I was impressed with this tour before it even began. By: OMAKASE. If you are interested in historic Tokyo/Japan, this is a nice tour. The time flew buy and the effort in walking around for 3+ hours wasn't felt (till the next day :)). Would just suggest that you do it at the beginning of your visit to Japan and not at the end as we just did it. Jessica van der Molen（Australia）★★★★â˜. Do NOT go to Nishi-Nippori Station. We continue our trip with so much more understanding of your country - from the tour but in many other ways!! We then walked around Yanaka- there are many art galleries and craft shops/artisans and you can stop wherever you want. She also had excellent English - a great advantage for us with very little Japanese!! Our tour guide was terrific and very patient when questions were asked. Gus, Excellent intro to a historic Tokyo neighborhood. Communication was no issue as Rei had been a journalist and had lived and worked in the UK for a number of years. It helped that we had wonderfully warm weather with blue skies and sunshine to complement the shrines and temples that we visited throughout the morning with Yoshimi-san. More info. She showed us Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. We had a lovely morning strolling around old Tokyo. She's wonderful!! Off of the Yamanote line (the central train line in Tokyo), just a couple of minutes away from concrete jungles of Shibuya and Shinjuku, there is a place where you can become a part of the deep, local lifestyle and soak up Tokyo's old neighborhood: the Yanaka District. $99.25 per adult. I learned a lot about history and culture of Japan. We received an email containing a detailed description of where and when to meet at Nippori station, a photo of the guide and her contact details. I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in getting a true feel for Japanese culture and particularly those interested in learning more about how Tokyo has evolved over recent centuries. We sampled some delicious food along the way too. Yanaka is very interesting and has some contrast to the rest of Tokyo, its less of a packed busy shopping street. This part of Tokyo developed as a temple town in the Edo period, and prominent temples are found throughout the district. // --> Dixon McMillan（new Zealand）★★★★â˜. Estela Luedtke, Rizalino Karl Luedtke（Germany）★★★★â˜. This tour is a great chance to see Tokyo away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Outstanding walking tour in historical area of Tokyo. Learn a lot about Japanese culture and history, as you walk and talk with a friendly local guide. Sachiko was a fabulous guide. You may recognize it, as it's a place famous for its tunnel of vermilion torii gates, also seen at Kyoto's Fushimi Inari shrine. You will explore in a huge cemetery, some unique temples and, a beautiful shrine. Quick View. Tokyo bike tour: Ueno, Nezu, Yanaka and Asakusa (20km, 6 hours, English-guided) 3 reviews. Enthusiastic Guide, fascinating Tour, great introduction to historic Tokyo. This was a super introduction to Tokyo and I highly recommend it. Enjoy a 2.5-hour tour of the historic Yanaka area in Tokyo and see true local life and feel nostalgic. This was a fantastic and informative walking tour. Would definitely recommend! Je recommanderais chaudement ce tour guidé à des visiteurs soucieux de connaître en profondeur un quartier historique de Tokyo, tout en profitant d’une marche agréable. It was very informative, interesting and went to places we would not have found ourselves. As we wandered through the quiet streets, parks, temples and galleries of Yanaka, Mana gave us a fascinating insight into the history, culture, people and stories of the area and beyond. Some decisions need to be done together.Share this link and see what they think. Thank you Hizuru. The tour was very interesting and we would thoroughly recommend it. Rie is very knowledgeable of the historical sites she took us to in the Nippori area. An interesting part of Tokyo which is easy to reach from Nippori station on Yamanote Line once you know how! I highly recommend this tour early in your trip to get aquatinted with Japan. Your guide will accompany you on your visit, providing additional details about Japanese history and local culture. It felt like the soul of old Tokyo. Cherry Blossom highlights, Asakusa, Ueno & Nippori Fabric Town. Explore the nostalgic side of Tokyo through Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street! We thoroughly enjoyed our tour & appreciated Rie's expert guidance around & knowledge of the area. Animesh Abhishekh Sahu（India）★★★★â˜. All the best to you Hizuru and your company! He even helped me get to my train platform for the next part of my trip. What a fantastic tour! Most interesting stop at art gallery for prints in classic style. Food&Drinks（100-500 yen depending on what you want to try）Hotel pick up and drop off※ Please add Â¥3,000 yen per group to the tour price for hotel pick up. This area of town in Nippori is more “real Tokyo” than other area and she made it come alive. Mikko recommended some great locations after the tour. It still has somewhat of a small town feel, with many mom and pop shops and not many high rises. Quick View. The only thing that sometimes confused us was the stops at shops where we had the impression that they would love to see it to go in and to buy something - could also be that this is just a misunderstanding and wasn’t intended. Covers beautiful temples, cherry blossom trees, and the largest cemetery in Tokyo. What a fantastic tour!!! I can not recommend this tour highly enough. Days before my tour, they sent me a picture of our meeting place, my tour guide, and a detailed itenerary. A neighborhood that survived a war, fire and earthquake, and manages to be awe-inspiring and beautiful. Yoshimi is the best tour guide ever. To round out the journey, we'll partake in delicious food sampling in Yanaka Ginza, a shopping street which best represents the flavors of Old Tokyo. No visitor to Tokyo would be able to find all the places the tour goes to without the assistance of a guide. It was so nice experience which made us feel Friday night. Wolfgang Ludwig Bachl（Germany）★★★★â˜, A very interesting insight in history and present age of Tokyo and Japan. $178.19 per adult. John & Barbara Bloniarz（USA）★★★★â˜. Thank you again Mikko-san! The tour was very interesting and is an area of Tokyo very worthwhile visiting. Our guide, Hizuru, was wonderful. Fumiko was a gracious and informative guide. After the Tour was complete we asked Arika some questions regarding our JR Rail pass, Arika assisted greatly with not only her advice but by accompanying us to the JR Rail office to translate our questions. My guide Rie was very knowledgable about the Yanaka area, and despite the heat showed me all around the area. More info. I'm very interested in learning about the culture and history of places I visit. Escape from frenetic city life to calm oasis on Yanaka walking tour. Our lovely guide Yuki was so well-prepared and informative. Warren Richter（Australia）★★★★â˜. This was a welcome change from the busy streets of Tokyo! It was as as if we were walking around with an old friend who was showing us around. The morning was over before we knew it. Here are some traditional wooden temples and houses which survived WW2. Delightful and educational cultural walking tour of Yanaka with Hizuru. It was interesting to see the shrines and cemeteries with a Japanese guide who could explain elements of the Shinto and Buddhist religious practices and also point out some of the botanical aspects of this tour e.g ginkgo biloba trees. The 3.5 hours was very well spent. The guide was very knowledgeable and help me understand various aspects of the Japanese cultures which were not very clear to me. I enjoyed very much the tour as much as the tour guide's company, Mana. Full view. The walking tour was very interesting and informative. Oscar van Dijk（Newzealand）★★★★â˜, Such a wonderful part of Tokyo to explore with a guide. Walking Tour in YANAKA - Relaxing and Culture Experience . Our tour guide Junko was excellent her local knowledge was really detailed. I highly recommend it. Went at a leisurely pace, but saw a lot. Thanks, Yumi! Far from the tyranny of the skyscraper, this area of Tokyo is full of small galleries, specialty stores, bars, bakeries, tea houses. The tour itself was a unique view of community living in Tokyo. First Family Trip to Tokyo - great intro to small town feel. Hisako was a great guide for this tour. Despite the fact that it was blisteringly hot outside lol. This 3.5 hour walking tour is perfect for stepping back in time to explore Japanese history as it relates to religion and beliefs that evolved thru time. Rie S. was an excellent tour guide and she clearly shared her appreciation and love for this district. And we'll head to Nezu shrine, the oldest in Tokyo, to take amazing photos of the torii gates and gain some insight into Japan's traditional religion, Shintonism.Afterwards, we'll pass through residential areas where many locals live. I spent wonderful time and I'm confident I know a little more of Tokyo. I never thought a tea ceremony could be that enjoyable. The tour ended passing through on of the typical shopping streets of Yanako - with temperature rising quickly to 35 °C or so. Mikiko went the extra mile - at the end of the tour (we were tired so she MUST have been) she took the trouble to guide us to the best bus stop to get us back to our hotel, staying to ensure we were safely on it and even waving us off. In one occasion - really unforgettable - we approached a private shrine (or temple ? Tour focused on walking the streets, visiting shrine and temple, local shops and places to eat, cemetery and back streets. Towards the end of the tour you’ll have a chance to try local food stalls if you’re hungry. Was a nice escape from the busy city. Beautiful walking tour with the most friendly guide. Worst Times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, when museums and some shops and restaurants are closed. Our guide Junko was very knowledgeable and explained a lot of the history of the area as we visited cemeteries and temples. Highly recommended! Christopher Turner（USA）★★★★â˜. The guide provided great insight into the history of the area,we found it very interesting. Soak up the authentic lifestyle that contributes to the nostalgic atmosphere! No high rise buildings but small local houses wit tiny gardens. Our tour guide, Miss Hizuru is a professional, patient, friendly and sincere person. Gave you the feel of the culture without you feeling like you just got a history lesson. Die Tour begann auf dem Friedhof hinter dem Nippori-Bahnhof. I would really recommend this tour to young and all, couples and families. You can’t go wrong spending your day with Mikkio! What a wonderful way to see old Tokyo. We did get taken to a small art gallery and I think it would have been good to have a cafe stop in the middle as 3 hours of shrines is quite a long time and it would have given more variety. It was a real treat! Our favorite part was walking down the small alleys like locals and hearing the purpose and function within of all of the small details. While those districts have much to offer, there are some historical, culturally-rich districts right in the center of this vibrant city. Very worthwhile to do it. The historical context of the area was explained concisely with visuals (Fumiko came prepared!) this was as they say lovely. It was mixed with wonderful shops, historic sites, also temples and shrines. Margaret Louise Wahl（Canada）★★★★â˜. We learned a lot about the history of Tokyo and Japan. First stop was the old cemetery, with many interesting stories relating to the grave stones. For TRANSIT TRAVELER - 6 HOURS EVENING Tokyo … Discover a different side of the sprawling Japanese capital that dates back to its Edo period of the 17th through 19th centuries, admiring the area’s charming mix of temples, springtime cherry blossoms and timeless ‘reien’ (cemetery). We had a good meal and got some shopping done. Listen as your local guide introduces you to the history and culture of the area, which was established as a temple town during the Edo period of the 16th through 19th centuries. Shizue our guide, was lovely. Wie sagt man so schön - Qualität zeigt sich dann, wenn etwas nicht läuft, wie geplant. While I'd been to several shrine/temples before, she explained their features and I found myself with a new appreciation for these details that I had overlooked before. I would highly recommend this walking tour with Rie. Elena Kapsaskis, Darcey Harrison（UK）★★★★â˜, Firstly the meeting point was very easy to locate as in our confirmation email a picture was attached of the area as well as a picture of the tour guide. This was our second walking tour in Tokyo and was by far the favorite! $149.73 per adult. Really did have a wonderful afternoon and can highly recommend this tour especially with Hizuru as the guide. After taking a stroll through Yanaka Cemetery, we'll head for Nezu shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo. - not only offered but actually assisted after the tour when had a bit of a hitch on our holiday. Nothing was too much trouble. I joined this walking tour solo and was made to feel very at ease by tour guide Rie. I would highly recommend it if you want a dose of history, good company and a pretty walk! “Nostalgic Tokyo: Yanaka Walking Tour”. Son français était vraiment compréhensible. Quick View. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour with Mikko. We went to Yanaka to introduce authentic Japanese food culture to foreign countries. Nakano put information in clear historical and present day context so that it all made sense. Go to Nippori Station. I always like to do a city walk when I travel and this is the best I’ve been on. Thank you Hiruzu!! Mikko gave us the history of places we stopped along with some background on the culture of Japan. Lots of detailed history and facts - highly recommended. An excellent walking tour of this small area with some great stories and history behind the little streets. We went for a 3.5 hour walk through Yarnaka with our guide Sumiko. Thank you once again JunCo. Overall it has been a very nice way of exploring Tokio and to learn more about history and as well a small neighborhood place. The tour was customized for us and they showed us a lot on it. She was very knowledgeable and showed us everything there is to see in Yanaka, she even suggested lunch spots/places to see after the tour was complete. The Omakase tour with our guide, Rie, was spectacular. A really informative walking tour of an old area in Tokyo. I would highly recommend the tour. Due the fact that we did at the end we have been already familiar with quite many details. Her English was impeccable and she made sure we saw many sights: Yanaka Cemetery, Nezu-Jinja shrine, neighborhood homes, shops and schools, and temples around every corner. This was such a memorable tour experienced a different side of Tokyo without the hustle and bustle. Yoshimi told us a lot of interesting things about History, Religion and the present situation in Japan while walking a lot through Tanaka, the old part of Tokyo. Had the pleasure of attending this small group tour. Please note that there may be other participants. This was complimented by our guide, Rie, who was knowledgeable and friendly and made the day. I met Naho at the train station and we began our 3.5 hour walking tour. We were looking for a way to introduce our two boys (10 and 12 years old) to what Tokyo used to be like outside of the hustle and bustle and glitz and glamour of the main tourist spots. The walking tour was a fun way to learn about the history of Yanaka, visit cemetaries amid the cherry blossoms (always a neat way to get the attention of kids), and just meander tiny streets and alley ways rich with history and tradition... no fanfare, no neon lights, just absorbing how people go about their everyday lives. Our Tour guide was super friendly and very knowledgeable about the area and was always happy to answer questions. Everything about this tour was for me nostalgic because I grew up in neighborhood like this - but the bonus was Yuki-san and her knowledge and how she conveyed all the fascinating stories behind every corner of this historic town. Naho's knowledge is extensive. We stopped at many beautiful old temples, shrines, cemetaries and the tomb of the last shogun of Japan. Verena Fallack（Gremany）★★★★â˜. I am so happy my brother and I signed up for this tour. Also request Rie, she made the tour what it was. ・Please comply with the tour guide when you want to take some photos around Yanaka-Ginza- Shoutengai because some shops prohibit you from doing it.・Tour duration can be extended at a rate of 3,000 yen per group, per hour, payable in cash.・Hotel pickup will incur an additional fee of Â¥4,000 per group (for hotels in Tokyo area). Rie, our tour leader, was very knowledgeable and personable. I highly recommend this tour. She set a good pace to try and show us as much as she could in the time we had and we saw beautiful temples, historic buildings, artisan shops, a bathhouse, learnt about the various traditions and cultures about honouring ancestors in the cemetery and took many lovely photos of us that she shared promptly with us just after the tour was done. Rie was punctual, informed and friendly. Rei was outstanding. Start: Tennoji Temple (station: Nippori, then the south exit) Finish: Nezu Temple (station: Nezu) Time: Allow approximately 4 hours, including stops along the way. Experience Old and Nostalgic Tokyo: Yanaka Walking Tour provided by OMAKASE. There was also the itinerary attached. The best part of the tour was walking through a market street where you could shop for souvenirs or even try some street food! Meet your guide and small group at a nearby location in the morning or afternoon and get ready to discover Tokyo's historic side on this 3.5-hour walking tour of the Yanaka district. We also went to local residential areas, shops, and a coffee shop. All the sites were fascinating and the history and background of each one immersed me more into Japanese culture compared to the popular Tokyo tourist spots I’ve visited. ④ Nezu ShrineOne of Japan’s oldest shrine and perhaps most striking, set amidst huge trees and flowering azalea shrubs with ponds, pathways and iconic colored charming wooden structures reflecting age old culture and beauty including several small vermillon colored toriis.⑤ Yanaka Ginza StreetOne of best shopping streets in Tokyo, with the well-remained old town “Shitamachi” atmosphere. Japanese life, culture, & history accessible to Westerners. I’m glad that you had a great time in Yanaka. Takeshi-san did a wonderful job. More info. Rie was an excellent guide! Ms Sylvia Hinger（Austlia）★★★★â˜. But the most valuable part was she was able to set the sites in historical and societal context. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour of Yanaka, a historic area, spared during the bombing in WW Il. After the tour, she was also very helpful in providing directions in the cemetery to the family tomb of a Japanese friend. A very interesting glimpse of old Japan, off the crowded, usual tourist routes. Our relaxing stroll around Yanaka listening to her very informative and insightful commentary on the historical and contemporary community and culture of Tokyo was a highlight of our visit to Japan. Instructions with photos on meeting up were sent to me early and made finding her easy. Sonja Gaydies （Germany）★★★★â˜. Rie was a wonderful guide and the tour was interesting. This tour exceeded my expectations. Her knowledge, pace and highlights made this a highlight of our visit. Our guide told us lots of historical information you wouldn't know without a guide, as well as personal anecdotes that added flavour to the tour. The neighborhood survived the attacks of WWⅡ and endured all of the big earthquakes of Tokyo.