Hidden Tokyo: A Walk Through Living Heritage

Special Monitor Price: ¥55,000 (50% Off the Regular Price of ¥110,000)

【OUTLINE】

Beyond the lively streets of Ueno, there is a neighborhood where culture and everyday life inherited from the Edo period still live on.

Walk through Ueno and Yushima, meet the owners of long-established craft shops, and discover craftsmanship, seasonality, and values that have been passed down over

generations.

This is not a tour of displayed cultural treasures, but an experience of culture that still lives within people’s daily lives.

A special walking tour to discover another, more intimate side of Tokyo.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

・Stroll through the Shinobazu area, where the lotus blossoms of Shinobazu Pond create a spectacular summer landscape.

・Explore the historic neighborhoods of Ikenohata Nakamachi and Yushima with an English-speaking guide, just steps from Ueno Park.

・Visit long-established local shops, including a traditional craft store with over 300 years of history, and meet the owners.

・Discover iconic landscapes, including the "Moon Pine" and Shinobazu Pond, celebrated in ukiyo-e prints.

・Experience authentic local culture that continues to thrive in everyday life.

・Conclude your journey with lunch at a long-established Japanese restaurant, experiencing culinary traditions rooted in the Edo period.

【SCHEDULE】

See a mural depicting the Ueno area during the Edo period, including daimyo visits to Kan’ei-ji Temple, feudal processions, and the lively temple-town culture of Shinobazu.

【DETAILS】

Discover the enduring spirit of Edo and the Japanese sense of beauty that continues to shape everyday life.

Just beyond the bustling streets of Ueno lies the charming Shinobazu area, where the history, culture, and traditions of the Edo period remain part of everyday life.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, stroll through the historic neighborhoods of Ikenohata-Nakacho and Yushima while discovering the Japanese appreciation for seasonal beauty, the spirit of iki (refined elegance), and cultural values that have been passed down through generations.

Many of the shops you will visit are long-established family businesses where customers are personally welcomed by the shop owner, preserving a traditional Edo-period style of commerce. Through conversations with local shop owners, discover the craftsmanship and aesthetics behind traditional items such as combs, braided cords, kimono, and jewelry. Some of these businesses have been serving the community for more than 300 years.

This tour was developed by BUTTON LLC in collaboration with the Shinobazu Wameguri Initiative, a local community initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the area's history, culture, and way of life.

Through cultural tourism, this collaboration helps pass on the unique heritage of the Shinobazu area to future generations.

Experience the changing beauty of the Shinobazu area throughout the seasons and enjoy a unique small-group journey into Tokyo's living cultural heritage.

Please note:

・This tour is offered at a special monitor rate as part of a Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau initiative. The regular price is ¥110,000, but it is currently available at the special monitor price of ¥55,000 (50% off).

・As this tour is being offered as a trial program, participants are kindly requested to complete a short questionnaire after the tour and share their feedback to help us improve future experiences.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：3.5 hours（Approximately 3 km walking）
• Meeting point：Saigo Takamori Statue, Ueno Park [MAP]
  7-7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
  Gathering time: 10:10 (Tour starts: 10:15)
• Access：
  2-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Shinobazu Exit) and Keisei Ueno Station.
• Minimum number of participants：2 people (maximum 5 people)
  *The experience is available for 1 participant by paying the 2-person rate
• Language support：Japanese, English
• Included：
  ・English-speaking guide
  ・Visits to two long-established craft shops selected from Jusan-ya Comb Shop, Yushoku Kumihimo Domyo, Kimono Ikenohata Fujii, Jujiya Shoten, and Prince Megane of the World. Shops are selected based on each shop's availability to receive visitors on the tour date.
  ・Lunch at either Izuei Honten (Unaju) or Tempura Tensho (tempura rice bowl)
  * An upgrade to Itakura Chaya Kaname (traditional Japanese cuisine) is available for an additional charge, and upgrades to other menus are also available.
• Excluded：
  ・Transportation to the meeting point
  ・Drinks during lunch
  ・Tips
  
• Items to bring：
  ・Drink
   This tour includes walking outdoors. Please stay hydrated and take appropriate precautions against the heat.
• Clothes：
  Comfortable smart-casual clothing and walking shoes are recommended.
  
• Participation requirements：
  ・No age restriction (Participation for children aged 10 and above is recommended).
  ・Participation is free for children aged 9 and under if no meal is required.
  ・If a meal is required for children aged 9 and under, the adult rate will apply, and such children must be included in the total number of adults in the group.
  ・Not accessible for wheelchair users.
  ・Not accessible for strollers.
  ・Pets are not allowed.
  ・As the tour visits residential areas and operating local shops, guests are kindly requested to maintain a quiet environment and follow the guide’s instructions.
• Free Wi-Fi：No (Free Wi-Fi is available at various locations throughout Tokyo.)
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style) / available at the lunch venue
• Other things to note：
  ・In case of cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be notified by email by 3:00 PM on the day before the tour. In such cases, a full refund will be provided.
  ・The tour will operate in light rain. Cancellations due to personal judgment or no-shows are non-refundable.
  ・Please store large luggage in coin lockers at train stations or nearby facilities before joining the tour.
  ・Optional upgrades are available, including private dining rooms and alternative Japanese dining experiences. Please contact us for details.
  
  < Additional options available upon request >
  ・Please select your meal from the list below when making your reservation.
  ・All participants in the same group must choose from the same restaurant.
  ・If a standard menu is selected, no additional charge applies. An additional fee applies to any upgrade menu.
  ・If a meal is required for children aged 9 and under, the adult rate will apply, and such children must be included in the total number of adults in the group.
  ・Itakura Chaya Kaname can also be selected for an additional charge.
  
  【Izuei Honten】
  Standard menu: Unaju (grilled eel over rice), No additional charge
  Upgrade menu: Kaiseki course (appetizer, sashimi, fried dish, simmered dish, unaju, dessert), +7,000 JPY per person
  
  【Tempura Tensho Hirokōji Branch】
  Standard menu: Tempura rice bowl with dessert, No additional charge
  Upgrade menu: Tempura set meal (tempura, rice, clam soup, pickles, ice cream), +3,500 JPY per person
  
  【Itakura Chaya Kaname】
  Upgrade menu: Japanese bento set (three-tier lunch box), +3,500 JPY per person
  Upgrade menu: Kaiseki course "Summer Shinobazu Menu", +14,000 JPY per person
  
  
  

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

7 to 6 days before the tour date: 40% of the tour price
5 to 4 days before the tour date: 60% of the tour price
3 days before the tour date or on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour price