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- Off the Beaten Path
Tokyo off-the-beaten selection in one day
This tour offers my favorite local visits or off-the-beaten experiences in Tokyo. We can visit 2 areas you pick up from below. Also, these areas can be combined with regular sightseeing spots as optional. Feel free to ask me any arrangements with my other tours. Let's explore Tokyo with local eyes!
Meeting Point
At your hotel, or your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
Select 2 areas for one day from below.
Please choose 2 areas for one day. We visit one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
(A) Yanaka (Yanesen) - Stroll around local charming town with local people's life.
Lovely local town with people's ordinal life. Tokyo was heavily damaged during World War Ⅱ. Yanaka, also called Yanesen, survived from fire by bombing. That's how this area retains old atmosphere. This town is also known as temple town and cat town. Having been loved by artisans, lots of small galleries and cosy shops can be enjoyed in the area. "Strolling around" is the way to explore this charming town.
(B) Kagurazaka - a fashionable shopping and dining district along a sloping street, but with Geisha culture.
Kagurazaka was located just outside the outer moat of Edo Castle in Samurai period and famous as Geisha entertainment district. Some restaurant related to Geisha still remain here. You can see what you don't see in tourist area. Akagi Jinja Shrine is very popular as the most fashionable shrine in Japan, designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo. There are many sophisticated shops and restaurant around here. Visiting AKOMEYA, you can see or shop the finest food selection from all over Japan. If you like to shop like Japanese, you love Kagurazaka!
(C) Fukagawa - Experience impressive buddhist Goma Fire ritual with Taiko drums.
We can experience special Goma fire ritual at Fukagawa Fudoson temple. It takes about 30~40min. We need to be quiet during the ritual. Will offer unusual experience. Not recommended for small kids, as it's part of buddhist training. We can also visit nearby Tomioka-hachimangu shrine, which is related to Sumo history.
Also, visit Kiyosumi Gardens, cosy charming Japanese strolling garden I love.
At Fukagwa Edo Museum, you can enjoy the a life-size reproduction of the townscape of Fukagawa and the people's lives of the Edo period (around 1840s).
(D) Gotokuji-temple - known as cat temple, popular for photo lovers
This quiet beautiful temple is known as origin of beckoning Cats, or Lucky Cats (Maneki-neko in Japanese). Interesting history with a cat and a samurai. Thousands of small cat dolls are offered in temple. Good photo spot. Located at west of Tokyo, making short excursion from busy central. Nearby Setagaya-hachimangu shrine has Sumo wrestling ring in the precinct.
(E) Shibamata - home to the movie series Tora-san, “It’s Tough Being a Man”
Located north-east of Tokyo, shitamachi (old town) spirit is still surviving in this peaceful local town. Taishakuten temple boasts elaborate sculptures and beautiful garden.( admission : 400 yen) We can enjoy traditional street food such as green kusa-dango (Japanese mugwort rice dumpling) and hand-grilled senbei (rice crackers) on approach road to the temple. Historical Yamamoto-tei house offers beautiful break time with maccha green tea and some traditional sweets in a beautiful Japanese-stlye house with inner garden. (admission : 100 yen). Be noted taking off shoes is required for Taishakuten sculpture gallery and Yamamotei house.
End of tour
I can take you back to your hotel, or we can end up on your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
Ending Point
At your hotel, or your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, hotel pick-up, hotel drop-off
transportation fee (you and guide), food and drink (you and guide), entrance fee (you and guide)
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【Major fees on tour day】
Depends on spots you choose. But if you choose spots within Tokyo Metro areas, below applies.
For guide, a one-day subway ticket costs 900 yen.
For you, depending on what you have. (Ex. Welcome Suica.) More info below.
Even if outside metro area, cost would be within 2,000 yen/person or such.
>Transportation Tips in Tokyo.
If you’re staying in Tokyo for a few days, getting either of below at the airport makes your travel easier. Both requires passport to purchase.
●Getting Welcome SUICA for travelers (transportation IC card) at the airport is strongly recommended to get around easily. Convenient in all major cities in Japan. *The issue of regular transportation IC card has been discontinued for unknown period due to shortage of semi-conductors as of 2024 June.
●PASMO PASSPORT has similar function with Welcome Suica. Still available to purchase at some places in the city, but finding ticket office in the city is difficult and time-consuming for most travelers. Getting either of Welcome Suica or PASMO PASSPORT is recommended as of 2024 June.
●Tokyo Subway Ticket（24h / 48h / 72h)
Unlimited travel ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Metro (Not available for JR). Best value for Tokyo visitor. But limited line availability.
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For more information for transportation system in Tokyo, refer to my blog.
"What's the best ticket for Tokyo transportation?"
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【Optional】Hired cars
I'm happy to work with hired car you arranged at your end.
Tour Important Information
The transportation fee depend on spots you choose.
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
“Wonderful person to spend the day with!”
Kaori San is super reliable, punctual, responsive and knowledgeable guide. But the most important- she is a wonderful and caring person. We had fantastic experience with her today. I highly recommend her! Thank you again, Kaori San!
Kaori S.
(73 reviews)Let me give you a big THANK YOU, Tetyana-san, you took time to write a warmest review for me just after the tour. But the most important, thank you for treating me as a part of your family today. Now I've got a new friend of mine, a funny face Totoro at my desk by your happy surprise! Every time I see my Totoro, I’ll remind of time with your family. So happy to be a tour guide. Hope to see you again for maybe Yanaka adventure! Hugs and kisses, Kaori
Michelle C.
June 28, 2024 Custom Tokyo tour for Michelle-san and Leon-kun
Customized
“Wonderful cultural insights!!”
Kaori was a wonderful tour guide! She went above and beyond to understand what our interests were and then designed a tour specifically tailored to us. The time with her flew by! Our tour was an incredible mix of history, culture, and anime! Her kindness, warmth, and professionalism made our first day in Tokyo very special. Highly recommend!!
Kaori S.
(73 reviews)Thank you for giving me an excellent review, Michelle-san! I was so happy to be with you and your cute boy for a day in Asakusa and Akihabara for anime and gaming culture! Was so fun to chat with Leo-kun about favorite anime and character. Of course with you about culture and history too! Hope to see you again next time also with your busy husband! Hugs and kisses, Kaori
“Great day ”
We enjoyed our day very much. Got to visit a range of places but the best thing was, we learnt a lot about Japanese culture which we loved.
Kaori S.
(73 reviews)Thank you Susan-san for giving an excellent review just after the tour! It was so fun for me to talk with each of your family. Yes, we have learnt a lot each other, but also had a great laugh all the day. Happy to hear Japan is now No.1 popular destination from Australia!! I hope we have another adventure together on your next trip, maybe for off-the-beaten next time! Enjoy the rest of your stay! Hugs and kisses, Kaori
