About this experience
What makes Northern Tokyo stand out from other districts, and what makes it so attractive? To understand this, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of traditional Japan: from the bustling Ameyoko street to the Yanaka Ginza shopping street. Here you will learn what sets the Japanese apart from any other nation in Asia and observe their daily life.
What to Expect
Ameyoko Street - noisy and crowded. During the Edo period, people came here for sweet ame treats, and in the post-war years, American goods were sold on the black market. We will discuss the past and present of Ameyoko.
Tosho-gu Shrine, miraculously preserved despite bombings, fires, and earthquakes. Our path here leads through the cherry blossom groves of Ueno Park. We will explore an example of Edo-era temple architecture and discuss why the shrine is dedicated to the soul of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Historic Yanaka Cemetery. We will walk through the iconic cemetery, where prominent figures of the country found their final resting place. Among them are the last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu and Saint Nicholas of Japan, credited with founding the Japanese Orthodox Church and the beautiful cathedral in the heart of Tokyo.
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street - unlike Shinjuku/Shibuya, more relaxed, quiet, ancient, and traditional. Among the local shops, you will feel the atmosphere of 1950s Tokyo and discover many interesting souvenirs.
Organizational Details
- The tour starts at Ueno station and ends at Yanaka Ginza
- Additional entrance fee to the shrine - 500 yen (€3) per person (travelers buy tickets for the guide)
