Yanaka Tours

This is a great choice for first-time visitors to Yanaka. Enjoy a comprehensive tour that covers great shopping spots, temples, nature, and food too. Exploring the city with a guide means you don’t have to worry about navigating, and can concentrate on the amazing sights around you. Explore Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street, enjoy tasty ramen, see historic temples, and go to lots of local food spots to try gyoza, sweet pancakes, coffee, beer, and much more.

Stray from the beaten path and explore the backstreets of Tokyo’s Yanaka neighborhood on a 1.5-hour tour, ideal for travelers looking to escape Tokyo’s crowds. In a small group limited to 10 people, you’ll see buildings that survived the Great Kanto Earthquake; stroll through a Japanese cemetery; and experience a matcha tea tasting session. Snacks and refreshments are not included.

Explore the Yanaka Ginza area of Tokyo on a walking tour led by an engaging local guide. See places in this old town part of Tokyo that most visitors miss, and get a feel for daily life in the quieter districts of Tokyo. Sample some Japanese street food, learn about Japanese culture, and discover the district's traditions with the benefit of this small-group tour.

The tour starts with morning stroll along the quiet Sensoji seeing beautiful shutters painted by artists. Through Ameyoko street lined with the shops and food stands where the local people buy and eat. Then visit Ueno park, a historical large park where used to be the compound of Tokugawa family's temple. The last destination is Yanaka old town where survived earthquake and big fires and old houses, temples remain. There is the last Tokugawa shogun's tomb here and the tour guide talks about the historical background. Enjoy drinking and eating on Yanaka Ginza street like the local people do.

Tired of tourist crowds and busy areas? Discover local food and history at a quaint market area, Yanaka. Relax and enjoy a course of authentic Japanese food with a great atmosphere. - 5+ tastings, bites & sips enough for a full-size lunch at traditional eateries to experience the Japanese food culture. - The great quaint atmosphere at Yanaka neighborhood to learn its rich culture and history, different from other parts of Tokyo. You will also see temples in the area. - Unique shopping opportunities at locally owned vendors to feel Shitamachi (Japanese small downtown) experiences.

Yanaka is Tokyo's most traditional district and is home to artisans, temples, Shrines, winding lanes and some great restaurants. It's a great place for a half-day tour in Tokyo.

You can see traditional beautiful Meiji shrine and lively downtowns, Harajyuku and Shibuya. Try trendy candies and make nice cool pictures at Shibuya crossing.

Entrance into tearoom（5min） Entrance “Nijiri-guchi”The reason for the small entrance is to make all guests seem equal in status, thus creating a self-awareness of one’s own humility. Explanation of Zen words and Sado instruments (10min) With the help of our volunteer interpreters, foreign guests will be able to understand what Japanese people regard as beautiful and important in everyday life as well certain aesthetic values through the wonderful world of tea ceremony. Tasting tea-Macha (15min) Tasting tea the Sado Teacher(teishu) serves. Before drinking, lift the plate up like this. This shows appreciation. Making tea by yourselves (30min) After you have finished drinking, you can try making tea by yourselves with the help of teacher.

In the YANESEN calligraphy classroom deepen your understanding of Japanese culture. The everyday use of brushes has almost disappeared. We hope you will calm your mind by experiencing this ancient Japanese tradition

Tour of YANAKA’s highlights such as historic Temples and traditional Japanese folk crafts shops etc. viewing various cherry trees to learn about Japanese traditional culture.(Every highlight has its own “theme” to learn about!!) 1.Walking around YANAKA Cemetery noted for the stunning cherry tree tunnel extending 300m there and the last Shogun’s grave.(Historical background of Japanese complicated religious concept) 2.Tour of Temples with weeping cherry trees having exquisitely dropping branches.(Buddhism and controlled society through the temple-parishioner system during the Edo Period) 3.Tour of traditional Japanese folk crafts shops and studios deeply rooted in this Temple Town.(The aesthetic senses and craftsmanship handed down for generations here.) 4.Visiting Tokyo’s oldest Shinto-shrine of “Nezu” noted for its magnificent and mysterious views. (Getting insight into Shinto,Japanese indigenous polytheism to make clear the mystery of their religious tolerance)

This is a 4 hour tour in Tokyo in the east and we will visit the following places. + Imperial Palace East Garden (Double Bridge on Mon and Fri) + Yanesen residential area walk + Ueno Park I can also customise the tour. Please contact me if you have particular interests or places to visit.

IKIBANA is a new Japanese Culture. We create IKIBANA to make your room more comfortable. It is one of the indoor greening, HOME FOREST. IKIBANA is different from IKEBANA, one of the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement or BONSAI, another Japanese traditional art of growing trees in small containers. You may be surprised when you see the flowers and plants growing from special ROCK, "IKIISHI". Why don't you take a lesson on IKIBANA and bring back your own IKIBANA to your country?