Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Toru
March, 2026
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 08:30 Meet up at the hotel
- 09:00 Stroll along the cherry blossom avenue from the Sakashita Gate to the Inui Gate of the Imperial Palace
- 09:45 Stroll through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- 11:00 Watch the goma fire prayer ritual at Fukagawa Fudo-do
- 11:30 Tempura lunch at Monzen-nakacho
- 12:30 See you off at Tochomae Station near the hotel and disband
Title: Can You See Cherry Blossoms Inside Tokyo's Imperial Palace? A Licensed Guide's Spring Tour Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions Starting the previous day, March, the annual cherry blossom walk-through along the Imperial Palace's sakura avenue in Tokyo had opened, so on the evening before I informed the guests about this and asked them to bring identification. Since the Imperial Household Agency had only announced the walk-through schedule two days prior, on the morning of the tour there were still not many people, and overseas visitors did not yet seem to have received the information, so aside from us only a few groups were waiting in line. The guests were delighted with this situation, saying it felt like a very special tour offer. There are about ten varieties of cherry trees along the Imperial Palace's sakura avenue, and early-blooming weeping cherries and others were about 80 percent in bloom and looking beautiful, so the guests were pleased, saying, "We thought the cherry blossoms weren't out yet, but it's wonderful that there are so many different kinds."
At Fukagawa Fudodo, they attended a goma fire ritual, and were deeply moved by the resonating sound of the taiko drums and the flames of the goma fire, saying, "We never imagined it would be this powerful." After the visit, they enjoyed a tempura set meal at "Tenya" in Monzen-Nakacho. One of the guests loves tempura, and there was also a request to try the kind of ordinary meal that Japanese people usually eat, so I introduced "Tenya," a place I have relied on since my student days. They were surprised not only by the taste but also by how reasonable the price was, and were very pleased.
2. Other impressions, notes Being able to learn about the walk-through by chance and offer the guests such a special opportunity was truly a joy for me as a guide. It was also my first time entering the Imperial Palace grounds, and I was very excited. I told the guests, "I usually only see the Sakashita Gate and Inui Gate from the outside, so being able to see the inside is quite moving," and the three of us took a photo with the back of the Inui Gate in the background (see attached photo).
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nishi-Shinjuku～Tokyo | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Takebashi～Monzen-nakacho | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Monzen-nakacho～Tochomae | 280JPY |
| Total | 670JPY | ||
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru was an AMAZING host and tour guide. He went above and beyond with communication prior, during, and after to make sure my Son and I had an incredible experience. He was unbelievably knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we wanted as well. The sushi breakfast was unreal! Learning all about both Toyosu and Tsukiji markets was an experience we will never forget. 10 out of 10 for sure!!
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
This was our first time visiting a fish market, and from the time we booked the experience, Toru-san has been amazing. He helped us get to Toyosu market, where the tuna auction takes place, at the right time to get the best views and explained everything about how the auction works and made sure we didn’t miss anything. (You will need a knowledgeable tour guide because everything happens so fast and you might miss it!) We learned so much during such a short time about how the delicious tuna you eat at a sushi restaurant ends up in front of you. After the auction Toru-san took us to Okame, a great sushi restaurant, where we got to experience delicious sushi breakfast. Our next stop was Tsukiji market, and again we got to try all sorts of food and learn more about the market and got to meet some of the vendors. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. If you are interested in cooking, Japanese cuisine, or know someone home, this tour will give you the opportunity to do some shopping for unique souvenirs.
We had to get to Toyosu market before 5 am, and while you might think it’s too early, but why not do something fun and delicious with your jetlag? It was so worth it and I’m glad we chose to spend our first morning in Tokyo with Toru-san. The other advantage of being so early was that the market was not as crowded and we got to enjoy our time without having to wait in line.
Thank you, Toru-san!
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
The tour was great. We got to learn a lot about sushi and really enjoyed our time in the
market as well.
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was…
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was a fantastic guide and made our experience one to remember. He picked us up
from the hotel and clearly knew how to be there early to get a good view. He also took us to
a delicious sushi place thereafter which the whole family enjoyed.