Tokyo City Private Car Tour 2026: Senso-ji, Skytree, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya Landmark Itinerary and Transport
This is a guide to a Tokyo city private car day tour, covering opening hours and tickets for Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya Crossing, how to link them by subway, and 3 private car routes with pick-up and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel.
- Senso-ji's Main Hall is open 6:30–17:00 from October to March and 6:00–17:00 from April to September, so visit the hall before 5 pm
- The Skytree Tembo Deck is open 10:00–22:00, last entry 21:00; Tembo Deck tickets start at 1,800 yen for adults, plus 500 yen per ticket if bought at the 4F counter
- Meiji Jingu's gates follow sunrise and sunset: 6:10–16:10 in November, 6:40–16:00 in December, and it takes about 10 minutes to walk from any entrance to the main shrine
- Linking the 4 sights by train means 4 rides on 2 different railway companies; the Tokyo Subway Ticket went up in March, 24 hours now 1,000 yen for adults
- With older parents or kids, or if you'd rather skip the stations, a 10-hour private car with door-to-door pick-up at your Tokyo hotel is easier; see the 3 private car routes below
Where does a Tokyo city private car tour go?
On a first trip to Tokyo, the classic line-up is Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya Crossing. Asakusa and the Skytree are in the old downtown on the east side, while Meiji Jingu and Shibuya are in the west, so you cross the whole city in one day. This guide covers central Tokyo only; for Lake Kawaguchi, Hakone or Nikko, see Tokyo Private Car Day Trips 2026.
Lanytrip's Tokyo classic landmarks private car tour is a 10-hour charter with the driver picking you up at your Tokyo hotel door, with a Chinese-speaking driver, one price per car and no sharing with other groups. Starting at 9:00, the day looks like this:
| Time | Stop | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Leave Tokyo hotel | — |
| 09:30 | Senso-ji, Kaminarimon Nakamise Street |
about 1 h 45 min |
| 11:30 | Tokyo Skytree | about 1 h |
| 12:30 | Lunch at Solamachi | about 1 h 30 min |
| 14:45 | Meiji Jingu | about 1 h 15 min |
| 16:15 | Shibuya Crossing Hachiko statue |
about 1 h 15 min |
| 17:30 | Back to Tokyo hotel | — |
You choose the start time; add it and your hotel name (or address) in the order notes.
When are the 4 landmarks open, and do you need tickets?
Senso-ji, Kaminarimon and Nakamise Street
Suggested stay: about 1 h 45 min
Senso-ji is the heart of old-town Tokyo. You enter through Kaminarimon, walk the length of Nakamise Street, and reach Hozomon Gate and the Main Hall. The current Main Hall was completed in 1958, and Kaminarimon was rebuilt in 1960 with a donation from Konosuke Matsushita. Nakamise is lined with snack and souvenir stalls, and 1 h 45 min gives you time to browse and eat.
| Period | Main Hall hours |
|---|---|
| April–September | 6:00–17:00 |
| October–March | 6:30–17:00 |
Tokyo Skytree
Suggested stay: about 1 h (plus 1 h 30 min for lunch at Solamachi)
The Skytree stands next to Oshiage Station, a short hop from Asakusa. There are two decks: the Tembo Deck at 350 m and the Tembo Galleria at 450 m. The Tembo Deck is open 10:00–22:00 with last entry at 21:00; junior high students and younger pay the child fare, high school students and older pay the adult fare.
Tickets use date-based pricing, so the table shows starting prices:
| Ticket | Adult (15+) | Child (6–14) |
|---|---|---|
| Tembo Deck + Galleria | from 3,000 yen | from 1,500 yen |
| Tembo Deck | from 1,800 yen | from 900 yen |
| Tembo Galleria (add-on) | 1,400 yen | 700 yen |
Tembo Deck tickets bought at the 4F counter or ticket machines cost 500 yen more per ticket, so booking online in advance is better. Galleria tickets are sold only on the day, at the machines inside the Tembo Deck.
Below the tower is the Tokyo Solamachi mall, so lunch is right there before you head west.
Meiji Jingu
Suggested stay: about 1 h 15 min
Meiji Jingu sits next to Harajuku, and the approach leads straight into a deep forest, a world away from the busy streets outside. The shrine buildings are in the middle of the grounds, about 10 minutes' walk from any entrance, so 1 h 15 min covers the walk and your visit. Gate times change monthly with sunrise and sunset, and in autumn and winter the gates close around 4 pm:
| Month | Gates open–close |
|---|---|
| November | 6:10–16:10 |
| December | 6:40–16:00 |
With the early winter closing, aim to arrive around 15:00 for an afternoon visit so you have time to reach the main shrine.
Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko statue
Suggested stay: about 1 h 15 min
When the lights turn green at the big crossing outside Shibuya Station, crowds pour in from every direction at once. It is one of Tokyo's most famous street scenes. The Hachiko statue is right by the crossing, and people line up for photos. It feels best as the lights come on in the evening, so make it your last stop before heading back to the hotel.
How many changes does it take by subway?
All 4 sights are on the train network, but it takes 4 rides and two companies, Tobu and Tokyo Metro. A typical day by train looks like this:
| Leg | How to go |
|---|---|
| Asakusa → Skytree | Tobu Skytree Line, about 3 min to Tokyo Skytree Station |
| Skytree → Meiji Jingu | Hanzomon Line from Oshiage change to Chiyoda Line at Omotesando to Meiji-jingumae |
| Meiji Jingu → Shibuya | Fukutoshin Line from Meiji-jingumae 1 stop to Shibuya |
Add the trips from your hotel to Asakusa and from Shibuya back, and you pass through stations at least 5 times. Meiji-jingumae and Shibuya are big stations with many exits and long passageways, so with older parents, kids or a stroller, finding lifts and the right exit takes real time.
How much is the Tokyo Subway Ticket?
The Tokyo Subway Ticket covers all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. Prices went up on March 14, 2026, with the 24-hour adult ticket rising from 800 to 1,000 yen:
| Ticket | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | 1,000 yen | 500 yen |
| 48 hours | 1,500 yen | 750 yen |
| 72 hours | 2,000 yen | 1,000 yen |
Time counts from first use. JR and the Tobu Skytree Line are not included, so the Asakusa to Skytree leg costs extra, or you can walk.
To skip the fares, the changes and the exit hunting, see the private car routes below.
When is a private car easier than the subway?
Tokyo's subway is convenient, but in these cases a private car saves a lot of effort:
- Travelling with older parents or kids: 4 rides and 5 station visits mean lifts and long corridors every time; the car stops right at each sight.
- Strollers or lots of bags: trains get crowded at peak times, and strollers and day bags can stay in the car.
- Three generations or a bigger group: an Alphard or similar takes up to 4 people and 4 bags, a Toyota HiAce up to 8 people and 8 bags, so everyone rides together.
- Covering both east and west: Asakusa and the Skytree are in the east, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya in the west; the car drives straight across without a change at Omotesando.
- Wanting more time somewhere: stay longer at Nakamise or Solamachi, tell your driver, and adjust the rest of the day together.
Which Tokyo city private car routes can you choose?
All 3 routes are 10-hour charters with door-to-door pick-up at your Tokyo hotel, planned around the hours above. The order can be adjusted to your start time and where you want to linger, together with your driver.
Tokyo Classic Cultural Landmarks Private Car Day Tour
Get a 1-on-1 quoteTokyo hotel → Senso-ji, Kaminarimon, Nakamise → Tokyo Skytree → Lunch at Solamachi → Meiji Jingu → Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko → Tokyo hotel
- Best forFirst-time visitors to Tokyo, families, three-generation trips and anyone who loves Japanese culture and famous landmarks.
- How to planLeave the hotel at 9:00, Asakusa and the Skytree in the morning, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya in the afternoon, back by 17:30.
- Short on timeAt the Skytree, have lunch at Solamachi but skip the deck, and give the time to Meiji Jingu.
Skytree Night View Version
Get a 1-on-1 quoteTokyo hotel → Meiji Jingu → Shibuya Crossing → Senso-ji → Tokyo Skytree (night view) → Tokyo hotel
- Best forCouples and friends who want Tokyo's night view and all 4 landmarks in one day.
- How to planStart with Meiji Jingu in the morning, then lunch in Shibuya, Senso-ji in the afternoon (Main Hall closes at 17:00), and the Skytree at dusk. Last entry to the Tembo Deck is 21:00, and you go straight back to the hotel afterwards.
- Short on timeSkip Shibuya and go from Meiji Jingu straight to Asakusa.
Asakusa and Skytree Slow Old-Town Day
Get a 1-on-1 quoteTokyo hotel → Senso-ji, Nakamise → Lunch at Solamachi → Tokyo Skytree → Tokyo hotel
- Best forFamilies with older parents, kids or a stroller who don't want to cross the city in one day.
- How to planStay on the east side and give Asakusa and the Skytree more time: snack along Nakamise, browse Solamachi, and rest in the car when you're tired.
- Short on timeSkip the deck and go from Asakusa straight to Solamachi for food and shopping.
Have this ready when you ask about a private car on LINE
- Your hotel (name or address)
- Date of use
- Number of people and luggage (strollers, large bags)
- Your planned itinerary
For a faster, more accurate quote, please send all of the above in one message on LINE.
Summary: what to watch for and how to plan
What to watch for
Each landmark keeps different hours: Senso-ji's Main Hall closes at 17:00 and Meiji Jingu at 16:10 in November, while the Skytree Tembo Deck stays open until 22:00 with last entry at 21:00. Skytree tickets are date-priced, so book online in advance to avoid the 500-yen counter fee per ticket.
How to plan the day
For a first visit, Asakusa and the Skytree in the morning, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya in the afternoon flows best; for night views, reverse it and save the Skytree for dusk. If you'd rather not go far with older parents or kids, Asakusa and the Skytree alone make a great day.
Why a private car
By subway you take 4 rides on two railway companies and hunt for exits and lifts at big stations. With a private car, the driver picks you up at your Tokyo hotel door and drops you right at each sight, and anyone tired can rest in the car. To plan one, check the 3 private car routes above, or talk to us on LINE.
Tokyo city private car tour FAQ
How many sights can you see in one day by private car?＋
With a 10-hour charter starting at 9:00, Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya Crossing all fit in one day, with 1 h 30 min for lunch at Solamachi and back at the hotel by 17:30.
How much are Skytree tickets? Should I buy in advance?＋
The Tembo Deck starts at 1,800 yen for adults and 900 yen for children, depending on the date. Buying at the 4F counter or machines adds 500 yen per ticket, so booking online in advance is better.
What time does Meiji Jingu close?＋
Gate times change monthly with sunrise and sunset: 6:10–16:10 in November, 6:40–16:00 in December. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the main shrine, so arrive early in the afternoon.
Can I use the Tokyo Subway Ticket to reach the Skytree?＋
You can take the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line to Oshiage, but the Tobu Skytree Line from Asakusa is not covered. The 24-hour ticket is 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children, at prices in effect since March 14, 2026.
How many people fit, and where do we get picked up?＋
An Alphard or similar takes up to 4 people and 4 bags, and a Toyota HiAce up to 8 people and 8 bags. The driver picks you up at your Tokyo hotel door; just add your start time and hotel name in the order notes.
