Private Customizable Walking Tour of Tokyo
From 08:30
Group 1+
English
08:30
What you'll do
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.
Itinerary
- 1Soak in the view of the entire Tokyo metropolitan area from the observatory on the the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji. Designed by Kenzo Tange, and costing US$1 billion, the building appears as a cross between a Gothic cathedral and an enormous microchip! Think Batman Begins vs Blade Runner.
- 2Explore the back streets of the Golden-Gai. Six narrow alleys packed with over 200 tiny bars , each measuring only 10 to 15 square meters. Built in the 1950s these wooden houses are architecturally significant as they give us an insight into the chaotic nature of the city post second world war.
- 3Take in the bright lights of Kabukicho. Tokyo’s liveliest entertainment and red-light district. Packed full of karaoke bars, girly bars, restaurants and home to the infamous ‘Robot Restaurant’ as featured on many travel shows.
- 4See the life-size Godzilla head peaking over the top of the Toho building!
- 5
The frantic fashion first centre of modern Japan. Equally great to explore during the day or evening its a family friendly, neon infused shopping and entertainment hub.
Join the crowds and make your way across the Shibuya Scramble; the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world!
Meet the bronze statue of Hachikō the ‘faithful dog’.
Check out the trendy stores of Centre-Gai.
- 6
Explore the trendy backstreets of Harajuku. Packed full of street art, wacky youth fashion, animal cafes and instagramable food its the epitome of quirky Japan.
- 7
Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine in the heart of a beautiful 700,000 m2 forrest. Learn about Japan’s indigenous religion of Shintoism.
- 8
Stroll the streets of Aoyama; Tokyo’s executive class area where art, architecture and high fashion meet.
- 9
Stroll the streets of Omotesando; Tokyo’s executive class area where art, architecture and high fashion meet.
- 10
The historic centre of Tokyo housing Tokyo’s oldest temple and many traditional craft shops. Best to visit during the day.
- 11
Visit Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple dating back to 628. Learn about Buddhism.
- 12
Shop for authentic souvenirs at Nakamise Shopping Street; a 250 metre stretch of fantastic stalls on the approach to the Sensoji Temple.
- 13
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).
- 14
Visit the beautiful gardens and learn about Japanese horticulture.
- 15
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.
- 16
Visit Tokyo's sleek shopping district.
- 17
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.
- 18
Tokyo’s sleek business district surrounding the Imperial Palace. Impressive architecture and great food. Equally good to see during the day or evening.
- 19
Visit the Imperial Palace East Garden and get up close to the some of the remnants of Edo Castle, including the moat walls. With advance booking we can take a 1 hour 15 minutes tour of the Palace’s inner compound.
- 20
Access one of Tokyo's most notable architectural highlights.
- 21
Access Tokyo's most notable architectural highlights.
- 22
Eat at a Gado Shita (small restaurant under the railway tracks) for an authentic foodie experience.
- 23
The original centre of all trade and commerce from the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) Nihonbashi 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.
Learn about speciality Japanese crafts like Lacquerware, Washi (traditional Japanese paper) and Sense (Japanese folding fans).
- 24
Cross Japans most important bridge; the Nihonbashi Bridge where the kilometre zero marker is located.
- 25
Visit Mitsukoshi, Japans first department store. A beautiful 1920s building with an outstanding food hall.
- 26
Visit one of Tokyo's most notable architectural highlights.
- 27
Explore this local traditional neighbourhood which is home to many small shops and businesses dating back to the Edo period.
What's Included
Hotel meet-up and drop-off
Professional guide
Children aged 11 years and under are free of charge - just tell us they are coming!
What's not included
Public transportation (subway) costs are excluded. You will need to purchase a travel pass.
Food and drinks
Please note that tours with hotel pick-ups, are still walking tours. Travel is on the subway
Notes
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must not sit on laps
Infant seats unavailable
All of the information about your tour including your guides picture and contact phone number can be found on the google doc. link below. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rjS-y5b7_aiBUofXavOB80dlUuorOYlfz2x1T5yGKg0/edit?usp=sharing
Cancellation Policy: If for whatever reason you want to cancel your booked tour then please note the following. Please email us your notice to cancel and we will confirm a cancellation by email. You will receive a full refund (excluding any credit card charges / booking fee) if you cancel more than 2 weeks before your scheduled tour. You will receive a 50% refund if you cancel your tour 5 days to two weeks before your tour. There are no refunds if you cancel your tour less than 5 days (119 hours) before the start of your tour. There are no refunds if you do not turn up for the tour or choose to leave the tour early.
We pick up from any hotel or airbnb / apartment address within 'downtown' Tokyo.
Gallery
Cancellation policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
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