Japanese Gardens and Origami Workshop in Central Tokyo
The tour consists of two characteristic Japanese cultures; typical strolling style Japanese gardens, Rikugien, and origami paper folding. Rikugien is one of nine Japanese gardens in the Tokyo Metropolis. Its strolling-style garden has a fine and warm touch with scenery images from classical Japanese poems. After the visit, you will be invited to the guide’s residence nearby, and have a joyful origami workshop of 90 minutes.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in central Tokyo
8:00 - 8:30 AM: Pick you up at your hotel
9:00 AM: Rikugien Japanese Gardens
One of nine Japanese gardens of Tokyo Metropolis.
Typical strolling style Japanese Gardens were made by a high-ranked samurai serving for Shogun, Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa, in the early 18th century spending seven and a half years welcoming his VIP guests including the Shogun family.
10:15 AM: Origami workshop
90 minutes workshop in a typical Japanese private house in Bunkyo City.
15 minutes walk from Rigugien.
12:00PM: Break up
At a nearby station; Sugamo (JR), Sengoku (Toei Subway), or Myogadani (Tokyo Metro).
Ending Point
Tokyo Metro Myogadani Station (M23), Toei Subway Sengoku Station (I14) or JR Sugamo Station (JY11).
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
English-speaking guide/instructor
Origami workshop with instruction and materials
Pick-up from your accommodation in central Tokyo
Travel expenses for your guide
Travel expenses for you
Admission fee for Rikugien for you: JPY 300/person
Matcha tea with Japanese sweets for you and your guide: JPY1,000/person, when taken
Other fees and expenses for you and your guide, if any
Tour Important Information
- Starting time is flexible and to be discussed before booking confirmation.
- The maximum acceptable number of guests is five including children.
- In Rikugien, you may feel the heart of “omotenashi” or Japanese hospitality. While strolling around its pond, various flowers, plants, trees, birds, and carp welcome visitors in the miniature replication of nature. At a teahouse by the pond, matcha tea with a seasonal Japanese sweet can be enjoyed.
- Leaves start changing their color in late October, and the most beautiful colored leaves in Rikugien are seen from late November to early December.
- A magnificent weeping cherry will welcome guests from mid-March to the first week of April, depending on the climate of the year.
- During 90 minutes origami workshop, you can make several cute and cool origami works with your own hands from a variety of square origami sheets. The works may include a traditional “orizuru” (origami crane), a ninja throwing star, and a cute Mt. Fuji. Origami is the art and culture of Japan, and you may feel such through the 90 minutes workshop experience. For the origami workshop:
・you do not need to have any experience in origami paper folding,
・all required tools and materials will be ready so you do not need any preparation, and
・for guests younger than five years old who may have difficulty with the work, simple and joyful items can be introduced.
Important message from the supplier
The inbound tour has been resumed. Wearing a mask depends on individual decisions, and you can enjoy tours and cultural experiences in Japan now.
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
About Tour Guide Koichiro Y.
Hello! I’m Koichiro. Please call me “Yamasan”. It derives from my family name and my friends call me so.
I worked for a machinery company as a project manager and engineer for mechanical and electrical construction projects both domestic and overseas for over 35 years. I recall my first overseas project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when I was 26, and the second was in Singapore. I visited many countries for surveys, meetings, commissioning, project handing over, and so on.
In 2014 at the age of 60, I decided to retire from the company and live the expected further 30 years of life with a new career and experiences. I, then, studied translation and guide interpretation. I passed the national examination for licensed guides (English) in 2015 and registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in February 2016.
Until now, I have been guiding many beautiful guests mainly to popular sightseeing spots such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Omote-Sando, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Tokyo Skytree, and also cultural experiences of Origami making, Furoshiki wrapping, and Sushi cooking.
I am happy that I can freely arrange a customized tour together with you, or can propose my tours to you. I want to show you some parts of daily Tokyo life and introduce you to Bunkyo City which is located in the heart of Tokyo, just north of Chiyoda City where the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station are. The city is Tokyo’s typical residential and academic area where I was born, grew up, and live a happy life now.
Now, we can tour around the world but have not yet overcome COVID-19 completely. Recently, the number of passengers wearing masks on public transportation in Tokyo reduced to some 25% but we should mind about it still. Please carry your mask to wear it where or when necessary (December 2024, Yamasan).
Reviews
Martin B.
“All aspects of Tokyo”
We spent two pretty full days looking around Tokyo with Yamasan. Planning with Yamasan was easy - he understood quickly what we were and were not interested in doing and put together an itinerary that got in as much possible. We followed the plans quite well and Yamasan didn’t worry about the fact that that our looking at extra things meant we finished late. Yamasan was very knowledgeable about Tokyo and its history and a nice , kind and genuine person - and we all survived eating blow fish (fugu) together.
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you so much for your review comment. I didn't know the fugu restaurant you found via the internet, but it was great. We enjoyed every fugu dish, and the best thing was we all survived as you mentioned. I sincerely hope to see you again in the near future.
Brian G.
“Art, culture, lunch and nature”
Once again we were treated to a wonderful day out with Yamasan, whose choices for us were perfect. We started with the Edo Museum, a must for visitors’ education about the development of Tokyo through its history. This was followed by lunch close by the Sumo Basho, a delicious and typical noodle based meal. Onto the Hokusai Museum which broadened our knowledge of reduction printing techniques and insights to the evolution of his work. Finally we visited the Rikugien Gardens which provided us with tranquil time to reflect on our day. On the three occasions we have spent time with Yamasan he has proved himself to be wise, thoughtful, humorous and a good friend. We shall miss him. Arigatoo gozaimasu
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Koichiro Y.
Thank you very much (Arigato gozaimashita). You have had good knowledge of Japan and the Japanese language prior to the tour. I'm happy if the three-day tour could provide you with further information. I agree with you that the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a must-see spot for visitors who are interested in the ecological city of Edo, flourished commoners' culture there, and the development of Tokyo. Please enjoy the Kabuki Play and your remaining days in Tokyo. These were precious and fantastic days with such a wonderful couple for me. Zehi, mata kite kudasai. Matte imasu (Please visit Tokyo again. I'll be waiting for you).
Brian G.
“From Urban Bustle to Calm Countryside.”
Once again we were treated to the results of Yamasan’s meticulous research and planning by travelling out to Chiba Prefecture to experience the calm of the countryside. The Kominato train ride was great fun and the lunch at our destination was simply splendid. The journey back enabled us to observe local residents going about their business and ended with a short bus ride past high end shops. Thank you Yamasan for another brilliant day which showed us a different side of Japanese life.
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Koichiro Y.
I appreciate your second review comment very much. It was sad that we couldn't have a full tour of the Kominato Railway to Yoro Keikoku Valley because of the record-breaking heavy rain in Chiba Prefecture last August. However, thanks to a high school student's recommendation on the railway's homepage, we enjoyed a heartfelt lunch at a local restaurant in Kazusa Ushiku town where the Satoyama Trucks driven by an SL-designed engine could reach. We strolled through the town becoming desolate, and had a short peaceful rest on the old train on Track "0" of the station. The short bus ride in Shinjuku was just something extra for your experience. I'm happy to hear that even such a small event could be of interest to you.
$155/ per group
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