the strawberries you pick. They are sweet and delicious. (April and May only, Admission: 2,500 JPY per adult, 2,000 JPY per child, Reservation needed, please ask.)
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.
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.
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 the 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)
Tokyo Carmii Mosque: This mosque is the largest mosque in Tokyo, it is a beautiful mosque and open to public. (Admission free)
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.
At your hotel or the last place if you want
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
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)
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.
There is little restriction due to COVID 19 in Japan since 2023. I was vaccinated six times with the Pfizer one.
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!!
Catherine T.
One day Door to Door tour of Kyoto from Tokyo
“Great overview of Kyoto!”
We had a great time on our one day tour to Kyoto! Everything was very well timed and we felt like we had plenty of time to view each site. The restaurant where we ate lunch was especially nice. Yuki was friendly and professional and even helped us purchase our train tickets to the airport for the next day. I would definitely recommend this tour!!
Yuki K.
(367 reviews)Dear Catherine Thank you for the review. We visited most popular places in Kyoto; Fushimi Shrine, Tenryu-ji Temple in Arashiyama, Bamboo forest, and Kinkaku-ji Temple. Everything went well except the rain but it was not so hard as anticipated. Thank you very much for taking my tour. Best regards to your friends; Kara and Rachel. Yuki
“Very expensive and Disappointed ”
We met Yuki at our hotel at 9:00. The weather was overcast. Yuki leant us his passes to travel to Kegon waterfall and Lake Chuzen . By the time we arrived it was impossible to see the falls or lake, we returned to Nikko. While a guide cannot determine the weather an experienced guide would have checked ahead, avoided wasting 2 hours on a bus and suggested an alternative itinerary…..that’s what a guide with local knowledge would have done. We suggested a stop at Nikko Botanical Gardens. Yuki had not visited them …surprising again lack of local knowledge. After lunch we toured the various temples and shrines. Yuki did not tell us anything that was not on the notice boards walking ahead with no attempt to add to our knowledge. We finished about4 returning to our hotel where Yuki was helpful ….we wanted to send some luggage ahead and he compiled the necessary forms In summary very expensive…40,000yen to GowithGuide and another 20,000 to Yuki for “travel and accommodation “ a total of 60,000yen Yuki added little to what we could have done by ourselves. Yuki is not a knowledgeable guide for Nikko and should not be marketed as such We look forward to your response.
Yuki K.
(367 reviews)Dear Ian Sorry for your disappointment. I usually take my guests from Tokyo fort one day tour. You should have known that from my offer. It was very unfortunate that it was so foggy to see anything near the lake on the upper part of Nikko mountains. I planned to take you to the waterfall and lake cruise but neither seemed to work well. So I followed your request to visit the Garden. Then, I took you to Tosho-gu shrine and Rinno-ji temple after Futabasan Shrine which I added as your wife asked me. Please enjoy your trip to Japan and give my best regards to your wife. Thank you for taking my tour. Yuki
“Overcast with gusty winds at Hakone ”
This was supposed to be an eye opening experience on the Shinkansen to Hakone. Not long after we transferred to the mountain train, all power shut down so we were stuck on the train for 2 hours before the authorities allowed all passengers to exit thru the train’s emergency exit in the first car, one by one down a narrow ladder. Of course we sat in the 1st train and were the last ones to exit. We never made it to Lake Ashi or the ropeway, but had a decent lunch before heading back to Tokyo. It was a much shorter trip than originally planned, and quite expensive. Our guide Yuki was attentive and tried his best to find alternative transportation. I only wished he had offered a partial refund.
Yuki K.
(367 reviews)Dear Nina Thank you for writing a review of my tour. It was so unfortunate not only the weather but also the loss of power of the train. I had been advising you not to visiting Hakone on the day based on the weather forecast. But you insisted Hakone so I took you there. Sorry not to think of refunding you. Best regards Yuki