Tokyo

Traditional Tokyo: Iconic Landmarks and Historic Sites

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.

At a glance What’s included Things to know

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!

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Alice Mar 2025

We had a wonderful time walking and seeing so many different areas of the city. I highly recommend it.

Terry Mar 2025

I had a wonder time with Amir on a solo tour. He was as accommodating as could be, starting with picking me up at my hotel and explaining how to use the train and subway system during the rest of my stay in Tokyo. At my request, we started off my sight-seeing in Yanaka, which is one of the oldest parts of the city. The pedestrian streets were wonderful and I was impressed with how Amir knew all the little shops and alleys and even showed me his favorite hidden gem of a place for coffee. I was lucky enough to be in Tokyo for Sakura, the peak time for cherry blossoms. Amir knew the best spots to see them without being overwhelmed by too many tourists trying to see them at the same time. Although Amir is not born and bred Japanese, he is married to a Japanese woman and understands the culture very well. We chattered so much about all sorts of topics during my tour that by the end I felt I had not only learned a great deal about Japan but also had gained a new friend.

Julia Mar 2025

Two days ago, we went on a walking city tour with Chiara. Despite the heavy rain, she made the experience truly exceptional. We managed to complete our list of things we wanted to see and even added some suggestions from Chiara along the way. She is professional, fun, and an all-around wonderful person. Book a day tour with her now; you won’t regret it.

Leslie Mar 2025

My tour with Veronica was wonderful. She walked me to so many wonderful sights, showed me how to take the trains around town and where to buy goodies to take home. She was full of information. Not only did she educate me on the proper way to enter and leave a shrine but she explained why. It was 4 hours worth every minute! Highly recommend her as a guide!

Marian Mar 2025

It was nice trip, very well organised by Brewster. Good fun, good job.

Denise Mar 2025

Enjoyed shopping for lunch at the food hall. Aya explained what all the food items were. We really enjoyed our picnic - all the different dishes were amazing. Aya was happy to take photos for us at all the different spots that we visited. Aya is definitely a people person and is the right person for the job.

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