• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Curious to know more about Tokyo’s history? Join a local history expert on an insightful tour that will show you a side of the city that can’t be found in any book. This experience will open your eyes to the past and origins of Tokyo from a local perspective as you learn about Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District.

Destination

Tokyo, Japan

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, 中文, 日本語, Português, Türkçe, Español

Included

• Private Guide
• Offering at Sensoji temple
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to attractions
• tips

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 6 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 In front of the supermarket OZEKI, across the street from Kaminarimon Gate entrance - 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. Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District

   Your history tour in Tokyo will focus on Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District. Learn the impacts, insights and hear stories related to this historic event from your knowledgeable host. Discover the city as you retrace history and go in-depth on the effects this part of history has on Tokyo

4. Historical Highlights

   Check out main landmarks related to the theme of your history tour and connect their relevance through fantastic stories and facts from your expert local host

5. Hidden Treasures

   During your tour, you’ll also uncover hidden gems that will show you a different perspective of history as you know it, something you can’t easily find in a history book!

6. Storytelling Journey

   As you discover the historical side of Tokyo, you’ll be able to go back in time thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time

7. 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

Jack🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Sheilina)

22 February 2025

Sheilina did a great job touring us around the Asakusa. She pointed out unique shops along the way and made time for us to pick up souvenirs. The tour gave good background on Tokyo and the different temples we visited. Would highly recommend a tour with Sheilina when visiting Tokyo.Great walk through Asakusa

reemfaisalmas

(About local Sheilina)

21 January 2025

Shelia was a very warm, respectful, and wonderful guide who took us about Tokyo. With a very friendly nature and gave us a glimpse of the history. Definitely made our trip memorable. She is committed to making sure we are enjoying our time, everything you want in a guide and more. Exceptional

Amy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sheilina)

20 January 2025

Our host Sheilina was amazing! Friendly, helpful, accommodating, and very relaxed in explaining everything about the history of the area and temple. All of this in cold and windy weather, which could not dampen our day and experience. Great day tour!

Dominic🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Kennedy )

15 January 2025

Thought provoking, insightful well spoken really interesting guide who gets to the heart of illustrating the Tokyo experience with plenty of context. Incredibly insightful

Lucie🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Seden)

12 January 2025

Seden was a fantastic guide for our first day in Tokyo. She was kind and thoughtful in helping us to manage our two very overtired boys. She found ways to interest them, give them breaks and answered all of their questions. She also helped us with some specific shopping recommendations, which was great. It was very interesting to hear about her career designing kimonos and her experiences of living and working in Japan. We thoroughly recommend Seden as a guide, she’s a delightful person and very knowledgeable. Thank you so much!!Wonderful Guide

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

11 January 2025

lieke

(About local Carlos)

9 January 2025

Pleasant person but I had hoped to get more proactive and broader information, or guidance as being a local host who asks the group to come together to hear his information.

Shareen🇺🇲 United States Minor Outlying Islands

(About local Sheilina)

25 November 2024

Sheilina was fun and knowledgeable and made excellent suggestions for restaurants and activities around Asakusa. She even helped us make reservations for dinner and a terrific sumo experience! Highly recommend! Asakusa

Anna

(About local Sheilina)

21 November 2024

Sheilina was a wonderful tour guide. Organized, kind, engaging, personable and incredibly patient when we stopped to look at everything that was in our path. She was knowledgeable both of Japanese history and also willing to answer our many questions about Japanese society and culture.Asakusa walking tour

Jean🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Seden)

16 November 2024

We have travelled extensively, but found Seden to be exceptional as a guide. She was knowledgeable, gave us glimpses of Tokyo life off the beaten path , flexible, fluent in Japanese, helpful in making further plans, kept in touch afterwards to make sure our other arrangements were going to work. She has a delightful sense of humour, was personable and kind. Can’t say enough good about her.One if the best tour guides ever!

Pinar🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Gulay)

6 November 2024

Lorraine🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sheilina)

3 November 2024

Sheilina is definitely a 5 star guide! Enjoyed a fabulous walking tour with her in the Asakusa area and Sensoji Temple. Her knowledge of historical info and cultural insights were greatly appreciated. It was special to see the traditional Edo period architecture and speciality stores on the many side streets we explored. Lots of fun sampling various local delicacies from the Asakusa area and getting shopping tips too! She made it a wonderful and enjoyable experience even on a rainy day. Sheilina also has great sightseeing suggestions for other areas like Kamakura. We visited there and saw beautiful shrines which were even more impressive than Tokyo. Lots of interesting eateries, scenic parks and local shops. It was easy to get there on the train from Shibuya Station. I actually preferred Kamakura to Tokyo for sightseeing.Excellent, knowledgeable, friendly guide

Lauren

(About local Gulay)

28 October 2024

Gulay showed us all the sites and gave us a thorough history. We ended the day smarter than we started. Highly recommend.So much fun ans very informative

Pierre🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Gulay)

19 October 2024

We had a great tou with Gulay to discover Tokyo on our first day. Gulay has been very helpful with insights and tips. ThanksTokyo with Gulay

Heather🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sheilina)

11 October 2024

We had an incredible time with Sheilina, our tour guide. It was our first day in Tokyo and she quickly acclimated us to the culture and history. We highly recommend Sheilina to anyone looking for a memorable tour of Tokyo and beyond. Thank you!Amazing Tour of Asakusa District

Grace

(About local Sheilina)

2 October 2024

Sheilina was kind and informative. She was a great guide and understood that we love the not-so-touristy kinds of experiences. She also recommended a great place for lunch after the tour. We loved chatting with her and spending the morning together. Sheilina was awesome.

broughton🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Sheilina)

1 October 2024

Had a fantastic and informative walk around Asakusa with Sheilina. We really enjoyed it and would recommend it for Tokyo novices. Great family tour

Robbie🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Alessandra)

15 September 2024

Can't recommend Alessandra highly enough. She was on time , very knowledgeable, informative and very friendly. She took us to great places and made our tour of Tokyo very memorable. 10 out of 10.. Book her you will not be disappointed!!!Great tour guide

Ian🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Seden)

11 September 2024

Seden was a perfect tour guide showing us many sights we just would not have seen on our own. She was also very patient and her knowledge of the local area was first class stopping at various points of interest along the way. Thank you.A great morning.

Marisol🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

25 August 2024

Gulag was an awesome tour guide. She took us to a beautiful and fun neighborhood. We learned a lot of temples and shrines. It was exactly what we had hoped for! She also gave us amazing recommendations. Thank you Gulag for being amazing! Amazing Tour

Damiano🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Gulay)

21 August 2024

Bradley🇺🇸 United States

(About local Carlos)

10 July 2024

We recently enjoyed a fantastic 3-hour tour of Asakusa with Carlos, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. Carlos took us through the iconic sights, local shops of Asakusa, sharing his knowledge and engaging stories along the way. His ability to communicate fluently in Spanish was a huge plus for our Spanish-speaking in-laws, making them feel welcomed and included throughout the tour. Carlos was incredibly kind and considerate, ensuring that everyone in our group had a great time. He provided us with insights into the local culture and history that we would have missed on our own, including a local-artisan museum. Overall, we highly recommend Carlos for anyone looking to explore Asakusa. His expertise, friendly demeanor, and accommodating nature made our visit truly memorable. Five stars!A great guide to have by your side!

Anne🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Grazi)

23 June 2024

Having originally booked our walking tour with Carlos based on these reviews, it was disappointing to then be switched out at the last minute for another host. Grazi was friendly and kind but didn’t speak great English and couldn’t offer any extra insights on the history of the area. She did make a few food recommendations which was helpful. But we were pretty underwhelmed to be honest.Disappointing experience

Vicki🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

12 June 2024

We loved this young lady so much, we came home from our first tour and booked her again. This time, Gulay took us to Asakusa where she did her magic and easily retold the fascinating history of the shrine. After touring the shrine, we walked through the market area and tried different foods. What we loved most about her is her willingness to patiently teach us about all the different rituals and practices of Buddhism and Shintoism. Second time’s the charm!

Holger🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Gulay)

8 June 2024

Gulay guided my family and me through the Asakusa district. She explained everything in detail and vividly. She also provided important insights into Japanese culture and life in Tokyo. She was very warm-hearted and it was a lot of fun to walk through the streets with her. It doesn't get any better than this!Very good tour

Louise🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Gulay)

18 May 2024

We were lucky enough to meet Gulay on our first day in Tokyo and she was just amazing! She is so knowledgable and a wonderful person to spend an afternoon with. She has a fantastic understanding of Japan and it's culture and really helped us understand the history and traditions - we would have missed out on so many important details without her to guide us. Can't recommend highly enough. Really hope we have the chance to visit again and do another tour with her. Amazing Gulay!

Eric

(About local Gulay)

8 May 2024

Gulay was fantastic! She provided us many recommendations on things to do all over Japan, took us to at least one sight that our friends didn’t know about, and gave us the perfect cultural introduction to Buddhism and Shintoism and shopping in Asaksusa. Highly recommend!Outstanding tour!

rahul

(About local Gulay)

22 April 2024

Man merkt schnell, das das sie sich nicht nur super auskennt sondern auch ihr Wissen gerne teilt ein super Tourgide und ein Highlight unsere Reise. Danke Dafür.Tempel Tour in Tokio.

Gerhard🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Gulay)

11 March 2024

It was a wonderful trip with Gulay through Asakusa. There was a lot of highlights, but I was most impressed by Sensoji-Tempel. But there were a lot of small topics, I didn't want to miss: the matcha-tea break, sweet potatoe sticks and the kitchen quarter with everthing for cooking. With Gulay you will get a total different view to Tokyo. She lives here for a long time and can tell you so much stories. I strongly recommend to take her to get a deeper impression of Tokyo.

Muhammed Emin🇹🇷 Turkey

(About local Gulay)

15 January 2024

Really amazed by Gulay's care and intention. She replied all our questions and had an amazing experience while travelling Tokyo. This was my firs time with "withlocals" and will choose from now on... Thanks Gulay for very joyful experience. Amazing Experience with Gulay

Kerstin🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Gulay)

20 August 2023

Such a beautiful start in the day with Gulay's smile and useful information. Very knowledgable concerning lifestyle, everyday life and history. Gulay has the talent to really introduce you into the parts of Tokyo you are interested in. Gratefully thankful. Knowledgable&sympathetic&down to Earth

Hans🇧🇪 Belgium

(About local Gulay)

12 July 2023

Gulay is a wonderful guide who explained is a lot about the Japanse culture. We couldn’t have a better start to discover Japan! Thank you Gulay.A fantastic start of our Japan trip

Patrick🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

7 May 2023

Gulay was everything you would want in a tour guide—and more! She brings an enthusiasm for her adopted country that is just charming. She introduced us to the customs at a Shinto temple and placed it in the context of daily Japanese life. Gulay knew the places to get amazing strawberries, baked goods, and drinks that you couldn’t find on your own. In all, it was just a delightful three hours with Gulay. Highest recommendation!The wonders of Tokyo

Irena🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Gulay)

25 April 2023

Gulay was very attentive and focused on our interests to ensure we saw what interested us the most. The best part was when she guided us through the whole process of "cleansing" at a Shinto temple as we had accidentally accumulated bad luck the night before we met her. Great fun. Gentle and kind guide

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

18 March 2023

Me and my Mom can not say enough wonderful things about Gulay. She had so much knowledge about Japan and the areas we went to and gave great suggestions on where to go on our own. We highly recommend her especially this is your 1st time in the country. A wonderful tour

Shawn🇺🇸 United States

(About local Gulay)

7 March 2023

Gulay was a fantastic tour guide! She was very knowledgeable and friendly showing us around Asakusa, Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-Ji Temple, and Ueno Park. We saw a statue of Saigo Takamori, Kiyomizu temple, Inari shrine, and Ueno-Hanazono Inari Shrine. We had a great time and would definitely book other tours with Gulay. She was great!Great tour with a fantastic guide!

Jacqueline🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Carlos)

25 December 2022

Carlos showed our family of four around Tokyo for the day and was absolutely perfect. He anticipated our needs, read our energy, tailored the experience to be fun for a six and sixteen year old and there is just no way we could have seen so much so seamlessly without his help. Highly recommend!! Excellent guide!!

Katherine🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Thanh)

16 March 2020

Amazing experience. Highly recommend. Thank you!Highly recommend.

Melissa🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Carlos)

10 February 2020

My husband and I had a great time during our tour with Carlos. He shared plenty of history and facts about the area of Asakusa with us and is very easy to talk to and get along with. Thank you for a fantastic tour!A fantastic guide

Sunil🇺🇸 United States

(About local Nina)

2 January 2020

Nina is a well-traveled and a true Tokyo expert. She fought the crowds alongside us during a fantastic New Years Day pilgrimage to the Sensoji Temple - all the while educating and entertaining us with facts and information about Japanese traditions, religion, and culture. Truly a fantastic experience!Nina was great!

Maria

(About local Nina)

8 November 2019

I love taking tours whenever I travel, and this tour with Nina was one of the best I had in a while! She knows so many things about Japan, and is very friendly and easy to talk to. We even chatted about art a little, as we both are artists! Great experience.Loved it!

Oliver

(About local Jessica)

8 November 2019

Unfortunately it was so rainy and windy on the day of our Sensoji tour, but Jessica's cheerfulness kept our minds off the weather. She taught us a lot, from the history of Sensoji and how people used to live to daily life in Japan. My favorite part was the Taito cultural center, Jessica knew so much about how the artworks were made and was so enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge. Thanks Jessica, for sharing a side of Japan I couldn't have gotten anywhere else!Recommend!

Bruce

(About local Alexandre)

7 November 2019

We are really happy that we booked the Asakusa tour with Alex ! He knows so much about Japanese culture, and gave us some incredible insight about life here. Whether you're interested in history, culture, arts or just modern japan, he knows them all ! Definitely keeping in touch and hope we can meet him again next time we come back !would recommend!

William

(About local Richard)

7 November 2019

Thanks, Rich, for showing us around Kochijoji! We were stuffed by the time the tour ended, and we especially loved the matcha tapioca. Even though it was rainy Rich helped us make the best of it. And we also appreciated learning some Japanese words. Arigato, Rich!Great tour

Guy🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Sayuri)

6 March 2025

Had a brilliant food tour with Sayuri. She was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. My fiancée and I had a great time - couldn’t recommend highly enough!Brilliant food tour!

9xz5yhc4nr🇷🇴 Romania

(About local Gulay)

5 March 2025

Our experience with Gulay was absolutely phenomenal! We arrived in Tokyo a day before our planned itinerary, jetlagged and exhausted, simply wanting to get a feel for the city with the help of someone knowledgeable. From the moment we met her, Gulay exceeded all expectations—she adapted seamlessly to our small group’s needs, pacing the tour perfectly and ensuring we were comfortable every step of the way. Not only was she incredibly patient and kind, but she also went above and beyond, helping us sort out the rest of our trip with invaluable advice. The places she took us to were truly special—hidden gems we would have never found on our own. Thanks to her, our first day in Tokyo became a highlight of our journey, setting the perfect tone for the rest of our stay. We can’t recommend Gulay enough! If you're looking for an exceptional guide who combines deep knowledge with warmth and flexibility, she’s the one. A heartfelt thank you—we’ll always cherish this experience!A Perfect Introduction to Tokyo

Matthew

(About local Sheilina)

4 March 2025

Sheilina was patient and knowledgeable. When I was curious about certain Japanese phrases or advertisements, Sheilina enthusiastically answered my questions. Even when I was super late, Sheilina was able to accommodate my schedule and incorporate me into the tour. Highly recommend!awesome tour!

Marc

(About local Sayuri)

4 March 2025

excellent service and nice person. Thank youGreat day in Tokio

Anne🇹🇩 Chad

(About local Sheilina)

3 March 2025

I've been to Japan a couple of times before and wanted to see and experience something new and sheilina created a wonderful day itinerary in Yokohama. Patiently waiting until my interrupted train got me to the right location and introducing me to exceptional food... I had a wonderful day and look forward to returning for more adventures. Wonderful sunny day in Yokohama

Olivier🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Sayuri)

2 March 2025

As we were travelling in Japan for a couple of weeks with my family (2 adults and 3 young adults / teens), we wanted to experience one of the key highlights of Japan i.e. its fantastic food! we booked Sayuri for two tours of 3 hours or so, one in Tsukiji (the old Fish Market) and one in Kichijoji (a nice with little tourist neighbourhood of Tokyo). We were thrilled with the experience as you can't beat walking around with a real local. Sayuri was able to explain the different fodd stalls and talk about Japenese culture and traditions. The experience was very interactive and enjoyable. Sayuri is very dynamic, speaks a very good english and provided many tips for the rets of our travel. We highly recommend the experience. Food Tour with Sayuri