On November 20th, we had the pleasure of hosting two walking tours—Asakusa in the morning and Yanaka–Nezu in the afternoon. In total, 22 wonderful guests joined us (including two guests who participated in both tours), travelling from France, Italy, Denmark, the U.K., Canada, the U.S.A. (listed in order of group size). We truly hope each of you found something memorable along the way.
Ⅰ. Asakusa: Experience the vitality and wit of Edo natives
Asakusa today is dynamic. It’s a living showcase of the vitality and wit of the old Edo natives.
Asakusa is like an amusement park. Turn a corner, and a new attraction awaits you. Few other places in Tokyo can you experience such delightful surprises.
Asakusa is a town where the past and the present seem to coexist in harmony. Anyone who decides to visit it has made a truely wise choice.
However, Asakusa has another side. You can feel it especially in the traditional shopping streets and the narrow back alleys in “Oku-Asakusa (Inner Asakusa),” the quieter, more nostalgic part of the town. This is something Asakusa shares with its neighborhoods of Yanaka and Nezu. If you have the time plus a little curiosity, head north of Sensoji Temple and explore it for yourself.
Ⅱ. Yanaka and Nezu: Old Tokyo, New Discoveries
(1) The Charm of Yanaka and Nezu
During the Edo period, Yanaka thrived as a temple district where people came to visit their family graves and stayed to enjoy peaceful atmosphere. Nezu, meanwhile, developed as the bustling temple town of Nezu Shrine, home to skilled craftsmen.
Unlike Asakusa, both areas were largely spared from the devastation of the Great Kanto Earthquake and the air raids of World War II, preserving a rare streetscape where traces of old Tokyo still remain.
(2) Yanaka: The Late Runner
There was a time when Yanaka was considered outdated. Modernization passed them by, and its vitality faded.
However, during the bubble economy (from the late 1980s through the early 1990s), redevelopment swept through Tokyo — and Yanaka was no exception. The townscape changed rapidly.
Faced with this crisis, the people of Yanaka made a bold decision: they chose preservation and restoration over redevelopment.
They asked themselves what made their town special … Its wooden townhouses, quiet backstreets and the deep history behind them … and they decided to protect them.
Old houses have become cozy cafés. A public baths has turned into an art gallery. Yanaka has come back to life once again.
(3) Nezu: A Space Where Ordinary People Live Ordinary Lives
What makes Nezu so appealing to overseas visitors? One guest said, “In most tourist spots, I ended up watching other tourists. I want to go see where ordinary Japanese people actually live.”
That’s exactly you’ll find in Nezu: a neighborhood where everyday life unfolds naturally. Children playing in parks. Locals chatting while sweeping the back alley. It’s just normal life to them, but for visitors, it feels wonderfully new and authentic.
Yes, the real beauty of Nezu lies not in its buildings, but in its people who are kind, helpful, and warm-hearted. That’s something you can’t experience through social media.
In short, these tours offer something rare: a glimpse of the old Tokyo, beyond the guidebooks.
You’ll visit places untouched by big tour groups, guided by friendly local volunteers.
Asakusa, Yanaka and Nezu are waiting for you. Now come and join us before everyone else discovers them.
We recommend joining both our Asakusa Morning Tour and Yanaka & Nezu Afternoon Tour.
The Asakusa Tour runs from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. After the morning tour, you can easily reach Nippori by train. Take the Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Ueno Station (the 3rd stop, about 5 minutes), then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line for Nippori Station (the 2nd stop, about 4 minutes).
Please meet us outside the West Exit of JR Nippori Station. The Yanaka & Nezu Tour starts at 2:00 p.m. and lasts about two hours. Caution: There are slopes and stairs on the route.
If you prefer, you can also join the Yanaka & Nezu Tour directly. After the two trial tours in November, regular tours will be offered twice a month starting in December.
(The map below shows the meeting point.)
(Posted by Shun)