13 Temple and Shrine Tours in Tokyo to Build a Day Around

1.Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree Bus Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,986 reviews · 10 hours · from $122Our pick

This 10-hour coach tour links Tokyo’s major sights with a live English guide and optional audio in six languages. You’ll visit Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, and Tokyo Skytree, with matcha, an optional fried chicken and tofu lunch, and a bay cruise when operating. Guides such as Aya, Yui, Hiro, and Tsubasa are praised for clear explanations and lively service.

“Really great tour - Our guide Hiro was awesome (and so was Bell-san our driver).”

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2.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,583 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon and walk through Asakusa’s temple grounds, Nakamise Street, Asakusa Shrine, Hoppy Street, and Shin-Nakamise. Guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Glenda explain customs, architecture, and local food stops. The tour costs $22, lasts two hours, and ends near Azuma Bridge.

“Great tour with a very knowledgeable and friendly guide from the local area. Definitely recommend.”

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3.Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji & Toshogu Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,577 reviews · 11 hours · from $89

Leave Tokyo’s Ginza by air-conditioned coach for Nikko’s ornate Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji. English and Spanish guides such as Melody, Jorge, and Beru add history, customs, and practical help. Choose carefully: shrine entry and lunch depend on the option you book, and winter weather can replace the mountain stops.

“Believe the tour was quite well organized, giving you just enough time and slightly more to see all the attractions. Our tour guide was Melody, and she was quite helpful with questions as well as told some—at least for me—great jokes 😄😄 p.s. after seeing now Toshogu, I confirm by belief that few things come close to Tokugawa wealth - lel”

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4.Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,266 reviews · 10h 30m · from $84

Spend about 10.5 hours exploring Nikko from Tokyo with an English and Chinese-speaking guide such as Tina, Zoe, Jeff, or Jax. Visit Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, and, from October 1, 2025, Shinkyo Bridge. Transport and shrine admission are included, but lunch and the waterfall elevator cost extra.

“Zoe was full of interesting information and an overall great guide! Nikko was very beautiful and we lucked out with the maple leaves in mid-November. Very cold by the lake, bring warm clothes!”

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5.Tokyo Panoramic 1 Day: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Odaiba and SKYTREE®

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,222 reviews · from $85

Spend about nine hours seeing Tokyo’s essential sights by comfortable Hato Bus, with an English-speaking guide, buffet lunch, and SKYTREE® Tembo Deck admission. Walk through Meiji Shrine, view the Imperial Palace, cross Rainbow Bridge, explore Odaiba, visit Senso-ji, and finish high above the city. It is designed for first-time visitors who want an easy overview.

“Very enjoyable day. Our tour guide Chicuko was an excellent communicator with clear commentary on our locations and instructions. Day flowed extremely smoothly. Lunch amazing too.”

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6.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 510 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55Top rated

Meet near Tawaramachi Station for a 90-minute English-led visit to a private Asakusa temple. A guide such as Tamami, Kazu, or Shota translates the resident monk’s instruction on zazen, followed by meditation, calligraphy, matcha, sweets, and questions about Zen and Japanese life. It is calm, personal, and suitable for beginners.

“It was a great experience! Even if you’re not interested in Buddhism it is worth to participate :)”

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7.Mt. Fuji Heritage Tour: Traditional Villages, Lakes & Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 509 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Spend 10 hours touring Mt. Fuji’s best-known photo spots by coach, with an English, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese guide. Visit Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba, Lake Kawaguchi, Oishi Park, Arakura Sengen Shrine, Chureito Pagoda, and Oshino Hakkai. Guides such as Sia, Kazi, Wanting, and Alex are praised for clear directions and careful timing. Lunch and personal purchases cost extra.

“Great expérience. Sawaki was a great guide , very smilling and lot of good informations during the tour. Valentin”

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8.Samurai Entertainment Night Show in Kanda Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 417 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $41

Meet at The Show restaurant in Kanda-Myojin Bunka-Koryu-kan, beneath Kanda Myojin Shrine. Enjoy drinks and optional Japanese hot pot before a 60-minute performance about Taira no Masakado, mixing swordplay, dance, music, costumes, and modern lighting. Afterward, chat with the cast and take photos together. The show suits families, solo visitors, and anyone curious about Japanese folklore.

“Very entertaining show, excellent performance by the casts. Overall really great production! Food was basic but delicious, service were also great. Highly recommend this show to everyone, adults and older children (our kids, 10 & 12 years old enjoyed the show very much).”

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9.Asakusa and Tokyo’s Oldest Temple Senso-ji Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 352 reviews · 2 hours · from $14Best value

Meet near Asakusa Station for a two-hour small-group walk through Kaminarimon, Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa Shrine. Guides such as Shino, Aska, Embla, Nicolas, and Joe explain temple customs, local food, Edo-era history, and lesser-known corners. Groups are limited to 10, making it easy to ask questions and keep up in the crowds.

“The tour was great and Aska was a knowledgeable and fun tour guide!”

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10.Imperial Palace, Sensō-ji Temple, & Tokyo Tower Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 339 reviews · 4 hours · from $40

This four-hour Hato Bus tour links Tokyo’s Imperial Palace outer area, Sensō-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and Tokyo Tower. An English-speaking guide such as Junko, Kiki, or Atsushi provides commentary between stops. You get comfortable transport, free time at the temple, and Tokyo Tower’s 150-meter observatory for $40.

“Nice relaxing and informative tour. Guide and driver were very nice. Would recommend this tour.”

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11.Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shinto & Imperial System

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 266 reviews · 90 - 135 minutes · from $23

Walk through Meiji Shrine’s quiet 100,000-tree forest with an English-speaking guide such as Keiko, Yuuka, Yuki, or Ayaka. Learn shrine etiquette, Shinto beliefs, Emperor Meiji’s legacy, and Japan’s shift from samurai rule to modern life. The small group, up to 10 people, includes time for charms, fortunes, photos, and tea at Mori no Terrace.

“Amazing experience! Yuuka is very kind, patient and knowledgeable. She is engaging and funny, which made the history and stories more memorable. Loved the vibe and pace, definitely an unforgettable tour! :)”

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12.Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · 2 hours · from $19

Meet near Harajuku and walk through Meiji Jingu Gyoen, beneath the great torii, past sake and wine barrels, and into Meiji Shrine. Your English-speaking guide explains Shinto rituals, the Meiji era, and shrine etiquette. Small groups, guide-taken photos, and local food tips make this a useful first Tokyo activity.

“We booked this tour as our first activity in Japan, and I’m glad we did. Not only did we get to see many sights, our guide also taught us how to use the metro and proper etiquette for the shrines. Andres was very knowledgeable about the history of Japan and we learned a lot.”

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13.Meiji Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 225 reviews · from $18

Spend about two hours exploring Meiji Jingu with a guide who explains Shinto customs, shrine rituals, and the story of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. You’ll pass beneath a huge wooden torii, walk through a 70-hectare artificial forest, and learn how to bow, cleanse your hands, and pray. Groups are capped at 15, with guides such as Sara, Yumi, Haydn, Matt-san, and Benjamin.

“Highly recommend this tour, Yumi is excellent she was knowledgeable and accommodating. She imparted a lot of useful information and tips about how to navigate Tokyo. The area itself was beautiful.”

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