Temple & Shrine Tours in Tokyo: Choosing Between 15

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

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

Spend one long day seeing Tokyo’s major sights by air-conditioned coach, from Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace to Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. You’ll try Uji matcha, shop Nakamise Avenue, and may finish with a Tokyo Bay cruise. English guides such as Aya, Yui, Sora, and Tsubasa lead the day, with audio guides in six other languages.

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

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

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

Spend two hours walking through Asakusa with an English-speaking guide such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, or Glenda. You’ll see the Thunder Gate, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise Street, Hoppy Street, and Shin-Nakamise, with time for photos, incense rituals, questions, and food tips.

“Really good, very informative. Aya was a lovely guide. Was great learning about the Japanese cultures and also good tips for the rest of our stay.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

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

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

Spend about nine hours seeing Tokyo by air-conditioned bus, from forested Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace to Odaiba, Senso-ji, and TOKYO SKYTREE®’s 350-meter Tembo Deck. An English-speaking guide such as Keiko, Mina, or Yu Me leads the day. A late Western buffet lunch is included, but vegetarian choices are limited.

“Asushi was very professional and knowledgeable give us description about historical significance and details”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

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

Meet your English-speaking guide near Tawaramachi Station and enter a private Asakusa temple not open to the general public. A monk explains Zazen, leads meditation, and answers questions. The 90-minute visit also includes calligraphy, matcha, sweets, and time to photograph the temple. Tamami Shigenobu is one of the regular guides.

“It was nice, the tour guide was very helpful and happy to answer any questions”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

5.Samurai Entertainment Night Show in Kanda Shrine

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

Spend an evening at Kanda Myojin Shrine with a samurai theater performance about Taira no Masakado. Arrive at 7 PM for drinks and optional Japanese food, then watch swordplay, dance, music, lights, and folklore from 8:15 to 9:15 PM. Afterward, take photos with the performers until 10 PM. Seats are assigned, and filming is not allowed during the show.

“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).”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

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

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

Walk through Asakusa with an English-speaking guide such as Shino, Embla, Nicolas, or Aska. In two hours, you’ll see Kaminarimon, Nakamise Street, Senso-ji, and Asakusa Shrine, while learning temple customs, local history, food tips, and stories often missed on a self-guided visit.

“Aska is a very good tourguide! I have learned a lot from her. 10/10 would recommend 👏🏽”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

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

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

Spend a convenient afternoon visiting Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Outer Area, Sensō-ji Temple, and Tokyo Tower. An English-speaking guide such as Junko, Kiki, or Saiko leads the sightseeing and adds history during the bus rides. You get free time at Nakamise Street, city views from 150 meters, and comfortable transport between the three stops.

“Haruhi was very informative, nice, and humorous during the tour. Thank you. Would recommend if you’re interested in seeing some of the big tourist items while making it easy to get around.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

8.Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shinto & Imperial System

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

Join an English-speaking guide such as Keiko, Yuuka, Ayaka, or Yuki for a 90 to 135-minute walk through Meiji Shrine. You’ll pass sake barrels, a 12-meter cypress torii, and the main shrine while learning Shinto etiquette, imperial history, and Japan’s shift from samurai rule to modern life. The tour ends at Café Mori no Terrace.

“Yui and Yuuka were great tour guides who were informative, engaging, and fun! This is a wonderful tour to see the temple grounds and learn about its history!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

9.Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

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

Spend two hours walking through Meiji Shrine’s 100,000-tree forest with an English-speaking guide. You’ll learn how to perform Shinto rituals, see sake and wine barrels, visit Meiji Jingu Gyoen, and explore the shrine itself. Small groups, guide photos, local tips, and a $19 price make this a useful first Tokyo activity.

“This tour was amazing! The other person scheduled didn’t show, so it ended up being a private tour. Yota (tour guide) was funny and personable. When I wanted to stop at different places, he was agreeable, and he recommended excellent Japanese treats along the way. He is super knowledgeable about the history of Japan. I asked a TON of questions, and he had answers to all of them. Lastly, we stopped and had Ramen at the end, and I would not have discovered the restaurant without him. He also gave me recommendations of things to do while in Tokyo. This was a great way to start my trip! Try to…”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

10.Meiji Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

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

Meet your guide near Harajuku and walk through Meiji Jingu’s forested grounds, torii gates, and ritual spaces. In about two hours, you’ll learn how to bow, purify your hands, pray, and understand the shrine’s connection to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Guides including Yumi, Sara, Haydn, Matt-san, and Benjamin have led this small-group walk.

“Despite the rain, we really enjoyed our walk around Meiji Shrine thanks to Matt-san’s kind and thoughtful guidance. His explanations about the Meiji restoration and Emperor Meiji’s achievements were both insightful and memorable. I’ll definitely recommend this tour to my friends in the U.S.-it was a great experience! ( Anonymous C.U)”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

11.Asakusa Temple & Shrine Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Walk Asakusa in a group of up to eight with a local English or French-speaking guide. See Azuma Bridge, the Skytree view, Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Sensoji, Asakusa Shrine, and smaller religious sites. You’ll learn Buddhist and Shinto customs, try temizu, omikuji, and incense rituals, and get practical help with photos, snacks, and shopping.

“We really enjoyed our tour with Nicolas! We were a group of 4 people so it was easy to go around together, even in the crowded Asakusa. Nicolas is passionate about japanese culture and spirituality and his communication was great. I believe this tour is a perfect way to start your trip to Tokyo, so that you get the sense of Japanese temples, how to behave inside them and you will enjoy your next visits more. Really recommended! Thanks Nicolas :)”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

12.Tokyo Morning Tour: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa & Fish Market

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 44 reviews · 4h 30m · from $83

Start near IKEA Harajuku with Meiji Shrine, then taste sushi and sashimi at Tsukiji Outer Market before walking through Asakusa for croquettes, sweets, and Senso-ji Temple. Guides such as Yosuke, Lax, Lex, Yo yo, Remu, and Ken bring strong knowledge of Japanese religion, culture, and daily life. Public transport costs about 550 yen extra.

“I would recommend this tour for everyone who is interested in the Japanese religion. Our guide Remu was very nice and gave use a lots of information about schinto and buddhism. The fire ritual is amazing to watch! It was a informative and fun morning for us.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

13.Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shijuku Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 42 reviews · 4 hours · from $103

Spend four focused hours with an English-speaking private guide exploring Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Cat Street, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. Guides such as Maruf, Emir, Erica, Joe, and Ayoub tailor the route to your interests, help with Tokyo’s trains, and add local context along the way.

“Our guide Maruf did a great job entertaining the group and meeting our expectations.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

14.Tokyo Asakusa & Senso-Ji Walking tour With A Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 40 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Spend two hours with a private guide in Asakusa, visiting Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Street, Senso-ji, Sumida Park, and Tokyo Skytree. You can shape the walk around your interests, and guides are available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. Nicolas is one guide named in the experience details.

“Guida disponibile, abbiamo avuto un imprevisto e ci ha spostato l'orario di inizio del tour senza problemi. A nostro avviso il rapporto qualità/prezzo dell'attività in sé non è stato adeguato. Ci saremmo aspettati maggiori informazioni e dettagli durante la passeggiata”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

15.Gotokuji Cat Temple, Shinjuku Cat Cafe & 3D Cat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 38 reviews · 2h 30m · from $56

Spend 150 minutes with an English-speaking guide visiting Shinjuku’s Giant 3D Cat, Cat Cafe Mocha Lounge, Gotokuji Temple, and local cat shops. Hiro and Rachel are among the guides. The small-group tour includes a 30-minute cafe visit, free drinks, train guidance, and time for cat-themed shopping.

“very special experience. cats, cat trains, cat shaped food , cat temples this tour had everything. I am not even a big cat fan but loved the tour. highly recommend if you want to experience something out of the ordinary”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →