Lost in Old Tokyo Downtown: Explore Yanaka & Nezu
The Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi areas are called “Yanesen”. The stairs leading to Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street is famous as a spot to see Japanese people’s real life. The areas have atmosphere of good old days of Tokyo downtown in 1960’ and also known as a religious town because they have many local temples, shrines and graveyards. There are small shops selling Japanese traditional kitchen items and souvenirs, and sweets shops and stalls basing on a concept of Japanese traditional colors.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel (inside of Tokyo area)
- I can meet you at any place you’d like. Please let me know your preference in advance.
Tennoji Temple
Founded in 1274, this is the oldest temple in the area, offering visitors a glimpse into Japan's rich religious heritage. Situated on the edge of Yanaka Cemetery, this Tendai sect temple has a beautiful bronze Buddha statue in their peaceful garden.
Yanaka Cemetery
Yanaka Cemetery is one of Tokyo's most famous graveyards and has the feel of a park with its profuse foliage, including a beautiful alley of cherry trees: a very popular spot in spring when the overhanging branches are heavy with bright blossom. The cemetery is also a beauty spot in autumn, with its many deciduous trees, including numerous gingkos. You can see Japanese traditional way to worship ancestors.
Asakura Museum
This is a small, off the beaten path museum. Its building was used from 1907 as a residence and atelier by Fumio Asakura, the highest peak of Japan's modern sculpture. In the atelier, you can see his works and in the residential area, you can see the traditional Japanese lifestyle a hundred years ago. Admission ¥500. Closed on Monday and Thursday.
Yanaka Ginza
"Yanaka Ginza” is a shopping district where you can feel the atmosphere of Japanese downtown and see people’s real life. You can buy street food and take it to the Echigoya liquor shop and have a glass of beer if you’d like.
Nezu Shrine
Nezu Shrine has a legend to be founded about 1,900 years ago by legendary priest Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. It was built on the current site in 1706 at the order of the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty. It is famous for a tunnel made with lots of vermilon torii gates (red archways). Very good for photos.
Ending Point
Nezu Shrine
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
Guide fee, Hotel pick up (inside of Tokyo area)
Transportation fee for you (about ¥1,000/pp, depending on the location of your hotel), lunch for you and guide (about ¥1,500/pp), entrance fee for you and guide (Asakura Museum ¥500/pp)
Tour Important Information
-This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
-Asakura Museum is closed on Monday and Thursday.
- The ending point could be Ueno or any place you’d like.
Important message from the supplier
If you stay in the central area of Tokyo or Chiba, I will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or anyplace you like.
We will take public transportation and walk a lot so please wear comfortable shoes.
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 Chiaki K.
Welcome to Japan! My name is Chiaki. I’m a government licensed guide interpreter, a wife and mother of two grown-up children. I’ve been living in Tokyo for 30 years so I know the area well.
If you don’t want to miss popular “must see” places, wish to eat a variety of Japanese popular and delicious food, have particular interest in Japanese theatrical arts, architectures, gardens, tea ceremony and “kawaii” characters, or are tired of tourist spots and like to see the real life of people in Japan, I can help you.
My goal is to help you to make your stay in Japan as memorable and fulfilling as possible. If I can serve you to make your special trip more special, it will be my pleasure.
Reviews
Steven S.
“Fantastic tour w a real professional ”
Chiaki arrived on-time (actually, a little early, which is my preference) and was very much prepared w our train schedules, which were really important because the tour was in our way back to the airport. We toured Shibamata w her - a beautiful and charming little town with an AMAZING temple (possibly our favorite of the many we saw on our trip). That was actually a suggestion she’d made a couple months earlier when I was looking to book a completely different tour w her: she knew we had only so many hours to tour before getting to the airport so she suggested Shibamata. She was right. It worked out perfectly. She even stayed with us until we boarded the train to Narita. Highly recommend!
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Chiaki K.
Thank you so much Steven, for your wonderful review! I’m truly happy to hear that the tour fit smoothly into your travel schedule and that everything worked well on your way to the airport. You must be at the airport right now, waiting for your flight. I’m especially glad you enjoyed Shibamata. It’s such a charming area, and I’m delighted it became one of your favorite places during your trip. Thank you for trusting my suggestion! It was a pleasure spending that time with you, and I’m glad I could assist you to have a half day trip before you fly from Narita. Hope you spend wonderful time in Thailand! Thank you again!
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Ian G.
“Excelente servicio y atención, experiencia completa para conocer lo básico de Tokio”
Me encantó el servicio. Felicito a Chiaki, por su atención nos ayudó en todo muy atenta, nos esperaba y nos dio conocer puntos muy relevantes de Tokio. Agradezco mucho sus atenciones y la recomienda ampliamente para que puedan seguir conociendo esta hermosa ciudad.
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Chiaki K.
Dear Ian, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour. It was a beautiful day and we were lucky to get the cruise boat at the last minute. I truly appreciate your recommendation and your thoughtful message. Wishing you many wonderful memories in Japan and I hope to welcome you again in the future!
Jolanda S.
“Three days in Toyo. wheelchair.”
Two elderly women. One person in a wheelchair. Those were three incredibly interesting days. We thank Chiaki from the bottom of our hearts for the valuable time, her warmthness and her customer-oriented manner. We highly recommend her.
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Chiaki K.
Thank you so much Jolanda, for your touching review. I truly appreciate your words. It was a great pleasure spending those three days with you! The days were full of new experiences for me, too. Wishing you and Ulrika can travel smoothly and see the very best of Japan. Arigato gozaimasita!!
$113/ per group
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