Tokyo Morning Tour by Hato Bus | See the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower and Sensoji Temple in Half a Day

Start from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station and see Tokyo by yellow bus

Tours depart from the Hato Bus boarding point at the Marunouchi South Exit of Tokyo Station, or the Hato Bus boarding point at the East Exit of Shinjuku Station. Choose whichever is closer to your hotel, so your morning start stays relaxed.

Allow about 4 hours from Tokyo Station, or about 4 hours 40 minutes from Shinjuku Station. Arrival times may vary with road conditions, and you may sometimes arrive earlier than planned. You will travel in an air-conditioned bus, so you can visit Tokyo's best-known sights without worrying about transfers.

Once you gather, Hato Bus staff will check the passenger list and guide you. After that, all you have to do is take your seat and the bus will take you to each destination.

First stop: the Imperial Palace Plaza, and a quiet moment in front of Nijubashi Bridge

Your first destination is the Imperial Palace Plaza. Although it sits right beside the city's office towers, it offers a calm scene of wide open sky, green pine trees and the moat that surrounds the palace.

Access to the inside of the Imperial Palace is restricted, so this tour does not enter the palace grounds. Instead, you will be guided from the plaza to spots with beautiful views, including the area around Nijubashi Bridge.

The highlight is Nijubashi, a bridge that often appears in photos as a symbol of Tokyo. Its stone arches are reflected in the moat, with a turret and greenery rising behind.

Hearing from a licensed guide about the history that runs from Edo Castle to today's Imperial Palace will change how you see Asakusa and Tokyo Tower later in the day.

Take in a 360-degree panorama from the Tokyo Tower observatory

Next comes Tokyo Tower. The experience begins at its base, where you look up at the red steel tower inspired by the Eiffel Tower.

From the Main Deck you get a 360-degree panoramic view. You can see the green of the Imperial Palace and clusters of skyscrapers, and on a clear day the view stretches far into the distance. You can even look back at the places you just visited.

Looking up at the powerful steel framework from the ground, then gazing out from the observatory: a bus tour lets you enjoy both in a short time.

Finally, Asakusa: from the private parking area to Sensoji's main hall

Your last destination is Sensoji Temple. The bus arrives at the Hato Bus parking area behind the temple.

After you get off the bus, your guide will lead you to the main hall. Rather than entering through Kaminarimon Gate, you approach the temple grounds from the rear.

Free time after the main hall: explore Nakamise and Kaminarimon at your own pace

After your guided visit to the main hall, you have free time. Use it to stroll along Nakamise Street or visit Kaminarimon Gate on your own.

Nakamise Street is lined with shops selling traditional snacks and souvenirs. Browse the stalls or photograph the giant lantern at Kaminarimon, and enjoy Asakusa in whatever way interests you.

After exploring Asakusa, return to Tokyo Station

When your free time in Asakusa ends, you will board the bus at the private parking area and head back to Tokyo Station. Even if you joined from Shinjuku Station, the tour ends at Tokyo Station.

The Imperial Palace Plaza, Tokyo Tower and Sensoji Temple: this half-day journey shows you several different faces of Tokyo. After the tour ends, you can carry on sightseeing around the city to suit your own plans.

Things to check before you book

• Choose your departure point: Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit or Shinjuku Station East Exit
• Even from Shinjuku, the tour ends at Tokyo Station
• Departure time and meeting point
• Guiding by a licensed national guide is in English
• Tokyo Tower Main Deck admission is included
• There is free time at Sensoji and Nakamise Street
• Meals are not included
• Comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to the weather
• Cancellation conditions and the latest tour details
• Allow about 4 hours from Tokyo Station or about 4 hours 40 minutes from Shinjuku Station; arrival times may vary with road conditions

Prices, departure times and tour details may change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

Hato Bus's Tokyo Morning Tour is an English-guided bus tour that covers Tokyo's best-known sights, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Tokyo Tower and Sensoji Temple, in about half a day.

At the Imperial Palace Plaza you take in the scenery around Nijubashi and learn about Tokyo's history. At Tokyo Tower you see the city spread out from the Main Deck. Finally, you are guided from the private parking area behind Sensoji to the main hall, and then you can explore Nakamise and Kaminarimon during your free time.

With English commentary from a licensed national guide and the bus handling all the transport, it is an easy tour to fit into a first visit to Tokyo when you want to "cover the classics first."

After seeing several different sides of Tokyo in one morning, the tour ends at Tokyo Station. You can then continue exploring the city in the afternoon to suit your own plans.