Tokyo Art & Nostalgic Downtown Walking Tour
Joined 2024
Yanaka is a place where old streets remain, which is rare even in Tokyo, and where you can get a glimpse of people's lives.
A nostalgic space that retains the scenery of the early Showa era.
A renovated old house houses shops selling local craft beer and freshly baked bread.
let's enjoy the downtown atmosphere through modern art and food in Tokyo.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Nippori station
Yanaka-Ginza Shopping street
Yanaka is a charming historic district in the northeast of Tokyo, known for its old buildings, quaint winding alleyways and the retro Yanaka Ginza shopping street, which dates back to the 1940s. To the north of the shopping street, the Yuyake Dandan (literally, ‘sunset staircase’ in Japanese) is a famous feature of the area. A position at the top of the staircase will grant you a magnificent sunset view. You’ll get a glimpse of an older, slower-paced Tokyo through the illuminated arch announcing the entrance to Yanaka Ginza, with the scattering of shops full of locals, aglow in the light from the setting sun.
SCAI THE BATHHOUSE/ contemporary art gallery
SCAI The Bathhouse is a contemporary art gallery located in Yanaka, with a town ambience reminiscent of Old Tokyo. In walking proximity to Ueno, an area dense with museums and art schools, the gallery was converted from a venerable 200-year-old public bathhouse. Take a step inside, and you will find a white cube with soft natural light descending from the high ceiling. ＊Closed on Sunday and Monday
Uenosakuragiatari/ Photogenic retro-modern conplex
Tucked away between Nippori and Ueno stations is Ueno Sakuragi Atari, a small cluster of Showa-period (1926–1989) houses that have been turned into a bakery, brewery, and gourmet food store.
There are many great spots for taking photos that capture the unique retro-modern feel of the area.Relax your body and throat after a long walk.
Nezu Shrine/ Tunnels of small Trii gate
Nezu Shrine near Ueno Park is one of Japan's oldest shrines, and certainly one of its most attractive. Nezu Shrine is set in lush greenery, with ponds of carp, pathways that are tunnels of small shrine arches, and elegant, beautifully colored, wooden structures that reflect Japanese culture in all its age and beauty.
Coffee break at unique cafe or sweet shop
There are many unique coffee shops and sweets shops in the Yanaka and Sendagi areas.
for example, MATCHA&ESPRESSO MIYANO-YU is a cafe under renovation of a more than 70-year-old public bathhouse.
The matcha they offer is a rare organic matcha [Okumidori] from Shizuoka Prefecture. It is characterized by its bright color and robust flavor.
Let's talk a lot while taking a break at a unique cafe.
Ending Point
Nezu station
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
public transportation fees
entrance fees for each facilities
Meal
Tour Important Information
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
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 2024
About Tour Guide Mimi T.
Hello! I am Mimi.
I used to work for a travel agency, planning various tours and taking customers to many countries(over 20 countries) as a tour leader.
I really enjoyed exploring all over the world, experiencing different culture and sharing memorable time with customers.
Now I live in Tokyo with my family (2 kids), and I am happy to support you to spend wonderful time in Japan!
I'm born and raised in Tokyo, so I can show you more local and unique part of Tokyo.
Also I love eating various cuisine, so I can introduce you about 'hidden' gem restaurants and high class restaurants as well.
I can also make private tours to suit families with children and elderly people with disabilities from my experience at a travel agency.
Please feel free to contact me and I'm looking forward to seeing you in Tokyo,Japan!
Reviews
“our 1-day Tour”
Mimi is the best. Don’t ever hesitate booking your tour with her. It’s not just about the tour but the personal touch and the connection with her that makes this so special. My wife and I enjoyed her company so much that you don’t see her as your guide but as a family member that you tour around the city.
Mimi T.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I really enjoyed the time I spent with you two and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Please be sure to let me know if you come to Japan again. I'm really looking forward to seeing you again! With heartfelt gratitude, Mimi
Eleanor L.
Exploring New and Traditional Culture -in Shibuya-
“Two amazing days with Mimi!”
Myself and my husband spent 2 days with Mimi exploring Tokyo. Mimi was so friendly with excellent english! She developed such a lovely personalised itinerary for us both with a good mix of things we both wanted to do (from historic shrines and gardens to anime shops and maid cafes!). She was able to take us to local spots for amazing food and talk us through shrine/temple etiquette and Shinto prayer rituals (I definitely suggest learning this before visiting any shrines/temples). I strongly recommend getting a local guide in Tokyo if you want to explore and develop understanding of Japanese culture and local life as well as just visiting the main tourist sites. Our tours with Mimi felt just like a day trip out with a friend and I cannot emphasise enough how lovely and knowledgeable she is. She really helped us to make the most of our short time in Tokyo and I would definitely have her as our guide again! Thank you so much Mimi!!
Mimi T.
Thank you so much for your kind message! I was so happy to be able to spend part of your special honeymoon with such a wonderful couple as you. I was so happy to see you both having so much fun while you were on tour. I hope we can meet again in England or somewhere in the world! hope you two will continue to get along well together forever;) Thank you so much!! Mimi
“Local area tour ”
This tour showed how real people live their normal life. Very interesting, and slower paced, and not as busy. Mimi’s English speaking is great - in case you don’t speak Japanese.
Mimi T.
Thank you so much for writing a review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour of my hometown:) I also had a great time talking to you about so many things! hope to see you again someday, somewhere! Thank you so much, Mimi
$146/ per group
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