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Lucky Cats Temple & Old Tokyo Yanaka 1/2-Day Walking Private Tour

By Japan Gray Line

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
4h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Selective hotel pickup

Overview

This tour is perfect for those who feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. An English-speaking guide will take you to a temple just outside central Tokyo, known for its countless small statues of beckoning cats. We'll also visit a nearby Shinto shrine, offering a chance to learn the differences between Japan’s two main religions. These sites are in a quiet, refined residential area, where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll through local streets and get a feel for everyday life. Next, we’ll head to the other side of Tokyo to explore Yanaka, a charming old neighborhood known for its narrow streets, wooden houses, and small shops. You’ll also visit Yanaka Cemetery, a historic public cemetery and the resting place of many notable figures. The tour ends at Ueno Park, one of Japan’s most famous parks. From there, you’re free to spend the rest of your day. Through this tour, you’ll discover a quieter, more traditional side of Tokyo and gain insight into the daily lives of its people.

Activity location

Gotokuji Temple
- 2-24-7 Gotokuji,
- 154-0021, Setagaya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Gotokuji Temple
- 2-24-7 Gotokuji,
- 154-0021, Setagaya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

Check availability

2025 Cat Temple Tour

4h
English

Pickup included

Travelers

Language options: English

Starting time: 10:00am

Price details

$228.83 x 1 Adult$228.83

Total

Until Wed, Nov 12

What's included, what's not

Hotel pick-up
English-speaking Guide
Hotel drop-off
Transportation fee (subway/train)
Gratuity (not obligatory)
Lunch

Know before you book

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please prepare rain gear, such as umbrella or a raincoat, in case of bad weather.
If your hotel is situated outside our designated pick-up range and alternative transportation, such as a subway, is not feasible, guests are responsible for covering the fare. This includes the cost for both the guide's transportation to the first destination and from the last destination back to your hotel.
Due to weather condition or other operational reasons, the itinerary may be subject to change or certain visits may be omitted or substituted. Even in such circumstances, the tour may not be canceled, and the tour fare will not be refunded.
Remaining time will be allotted for pick up and travel time in between the attractions .
The tour involves a good amount of walking outdoors. We suggest wearing sneakers or comfortable shoes.

Activity itinerary

Gotokuji Temple

The highlight of this half-day tour is Gotokuji Temple, a serene Buddhist temple with a charming legend. Originally founded in the mid-15th century, the temple later came under the patronage of the powerful Ii samurai clan, who made it their family temple for generations. Gotokuji is best known as the birthplace of the Maneki Neko, or beckoning cat, a beloved symbol of luck in Japan. According to legend, during a thunderstorm, a samurai warlord from the Ii clan was beckoned into the temple by a cat. Taking shelter there, he narrowly avoided the storm—an event that inspired the tradition. Today, visitors from all over the world come to buy small white Maneki Neko statues and leave them at the temple as a gesture of gratitude or to wish for good fortune. You’ll see hundreds of these charming cat figures, creating a truly unique and photogenic scene.

Shoin Shrine

Shoin Shrine is a small but historically significant Shinto shrine located in Setagaya, Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to Shoin Yoshida, a revered intellectual and educator who deeply influenced many young samurai of the Choshu Domain. His teachings inspired a number of key figures who went on to lead the Meiji Restoration, a major turning point in Japan's modern history. Shoin was arrested by the Tokugawa shogunate for his political views and was executed at the young age of 30. After his death, his devoted students reburied his remains at this site, and later established the area as a Shinto shrine to honor his legacy. Today, the shrine remains a peaceful spot where visitors can reflect on the life and impact of a man who helped shape Japan’s future.

Yanaka District

Yanaka is an old downtown area of Tokyo that miraculously escaped damage during World War II. The neighborhood is filled with narrow streets lined with old wooden houses. It also features a famous shopping street called Yanaka Ginza, which leads to a staircase where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset at dusk.

Yanaka Cemetery

This large public cemetery, operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, spans a vast area and is the final resting place of many renowned figures, including the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu—the 15th Tokugawa shogun who returned power to the emperor in the mid-19th century. We'll enjoy a peaceful stroll through this serene cemetery, which is also surrounded by many local Buddhist temples.

Ueno Park

20m
Admission ticket not included

The tour ends at Ueno Park, one of the most famous parks in Japan. The park is home to the Tokyo National Museum—the oldest and most renowned museum in the country—Ueno Zoo, and many historical sites. You can spend the rest of your day exploring and enjoying the area at your leisure.

Location

Activity location

Gotokuji Temple
- 2-24-7 Gotokuji,
- 154-0021, Setagaya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Gotokuji Temple
- 2-24-7 Gotokuji,
- 154-0021, Setagaya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

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