Backstreets and Tokyo Subculture: Historic to ElectronicGroup Tour
Explore both the traditional and modern of Tokyo. Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, enjoy the dizzying lights of Electric Town, and wind down at a 'maid cafe'.
Adults: 4 Children: 0
Total
Things to know
Duration:
4 hrs
Suitable for:
Adventurous, Culture Vulture, Friends, Looking for Local
Group Tour:
Small, intimate groups with a professional guide
Transport Mode:
Walking tour - the cost of all public transport is included between sights. Your guide will help you with this.
Tickets:
Entrance fee to 'maid cafe' and a drink in cafe
Other inclusions:
Knowledgeable guide Gratuities optional
Meeting points: In front of Harajuku Station's main exit
What makes this tour special
This 4 hour walking tour gives travellers a taste of both traditional and modern Japan. Visit Meiji Shrine, before walking through the Harajuki district. Explore the depths of Akihabara, be introduced to the parades of arcades, browse some of the wackiest technology, and conclude with a local drink at a 'maid cafe'.
Commence with a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine
Take a walk through the Harajuku district and Takeshita dori
Explore the buzzing Akihabara neighbourhood
Be intrigued by Japanese subculture and meet the locals
Pop in and out of electronic shops
Learn about the culture surrounding anime and cosplay
Enjoy a drink and catch a show at a popular 'maid cafe'
Snap photos with your Japanese French maid
Begin your tour at the Meiji Shrine, where your guide will explain the Japanese custom of dedicating shrines to dead emperors. This shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji and his wife, who oversaw Japan’s lightning-speed transition to industrial power in the 19th century. Enter through an enormous torii gate, as you enjoy a bucolic retreat from the city. The shrine holds around 10,000 trees, as well as a small museum about the Emperor and a special inner garden.
From here, you will walk through the popular shopping districts of the Harajuku district and Takeshita dori to soak in an entirely different neighbourhood, made distinct by their endless rows of independent shops for local fashionistas.
Enjoy a visit to the buzzing Akihabara neighbourhood, renowned for its mega-electronic stores and Japanese subculture. Be dazzled by the hundreds of tech department stores and arcades that stretch up and down several kilometers of the city. Meet the local population, known fondly as ‘otaku’—geeks. In fact, Akibahara throngs with ‘otaku’ from the video game ‘king of things’ to the anime obsessed.
Wander with your local guide through the main streets and backstreets, where you will pop in and out of electronic shops, each selling the world’s newest and wackiest technology. Spend time understanding the culture that surrounds anime and cosplay (‘costume play’ where adults dress up as characters from films, popular video games, comics and books).
The tour finishes at one of the dozens of ‘maid cafes’ where the employees have taken cosplay into commercialism. Be served your local drink by a Japanese French maid. If you’re there at the right time, you may even catch one of their song and dance routines. No trip to Akihabara is complete without venturing a visit to one of these establishments.
Once you finish your tour of Akihabara, you too will be a local Otaku! Travel Curious Tip: don’t forget to snap a picture with the French maid serving your table before you leave.
We built this tour because it invites travellers to explore the lively and wacky subcultures that Japan has to offer, while considering the historic background from whence it has emerged.
QWill there be other people on the tour or is it just us?
AIt is a group tour, which will be capped at 15 people.
QAre entrance tickets and transport included in the cost of the tour?
AIn the ‘Things to Know’ section at the top of this page you will find details of whatever entrance tickets and transport are included in the tour. If you have any questions about this, then you can either use the chat button in the bottom right hand corner, send an email to <hello@travelcurious.com> or call 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
QWhat is your cancellation policy?
AThis tour has a unique cancellation policy, as follows: If you cancel up to 21 days before departure, there is cancellation fee outside of the transaction processing fee. With 8-20 days out, you are charged 30% of the total fee, including the transaction processing fee. With 2-7 days out from tour departure, you are charged 50% of the total fee, including the transaction processing fee. Within 24 hours of the tour, you are charged the full cost of the tour.
QWho do I contact if I have any questions about this tour or if I want to make changes to my tour?
AAt Travel Curious, we provide a free concierge service to help you plan your time abroad and they will be able to answer any questions you may have about this tour or any other tours. We are normally able to customise or personalise tours to suit your needs.
Please do get in touch by either using the chat button in the bottom right hand corner, sending an email to <hello@travelcurious.com> or calling 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
QAm I able to book more than one tour?
AAbsolutely, you can book as many tours as you like! You can add them to your cart by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button or you can get in touch and we can put together an itinerary for you. To get in touch, you can either use the chat button in the bottom right hand corner, send an email to <hello@travelcurious.com> or call 1-212-710-1322 (US) or +44 20 3009 2392 (UK).
QWho do I call on the day of the tour in case of emergency or if I cannot find my guide?
AAs this tour is run by True Japan Tours, please call +81-3-6432-0196 in case of emergency or if you are late for the tour.
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