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Shopping

Discover Japan: Japanese Garden & HANDICRAFT shopping

Shopping

Tokyo

Japanese (Native), English

6 hours

Private tour (only you and your group)

Up to 5 people

Curious about the history of ancient Japan and its rich traditions in handmade crafts? This private walking tour is perfect for you. After visiting one of the Japanese gardens of your choice from: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Hamarikyu Gardens, or Koishikawa Kourakuen, we will visit Nihonbashi, the commercial center of Edo-Tokyo from more than three hundred years ago. You will surely be amazed by the variety of handmade Japanese traditional crafts and the richness of Japanese history.

Yoko T.

4.86 / 5

(127 reviews)

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At the lobby of your hotel in Tokyo

9 AM: We will visit one of the three: East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Hamarikyu Gardens, or Koishikawa Kourakuen, which are considered the best Japanese Gardens in the city.

10:30 AM: Drop in the souvenir corners of Nihonbashi Information Center, which sells products from Nihonbashi's historical and famous shops that you won't be able to find anywhere else!

11:00 AM: Nihonbashi Bridge, a twin arch bridge made of stone more than 100 years old

11:30 AM: Nihonbashi Toyama Store - A shopping center for food, crafts & gifts from Toyama prefecture, where you can see the famous sculpture of Inami originally from Toyama Prefecture. *Closed from Dec.31 to Jan.2

12:00 PM: Visit Hakuza Nihonbashi, Gold Leaf Store, where handbags, earrings, and cosmetics get a golden touch! *Closed on New Year's Day

12:30 PM: Explore Ibasen Fan Store (founded in 1590), a sophisticated shop of 400-year traditional paper fan *Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, Dec.28-Jan.4

1:00 PM: Ozuwashi Traditional Japanese paper store, where Washi - UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Objects is displayed with a large variety of patterns and designs. (founded in 1653). *Closed on Sundays, Dec.28-Jan.3

1:45 PM: Mitsukoshi Department Store *Closed on Jan.1, 23, and Feb.20

2:15 PM: Visit Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square and/or Kobuchicho of Kabukiza and enjoy the delicacy and intricacy of all various designated handicrafts (Closed from Dec.29 to Jan.3)

3:00 PM: End of tour.

Ending Point

At your hotel or the places you prefer

Want to personalize this tour?

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Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guiding fee, hotel pick-up in Tokyo, the guide's admission fee for the Japanese gardens.

There is no admission fee for the East Gardens.

What‘s not included

- Transportation fare for you and the guide. We might buy a Metro One day Pass at 600 yen at the beginning of the tour.

- Meals, snacks, drinks, admission fee (Hamarikyu Gardens/Koishikawa Korakuen: 300 yen, over 65 years old: 150 yen)　

Tour Important Information

The East Gardens will be closed on Mondays and Fridays, so please choose Hamarikyu Gardens or Koishikawa on those days.

On Sundays, we cannot visit Ibasen and Ozuwashi, but we can visit some other stores instead. It’s possible to add a lacquerware shop and some others and the craft shop of Mitsukoshi Department Store.

Choosing Sato Sakura Museum, having a Japanese painting collection including cherry blossom pictures, at Nakameguro or the National Museum of Modern Art at Takebashi instead of a Japanese garden is possible except Mondays as long as you pay the admission fee of you and your guide. (Sato Sakura Museum: Adults 500 yen, Over 70 years old 400 yen/ the National Museum of Modern Art: Adults 500 yen, College Students 250 yen)

Sato Sakura Museum will be closed from December 29th to January 4th, January 9th, and February 13th). Starting after your lunch is also possible.

Suggestions, requests are welcomed. Please make inquiries by sending me messages.

Important message from the guide

It will be first booked, first served basis, but could you make inquiries before booking?

If you're interested in TOKYO, MOUNT FUJI, or NIKKO, please CHECK the TOURS before you make inquiries.

(Some transportation for Mount Fuji or Nikko might be fully booked if you do last minute booking.)

I could also guide KYOTO, HIMEJI etc. if you will cover my transportation fare round trip from Tokyo.

If you'd like a car chartered, please check the PRIVATE CARS TOUR by yourself.

It's concerned with your budget, so I'm afraid I cannot make arrangements for that, but I will be happy to guide you with the car you chartered.

It's impossible to make quotes without knowing the spots you would like to visit.

Nikko and Mount Fuji are approximately two hours on Limited Express from Shinjuku or Asakusa.

Tokyo is not a compact city, but a huge one.

If you have difficulties with stairs, please tell me in your message. Thank you.

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

Katie B.

5 / 5

Apr 9, 2024

Tokyo Up-to-You Tour

Tokyo

8 hours

Apr 9, 2024

“Knowledgeable and flexible ”

Yoko was very knowledgeable about everyplace we visited. She was also understanding of my slower walking pace. I knit and crochet and she helped me find some Made in Japan yarns I can't find in the USA. Thank-you for the history lessons and fun quizzes!

Yoko T.

(127 reviews)

Thank you for a great review, Katie san.　　I glad you could have a good Okonomiyaki that you have dreamt of. Even it was a windy day, I enjoyed talking with you. I hope you can knit something special with the Japanese yarns. I hope you enjoy your cruise!!

Steven P.

5 / 5

Apr 1, 2024

Tokyo Up-to-You Tour

Tokyo

8 hours

Apr 1, 2024

“Top guide in Tokyo ”

If you are visiting Tokyo you need Yoko. She is very knowledgeable about Tokyo. She customized a perfect day for our families first visit. She was able to make sure everyone in the group got to see or do something they wanted. Helpful every step of the way 10/10.

Yoko T.

(127 reviews)

Thank you so much for a great review, Mr. Paul. I hope MacKenna and Karlee enjoyed shopping and you had great sushi. Thank you for the wonderful day. I deeply appreciate your generosity. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. Please have fun!!

Sarah K.

5 / 5

Mar 25, 2024

Tokyo Up-to-You Tour

Tokyo

8 hours

Mar 25, 2024

“Excellent tour and excellent guide. ”

Yoko was an amazing guide! She was lovely to spend the day with and the amount of knowledge she has about Japan is impressive. We would have never been able to see so much of Tokyo in 8 hours if it wasn’t for her. We also had an authentic Japanese lunch and managed to also attend a matcha tea ceremony. Thank you Yoko for a lovely day!

Yoko T.

(127 reviews)

Thank you so much for the sweet day and an amazing review. I'm glad you'd like the washoku set meal and the tea ceremony. The restaurant I recommend at Tsukiji serves a very reasonable lunch with the best misoshiru I know so far so when you come back to Tokyo please give it a try. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan. Thank you again. It was so lovely meeting both of you!!