Private Tokyo Tours
Most tour mistakes happen before you leave your hotel. Wrong shoes, no layers, forgot your IC card. Here's what actually matters for a full day exploring Tokyo with a guide.
October 25, 2025
6 mins read
You've booked a private Tokyo tour. Now you're standing in your hotel room wondering what to wear. The weather app says 18°C, which means... what exactly? Do you need a jacket? What about temples—are there dress codes? Should you bring a backpack? These seem like small decisions until you're three hours into walking and realize your shoes are destroying your feet or you're freezing because Tokyo's November "mild" doesn't match what mild means back home.
Wear Broken-In Walking Shoes
Tokyo tours involve 10,000-15,000 steps (5-8 miles). That's subway stairs, temple grounds, market walking, neighborhood exploration. Your feet will hurt if your shoes aren't up to it.
Good choices:
Well-worn sneakers or walking shoes
Broken-in comfortable flats
Walking sandals (summer only, with good support)
Bad choices:
New shoes (blisters guaranteed)
Fashion sneakers with minimal cushioning
Heels or dress shoes
Flip-flops (shrines have gravel paths)
The temple consideration: You'll remove shoes at temples and some restaurants. Wear shoes that slip on/off easily. Complicated laces become annoying by the third temple.
Bring backup insoles if you have foot issues. Tokyo's concrete and stone surfaces are unforgiving.
Tokyo's weather lies. The number on your weather app doesn't tell the whole story.
Spring (March-May): Layer Heavily
Mornings: 10-15°C and chilly Afternoons: 20-25°C and warm Subway stations: Cold Crowded trains: Hot
Wear: Light base layer + cardigan or light jacket you can tie around your waist
Summer (June-September): Prepare for Sweat
It's not just hot—it's humid. You will sweat. A lot. Even walking slowly.
Wear: Lightweight, breathable fabrics. Bring small towel for wiping sweat (locals do this). Change of shirt in your bag if you sweat heavily.
Rainy season (June-July): Bring compact umbrella. Tokyo gets sudden downpours.
Fall (October-November): Deceptive Mornings
Mornings: 12-18°C, feels cold Afternoons: 20-25°C, feels warm Wind: Makes it colder than the temperature suggests
Wear: Light jacket or hoodie. You'll take it off by noon but need it in the morning.
Winter (December-February): Colder Than Expected
Tokyo winter is 5-12°C but feels colder because:
Wind cuts through lighter jackets
You're outside for extended periods
Many spaces are unheated
Wear: Warm jacket, scarf, gloves. Yes, even though it doesn't snow much.
Temple and Shrine Visits
No strict dress codes at most temples, but:
Avoid extremely short shorts or revealing tops
Shoulders don't need to be covered (this isn't Southeast Asia)
You'll remove shoes at some temples—wear clean socks without holes
Restaurant Visits
Some traditional restaurants require:
Removing shoes (again, easy on/off shoes matter)
Sitting on floor (avoid tight skirts or pants)
Your guide will warn you in advance
General Tokyo Fashion
Tokyo is stylish but not dressy. You'll see everything from business suits to streetwear. Tourists in athletic wear are common and perfectly acceptable.
Don't stress about "fitting in"—worry about being comfortable for 6-8 hours of walking.
Small Backpack or Crossbody Bag
You'll be walking, using trains, and taking shoes on/off. Both hands need to be free.
Bad idea: Large backpack (crowds hate this), shoulder bag (gets heavy), no bag (where do you put your jacket when you're hot?)
What Goes Inside:
Water bottle. Tokyo has vending machines everywhere, but buying water 3-4 times per day adds up. Bring refillable bottle.
Small umbrella. Even if forecast says clear. Tokyo weather changes.
Portable battery. You'll be using your phone for photos all day. Hotel chargers don't help you at 3pm when you're at 12%.
Cash (¥10,000-20,000). Many small restaurants and shops are still cash-only. Your guide will mention this, but having cash prevents "we can't eat here because they don't take cards" situations.
IC card (Suica/Pasmo). For trains. You can buy one at arrival, but if you have one from a previous trip, bring it.
Medications you might need. Headache medicine, stomach medicine, allergy meds. Japanese pharmacies are excellent but finding the right product takes time.
Sunscreen (summer). Tokyo sun is strong. Reapply midday.
Small towel (summer). For wiping sweat. This is culturally normal in Japan.
Tissues. Some public restrooms lack paper. Many don't have hand dryers. Tissues solve both.
Don't Bring:
Laptop or tablet. Why? You're touring, not working.
Valuables. Leave expensive jewelry at hotel.
Big camera with multiple lenses. Unless you're a serious photographer, your phone is fine. Swapping lenses while your guide waits is annoying for everyone.
Shopping bags. Buy things during the tour, your guide helps you manage bags or plans a return-to-hotel drop if needed.
Cherry Blossom Season (Late March-Early April)
Bring allergy medication (pollen is intense)
Pack layers (weather is unpredictable)
Small blanket if you're doing hanami (picnic under blossoms)
Summer (June-September)
Hat for sun protection
Sunglasses
Small towel for sweat
Extra shirt
Cooling spray (sold at convenience stores)
Rainy Season (June-July)
Compact umbrella (mandatory)
Quick-dry shoes
Light rain jacket
Plastic bag for wet umbrella
Winter (December-February)
Warm jacket
Scarf
Gloves
Warm socks
Hand warmers (buy at convenience stores—locals use these)
Good guides carry:
Umbrella (but bring your own too)
Tissue packs
IC cards with spare balance
Business cards for restaurants (for dietary restrictions)
Local emergency contacts
Water bottle
Don't rely on your guide to supply things you should bring. They're there to guide, not be your gear sherpa.
Spring/Fall:
Broken-in sneakers
Jeans or comfortable pants
T-shirt + light jacket you can remove
Small backpack
Summer:
Breathable walking shoes
Shorts or light pants
Breathable shirt
Hat and sunglasses
Small towel in bag
Winter:
Warm but walkable shoes (waterproof if possible)
Warm pants
Base layer + sweater + jacket
Scarf and gloves
Warm socks
All seasons:
Clothes you can move in
Shoes that slip on/off easily
Layers you can adjust
Nothing you'd be upset about getting dirty/wet
The perfect Tokyo tour outfit:
Lets you walk 15,000 steps without pain
Adjusts to 10°C temperature swings
Comes on/off easily for temples
Keeps your hands free
Holds essentials without weighing you down
You're not dressing to impress—you're dressing to spend 6-8 hours walking, eating, riding trains, and experiencing Tokyo comfortably. Prioritize function over fashion, and your feet (and body) will thank you.
Ready to book your Tokyo tour? Check out our Tokyo Essentials (6 hours), Tokyo Trifecta (4 hours), or Infinite Tokyo (8 hours) tours. Our concierge team will provide specific packing recommendations based on your tour date and planned activities when you book.
