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Discover Tokyo's Secrets: 10 Tours with Expert Guidance
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Explore the richness of Japan's art, culture, and history through in-depth cultural tours of Tokyo guided by historians, architects, artists, and other experts.
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
Tokyo Tours by Context Travel
Want to experience Tokyo beyond the surface? Context Travel offers immersive tours, like exploring the Tokyo National Museum with an art historian or enjoying a sake tasting led by a food writer.
The guides leading these tours include experts from various fields, such as university professors, architects, artists, and travel writers. Their insights provide a key to uncovering the deeper layers of Tokyo's rich culture and history.
Deep Dive Tokyo Tours
1. Tokyo Sake Tasting Tour with Food Pairing in Shitamachi
2. Ryogoku Neighborhood Tour: Sumo, Hokusai and the Sumida River
3. Tokyo Pop Culture Tour for Kids
4. Tokyo National Museum Tour: A Guided Crash Course
5. Introduction to Tokyo Tour: Imperial Palace Gardens and Nihonbashi
6. Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shibuya
7. Asakusa Tour: Edo History and Sensoji Temple
8. Tokyo Food Tour: Savoring Tsukiji Outer Market
9. Half-Day Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo
10. Full-Day Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo with Lake Ashi Cruise and Mount Fuji Views
1. Tokyo Sake Tasting Tour with Food Pairing in Shitamachi
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Immerse yourself in Japan's sake culture in Monzen-Nakacho, a charming local neighborhood in Tokyo.
Guided by a food writer, you'll learn brewing methods, tasting techniques, and how to pair sake with otsumami, savory snacks. This in-depth experience will deepen your appreciation for Japan's national drink.
2. Ryogoku Neighborhood Tour: Sumo, Hokusai Art, and the Sumida River
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
An expert guide leads you through Tokyo's Ryogoku district, revealing its sumo, samurai, and craft heritage.
Explore Hokusai's masterpieces at the Sumida Hokusai Museum, including the Great Wave. See the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Stadium, and possibly encounter wrestlers.
Finally, you'll enjoy a Sumida River walk, visiting temples, shops, and gardens for cultural insights.
3. Tokyo Pop Culture Tour for Kids
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Discover the colorful world of Japanese pop culture in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
An expert guide leads you through anime stores like Animate, arcade challenges at GIGO Amusement Centre, and character goods shopping at Pokémon and Disney Stores. Enjoy
themed treats and collectibles on this fun, immersive tour of modern Tokyo life.
4. Tokyo National Museum Tour: A Guided Crash Course
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Delve into Japanese culture and history with a two-hour expert-led tour of Tokyo's National Museum.
Located in Ueno Park, the museum houses an impressive collection of Asian art and archaeology, with a focus on Japan. Explore national treasures, from samurai swords to kimonos, and trace Japan's history through its art.
The tour highlights key items from the museum's 110,000-piece collection, spanning from ancient times to the modern Edo period.
5. Introduction to Tokyo Tour: Imperial Palace Gardens and Nihonbashi
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Discover the overlooked historical gem of Nihonbashi and Tokyo's evolution on this expert-led tour. Learn how this area, along with the Imperial Palace Gardens, became a vital mercantile center before Tokyo's capital relocation.
Visit Nihonbashi Bridge, the starting point of Japan's road network, and Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Japan's oldest department store, established in the 17th century.
You'll also be guided through the Imperial Palace Gardens, which was built on the site of the former Edo Castle, and learn about Tokyo Station's history and Meiji-era architecture.
6. Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shibuya
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Discover Shibuya's hidden culinary gems with a local expert who reveals authentic Japanese food culture.
This night tour explores standing sushi bars and izakayas in neon-lit Dogenzaka. If time allows, venture into Nonbei Yokocho (Drunkard's Alley) for craft beer and yakitori.
The evening concludes with a sit-down meal, offering deeper insights into Japanese cuisine.
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7. Asakusa Tour: Edo History and Sensoji Temple
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Discover the heart of old Tokyo on an expert-led tour of Asakusa, a district brimming with history and tradition.
Explore Nakamise Dori's historic shops, delve into Asakusa's Edo-era pleasure culture, and visit the iconic Sensoji Temple.
This tour reveals Asakusa's layered history, from post-war rebuilding to the fusion of Shintoism and Buddhism, offering a deeper understanding of Tokyo's evolution and enduring traditions.
8. Tokyo Food Tour: Savoring Tsukiji Outer Market
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Taste your way through Tokyo's Tsukiji Outer Market on a 3-hour tour with a local expert. Explore vibrant stalls, learning about seasonal and regional influences on Japanese cuisine. Sample fresh sushi, tamagoyaki, and more.
From historical insights to a sushi lunch, this immersive experience deepens your appreciation for Japan's culinary traditions. Don't miss this opportunity to savor Tsukiji's renowned flavors.
9. Half-Day Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
Escape Tokyo for a half-day exploration of historic Kamakura with an expert guide. Discover the towering Great Buddha at Kotokuin Temple, the serene gardens of Hasedera Temple, and the grand Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
Learn how Kamakura, a former samurai power base, retains its old-world charm. You'll be traveling by train and the local Enoden railway for a deep dive into Kamakura's rich cultural and religious heritage.
10. Full-Day Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo with Lake Ashi Cruise and Mount Fuji Views
Picture courtesy of Context Travel
An expert guide leads you on a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone's breathtaking scenery. Once in Hakone, you'll be traveling by ropeway to Owakudani's geothermal valley, where you'll see the hydrothermal sources of the region's hot springs.
Next, you can select between the Hakone Open-Air Art Museum or the historic Hakone Shrine. The tour includes a cruise on Lake Ashi, which offers beautiful views of Mount Fuji.
With a Shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Odawara, followed by train travel to Hakone, this tour offers a perfect mix of nature and exploration.
An in-depth exploration of Tokyo and surrounding locales
Context Travel offers unique tours that connect you deeply with Tokyo and Japan's culture.
Led by passionate experts, these tours reveal the intricacies of Tokyo and nearby destinations. Discover a side of Japan you've always wanted to explore.
Read also
Main image courtesy of Context Travel
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
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