1 Day Walking Tour in Ueno and Yanaka : Culture, Art and Old Tokyo

If you love culture and heritage, and to explore Japanese temples, shrines and tradition, then this tour is for you. This tour will give you the opportunity to experience traditional culture in Tokyo, combining the cultural hub of Ueno with the lesser known but historic and artistic area of Yanaka.

The tour will provide guests with a well balanced itinerary including museums, a park and nature, shrines and temples, and traditional architecture.

You will walk around the popular and expansive Ueno Park to visit its many temples, shrines and beautiful landscape. Known as the place to go if you’re a culture vulture due to its many museums and heritage attractions. You will then visit a bustling and lively retro area of Ueno famous for its old style shopping arcades and restaurants.

You will then visit a perfect example of a Shitamachi or ’lower city’ in Tokyo, Yanaka. A cosy and traditional neighbourhood not many tourists know about, you will step back in time and enjoy an atmosphere that is very different to many parts of Tokyo.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience one of Tokyo’s most popular and famous parks

• See the real Hachiko, Tokyo’s most beloved dog at one of Tokyo’s most famous museums

• Enjoy temple and shrine hopping in two areas of Tokyo

• Visit a hidden gem neighbourhood in Tokyo and experience true Shitamachi old style Tokyo
  

DESCRIPTION

The tour will begin at 9.30am outside of Ueno train station’s Park Exit where you will meet your tour guide. You will meet directly outside of the ticket gates at the Park exit. Once everybody has arrived, you will officially start the tour and your tour guide will escort you to the first destination! 

First, we will pay a visit to one of Tokyo’s most famous museums located next to Ueno station. You will have an introductory guide to the Museum and its history, as well as being shown some of the main attractions there, including a life sized Blue Whale model, a steam locomotive and the taxidermied body of the beloved and legendary dog Hachiko. The architecture of this Meiji period building is also impressive. The museum is large, so we won’t have time to explore it all, but you can enjoy some free time to explore yourself before we meet back up for our second destination.

We will then head to Ueno Park to explore the beautiful temples, shrines, and lake to enjoy nature and escape from the busyness of Tokyo. The walk around the park is peaceful and you can enjoy a relaxed and slower pace as your guide tells you all about the history and culture of the area. You will experience a variety of temple and shrine architecture, from a large bronze Buddha face, a walkway of red Torii gates, and even a golden shrine! At the lake, you can enjoy seeing many birds and Koi Carp against the backdrop of high rise buildings.

Our final stop in Ueno will be Ameyoko, a retro area known for its shopping and restaurants. You will have a guided tour on the history and significance of the area, before enjoying your lunch break to explore, eat and go shopping if you wish. After lunch, we will have a 20 minute walk to our next destination of Yanaka.

After the 1923 Kanto earthquake, which devastated much of Tokyo, Yanaka was able to remain mostly unaffected by the event. Therefore, the area has retained its old charm and much of its traditional and original buildings. For our first Yanaka stop, we will visit a well known museum in Yanaka’s history and art scene. The museum was both the workshop and family house of a famous Japanese Sculptor. You can enjoy viewing the artist’s amazing and unique works on display, but also the architecture of the beautiful traditional Japanese house you will walk around. The museum also has a Japanese style garden built in the centre of it, and a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy views of Yanaka and surrounding Tokyo. You can spot the Tokyo Skytree on the expansive horizon!

You will then enjoy a guided walk around the shopping district of Yanaka Ginza, where you can feel the cosy and calm atmosphere. Known as Cat town, look out for the many cat statues and cat themed items on display and for purchase! Sample delicious street food, traditional Japanese standing bars, baked goods and visit unique shops to pick up the perfect souvenir. There is even a vintage Kimono shop where you can buy items for as low as 500¥. You will have free time here to enjoy the area at your own pace.

Finally, we will pay a visit to a beautiful and peaceful Buddhist temple with impressive statues of Buddha. You can enjoy a rest here among the tranquility. We will then walk through Yanaka Cemetery and Sakura Dori. Don’t be alarmed, this cemetery is very popular with the locals to stroll through and enjoy nature. In Spring, Sakura Dori is filled with blooming Cherry Blossoms and makes for a magical sight. Yanaka Cemetery is also known for its many famous people laid to rest, including Sumo Wrestlers, Samurai and aristocrats!

MEETUP POINT

Outside Ueno Station outside the Park Gate Exit @ 09:30am

You will meet your tour guide outside of Ueno Station’s park gate exit. Please follow the signs in Ueno station for the park gate exit and go through the ticket gates and come outside of the station. Your guide will be waiting for you outside in front of the ticket gates. The exact meeting point location is pictured above.

Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Once everybody has met at this location, you will officially start the tour.

NOTES

Included 

• Admission fees for the National Museum of Nature and Science, Asakura Museum of Sculpture and the inner gate and main hall of Toshogu Shrine
• Local English speaking guide

Excluded

• Trains and transport before and after the tour
• Food and drink

OTHER INFORMATION

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.

• There will be free time at Ueno Park and Yanaka, and the lunch break/free time for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide on the day of the tour. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.

• The museums are closed on Mondays and a Thursday, therefore this tour is only available for bookings Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – Sunday.

• Due to this being a walking tour, it is advised that you do not bring any luggage or large bags with you on the tour. It is advised that you check if your hotel can store your luggage for you until after the tour, or you store your luggage at lockers at a suitable location such as selected train stations with appropriate storage. For example, many stations in Tokyo will have lockers, especially the larger train stations such as Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo.