Discover old Tokyo’s charm in Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi. Experience a tea ceremony, historic temples, and traditional shrines on this unique walking tour.
- Yanaka Cemetery - We will walk through Yanaka Cemetery and Sakura Dori. Don’t be alarmed, this cemetery is very popular with the locals to stroll through and enjoy nature. In Spring, Sakura Dori is filled with blooming Cherry Blossoms and makes for a magical sight. Yanaka Cemetery is also known for its many famous people laid to rest, including Sumo Wrestlers, Samurai and aristocrats!
- Gallery Okubo - You will then enjoy a traditional tea ceremony experience in a beautiful tea room. You can enjoy a truly authentic experience relaxing while staff serve you tea and your Wagashi (Japanese sweets) wearing kimono. The experience is made even more special as you are able choose your own tea bowl to drink from with some being antique and hundreds of years old! Staff can speak English and will tell you all about tea ceremony and its culture.
- Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street - Your next stop will be Yanaka Ginza. On the way, you will pass an historic Edo period wall. You will enjoy a guided tour around Yanaka’s main shopping area. You can enjoy free time here to shop, take pictures and try street food at your leisure.
- ASAKURA Museum of Sculpture, Taito - We will then visit a well known museum in Yanaka’s history and art scene. The museum you will visit was both the workshop and family house of a famous Japanese Sculptor. You can enjoy viewing the artist’s amazing and unique works on display, but also the architecture of the beautiful traditional Japanese house you will walk around. The museum also has a Japanese style garden built in the centre of it, and a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy views of Yanaka and surrounding Tokyo. You can spot the Tokyo Skytree on the expansive horizon!
It’s now your lunch time/break! Your guide will happily provide you with recommendations for food and drinks.
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Sendagi - We will now walk to Sendagi, passing many beautiful and traditional shops. In Sendagi, your guide will take you to a local garden and park popular with the locals where you can enjoy nature and relax.
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Nezu - We will now take a short walk to Nezu, located right next to Sendagi. Your guide will take you to one of Tokyo’s most beautiful shrines where you can explore and take pictures. Once finished, we will stroll back to Nippori station where the tour began.
The tour will conclude at Nippori station.
- Admission fees for the Asakura Museum of Sculpture
- Tea Ceremony experience
- Local English speaking guide
Take in the sights and experiences of traditional and old Tokyo on this walking tour. Known as ’Yanesen’ in Tokyo, the trio of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi make up this area and have retained their old ‘Shitamachi’ (lower city) style, architecture and charm, despite being a stone’s throw away from some of the well known metropolis areas of Tokyo. If on your trip to Tokyo you want a chance to step off the tourist trail and see a different side to this amazing city, then ’Yanesen’ must be added to your Tokyo itinerary!
You will start by visiting Yanaka, a historic and artistic area, and a perfect example of a Shitamachi in Japan. A cosy and traditional neighbourhood not many tourists know about, you will step back in time and enjoy an atmosphere that is very different to many parts of Tokyo. Next, you will visit Sendagi known for its temples and park. Finally, you will visit Nezu to see one of Tokyo’s most beautiful shrines.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
