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Lost in Old Tokyo Downtown: Explore Yanaka & Nezu
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Joined 2019
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?
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
Joined 2019
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
Li L.
“Fun Food Tour”
It was great having Chiaki take us around the very busy Tsukiji Market. She explained and pointed out the different foods that Japanese traditionally eat on New Year’s Day. She’s very knowledgeable and informative. She was also so kind to help me track down my phone after I accidentally left it in the bathroom of the crowded marketplace! Chiaki is a wonderful tour guide.
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Chiaki K.
Thank you Li, for your kind review! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring the crowded and lively Tsukiji Market and watching the traditional foods eaten for New Year in Japan. I’m also very glad we found your phone. It was amazingly good time they made an announcement! Thank you for your thoughtful words. I hope the rest of your time in Japan will be wonderful!
Linda L.
“Like Travelling with a Good Friend”
I booked two tours with Chiaki. She was organized, informative, and kind. She met me at my hotel which really helped – I was still struggling to situate myself. I loved that the tours involved lots of walking and taking the subway. It really helped me figure out where things were and gave us a chance to learn more about each other. The standout for me was going into the fabric district to purchase some Japanese designed fabric for one-of-a-kind souvenirs (I’m going to frame them). She helped me find some stunning samples. The quiet moment in the Japanese garden was wonderful. I will definitely book time with Chiaki when I return to Tokyo.
Chiaki K.
Dear Linda, thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind review! I’m truly happy to hear that the tours helped you feel more comfortable staying in Tokyo. It was a pleasure walking the city together and sharing those everyday moments along the way. I’m especially glad you enjoyed exploring the fabric district and found your favorite! Framing them sounds like a wonderful idea! Thank you for spending those days with me, and I very much look forward to guiding you again when you return to Tokyo. (By the way, I’m planning to visit the spa you spent four hours. It looks lovely!) Take care!
Marco luis P.
“Very Nice Guide”
Had a very enjoyable experience. Went above and beyond to acommodate us and our schedule.
Chiaki K.
Dear Marco, thank you for your lovely words! I hope Wade will be OK soon and all of you have wonderful time in Japan! Arigato!
$113/ per group
More tours by Chiaki K.
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Tokyo Six Hour Tour Customized for You
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Tokyo Six Hour Tour Customized for You
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Food tour of Tokyo for First-Timers
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Food tour of Tokyo for First-Timers
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Tokyo Four Hour Tour Customized for You
Tokyo is a fantastic city with so many places to visit. The city has it’s own history, culture, art, food and religion, and you will know better when you have a guide. If you are interested in specific area like street food, Japanese architecture and garden, tea ceremony experience, animal cafes, anime figures, or finding kimono/pottery, I can help you.
Tokyo Four Hour Tour Customized for You
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Shibamata: Beautiful Gardens and Good-Old-Days Downtown
Shibamata is a small and old downtown with a temple and beautiful Japanese gardens, located in the east end of Tokyo. You will find the nostalgic lifestyle of ordinary people in 1960’s. The town is not stylish nor modern, but full of atmosphere of Japanese traditional neighborhood life.
Shibamata: Beautiful Gardens and Good-Old-Days Downtown
Other Popular Off the Beaten Path Tours in Tokyo
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Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
Bunkyo City is in the heart of central 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 now. We'll move around the city with a Bunkyo City Community Bus, B-guru ( “beagle”, the mascot character of the bus), and visit Edo-Tokyo Japanese gardens and other calm and pleasant sites. You'll also catch a glimpse of Tokyo citizens’ life during the tour.
Japanese Gardens and Tokyo Life: Bunkyo City Customized Tour
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Explore Tokyo Hidden Gems Walking Tour by Trains
Explore hidden gems unknown to tourists and even Japanese who do not live in Tokyo. Old town areas since Edo period such as Sendagi (Nezu shrine) & Ningyocho are hidden jewels,beside the ordinary must see Tokyo site-seeing spots such as Tokyo Tower, Asakusa Senzoji Temple. This tour combines old nostalgic charms with succulent local foods at Ningyocho & Tsukij Outer Market.
Explore Tokyo Hidden Gems Walking Tour by Trains
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Excursion off the Beaten Track in the Suburbs of Tokyo
We will explore the western suburbs of Tokyo in this tour. If you are looking for something different from the crowded tourist attractions in the central part of Tokyo, you will enjoy exploring the western suburbs of Tokyo. I recommend this tour not to first timers but to repeaters who have been to famous places in Tokyo. You will discover traditional spots in the beautiful environment of the suburbs. Weather permitting, lunch in a local restaurant can be replaced by a picnic lunch in a park.
Excursion off the Beaten Track in the Suburbs of Tokyo
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The unbeaten tracks of Sumida and Koto Wards (5 hour excursion)
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The unbeaten tracks of Sumida and Koto Wards (5 hour excursion)
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