Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 38 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour worth booking?
Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour is a 4-hour experience in Tokyo, Japan, from $15400 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 38 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (38)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $15400 per person
Visit Japan’s Imperial Palace, the home of the Emperor & the ground of the former Shogun's castle, the political center of Japan until the mid-19th century. Then explore the commercial district of Nihonbashi, with many l
What you get
- Sample of Dashi soup stock
- Japanese sake set
- Nationally accredited tour guide-interpreter
- Entrance into The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
About this experience
Visit Japan’s Imperial Palace, the home of the Emperor & the ground of the former Shogun's castle, the political center of Japan until the mid-19th century. Then explore the commercial district of Nihonbashi, with many long-standing businesses for over 400 years. *Reminder: - Do note that we cannot visit the Imperial Palace as this is off-limit for guests. Instead, we will visit the ground of the former Shogun's castle. Highlights of this tour: ◆ Palace's East Gardens and see beautiful seasonal flowers and the ground of former Shogun's castle. ◆ Stroll around Nihonbashi, major commercial district in Tokyo for over 400 years ◆ Try delicious dashi soup stock shop with 300-year old history ◆ Take a lookt at Japanese seaweed being roasted ◆ Try Japanese knife sharpening by yourself. ◆ Visit a century-old washi shop, and see traditional Japanese paper. ◆ Taste a variety of sake at Toyama-kan prefectural store
What's included
Included
- Sample of Dashi soup stock
- Japanese sake set
- Nationally accredited tour guide-interpreter
- Entrance into The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Not included
- Any other food or beverages
- Transportation to the meeting point
What you'll see and do
Imperial Palace
To begin your tour, you will walk a beautiful ginkgo tree-lined avenue to the Imperial Palace. Once you reach the palace, you will walk its vast grounds, which are dotted with cherry and pine trees and enclosed by deep, formidable moats. The palace buildings themselves are typically closed to visitors, but there is still plenty to explore on the palace outskirts. The most famous of these sights is the Nijubashi bridge, a double bridge that forms the entrance to the palace’s inner grounds. Together with the towering Sakuradamon Gate beside it, the view has long been considered one of the most iconic in Tokyo.
15 minutes here
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace - Edo Castle Ruin
After exploring the outer grounds, you will walk through Otemon Gate into the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens. This massive gate was once the main entrance to Edo Castle, the home of the Tokugawa shoguns, who ruled Japan for over 250 years, and the city's political center from the early 17th to the 19th century. In the gardens, you will visit the old ruins and foundations of the castle that remain, while learning about the fascinating politics and culture of the time. In the gardens’ outer ring, you can also walk through a serene Japanese garden, where seasonal flowers like camellia, iris, and hydrangea can be enjoyed depending on the time of year.
60 minutes here
Nihonbashi
A short journey from the palace will then take you to Nihonbashi, a major commercial district and the start of Japan’s national highway network since the early seventeenth century. For hundreds of years, this was Japan’s main commercial area and it has long been packed with shops, roads, and waterways that connect trade throughout the country. Many of these stores still remain today, and as you tour the area, you will visit some of them.
Pass by without stopping
A short walk will then take you to Ninben dashi store. Dashi is traditional Japanese soup stock and a mainstay in Japanese cooking from hotpot dishes to noodle soups. At the store, you will learn how dashi is made and even have a little of some freshly-made dashi to try. Ninben has been in business for over 300 years, so they have been perfecting their dashi recipe for quite some time!
20 minutes here
Yamamoto Noriten Honten
Next, you will visit Yamamoto Nori, a nori seaweed producer that has been in business since 1849. At the store, you will be able to see a variety of different nori seaweeds on offer and watch as the staff roast the nori sheets ready to sell.
20 minutes here
Your next stop on the tour will be Kiya, a traditional Japanese knife store founded in 1792. The store is home to hundreds of different utensils from traditional Japanese knives to more modern European styles.
20 minutes here
Ozu Washi
After Kiya, you will head to Ozu Washu Japanese paper store. Here, as well as learning about and seeing all the various different types of Japanese paper and stationery items, you will also make a sheet of washi, traditional Japanese paper. Washi contains strong fibers from the paper mulberry mush, so it is typically thicker and more textured than Western paper.
60 minutes here
Finally, to finish the tour on a relaxing note you will visit the prefectural store of Toyama prefecture. All items sold here hail from Toyama, a coastal prefecture on the Sea of Japan. At the store, you can see a variety of products not typically sold in Tokyo, and then enjoy a delicious sake tasting experience.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Tokyo
Please meet your guide at the Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. The nearest stations to Nihonbashi are Nihombashi Station (serving the Toei Asakusa Line, the Metro Ginza Line, and the Metro Tozai Line) and Mitsukoshimae Station (serving the Metro Ginza Line and the Metro Hanzomon Line).
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- True Japan Tour
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 38 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
38 verified traveler reviews for Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic walking tour
We booked Tokyo Localized as we have used the same company in Hiroshima and Osaka, and we were not disappointed. Miyu was an excellent guide, she was very informative and patient with our questions. We 100% recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our tour again. We truly appreciate your continued trust. It means a great deal to us that you enjoyed this tour as well. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Our tour guide was...
Our tour guide was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable, and he made the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. With his help, we gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan and its rich history. Finally, the Nihonbashi shopping experience was a perfect ending to the day. I would highly recommend this tour and tour guide to enrich your Tokyo experience,
Response from the operator: Thank you for your warm comment. We are truly delighted to know that you enjoyed the tour so deeply. We are grateful for the opportunity to have you with us. We sincerely look forward to the opportunity to welcome you again in the future.
via Viator
Imperial Palace and 5star shopping district.
Castle grounds are spectacular. No castle per se. grounds are meticulously maintained. Lots of walking. Shopping in Nihonbashi district is great. All the 5 star shops are open there.
via Viator
Our guide Mari was very...
Our guide Mari was very nowledgable and accommodated our many questions. The day of our tour was high winds and heavy rain, but Mari we determined to make sure we enjoyed ourselves. She provided history of the palace gardens and the country of Japan. She took us to wonderful uncrowded photo sites. She was engaging and high energy. Our tour included a visit to a historic paper making shop, a dashi bar, and sake tasting. After tge tour, Mari made sure we were on the correct train.
via Viator
Fantastic Tour
A nice tour of the Imperial Grounds, and a much more interesting adventure after. The paper museum was amazing, and the food, sake and knife shops were great. Kishy was a great guide.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $15400 to $27720
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tokyo.
How much does Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour cost?
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Prices start at $15400 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tokyo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tokyo is not rushed.
Is Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 38 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tokyo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 4-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tokyo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tokyo and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tokyo's Imperial Palace & Nihonbashi Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tokyo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tokyo?
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Tokyo is less a city than a stack of neighborhoods with completely different opening hours. A guided food crawl through Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho gets you past the no-tourist curtains, while the day trips west to Hakone and Fuji need an early start to be worth the fare. Our ranking weighs guide quality heavily here, because in Tokyo the guide is the product. On Outty we rank every Tokyo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tokyo Shinjuku Chopsticks Making Class, Tokyo : Asakusa Chopsticks Making Class, Shinjuku Night Food and Bar Crawl. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
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Late March to May for blossom, October to November for clear Fuji views. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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