Japan Awaits

The Tokyo Full Day ‘Explorer’ Walking Tour will visit some of the most iconic locations in Tokyo and includes many interesting locations not generally visited by tourists along the way. Learn about the traditional and modern culture of Tokyo on this small group tour.

The tour will begin at 9:00 AM. Guests will meet at JR Shinjuku Station (we will have a designated location for guests to meet) where you will meet other Tokyo explorers in your small group.

The first stop will be at the Tsukiji Market. The auction will not be available at this time, but you’ll be able to see where the main fish market used to be and you can taste some of the most fresh seafood you can get in Tokyo (optional). From there, visit Tsukiji Honganji Temple, which is noted for its unique architecture, influenced by temples in South Asia.

Visit the Imperial Palace, which is located on the former site of the Edo Castle. The large park area is surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo. Learn about the history of the Imperial Palace, its use during the Edo period, how it was completely destroyed during WWII and what it means to the people today.

After learning about Japanese history in this area, visit Akihabara, which is famous for its many electronics shops and is recognized as the capital of Japan’s “otaku” (diehard fan) culture for anime and manga. This is a great place to play some games at the arcades or take cute photos in a Purikura photo booth (optional) to fully immerse yourself in the otaku culture here.

After a fun visit to Akihabara, visit Ueno for the Ameyoko street market and lively park, which were originally part of Kaneiji Temple (originally one of the city’s largest and wealthiest temples during the Edo Period).

Walk through Uguisudani and learn about the interesting and peculiar story of this part of town (known as the “love hotel district”), before passing through Yanaka and its memorial area of prominent figures in Japan, including the final resting place for the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu. The area surrounds Tennoji Temple, which has been a historic place during the Meiji Restoration for the separation of “imported” Buddhism and the “native” Shinto. Learn about the difference between Buddhism and Shinto in Japanese culture before proceeding to the street food area to try local foods in the narrow alley and street shops (optional).

Take the train back to Shinjuku Station where you will say goodbye to your tour guide and the group.

Availability: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except some holidays)

Price:
Standard Tour:
       1 person only: ¥58,000
       2 people or more:¥29,000 per person

Private Tour:
       1 person only: ¥87,000
–     2 people or more: see pricing at check out

 Included:

• Public transportation costs (local train and sometimes bus tickets, if necessary)
• English-speaking tour guide
• Photo opportunities and more

Excluded:

• Meals, food and drinks
• Other fees not included in the tour
• Gratuities (optional)

Attire

The tour operates in all weather conditions (except when there is a typhoon or other extreme situations). Please dress appropriately for all weather conditions. In such case, please note that the tour may change slightly to accommodate for the weather.

Non-Smoking

While most places we visit may be non-smoking establishments, there are some places along the way that may allow smoking in designated areas. Please take note of this for guests who are sensitive to smoke.

Age Requirement

There is no age requirement, but a reservation must be made for all guests. The cost is the same for guests from age 6 and up (Adult). There is no cost for infant (0 – 1 years old) and young child (1 – 5 years old). Passports may be required to verify age on the day of the tour (as it may be required for children to ride the train at no cost).

Payment

All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least 10 days before your activity date.

Cancellation Policy

Standard Cancellation Policy:

What if I’m late?

We ask that all guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time. Since this is a group tour, we may not be able to wait for you if you are late. The tour will begin without the late guests and you can meet the rest of the group at the next location. Guests are provided with the tour guides’ phone number before the tour and you can call the tour guide if you need to meet the group in the next location.

Is this an ideal tour for first-time visitors to Japan?

Yes, this tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Japan. While this introductory ‘explorer’ tour visits many locations in Central Tokyo, there are also other places you’ll visit that are not the main landmarks. This will provide you with a better idea of what life in Tokyo is like for locals, as well as visit to some of the main attractions that Tokyo has to offer.