Tokyo

Off the beaten track

Enjoy the retro and quirky neighbourhood of Asakusa from a unique vantage point in the comfort of a traditional rickshaw. Cruise the bustling streets of Tokyo in your own private chariot on a fun, customizable sightseeing tour. Check out the Denpoin street which has only changed a little since WWII followed by the quirky Tanuki-doori, Orange Street, and the entertainment street of the historic Rokku Ward. Back on the rickshaw, take souvenir photos of Hanayashiki, the oldest amusement park in Japan. Travel back in time as you head to the Geisha district. Park the rickshaw and continue the tour by foot. Under the guidance of your local guide, follow Japanese customs and pay your respects at Tokyo's oldest temple. Stroll along the Nakamise street to discover mouthwatering choices of modern and traditional local snacks as well as unique souvenir options. On the way back to the finishing point, venture inside Sumida Park, which has thousands of cherry trees in bloom during the Spring. If you choose the 190-minute option, the tour also includes a stop at the Imado Shrine, famous for its numerous cat figurines, especially the maneki neko, the beckoning cat.

Join a friendly local guide to get an authentic experience of Japan’s electrifying capital city. Get a personalized tour of the city’s fascinating history, culture, and fantastic food scene as you’re led down its liveliest streets – and a few off the well-trodden tourist trail. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. First, meet your guide at the 1300-year-old Sensō-ji temple, the oldest in the city, in the heart of the historic Asakusa district. Get a lesson in Tokyo’s ancient Buddhist history, and see the awe-inspiring Asakusa Shrine, which honors the three founders of the Sensō-ji. Then, walk the traditional streets to the neighboring Ueno district, an old downtown area that’s home to several attractions like museums, historical monuments and the popular Ueno zoo, all found inside the sprawling 150-year-old Ueno Park. Intrigued by Tokyo’s national sport? Head to the riverside Ryogoku district, the heartland of professional sumo. See all sorts of fascinating sumo paraphernalia, small statues of yokozuna (the highest-ranking sumo wrestlers), and Ryogoku Kokugikan – Tokyo’s famous sumo stadium. There’s really no limit to what you can see and do in Tokyo, and there’s something for absolutely everyone. Whizz around on a go-kart, play retro arcade games in the Anata No Warehouse, and grab a quick bite at the Robot Restaurant – where you’ll be entertained by robotic monsters, dancers, and flashing lasers! Your personalized itinerary will be planned according to the number of hours booked and adapted to your preferences. Once you’ve booked, someone from the local supplier's team will be in touch, so let them know if you have any special requirements.

The tour provider will organize the locations for your photo shoot based on your own unique requirements, whether it be a family getaway, a romantic trip or a livelier one with friends.  Once the details are organized, you will receive confirmation of all the information you need, leaving you to simply meet the photographer on location in Tokyo and let them work their magic, capturing your travels in a contemporary and candid style of photography. Your highly experienced Tokyo vacation photographers are handpicked local experts, who will share their knowledge of the city with you like an old friend. When your photo tour has finished, you will receive a link to your own personal online gallery (password protected) within 5 working days, containing your professionally edited images, all free to download. Create mementoes that will last a lifetime, and look back over your travels with fond memories.

Meet your certified guide at the Azumabashi bridge to begin the tour, observing the Tokyo Sky Tree and Sumida river. Make your way to the nearby Culture Center to get a preview of the tour route by seeing Asakusa from high up in the building. Visit the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's essential sightseeing spots. Learn about the history and secrets of this ancient place, while participating in the temple- and shrine-visiting rituals that Japanese people know. Afterward, dive into the Rokku area, Asakusa's bustling entertainment district. Stroll through streets learning about the complex district of continual novelty and quaint nostalgia. After discovering Asakusa's charm, make your way to three distinct but typical izakaya restaurants. On average, we provide 3 to 4 drinks and 3 to 4 dishes, which is enough for a full dinner meal. During the experience, you have the opportunity to savor traditional dishes and drinks whilst learning about the culture and history which triggered their creation. You'll also discover the depth of sake in its varieties, flavors, and production processes which have been refined over centuries.

Your Sugamo culture and food tour will begin with a local sweet treat from a shop that has been in the area for around a hundred years. This charming location has a great friendly atmosphere and creates original snacks and classics with a twist found no-where else in Tokyo. Following that, head on to Jizo Dori, the famous local shopping arcade where you will have a chance to visit regional shops celebrating prefectures across Japan. Stop at a famous temple and learn about this haven for older Tokyo residents who are still quite young a heart, before heading to the district’s popular 800-meter-long street which is also affectionately known as the “Old Generations’ Harajuku”. Browse pickle stores, snack stalls, and interesting shops, and take in the local vibe on your way to a favorite spot for a delicious lunch and dessert. Following lunch and an exploration of this colorful and fun area, you'll head to a hidden calligraphy studio and experience the ancient art of Japanese Calligraphy called Shodo. There you can create your own Japanese kanji character with a fantastic teacher, and once you have written your Japanese kanji with a brush and ink there is a wonderful added bonus: you will get to take home your own high-quality t-shirt with your character on it.

Explore the electric nighttime atmosphere of Tokyo during this 2.5-hour night photography tour. Learn from a professional photographer guide how to capture the light trails of traffic with the neon signs and of the vast metropolis in the background. Wander the neon-tinged streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Shibuya, learning tips for composition, framing, and timing along the way. Wander through the neighborhoods of Shibuya and Shinjuku after dark, receive photography tips and insider knowledge from an expert guide. Explore the area of Kabukicho and Memory Lane. After getting your fill of colorful Shinjuku’s traffic and back alleys, journey by train to the nearby Shibuya where you'll end your journey at the famous scramble crossing.

Step back in time to visit spots and have experiences that locals have enjoyed for decades. Visit drinking and dining stalls that are hiding in plain site. Learn about the culture of Tachinomi bars, where diners snack on local seasonal dishes and drink with friends and coworkers. Try some of the best local Ramen at a shop that has stood the test of time - serving its local fans for over 60 years. Then, have a dessert experience that you will never forget - your inner child will have so much fun at this last dessert stop. You will start off the evening in a classic Tachinomi – Tachinomi are Japanese standing bars. Traditionally, they were a no-frills type of bar located around train stations or in working-class areas, where salarymen would come to unwind after a hard day’s work. Japanese ramen has taken the world by storm in recent years but there is nothing quite like a real bowl of ramen enjoyed in the back streets of the big city. You will be visiting a ramen shop with a lot of history that has even been featured in a Japanese manga (graphic novel). Please note on days when this shop is closed you will visit a back up shop serving amazing regional ramen. Wind your way along back streets and take a sneak peek inside one of the best spots to buy souvenirs as you head over to a hidden gem izakaya (Japanese pub) wonderland where your guide will help you enjoy some of the best local dishes and drinks in a retro atmosphere like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Choose your own sake, beer, or special mixed drinks at this spot (non alcoholic beverages also available). Afterwards, head off to a sweet finish with a surprise dessert experience.