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Yanaka and Nezu: Tokyo Old Traditional Town Cultural Experience
5.0
9 Ratings
Arakawa City
Explore Tokyo’s old neighborhoods, discover historic temples, and experience authentic Japanese culture on a leisurely 3.5-hour walking tour.
Explore Tokyo’s old neighborhoods, discover historic temples, and experience authentic Japanese culture on a leisurely 3.5-hour walking tour.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Nezu Shrine - As one of Tokyo’s oldest places of worship, this shrine features a charming Torii-lined pathway. Discover the native Japanese religion, learn the proper way to pray at a shrine, write your wishes, and receive your fortune here.
- Tennoji Temple - Among the oldest temples in the Yanaka area, it boasts a large bronze seated Buddha….
- Nezu Shrine - As one of Tokyo’s oldest places of worship, this shrine features a charming Torii-lined pathway. Discover the native Japanese religion, learn the proper way to pray at a shrine, write your wishes, and receive your fortune here.
- Tennoji Temple - Among the oldest temples in the Yanaka area, it boasts a large bronze seated Buddha. Experience tranquility in this historic spiritual site and enjoy the stunning garden views surrounding the temple complex.
- Ueno Sakuragi Atari - Explore the remnants of Showa-period (1926–1989) houses, now transformed into shops. Sample the local Yanaka beer (at your own expense). Be aware that the Yanaka beer hall and some shops may be closed during your visit. Ueno Sakuragi Atari is closed on Mondays or occasionally on Tuesdays; if closed, you can only take photos from outside the gate.
- ヘイゴ・ニケ - Known as “Snake Street” in Japanese, this local residential area offers a stroll with our tour guide, who lives nearby. Discover local old and new houses and shops, and learn more about the Japanese lifestyle.
- Yanaka Cemetery - One of Tokyo’s largest and most picturesque cemeteries, it is the resting place of many notable figures.
- Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street - This historic shopping street offers local street foods and Japanese desserts. Find unique Japanese souvenirs here. Note that shop operating days and hours vary, so some may be closed during your visit.
- Yuyake Dandan - Known as the “sunset staircase” in Japanese, it offers a beautiful sunset view and a glimpse of Yanaka Ginza street. This is a must-see photo spot when visiting Yanaka Ginza.
- Enju-ji Temple - A unique temple where people pray for strong legs or recovery from leg injuries. Learn how to pray and write your wish on an “ema,” a wooden plate used to convey wishes and messages to the “kami” God.
- The Yanaka’s Himalayan Cedar Tree - We will pass by this 100-year-old Himalayan Cedar tree, which grows next to an old shop.
- SCAI The Bathhouse - Pass by this 200-year-old bathhouse, now converted into an art gallery.
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Tour guide fee
- Bottled water
- Tour guide fee
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Lunch
Additional Information
We are new to this website, but we have conducted numerous Yanaka tours, receiving many positive reviews from our satisfied customers. This is a walking tour at a relaxed pace, allowing participants to closely experience authentic Japanese lifestyle and culture. It is suitable for most individuals with moderate fitness levels. Participants will explore…
We are new to this website, but we have conducted numerous Yanaka tours, receiving many positive reviews from our satisfied customers. This is a walking tour at a relaxed pace, allowing participants to closely experience authentic Japanese lifestyle and culture. It is suitable for most individuals with moderate fitness levels. Participants will explore Tokyo’s historic neighborhoods, including Yanaka, Nezu, Ueno Sakuragi, and Sendagi. Discover ancient temples and shrines, as well as buildings from the Meiji, Taishō, and Showa periods.
• Typically, this tour lasts around 3 hours and 30 minutes, though it may occasionally conclude earlier or later, offering flexibility for everyone to enjoy their experience in this charming neighborhood.
• The tour is conducted in small groups, allowing for personal interaction with our knowledgeable tour guide.
• It is an excellent experience for those wishing to explore a quieter, traditional area of Tokyo.
Note: During peak season, group sizes may exceed 9 people. However, we do not employ inexperienced or irregular tour guides, even during busy periods.
Location
Nippori Station
Meet at Nippori Station . Please go to North Gate , West Exit (for Yanaka) , once you go out the exit our tour guide will wait for you at the rest area (with baggage storage coin lockers)
(Please refer to the last 2 pictures for the meeting place at Nippori Station)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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Travelinguy2017
Feb 3, 2025
A wonderful experience of a slower, quieter old Tokyo - As first time visitors to Tokyo (and Japan too), we were not sure quite what to expect on this tour.
After having walked around the Ginza area and Shibuya, bright lights, crowds and high-end labels seemed to be permanent fixtures.
Yanaka turned out to be the exact opposite, and our guide, Sui, was as good a guide as one could expect.
First, you can walk safely on the side streets of Yanaka. There were far more pedestrians than cars. The streets are also narrow and full of turns, so cars travel slowly. What I am saying is, you can comfortably stroll along this lovely little corner of Tokyo that is so completely different from anything you might have seen before.
Different? Little bakeries, small coffee shops in pre-war buildings, a real vegetable and fruit stand such as you might see is small town USA but with a Japanese twist, a beer hall- tiny, but serving locally brewed beer that you might find anywhere else) , an antique store with real antiques (bit prices, though), plenty of temples, just a wonderful opportunity to see a more normal small town.
The Yanaka Ginza that you come to towards the end is another delight. Exactly the opposite of the 'more famous' Ginza, with not a single brand name, all tiny local stores selling hand-made artifacts and family-owned food stands, an absolute delight - if you like that sort of thing, that is.
It can be a long-ish walk, around 3 hours, but its worth every minute.
And our tour guide, Sui, took us to so many interesting places that time just zoomed by.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jaimiet_11
Jan 28, 2025
Tokyo, off the beaten track - Our guide Sui gave great directions to find her to start the tour (a challenge on other tours we have been on). Having a Japanese person conduct the tour (rather than just someone who could speak English) really helped us to understand more about Tokyo and Japan. Sui answered even the most obscure questions, provided a great tour of not just temples and shrines that you would not normally see, but also of Tokyo neighborhoods showing how the locals live.
Our 8yo daughter was in a difficult mood the morning of the tour and Sui was very patient with her and by the time it was over, she was sad to see her go.
If you have been to Tokyo and seen the "highlights" already, this is a nice relaxing tour that shows you things you would not discover yourself.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cfloyd48
Jan 22, 2025
Good to experience a quainter area of Tokyo - The tour was very enjoyable and informative.
Sui was a good tour guide - accommodating and had answers to most of our questions.
We saw several old wooden houses that have survived and are now repurposed as restaurants and a bakery.
Nezu Shrine is well worth visiting.
Recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ms_cashew
Jan 13, 2025
I got so much out of this walking tour! - I booked this Yanaka walking tour in October and it was such a great experience! I was lucky enough to be the only customer that day, so I was given a personalised tour of the Yanaka Ginza area! I love wandering through backstreets and my guide Sui was very accommodating and knowledgeable.
I chose to do a tour because I wanted to get the most out of visiting the area. As a non-Japanese speaker, I found it incredibly helpful to have Sui by my side, who helped order food and speak with the shop vendors.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience the history, food and culture of the Yanaka Ginza area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freedom62003520830
Dec 19, 2024
Beautiful discovery - The visit was very interesting, the guide knew her subject very well and was very kind. Great experience👍🏽
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_m
Nov 19, 2024
A fascinating insight into Tokyo’s history and culture - A thoroughly enjoyable your. The guide, Sui, was friendly and engaging. She led the tour at at even pace, which gave sufficient time to stop and enjoy each site. In particular, her explanations of the importance of temples and shrines in Japanese history and present day life, especially the significance on monks was wonderful. It was also pleasing that much of the tour was spent and residential areas, thus giving an insight into modern day Japanese life. Having said that, it was great to conclude the tour in the Yanaka Ginza, and to shop without neon lights from all angles
Review provided by Viator
Alleycat2007
Nov 7, 2024
This tour made my trip! - This walking tour was fantastic. I was a little leery of booking it because it only had one review. But I went for it and am so glad I did. Turns out they usually book through another guide service and were new to Tripadvisor/Viator.
I went with a friend, about 10 pp on the tour. Our guide was Sui. She was excellent right from the start. Sent very clear directions where to meet and then took us walking for 3.5 hours through neighborhoods with cemeteries, temples, and shrines. I’d been in Japan for about two weeks already and Sui’s tour answered the gazillion questions I had about culture, the differences between temples and shrines, why there are so many wires above the streets rather than buried, why there are so few traditional wood houses left, and many more.
We ended the tour on a shopping street where Sui pointed out traditional foods and restaurants I would not have noticed on my own.
Just terrific. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ezlyna
Oct 15, 2024
Lovely guide, great tour, and an easygoing pace. - Sui was absolutely lovely and suggested plenty of spots to eat. She shared a lot about the customs and explained things clearly at the temples and shrine. We enjoyed the tour and picked up some new insights into Japanese culture. The pace was nice and relaxed, which made it easy for everyone to keep up.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coy521
Sep 30, 2024
Sweet guide, informative tour, and a relaxed pace. - Sui was very sweet and recommended many places to eat. She explained the etiquette and details at the temples and shrine. It was a good tour, and we learned new things about Japanese culture. The pace was relaxed, so we all walked at a comfortable speed.
Review provided by Viator