• Asakusa - Asakusa (浅草) is the heart of Tokyo’s shitamachi, or “low city,” a district where the ambiance of old Tokyo still lingers.

The main attraction in Asakusa is Sensoji, a highly popular Buddhist temple established in the 7th century. Visitors reach the temple via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been offering traditional local snacks and souvenirs for centuries.

• Imperial Palace - The current Imperial Palace is situated on the former site of Edo Castle, a vast park area encircled by moats and massive stone walls in central Tokyo, just a short walk from Tokyo Station. It serves as the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.

Edo Castle was once the seat of the Tokugawa shogun, who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the capital and imperial residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. The new Imperial Palace was completed in 1888. It was destroyed during World War II and later rebuilt in the same style.

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most beloved parks. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the park’s expansive lawns, winding paths, and serene scenery offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling urban center. In spring, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the best spots in the city to view cherry blossoms.
• Shibuya Crossing - Known as the busiest crossing in the world, Shibuya Scramble is a marvel of modern urban life. Visitors can also see the famous Hachiko dog statue here!
• Tsukiji Fish Market - Discover the historic fish market in Tokyo!
• Meiji Jingu Shrine - Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Located next to the busy Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line, Meiji Shrine and the nearby Yoyogi Park form a large forested area within the densely built city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths perfect for a leisurely stroll.

The shrine was completed and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the emperor’s passing and six years after the empress’s. It was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt shortly after.

• Akihabara - Akihabara (秋葉原), also known as Akiba after a former local shrine, is a central Tokyo district famous for its numerous electronics shops. In recent years, Akihabara has become recognized as the hub of Japan’s otaku culture, with many shops and establishments dedicated to anime and manga interspersed among the electronics stores. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the district’s main street, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).
• Koishikawa Korakuen Garden - Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園, Koishikawa Kōrakuen) is one of Tokyo’s oldest and finest Japanese gardens. It was constructed in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. Like its counterpart in Okayama, the garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to seek pleasure only after ensuring his people’s happiness. Koishikawa is the district where the garden is located.
• Hama Rikyu Gardens - Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū) is a large, beautiful landscape garden in central Tokyo. Situated alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds that change with the tides and a teahouse on an island where visitors can relax and enjoy the view. The traditional garden contrasts sharply with the skyscrapers of the nearby Shiodome district.
• Tokyo National Museum - The Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館, Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) is the oldest and largest of Japan’s premier national museums, which also include the Kyoto National Museum, the Nara National Museum, and the Kyushu National Museum. It was initially established in 1972 at Yushima Seido Shrine and later moved to its current location in Ueno Park.

The Tokyo National Museum boasts one of Japan’s largest and finest collections of art and archaeological artifacts, comprising over 110,000 items, including nearly a hundred national treasures. At any given time, about 4,000 different items from the permanent collection are on display. Additionally, temporary exhibitions are regularly held. Excellent English information and audio guides are available.

• Senso-ji Temple - Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and popular temples.

Legend has it that in 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, from the Sumida River. Despite returning the statue to the river, it always came back to them. As a result, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple.

• Rikugien Garden - Rikugien (六義園) is often regarded as Tokyo’s most beautiful Japanese landscape garden, alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien means “six poems garden” and recreates in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is a prime example of an Edo Period strolling garden, featuring a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.
• Yoyogi Park - Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Kōen) is one of Tokyo’s largest city parks, offering wide lawns, ponds, and forested areas. It is an excellent spot for jogging, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

Although Yoyogi Park has fewer cherry trees compared to other Tokyo sites, it is a pleasant spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring. Additionally, it is known for its ginkgo tree forest, which turns a brilliant gold in autumn.

• Takeshita Street - Harajuku (原宿) refers to the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station, located between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the epicenter of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historical sights.

The heart of Harajuku’s teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, lined with trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothing stores, crepe stands, and fast-food outlets catering to fashion-conscious teens.

• Odaiba District - Odaiba (お台場) is a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. It began as a series of small man-made fort islands (daiba means “fort”), constructed towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) to protect Tokyo from potential sea attacks, specifically in response to Commodore Perry’s gunboat diplomacy.

Over a century later, the small islands were merged into larger ones through massive landfills, and Tokyo embarked on a grand development project to transform the islands into a futuristic residential and business district during the extravagant 1980s. However, development slowed significantly after the “bubble economy” burst in the early 1990s, leaving Odaiba nearly vacant.

• Shibamata - Shibamata (柴又) is a neighborhood on Tokyo’s eastern edge, near the Edogawa River, which serves as the natural border between Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture. The town retains its nostalgic charm from days gone by and offers a perfect escape from modern Tokyo. One of the main attractions is the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, located not far from the station.
• Nezu - Miraculously spared from major damage during world wars and natural disasters, Yanaka and Nezu—two neighborhoods that form part of shitamachi, Tokyo’s old downtown—retain their last-century charm. Historical sites like Yanaka Cemetery and Nezu Shrine are nestled among shitamachi’s narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, atmospheric coffee shops, and retro stores selling old-fashioned sweets and snacks. Here, visitors can step back in time to a more leisurely, genteel Tokyo.
• Shinjuku Golden Gai - Golden Gai is said to have originated around 1950 when the black market that had emerged in front of Shinjuku Station relocated, and a number of dining and drinking establishments set up shop in this new area. Although Shinjuku has undergone significant modernization since then, Golden Gai has remained largely unchanged.

The alley is narrow and crowded with numerous signs advertising the various establishments lining the way. Many of the buildings are wooden, remnants from the Showa Era. Most measure only about thirteen square meters (142 square feet). It’s a dim, lively place filled with the aroma of grilling meats. Despite the abundance of sleek new restaurants in Shinjuku, this little alley continues to attract foreign tourists. Golden Gai is a popular “un-touristy” tourist spot.

• Tokyo Tower - Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, constructed in 1958. Standing at 332.9 meters, it is the second-tallest structure in Japan.
• Gotokuji Temple - Gotokuji Temple, located in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward, is a Buddhist temple believed to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or “luck-inviting cat figurine.”

These small statues, depicting a cat sitting up and beckoning with its front paw, have become popular worldwide among cat enthusiasts.

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Tokyo
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private Vehicle
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Join us for a streamlined, half-day exploration of Tokyo, guided by a government-certified, multilingual expert! They will acquaint you with both the modern and traditional facets of this bustling Japanese city.

Given the enormous expanse of Tokyo, one of the world’s vastest metropolises, a full-day tour could likely only cover a minor part, still leaving you astonished by the city’s scale. In Tokyo, you find a unique blend of the new and the old, and your expert private guide will facilitate a smooth and enjoyable half-day journey through this energetic Japanese capital.

Share your interests and preferences, and we shall tailor a four-hour excursion that suitably matches them!

Note*1: Please choose your preferred attractions from a list provided in the tour details to build your personalized itinerary.

Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification, awarded by the Japanese government, necessitates a thorough understanding and knowledge of Japanese culture and history.

• Tour dates can be changed up to 2 days before the tour. Any tour date change may result in a change of tour guide or tour unavailability.
• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.