Hamarikyu is a spacious Japanese garden, where used to be part of the sea.
Strolling around at a relaxing place, I'll explain some historical events that occurred there.
We would also visit Ueno Park, which also has some historical buildings and wonderful museums.
At the lobby of your hotel in Tokyo/Yokohama or at Shimbashi Station
At your hotel or the places in Ueno Park if you prefer to
Hamarikyu Garden, which was built in the 17th Century by the Shogun family, has many scenic views.
Even surrounded by many modern skyscrapers, the beautiful flowers and the view would give you a relaxing time.
If you would like to, we could taste Matcha at a teahouse, where retired President Grant of the US and the Meiji Emperor met, overviewing a pond at Hamarikyu Gardens. Prince Williams also had tea with the former Tokyo Governor in 2015.
Instead of taking the water bus, which you might feel quite long at this season without cherry blossom views, we'll go to Caletta Shiodome to have a view of the Tokyo Bay area.
Ueno Park was owned by a temple four hundred years ago. It has a taste of Mini Kyoto and mini Nikko. We will visit those historical Kiyomizu Kannondo Temple, Hanazono Inari Shrine, and Ueno Toshogu Shrine.
We would also see the building the National Museum of Western Art, which is acknowledged as one of the World Heritage.
If you would like to visit the Tokyo National Museum or Ueno Zoo, I will guide you to the entrances and give an overview where to go to see the things of your interest, so you could take your time on your own if you would like to, but it is also possible to only visit the toll-free spots at Ueno Park.
If you would like to have lunch during the tour, I can recommend some good restaurants.
Guiding fee, hotel pick-up in Tokyo, The Guide's Admission fee for Hamarikyu,Tokyo National Museum,and Ueno Zoo
Transportation fare (You and guide)
Admission fee for Hamarikyu ( ¥300/ 65 years old and over: ¥150)
(No charge for primary school children)
Optionals:
meals (If you have a full breakfast, the tour can go on without a lunch break. It's up to you.)
Matcha with a sweet (720 yen),
snacks,
beverages (Soft Drink-Vending machines are available at several places if you get thirsty)
Admission fee of your options (Ueno Zoo, Museums etc.)
No Mondays (Ueno museums and Zoo are closed), Hamarikyu Gardens will be closed from December 29 to January 1
Hamarikyu Gardens are closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1.
We are supposed to walk a lot, so PLEASE WEAR WALKING SHOES.
Highheels or sandals might give you a hard time.
The places to visit in Ueno Park is up to you and your interest. I would appreciate if you would tell me what you are interested in: history, art or Zoo etc.
Tour was fun and full of facts. Yoko involved us in the tour and kids participated with a lot of energy. She was very helpful with plans for the rest of the holiday and gave us lots of important tips. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much for writing a review soon after the tour. It was a hot day but it was a lot of fun meeting you and your family. I was especially amazed with Jenny being smart, full of curiosity and asking so many questions and Nick was so cute. I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday. Have fun!!
It was a true pleasure to spend a day with Yoko-san. Even before we met, she was super helpful with advice on hotels, transportation from the airport, etc. She also adjusted our tour schedule to follow the optimal route between the famous places in Tokyo, and to fit in the places we really wanted to see. We learned a lot about the city, and about Japanese culture and history in general. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience. Thank you so much, Yoko-san!
Oh, thank you so much for such a lovely review, Dmitri san!! We really walked a lot that day. Starting from Asakusa, lotus pond of Shinobazu and Ueno Toshogu, Tsukiji Market, Sakuradamon Gate and Nijubashi Bridge of the Imperial Palace, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street and Omotesando. I was quite surprised that both you and your wife Hui san was walking in sandals but didn't complain about the long walk. I had a great time with you, your lovely wife Hui san and smart and beautiful daughter Maria. It was so interesting talking with you and your family. I hope Maria makes her dream come true and I will be looking forward to your revisit to climb Mount Fuji. Thank you again for the lovely day and your generosity. Yoko
Yoko introduced us to East part of Tokyo starting from Ginza and other sightseeing areas located at this sort of the city. Her knowledge and insights were very helpful for the first comers to Japan! Our group of 6 consisted of 4 adults and 2 kids. Yoko was flexible when we would request to make a change in our itinerary and she was able to suggest alternative on the spot. Yoko is a highly recommended tour guide for the family or couples.
Thank you so much for your review, Katerina san. I remember I had a lovely day with your wonderful family in June. We had an amazing lunch at a sushi restaurant which has the capacity to let our large group in without a long wait. We went to Odaiba instead of the crowded Tokyo Sky Tree. I was glad that your daughter enjoy the ride which was like the Disney ride. There is so much to see in Japan, so please come again!! Thank you again for the lovely day and the review, Yoko
We had a lovely guide in Tokyo, Yoko, who was with us for two days. Her English was impeccable. The first day she took us to the main shrines Meiji - Jingu ( where we saw several wedding parties) and Senso-ji along with teaching us how to navigate the metro and train system! We wanted ramen for lunch and Yoko delivered! We found Yoko easy to be with and full of energy - she gave information easily without having to prompt her. She never wearies of questions either! We were familiar with the shogunate eras but she was able to fill in all the blanks for us without drowning us in facts and numbers as well as our “knowledge” of the yakuza from “Tokyo Vice”! We enjoyed her so much we asked to book her for a second day while she guided us through the Imperial Gardens. She not only knows her history but also the names of plants and trees to help understand the beautiful gardens. We mentioned that we wanted to buy a knife and go to the Tsukiji market. She mentioned a free event at the Anakusa Cultural Tourist Center where we were able to see geishas perform traditional dances and one of the 6 houkan ( male counterpoint to the geisha) left in Japan. In order to attend the event I had to cancel my tickets to the Yayoi Kusama museum and Yoko found a different time that I could repurchase my tickets so that we could do it all. She reworked our schedule so that we could do it all!! She took us to a nice restaurant for lunch that was superb and a favorite of locals. She was so helpful with information regarding other things we had planned and would readily share travel information and other ideas for our remaining days in Tokyo! If only we could have had her travel to Kyoto with us too! My husband and I highly recommend Yoko but I warn you - you better have your walking shoes on or you will not be able to keep up with her!!
Martha san, thank you so much for writing such an incredible review. I deeply appreciate both you and Robert san enjoyed Japanese culture and cuisines so much. I had a great time talking with both of you. I also wanted to show you interesting spots in Yanaka besides Yanaka Ginza so sorry we ran out of time. As you often have a business trip to Japan, I will hope I can show you around the gorgeous, artistic World Heritage Nikko some day soon. Thank you again for such a lovely heartful review and your generosity. I hope you have a nice flight back to the States.