Japans Cultural Curiosities Private Experience Including Food Samplings

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3 hours
Free cancellation
2 - 12
Mobile ticket

Overview

No, we don’t have a time machine, but you might think we do once you step back into Tokyo’s past! On this private Tokyo tour, you’ll explore hidden shops that sell traditional items not commonly found in modern-day Japan. With your own local guide to show you around on this private experience, you'll sample old-world sweet and savoury snacks, learn about the art of incense, visit a seaweed seller, and see a side of the city frozen in time, far from the bright lights of downtown.

Inclusions

  • Join Local English-speaking guide
  • Time travel back to old-world Tokyo
  • Wander through back alleys and uncover hidden shops
  • Snack on tasty traditional treats, from candies to crackers
  • Shop for the perfect handmade souvenirs to take back home
  • Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay

What to expect

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Ningyocho Mechanical Clock Tower - Rakugo Performer, 2 Chome-2 Nihonbashiningyocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0013, Japan

The tour starts at one of the tower clocks which shows the story of Edo lifestyle at 12:45 pm. We will learn how Nongyocho was created.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Nihonbashiningyocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0013, Japan

We will stop at the Ningyoyaki shop which was founded 104 years ago. This shop is the original store which started making the Ningyoyaki with red bean paste inside. If the shop is less crowded, we can walk to the back of the shop to observe how Ningyoyaki is being made. We will try one of Ningyoyaki which was made in front of you.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Nihonbashiningyocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0013, Japan

We will walk through the allies in Ningyocho stopping at the several shops. Most of them have been in the business for more than 100 years within the family. We will talk about the history and culture in this area. We will try a few more snacks as we walk along. Some of them are sweets and others are savoury.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Koami Shrine, 16-23 Nihonbashikoamichō, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0016, Japan

We will go to the Koami Shrine on the way to Nihonbashi. We will show you how to visit a shrine and if you wish, you can wash your money wishing for the wealth.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Nihonbashi, Nihonbashi, Chuo, Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Kanto

We are now in Nihonbashi where you will see the busy town where the oldest department store is located. This area also has many traditional stores which have been serving Japanese people for a long period of time. We will stop at several shops. One of them, Saruya, has been selling only toothpicks for 300 years.

Duration: 1 hour

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. As most of the shops we visit are small, family-owned businesses, they sometimes unexpectedly close or alter their hours for the day. In such a case, we'll visit other nearby shops or attractions that still keep with the theme and essence of the tour.
  • This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
  • The tour includes a brief visit to a small shrine. Modest dress is highly recommended — shoulders covered, and pants or a skirt that covers the knees.
  • Some food allergies can be accommodated. While this tour is not physically exerting, it is a walking tour, and you will be on your feet and walking for all of the three hours.
  • This tour includes visits to independent, family-run businesses, which may sometimes unexpectedly close or alter their hours for the day. In such a case, we'll visit other nearby shops or attractions that still keep with the theme and essence of the tour.
  • This is a child-friendly tour. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6.
  • While this tour is not physically demanding, it is a walking tour, and you will be on your feet and walking for all of the three hours.
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • While we strongly recommend that all travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission and avoid putting undue strain on healthcare services, vaccinations are not a requirement to join an Intrepid Urban Adventures tour.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • All tours follow the latest local health authority advice, including mask usage and social distancing. Intrepid Urban Adventures has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which recognises companies that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Ticket delivery

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Nat M
November 2019

Aya provided good information about Tokyo city and all local shops we visited. I enjoyed Japanese style buildings hidden in Tokyo. Local snacks were attractive. All shop keepers welcomed visitors with nice smile. You don't have to buy food after sampling, you can buy only what you want.

Dani C
September 2019

I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to see a bit of old Tokyo and it’s traditions. For someone who hasn’t got time to see the rest of Japan, it gives you a sense of traditional Japanese culture away from all the craziness of the main attractions of the city. Aya was an amazing tour g...

Samantha R
September 2019

Just finished our tour today, which was guided by Iya. Iya was easy to listen to and I learnt alot about Tokyo I would not have without this guided tour. My 11 year old daughter found this tour very interesting and definitely recommend booking this tour.

SamS51023
August 2019

I walked around Shinjuku with Ayaka and had a great time! I was the only one that night, but it was still a good experience. Ayaka is super knowledgeable about Tokyo/Japan in general, speaks English very well, and is very chill. By the end of the night, I felt like I was hanging out with a fri...

lavre1918
August 2019

We spent an entertaining evening with AYAKA who was informative, smart and friendly. We felt like we were hanging out with a friend nonetheless she was very professional and let us discover places we would not be able to if we were alone. We appreciated curiosities from everyday life as well as t...

Wanderer516187
July 2019

Our tour with Aya was a wonderful way to begin our family holiday. Aya introduced us to the basics of Japanese culture and their way of life, providing invaluable insights that served us well for the rest of our holiday. It was fulfilling to understand the importance of Temples and Shrines in the...

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