Tokyo: Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour
Why this tour
What makes this walk different
Old Tokyo that's still lived-in
Yanaka survived the 1923 earthquake and WWII firebombing largely intact. This isn't a reconstruction; it's the real backstreets, temples and shopfronts of pre-war Tokyo.
Two local foods chosen for the neighbourhood
Not a generic food stop. A crisp menchi-katsu and a skewer of mitarashi dango, the kind of everyday snacks Yanaka residents actually eat.
A slower pace, away from the crowds
No major train line runs through central Yanaka, so it stays quiet even on busy weekends. Your guide takes you through at a relaxed, private pace.
Meet the guides
Who will show you around
Trip Port guides are locals who love talking about Tokyo. Here is who might show you around.
Founder of Trip Port · Tokyo local · grew up in the US
“First-timers sometimes expect a rebuilt old-Tokyo theme, but Yanaka survived the 1923 earthquake and WWII firebombing largely intact, these are the real backstreets and shopfronts of pre-war Tokyo. That's the thing I most want guests to register.”
Trip Port guide · Tokyo
“My favourite stop is Yanaka Ginza for the crisp menchi-katsu and a skewer of mitarashi dango in its sweet soy glaze, the everyday snacks residents actually eat. Keep an eye out for the cats, too, the street is practically known for them.”
Trip Port guide · Tokyo
“I love walking guests through the Senbon Torii, a tunnel of vermillion gates at Nezu Shrine, whose main hall has stood since 1706 through both the earthquake and the war. Yanaka Cemetery nearby holds the grave of the last Tokugawa shogun.”
What's included
Everything in the price
Not included: Additional food and shopping.
The walk
Stop by stop
Vermillion torii tunnels and a 300-year-old shrine
Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo's oldest, with a main hall dating to 1706 that survived both the 1923 earthquake and WWII. The highlight is the Senbon Torii, a tunnel of closely spaced vermillion gates that climbs a small hill behind the main shrine buildings.
A quiet old graveyard that doubles as a park
Yanaka Cemetery's tree-lined central avenue is one of Tokyo's most atmospheric walks, especially under its row of cherry trees. Your guide shares the history of the area and points out notable graves, including that of the last Tokugawa shogun.
A quiet temple with a giant bronze Buddha
Tennoji sits at the edge of Yanaka Cemetery and once operated Japan's last officially sanctioned lottery. Today it's known for its calm grounds and a large seated bronze Buddha, cast in the early 1700s.
A retro shopping street, and two foods worth trying
Yanaka Ginza is a nostalgic shotengai lined with small, independent shops: fishmongers, bakeries, and stalls that have served the neighbourhood for generations. Two food tastings are included here, chosen for how well they represent everyday Yanaka.
Photos
From recent tours
Meeting point
Where we meet
7-Eleven Nezu Station Store
- Take the Chiyoda Line to Nezu Station.
- The 7-Eleven is right by the station exit.
- Your guide meets you outside the store holding a sign that says Trip Port.
The tour ends at Yanaka Ginza, a short walk from Nippori Station (JR Yamanote Line).
Itinerary
Minute by minute
- 0:00Meet at 7-Eleven, Nezu StationQuick hello and a plan for the walk
- 0:10Nezu ShrineTorii gates, romon gate, Senbon Torii
- 0:45Yanaka CemeteryA quiet walk through old Tokyo
- 1:15Tennoji TempleBronze Buddha and temple grounds
- 1:35Yanaka Ginza shopping street2 food tastings included
- 2:00Tour ends at Yanaka GinzaShort walk to Nippori Station
Good to know
Before you book
FAQ
Questions guests ask
Is this really a private tour?+
Yes. Only your group and your guide. The 2–15 range is simply the group size we can take in one booking.
I am travelling solo. Can I book?+
Yes. Solo travellers are booked at the 2-person price so the tour can run privately for you.
Can I choose the start time?+
Yes. Pick a date and start time when you book.
What if it rains?+
The tour runs in light rain. In a typhoon or severe weather we will contact you to reschedule or refund in full.
Can my guide handle dietary restrictions?+
Vegetarian is easy. For vegan, gluten-free or allergies, tell us at booking and your guide will plan the tastings around it.
Which languages do the guides speak?+
All guides speak English. Some also speak Chinese, Korean, Spanish or French. Ask when booking and we will try to match you.
How is this different from the Asakusa & Senso-ji Food Tour?+
Both include local tastings, but Yanaka is quieter and more residential, with cemetery paths and a retro shopping street rather than a major temple complex.
Do I need to pay anything on the day?+
No. Everything listed is prepaid. Bring a little cash only if you want extra snacks or souvenirs.
Cancellation
Cancellation policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Discover Yanaka, one of Tokyo’s best-preserved old neighborhoods, on a private 2-hour walking tour with a friendly local guide. Pass through Nezu Shrine’s vermillion torii gates, walk the quiet paths of Yanaka Cemetery, visit Tennoji Temple, and finish with two must-try tastings on the nostalgic Yanaka Ginza shopping street.
Schedule
- Meet at 7-Eleven Nezu Station Store
- Nezu Shrine (torii, romon gate, main hall, azalea garden, Senbon Torii)
- Yanaka Cemetery
- Kaneiji Tokugawa Reien
- Tennoji Temple
- Yanaka Ginza shopping street
- Food tastings: Niku no Sato (menchi katsu) and Chaya Matsuo (mitarashi dango)
- Tour ends on-site at Yanaka Ginza
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More walks in Tokyo
Private tour · just your group and your guide
Bookable from tomorrow.
Up to 15 guests
¥7,000 / person