Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.8 Based on 4 Reviews
  • duration 3 hours
  • tour type Small group
  • age requirement 1-95 yrs
  • max group size 12
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-2388
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
  • Starts/Ends Tokyo, Japan
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Time travel back to old-world Tokyo
  • Wander through back alleys and uncover hidden shops that have stood for centuries selling handcrafted goods
  • Snack on tasty traditional treats, from candies to crackers
  • Shop for the perfect handmade souvenirs to take back home
  • Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
  • On this tour you will visit various 100+ year-old family owned businesses and help maintain and support unique Japanese crafts, food and culture, which will help keep these important traditions alive. 
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The Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities tour starts and ends in Tokyo. The Made In Japan Shopping Tour: Cultural Curiosities is a walking tour that takes 3 hours.

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.
ITINERARY

Spend your day with us browsing for traditional souvenirs and goods – made right here in Japan! Gain some insight to the foods and snacks that Japanese people eat and the typical items they use in everyday life.

We’ll start the tour in the neighbourhood of Ningyocho, a district known for its old traditions and, as you’ll soon discover, some very tasty treats. We’ll visit a number of shops that have been around for over 100 years, many of which are still family-owned and operated and specialise in unique goods made right here in Japan.

To kick things off, we’ll try some Ningyoyaki cakes, a true Tokyo specialty. This is a small sponge cake with sweet red bean filling, and made in different shapes. We’ll visit a bakery that has been around for 110 years, where the father and son welcome guests with open arms and enjoy sharing their knowledge about their cakes and craft.

We’ll also visit a shop that specialises in a traditional snack: senbei (rice crackers), a favourite in many Japanese households, which is happily gluten and dairy free.

From there, we’ll head to a local tenugui shop, where they sell woven hand towels depicting different traditional Japanese scenes. These towels are used for many things from wiping your hands to wrapping gifts, tea towels and decorations.

Your Tokyo tour will next lead you to one of the eight shrines in Ningyocho. We’ll visit a shrine where virtue, longevity, learning and wealth are worshipped. You can offer a prayer here, and wash a coin to ensure a prosperous life.

Once we’ve exhausted Ningyocho, we’ll visit another neighbourhood nearby, Nihonbashi. The district of Nihonbashi was a hub for merchants during the Edo period. Today, it is predominantly a financial district that houses trading firms and even the Tokyo Stock Exchange. And although Nihonbashi is very much a modern neighbourhood, it features many traditional Japanese shops hidden in its alleyways and even within its department stores.

We’ll visit an old-fashioned stationery shop that was established in 1912. You’ll get to browse through the display of calligraphy brushes, inks, traditional paints, handmade greeting cards, and little dolls that tie into Japanese wedding and New Year’s customs.

We’ll also discover a toothpick shop that has been in business since 1704, where you will be able to check out delicate handmade toothpicks, plus other handmade items carved from Kuromoji or Lindera umbellata ;

Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. As most of the shops we visit are small, family-owned businesses, they sometimes unexpectedly close or alter their hours for the day. In such a case, we'll visit other nearby shops or attractions that still keep with the theme and essence of the tour.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
Guide
  • Local English-speaking guide
Others
  • Food samplings.
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Additional food and drink
  • souvenirs and items of a personal nature
  • tips and gratuities for the guide. 
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8 - Excellent
Based on 4 reviews
  • Mr. Michael K.
  • On Jul 05 2016
4 - Very Good
Very Good
Great tour
  • Mr. Andreas W.
  • On Jun 16 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Our group was very small and the guide super friendly and with easy to understand English. The guide was very knowledgeable. As the tour is mostly outdoors, it should be done in nice weather.
  • Mrs. Erica C.
  • On Jun 02 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
Wonderful trip from a wonderful guide ! Very accommodating of us having a baby with us.
  • Ms. Joan S.
  • On May 08 2016
5 - Excellent
Excellent
So glad we did this tour. Ikumi was a great guide, very enthusiastic and fun. We have been to Tokyo many times, and are AJAs (Americans of Japanese Ancestry), but having a Japanese guide to explain things in-depth and help us... Read more
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 674 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

Cancellation for this product is free up to 48 hours before the chosen start date - full refund will be given. If cancelling less than 48 hours before the chosen start date no refund applies.

Meeting start point :

Mechanical clock tower near McDonald's in Ningyocho (note there are 2 clocks — meet by the one on the same side as McDonald's). In Japanese: Ningyocho Karakuri Yagura Edo Rakugo.

Meeting end point :

Mitsukoshimae Station (Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line)

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour follows established guidelines that are in line with the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ framework against COVID-19.
  • Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
  • All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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