AN EVER-CHANGING CITY
Step through centuries of history and modernity
OVERVIEW
Day1:Be Whisked Around Tokyo in Comfort and Style → Discover the Floating World of Ukiyo-E → Retrace the Footsteps of Ukiyo-E Masters → Drink and Dine Like a Feudal Lord — or as the Locals Do
Day2:Tour an Old-School Shitamachi District → Have a Taste of Edo for Lunch → Stroll Around a Retro Shopping Street → Feast on Exquisite Edo Specialties
Day3:Learn Japanese Home Cooking from the Experts → Spend an Afternoon in Tokyo's Most Upmarket District → Delve into Tokyo's Wealth of Culinary Wonders
Day4:Immerse Yourself in Tokyo's Art World → Dine at a Secluded Oasis in the City → Keep Up with Tokyo's Eclectic Fashion Scene → See Neon-Lit Shibuya from on High
Day5:Relax and Refresh Before You Go → Departure
TIMELINE
ARRIVAL
Be Whisked Around Tokyo in Comfort and Style
Travel around Tokyo without a hitch in the comfort of a sleek VIP-class vehicle, with an attentive private chauffeur to assist you every step of the way. For maximum convenience, arrange for your chauffeur to meet you right outside the airport, so you can kick off your Tokyo journey right away.
PM around 1hour
Discover the Floating World of Ukiyo-E
Trace Tokyo's history by uncovering the stories behind ukiyo-e, paintings and woodblock prints that depict life during the Edo period, when Japan's capital, then called Edo, prospered. See the greatest works of the ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai on a tour of the Sumida Hokusai Museum with an expert.
PM around 2hours
Retrace the Footsteps of Ukiyo-E Masters
Visit one of Tokyo's neighborhoods that inspired ukiyo-e artists to create their iconic masterpieces: Ryogoku, Asakusa, and Fukagawa, to name a few. Here, ancient Edo and modern Tokyo intersect, as stylish new establishments and well-preserved structures from bygone eras stand side by side.
Night around 2hours
Drink and Dine Like a Feudal Lord — or as the Locals Do
Step back to the glory days of the Edo period on a dinner cruise aboard a yakatabune, a traditional pleasure boat where aristocrats of old wined and dined. Expect fantastic views of Tokyo Bay, a feast of a dinner, and free-flowing drinks. Or, get a feel of modern Japanese drinking culture at an izakaya pub. Tokyo has no shortage of excellent options.
AM around 2hours
Tour an Old-School Shitamachi District
Tokyo districts that preserve the feel of retro Japan are known as shitamachi. Soak up this nostalgic ambience on a tour of Yanesen, the collective name for three neighborhoods (Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi)that comprise one of Tokyo's best-known shitamachi areas. Brimming with culture and history, Yanesen offers a more authentic look into the local lifestyle.
PM around 1hour
Have a Taste of Edo for Lunch
Many of today's beloved Japanese dishes and culinary traditions were perfected in old Edo. Today, as Tokyo remains at the forefront of Japanese cuisine, traces of Edo still linger. At Yanesen, for example, try yabu soba, one of Tokyo's top three soba styles: buckwheat noodles with a rich soy sauce-based broth.
PM around 2hours
Stroll Around a Retro Shopping Street
No visit to Yanesen is complete without a stroll around Yanaka Ginza, a bustling shopping street that exudes quaint, old-school charm. Discover the area's eclectic shops and street food, shop for sumptuous delicacies, stroll past a mix of retro and modern cafes, and watch the locals go about their day on a Yanaka Ginza tour with a food expert.
Night around 2hours
Feast on Exquisite Edo Specialties
For dinner, savor well-loved Edo-period fare at Asakusa Ichimon Honten, a rustic restaurant in a negima nabe, a hotpot dish of fresh leeks and fatty bluefin tuna. All ingredients are sourced from leading producers, and the liquor selection is excellent too.
Asakusa Ichimon
AM around 3hours
Learn Japanese Home Cooking from the Experts
Master the fundamentals of Japanese home cooking on a class helped by the creme of Tokyo's culinary crop. Explore the history of Japanese food culture, and learn fundamental cooking techniques in Japanese cuisine, such as making dashi soup stock. After class, sit down to feast on the fruits of your labor.
Tokyo Cook
PM around 2hours
Spend an Afternoon in Tokyo's Most Upmarket District
Old-world elegance and sophisticated modern style come together in Tokyo's heart of luxury, Ginza and nearby Marunouchi. Boasting high-end department stores, some of Tokyo's oldest shops, art galleries on nearly every corner, and scenic promenades, this area is an entire afternoon's worth of upscale leisure.
Night around 2hours
Delve into Tokyo's Wealth of Culinary Wonders
Take a deep dive into Tokyo's unparalleled culinary scene. As the city with the world's highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, Tokyo invites you to dive beneath the surface and discover its treasure trove of delectable delights: from classic washoku cuisine to Japanese–European fusion food.
Gastronomy
AM around 2hours
Immerse Yourself in Tokyo's Art World
Home to everything from ukiyo-e to avant-garde art, Tokyo is one of the world's top cities for art and design. For a meaningful encounter with Tokyo's thriving creative scene, take a private art-themed tour. Your guide, a seasoned specialist, will curate an array of attractions and activities that will let you engage with the city's finest art.
Richard and Tezen
PM around 1.5hours
Dine at a Secluded Oasis in the City
Surround yourself with art and soothing greenery at Wall Aoyama. Tucked away in a ritzy but low-key neighborhood, this artsy cafe–bar (and gallery) evokes the feel of a secret garden in the heart of the city. Topping off the ambiance are sumptuous food and a premium selection of wines and champagnes.
Wall
PM around 2.5hours
Keep Up with Tokyo's Eclectic Fashion Scene
From refined kimonos to colorful streetwear, Tokyo is at the cutting edge of style. Leading brands and independent designers alike have an impeccable ability to marry time-honored artisanal techniques like indigo dyeing with modern trends, ensuring that Tokyo remains fashion-forward.
Tateisucanna
Night around 2hours
See Neon-Lit Shibuya from on High
Escape Tokyo's crowds and head up to Cé La Vi for top-notch nightlife in an exclusive setting. This resort-like lifestyle complex atop a high-rise has it all: a restaurant–bar that doubles as a cafe, a casual dining restaurant, a club lounge, and an open-air terrace with views of dazzling Shibuya from above.
Cé La Vi Tokyo
AM around 1hour
Relax and Refresh Before You Go
There's nothing like unwinding before a long journey ahead. Fortunately, Tokyo has an outstanding selection of chic cafes where the ambiance is just as delightful as the menu. Have a leisurely teatime session at Tokyo Saryo, a minimalist tea parlor that's the first in the world to specialize in hand-drip sencha green tea.
Tokyo Saryo
PM
Say "Sayonara" to Tokyo
After your five-day immersion in Tokyo's rich traditional heritage, contemporary culture, and futuristic innovations, have a safe journey home. Tokyo awaits your return — expect new surprises in this fast-paced, ever-changing metropolis on your next visit!