Private Customizable Walking Tour of Tokyo
Description
Private Customized Walking Tours combine Tokyo’s must-see sights with hidden gems. Morning, afternoon and evening start times available. Choose your tour length; 4 to 8 hours. Our ethos is ‘like-a-local’. This is a culturally immersive walking tour, meaning that you will travel around Tokyo on foot and using the excellent public transport system….like a local! Throughout the tour you will learn about Japan’s culture, customs, history and local way of life. Feeling hungry? We’ll get you eating like a local too! Your tour is flexible and will be paced to your speed and requirements. Specialist topics of interests can all be covered; architecture, religion, politics, street art, general history, WW2 history, food, instagramable highlights, pop/movie/anime culture. Ideal for people with limited time, or those who want a comprehensive overview of Tokyo prior to exploring further on their own. Simply indicate your interests and enjoy an itinerary specific to you.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The frantic fashion first centre of modern Japan. Join the crowds and make your way across the Shibuya Crossing; the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world! Meet the bronze statue of Hachikō the ‘faithful dog’. Check out the trendy stores of Centre-Gai. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour
Situated right next to the Meiji Shrine, this is the youth fashion center of Japan. Explore the trendy backstreets of Harajuku. Packed full of street art, wacky youth fashion, animal cafes and instagramable food; it is the epitome of quirky Japan. Stroll the streets of Aoyama and Omotesando; Tokyo’s executive class area where art, architecture and high fashion meet. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour
Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine in the heart of a beautiful 700,000 m2 forest. Learn about Japan’s indigenous religion of Shintoism. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour
Tokyo’s greatest entertainment district packed full of tall buildings and neon lights. Soak in the view of the entire Tokyo metropolitan area from the observatory on the the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. See the life-size Godzilla head peaking over the top of the Toho building! Take in the bright lights of Kabukicho. Tokyo’s liveliest entertainment and red-light district. Grab a bite to eat at Omoide Yokocho (or Memory Lane), affectionally known as ‘Piss Alley'; a narrow alley packed with small bars, yakitori grills and food stalls. Explore the back streets of the Golden-Gai. Six narrow alleys packed with over 200 tiny bars , each measuring only 10 to 15 square meters. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour
The historic centre of Tokyo housing Tokyo’s oldest temple and many traditional craft shops. Shop for authentic souvenirs at Nakamise Shopping Street; a 250 metre stretch of fantastic stalls on the approach to the Sensoji Temple. Admire the waterfront view along the Sumidagawa River. Option to take a boat ride through the city to the beautiful Hama Rikyu garden (35 minutes cruise). Additional cost. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
Visit Sensoji temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple dating back to 628. Learn about Buddhism. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour
Tokyo’s anime, manga, video game, and electronics centre. Prepare for a sensory overload! Stroll around Akihabara for a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. The favourite hangout place of diehard fans of gaming, manga and anime you are sure to see some interesting characters wandering the streets! Learn about Japan’s famed Maid Cafes and subcultures. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
Tokyo’s sleek business district surrounding the Imperial Palace. Impressive architecture and great food. Access the areas most notable architectural highlights; Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo Station and the KITTE building. Eat at a Gado Shita (small restaurant under the railway tracks) for an authentic foodie experience. This is often the highlight of our tours. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
Visit the Imperial Palace East Garden and get up close to the some of the remnants of Edo Castle, including the moat walls. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
The original centre of all trade and commerce from the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) Nihonbash is steeped in history and packed with traditional food and craft shops. Learn about the foundation of Japanese cooking with an introduction to Umami and traditional Japanese ingredients like Dashi, Kombu and Katsuobushi. Feast on traditional Japanese snacks from long-gone times. Visit Mitsukoshi, Japans first department store. A beautiful 1920s building with an outstanding food hall. Cross Japans most important bridge; the Nihonbashi Bridge where the kilometre zero marker is located. Learn about speciality Japanese crafts like Lacquerware, Washi (traditional Japanese paper) and Sense (Japanese folding fans). Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
Explore the former home of the worlds largest fish market and world-famous tuna auction. The ‘inner market’ and auction has now moved to Toyosu but the ‘outer market’ remains. Packed with fresh fish, delicious cooked foods and cooking related homewares this is a bustling must-see market. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
A nostalgic downtown district filled with hundreds of temples, delicious sweets and a unique tea house to experience a traditional tea ceremony. Explore the cemetery and learn about Japanese traditions surrounding death. Snack on traditional sweets such as manju and anmitsu made at local Yanaka shops. Stroll along Yanaka Ginza, the locals’ favorite place to shop. See if you can find the seven statues of cats hidden along the street. Discover hundreds of temples in the area Retreat to a beautiful tea room to experience a traditional tea ceremony. You will have the chance to try traditional Japanese sweets, pick your own bowl from the hosts private collection, and witness the tea ceremony right in front of your eyes. Additional cost. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
Tokyo Skytree is the world's tallest tower standing at 634 meters. Observation deck tickets can be 'added on' to your tour. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
A symbol of Japan's post-war rebirth as a major economic power, Tokyo Tower was the country's tallest structure from its completion in 1958 until 2012 when it was surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree. Tickets for the observation deck can be 'added on' to your tour. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
One of the greatest observation decks in all of Tokyo. This observation deck features a 360-degree observatory overlooking all of Tokyo. Tickets can be 'added on' to your tour. Your exact itinerary will be designed according to your interests. Is it not possible to see all of Tokyo on one tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from any hotel or airbnb / apartment address within 'downtown' Tokyo.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- If you cancel more than 24 hours in advance we will give you a full refund (excluding the booking service fee).
Reviews(89)
My wife and I decided to do this private guide to start our trip to try and get a better understanding before we ventured out on our own. And I can say that Keiko gave us so much more than that! Not only did she give us history lessons on the places we went, she gave a wealth of knowledge on so many other things that now we feel confident to explore on our own. Keiko was definitely well prepared on everything we were wanting to do and made the day fun and informative.
Hello! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear Keiko helped make the perfect start to your trip. She'll be so pleased to know her knowledge, preparation, and enthusiasm gave you the confidence to explore Tokyo on your own. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope you had an amazing time for the rest of your journey in Japan!
Loved tour with Miko. Had such a nice time.
Hello! Thank you very much for your lovely review and we are very happy to know that you had such a nice time and loved the tour with Miko! We wish to welcome you again the next time you visit Tokyo.
Niko was fantastic! So kind and took great care of us!
Hi Lisa, thank you very much for your kind review! We are happy to know that you had a fantastic tour with Miko and that you felt her kindness throughout the tour. We hope to welcome you again the next time you visit Tokyo!
Keiko is a wonder guide. Her English is great which was so helpful. She is lovely, smart and charming. Keiko knows and shared so much fascinating history. She also answered all of our questions and was very personable. She made sure the tour was tailored to our interests and let us set the pace. We travel a lot and Keiko is one of the best guides we have ever had!
Hi, thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear Keiko made such a lasting impression. We are also happy that you appreciate her knowledge, warmth, and ability to personalize your tour. Your compliment that she's one of the best guides you've ever had truly means a lot. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in Japan soon!
Great tour to start our first holiday in Tokyo. Interesting and knowledgeable guide with many exciting things to show. Good summary afterwards
Hi Anders, thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad Nick helped make your first day in Japan a great start. We appreciate your kind words and hope we'd be able to welcome you on another Tokyo Tour soon!
This private walking tour with Miko in Yokohama was exceptional. My family and I booked a private walking tour on June 3rd, 2026, and the tour was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Miko was outstanding. She was well-versed in the history of Yokohama- an excellent storyteller blending the history of the city with some of her own personal history of her time in Yokohama and abroad - we loved hearing about both! On the morning of our tour, there was a typhoon warning, and I know she had to pivot at the last minute regarding some of the things we were going to see and do. I can imagine that behind the scenes it must have been so stressful, but she handled everything with grace, made sure we were still comfortable in the rain and still had a wonderful time! There was a general itinerary, but we also had the freedom to pivot a little if we wanted to (to do some extra shopping and grab some goodies at an amazing bakery we passed in Chinatown!). She was exceptionally kind and welcoming, and by the end of the tour, we were very sad to say goodbye to her because it felt like we were saying goodbye to a good friend! It would have taken at least two days, if not more, to see all the sites shown to us in Yokohama that day (not including all the planning and prep we would have to do beforehand!) I would highly recommend this to anyone considering doing a walking tour of Yokohama! And if you can, request Miko as your tour guide. 🙂
Hi J, thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We're delighted to hear that Miko made your Yokohama tour such a memorable highlight of your trip. We are happy to know that you appreciate her passion for sharing the city's history, flexibility during the challenging weather, and warm, welcoming nature. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Miko—they'll mean so much to her. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you and your family back to Japan again soon!
Best experience, great tour with the best guide! Miko knows a lot about everything Tokyo related. If we could, we would give her 10 out of 5 stars!
Hi, thank you so much for your amazing review! We're delighted to hear you had such a fantastic experience with Miko. Your "10 out of 5 stars" truly made our day! We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable tour soon!
We had an incredible tour with Keiko. She was warm, knowledgeable and gave us an insightful first day experience exploring old Tokyo and quieter neighborhoods. Not only did she recommend a delicious lunch spot at the end of our tour (which was incredible), she also took the time to follow-up with guidance for our next day’s planned exploration of the fish market and other recommendations! We really appreciate the great photos she took, and her wonderful tour. Would highly recommend Keiko!
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an incredible first day in Tokyo with Keiko. We're also delighted to know that you appreciate the sharing of both the highlights and quieter corners of the city, so it’s wonderful to know you enjoyed exploring “old Tokyo” with her. We’re also happy to hear you enjoyed her lunch recommendation and the extra guidance she provided for your following day. The photos she takes are always a special bonus, so we’re glad they helped capture your memories. Thank you again for your warm recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in Tokyo!
Very enjoyable walking tour with inside information about Japan and its culture! Experienced the subway system , some Japanese foods, and learned that this country is punctual, clean and proficient! Miko was very easy to have as our private guide!
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your walking tour and had the chance to experience Tokyo’s subway system, local foods, and everyday culture up close. It’s always wonderful when guests can get a deeper feel for Japan’s punctuality, cleanliness, and efficiency through real-life experiences. We’re especially happy to know that Miko made your day easy and enjoyable as your private guide. We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another memorable time in Japan!
Keiko was fabulous and gave us a great introduction to Tokyo. She was knowledgeable and very pleasant to be with.
Hello! thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that Keiko gave you a wonderful introduction to Tokyo. Her knowledge, warmth, and friendly personality truly make tours special, and we’re so happy you enjoyed spending time with her. We’ll be sure to share your lovely feedback with Keiko—it will mean a lot to her. Thank you again for choosing Hello! Tours, and we hope to welcome you back to Tokyo again in the future!
