Tokyo

Tokyo city highlights private tour

Duration: 8 hrs
Group size: 1 to 6 guests
Transport: Private vehicle
Pickup: Your hotel
Price: From $350 / group

Tokyo rewards a route that is planned around traffic rather than a map. We start in the east at Asakusa while the temple approach is still quiet, then work westward so you finish in Shibuya as the lights come on.

Because the vehicle stays with you, there are no train changes and no walking between districts with bags or tired children. Between stops you sit down, and the guide uses the drive to explain what you are about to see.

This is our second bestseller and the tour most people pair with the Mount Fuji day. Almost every stop can be lengthened or dropped on the day.

Hour by hour

The day, stop by stop

08:30
Hotel pickup
Meet in the lobby. We confirm the order of the day and any dietary plans.
09:00
Senso-ji and Nakamise, Asakusa
The oldest temple in the city before the crowd arrives. Incense, the Kaminarimon lantern and a walk down the covered shopping street.
10:45
Tokyo Skytree
Optional ascent to the 350m deck. If the queue is long, your guide suggests the Sumida riverside walk instead.
12:15
Lunch
Sushi, tempura or a halal-certified restaurant, booked in advance to match your group.
13:45
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Stone ramparts, pine gardens and the quietest half hour of the day, in the middle of the business district.
15:00
Meiji Jingu and Harajuku
The forest approach to the shrine, then Omotesando or Takeshita Street depending on the group.
16:15
Shibuya crossing and Shibuya Sky
The crossing from street level and from above. Sunset slots at Shibuya Sky sell out, so we book them ahead if you want one.
17:00
Drop-off
Back to your hotel, or left in Shibuya or Ginza for dinner with your bags taken back for you.

Where you'll go

The places on this day

Included

Private vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide
Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off in the pickup area
Fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses
Bottled water on board
Itinerary planning before the day, including dietary and prayer needs

Not included

Meals and drinks, unless listed in the itinerary
Entrance fees to shrines, museums and observation decks
Personal shopping
Gratuities, which are never expected
Travel insurance
Tokyo Skytree and Shibuya Sky tickets, booked on your behalf if you want them

Good to know

Season

Runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for the walking sections.

Walking level

Moderate. Around 5 to 7 km in total, spread over the day, all of it flat.

Weather

In heavy rain we lean on covered stops: Nakamise, the Skytree decks, and the Shibuya complexes.

Questions about this tour

Can we start later than 08:30?: Yes. A 10:00 start still covers the route, and finishing after dark in Shibuya works well for couples.
Do you book the observation decks for us?: Yes, we reserve timed entry in advance. Ticket costs are paid separately and are not part of the tour price.
Is this suitable with a stroller?: Yes. Every stop on the standard route is stroller-accessible, and the vehicle carries it between districts.