Tokyo Cultural Tour: Imperial Palace, Kiyosumi Garden, Tsukiji market and Edo Museum

Experience the best of Tokyo on this private day tour, perfect for first-time visitors looking for a comprehensive overview of the city. Visit the Imperial Palace, where you'll stroll through the East Gardens and see the remains of the Edo Castle. Take in the serene beauty of Kiyosumi Garden, a well-manicured garden known for its collection of stones from all over Japan. Explore the bustling Tsukiji Fish Market, where you can sample traditional Japanese cuisine. The tour also includes a visit to the Sumida Hokusai Museum, a fascinating museum dedicated to the iconic Japanese artist Hokusai. See more of the city than you would touring alone, and cover a lot of ground across Tokyo.

Please note that lunch, private transportation, and admission fees for the Sumida Hokusai Museum (400 yen/adult, 300 yen/student) are not included. This tour is not wheelchair accessible and is near public transportation with infant seats available.

The tour departs at 9:00 AM and is eligible for hotel pickup. Note that this tour requires good weather, and may be subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions.

Itinerary

Stop at: The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle Ruin)
Enjoy a morning stroll through the Imperial Palace, located on the site of the former Edo Castle. Surrounded by moats and stone walls, the palace's 90 hectares of forest serves as a lung for the city. See various flowers throughout the year and imagine the Shogun's time in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace. (Duration: 2 hours)

Stop at: Tsukiji Fish Market
Explore the lively Tsukiji food market, the perfect place to try traditional Japanese cuisine. Browse the market for fresh fish, vegetables and fruits, tea, dried fish, pickled vegetables, and kitchen utensils. See the long line of tourists waiting to eat raw fish at sushi restaurants before noon. (Duration: 2 hours)

Stop at: Kiyosumi Teien
Visit the Kiyosumi Garden, a public park designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Tokyo Government. Formerly owned by the founder of Mitsubishi, Yataro Iwasaki, the garden features numerous stones used as bridges, stepping stones over the pond, and stones for a dried waterfall. These stones were collected from all over Japan by steamships owned by the Iwasaki family's company. (Duration: 1 hour)

Stop at: Ryogoku
Travel to the Ryogoku neighborhood to visit the Sumida Hokusai Ukiyo-e Museum, designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Sejima Kazuya. The museum houses 1,800 woodblock prints by Hokusai and his apprentices. Learn about Hokusai's energetic and enthusiastic life for Ukiyo-e. (Duration: 1 hour)"

Key Takeaways

The tour provides a diverse overview of the city of Tokyo, which is perfect for first-time visitors.

The tour visits iconic locations such as the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market, Kiyosumi Teien Garden, and Sumida Hokusai Museum.

The tour is private, only your group will participate.

The tour starts at 9:00 AM and is eligible for hotel pickup.

The tour requires good weather and may be subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions.

Lunch, private transportation, and admission fees are not included in the tour.

The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is near public transportation with infant seats available.

The tour is suitable for travelers with a moderate physical fitness level and not for travelers with back problems or pregnant travelers.

Related Read: Tradition and Modernity: Navigating Tokyo's Historic and Contemporary Architecture