Private Day Tour in Tokyo with Government-Licensed Guide
Description
This private tour is a walking day tour to suit your interests and needs. You can choose from a selection of recommended sights to create your ideal itinerary. Or you can request what you would like to do then we would propose the perfect private tour customized for you. Our friendly Government-licensed local guide will provide an efficient 1-day tour. It will be an unforgettable memory for you. Please note that a private vehicle is not included. Public transportation is used to transfer between sites. Taxis are also available on request.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Located just beside the JR Yamanote Line's busy Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll. The shrine was completed and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.
Harajuku (原宿) refers to the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights. The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend-conscious teens.
A 360° open-air observation deck located on the roof of the Shibuya Scramble Square skyscraper.
The only place where 7 crossroads come together and the lights all turn red at the same time. Thousands of pedestrians then all cross at the same time. Just amazing.
Built-in 1958, Tokyo Tower serves as a symbol of Tokyo’s rebirth after World War II. The towering structure stands 333 meters tall, becoming a ubiquitous photo spot for tourists. Two observation decks provide extensive views across the city and a four-story complex on the ground floor offers shopping, food, and entertainment. Unfortunately, when we visited, due to Covid, it was closed to visit the observation decks. Still, we were very impressed, especially with its lights at night. It is right next to Zozogi temple and easily accessible from Hamamatsucho or Daimon Stations or Onarimon or Akabenebashi Stations
This well-known temple stands next to Tokyo Tower, and its grounds contain the mausoleum of the Tokugawa family.
Japan is known for its fresh seafood, and this small-group tour explores the outer Tsukiji Fish Market, where Tokyo's top chefs shop for high-quality fish. Your guide leads you through the sprawling, 80-year-old market to visit fishmongers and food vendors. Sample a range of sushi, Japanese-style omelets, fried fish cakes, sake, and Japanese tea in this in-depth experience of the legendary market.
The current palace was constructed in the same spot where Edo Castle used to stand. Most of the palace grounds are not open to the public except for the East Gardens, which are accessible on select days.
The Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida City Ward, not far away from Asakusa. With a height of 634 meters (634 can be read as "Musashi", a historic name of the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with an aquarium is located at its base.
This popular Tokyo neighborhood is home to many shops and restaurants as well as the famed Senso-ji Temple.
Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples. The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
The stores in this neighborhood sell kitchen equipment and paper supplies to the city's restaurants. Of note are the specialty plastic food items, which are placed in restaurant windows to show passersby what goodies are being served inside.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Traveler pickup is offered. Our guide will pick you up at designated place such as your hotel.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(63)
Hiro was an exceptional guide. Full of information and interesting. He even booked lunch for us in a very good place.
Thank you very much for posting such a wonderful review. I truly appreciate your kind comments and am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour. I’m also glad that I could recommend additional places for you to visit after the tour, so that you could make the most of your day. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the lunch venue as well. Introducing hidden local gems is one of the important parts of being a guide. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Hiro is an experienced guide with an excellent command of the English language. He is knowledgeable and very reliable having contacted my wife and I before we met to make sure all the details were in place. I can highly recommend him to anyone who is travelling in Tokyo.
Thank you very much for taking the time to post such a wonderful review during your busy travels. I truly appreciate your kind words about my experience, knowledge, and English skills. I’m also very glad that our advance discussions before the tour allowed me to tailor the itinerary to your preferences. I believe that good communication with my guests beforehand is the key to a successful tour. Your recommendation means the world to me — nothing makes me happier as a guide. I look forward to seeing you again someday!
Hiro is a wonderful tour Guide. He speaks excellent English and is very knowledgeable about Tokyo. We had a wonderful full day excursion around Tokyo. It is a walking tour and we were pleased to have experience Tokyo's metro system with an experienced guide. Hiro took us to a fabulous sushi restaurant in the old fish market area. We can highly recommend Hiro and this tour.
Thank you very much for posting such a wonderful review. I am truly honored by your kind words praising my English ability and guiding skills. I’m also very happy to hear that you enjoyed my favorite sushi restaurant. As a guide, I believe it is not only important to visit sightseeing spots, but also to ensure that guests can fully enjoy meals at delicious local restaurants. I look forward to the pleasure of seeing you again.
Was a wonderful tour! Our tour guide , Hiro showed around all several areas in Tokyo. He told us the history and showed us all the customs for the shrines. As it was mine and my husband first time in Japan it was very useful to learn the practical aspects such as how to navigate the subways and the best places to and buy souvenirs etc. We also stopped for some Sushi at a place recommended by Hiro which was delicious and also provided useful information on what to order and how best to eat the Sushi. Overall I would recommend this tour for any first time visitors to Japan - we had a fabulous time.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a wonderful review after the tour. I am truly delighted that I was able to create an itinerary tailored to your wishes, allowing you not only to visit sightseeing spots but also to learn about Japanese history and culture during your very first trip to Japan. I will never forget seeing you both happily enjoying sushi at the restaurant I took you to in the Tsukiji Market. I look forward to the day we can meet again.
We loved our time with Mr. Hiri, who is an excellent and kind guide to his home city of Tokyo! We asked to walk the Imperial palace grounds on a hot day then visit Tsukiji and he was very kind and accomodating even to our grumpy, hot littles. He helped us visit an air conditioned Buddhist temple and fish market as well! After an amazing sushi place he rec'd, we had matcha ice cream from the same street. He helped us hail a cab and sent us off with a smile :-) We will recommend him to our friends & family visiting as you can learn so much more culture and history with a bilingual native!
I'm glad to hear that you returned home safely. Thank you so much for taking the time to post a wonderful review, especially after what must have been a long and tiring journey home. Although our tour was limited in time due to your return flight, I’m truly happy that you were able to enjoy your final hours in Tokyo. It was a very hot day, so I made sure to take a break at an air-conditioned temple to keep the children comfortable—and it was a special bonus that you were able to witness a rare ceremony there. Ending the tour with authentic sushi at a popular spot in Tsukiji Market was, I believe, a perfect way to wrap up your memorable visit to Japan. Thank you once again!
Hiro is a great guide. Very knowledgeable not only in Japanese culture and history but also is very knowledgeable about many countries and their histories. Unfortunately, while I was there, they were having a heat and high humidity problem. But Hiro made the best of it keeping my tour as indoors as possible. Highly recommend.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to leave such a thoughtful review. I'm truly honored that you appreciated my guidance and insights into Japanese culture and history. On the day of our tour, the temperature and humidity were quite high, making it challenging to walk outdoors. For that reason, I carefully selected a route that allowed us to enjoy as much as possible indoors, prioritizing your comfort and well-being. I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Yokohama, even with the limited hours before your cruise. I sincerely look forward to the opportunity to see you again in the future.
This was our family's first visit to Japan and a friend highly recommended our tour guide, Hiro-san, who was lovely, highly informative, and accommodating. For our family of 9, with a wide range of ages, Hiro-san arranged a private van and worked with us to create an itinerary that worked well for the group. He was organized, had great communication, and was so friendly and patient. He really made our trip to Japan a great one! Thank you also for taking pictures of our family whenever we arrived at a new site and sending to us afterwards!
Thank you for your wonderful review. Since you were a relatively large family, I arranged a larger vehicle in advance to ensure a comfortable and efficient way to explore Tokyo’s highlights. I truly enjoyed spending time with all of you, and it was my pleasure to take commemorative group photos at each location as a keepsake of your special trip. I look forward to seeing you again someday!
Hiro was a great guide to show us the highlights of Tokyo on the subway As first time travellers to Japan a this our first full day we appreciated the advice on using the subway. Hiro made sure that we saw the things that were important to us and explained everything along the way, he was great company The Ramen restaurant recommendation for lunch was perfect Highly recommend Hiro and this tour
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to post such a wonderful review. I hope that during the tour, you not only enjoyed the sightseeing spots but also learned how to navigate the subway and gained insights into Japan’s unique culture and daily life through our enjoyable conversations. Since food is one of the highlights of any trip, I always try to take guests to the best places based on their preferences—and I’m glad you appreciated that. I look forward to seeing you again in the future!
We had an excellent tour of Tokyo with Hiro-san over two days! Right after I booked the tour, he reached out to understand our interests. I asked a lot of questions and he answered them promptly. Hiro-san speaks fluent English and is very organized. As it's our first time in Tokyo, he helped us navigate the subway system and always make sure we know how to return to our hotel after our tour. He knows all the spots to take good pictures. We highly recommend Hiro-san to anyone interested in touring Tokyo!
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review during your busy travels. I'm truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the two-day tour. By asking about your preferences in advance, I was able to create an itinerary tailored to your family’s interests, which made the experience more enjoyable for everyone. In addition to helping you navigate the subway system, I also consider it part of my mission to capture memorable moments by taking photos of your family throughout the tour. I look forward to seeing you again in the future!
We loved our two private tours with Hiro. He is a wonderful tour guide and full of knowledge. He is so kind and made sure we did things that our family would enjoy. I would highly recommend this tour. The chartered taxi was so convenient!
I truly appreciate you taking the time to write such kind words during your busy travels. I'm so glad that you and your family were able to enjoy Tokyo over the course of three days. On the final day, the rain could have been a challenge, but thanks to the chartered taxi, we were still able to explore Tokyo comfortably. I'm especially happy that it provided a convenient and enjoyable experience for you and your children. I hope to see you again in the future