1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Shibuya : The Best of Both

This tour will give you the opportunity to experience both traditional culture and pop culture in Tokyo, combining two of the cities most famous and popular areas, Shinjuku and Shibuya. If you’re low on time, and want to experience two of Tokyo’s hot spots, this is the perfect tour for you. 

The tour will provide guests with a well balanced itinerary including a museum, a garden and park, shrines, famous landmarks and modern architecture. 

To begin, enjoy travelling back in time to learn all about Shinjuku’s development from early Japan to present day at a local museum, setting the scene for the rest of your time in Shinjuku! The museum has life sized replicas of a traditional Japanese shop, house and train carriage where you can immerse yourself in old Tokyo and take great photos! Next, we will walk to one of Shinjuku’s top attractions Shinjuku Gyoen Park and gardens. Considered one of Tokyo’s top parks, you will enjoy a guided tour of the area and a tea house experience to drink matcha and eat wagashi whilst you enjoy the serene landscape before we head to the lively beating heart of Shinjuku!

Next we will make a stop at a beautiful local shrine hidden away from the fast paced centre of the city. This off the beaten path gem is a must see and is hard to spot unless you know where to look! Our final stop in Shinjuku will be at the very centre of this entertainment district where you will enjoy a guided tour and your lunch break to explore and eat at your leisure. Enjoy the skyscrapers, bright signs and high energy…and look out for Godzilla! 

We will then make our way to Shibuya, the urban jungle of Tokyo! We will be able to experience the true juxtaposition of Tokyo as we make our first stop at Meiji Jingu shrine. Despite it being just a stone’s throw away from its bright and busy neighbour, Harajuku, this shrine is a slice of serenity and calm with its muted colours and surrounding nature. We will then hop over to trendy Harajuku which is considered the birthplace of pop culture and subculture here in Japan! You can see bright colours, amazing fashion and cute items to buy. It is also known for its desserts so why not pick up a sweet treat during your free time at this location.

Our final destination will be at the very centre of Shibuya, visiting famous landmarks and taking in the impressive modern architecture. This will also include going to the top of an observatory to see the impressive Shibuya Scramble Crossing from above and an urban park where you can grab a coffee and experience Tokyo like a local.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn all about Shinjuku’s history at a local museum with life size replicas of a traditional Japanese shop, house and train carriage!

• Enjoy nature by exploring one of Tokyo’s beautiful parks and gardens!

• Experience a traditional Japanese tea house and enjoy drinking matcha (green tea) and eating Japanese sweets (wagashi) 

• The chance to experience two of Tokyo’s most popular places in 1 day with a local guide! 
  

DESCRIPTION

The tour will begin at 9.30am inside Yotsuya-Sanchome train station where you will meet your tour guide. You will meet directly outside of the ticket gates at the yellow information board directly in front of you to the left side. Once everybody has arrived, you will officially start the tour and your tour guide will escort you to the first destination! Enjoy a guided tour at a local history museum dedicated to Shinjuku’s past and development over time. We will journey from early Japan all the way to modern times to understand how Shinjuku has become one of the busiest and most exciting entertainment districts on earth. Remember to take photos with the impressive to scale replicas at the museum! 

We will then walk to Shinjuku Gyoen Park and Gardens to enjoy the tranquillity and nature that this popular destination provides to locals looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the world’s most populated city! A guided tour on the history and development of the park will be provided and you will then enjoy a matcha and traditional Japanese sweet experience at the Park’s own tea room.

Next, we will make a quick stop at a local shrine tucked away from the craziness of the city. This beautiful shrine will make you feel like you’ve stepped out of Tokyo where you can enjoy the peace and stunning shrine architecture. 

 It is now your lunch time! Here, we will walk to Golden Gai and Kabukicho, Shinjuku’s lively entertainment centre. Golden Gai is a small area lined with small traditional Izakaya and bars, and makes for a great photo opportunity. You will have a guided tour with an introduction to the history of the area and how it became the entertainment district of Tokyo and Izakaya culture. You will then enjoy exploring and trying some local food at your leisure on your lunch break! Remember to look up and wave to Godzilla! 

We will now take a short train journey to Harajuku station from Shinjuku. We will start with Meiji Jingu Shrine. Enjoy a guided tour around this beautiful shrine complex learning about its history and significance. You will also learn about the Japanese tradition of Omikuji (fortunes) and Omamori (lucky charms) in Japan. Next, we will go across to the vibrant and quirky area of Harajuku, known for its kawaii culture, sweet treats and shopping. Your guide will tell you all about how Harajuku shaped modern Japanese society today. You will have free time to shop, eat and take photos. 

Next, we will walk down to the centre of Shibuya to visit its famous and iconic landmarks. Soak in the busy and bright atmosphere here as you experience the busiest crossing in the world, learn about Japan’s most famous dog, take in panoramic views of Shibuya and visit an urban park frequented by the locals.  Our tour will then conclude at Shibuya station.

MEETUP POINT

Inside Yotsuya-Sanchome Station @ 09:30am

You will meet your tour guide at Yotsuya-Sanchome station. When arriving at Yotsuya-Sanchome station, you will need to come out of the ticket gate and the meeting point is directly in front of you by the big yellow information board. The exact meeting point location is pictured above.

Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Once everybody has met at this location, you will officially start the tour

For your information, Yotsuya-Sanchome can be reached from Shinjuku station in 5 minutes and from Tokyo station in 14 minutes using the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (the red line with the letter ‘M’)

NOTES

Included 

• Admission fees for Shinjuku Historical Museum and Shinjuku Gyoen Park

• Train fee from Shinjuku Station to Harajuku Station

• Shinjuku Gyoen Park Tea House Experience 

• Local English speaking guide

Excluded

• Trains and transport before and after the tour. 

• Food and drink

OTHER INFORMATION

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.

• There will be free time at both Meiji Jingu shrine and Harajuku, and the lunch break for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide on the day of the tour. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.

• The Shinjuku Historical museum is closed on Mondays, therefore this tour is only available for bookings Tuesday to Sunday.

• Due to this being a walking tour, it is advised that you do not bring any luggage or large bags with you on the tour. It is advised that you check if your hotel can store your luggage for you until after the tour, or you store your luggage at lockers at a suitable location such as selected train stations with appropriate storage. For example, many stations in Tokyo will have lockers, especially the larger train stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo.