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
日本語, English, Español, 中文, Português
Included
Private Guide
All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral
Excluded
Entrance to Attractions
6 reasons to book this tour
Discover the real Tokyo in the Shinjuku District
Learn how to navigate the city
Get the latest tips & tricks from a local
Ask anything during this private tour
Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
The best way to kickstart your stay
What you can expect
First time in Tokyo? Then the locals recommend for you to start at the Shinjuku District! Kickstart your time in Tokyo with a 90-minute introduction to the city at one of the top areas and with the help of your favorite local. This tour is the area overview you were looking for that brings together sights of main highlights and attractions, plus must-have tips and tricks that will help you get acquainted with the city, its people, and culture.
So, ready to start your time in the Shinjuku District in the best way possible? On this private tour, you’ll meet up with the local host of your choice. Each of the hosts on this tour will show you their Tokyo in their way and based on their passions and expertise. The hosts know their city like the back of their hand and can’t wait to get you acquainted with Tokyo!
And what about that unique family-owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? Get personal recommendations from your local host and where to find the current hot spots in the city. Get insights on the local lifestyle and find out true stories about the area’s past as you take in a vibrant, full-of-life present the Shinjuku District. Historical facts, local stories, and great tips & tricks. What can be more awesome than that?
Any questions? Go ahead and ask your host about anything that pops into your mind and get all the answers you need for the perfect Tokyo trip. Locals always know best. And don’t forget, this private tour can be personalized 100% according to your wishes!
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.
Joanne
The Scottish Movie Maker
4.921 reviews
English
Ai
The Hungry Traveler
4.949 reviews
日本語・English
Carlos
The Foodie Enthusiast
4.867 reviews
English・Español
Kennedy
Fabulous Mt. Fuji Ambassador
4.59 reviews
English・日本語・中文
Alejandro
Tokyo Nightlife expert
5.023 reviews
English・Español・日本語
MD ABU BAKOR
Abu/Maruf
4.916 reviews
English
ANA GEORGINA
Tokio, descubre todos sus rincones con un local.
5.03 reviews
Español・Português
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.
Meeting point
Meet at At the East Exit in front of the Police Box - Tokyo to start your journey
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.
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!
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
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
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!
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
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
Rekha
(About local )
11 June 2025
We had an amazing sightseeing tour of Shinjuku with Joanne! Despite us running late, she was extremely patient and understanding. She never made us feel rushed and took her time to show us all the highlights of the area. Joanne’s knowledge of Shinjuku and her warm, friendly attitude made the entire experience unforgettable. She went above and beyond to ensure we saw everything we were interested in and more. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a relaxed, informative, and enjoyable tour in Tokyo!Shinjuku
Laurie🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
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 )
22 May 2025
Taught us about the area with extreme honor. Very honorable
Jeff & Debby🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
1 September 2024
Excellent work. Thank you Great host
Siobhan🇳🇿 New Zealand
(About local )
29 July 2025
We loved our walking tour of Shubuya with Gulay. It was super varied and she catered to all our different interests (there were 4 of us). Thank you Gulay Fantastic First night in Tokyo
Ashley🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
28 July 2025
We spent a great few hours with a friendly Abu. The communication prior to meeting was very good - he rearranged the meeting point to make it more convenient for us, along with suggesting a changed itinerary which provided us with a richer tour.
We ate an enormous amount of food in the fish market! Come with an empty stomach…
I’d thoroughly recommend him as a guide.Food tour with Abu
Hannah, Mark and Amy🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
28 July 2025
We did the 1.5 hour City Kickstart tour with Joanne around the Shibuya area. She was delightful, friendly and informative. She told us lots of interesting facts, insights and stories and pointing out things that we’d have just unknowingly walked past if we’d been wandering round on our own. Her tour was well paced and balanced with a little bit of everything, including some practical help as to how to get a Suica card to make using public transport easier across the whole of Japan. Many thanks Joanne! Great tour with Joanne
Craig🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
27 July 2025
Thanks Joanne for a very helpful introduction to Tokyo. Joanne was very accommodating in moving our start time at short notice, and then running a whistle-stop but also informative 90 minute tour with many helpful insights on Japanese food, culture, and the transport system. Saved us a lot of time in the long run! Great intro to Tokyo
Linda🇮🇪 Ireland
(About local )
25 July 2025
We had an amazing time on our walking tour with Abu. We had already discussed where we wanted to go and what sights we wanted to see, and Abu put a great itinerary together to make sure all our needs were met. He brought us to vantage points we would never had discovered ourselves. He also took amazing photos of us at all the sights, which will make great memories for us . I would highly recommend Abu as a guide. He had great knowledge of all the areas we visited.He was very professional. He was friendly and interesting and we had a very pleasant day with him. Tokyo highlights
Steven🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
25 July 2025
My son and I along with our friends had a wonderful time with Gulay exploring Tokyo. Helped us understand the nuances of the areas and showed us a lot. Also provided us some ideas for rest of trip which was helpful. Also able to get us last minute entrance to a MiniPig cafe which was Awesome.Wonderful day around Tokyo with Gulay
Keith🇹🇭 Thailand
(About local )
16 July 2025
Joanne help me and my two pre-teen daughters have a great layover tour from Haneda Airport. She was very knowledgeable about the places we visited (Meiji Shrine, Shibuya crossing, basketball street, etc.), and had answers to questions that the kids asked. Joanne had a nice binder of pictures that she used to assist with her story telling, that I appreciated. She was great with the kids, even during the unplanned stop at a waffle shop. When we head back to Tokyo, we may book her again!
Bryan🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
15 July 2025
Alejandro was awesome! My flight was delayed over 24 hours getting into Tokyo and he was so kind and flexible to work with me so I didn’t lose the money I spent. He accommodated my group and was excellent with communication. He is very knowledgeable about Tokyo and Tri-lingual offering us English and Spanish! Totally recommend him for your trip to Tokyo!Excellent Service
Bernie🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
15 July 2025
Abu was a great guide, made our first full day in Tokyo a much better experience by explaining the history of the sights we were seeing and overall development of the area. He walked us through food and entertainment areas, sharing tips, where to go, and what to avoid, always adding some helpful bit of information or a story as we went along. He showed us shopping areas and stayed with us as we bought some items and where to buy an umbrella we needed for the rain. He was a huge help as we bought our train tickets and planned the next 2 days of our trip. He’s a great guy and highly recommended. Abu Was AWESOME
wendy🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
14 July 2025
We had the best time with Alejandro visiting some great Tokyo Izakayas. These are places you would never find on your own and feel uniquely " Tokyo". Alejandro was a fun host, has a great knowledge of Tokyo culture and is very entertaining. Well worth it. Would highly recommend. Excllent night out in Tokyo
Laura
(About local )
9 July 2025
Wow! Where do I even begin? Our family of four had an absolutely off-the-charts food tour with MD — this guy is a Tokyo street food sensei! Before we even set foot near the stalls, he made sure to check our dietary quirks and cravings so he could plan the ultimate feast. And let me tell you, he delivered!
Without him, we would’ve wandered in circles and missed every delicious hidden gem tucked away in those side alleys. MD guided us like a pro — patiently letting us poke around, feeding us tasty bites, sprinkling in fascinating "bites" of history, and even throwing in surprise stops at nearby sights.
Seriously, this tour was the highlight of our entire trip. We left full of food, fun facts, and big smiles. Book this experience — your taste buds will throw you a party and your travel memories will thank you forever!Amazing food experience!
Christina🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
7 July 2025
We were absolutely delighted with Joanne a charming kind person, it was our first experience of Tokyo and she helped us with everything we needed to know , enabling us to find our way round easily and learning about Tokyo. We would definitely recommend a local Excellent
Kim🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
6 July 2025
It was a pleasure being introduced to Tokyo by Abu on our 1st day here. He was super helpful showing us around and helping us find the places we were looking for :)Great Tokyo intro!
Boz🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
3 July 2025
We flew in from London, landing at about 08:30am, and decided to try and stay awake until evening. So we booked Joanne for a short tour of Shibuya and Harajuku. It was a great move.
Joanne was bang on time and super flexible with what we wanted to do. (Thanks again Joanne).
A great mix of history and general local knowledge that is very helpful on our first trip to Tokyo.
It was very warm and humid, so we went inside shops etc to cool off several times. The pace of the tour was perfect.
Joanne probably spent longer than she should have done with us, and we're very grateful for it.
Also worth noting was that Joanne was in touch via WhatsApp about a week before we arrived in Japan, which was comforting.
Would highly recommend, and if we come back to Tokyo, then we will book Joanne again and do another district or two.
A great start to our trip
Chris🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
30 June 2025
We just completed a private tour with Kennedy this weekend, and it was fantastic. My wife and I are visiting Tokyo for a few days before starting a cruise around Japan, and we wanted to learn how to navigate the train system so we could explore on our own the next day. We also wanted to see some local favorites and hidden gems that we might not have found ourselves.
Kennedy met us right at our hotel (which was next to a train station), helped us set up Suica cards, and guided us on using the trains as we toured the city. Her suggested stops were wonderful, and her knowledge of the history and culture made each place even more memorable.
What really stood out was Kennedy’s warm personality and great conversation. We felt less like clients on a tour, and more like out-of-town friends being shown around by someone who truly loves Tokyo and wants you to love it too.
The next day, thanks to Kennedy’s help, we confidently put our new train skills to the test — making multiple transfers across different lines without getting lost.
If you’re visiting Tokyo, we highly recommend booking a day with Kennedy. And as a tip: if you’re an iPhone user, you can purchase a Suica card directly in your Apple Wallet — it worked perfectly for us! And Apple Maps will give you full directions using the trains and walking instructions. Super easy.
Danielle🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
30 June 2025
Gulay was a joy to spend our first jet lagged morning in Tokyo. Our kids are 10 and 12 years old and she made our 3 hour tour around Asakusa interesting and enjoyable for both the kids and the adults. She taught us how to pray at two different temples, gave us some history of the area, showed us the BEST foods to try (come hungry!) and continued to text great tips after our tour. I definitely recommend a tour with her towards the beginning of your stay. She was an absolute joy to be around too. Just the right amount of calm energy we were seeking with our jet lag. I would definitely recommend booking her and would love to see her again the next time we are in Tokyo. Amazing day in Asakusa - 2 kids/ 4 adults
Tony
(About local )
25 June 2025
Abu was one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. He went out of his way to ensure we saw some amazing sites, tried some amazing food, and educated us on Japan’s history and help us navigate our way around the city. He even followed up with further travel recommendations even after the tour. I would highly recommend booking with him, you won’t be disappointed! A perfect start to our first trip to Japan
Derek
(About local )
23 June 2025
Abu was on time, and showed up with small trinkets for our daughter. We travelled with a 4 year old and Abu made sure she had fun and kept a pace she could handle.
He also got a lot of great photos for us. Which was an added bonus but in reality was probably worth the cost of the entire tour.Great start to our trip
EJ🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
19 June 2025
Gulay delivered an outstanding tour experience. She contacted us well in advance after booking to confirm details and ensure everything was aligned with our expectations. Her preparation left no room for error.
On the day of the tour, she demonstrated deep knowledge of the city and its culture while adapting the itinerary seamlessly to our interests. The flow of the tour was natural, and every stop felt purposeful and engaging.
She was easy to work with, highly professional, and genuinely attentive. Her ability to personalize the experience while keeping everything smooth and informative made this tour exceptional. I highly recommend her without reservation.Flawless and Insightful Tokyo Tour
Ruth🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
18 June 2025
My husband, 16 year old daughter and I had a perfect kick start tour with Joanne. She met us on time on a very hot and steamy Tokyo day. She had a tour planned that allowed for interesting air conditioning breaks, gave us facts and insights to the Shibuya area and took us to a “secret” free spot to view the Shibuya Scramble. We then headed to Takeshita Street via subway, this was priceless for us as it gave us the confidence to then use the subway- which is amazing in Tokyo! We ended, as requested at Meiji Jingu, after orientation to Shinto and Buddhism and the Japanese dynasties. Joanne was friendly, and full of loads of tips for our time in Tokyo. Two thumbs up from my family for time with Joanne. You will not regret the experience!First rate orientation!
Pamela🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
18 June 2025
Carlos was a great tour guide! He was very knowledgeable about Japanese culture and made sure we were “good”tourists in Japan. He was easy to talk to and we had a lot in common. It was like hanging out with a good friend! He gave us great recommendations for the rest of our trip. Highly recommend! Best Tokyo food tour!
Juerg Hans🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
14 June 2025
We recently had the pleasure of joining a guided tour in Tokyo and was incredibly fortunate to have Abu as our guide. From the very beginning, their warmth, professionalism, and deep knowledge of Tokyo’s history and culture made the experience truly exceptional.
Abu was not only punctual and impeccably organized but also brought an infectious enthusiasm that kept us engaged throughout the tour. Whether we were navigating the vibrant streets of Shibuya, exploring the serene beauty of the Meiji Shrine, Abu provided fascinating historical insights and anecdotes that brought each location to life.
His language skills were excellent.
Thanks to Abu, we left Tokyo with a deeper appreciation of the city’s rich heritage and vibrant present. We wholeheartedly recommend Abu to anyone looking for an insightful, enjoyable, and memorable experience in Tokyo.Exceptional experience
Jesus🇪🇸 Spain
(About local )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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 )
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!
Withlocals experiences
are always
Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.