Home > Tokyo > Tokyo Day Tour: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Temple and Tokyo Bay Cruise
USD $92.00
Tokyo Day Tour: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Temple and Tokyo Bay Cruise
Tokyo, Japan
Discover the highlights of Tokyo on a full-day guided tour, the perfect introduction to the city. Visit Meiji Shrine, Japan's most famous Shinto shrine, stroll the gardens of the Imperial Palace, and spend time at Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. See shopping areas like Nakamise Shopping Street and the Ginza district, then enjoy a boat cruise on Tokyo Bay. Your experienced guide shares the history and culture of Tokyo as you explore the ancient and modern aspects of this bustling city.
After morning pickup from selected hotels, travel by comfortable coach to the Meiji Shrine, which was dedicated to the Emperor and Empress in 1926. Hear from your guide why the Meiji Shrine is Tokyo’s most popular and important Shinto shrine while you stroll around the buildings and gardens.
Return to the coach and drive past the towering Japanese House of Parliament en route to the Imperial Palace East Garden. Located outside the Imperial Palace on the grounds of a former Edo-era castle, the expansive grounds contain a tea pavilion, traditional Japanese garden, a moat and stone walls.
Next, walk along Nakamise Shopping Street, a colorful promenade lined with food stands and souvenir shops that leads up to Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple, Asakusa Kannon Temple (also known as Senso-ji). Your guide takes you through the market to tour the magnificent architecture, shrines, and Japanese gardens around the temple.
Leave Asakusa Kannon Temple and drive by the celebrated Ginza shopping district with its eye-popping neon lights, department stores and giant theaters. Then sit down for a Western-style lunch at Pastel-Tei restaurant, which overlooks Hamarikyu Garden, Tokyo’s only surviving seaside garden from the Edo period. (In 2017, you'll head to Yurakucho to join a traditional Japanese dance activity before enjoying a lunch buffet.)
When you finish your meal, board a large boat for a 1-hour cruise around Tokyo Bay. Snap photos of Tokyo’s skyline and iconic sights such as Rainbow Bridge. At the end of your cruise, check out the futuristic waterfront shopping district called Aqua City Odaiba. Keep an eye out for architectural fancies in this area, including the Fuji TC Building, Tokyo Big Sight, and Telecom Center.
Your tour ends at Tokyo Station as you make your own way to your hotel.
Please note: On Mondays, Fridays and other days when the Imperial Palace East Garden is closed, you will visit Imperial Palace Plaza instead.
This was a great tour. Nori, our guide, was an absolute sweet heart to be around. She was very knowledgeable and gave everyone on the tour enough time to really enjoy the sites!
Review by: natalia, June 2018
Highly recommended. Haru our guide was excellent always explaining everything, even during the bus trip. She was always worried about the participants even to take pictures. The visits to the temples were quite calm. the visit to the imperial garden and cruise were fantastic. The visit at the end of the day in Osaiba was one of the best places to take pictures of the city. the trip on the bus was safe and comfortable.
Review by: Monika O, June 2018
Polecam, zwłaszcza w pierwszym dniu zwiedzania Tokio.
Review by: Alex M, May 2018
Very good way to get your bearings especially if you've never been to Tokyo before we hadn't. Good value for the money. I'm sure the do-it-yourselfers will quibble over some details, but my family and I had a great time and were very glad we did it. Having said that, the next time we go to Tokyo there are other ways to explore in greater depth, but what we had was a fine introductory course.
Review by: steeleclan, May 2018
Absolutely fantastic! We loved this tour:
Review by: Jeremy V, April 2018
Good value tour. You see a lot in one day. Must visit again!
Review by: jpm.8, April 2018
This tour was an amazing experience and a 'must do'. Our guide, Junko san, was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, funny and accommodating. The Imperial Palace, shrine and temple we visited were beautiful. We enjoyed our lunch, however, we wished that we had a Japanese meal instead of Western food. There's a lot of walking so be prepared. Overall, this tour was well worth it and highly recommended.
Review by: juliebrawn, April 2018
A long day but get to see quite a bit. Lunch was not the best.
Review by: Yasser A, April 2018
The tour is great for people don't have a lot of time staying in Tokyo and need to see most of it. But if you have the time and you would like to roam around the locations I would reconsider taking this tour. Our guide was great and was explaining everything you need to know. _br/_ The only thing I didn't like is the time in the Imperial Palace. We had only 30 min and we just saw some of its buildings from the outside and took some photos. we didn't go to the gardens around it as there was a long queue because of the cherry blossom season probably
Review by: Kelly D, April 2018
Well worth it!
Review by: Roxana G, April 2018
Gift tour
Review by: Roxana G, April 2018
Gift tour
Review by: Roxana G, April 2018
Very informative tour by a knowledgeable guide. Yuko-san even taught us some Japanese words in a very funny way, with stories. History pearls were also appreciated. She did an excellent job explaining the itinerary and warning us in advance about various stops, availability of washrooms etc.
Review by: Clayton H, April 2018
We like taking this type of tour first day in a new city to help orientate ourselves and catch a few of the key cites. It was a good tour with a fantastic guide. My only criticism is that there was a lot of time on the bus going back and forth and I am sure the route could be better mapped out. For instance, we were picked up at Shinjuku and transferred to the other side of the city, only to come back to Shinjuku for the first attraction. An hour or so in a bus that wasnt needed if those on the western side of town were transferred to the first sight seeing stop or close by.
Review by: Neil T, April 2018
We had limited time in Tokyo and a free day so booked an all day city tour. This tour in particular because we could be collected from our hotel. It was a very busy and enjoyable day. Only 14 of us. Nobu, our Japanese guide, was very organised and knowledgeable with a great sense of humour. Lunch was not a buffet as described but a pleasant meal nevertheless with the choice of the main course being made before we left the bus station.....chicken, fish or vegetable. There was no geisha dancing for us. The toilet outside the restaurant on the 23rd floor was decidedly dirty with only one western toilet and a squat toilet available although I understand there were other facilities on the 4th floor. We were delivered to Tokyo Station at the end of the day. Thanks to the instructions from Nobu we were able to buy tickets and find our way home, even changing trains.
Review by: Robert W, April 2018
Fuji-san was a great guide for this mass-market tour...it's always tough with a bus load of people doing the 360 on any large city with such a rich history and context as Tokyo....Fuji-san was able to do this quite well and get us on time through the major highlights of Tokyo and give us ideas for further exploration throughout this megaplex. We enjoyed the hotel pickup which was a feeder bus to the larger bus terminal. The in processing and such at the bus terminal was a bit of organized chaos but it works Japanese style. They have nice bathrooms and plenty of the obligatory vending machines to get you ready for the tour. The highlight was of course the cherry blossoms all over town and the temple with the side markets especially the street food with all sorts of delicious delights for the five senses and most of them on a stick! Octopus, calamari, fish, etc were quite delicious. All in all, a great overview tour that is necessary to quickly get the overview of Tokyo and explore more!
Review by: pranshika, April 2018
Great tour, we covered pretty much everything important in Tokyo. Tour guide was also excellent and ensured we were entertained throughout the tour.
Review by: Michael S, April 2018
I took this tour after taking the other day tour featuring the tea ceremony, Tokyo Tower, etc. If asked which one is better, I would pick the other tour. The Tokyo Bay Cruise was ok, but not nearly as dramatic or as fun as Sumida River Cruise, the Asakusa Kannon Temple was a repeat, so, no difference. The Meiji Shrine was excellent and the tour guide's explanations of what was happening including several weddings that day was very good. However, lunch overlooking Tokyo Bay was a disappointment.
Review by: Clive R, April 2018
Love Tokyo, love Japan...and a great tour!
Review by: silk416, April 2018
Our guide was very knowledgeable, efficient and helpful. The tour itself tried to cram far too much in to the day. There was too little time at some of the stops to fully explore the surroundings, but as a taster they were fine. The included Western style lunch was very disappointing. The soup was tasteless, the main course was cold, not particularly appertising and consisted of a small flattened chicken thigh, two small carrot batons, a tiny floret of broccoli and two small potato chips. The less said about the dessert the better. Overall we were quite disappointed.
Review by: Paul W, March 2018
Good tour.
Review by: TERESITA E, March 2018
We were staying at Hyatt Regency Nishi-Shinjuku and when we were picked up by this tour bus, there was no space left inside the coach bus but we were forced to sit in the middle with a temporary hanging chair in the middle of the bus. That was cruel and very unprofessional making the passenger in a very uncomfortable and untimely scheduling considering we are seniors and having some physical challenges...they told us that if we don't get into this bus we will not be able to join the tour from the pick up point station...the pick up point station was very crowded and the restroom has the longest line and we were caught in the middle of hurry hurry - and the time our bus to this tour will pick us up...Not a convenient way to start a group tour. Again I was very unhappy and unsatisfied with the service of this buses and the tour itself. Teresita from Los Angeles, CA
Review by: joanne A, March 2018
Our guide was outstanding and we took another tour with him the following day. He even helped us find our way on the subway home
Review by: Julie, March 2018
This tour gave us a good overview of Tokyo for our first visit. Our tour guide was very informative and the whole day ran smoothly. We saw far more than we would have on our own, and even the included lunch was quite good, as was the cruise.
Review by: Martin C, March 2018
A very good tour in the company of tour leader Grace. She was excellent with great communication skills in English. We were picked up from near our hotel, taken to the tour bus and enjoyed a very informative tour.
Review by: edmoy52, December 2017
The Meiji Shrine is amazing, So many scenes to take pictures of. We happened onto to a real Japanese wedding party that day and lots of guest dressed up in traditional garb and that was exciting to see. The grounds are so well kept and so much to see. The Asakusa temple is a very busy place and has a great shopping area and with local foods and all kinds of trinkets to sell. You could spend all day here since there is so much to see and do. Make sure you have local currency to spend there. The bay cruise gives you a great view of the skyline of the city. Loved this tour, would do it again if I ever get back to Tokyo.
Review by: rosaleen a, December 2017
Excellent value for money. Tour guide professional and knowledgeable.
Review by: Lorraine W, November 2017
This was a great day!! We covered a lot of things to see. Had sufficient time to see everything. Thoroughly enjoyed the cruise, lunch was excellent too!!
Review by: Connie S, November 2017
The day tour was well organized. I like the peace and quiet feeling of Meiji Shinto Shrine and the 1 hour boat cruise around Tokyo Bay. Our tour guide was knowledgeable. A minus to this day trip was the time spent on the road. Resulting in less free time to explore and take photos.
Review by: starkman, November 2017
What a difference a Guide makes. Our guide was okay but obsessed with time . He was not as talkative telling the group what we were seeing. _br/_ to be fair it was raining hard - The Typhoon had started but I was soaked as were many others and he put on the air conditioning in the bus. Also was not impresses with the company protocol of pickups at their locations. because I went to the tokyo dome hotel that was closer to my hotel after taking a train there I felt like a criminal because I did not have my name on a list. they had to call and confirm. I left the trip after the dreadful boat ride where there was an opera singer dressed in a wedding dress with a black halloween shawl. _br/_ lunch was good but we had to treck for a block instead of getting dropped off in front of the lunch site. I would not recommend that tour operator.
Review by: Gillian P, November 2017
The tour was OK but very rushed. We were not given long enough to look around each destination and the western style lunch served was a real disappointment as we thought being in Japan we would have received a Japanese dish. Tour guide was rather hard to understand.
Review by: joe, November 2017
The tour started off well, we were met at the hotel meeting place on time, then taken to the bus station to transfer bus and to join other people who were going on the same tour. Unfortunately our guide was late and as we were on a time table, the tour was rushed, did not have time to really see the sites, and the information offered by the tour guide was somewhat limited. She would start talking before the rest of the people could catch up to her. It seems that we just arrived at a site and we had to turn around and leave. Spent a great deal of time in the bus. I would suggest that these types of tours have a limited number of people and more time providing a commentary up to visiting the attraction and while at the attraction
Review by: marcia_goodson, November 2017
Great tour! Our tour guide Narumi was awesome, she was very funny and informative and kept everyone on track. We did lose 2 but she didnt leave them and it shorten our Asakusa free time, but was too big of a deal. The sights were amazing, timing was perfect. I would suggest opening up to more hotels. I was staying at Hotel East 21 and had to catch the subway to Bus Terminal to board for the tour. Subways can be intimidating and overwhelming for people who have never had the experience. I, however, had no problems but I can see others being frustrated. I would definitely recommend Sunrise Tours and ask for Narumi, you wont be disappointed.
Review by: ej, November 2017
good tour, check out the gift shop at the end of the tour for great prices
Review by: Grace, November 2017
Very efficient tour guide and well knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
Review by: tjhintz, November 2017
The tour was fine but not great, the rain didn't help of course. The first 2 third of the bus tour was fine though at times it felt that we were being rushed through a couple of the sights like the Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace East Garden. The meal was fine but not what I expected, I asked for the beef thinking it'd be something like beef teriyaki and not a salisbury steak patty. I could have done without the last two stops on the tour, Aqua City Odaiba and the Japanese dance, for me each seemed to be a complete waste of time. I do have to say that the guide was nice and very helpful, she assisted a number of us at Tokyo Station to find which train to take back to our hotel.
Review by: Anne K, November 2017
Interesting tour, Enjoyed the bay cruise and the short geisha demo. We were dropped off at end of tour at downtown train station but our guide made sure we know what train to take back to the station close to our hotel and what platform to catch it on
Review by: Herman Y, November 2017
This is a great tour to start with on your first trip to Tokyo. The tour guide was great in explaining everything we saw along the way. She was very helpful in making sure we all have a smooth tour and kept reminding us to not be late back to the tour bus. The bus leaves each site on time so don't be late. We experienced her leaving 3 customers behind since they were not back on time. She even gave them 15 mins past the time to get back. Overall if you want to see a lot of Tokyo in a day, then start with this tour. You will enjoy it.
Review by: jlee1400, November 2017
We were in Japan for a 14 day visit and the day we took this tour was the only rained hard. Good direction explaining where in Tokyo station to meet. PIck-up on was right on time. Great tour guide good English as well as the number of stops we made were more than I've expected. The cost of the tour was very good less than 90 US per person which included a small but good lunch with great view top of the hotel restaurant in Tokyo Bay. The tour concluded in their tour office with traditional dance as well as a Ninja dance from a local Ninja show tour company. Overall, a great tour and highly recommended. We only wish we had a better weather....
Review by: Carolyn W, November 2017
This was a really great way to get an introduction to Tokyo and learn where is good to go and what to see. The view from the lunch spot was amazing although I would probably look at changing the menu to something more Japanese.
Review by: chuck4664, October 2017
Love this tour, highly recommended
Review by: seaflorida, October 2017
We had a great tour of Tokyo. Our guide was knowledgeable and provided us lots of information. It was_br/_ a terrific introduction to Tokyo.
Review by: rocio anabel M, October 2017
sunrise staff very kind, punctual and when tours ends always checking with customers the way to get back to hotel and metro/city information
Review by: kat.allarde, October 2017
This was a great way to knock out some of Tokyo's major sites. Though we only got to stay at each place for a short amount of time, it was enough to take in the beauty of each site. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and incredibly friendly. She really took the time to make sure everyone was accounted for during each stop and at the end of the tour she made sure that everyone knew how to get to their final stop - whether it be hotel or additional sightseeing. Would recommend to any first timers in Tokyo.
Review by: claude.laliberte, October 2017
very nice introduction to the city of Tokyo_br/_ lunch was OK not more..
Review by: Rafael T. T, October 2017
Even though we visited all the sights in the tour, the information provided by the guide was minimal and there was no information on site, by this I mean all the info was given at the bus and then you visited the site on your own. It really wasn't what we expected. We wanted more information from the guide as we visited the sites. Also, the food provided was not great.
Review by: Jennifer K, October 2017
Glad we did this as it gave us a good starting point to Tokyo and saw s number of major sites. But along with seeing a lot, meant we were rusheda but at each stop.
Review by: Wanderlust, October 2017
Inflexible, boring guide. Spent too much time on the microphone getting everybody's food order once, then twice because he got the menu wrong and a third time when he gave out the meal voucher. The constant rain and the guide's stress level did not make for a relaxing, enjoyable trip.
Review by: Jacqueline W, October 2017
Great tour! You see alot and the bay cruise is nice.
Review by: JEANETTE S, October 2017
Absolutely excellent tour - one of the best I have been on. Guide was very informative, and the sights we were taken to were very good. _br/_ We saw a lot of things we did not even know about, on this tour. The only negative was that the guide waited 15 minutes for a late couple from one of the stops, which meant all time at other stops were cut short because of this. You don't get much time to wander around at stops anyway, and to have the time cut short is not good. She did make it very clear at the start of the tour that we all need to be punctual and back at the bus on time, however this one couple were within seconds of being left behind after 15 minutes. A lot of people on the bus were quite angry about it.
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