Private Tour of Tokyo

Tokyo is a massive, wealthy, and fascinating metropolis, including a mainland located northwest of Tokyo Bay and two beautiful and subtropical archipelagos, the Izu and Ogasawara Islands. It encompasses rugged natural scenery, high-tech visions of the future, and glimpses of traditional life. The various districts of this phenomenal city vary wildly in character, from the electronic blare of Akihabara to the magnificent Imperial gardens and shrines of Chiyoda; from the lively youth mecca of Shibuya to the splendid pottery shops and temple markets of Asakusa. If you don't like what you see, hop on the train and head to the next station, and you will find something entirely different. The city truly has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Hakone is a city in Japan that lies within the borders of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu national park in the Ashigarashimo District of Kanagawa Prefecture. Tourists specifically travel here for the spectacular views of Mount Fuji. Other attractions in the area include walks to Hakone Shrine on the shore of Lake Ashi, day-trips through the Hakone Open-Air Museum and explorations to Mount Kintoki to view the ruins of old-Japan. No visit is complete without eating a black egg hard-boiled in the Great Boiling Valley of Owakudani. Legend has it that these eggs add some extra years to your lifespan.

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain and most famous landmark, lying within the borders of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is known as one of the “Three Holy Mountains” and legend has it that Mount Fuji was a samurai training ground. Although the mountain can be seen from certain points in Tokyo, it is best viewed from Hakone, Kawaguchiko, Kamakura, Enoshima or Gotemba. The official climbing season starts early July to mid-September for those who wish to hike the 3776 metres to the top. Sunrise from the summit is one of the most sought after views in Japan. Visitors have a wide selection of hiking trails to choose from including the Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya Trails.

Japan’s ‘cultural capital’, Kyoto, is located on Honshu Island within the Kansai region. Filled with awe-inspiring shrines, temples, and Zen gardens, as well as a host of extraordinary modern attractions and numerous things to do, the city offers a plethora of experiences. First stops include the other-worldly Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shinto shrine; Kiyomizu-Dera, offering a ‘love providing’ ceremony and jaw-dropping views, and Buddhist Tōfuku-Ji, famous for its glorious garden. It is also entirely possible to visit Kyoto for the sake of food alone; hubs like Nishiki Market provide a dizzying array of culinary adventures. Culture enthusiasts can attend a traditional tea ceremony; soak up the striking displays at the Kyoto International Manga Museum; or head to Gion, the vibrant downtown district, to visit artisan studios or watch a Kabuki show. Exquisite hikes and natural hot springs await just outside the city.

Boasting a dazzling cityscape of towering skyscrapers and a picturesque waterfront, Minato is Japan’s political and economic nerve-centre set on the coast of eastern Tokyo. This glittering cosmopolitan city features extravagant stores, affluent residential areas that secrete exclusive clientele, and a bustling business district home to numerous foreign embassies and a plethora of corporate giants including Mitsubishi, Sony, Google and Apple. Brimming with a vast array of attractions, visitors can discover a range of must-visit venues including Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo Joypolis, Zojoji Temple and Akasaka Palace. After a day of sightseeing, visitors can trawl the glitzy streets of Roppongi, dine at the high-end restaurants, and immerse themselves in the area's exciting nightlife.

Dominated by the towering Japan Alps, Honshu is the largest island in Japan’s archipelago. This enormous island is home to most of Japan’s population and boasts the majority of the nation’s most popular attractions. Visitors flock here from around the world to enjoy the impressive geothermal spas, ski resorts, old castle- and temple-towns, and charming traditional villages tucked away in remote valleys. From the neon lights and pulsing energy of Tokyo in the east, across the dramatic Alps in the central Chubu region, to the tranquil rural beauty of the Chugoku region in the west, Honshu offers an extraordinary variety of scenic landscapes, appealing attractions, and world-class cities. Must-see attractions include: the iconic Mt. Fuji; the historic little town of Nikko; and the Peace Park at Hiroshima.