Winter Break
There will be no tours (public or private) from December 16th to January 5th.
7 Gods Stroll in Shinjuku
Start the year off with a bit of extra luck by completing a 7 Gods pilgrimage. We’ll visit shrines and temples associated with the shichifukujin (the 7 Gods of Good Fortune) while learning more about New Year’s customs. Hear legends associated with the various gods (Which god keeps company with rats? Who can talk to snakes? Which god inspired how we pray at shrines today?) while collecting stamps or statues to commemorate the pilgrimage.
Excursion Details:
¥7000 per person (Price does NOT include cost of stamps or 7 Gods statues – avg ¥400-¥500 each).
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over mostly flat ground
Tour starts at Shinjuku Gyoenmae station and ends near Kagurazaka and Iidabashi stations
This tour is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
7 Gods Stroll in Shinjuku
Start the year off with a bit of extra luck by completing a 7 Gods pilgrimage. We’ll visit shrines and temples associated with the shichifukujin (the 7 Gods of Good Fortune) while learning more about New Year’s customs. Hear legends associated with the various gods (Which god keeps company with rats? Who can talk to snakes? Which god inspired how we pray at shrines today?) while collecting stamps or statues to commemorate the pilgrimage.
Excursion Details:
¥7000 per person (Price does NOT include cost of stamps or 7 Gods statues – avg ¥400-¥500 each).
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over mostly flat ground
Tour starts at Shinjuku Gyoenmae station and ends near Kagurazaka and Iidabashi stations
This tour is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Ryogoku: Sumo Town
Ryogoku is Tokyo’s sumo neighborhood, but this traditional shitamachi (downtown) on the eastern bank of the Sumida River boasts many additional fascinating sites. Visit a sumo temple, a famous spot associated with the 47 samurai, a traditional garden, and a park that’s seen more than its fair share of disasters. Along the way, hear stories of sumo wrestlers, sushi makers and samurai bent on revenge, among others.
Ryogoku: Sumo Town
Ryogoku is Tokyo’s sumo neighborhood, but this traditional shitamachi (downtown) on the eastern bank of the Sumida River boasts many additional fascinating sites. Visit a sumo temple, a famous spot associated with the 47 samurai, a traditional garden, and a park that’s seen more than its fair share of disasters. Along the way, hear stories of sumo wrestlers, sushi makers and samurai bent on revenge, among others.
Ningyocho and Nihombashi
Visit two neighborhoods that are considered the ‘Heart’ of old Edo – a former ‘doll’ town and a beautifully revitalized shopping district. Explore hidden shrines, picturesque alleys, and famous bridges while hearing stories of currency, kimono sellers, whales, secret Buddha statues and more!
Omiya Bonsai Neighborhood
Travel just outside of Tokyo to Saitama’s famous bonsai village. Learn about this centuries-old tree shaping practice in the Omiya Bonsai Museum, wander through the neighborhood’s unique bonsai nurseries, and enjoy lunch in a local cafe.
Excursion Details:
¥10,000 (includes 10% sales tax, museum admission and services of a cultural specialist). Not Included: lunch, transportation to and from Omiya area (¥1300)
3-8 participants, ages 14 and older.
Excursion will be held rain or shine.
Moderate amount of walking on flat ground
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Highlights of Ginza
Ginza has undergone several personality changes over the centuries. From silver mint of the shoguns to “experimental” Western neighborhood, Ginza has always been a neighborhood full of stories. Come stroll the streets after sunset to hear tales of how the neighborhood has evolved over the eras, while enjoying the bright lights of the district after dark.
Historic Hibiya and Marunouchi
Join me as we weave in and out of the area’s skyscrapers, uncovering the secrets of this unassuming business district. Godzilla and General MacArthur, architects and assassins and actors, a hidden garden … all make an appearance on this fascinating walk.
¥7000 per person
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Moderate amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Kasumigaseki Station and ends at Tokyo Station
All tours are held in conjunction with Heartland Japan. To register, please visit this link.
Ochanomizu: Arts and Anime
Come explore Ochanomizu with me! We’ll start with a visit to a shrine with a lovely plum grove, then visit an origami center, a venerable shrine with unique prayer plaques, and a train station that’s living out a second life as a collection of hip boutique shops. Hear stories of flying plums, an exhausted ox, a meaningful origami gift, a horse for the gods, a secret spy tower, and more.
Early Spring at Ikegami Honmonji
Visit an impressive 800+ year old temple built atop a hill overlooking the city and wander under the blossoms in a garden of 370 plum trees.
Ningyocho and Nihombashi
Visit two neighborhoods that are considered the ‘Heart’ of old Edo – a former ‘doll’ town and a beautifully revitalized shopping district. Explore hidden shrines, picturesque alleys, and famous bridges while hearing stories of currency, kimono sellers, whales, secret Buddha statues and more!
Kiyosumi and Fukagawa: Coffee and Culture
Explore the neighborhoods of Kiyosumi Shirakawa and Monzen Nakacho, two old “downtowns” on the eastern side of the river. Kiyosumi has a reputation as a “coffee town” – learn about the cafes that have opened their doors here in the past few years and get a caffeine-fix in one of them! Wander through a gorgeous traditional garden and a fascinating, hands-on museum that recreates life in the Edo Period, and catch a unique Buddhist ceremony (time permitting) at a historic temple.
Ningyocho and Nihonbashi: Cradle of Old Tokyo
Visit two neighborhoods that are considered the ‘Heart’ of old Edo – a former ‘doll’ town and a beautifully revitalized shopping district. Explore hidden shrines, picturesque alleys, and famous bridges while hearing stories of currency, kimono sellers, whales, secret Buddha statues and more!
Excursion Details:
¥7000 per person (includes small snack)
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Suitengumae Station and ends at Mitsukoshimae Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Kita-Kamakura Temple and Foliage Stroll
Come explore the temples of Kita-Kamakura in one of their prettiest seasons. Hear stories of one of Japan’s former capitals while soaking up the fall foliage at its peak.
Excursion Details:
¥9500 (includes temple entrance fees, 10% sales tax and services of a guide/cultural specialist). Not included: coffee/tea at refreshments stop, train fare to and from Kita-Kamakura (approx. ¥1500 round trip)
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Tour leaves from Ebisu station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Kanda River Gardens
Kanda River’s quiet paths are perfect for a late autumn walk. Visit a home once belonging to the poet Basho, a traditional Japanese garden and green spaces that once housed the Edo (old Tokyo) elite.
Excursion Details:
¥7000 (includes 10% sales tax and services of a cultural specialist). Not included: optional drink at coffee shop
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Excursion will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain.
Moderate amount of walking
Excursion starts at Edogawabashi Station and ends at Waseda Station
This tour is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Yokohama Holiday Walk
Get in the holiday spirit while touring gorgeous historic Western homes built in the early 1900s on the bluffs above Yokohama. Each home is decorated for Christmas in a different country’s theme. Afterward, take a quick walk through a famous shopping street that has catered to foreigners since the 1800s, and end with a visit to Chinatown.
Excursion Details:
¥8500 (includes 10% sales tax and services of a cultural specialist). Optional lunch after the tour is NOT included.
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Moderate to significant amount of walking over rolling terrain
Tour begins at Nakameguro Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Setagaya Temples and Shrines (Foliage Walk)
Explore some of Setagaya’s most atmospheric temples and shrines, including Gotoku-ji (the famed “beckoning cat temple”) and Shoin Jinja, a shrine with fascinating historical connections. Hear multiple legends associated with the beckoning cat and decide for yourself which one is real. Enjoy some final cherry blossom viewing (hopefully), and stay for an optional lunch along a revitalized shopping street before catching one of Tokyo’s two remaining streetcars back home.
Hibiya and Marunouchi (Foliage Walk*)
Weave in and out of the area’s skyscrapers, uncovering the secrets of this unassuming business district. Godzilla and General MacArthur, architects and assassins and actors, a hidden garden … all make an appearance on this fascinating walk.
*While this date should coincide with the start of Tokyo’s beautiful foliage season, the changing climate means there is no guarantee.
Excursion Details:
¥7000 per person
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Kasumigaseki Station and ends at Tokyo Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Yanaka
Yanaka is an area known for friendly neighborhood cats and beautiful cherry trees. Wander along traditional alleyways, browse a traditional shopping street emanating new vibes, and stop at a temple with an intriguing history. Hear stories of tea sellers, shoguns, sculptors and more.
Shibamata Time-Slip
Explore one of Tokyo's retro neighborhoods on this trip to Shibamata, a Showa-era "shitamachi" (old downtown) in northeastern Tokyo. Visit a temple with stunning woodwork, a hidden garden, a top-notch tea house, and a museum dedicated to one of Japan's most popular TV shows. Enjoy an optional lunch along an atmospheric shopping street.
Excursion Details:
¥9500 (includes 10% sales tax, entrance fees for the museum and garden, services of a guide/cultural specialist).
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Excursion will be held rain or shine
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Asakusa After Dark
Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s most popular neighborhoods, with a host of hidden gems to discover. Come enjoy this hotspot in the evening hours after the crowds have gone. Hear stories of dragons, Edo-era thieves, raccoon dogs, Tokyo’s first “skyscraper”, and more. Enjoy a walk along the river and great views of the neighborhood’s illuminated buildings.
Excursion Details:
¥6000 (includes 10% sales tax and services of a cultural specialist)
3-9 participants, ages 18 and older
This excursion will be held rain or shine.
Moderate amount of walking over relatively flat ground
Excursion begins and ends at Asakusa Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Historic Hibiya and Marunouchi
Join me as we weave in and out of the area’s skyscrapers, uncovering the secrets of this unassuming business district. Godzilla and General MacArthur, architects and assassins and actors, a hidden garden … all make an appearance on this fascinating walk.
¥7000 per person
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Moderate amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Kasumigaseki Station and ends at Tokyo Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Ryogoku: Sumo Town
Ryogoku is Tokyo’s sumo neighborhood, but this traditional shitamachi (downtown) on the eastern bank of the Sumida River boasts many additional fascinating sites. Visit a sumo temple, a famous spot associated with the 47 samurai, a traditional garden, and a park that’s seen more than its fair share of disasters. Along the way, hear stories of sumo wrestlers, sushi makers and samurai bent on revenge, among others.
Ryogoku: Sumo Town
Ryogoku is Tokyo’s sumo neighborhood, but this traditional shitamachi (downtown) on the eastern bank of the Sumida River boasts many additional fascinating sites. Visit a sumo temple, a famous spot associated with the 47 samurai, a traditional garden, and a park that’s seen more than its fair share of disasters. Along the way, hear stories of sumo wrestlers, sushi makers and samurai bent on revenge, among others.
No Tours - Summer Break
There will be no tours during July and August. Please join me again beginning in mid-September.
Hibiya and Marunouchi (Evening Tour)
Beat the heat on an evening excursion! Weave in and out of the area’s skyscrapers, uncovering the secrets of this unassuming business district. Godzilla and General MacArthur, architects and assassins and actors, a hidden garden … all make an appearance on this fascinating walk.
¥6000 per person
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Kasumigaseki Station and ends at Tokyo Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Ningyocho and Nihonbashi: Cradle of Old Tokyo
Visit two neighborhoods that are considered the ‘Heart’ of old Edo – a former ‘doll’ town and a beautifully revitalized shopping district. Explore hidden shrines, picturesque alleys, and famous bridges while hearing stories of currency, kimono sellers, whales, secret Buddha statues and more!
Excursion Details:
¥6000 per person (includes small snack)
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Suitengumae Station and ends at Mitsukoshimae Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Asakusa After Dark
Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s most popular neighborhoods, with a host of hidden gems to discover. Come enjoy this hotspot in the evening hours, when the crowds have gone. Hear stories of dragons, Edo-era thieves, raccoon dogs, Tokyo’s first “skyscraper”, and more. Enjoy a walk along the river and great views of the neighborhood’s illuminated buildings.
Excursion Details:
¥6000 (includes 10% sales tax and services of a cultural specialist)
3-9 participants, ages 18 and older
This excursion will be held rain or shine.
Moderate amount of walking over relatively flat ground
Excursion begins and ends at Asakusa Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Kiyosumi and Fukagawa: Coffee and Culture
Explore the neighborhoods of Kiyosumi Shirakawa and Monzen Nakacho, two old “downtowns” on the eastern side of the river. Kiyosumi has a reputation as a “coffee town” – learn about the cafes that have opened their doors here in the past few years and get a caffeine-fix in one of them! Wander through a gorgeous traditional garden and a fascinating, hands-on museum that recreates life in the Edo Period, and catch a unique Buddhist ceremony (time permitting) at a historic temple.
Ochanomizu: Arts and Anime
On this special winter edition of the tour, we’ll start with a visit to a shrine with a lovely plum grove. We’ll also an origami center, a venerable shrine with unique prayer plaques, and a train station that’s living out a second life as a collection of hip boutique shops. Hear stories of flying plums, an exhausted ox, a meaningful origami gift, a horse for the gods, a secret spy tower, and more.
Shibamata Time-Slip
Explore one of Tokyo's retro neighborhoods on this trip to Shibamata, a Showa-era "shitamachi" (old downtown) in northeastern Tokyo. Visit a temple with stunning woodwork, a hidden garden, a top-notch tea house, and a museum dedicated to one of Japan's most popular TV shows. Enjoy an optional lunch along an atmospheric shopping street.
Excursion Details:
¥8000 (includes 10% sales tax, entrance fees for the museum and garden, services of a guide/cultural specialist).
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Excursion will be held rain or shine
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Hike: Heights of Kamakura
A hidden shrine, a wild bamboo forest, a ridgeline path and views of Mt Fuji (in good weather) are all to be enjoyed on this trail connecting Kamakura to the Yokohama area.
*Note: This hike does NOT follow any of the well-known Kamakura trails (ie Daibutsu, Ten’en, or Gionyama).
Excursion Details:
¥10,000 (includes 10% sales tax and services of a hiking guide/cultural specialist); does NOT include lunch or train fare to and from the hike (approx ¥1650 roundtrip)
Hike will be cancelled in the event of rain.
3-9 participants, ages 18 and older.
As this is a hiking excursion, participants should be prepared to cover 8-10km of varied terrain (paved road, forest path) over the course of 2.5-3 hours
Excursion leaves from and returns to Shimbashi Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
No Tours - Spring Break
There will be no tours (public or private) from April 13th to April 28th.
Ningyocho and Nihonbashi: Cradle of Old Tokyo
Visit two neighborhoods that are considered the ‘Heart’ of old Edo – a former ‘doll’ town and a beautifully revitalized shopping district. Explore hidden shrines, picturesque alleys, and famous bridges while hearing stories of currency, kimono sellers, whales, secret Buddha statues and more!
Excursion Details:
¥6000 per person (includes small snack)
3-9 participants, ages 14 and older.
Rain or shine.
Significant amount of walking over flat ground
Tour begins at Suitengumae Station and ends at Mitsukoshimae Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.
Sakura Hike on Mt Kobo (New Date)
About an hour outside of Tokyo, ramble along a beautiful, forested ridgeline in Kanagawa Prefecture on this easy to moderate hiking excursion. Along the route, enjoy a picnic with (potential) impressive views of Mt Fuji. End this active adventure with an optional dip in a local open-air hot spring. This date should coincide with the blooming cherry trees along the trail … a sight not to be missed!
Setagaya Temples and Shrines (Sakura Walk)
Explore some of Setagaya’s most atmospheric temples and shrines, including Gotoku-ji (the famed “beckoning cat temple”) and Shoin Jinja, a shrine with fascinating historical connections. Hear multiple legends associated with the beckoning cat and decide for yourself which one is real. Enjoy some final cherry blossom viewing (hopefully), and stay for an optional lunch along a revitalized shopping street before catching one of Tokyo’s two remaining streetcars back home.
Yanaka
Yanaka is an area known for friendly neighborhood cats and beautiful cherry trees. Wander along traditional alleyways, browse a traditional shopping street emanating new vibes, and stop at a temple with an intriguing history. Hear stories of tea sellers, shoguns, sculptors and more, while enjoying Tokyo’s sakura at its best.
Roppongi Ramble
On this walk, we’ll weave through the streets of central Tokyo’s nightlife and cultural quarter and detour into nearby Akasaka as well. Hear stories of spiders and space fish, famous cartoonists, geisha, generals and even The Beatles.
Ochanomizu: Arts and Anime
On this special winter edition of the tour, we’ll start with a visit to a shrine with a lovely plum grove. We’ll also an origami center, a venerable shrine with unique prayer plaques, and a train station that’s living out a second life as a collection of hip boutique shops. Hear stories of flying plums, an exhausted ox, a meaningful origami gift, a horse for the gods, a secret spy tower, and more.
No Tours - Midwinter Break
There will be no tours (public or private) from February 14th to 24th.
Ryogoku: Sumo Town (Foliage Walk)
Ryogoku is Tokyo’s sumo neighborhood, but this traditional shitamachi (downtown) on the eastern bank of the Sumida River boasts many additional fascinating sites. Visit a sumo temple, a famous spot associated with the 47 samurai, a traditional garden, and a park that’s seen more than its fair share of disasters. Along the way, hear stories of sumo wrestlers, sushi makers and samurai bent on revenge, among others.
Autumn Hike in Okutama
Escape the concrete city center for the forested hills of western Tokyo. Come explore some of the mountain paths of the Okutama region on this easy to moderate day hike. Pass waterfalls, suspension bridges and sublime scenery on this 3 hour ramble. End with an optional visit to an onsen that offers an outdoor bath.
Excursion Details:
¥10,000 (includes 10% sales tax and services of hiking guide/cultural specialist). Not included: lunch, transportation to and from Okutama (approximately ¥2000)
3-9 participants, ages 18 and older.
Hike will be cancelled in the event of rain.
As this is a hiking excursion, be prepared for 3 hours of moderate hiking on paved roads and mountain paths.
Excursion leaves from and returns to Shinjuku Station
This excursion is offered in conjunction with Heartland Japan. Click here to register.