TOKYO City GUIDE
Deciding what to see in Tokyo can seem like a difficult task for first-time visitors. To help you decide what to do in Tokyo we have listed Tokyo’s key districts and our recommendations for what to see in each. All of these locations can be covered on our Private Customised Tours. We have also compiled a hotel guide to help you decide where to stay.
Shibuya | Harajuku & Omotesando | Shinjuku | Asakusa | Akihabara | Tokyo Station & Marunouchi | Nihonbashi | Tsukiji Fish Market | Yanaka
SHIBUYA
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.
Quick Overview: 30 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1.5 hours
Join the crowds and make your way across the Shibuya Crossing; the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world!
Meet the bronze statue of Hachikō the ‘faithful dog’.
Check out the trendy stores of Centre-Gai.
HARAJUKU & OMOTESANDO
Situated right next to the Meiji Shrine, this is the youth fashion center of Japan. Family-friendly place to explore during the day for unique fashion and crepes!
Quick Overview: 45 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 2 hours
Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine in the heart of a beautiful 700,000 m2 forrest. Learn about Japan’s indigenous religion of Shintoism.
Stroll the streets of Aoyama and Omotesando; Tokyo’s executive class area where art, architecture and high fashion meet.
Explore the trendy backstreets of Harajuku. Packed full of street art, wacky youth fashion, animal cafes and instagramable food; it is the epitome of quirky Japan.
SHINJUKU
Tokyo’s greatest entertainment district packed full of tall buildings and neon lights. Best seen after dusk.
Quick Overview: 30 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1.5 hours
Soak 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.
See the life-size Godzilla head peaking over the top of the Toho building!
Take 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.
Grab a bite to eat at Omoide Yokocho (or Memory Lane), affectionally known as ‘Piss Alley'; a narrow alley packed with small bars, yakitori grills and food stalls.
Explore 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.
ASAKUSA
The historic centre of Tokyo housing Tokyo’s oldest temple and many traditional craft shops. Best to visit during the day.
Quick Overview: 30 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1.5 hours
Visit Sensoji temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple dating back to 628. Learn about Buddhism.
Shop for authentic souvenirs at Nakamise Shopping Street; a 250 metre stretch of fantastic stalls on the approach to the Sensoji Temple.
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).
AKIHABARA
Tokyo’s anime, manga, video game and electronics centre. Prepare for a sensory overload!
Quick Overview: 20 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1 hour
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.
TOKYO STATION / MARUNOCHI
Tokyo’s sleek business district surrounding the Imperial Palace. Impressive architecture and great food. Equally good to see during the day or evening.
Quick Overview: 20 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1 hour
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.
Access the areas most notable architectural highlights; Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo Station and the KITTE building.
Eat at a Gado Shita (small restaurant under the railway tracks) for an authentic foodie experience. This is often the highlight of our tours.
NIHONBASHI
The original centre of all trade and commerce from the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) Nihonbash is steeped in history and packed with traditional food and craft shops.
Quick Overview: 30 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1.5 hours
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.
Visit Mitsukoshi, Japans first department store. A beautiful 1920s building with an outstanding food hall.
Cross Japans most important bridge; the Nihonbashi Bridge where the kilometre zero marker is located.
Learn about speciality Japanese crafts like Lacquerware, Washi (traditional Japanese paper) and Sense (Japanese folding fans).
TSUKIJI FISH MARKET
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.
Quick Overview: 30 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 1.5-2 hours
Go on a foodies exploration of the outer market trying the best of Japan’s street food.
Discover fresh ingredients used in Japanese cooking.
YANAKA
A nostalgic downtown district filled with hundreds of temples, delicious sweets and a unique tea house to experience a traditional tea ceremony.
Quick Overview: 30 minutes
In-depth Exploration: 2 hours
Follow the journey of 4 important men with a fascinating history within the Yanaka district.
Explore the cemetery and learn about Japanese traditions surrounding death.
Snack on traditional sweets such as manju and anmitsu made at local Yanaka shops.
Stroll along Yanaka Ginza, the locals’ favorite place to shop. See if you can find the seven statues of cats hidden along the street.
Discover hundreds of temples in the area
Retreat to a beautiful tea room to experience a traditional tea ceremony. You will have the chance to try traditional Japanese sweets, pick your own bowl from the hosts private collection and witness the tea ceremony right in front of your eyes.
