Yanaka Food Tour, Bento-Making & Cultural Workshop (Tokyo)
Locals welcome you to Tokyo’s “retro cool” district of Yanaka in this experience that includes a food tour, a lunch-making class and a cultural workshop.
Highlights
On this day tour of Yanaka, visit Nezu Shrine and Yanaka Ginza, and taste local snacks, sweets and drinks led by a local host
Learn to make a traditional Japanese bento lunch! Shape and decorate onigiri rice balls and enjoy your meal with miso soup
Take part in a cultural workshop and learn the ancient art of calligraphy or the principles of ikebana flower arrangementfrom an expert
Yanaka is conveniently located near Nippori and Ueno, but tends to be quieter than Tokyo’s major tourist hubs
10 meals
Experience Details
Spend a day immersed in traditional Japanese culture right at the heart of Tokyo. On this day tour of the Yanaka area near Ueno and Nippori, you’ll spend time with locals and experience several activities to explore and discover the district’s unique charm, known for retaining Tokyo’s “shitamachi” old Edo charm. You’ll spend the day exploring, cooking, and chatting with locals to understand the essence of Yanaka, including its traditional food and sightseeing spots.
Itinerary:
- Meet your host in Yanaka who will provide you with an introduction to the experience over freshly brewed coffee or tea.
- Yanaka tour: Stroll Yomise-Dori and Yanaka Ginza, and visit local shrines, temples and gardens in the neighborhood.
- Bento box lunch-making experience: Prepare and arrange onigiri rice balls to craft an authentic bento lunch.
- Cultural workshop: Partake in your preferred cultural activity (calligraphy or ikebana flower arrangement, depending on availability).
- Tea break and origami-making. If there’s any other place you’d like to visit, you can ask your host.
Tour Yanaka, enjoy its unique gastronomy and meet friendly locals in this comprehensive one-day experience.
Inclusions
Bento box lunch and rice ball making
Drinks during the introduction, after lunch and during a short break after walking
Calligraphy workshop with a licensed instructor
All tools and materials
Certified English-speaking guide
Exclusions
Transportation to and from the meeting point
Additional food, drinks and purchases
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
The meeting point will be “ko hi ko jo” cafe in Yanaka, less than 10 min on foot from Sendagi and JR Nippori Stations. More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
Guests are asked to please arrive 10 minutes before the experience start time.
Please don’t wear strong perfume or cologne.
Adults accompanying children under the age of 15 must also book the experience.
All underage participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian options are available. If you have dietary restrictions, please inform the host upon booking.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 3 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
Over 14 million residents call Tokyo home. Functioning as Japan's economic and cultural center, it's no surprise the metropolis often appears at the top of travelers' bucket lists. Here, you can find everything from traditional tea houses to futuristic skyscrapers.
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10 meals
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