Tokyo Private Customized Tour with a Friendly Local Guide

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Hello! We are “Exploring Tokyo”! All of our guides are born and raised in Tokyo, offering you a fully private and exclusive tour. This is the perfect introduction to Tokyo. Your booking is confirmed once the reservation is completed. However, we will also send a confirmation message within 24 hours to double-check the details. After booking, we’ll contact you within one weeks of your tour to create a customized itinerary based on your interests. With a private guide, you won’t be tied to a fixed route or shuffled around in a big group — instead, you’ll explore efficiently, blend in with locals, and truly experience the city. Your guide will share insights beyond any guidebook, showing you both Tokyo’s rich history and its modern highlights. Popular spots may include Shinjuku Gyoen, the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, and more. We’ll mainly use public transportation, so please have some yen ready.

   Passes by

2. This tour does not include access to the inside of the Imperial Palace. Entry is limited to certain public areas. The current Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a vast park surrounded by moats and impressive stone walls in the middle of Tokyo, just a short walk from Tokyo Station. Today, it serves as the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family. The scenery is stunning, and it provides a refreshing contrast to the busy city streets nearby. The spacious gardens and wide open spaces create a calm, peaceful atmosphere. Please keep in mind that the park is quite large, with a number of slopes and inclines, so some walking can be a little tiring.

   15 min

3. Tsukiji Outer Market is one of Tokyo’s most historic markets. With more than 400 shops and stalls lining the streets, it offers a wide variety of fresh foods to enjoy. It’s an excellent spot to stop by for breakfast or lunch. As local guides who were born and raised in Tokyo, we not only share valuable insights but also know the very best shops in terms of both quality and price — places you might not discover on your own. Join us for an adventure through the market and experience its unique local charm together.

   15 min

4. The inner Tsukiji Market is a hidden gem — not only for visitors from overseas, but even many Japanese people are not familiar with it. While the outer market offers a wide variety of local street foods, the inner market preserves the “old and authentic” side of Japanese seafood culture. Here you’ll find fresh products that are more familiar to locals, often at lower prices than the outer market, and you can truly feel the vibrant, energetic atmosphere of a working market. Many sushi chefs visit in the early morning to source the freshest ingredients, making it a fascinating glimpse into the very roots of Japan’s culinary traditions.

   15 min

5. There are many types of cities in Tokyo. Shibuya is one of the biggest, unique, and special city and is located in the middle in Tokyo. It’s known as an international area for youth culture, fashion and entertaiment. During the day, the area is bustling with shopping and business, and at night, the neon lights sparkle and create a special atmosphere, different from that of the day.

   15 min

6. Meiji Jingu Shrine is not as old as some of Japan’s ancient shrines, but it holds great cultural significance. Built in 1920, it was established in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, following strong requests from the Japanese people. Located right next to Harajuku Station — known as the center of Japan’s “kawaii culture” — the shrine offers a striking contrast. As soon as you pass through the massive torii gate, you are welcomed by a vast, tranquil forest that feels worlds away from the busy streets of Tokyo. This blend of urban energy and natural serenity creates a unique and memorable experience.

   15 min

7. This tour does not include access to the inside of the main Kabuki-za Theater itself, we will visit the gallery located on a different floor within the same building. Kabuki is one of Japan’s most iconic traditional performing arts, with a history spanning over 400 years. In the gallery, you will learn not only about these historical traditions but also why Kabuki continues to captivate audiences today. It offers a fascinating insight into the richness of Japanese culture.

   15 min

8. Senso-ji Temple, located in Asakusa, is the oldest temple in Tokyo and one of its most vibrant and beloved landmarks. The temple’s history dates back to the legend of two fisherman brothers who discovered a statue of the Buddha in the Sumida River, leading to the temple’s founding. Beyond its fascinating origins, Senso-ji offers visitors a chance to experience Tokyo’s traditional atmosphere through its historic architecture, lively shopping streets, local food stalls, and deep cultural heritage.

   30 min

9. Asakusa is one of the areas in Tokyo where history and tradition are most vividly preserved. At its heart stands Senso-ji Temple, surrounded by lively streets full of local character and charm. The area is also famous for its traditional festivals, which allow visitors to experience Japan’s seasonal culture and community spirit up close. Unlike Tokyo’s modern districts filled with skyscrapers and luxury shops, Asakusa retains the atmosphere of old Japan with its nostalgic shopping streets and narrow alleys.

   15 min

10. Shinjuku Gyoen is a beautiful oasis of greenery right in the heart of Tokyo, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Originally built as an imperial garden, it is now open to the public and showcases a unique blend of landscapes: a traditional Japanese garden, a formal French garden, and an English landscape garden, all harmoniously arranged within the grounds.

    15 min

11. Golden Gai is a one-of-a-kind nightlife district in Shinjuku, where over 300 tiny bars are packed into narrow alleyways. The streets are extremely narrow, and most of the buildings are traditional two-story wooden structures, creating a very distinctive atmosphere. Originally born out of the black markets after World War II, Golden Gai has a complex history, once associated with prostitution, underground businesses, and student movements — aspects that reflect the hidden side of postwar Japan.

    15 min

12. Akihabara is Tokyo’s hub for cutting-edge pop culture. Electronics shops, anime, manga, and gaming stores line the streets, attracting fans from Japan and around the world. The area is full of entertainment, offering a chance to experience the latest trends and technology. You can also enjoy unique experiences like maid cafes and themed cafes.

    15 min

Cancellation

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

Reviews

Ratings come from 135 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Tokyo

• Its from-price is 73% 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 32 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