A Quick Sketch of Tokyo
This 5-day itinerary lets you understand Tokyo quickly.
You will not only enjoy the peace, beauty, and modernization of Tokyo but also have the chance to enjoy a cup of tea and slow your pace to unwind.
Days
5
Price
from US$2,166 p/p
Best For
First-timers
Best Time
Mar. to Oct.
Tour Highlights
Itinerary Details
You will not only understand Japanese modernization when you see its luxury shopping malls but will also experience the traditional Japanese art and tea culture. If you want to learn more about Japan, visiting Tokyo is a must.
A warm welcome to Japan's capital, Tokyo! Greater Tokyo is the world's most populous metropolitan city and is the center of Japanese culture, finance, and government. It is also a major transportation hub. If you want to understand Japan well, it is worth staying there for a few days.
You will be transferred to your accommodation from the arrivals hall at Narita International Airport via a shared van. Then the rest of the day is free to spend on your own and is a good opportunity to adjust to your jet lag at the hotel.
In the evening, when the neon lights of Shinjuku start to light up, you can wander around the stunning and bustling streets. There are many luxury stores, fascinating restaurants, and music bars near you. Immerse yourself into Tokyo's liveliness.
Hotels in Tokyo
We can arrange different kinds of hotels to meet your needs based on your requirements and budget. Please let us know what you prefer and your travel advisor can give you suggestions so that you can choose the one you prefer.
You can consider staying in Shinjuku where there are many business hotels. It is convenient for you to reach everywhere you want to go to, especially when staying in a hotel located near to Shinjuku Station, which is one of the main and important train and subway hubs in Tokyo.
East Shinjuku and West Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of the districts in Tokyo and the most famous areas are East Shinjuku and West Shinjuku. East Shinjuku is an entertainment paradise. Since ancient times, it has been the most bustling center for nightlife. The wildest Japanese nighttime activities are found in Kabukicho. In the daytime, you can enjoy art galleries or go shopping in the best department stores.
West Shinjuku is filled with hundreds of Tokyo's skyscrapers, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and some famous luxury hotels, such as Keio Plaza Hotel, the Hilton Tokyo, and Park Hyatt Tokyo. You can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo from the observation decks at some of the hotels.
Your local guide will help you explore the highlights of Tokyo. The first one will be the Imperial Palace, which is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is built on the site of the old Edo Castle. People are allowed to enter the palace twice a year: one of these times is at New Year and the other is on the Emperor's Birthday, a national holiday in Japan.
Another highlight of the day is to experience a Japanese tea ceremony. You will have the chance to taste freshly made green tea in a special Japanese-style tearoom. You can learn about the tea culture, history, and how to make perfect tea with the tea masters.
Visit Meiji Shrine with your local guide — this is the most worshiped shrine in Tokyo. You can take part in typical Shinto activities there, such as making offerings in the main hall, buying charms and amulets, or writing a wish on an ema. It is also a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. You might see a traditional wedding procession (or two) through the courtyard.
Wander along Omotesando shopping street (one of the streets that lead to Meiji Shrine). There are many luxury flagship stores, restaurants, and art galleries there. Nowadays, it's recognized as a powerhouse in the world of fashion. If you are a shopaholic, you can spend the whole day shopping there.
You will stop at the new Tokyo City Hall, which is the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, before returning to your hotel.
The Tea Ceremony
There are a series of activities for a tea ceremony in Tokyo and most of the events are part of a ritual.
First, you need to greet your fellow guests and then purify yourself by washing your hands completely. When the tea has been prepared by your host, you need to bow first and then drink the tea. You can appreciate the tearoom and tea utensils and compliment your host.
The last part of the ceremony is informal — you can chat about any topics you like and drink tea as you please. Your host will show you the tea utensils when the ceremony is over.
You will have a day trip to fully explore the culture in Tokyo.
Many traditional crafts were inherited from the Edo Period (1603–1868). You will learn how to make several traditional Japanese handicrafts with the locals.
Cutting Edo Kiriko glass is recognized as one of the traditional crafts at the end of the Edo period and is famous for its beautiful patterns and colors. You can experience how to cut the glass, using various colors and patterns to help decorate it.
To understand traditional Japanese crafts, you will be transferred to Asakusa to visit the Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum. The town is bustling and flourishing but you can still search for Tokyo's traditional crafts in some shops.
You will stop at the workshop of Mr. Tanaka, who is one of the Edo-style bamboo blinds craftsmen. You can learn how to make your own table mat with him for about 2 hours.
The experience is flexible, depending on the craftsman's schedule but your guide will help you adjust your travel sequence.
Alternative Option
If you are hooked on authentic food, the local cuisine, or wet markets, you can visit Tsukiji Outer Market and then learn how to make sushi with some local people in their home. This experience takes about 4 to 5 hours.
You will head towards to Tsukiji Outer Market with your guide in the morning and see various local vegetables and fresh fish. You can choose your sushi ingredients there.
Then, you'll visit a local's home and learn how to make sushi with them. You will learn rolled sushi, gunkan sushi, and nigiri sushi, then you can taste your finished products when you have lunch there. If you like the taste of it, you can take some sushi away with you.
Your guide will see you off at the station near the host's home. You will find your own way back to your accommodation.
A day trip to Kamakura is one of the highlights of this whole tour. Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is located less than an hour south of Tokyo. It was the political center of Japan in the 12th century and was the largest city in the world at that time.
However, it is now a small city but it has retained huge shrines, temples, and other historical monuments. You will visit Kotokuin Temple with your local guide first, which is home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
Hasedera Temple is located in the mountains to the east of central Sakurai. Thirty buildings have been built along the hillside and you can spend a long time exploring the area with your guide.
You will visit the spiritual heart and symbol of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which was built in 1063. It is one of the most popular attractions in Kamakura.
From Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to the west side of Ruogong Road, you will find Komachi Street. You will say goodbye to your guide there and then you can go shopping for local souvenirs and try to find Kamakura's crafts in the shops.
Alternative Options
There are three options to meet your different needs. You can tell your travel advisor which one you prefer to do.
- Option 1: Full-Day Nikko World Heritage Excursion from Tokyo
- Option 2: Full-Day Mount Takao Hiking Excursion from Tokyo
- Option 3: Full-Day Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Excursion from Tokyo
You will have a shared transfer from your accommodation to Narita International Airport to catch your flight home at the appointed time.
Price Includes
Price from: $2,166 (Tour code: gh-ah-34)
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