Traditions & Heritage • 4 hours 5.0 (6)

Traditional Tokyo: Iconic Landmarks and Historic Sites

Kimonos, tea ceremonies, and epic shrines. The ultimate half-day experience in Asakusa.

Don't forget to carry your passport with you to enjoy tax free shopping at many participating establishments!

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Go up to the Asakusa Culture Center to see the Sensoji Temple complex.
  • Join an authentic Tea Ceremony and wear a traditional Kimono
  • Learn to make matcha green tea and the craftsmanship needed.
  • Explore Nakamise Street and Senso-ji Temple
  • Try local snacks, and buy souvenirs on a bustling local market street.
  • Try Monjayaki, my favorite Asakusa dish.

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

4 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Per person
Hosted experience lasting up to 4 hours
Private and tailored to your group only
Immersive walking experience between stops
Entry to Maikoya Tokyo
1 meal and drink
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central locations)

What’s not included

Additional food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions other than what has been listed
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Kaminarimon Police Box, 1-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

This experience has been carefully curated to show you traditional Tokyo at its best. It’s not the most obvious spots but rather those that give you the greatest sense of the city, is heritage, history, and rich culture.

You'll start your experience by ascending the Asakusa Culture Center.  Here, you'll get sweeping views of the Sensoji Temple complex.  It’s a powerful visual. Take a snap and soak up the sight. Your host will be able to talk you through what you are looking at. Not only how the complex is set out but also the buildings and their importance.

Don't stay there too long because you don't want to miss the next part…

You'll be going to an authentic Tea Ceremony. Here you'll have the chance to wear a Kimono, the traditional dress, and learn to prepare your own matcha green tea under the guidance of an expert tea master.  There is a lot to know about the tea ceremony so spend some time with your host diving into the past of this magnificent cultural event. Once the ceremony is completed, you will also have the option to continue wearing the kimono during the day! If you want to…

Afterward, we'll head to Nakamise Street and Sensoji Temple, where you'll be able to try local Japanese snacks, shop for authentic souvenirs, and explore the oldest temple grounds in Japan. There is a real local energy around this place and it draws you in. So much to see and do, the location and the characters alike.  

Saving the best for last, (well I think so anyway) you'll stop for a local Asakusa specialty - Monjayaki. This dish is a savory pancake loaded with seafood and pork, which is perfect after a few hours of walking. Other dishes are available but if you can you should really try this one! There are interesting stories behind all of these amazing dishes, your host can walk you through them all as you tuck in.

That's it, time flies when you’re having fun (and delicious eats)! You've experienced some amazing, traditional things to see and do.  Hope you are feeling fulfilled and keen to keep exploring Japan!

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Bea, Feb 2025

This tour was a great introduction to Tokyo, making it feel much more approachable. I loved the fact that we went everywhere by public transportation, and walked around each area, as it gave me a chance to really get a feel for things. My guide, Api, was wonderful, and I felt as though I was being shown around the city by a friend.

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Alin, Feb 2025

Alberto is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide. Had a great time walking around some of Tokyo’s gems.

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Peter, Feb 2025

Ikio was a good match for me. He is of similar age and outlook to me, speaks very good English with a very good knowledge of Tokyo. He was also very helpful in explaining the basics of how the Metro system works which was very useful later on in my visit.

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Fiona, Feb 2025

A great way to see Tokyo thru a local, tailored to your interests. Our guide Veronica was friendly, fun and very knowledgeable.

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David, Feb 2025

Amir is the walking tour guide, He is knowledgeable about the city, friendly and accommodating, He picked me up at the hotel lobby, that was helpful to me as a first time in Tokyo.

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Jesse, Jan 2025

Great walking tour of historic and cultural landmarks. Exactly as advertised, I would recommend to anyone who wants to see the city but isn’t sure where to start!

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