Tokyo Imperial Palace with Kagurazaka Alley Tour

Recommended by 100% of travelers

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Tokyo, Japan

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Go beyond Tokyo's well-trodden tourist trail on this small-group walking tour that takes you to landmarks such as Tokyo Station and Imperial Palace as well as one of Tokyo's best-kept secrets, Kagurazaka. In the company of a guide who brings Tokyo's history to life, explore Kagurazaka's cobbled backstreets, which are deeply connected to the Edo period and the Tokugawa Shogunate.

See a side of Tokyo that most visitors miss
Get exclusive local tips and unique experiences you won’t find in any guidebook
Benefit from your guide's insights into Japanese culture and history
Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a small-group tour

What's Included

Snacks

Japanese traditional sweet
Coffee and/or Tea

Cup of a tea, or coffee for short break
Local guide

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Shin-Marunouchi Building
1-chōme-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-6590, Japan
The meeting point is out side of Shin-Marunouchi Building in front of "STAND T" which is the cafe's name. You will find a BEAMS sign on second floor. Marunouchi Central Exit of Tokyo station is the closest exit, and walk 2min from there to find "STAND T".

End point

3-chōme-2-202 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0825, Japan
It is nearby the main street of Kagurazaka. It is closed to "family mart" that convenience store in Japan.

Operating hours
.9:00 am

Itinerary

Tokyo Station

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Imperial Palace

55 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Nippon Budokan (Pass By)

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kagurazaka

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Geisya Komichi Alley (Pass By)

Hyogo Yokocho Alley (Pass By)

Kakurenbo Yokocho (Hide-and-Seek Alley) (Pass By)

Ushigome Mitsuke (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 60 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Lots of walking, but very...

Gordon_J, Feb 2026

Lots of walking, but very good if you were interested in Japan’s history. The guide, Maddie, was excellent.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

We are profoundly grateful for your enthusiastic feedback on your recent historical tour. It is incredibly rewarding to learn that, despite the considerable walking, the experience was very good, particularly for those interested in Japan's rich history. We are especially pleased that the guide, Maddie, was excellent. Your excellent comments will certainly be shared with Maddie; she will be absolutely thrilled to know the profound impact she had on your day. We are deeply appreciative of you taking the time to share your perceptions. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable adventure on your next visit to Japan.

Great Palace tour

AJAY_D, Dec 2025

Had an amazing walking tour with Sho. She toured us on a chilly morning with great enthusiasm... not only knowledgeable about the history of palace but about Japanese history . Would highly recommend.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We are profoundly grateful for your enthusiastic feedback on your recent Palace tour. It is incredibly rewarding to learn that you had such an amazing walking tour with Sho. We are especially pleased that she guided you on a chilly morning with such remarkable enthusiasm, sharing not only extensive knowledge about the palace but also broader Japanese history. Your strong recommendation truly resonates with us. Your outstanding comments will certainly be shared with Sho; she will be absolutely thrilled to know the profound impact she had on your day. We are deeply appreciative of you taking the time to share your perceptions. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable adventure on your next visit to Japan.

Great personalised tour

Sheridan_W, Oct 2025

I ended up with a private tour! Gave me the opportunity to ask lots of questions which is the benefit of having someone guide you. It is possible to do this on your own without a guide but I learned a lot like the meaning of the fish on the roofs of buildings and why the gates are perpendicular to each other. Hiro is a young self taught historian with a friendly and enthusiastic personality

Response from Host, Oct 2025

It is truly gratifying to receive your excellent feedback regarding your recent experience. We are so pleased that your personalized exploration offered such a wonderful opportunity to delve deeply into your interests. It truly warms us to know that the ability to freely inquire and gain unique architectural symbolism and fascinating cultural insights, such as the meaning behind roof ornamentation and the orientation of gates, profoundly enriched your understanding. Hiro's profound understanding, amiable demeanor, and vibrant enthusiasm clearly made a significant impact, turning the journey into a truly rewarding educational experience that would have been challenging to replicate independently. We will certainly convey your kind words directly to Hiro; he will be delighted by your praise. We deeply appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back to Japan in the future.

We really enjoyed our...

Scott_F, Oct 2025

We really enjoyed our walking tour of the castle and gardens. Aya was knowledgeable and experienced, and took some great group pictures.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

It is genuinely rewarding to receive your splendid feedback concerning your recent experience. We are truly pleased that your exploration of the castle and gardens was so thoroughly enjoyable. It truly warms us to know that Aya, your guide, was profoundly insightful and highly experienced. Her thoughtful gesture of capturing some excellent group photographs clearly added another layer of delight to your journey. Your wonderful remarks will certainly be shared directly with Aya; she will be delighted to learn of her positive impact. We deeply appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. We certainly look forward to the chance of welcoming you back to Japan in the future.

Sunny day at Imperial Palace

Charles_I, Apr 2025

This was a perfect time of year with so many blossoms. Our guide was young yet quite knowledgeable about plants. His intertwining of Budist tradition with the architecture was illuminating.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

We profoundly appreciate your wonderful feedback on your recent exploration. It is incredibly rewarding to learn that the timing of your visit, coinciding with such abundant blossoms, was so delightful. We are especially pleased that our young guide's impressive botanical expertise and his illuminating connections between Buddhist traditions and architectural design enriched your understanding so deeply. Your excellent comments will certainly be shared with your guide. We are deeply appreciative of you taking the time to share your perceptions. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable adventure on your next visit to Japan.