Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover's Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

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360 minutes (Approx.)
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Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Visit various styled gardens and experience traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design. Our government-licensed and experienced English-speaking guide will help you enjoy a 6hr private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo. Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Tokyo for a truly memorable experience! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government. Please consult with your guide beforehand as some gardens close on certain dates.

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All prices are shown in USD

Adult

Ages 18 or above
2

Children

0

Things To Know

  • Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Tokyo
  • Licensed Local English-speaking Guide
  • Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
  • Private Vehicle
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Pick up is on foot. Not with a vehicle.
  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

What's included in the package

Itinerary

Imperial Palace

This tour will allow you to explore Tokyo more efficiently in one day. Meet at your hotel, then move to anywhere you want.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

This tour will allow you to explore Tokyo more efficiently in one day. Meet at your hotel, then move to anywhere you want.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Located just beside the JR Yamanote Line's busy Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll. The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園, Koishikawa Kōrakuen) is one of Tokyo's oldest and best Japanese gardens. It was built in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. Like its namesake in Okayama, the garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people. Koishikawa is the district in which the garden is located in.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Hama Rikyu Gardens

Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū), is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo. Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery. The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Rikugien Garden

Rikugien (六義園) is often considered Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien literally means "six poems garden" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is a good example of an Edo Period strolling garden and features a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Kōen) is one of Tokyo's largest city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities. Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees compared to other sites in Tokyo, it makes for a nice cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Furthermore, it is known for its ginko tree forest, which turns intensely golden in autumn.

Yoyogi Park

A spacious Western style park with wide lawns, trees and ponds, popular among residents. Yoyogi Park is known for its autumn leaves, especially the golden leaves of the many ginko trees.

Ueno Park

About half a dozen museums, a zoo, a Toshogu Shrine and the Shinobazu Pond are just some of Ueno Park's attractions. Ueno Park is also Tokyo's most notorious cherry blossom party spot.

Koishikawa Botanical Garden

Spacious botanical garden maintained by the University of Tokyo, featuring many tree and plant species, as well as a small Japanese landscape garden. Particularly nice during the cherry blossom season.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Beautiful Japanese landscape garden, representing famous Japanese and Chinese sceneries in miniature. It dates from the early Edo Period and is enjoyable during all seasons.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Former Shiba Rikyu Gardens

A green oasis surrounded by tall buildings, the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is a traditional landscape garden with a pond and man made hills. It used to be part of the residence of feudal lords and later an imperial villa.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Kiyosumi Teien

Kiyosumi Teien is a pretty Japanese landscape garden with walking trails around a central pond. Parts of the trails lead over stones placed into the pond.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Nezu Museum

A true urban oasis, this stunning garden is a highlight of any trip to the Nezu museum. Located in the stylish hub of Omotesando, the museum was formerly the private residence to Nezu Kaichiro and now houses his collection of Asian and Japanese art. Winding walkways, stone lanterns, paving stones and a bamboo grove all provide different viewpoints to explore around the hilly garden, filled with stone sculptures and a number of preserved tea houses. Perhaps most interesting is the beautiful juxtaposition between the garden’s vivid greens and classical features, with the museum’s modern glass architecture. The café, serving lunch and cakes, is a great place to enjoy the garden from as well.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Happo-en Garden

Happo-en is a vast park in Minato District. The name means, ‘The Garden of Eight Views’ for its appeal in all seasons and angles. The spacious grounds provide a stunning backdrop for photos, and in fact, the garden is a popular choice for wedding parties and photo shoots. A restaurant serving kaiseki cuisine overlooks the pond and a teahouse offers tea ceremony etiquette lessons among other things. Call ahead to make reservations for their walking tours hosted on weekdays, which include a lunch at the restaurant and a tea ceremony (7700 yen per person). Reservations are not required for Muan Teahouse but recommended for Enju, the kaiseki restaurant on the premises.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Tokyo National Museum Garden

For a few weeks during the hanami (cherry blossoms) in spring, and during the koyo (autumn leaves) in November, the garden of the Tokyo National Museum opens to the public.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Mejiro Garden

Mejiro Garden is a small and peaceful traditional Japanese garden located in Mejiro area, very near Ikebukuro Station. The garden is admission free, and it’s a perfect oasis to get away from the bustling streets of Tokyo. During the autumn leaves season, the garden hosts light-up events at night and illuminated autumn foliage can be enjoyed only this time of the year.

Admission Ticket Not Included

Where to meet and pickup

Pickup and Dropoff

Choose to be picked up from a list of locations

Please arrive at the pick up point 10 minutes before departure time.

Additional Information

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

Ticket Redemption

Direct access, no redemption is required


Reviews By Other Travelers

5
Based on 17 reviews

What do other 17 guests say about Tokyo Japanese Garden Lover's Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

I
ionel_r
5
Mar 2024
Best experience, so far, in my trip to Tokyo. Steve is a very good guide and I am honoured to meet him. I strongly recomand him. The trip was tailored on my requests and he took care that the tour will be perfect in every detail. Thank you, Steve.
I
ionelr86
5
Mar 2024
The best trip i had. It was over my expectancy; and I was reading about the gardens before coming to Japan. Steve is a very good guide and I strongly recomand him. My trip was exactly according with my wishes. I was honoured to have him as a guide. I wish him best of luck.
T
TovarMexico
5
Nov 2023
We love gardens, so we took this beautiful japanese garden lovers tour and it is going to be an unforgettable day with Kazu, our Guide. He was a very kind and polite person. Thank you very much for such a pretty day Kazu!!

Search Availability

SuMoTuWeThFrSa
All prices are shown in USD

Adult

Ages 18 or above
2

Children

0

Things to know

Included
  • Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Tokyo
  • Licensed Local English-speaking Guide
Not Included
  • Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
  • Private Vehicle
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Additional Information
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Pick up is on foot. Not with a vehicle.
  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.