Our tour will take you through the charming area of Yanaka – one of the few remaining districts in Tokyo where the shitamachi (downtown) atmosphere– a feeling of Tokyo from past decades, still survives. The Yanaka area is filled with a feeling of nostalgia and a rustic charm. Our tour will offer you a sightseeing opportunity different from the “big city” feel of other parts of Tokyo.

Yanaka was one of the few areas that survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and Fire of 1923 and was spared the Allied fire bombings during WWII. The area has a history as an artisan town where many famous writers and visual artists lived and worked. Today it retains a similar spirit and an afternoon stroll down the tiny side streets that dissect the area south of Nippori Station will highlight the diversity of craft still being produced in the area: textiles, ink prints, wood carvings, traditional cuisines, stationery, pottery, jewelry, and much more.

We will have the chance to try local street snacks, stop by shops that are over 100 years old, see local shrines and temples, and enjoy a regional lunch before we end our tour with a traditional tea ceremony. By the end of this lovely tour, you will have tried lots of dishes and drinks that locals LOVE!