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.
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!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
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robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
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Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the…
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S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.