Your tour begins as you board your motorcoach for a scenic, 30-minute drive to fascinating Tokyo center. Your route affords you a glimpse at the world's largest city, taking in such sites as the modern Fuji Television, Ginza district and other landmarks in the city's center.
Revel in the exotic scenery as you make your way to Meiji Shrine, which you'll enter through one of Japan's largest torii gates. Emperor Meiji was instrumental in opening Japan to the outside world in the late 1800s, ushering in the Meiji Restoration that brought the rule of the Tokugawa (shogun) government to an end. After the deaths of the emperor and empress, the Meiji Shrine was constructed to enshrine their souls. It was dedicated on November 1, 1920.
Your tour continues to Sensoji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple). Legend has it that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon out of the Sumida River, then they made the temple to enshrine the statue. Consequently, Sensoji was built there for the goddess of Kannon.
You'll enter through the Nitenmon or Kaminarimon Gate, bedecked, with a huge red paper lantern, to view the shrine. Your guided tour also strolls down Nakamise-dori, the Street of Inside Shops, which is brimming with traditional stalls selling everything from food and souvenirs, to handmade crafts like yukata and folding fans.
Grab a snack before rejoining your tour coach for going back to the pier.