Tokyo Walking Tour: Tsukiji Market, Incense, Imperial Palace

5 hours and 20 minutes

Easy

Explore Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, Ginza, and the Imperial Palace on a guided tour. Enjoy a tamagoyaki tasting, visit Namiyoke Shrine, and experience the world of Japanese incense.
Begin your tour at the Tsukiji Hongwanji Main Gate, where you’ll meet your guide and learn about the temple’s unique architecture, cultural significance, and historical background.  Next, step into the atmosphere of Namiyoke Shrine, known for protecting the Tsukiji area. Discover the distinctive lion heads, enshrined deities, and the shrine’s deep connection to local market traditions.  Continue to the Tsukiji Outer Market for a food experience. Enjoy a tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) tasting and sample fresh seafood bites while learning about the market’s history and everyday food culture.  Then, head to Kōgen for an immersive, hands-on Japanese incense experience. Depending on the day, the activity may include incense making, scented sachets, kneaded incense, or comparing the aromas of traditional fragrant woods. Learn about the cultural and sensory role of incense in Japanese daily life.  Afterward, enjoy a guided walk through the Ginza area, with commentary on its development and cultural highlights.  Finally, take a guided walk around the Imperial Palace grounds, following a historical route that includes Sakurada Gate, Nijubashi Bridge, and the Sakurada Tatsumi Yagura Turret. Learn about the Palace’s history as the former Edo Castle and its role in modern Japan.
What's included?

    Professional English-speaking guide service throughout the tour

    Meet-up, check-in, and orientation at Tsukiji Hongwanji

    Introduction to Tsukiji Hongwanji’s architecture, cultural significance, and history

    Visit to Namiyoke Shrine

    Guided walk from Tsukiji area to Ginza-itchōme Station

    Guided tour around the Imperial Palace grounds

    Guided walk from the Imperial Palace to Tokyo Station

    Traditional incense-making experience at Kōgen

    Exclusions

      Transportation costs to and from the meeting point

      Public transportation fees during the tour (train, bus, etc., if applicable)

      Food and drink costs during the tour, including optional tastings at local shops

      Any additional snacks, drinks, or meals

      Personal expenses (shopping, souvenirs, etc.)

      Shrine offerings or worship-related costs at Namiyoke Shrine

      (e.g., saisen offerings, omamori charms)

      Please note
        What to bring