Best of Tokyo’s Shopping & Food: Japanese Cultural Experience

Spend your day with us browsing Ningyocho, a charming neighborhood known for its special, traditional souvenirs and goods made right here in Japan and get some insight to the foods and snacks the Japanese people eat and typical items they use in everyday life

The tour starts at one of the tower clocks which shows the story of Edo lifestyle at 12:45 pm. We will learn how Ningyocho was created .

We will stop at the Ningyoyaki cake shop which was founded 116 years ago. This shop is the original store which started making the Ningyoyaki with red bean paste inside. If the shop is less crowded, we can walk to the back of the shop to observe how Ningyoyaki is being made. We will try one of Ningyoyaki which was made in front of you.

Amazake Yokocho, as the name implies, still has several amazake shops. What is Amazake? There are 2 types of Amazake. In summer we will enjoy cold “Kome-koji Amazake” : This form of Amakaze is made from Kome-koji, which is steamed rice combined with rice malt. It is non-alcoholic and naturally a slightly sweet drink. In winter we will enjoy warm “Sake-kasu Amazake” : This form of Amakaze is made from sake lees called Sake-kasu. Some sugar is added to it because Sake-kasu is not sweet. Sake-kasu Amazake may contain less than 1% alcohol. In Japan, drinks that have less than 1% alcohol are counted as non-alcoholic beverages. We will walk through the allies in Ningyocho stopping at several shops. Most of them have been in the business for more than 100 years within the family. We will talk about the history and culture in this area. We will try a few more snacks as we walk along. Some of them are sweets and others are savoury.

We will visit long-established handicrafts stores. We’ll visit a Japanese traditional Washi paper store that was established in 1653 (the Edo Period). You can see all kinds of high quality brushes in the store established in 1718. Hair brushes and clothes brushes for men and makeup brushes for women are popular. You can see valuable ukiyo-e prints in a 430-year-old fan store. It would also be interesting to taste the products at a store specialising in dashi soup stock, or at a kitchen knife shop or a store specialising in gold leaf. The tour will end at Mitsukoshi department store, which has been in business for 350 years.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children 5 and younger are free of charge
• Vegetarian, and Vegan options are available on this tour.
• A moderate amount of walking is involved; please wear comfortable walking shoes

• Small Group Tour
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• Shop for the perfect handmade souvenirs to take back home
• Time travel back to old-world Tokyo
• Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
• Join Local English-speaking guide
• Taste Amazake, a sweet non-alcoholic drink
• Snack traditional treats (expect Ningyoyaki cakes, rice crackers, Wagyu beef sukiyaki croquettes)

• Additional Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

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Check-in Time
You must arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tour meeting time. The tour will begin on time and your check-in time is important. Out of respect for the other passengers we won’t be able to accommodate late arrivals. Due to heavy traffic in Tokyo, please plan your journey in advance, ensuring you arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time of your tour.

Child Policy
Please let us know if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so by sending us an email to tokyo@urbanadventures.com

Additional Information
We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour. Food inclusions are subject to change, dependent on availability on the day.

Dietary Notes
Vegetarian, and Vegan, options are available on this tour.

Dress Standards
A moderate amount of walking is involved; comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The tour includes a brief visit to a small shrine. Modest dress is highly recommended.

Local Office Phone Number:
If you have any issues on the day of your tour, please call +81 50 5809 5239. This local number doesn’t accept messages, so should you require assistance, please call or send a message to tokyo@urbanadventures.com

How to get to the meeting point
You can access the meeting point from any of the following metro lines: Ningyocho Station, Hibiya Line, Exit A2 (5-minute walk); Ningyocho Station, Asakusa Line, Exit A3 (7-minute walk); or Suitengumae Station, Hanzomon Line, Exit 7 (4-minute walk) While this tour is not physically exerting, it is a walking tour, and you will be on your feet and walking for all of the three hours.

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Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Intrepid Urban Adventures – Japan.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Tokyo.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 130 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 10 Travelers is accepted for booking.