Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Asakusa (浅草) is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives. Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.

   1 min

2. **This tour does not include access to the inside of the Imperial Palace** The current Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family. Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and imperial residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

   1 min

3. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the park's spacious lawns, meandering walking paths and tranquil scenery provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban center around it. In spring Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms.

   1 min

4. Shibuya crossing is called Shibuya scramble by the locals. It is one of the busiest crossings in the world and home to the beloved statue of Hachiko the dog! Learn about this loyal dog and see the bustle of Tokyo up close! (Hachiko statue may not be accessible the week of Halloween to prevent vandalism)

   Passes by

5. Tsukiji is the old fish market of Japan! It is full of delicious and unique foods. Locals and tourists alike come to enjoy the great selection here! Be sure to purchase something while you are here to support the local business! Tsukiji may not be available in December/start of January due to requests from the market to not have tours during the holidays. We thank you for your understanding in advance.

   1 min

6. 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 the Emperor Meiji and the 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.

   1 h

7. Akihabara (秋葉原), also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).

   1 min

8. Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園, Koishikawa Kōrakuen) is one of Tokyo's oldest and best Japanese gardens. It was built in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. Like its namesake in Okayama, the garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people. Koishikawa is the district in which the garden is located in.

   1 min

9. Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū), is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo. Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery. The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.

   1 min

10. The Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館, Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) is the oldest and largest of Japan's top-level national museums, which also include the Kyoto National Museum, the Nara National Museum and the Kyushu National Museum. It was originally established in 1972 at Yushima Seido Shrine and moved to its current location in Ueno Park a few years later. The Tokyo National Museum features one of the largest and best collections of art and archeological artifacts in Japan, made up of over 110,000 individual items including nearly a hundred national treasures. At any one time, about 4000 different items from the permanent museum collection are on display. In addition, visiting temporary exhibitions are also held regularly. Good English information and audio guides are available.

    1 min

11. 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.

    1 min

12. Rikugien (六義園) is often considered Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien literally means "six poems garden" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is a good example of an Edo Period strolling garden and features a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.

    1 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 1,668 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Tour in Tokyo

  We had a great time, our guide Yuki picked us up at our hotel and showed us lots of interesting and beautiful sights and we learned a lot about history and daily life in Shinjuku and Shibuya. Yuki took all the stress out of navigating the massive train station so we can travel confidently for the rest of our holiday in Tokyo

  Colin575September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Japan 4 hour guided tour using Public Transport

  Izumi was a very good guide with lots of helpful knowledge in the history of the Temple, Imperial Palace and the fish market we visited during our 4 hour tour. He was also very helpful explaining the Tokyo transit system & helped us buy our railcards.

  X1794ZGstevewSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 510/10 tour with Haruhiko Yokota

  We toured Tokyo with Haruhiko Yokota and had an amazing time. Haru was an excellent guide: extremely knowledgeable, so delightful to talk to and helpful by providing post-tour suggestions. We can’t thank Haru enough for putting together a great, customized tour. Highly recommend the 4 hour tour.

  Kerry_MSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Best tour guide

  Kenzo from Goverment Licenced guide was polite and very informative as well as kind and respectfill to our whole family and our grandchildren. We would ask for him next time

  W536BPsusanoSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Excellent 1/2 Day with Kenzo

  My sister and I arrived in Tokyo last night, with this being our first experience in Japan. Kenzo was excellent, meeting us at our hotel and as well as an excellent guided tour, he helped us navigate the train network, giving us the confidence to now use it on our own 😃. Unfortunately the weather was awful but we still got around a range of interesting/beautiful places and got a great introduction to the culture and history of Japan. I have no hesitation recommending Kenzo.

  LadyN0madSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Private walking tour

  Masa was a fantastic tour guide. I had the opportunity to visit all of the places I had hoped to visit. Masa made the experience enjoyable by sharing his knowledge of the areas we visited. Thank you Masa and I would definitely recommend this tour.

  candicebZ7085NHSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Tokyo

• Its from-price is 45% below the median of the 731 city tours we list in Tokyo.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 2 of 731.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Tokyo

Neon-lit districts, quiet shrines, superb food and distinct neighbourhoods make up Tokyo, a vast, orderly metropolis linked by punctual trains.

Every district feels like its own city. Shibuya's famous scramble crossing and Shinjuku's towers, bars and Golden Gai alleys pulse with energy, while Harajuku mixes youth fashion with the forested calm of the Meiji Jingu shrine. In Asakusa, the Sensō-ji temple and its market street keep an older Tokyo alive, and Ginza offers polished department stores and galleries.

Top-ranked sights in Tokyo: Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Temple), Tokyo Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu).

See all 4374 experiences in Tokyo