• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Welcome to the Shinjuku District in Tokyo! Want to know the best places to eat? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Get the perfect introduction to the city on this private tour with a local and start your city trip on the right foot.

Destination

Tokyo, Japan

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

1.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, 日本語, 中文, Español, Português

Included

• Private Guide
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to Attractions

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 7 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at At the East Exit in front of the Police Box - Tokyo to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. the Shinjuku District Exploring

   This Tokyo tour takes you to explore the Shinjuku District, where you can see another side of the city. Kickstart your trip in this fascinating area and get recommendations of what to do and where to go that will show you the Shinjuku District at its best!

4. City Highlights

   See Godzilla Head Statue, Memory Lane, and more landmarks and must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots of the city so you can get the perfect introduction to what makes Tokyo so special

5. Local Hot Spots

   Along the way, your host will point out hangout spots and hidden gems that only the locals know about and will help you get acquainted with the city in the most local way possible

6. Food Recommendations

   Receive tailored recommendations according to your taste and where to go and what to eat while visiting Tokyo. Avoid tourist traps thanks to your local host!

7. City Orientation

   Learn how to navigate the city, and get the answers to your Tokyo questions that will help you in the following days making your time in the city much easier

8. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Laurie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

6 June 2025

We had a wonderful tour with Carlos. He was very personable and gave us a great introduction to the Shinjuku area. Welcoming intro to Shinjuku

Paul

(About local Ai )

22 May 2025

Taught us about the area with extreme honor. Very honorable

Jeff & Debby🇺🇸 United States

(About local Joanne)

16 April 2025

We have done Withlocals tours and many Asian countries and enjoyed them all! It’s the best way to see the area and you do it at your own pace and can change up the itinerary if needed. Joanne was one of the best we have ever had. She had a sign so we could find her easily- that was a first. She had visuals in her notebook and she really explained things in detail, but not overly so to bore you. You won’t go wrong on a tour with Joanne! Great guide and highly recommended!

Kyle🇺🇸 United States

(About local Alejandro)

30 March 2025

My friends and I had a great time around Shinjuku with Alejandro! This was a short and sweet tour we had planned on our first day staying in the area and it definitely helped to get ourselves oriented. Alejandro was super friendly and casual, it felt like having another friend along for the day. He showed us around, pointing out recommendations for food and drink of all sorts. Definitely a good choice for anyone looking to fit in a shorter experience to get familiar with the area.

Olesya 🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Kennedy )

2 February 2025

Excellent English , great local insights, very authentic with lots of insights. It was a well invested time with Kennedy! Thanks Great time in Tokyo

Nancy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Alejandro)

23 September 2024

We did the 1.5 hour tour and enjoyed Alejandro’s knowledge and insight into the Shinjuku area. We walked through many of the famous areas ending with the 3d cat which was a highlight. All in all a good overview of the area. Fun tour with helpful information

David 🇺🇸 United States

(About local Alejandro)

1 September 2024

Excellent work. Thank you Great host

Jesus🇪🇸 Spain

(About local Carlos)

9 June 2025

Era nuestra última experiencia en Tokyo tras una semana, buscábamos como siempre que utilizamos Withlocals, algo único adaptado a nuestros gustos y sabiendo que ya habíamos realizado las principales atracciones de la ciudad. Carlos se preocupó desde el primer momento en nuestro itinerario, modificando y preparando una experiencia única que nos encantó. Sus conocimientos de la historia, de la cultura y sus vivencias del día a día hicieron que fuera muy enriquecedor. 100% recomendable visitar Tokyo con CarlosExperiencia personal y única

Ana

(About local Gulay)

8 June 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of touring Tokyo with Gulay as our guide, and it was truly one of the best decisions we made for our trip. We hired her for two separate days, and each one was packed with an incredible mix of must-see tourist sites and hidden local gems that we never would have discovered on our own. Gulay was extremely knowledgeable and clearly put a lot of thought and care into crafting an itinerary that suited our group perfectly. She struck a great balance between structure and spontaneity, always adapting to our pace and interests without ever making us feel rushed. Her easygoing personality made the days feel relaxed and enjoyable, and her flexibility ensured that everyone in our group — regardless of age — had a fantastic time. If you're visiting Tokyo and want a personalized, engaging, and seamless experience, I can’t recommend Gulay enough. She made our time in Japan so much more meaningful and memorable!AMAZING Tour Guide

Säde🇫🇮 Finland

(About local Ai )

8 June 2025

We had a good adventure from Ai to show us around and telling us everything we asked and wondered about. We loved to know more of the culture and history! Ai also showed us many places that we wanted to go and see. She also got us a taxi at the end. Ai is kind and wonderful person in all ways! We enjoyed our time greatly. Thank you again for amazing memories! <3Kind and lovely day with Ai!

tim

(About local William)

8 June 2025

This was our first visit to Tokyo and William was amazing. He speaks great English while showing us the Tokyo tower and cool shopping areas. We enjoyed hanging out with him and seeing the sites, plus he took us to a nice sushi restaurant. Fantastic tour guide!

Terry🇹🇭 Thailand

(About local Joanne)

5 June 2025

Joanne was great, relaxed and easy going no rushing around. We came armed with a few questions but were very happy to go along with the flow. We'll probably be going back to Japan next year and will be looking forward to another tour with Joanne, praise indeed.Just a Perfect Introduction

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

2 June 2025

Great experience seeing East Tokyo with lots of insider info. (I particularly loved the sashimi donburi place he pointed me to for lunch.) Great guide, great time

Vladimir and Zena🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

30 May 2025

We selected Tokyo history and Asskusa tour and had chosen Carlos based on favorite reviews on website. Also, our previous experience with same company in Kanazawa was a very positive one. However, unfortunately experience with Carlos was on the opposite side. He was barely engaged, shared very little and rather had to be prompted to share information. While walking streets in Asskusa said a little about the area just pointing out to some local business. Although tour supposed to last 3 hours he wanted to end it 30 min earlier and only after our questions “volunteered” to take subway with us in the direction we were going next anyway. Tokyo is a beautiful city and Carlis has a pleasant personality but as a personal tour guide he certainly failed to help us appreciate the Tokyo rich history and beauty.Disappointing experience want a refund

rick

(About local Ai )

29 May 2025

What a lovely lady Ai is. She planned a wonderful afternoon for us including a delicious authentic Japanese meal. We experienced first hand the culture, food, sites and sounds that we were really looking forward to. Ai was very welcoming with a great personality which made our whole group enjoy our time together that much more. We highly recommend Ai to anyone who wants that special experience that only a local person can provide. Thanks Ai Rick from Texas

Alex

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

28 May 2025

May 18, 2025 – A Peaceful Start, a Buzzing Finish Today, I met my guest at his hotel in the afternoon, and from there, we took a train to Harajuku Station to begin our day at Meiji Shrine. It was a calm and serene start to the tour — walking through the forested path leading to the shrine always offers a nice balance to the busy city life. After exploring the shrine grounds, we strolled down Takeshita Street, where the energy quickly shifted — full of trendy shops, quirky snacks, and the fun chaos of Harajuku youth culture. We grabbed some brown sugar and matcha tapioca drinks, which were refreshing and gave us a little sugar boost. Next, we took a taxi to Miyashita Park. The modern rooftop park was a nice place to pause and enjoy some greenery in the heart of Shibuya. From there, we continued to Shibuya Yokocho, a retro-style alley filled with izakayas and food stalls. We sat down for some yakitori, sake, and a taste of plum wine, which my guest enjoyed a lot. After eating, we explored the Shibuya shopping area, visited the Starbucks with the iconic view over the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then crossed the famous intersection ourselves and visited the loyal Hachikō Statue, a Tokyo classic. Later, we hopped on a train to Shinjuku, where we wandered through Omoide Yokocho, taking in the nostalgic atmosphere and old alleyways. Then we headed to the bright lights of Kabukicho, Tokyo’s entertainment district, and finally ended the night with a stroll through Golden Gai, known for its tiny, character-filled bars and lively vibe. We finished the tour there, and from Shinjuku, we took the E Line back. It was a full day — a perfect blend of peace, food, culture, and nightlife. My guest had a great time, and I did too.Great Guide!

Christina🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

26 May 2025

Our tour with Gulay was the perfect way to kick off our time in Tokyo. From the moment we met her, it was clear how passionate and knowledgeable she is—not just about the city, but also about helping visitors truly experience it. We were a group of 8, and she managed the size effortlessly, making sure everyone felt included and engaged. Her warmth and enthusiasm made it easy to ask questions, and she always had thoughtful insights and fun facts to share. Gulay’s excitement was infectious, and her thoughtful pacing allowed us to enjoy each stop without ever feeling rushed. We left the tour not only with a deeper understanding of Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District but also with a real appreciation for the culture and people—all thanks to Gulay. Highly recommend booking with her if you're visiting the city!Perfect Introduction to Tokyo!

Claudia🇨🇴 Colombia

(About local ANA GEORGINA)

26 May 2025

Era el primer día en Tokio se preocupó mucho por ubicarnos ayudarnos y llevarnos donde quisiéramos muy deseosa que nuestra estancia en Japón fuera muy agradable Muy amable

Craig🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

25 May 2025

Gulag was so kind — we were late! She had a ton of great recommendations for restaurants which we followed. She was super helpful showing us how to use the train. Super knowledgeable about culture, shopping, history. We had a great time!Kind and superconowledgeable

Jane🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

25 May 2025

We had the best day with Gulay. She knew so much about Japan, showed us so much and gave us many recommendations for before and after our tour as well. After our time we truly felt like we had just spent the day with an old friend. We covered so much ground and learned so much about Tokyo. I’d recommend her over and over. Phenomenal guide

Maya🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

23 May 2025

As a WithLocals tour guide myself in Mexico I was eager to take some tours with the hosts in Tokyo for my dream trip. Carlos curated an amazing walking tour of several neighborhoods to visit. I've dreamt of a trip to Japan since childhood, so I was looking to explore, see and learn the most I could about the culture, see the neighborhoods, and really immerse myself and be able to experience Japan from the view of a local. Carlos' tour was deeply experiential, emotional, thought provoking and just overall beautiful. We began visiting a cemetery to learn about history and spirituality, this began the tour with an in-depth perspective of deep rooted beliefs and practices, allowing us to connect to a spiritual-emotional level. We visited traditional quaint neighborhoods like a street that became famous because of the cats that lived there and learned that this was the origin of the Japanese waiving cat. There were so many interesting shops there. We saw art and visited the beautiful Ueno park, enjoyed talking, exploring and eating some delicious food and drinks at a traditional Izakaya. Carlos delivered the tour in Spanish for our group of Mexicans and Chileans and it was really interesting to receive his insight on what it is like living in Japan as a Mexican, how cultures mesh and seeing Japan from the view of a local. This tour will forever be in my memory and heart, of all the tours we took in Tokyo, this was by far the best because we got to really explore and experience Tokyo and it's neighborhood from the ground up. Carlos as a guide is just amazing, he's personable, kind, approachable and generous. Spending the day with him was simply enjoyable and the experiences he curated for us were creative, versatile and fun. The best tour I have taken EVER!!!The best tour EVER!

Carlos

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

22 May 2025

We had a great time in Tokyo visiting several temples, fish market, Asakusa, saw a Buddhist ceremony, Senso-Ji Temple, learned how to ride the subway, Happy Street, visited some fun street vendors and got some custom made chopsticks engraved, had a great coffee at a local shop, ate Wagyu steak for the first time , and more! Super fun filled experience and I highly recommend it and touring with MD Abu!Awesome first day in Tokyo

Cameron & Zenobia🇧🇸 Bahamas

(About local Gulay)

19 May 2025

My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of taking The History of Tokyo: Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District Tour with Gulay, and it was hands down one of the most memorable parts of our Japan trip! From the very beginning, Gulay was warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. She guided us through the fascinating history of Sensoji Temple and the Asakusa district with such passion and detail—it felt like walking through the past with a close friend who just happens to be a historian. What made the experience truly unforgettable was how personal and thoughtful she made it. Gulay even took us to a traditional Japanese knife shop tucked away in the district, where I was able to purchase an authentic Japanese knife engraved with my name—a one-of-a-kind souvenir that I’ll treasure forever. She also shared insights on local customs, helped us participate in temple rituals, and pointed out hidden gems we never would have found on our own. Her recommendations for food, shops, and cultural tips were spot on and really enriched our stay in Tokyo. Highly, highly recommended!An Unforgettable Journey with Gulay!

Sandra🇭🇷 Croatia

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

19 May 2025

We spent a day with Mr. Abu, discovering Tokyo. We went through the whole of Tokyo, we saw so much that we would never have found on our own. We got to know Tokyo through the smells, tastes, habits of the people who live in Tokyo thanks to Mr. Abu. Mr. Abu put a lot of effort into showing us all of it in one day, which seemed impossible. He knew the answers to all of our questions Mr. Abu has a very good eye and a great sense for photography, thanks to that we will take home unforgettable memories. He spent twice as much time with us as he should have and we will remember that. Considering that we are a group of two moms with two twenty-three year old sons, our interests are different, but he made everything interesting for us. Mr. Abu, we are grateful to you for meeting you. You are a legend!!!!Mr Abu the Legend

Peter🇦🇺 Australia

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

18 May 2025

Despite a rainy day, Abu made our intro to Tokyo one to remember. Very helpful, flexible and knowledgeable. No hesitation in recommending him. Thx Abu 🙏🏾Thank you, Abu

Augusto🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

16 May 2025

The tour was excellent! Gulay was very friendly and knowledgeable, and she shared some really helpful tips on how to navigate Tokyo’s public transportation. She also recommended great places to visit, which made our experience even better. Highly recommend!Great experience

Juliet

(About local Alejandro)

16 May 2025

We were looking for an authentic Izakaya experience and Alejandro delivered (trust locals when they say go outside of Golden Gai to do so!). He was kind, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to spend time with. He’s built a huge network in the industry, so we were able to break bread with locals at each stop. If you’re looking for a guide with great vibes & bilingual, look no further. Book with Alejandro!

Edward🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

13 May 2025

Carlos was such a pleasure to be with on this experience. He met us right on time at our hotel and off we went. Everything discussed in our chats was organized and delivered. Having lived in Japan for 9 years, he understood the history, culture and shared his knowledge in such a way, it will be with us for a lifetime. 10-Star on the experience... Same on his English... It was all we had hoped for. Our One Day Tokyo Experience

Paul🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Gulay)

13 May 2025

Far and away the best guide of our trip, please book Gulay if you get the chance, not only does she know her stuff, she’s really nice too and was happy to tailor our tour to meet our next deadline. Also shared food and temple tips for other days. 10 out of 10Gulay is the best guide!

Unknown

(About local William)

7 May 2025

We completely enjoyed our time with William in Tokyo. Dispute the app defaulting our meeting place to an uninteresting meeting spot William was able to improvise and provide a huge amount of personal experience and adaptability to save the day. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with William. He was selfless with helping us find a few hard to find shopping items and had no problem accommodating our requests. Thank you WilliamWilliam is a gem!!

Merrin🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Ai )

7 May 2025

Our tour today with Ai was fabulous. We loved the location because it was a local neighbourhood and not a highly touristed area. The tasting selections were delicious. Ai was very knowledgeable and chatty, answering all our questions and later sent some wonderful suggestions for restaurants for the rest of our stay. Fabulous experience with Ai

Michael🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Gulay)

7 May 2025

What can i say other than thank thank thank you. Gulay made our Tokyo experience unforgettable. From the first moment we all met it was just great. Gulay is not only a great guide she is one of the nicest people we have ever met. Our 4 hours of Tokyo was unbelievable joyful and interesting. We seen places we would not have seen without her. And not only this. Gulay was so helpful for us with a lot of other things. We cannot thank her enough. She will be always in our memories and we hope we will meet again one day.More that we have hoped….

David🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Gulay)

7 May 2025

I was travelling with my father (77) and my sons (17 and 20). On our first day in Japan, we took the Sensoji Temple & Asakusa tour with Gulay. The 4 of us were very satisfied with this experience.First day in Tokyo

Brian🇺🇸 United States

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

5 May 2025

Abu was super knowledgeable and friendly. He took us to places and showed us things that we would have missed if we didn’t find him through withlocals! If you’re not sure, but considering a guide in Tokyo, just do it! You will be happy to meet Abu and learn about this amazing place from him!Awesome Guide!

Tom🇮🇪 Ireland

(About local Kennedy )

4 May 2025

Kennedy was dead on time. She took us to Asakusa, an old area of Tokyo with large temples and a busy shopping area. Kennedy had strong knowledge of local history and architecture. We had some good chats about Japanese religions and legends. We ended with a stroll beside the river. All in all, a good experience. Knowledgeable, chatty guide

Pamela🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Kennedy )

3 May 2025

Kennedy made sure Tokyo not only lived up to our pretty high expectations, but even surpassed it. We asked her to show us something not too touristy and let our teenage boys experience Tokyo. And boy did she deliver! From a fairly off-the-beaten track shrine (and guiding us how to behave appropriately in the shrine), to letting our boys live out their manga and anime expectations, we could not have asked for more. A fine and extremely articulate lady who knows how to deliver Tokyo beyond the stereotype. We would recommend booking Kennedy to let you experience Tokyo. Experience Tokyo with panache

olivier🇱🇺 Luxembourg

(About local Joanne)

1 May 2025

great guide, nice and knows her city great guide

Mark🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Joanne)

1 May 2025

Excellent guided trip with Joanne. Very informativeShibuya trip

Jeff & Debby🇺🇸 United States

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

30 April 2025

Abu was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about Japanese culture and customs. We walked away with memorable photos from him and a better understanding than we would have received just wondering around on our own. Absolutely time well spent

Kathleen🇨🇦 Canada

(About local William)

29 April 2025

We really enjoyed our time with William. The With Locals app sent us to an odd and uninteresting place that we did not request but William saved the day with his enthusiasm, versatility and improvisation. We had a great time with you. Thank you for all your time and knowledge and good EnglishGreat time with William

Shari and Lauren🇺🇸 United States

(About local Joanne)

28 April 2025

This was my first time to Japan. My friend and I arrived the day before and we were jet lagged so we scheduled a late morning tour. We met Joanne in Shibuya and from the start of the tour she was engaging, personable and knowledgable. In addition to pointing out some of the most exciting and historical sites to see, she also shared with us local spots that may elude the typical tourist. As an expat, she knew exactly what interested us and how to pace the tour perfectly. She was a delight and we would not hesitate to recommend her over and over again! Fantastic and fun tour!!!

Emma

(About local Gulay)

27 April 2025

Gulay was a fabulous guide to help us get to know Tōkyō at the start of our trip. Would highly recommend. Also provided some great tips for the rest of our stay in Tokyo. Tokyo Kickstart tour review - Gulay

Helen 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Gulay)

26 April 2025

Gulay met and spotted us as arranged. She was friendly and knowledgeable- informing us of many aspects of life in Tokyo and how to get the most out of our visit - from food , shops , best sights , how to pray at a temple etc. We tasted local made cola and other food highlights pointed out. She also sent a message with ideas for our next couple of days . We would be very happy to recommend her. Great introduction to Tokyo

Repa🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Gulay)

25 April 2025

Gulay was an exceptional tour guide. We did the history of Tokyo tour with her on a very rainy day. Her knowledge was wonderful, she took us to parts of the city that we would not have otherwise seen and she provided recommendations for the remainder of our stay in Tokyo. This included restaurant recommendations to suit my dietary needs. She went above and beyond what was required for the tour. I would highly recommend her, if you are in TokyoCannot recommend Gulay highly enough!

Repa🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Carlos)

25 April 2025

We really enjoyed our food tour with Carlos. He took us to a standing sushi restaurant and sake tasting. The sake tasting was a fun interactive experience. We experienced a part of Tokyo that we would not have experienced without him. Thank you, Carlos.Sake tasting was fun

Silvia 🇮🇹 Italy

(About local MD ABU BAKOR)

23 April 2025

Abu was very helpful even with a rainy day and made our day special

Surash

(About local Joanne)

23 April 2025

Great tour guide with excellent knowledge of the local area and history! Would highly recommend! Excellent start to our holiday

Teresa Shrighana🇪🇸 Spain

(About local Ai )

22 April 2025

Ai is an amazing guide. Not just for the food but also she explained and showed us a lot about the place and it's surroundingsGreat experience

Mary🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ai )

19 April 2025

We really enjoyed our food tour with Ai. She was very knowledgeable friendly and introduced us to some great food spots we never would have found on our own!Great food tour

Richard

(About local Ai )

19 April 2025

Ai made the booking process quick and simple. Meeting her at the designated location was easy. Throughout the entire trip Ai was friendly and helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Her English was excellent. Could not have asked for a better experience.Great Experience