Tokyo - Tours and Excursions

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Tokyo is, for many Japan travelers, the first point of contact in the Land of the Rising Sun, closely followed by cities like Kyoto and Osaka. The large city, or rather the huge metropolis, offers many contrasts between tradition and modernity.

You can best discover the city with one of the Tokyo tours and excursions to deeply immerse yourself in the culture. The Japanese capital does not skimp on its charms and highlights, and a few days in Tokyo are a really great start to a Japan trip. We were impressed with Tokyo from the beginning and would always come back.

Interesting Tours and Excursions for Tokyo

Most of Tokyo’s attractions can be reached by public transportation, and you can do a lot on your own. But if you want to gain a deeper insight into districts like Shibuya or Shinjuku, want to try Japanese cuisine but know nothing except sushi and ramen, then you should look for a tour. There are really many Tokyo tours with guides offered for every taste, and you can learn a lot about the culture and history of the city if you’re interested.

In this article, we present to you 6 interesting Tokyo tours and excursions so that you can explore the city with all its facets.

Accommodation in Tokyo – our hotel tip

The selection of hotels in Tokyo is huge, and it’s always a good idea to have a metro station close to your hotel. the Hotel SUI Akasaka by Abest and can highly recommend it. We even stayed there a second time because we really liked it overall.

Rooms in Tokyo are usually much smaller, but they offer everything you need. At the Hotel SUI Akasaka by Abest, they are equipped with a coffee machine, kettle, refrigerator, air conditioning, bathroom with modern Japanese toilet, tablet, TV, and reliable, free Wi-Fi. There are also USB ports and sockets for non-Japanese plugs. Nothing is left to be desired. Another highlight is the roof terrace, and there are other amenities such as washing machines and a directly connected café.

Popular neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo include Shinjuku, Akihabara, or Asakusa. You can find more hotels in other districts of Tokyo here.

1. Tokyo: A Walk Through the History of the Imperial Palace

On this guided tour, you will discover the historical remnants of the imperial palace from the old era in Tokyo. Accompanied by a local guide, you will enjoy the peaceful gardens and learn how Japan became the country it is today. The tour starts at the Wadakura Fountain Park and takes you to the main gate of the Imperial Palace. As you walk through the grounds, the history of the gardens with plants from various prefectures of Japan will be explained to you.

The tour not only offers a relaxing walk through beautiful gardens and palace remnants but also insights into Japan’s past, including a visit to the old base where the palace stood over 150 years ago. Although the palace can be challenging to navigate on your own, your guide ensures that you do not get lost and helps you take beautiful souvenir photos during the tour.

Book the Tokyo: A Walk Through the History of the Imperial Palace here.

2. From Tokyo: Full-Day Tour of Mt. Fuji

Experience the majestic Mt. Fuji, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a full-day tour from Tokyo. This guided excursion includes a visit to Lake Kawaguchi, the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji, and Oshino Hakkai.

First, you’ll head to Lake Kawaguchi, where you’ll have the opportunity to take stunning photos with Mt. Fuji in the background when it peeks through the clouds. Next, you’ll visit Arakura Sengen Park, offering a panoramic view of the city with Mt. Fuji in the background. A perfect setting, especially during the cherry blossom season in spring.

Next, you’ll visit Oshino Hakkai, one of the most famous spots in the Fujisan region, where you can explore the eight different springwater ponds and taste the springwater of Mt. Fuji directly. To conclude your tour, you’ll reach the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji. Here, you can enjoy special Japanese dishes to satisfy your hunger and find souvenirs for your trip or for your loved ones back home.

You can book the full-day tour of Mt. Fuji as an excursion from Tokyo here.

3. Tokyo: Private City Highlights Tour with Local Guide

Experience some of Tokyo’s highlights on a one-day private tour. It is led by an experienced and multilingual guide and tailored specifically to your interests. You can discover both the modern and traditional aspects of the bustling metropolis and get to know Tokyo from its best side.

For your personal program, you can choose highlights such as the Senso-Ji Temple, the Imperial Palace, the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and also the Meiji Jingu Shrine. You will be picked up from your hotel, and your guide will show you beautiful photo spots and lead you through the Japanese capital according to your wishes.

Book the tour Tokyo: Private City Highlights with Local Guide here.

4. Tokyo: Night Tour through the Shinjuku District

Do you want to discover the vibrant nightlife of Tokyo but don’t know where to go? Then join an evening tour through Kabukicho, the heart of the Shinjuku entertainment district. This highlight of our Tokyo tours and excursions offers you the unique opportunity to explore the neon-lit streets and lively nightlife of Kabukicho, a district known for its dazzling mix of traditional and modern Japanese culture.

The tour begins at the east exit of Shinjuku Station, where you will meet your guide. Then visit Omoide Yokocho, also known as Memory Lane, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of old times and try the local cuisine. Continue to Kabukicho, Tokyo’s largest and most vibrant entertainment district, where you will learn more about Japanese nightlife culture and get recommendations for the best food.

If you would like to join the night tour through the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, then book here.

5. Tokyo: Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour

The Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour guided tour where you can thoroughly explore the Shibuya district. Start the tour at the famous Hachiko Statue, which stands at Shibuya Station for the dog that showed unmatched loyalty to his deceased owner. Together with your guide, you will then explore both the popular and hidden corners of Shibuya.

Highlights include crossing the world-famous Shibuya Crossing and also visiting restaurants and bars where you can try Japanese cuisine. Get to know Shibuya from a different perspective and feel almost like a local in Tokyo.

Here you can find more information if you want to join the Tokyo: Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour.

6. Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

The Shinjuku Evening Tour is your ticket to a world many visitors only know from afar. From the moment you meet your knowledgeable local guide, you’ll immerse yourself in a night full of discoveries. The tour begins in the historic Omoide Yokocho, an alley that seems to be frozen in time, with tiny bars and restaurants whose roots run deep into the post-war era.

Your guide will then lead you through Kabukicho, Shinjuku’s notorious entertainment and red-light district. In the neon-lit streets, you’ll experience the modern side of nightlife. The highlight of the tour is a visit to Golden Gai, a maze of alleys filled with hundreds of tiny bars, each with its own unique character. To wrap up the evening, you’ll have the chance to showcase your singing talents at karaoke, but only if you want to.

For an unforgettable evening, you can book the tour Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour here.

Tokyo: The 3 Most Popular Tours

Do you prefer to be guided by someone who knows their way around? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way, you can get to know Tokyo in a completely different way. At GetYourGuide, you will find many exciting tours for Tokyo.

How to Get to Tokyo

International travel to Tokyo doesn’t offer many options, as Japan is an archipelago. Thus, the airplane is usually the only option to reach the Japanese capital. Tokyo boasts two airports, Narita and Haneda Airport.

From around the world, as well as Europe or other Asian countries, there are direct flights to Tokyo. Narita Airport serves most international flights, but Haneda also handles some of them. However, the majority of flights at Haneda Airport are domestic. For a good overview of times, prices, and airlines, we can recommend Skyscanner.

Note: Although there are ferry connections, for example, from China or South Korea to Japan, they do not go directly to Tokyo. There you would have to travel further to Tokyo via Kyushu or Osaka. You can find more information about this at 12go.asia.

Other options when traveling to Tokyo within Japan are by bus and train. The most popular ones are the high-speed trains of the Shinkansen, but there are also many other trains to choose from. If you’re staying in Japan for a while, it’s worth getting a Japan Rail Pass, as it allows you to travel quickly and comfortably by train on most routes within Japan. Absolutely recommended!

Have you taken tours or excursions in Tokyo? Can you recommend a tour that you really enjoyed? We look forward to your comment.

Photos: Photo 5 (Omoide Yokocho): VTT Studio/shutterstock.com – Photo 7 (Kabukicho): Arcady/shutterstock.com