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- Off the Beaten Path
５ off-the-Beaten-Path for 2nd time travelers
This is a tour of visiting 5 off-the-beaten-path places.
It is good for 2nd time travelers who already have been to major sight-seeing spots and want to go to off-the-beaten-path places. We will visit , Fukagawa Fudo Temple and Imado Shrine. We will visit one temple known as "Cat Temple" and one shrine known as "Cat Shrine".
Meeting Point
At your hotel or the designated location that you request in central Tokyo
①Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory
I must say this place is getting popular but still not as popular as Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower. One of the best things for Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory is free of charge. In terms of the height, Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory is 202m, while the main deck of Skytree is 250m and that of Tokyo Tower is 150m. It costs Yen3400 for Top deck & Yen2300 for Main deck at Skytree and Yen3000 for Top deck & Yen1200 for Main deck at Tokyo Tower. It is not bad to see the bird-view as high as these two popular observatories, at no charge.
②Gotokuji Temple
Gotokuji Temple is located at a bit suburb of central Tokyo and is said to be the birthplace of Maneki-neko, lucky beckon cat. It has hundreds of lucky cats that are considered to invite fortune and money into you. There is a shop that you can buy lucky cat figures, wooden "Ema" plates and lucky charms. It is also well-knwon as a family temple of Ii clan, famous fudal load in Edo period. On the way back, we will stop by a local cafe shop serves Green Tea and Japanese sweets (only if it opens). Cat lovers cannot miss this visit.
③Fukagawa Fudo Temple
The full name of the temple is Naritasan Fukagawa Fudo-do. It was bult in 1881 as a branch office of parental Naritasan Shinshoji in Chiba. One of the specialities of this temple is "Goma-Kito", sacred fire practice that originally came from India.. Another unique spot is to walk through a corridor of crystal glass statures. After going through all, you can remove and eliminate worldly concerns, earthly passion and desires so that you will feel so refleshed. I must say it is simply so exotic.
④Ueno Park
From Tokyo, it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to see Kamakura Daibutsu (Big Budda Temple) in Kanagawa prefecture, 2.5 to 3 hours to see Nikko Toshogu (Tokugawa's family temple) in Tochigi prefecture, 3 to 3.5 hours to see famous Kiyomizu Temple (World Heritage) & Fushimi Inari Shrine (Tunnel of Torii Gates) in Kyoto prefecture and 10 hours to see an architecture (World Heritage) of Le Corbusier in France . We can see Tokyo versions of these five places in Ueno Park.
⑤Imado Temple
This is a shrine that is known as "Cat Shrine" in Asakusa. It was built in 1063 and enshrines one of Seven Lucky Gods (Fukurokujyu). There are many lucky beckon cats here and there. There is a shop that you can buy lucky cat figures, wooden "Ema" plates and lucky charms. If you were lucky, you may meet the real cat "Nami-chan" living here. Cat lovers can not miss this shrine, either.
Ending Point
At your hotel or the designated location that you request in central Tokyo
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee and hotel pick-up in central Tokyo
Transportation fee (about 1500 JPY per person, for you and guide), Lunch (about 1000 JPY per person, for you and guide), Entrance fee (if any) and etc.
Tour Important Information
1. We will use only a public transportation: a train. It is an ideal to have a train pass.
2. We will walk a lot. So, please wear a comfortable shoes.
3. Some of the shops and stores do not accept credit cards. A cash is more preferable.
4. Travelers should have their own travel insurance.
5. If it were a rain or other mother of nature, the schedule may change.
Important message from the guide
I am currently available only on Saturday, Sunday and any national holidays.
Currently, my main coverage is Tokyo and its suburb, but I can mostly go anywhere if you can bear my transportation fee. I am easy and flexible.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Tokyo Tour Reviews
Isabel C.
5 Must-see Sightseeing Spots in Tokyo for 1st time travelers
“Great time in Tokyo”
It was a great pleasure to spend an 8 hour tour with Joji in Tokyo. We received in advance a detailed itinerary covered all our interests by him. Joji is a very polite and sensitive guide endowed with a sound knowledge of historical and temporary developments in Japan and its capital. We enjoyed this tour very much and we recommend this guide to our highest satisfaction.
Joji T.
(10 reviews)Isabel Thank you for writing the nice review while you are still busy traveling. It was my pleasure to guide both Isabel and Michael. I am glad to hear you have enjoyed my tour. Since both of you were not just interested in Japanese history & culture but wanted to learn them, so that it was worth explaining them. Please enjoy the rest of your trip. Regards, Joji
Jennifer M.
Customized Tour for 6.5 hours - Shibuya, Harjyuku and others
Customized
“Best time of our lives in Tokyo!”
We are so lucky we had Joji T. (also known as Uncle Bonjoji) as our tour guide for our first trip to Tokyo. He went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our tour. He was the only guide willing to meet us at our hotel at Disney and teach us how to use the trains in Tokyo and he made sure we got back to our hotel safely. He was so patient with my 4 children and was willing to tailor our tour to activities both children and adults could enjoy. Even before we arrived in Tokyo, Uncle Bonjoji was always in contact with me planning this tour well in advance and very responsive. He helped us buy our bullet train tickets, stayed with us longer than he needed to, and just did more than what was asked of him. His kindness, patience, and expertise makes him stand out from any other tour guide. I highly recommend Uncle Bonjoji as your tour guide in Tokyo! We can’t wait to go back!
Joji T.
(10 reviews)Jennifer Thank you for writing the nice review. My goal is always to make your trip enjoyable and comfortable. I am very glad to hear I could support some of it. But, the only thing I could not control was the weather. When you plan to come to Japan again in the next time, I would recommend you to make it warmer April-May timeframe. Now, it is a bit warmer April and a time to wear the Hawaian T-shirt that you gave me. I enjoyed the Macademia chocolate, too. I am also very lucky to be chosen by kind Jennifer and wonderful family. Mahallo! Uncle Bonjoji
Isaac C.
5 Must-see Sightseeing Spots in Tokyo for 1st time travelers
“Great rainy day in Tokyo”
Me and my friends had a wonderful time with Joji-san. From the scheduling phase to agreeing on sites to see, the interaction with Joji-san was perfect. He’s was very knowledgeable and had very interesting facts to share with us. He’s English is fantastic and we would all recommend him for tours. We really enjoyed our time in Tokyo. Highly recommended! Thank you Joji-san.
Joji T.
(10 reviews)Isaac-san I appreciate that you wrote nice review while you are still traveling. I am very glad to hear you and your colleague enjoyed the tour. Have a safe trip back to the USA and please come back! Best Regards
