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Ueno & Yanaka - Half Day, 4hrs - Daytime or Evening
Do you have a few hours for local art and tradition? Ueno is the perfect place for it!
It's a WALKING TOUR which involves a visit to a park, museums, temples, and shrines. We can start the tour any time between 10:00AM to 3:00PM.
Fans of history and old towns would love Yanaka.
Ameyoko Street, a maze-like market, is a must for shopping fans!
In early April, we can also take in the soothing sight of cherry blossoms.
[NOTE] I give discounts if you book two (2) 4-hour tours in one day.
Meeting Point
Your Hotel in Central Tokyo or Yokohama OR Ueno station.
The standard tour package includes #s 1 to 7 below. Please note that some options (A to J) may require a tour extension. The numbered photos above correspond to the following destinations:
Meet-up at your hotel (in Central Tokyo or Yokohama)
We can meet at Ueno station, too.
1. National Museum of Western Art
Gardens only due to time restriction (features sculptures, including Rodin's The Thinker) = free of charge
2. Tokyo National Museum
National treasures, art pieces and Samurai armor: 1 to 2hrs = 1,000JPY entrance. Free for the elderly (70 and above) and minors (below 18) upon showing proper identification.
3. Kiyomizu Hall (Buddhism)
Miniature of Kyoto's Kiyomizu Buddhist Temple.
4. Hanaszono Inari Shrine (Shintoism)
Dozens of red torii gates
5. Toshogu Shrine Golden gate (Shintoism)
Outside only = free of charge includes the Golden gate with beautiful decorations.
Optional = entrance of the shrine yard = 500JPY entrance
6. Ueno Daibutsu a.k.a. Buddha for Bullets and Weapons
Only the face of the original Buddha remains. It has a fascinating story behind it about surviving all odds.
7. Shinobazu Pond & Benzai Hall (Buddhist temple)
on the island. Lovely lotus flowers in the summer.
The tour ends at the entrance of Ameyoko Street
The itinerary (time and/or order) may change depending on the weather, our pace, and the conditions on the day itself. You can add options. Tour extension = 4,500JPY/hour
Additional Options:
May require extra hours. Tour extension = 5,000JPY/ hour
Option A : Stroll around Yanaka & Explore Asakura Museum (at least 2hrs)
Explore a traditional Japanese town that survived a fire in the 1940's. Museum = 500JPY/person (you & guide) Taxi from Ueno to Yanaka = 900JPY (approximately).
Option B : Ueno Zoo (at least 1.5hrs)
Panda bears, polar bears, and monkey mountains are popular attractions. Entrance = 600JPY.
Option C : Boating at Shinobazu Pond (30mins)
Boat rental = 700JPY/ 30 mins.
Option D : Ameyoko Shopping Street (at least 30mins)
Maze-like Asian market. Many people have lunch / the usual evening beer, too.
Option E : Explore Asakusa area (at least 1.5hrs)
Subway from Ueno to Asakusa, only 5mins = 160JPY/person
Shrine, temple, and shopping street.
Opion F: Shopping at Akihabara
AKA Electric, Anime, and Game Town.
Option G : Shopping at Nippori Fabric Town (1 to 2hrs)
Option F : Drop off at Tokyo SkyTree
You have the option of enjoying the observatory deck on your own time (approximately 30 mins).Please visit the observatory deck by yourself, 30mins, subway & train or bus fare(250JPY)
Ending Point
At the entrance of Ameyoko Street , the final destination or Ueno station.
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
The following are PAID IN CASH on the day/s of the tour.
= Transportation fee(you & guide)
= Food/ drinks (you & guide, if necessary)
= Entrance fee (you & guide) i.e. Entrance fee for National Museum 620 JPY (Guide has a pass)
Tour extension = 5,000JPY/hour
Tour Important Information
When museums are closed, we will visit Ameyoko Shopping Street (Option D) or Akihabara (Option F)
FOOD RESTRICTIONS : Please let me know beforehand so we can make the necessary arrangements. Museums and zoo are closed on Mondays. Asakura museum is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Meet up = Central Tokyo and Yokohama only
Important message from the guide
Multiple-day bookings are encouraged. I might have greater flexibility in opening closed slots in this case. Let's talk about it. Send me a message! :‑)
MORE INFO:
= We use public transportation (train, subway, bus and/or taxi) in my tours as it's the best way to see the city.
= A custom tour = Please book at least SIX HOURS = 45,000JPY
= The meet-up time marks the official start of the tour.
= Hotel pick-ups = only in Central Tokyo, Yokohama, and a few hotels in Kawasaki.
= Four-hour tours available = Tokyo, Harajuku & Shibuya, Odaiba, Shinjuku, Ueno, Yokohama, and antique flea market. Please check out the corresponding tour pages.
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
Tokyo Tour Reviews
“Great tour with Toshi, excellent knowledge, and covered all the key sites”
We arranged to meet Toshi at the station and were immediately put at ease after meeting Toshi. Her knowledge and English were excellent and we experienced many aspects of Yokohama. We enjoyed a Chinese lunch (inexpensive) in China Town followed by a taxi ride to Sankeien Gardens. Again Toshi had very good knowledge of the most interesting aspects of the garden . In summary, we can highly recommend Toshi to provide an excellent private tour of Yokohama.
Toshi H.
(125 reviews)Thank you, Peter! It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife. Yokohama is one of my favorite places as the bay area is postcard pretty. Yokohama being historically significant yet considered a trend setter makes it very interesting to many visitors. Take care and I hope to tour you to other places in the future!
“Great custom tour”
We highly recommend Toshi. We asked for a customized tour for me and wife. A tour that would match our preferences and abilities. Toshi planned and executed just the right tour for us. She even adjusted it on the fly when needed. Toshi proved to be a knowledgeable guide well versed in the history of Japan in general and Tokyo in particular. She is also great fun to spend time with.
Toshi H.
(125 reviews)Thank you very much, Ami! I'm truly delighted to have you here in Tokyo. We were able to see a variety of places in one day. Our day began with a sense of reverence at Meiji-jingu Shrine. At Harajuku, we witnessed the vibrant fashion trends among the youth. Asakusa provided us with a unique blend of traditional charm and bustling energy. The Imperial Palace stood majestically beside the business district. Tokyo is full of surprises, isn't it? I sincerely hope you continue your Japanese adventure filled with joy and excitement. Enjoy the rest of your Japan adventure! Please take care of yourself.
Ray Q.
Two-day customized tour (12 hours in total )
Customized
“Tokyo with Toshi”
My family and I spent two days with Toshi touring the east and west side of Tokyo. Toshi communicated very well with us in English and took very good care of my 79 year old mother-in-law. We traveled primarily with the trains and I learned how to navigate the train system. Toshi took very good care of us and I would encourage others to take her tour.
Toshi H.
(125 reviews)Thank you so much, Ray! I had a wonderful time with your family. I felt like a member of your family and I quite enjoyed your company. I am happy that we were able to visit all the places you wanted to see. Asakusa is a traditional town while Shibuya is a hot spot in Tokyo. It was fun to see your family enjoying the local delicacies. Sushi, beef, mochi, crapes, etc. I hope you'll take home a treasure trove of wonderful memories. Enjoy the rest of your stay! Hope to see you again.
