Has anyone had experience with Sunrise Tours or with Japan Gray Line Tours in Tokyo? Although we're not usually "tour people", we're thinking that as first-timers, in order to get an overview of all we'd like to see, a tour might be to our advantage. The only companies we can find that have pick-up and drop-off services with the Hilton in Shinjuku where we're staying, are the two mentioned above. Another company, Viator, seems to have most of its tours originating at the Hamamatschu Bus Terminal. Not too convenient for us, it seems. Thanks for any information or suggestions regarding day tours.

I was in Tokyo in Feb. and did a half day city tour with Sunrise and also a one day Kyoto tour(via bullet train). Both were well organized with good guides.

No,never been on a tour with any of those companies but have seen many around Tokyo....
The Sunrise Tours are run by JTB and the Gray Line Tours are ubiquitous throughout the world. Again if it were me, and it is not, and if I were apprehensive about making the adjustment to Japan, I would hire a personal guide (for just a little more money,lol) like Junko Matsuda,a local Tokyo resident who gets rave reviews on this site and others. She would ease you into the Tokyo scene in a day of touring with her although at this late date she may already be taken.

Email - [email protected]
tel. 03/3749-0445 fax (03/3749-0445)

Aloha!

On my first trip to Japan in 2004 I took a walking tour with Mr. Oka....I recommend him.

http://mroka.homestead.com/

I booked through Viator but it was actually on a Sunrise tour. From memory I had no complaints.