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Tokyo Private Tour: Explore Nostalgic Neighborhoods with a Licensed Guide
4.9
44 Ratings
Nezu
Embark on a value-packed private tour in Tokyo’s nostalgic neighborhoods with a licensed guide. Explore off the beaten path, experience local life, and indulge in delicious food and drinks!
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Nezu - Miraculously spared from significant damage during world wars and natural disasters, Yanaka and Nezu—two neighborhoods in Tokyo’s historic downtown, known as shitamachi—maintain their old-world charm. Discover historical sites like Yanaka Cemetery and Nezu Shrine nestled among shitamachi’s narrow alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, cozy coffee shops, and retro stores selling nostalgic sweets and snacks. Here, you can step back in time to a more leisurely, refined Tokyo.
- Nezu Shrine - Established in 1706, Nezu Shrine is a prime example of grand Edo-era shrine architecture. With its striking vermilion and gold lacquered ‘gongen-zukuri’ style buildings, it is rightly designated as an Important Cultural Property. The shrine also boasts ‘Tsutsuji-en,’ a 2,000 tsubo (approximately 6,600 square meters) Japanese azalea garden. Featuring around 50 varieties of 3,000 azaleas, the garden draws numerous visitors each spring.
- Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street - This time, the focus is on introducing Yanaka and its top attractions. Located a bit farther from central Tokyo areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya, Yanaka is a serene town that preserves its traditions but remains relatively unknown to most foreign travelers. Featured in many Japanese dramas and movies, Yanaka is a nostalgic town that embodies Japanese culture. Yanaka Ginza is one of the most famous and popular spots in Yanaka, offering a quick cultural immersion and delightful food experiences.
- SCAI The Bathhouse - Once a bathhouse over 200 years old, this high-ceilinged space in a charming neighborhood near Ueno Park now showcases contemporary Japanese artists (Tatsuo Miyajima) and international talents (Lee Bul, Julian Opie). Like many art galleries in the Yanaka district, its location in an antiquated building lends it a minimalist yet fashionable appeal. The building alone is worth a visit.
- Yanaka Cemetery - One of Tokyo’s largest and most picturesque graveyards, along with Aoyama Cemetery. The central avenue of the cemetery is usually quiet today, but over 150 years ago, it was a bustling area lined with tea shops that doubled as brothels and illegal gambling dens. The cemetery remains popular during cherry blossom season, as the Japanese enjoy holding blossom-viewing parties in the city’s cemeteries. Yanaka is renowned for its blooming cherry trees. With over 7,000 graves, the cemetery is vast—so large that it even has its own police station.
- Sendagi - The small areas of Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi together form Yanesen, located in Ueno. Having survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and World Wars, Yanesen retains a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the late 19th to early 20th century. Visit Yanaka Ginza Street, a 170-meter-long street with about 70 stores. Here, you can find local food stands, clothing stores, supermarkets, tea shops, sweet shops, and cafes or restaurants.
- Shibamata - Shibamata (柴又) is a neighborhood on Tokyo’s eastern edge, near the Edogawa River, which forms the natural border between Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture. The town retains its old-school charm and offers a perfect escape from modern Tokyo. One of the main attractions is the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, located not far from the station.
- Taishakuten-Sando - A 200-meter road leading to Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, filled with street food stalls and small shops. Many of these shops have preserved their traditional character, featuring authentic wooden signboards that make this street one of the most beautiful in Tokyo. Enjoying local snacks, especially the kusa-dango, completes the visit.
- Shibamata Taishakuten (Taishakuten Daikyoji Temple) - A Nichiren temple with an impressive Nitenmon Gate and a beautiful wood carvings gallery. These carvings, created between 1922 and 1934, depict the lotus sutra. Additionally, visitors can relax in a Japanese garden with wooden walkways.
- Fukagawa Edo Museum - Dedicated to old Tokyo, the Fukagawa Edo Museum is a replica of a village from the late Edo period (1603-1868). It features various types of houses, a canal, and a fire watchtower.
- Fukagawa Fudodo - Fukagawa Fudō-dō is a unique temple, part of the Chisan group in the Shingon school of Buddhism, practicing Esoteric Buddhism. The temple is known for its goma fire rituals, where wooden sticks are burned during ceremonies several times a day to empower Fudōmyō-ō, the god of justice.
- Tomioka Hachimangu - The birthplace of sumo wrestling tournaments and home to one of Tokyo’s largest Shinto festivals. The shrine was bombed during World War II, and the current building dates from 1956. The associated festival is considered one of the three great festivals of Edo.
- Kiyosumi Teien - This historic garden is linked to Kinokuniya Bunzaemon, a merchant from the Edo period. The garden is notable for its clear pond, beautiful reflections, and a large display of stones brought from all over Japan by the Iwasaki family. It features stepping stone pathways and a variety of unique stones.
- Basho Memorial Museum - Dedicated to Matsuo Bashō, the most famous poet of the Edo period. Fukagawa is where he wrote many of his masterpieces and began his travels through Japan. The area has many sites associated with him.
- Asakusa - This tour allows for efficient exploration of Tokyo in one day. Meet at your hotel and then move to any desired location.
- Kappabashi Street (Kappabashi Dogugai) - Located in the greater Asakusa area, Kappabashi is known for its vendors selling high-quality, reasonably priced kitchen supplies. From Japanese knives to dishes, there’s much to see and buy. For practical souvenirs, visit Mamijiya for cooking and baking supplies, including Mt. Fuji-shaped cake molds. Another highlight is the detailed fake food replicas at Ganso Sample, perfect for travelers to take home.
- ASAKUSA HANAYASHIKI - Founded in 1853, Hanayashiki is one of Japan’s oldest amusement parks, located near Sensoji Temple. It features about twenty-five attractions, including roller coasters, a merry-go-round, and a haunted house, offering old-school charm for the whole family.
- Asakusa Nishisando - Facing Sensoji Temple, turn left and take a short walk to find Nishi Sando, a covered shopping street reminiscent of an Edo period ukiyo-e painting. The market’s floor is covered in natural Japanese cypress flooring. This short market area, with shops selling souvenirs, regional ramen, and samurai swords, is perfect for a brief shopping experience while immersing in Japanese history.
- Tsukiji Fish Market - This tour allows for efficient exploration of Tokyo in one day. Meet at your hotel and then move to any desired location.
- Gotokuji Temple - Located in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward, Gotokuji Temple is a Buddhist temple believed to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or “luck-inviting cat figurine.” These statues, depicting a cat beckoning with its front paw, have become popular worldwide among cat lovers.
What's Included
- Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Tokyo
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
What's Not Included
- Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- Private Vehicle
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Additional Information
Embark on an enriching journey led by an expert tour guide certified by the government who can converse in multiple languages. This tour offers a unique and efficient opportunity to venture beyond Tokyo’s typical tourist spots!
We are excited to showcase some of the most charming and historical neighborhoods. For those keen on immersing themselves in local culture and feeling a sense of nostalgia, we highly recommend visiting the quaint backstreets of Yanaka, Shibamata, Fukagawa, and Asakusa during your Tokyo stay.
Join our English-speaking guide for a walk and savor delicious local eats and beverages along the way! Inform us about your interests and the guide will personalize a six-hour tour perfect for your preferences!
Note 1: Please choose your preferred places to visit from the list provided in the tour details to form your bespoke itinerary.
Note 2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification granted by the Japanese government necessitates a deep understanding and knowledge of Japanese culture and history.
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Location
Nezu
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(44 Ratings)
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Ira_s
May 9, 2024
Must see items - Our guide Yoshi was great. Very knowledgeable and personable. We enjoyed seeing sights that were not on our main tour. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Andrea
Apr 27, 2024
Interesting off beaten path tour of Tokyo - We had a lovely day doing off the beaten tour with Yuki. Very interesting, also got to see it from a local perspective which we loved.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ade73pl
Apr 22, 2024
Excellent experience - 5 stars all round.
(Ted) Tatsunobu Narita was our guide. He spoke excellent easily comprehensible English. He had a very warm and friendly disposition.
He came well organised and had sheets of information he presented to us and gave us at the end of the tour to compliment the sites and information he shared on route.
He also gave tips before we arrived in Japan and also once he understood our plans and likes after his tour gave us tips and links to help us get the most out of our stay. He took pictures too of us with ours and his phone which he shared after.
A lovely experience that offers flexibility if there is an overlap with other fixed tours you have booked.
Would recomend you book him early in your holiday so to help you get the most out of any free days you have after whilst in Japan.
Can not praise Ted enough.
Thank you so much
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher_d
Mar 27, 2024
Great walking tour of Tokyo - The tour started promptly on time in the lobby of our Tokyo hotel. Our guide Tatsu impressed us with perfect English (he had spent some time in New York) and good advanced logistics based on our preferences discussed earlier by e-mail. For our walking tour we chose two charming areas away from center: Shibamata and Yanaka. Both required a subway ride with several train changes, but everything went smoothly since we did not travel in rush hours. The schedule was relaxed and flexible as we made stops to sample local desserts and take photographs. In Shibamata we visited an interesting Buddhist temple, walked along the river and importantly had a wonderful lunch in one of the local restaurants on main pedestrian street. After lunch we transferred to Yanaka where we strolled leisurely through quiet winding streets, observed local life, took pictures at the very photogenic Nezu Temple and had snacks on touristy Yanaka Ginza street. Along the way Tatsu provided interesting stories, quoted historical facts and showered us with lots of humor. His good company made the day go by fast and we appreciated the fact that he didn’t mind staying with us well past the officially allotted time until we finally said goodbye at our original subway station. Overall, thanks to our guide and good, sunny weather the tour turned out to be wonderful and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Review provided by Viator
Jack_g
Mar 15, 2024
Tokyo, off the beaten path. - If you want to see some sights, not on your normal tour, this is the tour for you. Traveling the train system with a local guide is quite an experience.
Review provided by Viator
Bel_t
Mar 14, 2024
A great way to see and experience a part of Tokyo! - A 6-hour walking tour that allows you to experience and see a bit of Tokyo slightly away from the crowds. Seiji, our guide, had cards of Tokyo (containing nuggets of information) where he showed us when we were traveling on the trains which I really appreciated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cij537
Mar 14, 2024
Best experience for the first day of our japan vacation! - Our guide was Andy. He picked us up in the lobby of our hotel and took us to the places we wanted to see and to experience. We loved the tour and the culinaric experience. He also took us to hidden places und told us some tricks to manage our trip in japan. He planned the whole trip around our preferences. We highly recommend him. Arrigato gosaimasu Andy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patygp3154kn
Mar 11, 2024
Yoko guide was the best!! - We had a tour with the guide Yoko and we loved it! She was so nice and patient to show us everything around! She even took a camera with her and was taking pictures all the time and then sent everything to us, it was so nice to have those memories from the tour! She explained everything and had very good English! We were very happy at the end of the tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Muellernicola
Mar 5, 2024
Great Tour of Tokyo! - We had a fantastic day with Emi and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Tokyo has SO MUCH to offer, but this tour definitely was our highlight. We visited some of the most important sights and got an insider's view into this fascinating city. Emi helped us to get a first overview of this massive place. We would totally book the tour with her again and spend another day with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janet_o
Mar 10, 2024
Rushed - Our guide Koba wrote me before recommending we jump lunch to be able to sight see more, I said ok after 4 hours he said it was over we would held back to the hotel he said it would take 50mins to get back and he was cutting one hour earlier, it took us 35mins getting back and we were played off 1hr 25mins and we paid Viator for a 6hr tour.
Review provided by Viator
