Shitamachi literally means "downtown", but it is a Japanese term often used to describe old traditional towns located in Eastern Tokyo. The famous Shitamachi areas include Asakusa, Yanaka, Fukagawa, and more. In this tour, I feature Fukagawa. We visit Fukagawa Fudoson temple, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine (not in Kamakura), Fukagawa Edo Museum, and Kiyosumi Garden. You can also enjoy town strolling in the Shitamachi atmosphere.
Monzen Nakacho Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line) Exit 1
Monzen Nakacho station is located 2 stations away from Nihonbashi station by Tozai Line. When you arrive at Monzen Nakacho station, please follow the signboard of Exit No. 1 and get out from the ticket gate. Please go upstairs and wait outside exit No. 1.
This exit is located in the middle of the shopping street.
Fukagawa Fudoson Is famous for Goma. Goma is a secret method of Shingon esoteric Buddhism that originated from the ancient Indian ritual "homa". If timing permits, you can watch Goma. In addition, you can experience Shikoku 88 temples pilgrim only in this space, and you can see a lot of Buddhist statues.
Tomioka Hachimangu is located just next to Fukagawa Fudoson temple. Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine was founded in 1627 by an oracle at the current location. It is "the largest Hachiman-sama shrine in Edo". Hachiman sama is one of the most adored deities in Japan.
Fukagawa Edo Museum is a small museum operated by Koto-ward, but it is reminiscent of the Edo period. Inside the building, a corner of Fukagawa in the Edo period is reproduced in full size, and you can experience the daily life of the Edo period!
It is a Japanese strolling garden with mountains and famous stones placed around the pond.
After the tour, this area is now famous for coffee town, so you can stay more and enjoy coffee shops on your own if you like.
Or I will take you to Tsukishima for lunch by metro. You can enjoy Monja yaki (local grilled food) there.
If you are interested in that, please inquiry me.
At Kiyosumi Japanese Garden
You can visit both temple and shrine, so you can feel the differences and the similarities.
You can experience the atmosphere of the Edo lifestyle at the Edo Museum.
You can visit a Japanese-style garden.
You can enjoy strolling in the Shitamachi atmosphere.
Guiding fee, Guide transportation fee during the tour and to the meeting point & from the ending point.
Guide admission fee for Edo Museum and Kiyosumi Garden
Your group's transportation fee during the tour and to the meeting point & from the ending point.
Your group's admission fee for the Edo Museum and Kiyosumi Garden
(Fukagawa Edo Museum: @JPY 400 for adults including high school students, @JPY50 for elementary & junior high school students
Kiyosumi Garden: @JPY 150 for adults including high school students, @JPY70 for seniors 65 years old and over)
Meals and drinks
Other incidental charge
I'm basically available on Tuerdays, Wednesdays, weekends and Japanese National Holidays.
Regarding night tours, I adopted different calender only for the tour.
This tour is available on weekends, some Tuesdays, and Japanese National holidays.
・You walk a lot, so please wear comfortable shoes.
・If you don’t have a SUICA or PASMO app, it's better to purchase a 1-day Toei and Metro card at the first station of the day. It costs JPY 900 for adults and JPY 450 for kids under 12 years old.
・If you want, I can take you to Tsukishima for lunch by metro. You can enjoy Monja yaki (local grilled food) there.
In case you are interested in that, please inquiry me.
・You can change your starting time as you like, but please note that Edo Fukagawa Museum and Kiyosumi Garden close at 17:00. In addition, Goma at Fukagawa Fudoson has time slots. It usually starts at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00. It lasts for about 30 minutes.
Maki is an engaging guide; friendly and interesting. She took us to a local Izakaya, smoothing the way to explore various food and drink choices. As a sommelier, she was well placed to advise and instruct on Sake which we knew very little about. After our delicious dinner we went on to a beer hall which had many offerings. We concluded the evening with a walk in the beautiful and peaceful gardens atop Ginza 6. Lovely evening Maki. Thank you
Thank you for your wonderful review. The two of you are best friends who can speak their minds to each other, and it was a really fun night, as I felt like I was included in your group. Thank you very much.
It is our first time in Japan & our first time in Tokyo. Although we like to be independent, we thought a guide would be good for our first day in Tokyo. Maki was excellent! She was extremely polite & helpful & made our integration into Japanese culture very easy. Maki has excellent knowledge for getting around Tokyo & was very informative about Japanese history. Her English is also very good. We would highly recommend Maki to any visitors to Tokyo & are very happy to give her a 5 star rating. Highly recommended!!!
Robert and Karen san, Thank you for writing a wonderful review! I also enjoyed spending time wiuh both of you. Enjoy your ongoing trip! Maki
Thank you so much to Maki for making this short trip such a memorable and productive one Without her guidance we would have spent most of our time like a fish out of water With Maki all the arrangements were arranged in advance and enable the day to run like clockwork added to by Maki’s knowledge and guidance and her excellent English We have no hesitation in recommending her Once again thank you
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. It was a memorable and unforgettable tour for me as well. It was a great honor to celebrate Hilary's birthday together. I hope your ongoing voyage will be enjoyable and safe.
Maki San was an amazing tour guide! We really enjoyed our tour with her and got to see all the places we want to. She showed us lots of local spots. Thanks much.
Thank you very much for your review! Although the weather was cold and challenging, I'm glad we were able to do a tour that was close to your wishes. Take care, Maki