Four, five, six or seven hours? Start with the places you would enjoy, then choose a pace that feels right for your group. A private tour should help you discover Tokyo without spending the whole day watching the clock.
I’m Renaud, the founder of Japan BTO. The routes below match the starting itineraries on our private day tour page. They give us a practical base for planning together; your hotel location, interests, walking pace and the conditions on the day help shape the final route.
Compare the four tour durations
All four tours are private walking tours using public transport. These starting routes adapt to your interests, pace and the conditions on the day. We can shorten a stop, replace one or stay longer somewhere you enjoy.
| Duration | Main places on the route | What this adds to your day |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours |
| A focused introduction to eastern Tokyo, with temples, riverside views, market streets and greenery. |
| 5 hours |
| A contrast between Asakusa–Ueno and western Tokyo’s youth culture and wooded shrine paths. |
| 6 hours |
| More of contemporary Tokyo, with Shibuya’s crossing, streets and atmosphere added to the route. |
| 7 hours |
| Our most extensive starting route. Set aside a full guided day and adjust the number of stops to your energy. |
4 hours
Main places on the route
- Sensō-ji & Nakamise, Asakusa
- Sumida riverside
- Ameyoko market
- Ueno Park & Shinobazu Pond
A focused introduction to eastern Tokyo, with temples, riverside views, market streets and greenery.
5 hours
Main places on the route
- The 4-hour route
- Takeshita Street, Harajuku
- Meiji Jingū
A contrast between Asakusa–Ueno and western Tokyo’s youth culture and wooded shrine paths.
6 hours
Main places on the route
- The 5-hour route
- Shibuya Crossing & Hachikō
More of contemporary Tokyo, with Shibuya’s crossing, streets and atmosphere added to the route.
7 hours
Main places on the route
- The 6-hour route
- Shinjuku & Kabukichō
Our most extensive starting route. Set aside a full guided day and adjust the number of stops to your energy.
A longer tour can also mean a slower day. You do not have to add every district listed. Six or seven hours can instead give you more time around a smaller number of places, with a longer meal, more questions or extra breaks. The number of stops matters less than how you enjoy them.
Other places to include instead of a main stop
These options are alternatives to parts of the starting route, not automatic extras on top of every stop in the table. Tell me your priorities before booking so we can check the travel time, opening days and time available.
A museum, a long shopping stop or a particular restaurant may also change the balance of the day. Mention it when you enquire so we can decide what to leave out. For a slower neighbourhood walk, our Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi guide offers another way to think about your visit.
Choose the pace before filling the day
For a first visit, five hours offers a useful contrast between traditional and contemporary Tokyo. If you prefer shorter distances or have plans later, four hours may be a better fit. If you want to explore more districts, consider six or seven hours while keeping the route flexible.
Travel between districts, station corridors, queues, meals and seated breaks all affect what fits comfortably. A long lunch or detailed shopping visit means allowing more time or choosing fewer stops. Let me know about mobility needs, children’s routines or any fixed reservation rather than choosing the longest tour by default.
If you are landing that day, allow for airport formalities, travel to your hotel and check-in before arranging a start time. Our first-day guide separates a gentle arrival-day outing from your first full day after a night in Tokyo.
What is included, and what to budget for separately
The tour includes your private guide and an itinerary adapted to your group. Meals, drinks, public transport fares, paid attractions and personal purchases are separate. Adding an optional place does not make its tickets or tastings included.
Check the current guide price for your duration and group size on the day tour booking page, or read our Tokyo private tour cost guide for the difference between the guide’s fee and your spending during the day.
Let’s plan the right day for your group
Send your preferred date, group size, hotel location, chosen duration and the two or three places that matter most to you. If an optional stop is a priority, include it in your request. We can then agree on a realistic route rather than simply adding everything together.
Request your tour at least 48 hours ahead. I check availability and confirm the itinerary, meeting point and final price personally; there is no payment before confirmation. A hotel meeting is included for eligible central Tokyo addresses, which we check individually.
Explore the Tokyo Private Tour: Temples, Culture & Modern City Highlights and choose the duration that gives your day room to breathe.