Artisan Shopping Tour

Do you want to discover all the secrets of Japanese culture? On this tour, we reveal all the intricate details of the craftsmanship of Tokyo as we explore the ancient districts of Ningyocho and Nihonbashi.

Description

Our cultural tour starts in the heart of the Ningyocho district, known for its ancient traditions, and where we'll learn about some techniques of Japanese gastronomy.

First, we'll stop at traditional candy shops that have been open for over a century. You can find out how delicious these sweet treats are. Then, we'll taste Ningyoyaki, a small stuffed sponge cake, in a traditional bakery.

Afterwards, we'll visit a senbei (rice cake) shop and a local establishment that sells tenugui, hand-woven towels depicting traditional Japanese scenes.

Next, we'll take you to one of the eight shrines of Ningyocho, which is devoted to virtue, longevity, learning, and wealth. You can leave a coin here as a religious offering for prosperity.

We'll then head to Nihonbashi, a former trading area that is now one of the financial centers of Tokyo. Here, you'll see the contrast between the stock exchange and traditional shops.

Discover the hidden secrets of Japanese calligraphy, known as Shodo, in an old stationery shop. We'll also pass by the Avatar Robot Café, a coffee shop with employees controlled by remote control.

Later, we'll enter a shop selling traditional chopsticks handcrafted from the wood of the Kuromoji tree, first opened in 1704.

Finally, we'll finish the tour close to the Mitsukoshimae subway station.