Tokyo Car Tour

Tokyo is the capital of Japan with a population of about 13million; one of the most lively cities in the world. It is a mixture of the modern and the traditional. In this private walking tour, our tour guide will take you to “must see” places in Tokyo so that you will be able to have an overview of Tokyo.

Meiji Shrine, Tokyo's most famous Shinto shrine, built in 1920, is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Dowager Shoken. You will have the opportunity to see the major symbols of the Shinto religion in this shrine such as Sake barrels, Simenawa or sacred straw ropes, a Torii archway, a Water Basin for purification, Shinto priests and shrine maidens and various kinds of good luck charms.

Happoen, a traditional style Japanese restaurant, is the place where you should experience one of Japan's traditional arts, the Tea Ceremony. Tourists will have hands on experience of how to make powdered tea and taste traditional Japanese sweets. After the tea ceremony, you can enjoy strolling traditional Japanese garden with stepping stones, bamboo trees, rocks and streams so that you can immerse yourselves in the Japanese atmosphere.

Tokyo Tower, one of the most famous landmarks in Tokyo, was constructed in 1958, and stands at 1,093 feet （or 333 m.） high, a little taller than the Eiffel Tower. From the observation deck （472 feet or 150 m.）, you will have spectacular views of Tokyo and the surrounding area.

The Imperial Palace East Garden was opened to the public in 1968, and it is a typical Japanese strolling garden with ponds, carp, rocks, pine trees, bridges, flowers, and the like. As for flowers, plum blossom blooms in February, cherry blossom is in full bloom around April, and irises are beautiful in June.

The history of the Senso-ji Buddhist Temple in Asakusa, the most popular temple in Tokyo, dates back to 628. The Districts around the temple called Asakusa retain the traditional atmosphere of the Edo （present Tokyo） period （1603-1867）. Kaminnari-mon Gate or Thunder Gate stands in front of the temple gate, and is one of the most famous landmarks in Tokyo. You will have a chance to see Buddhist symbols in the temple such as various kinds of Buddhist images, a five storied pagoda, incense burners, and more. The temple's Nakamise Shopping Arcade is the ideal place to buy traditional Japanese souvenirs, including Japanese bean paste sweets, folding fans, inexpensive kimonos, traditional toys, Japanese paper umbrellas, figures of beckoning cats, etc.

The Boat Cruise on Sumida River is a special experience in Tokyo. While you enjoy your boat cruise on the Sumida River, you will see many different views of Tokyo. The boat will take you under the great variety of bridges that span the river, and you will see many traditional buildings as well as modern high rise buildings along the river.

The boat cruise takes you to Hama Detached Palace which used to be owned by the Tokugawa Shogunate government （1603-1867） and was used as the Shogun's villa, but it now belongs to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The garden faces onto Tokyo Bay, with high rise buildings behind. You will be able to relax and enjoy powdered tea at a tea house inside the garden. Strolling through the garden is also one of the pleasures there.