Tokyo in One Day: Nippori Yanaka Cemetery & Nezu — Guide Motoko
September, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:30 Meet up ＠Livery AzabuJuban
- 10:30 Nippori Yanaka Cemetery
- 11:00 Tea Ceremony
- 12:50 Lunch @soba Azegami
- 13:30 Puppet show@Shoukichi
- 13:45 Former Yasuda Residence
- 14:30 Nezu Shrine
- 15:50 End @Azabu-Juban
Title: What Is a Private Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi (Yanesen) Walking Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Europe on their third trip to Japan, exploring Tokyo in heat that exceeded 35 degrees Celsius. Since they wanted to see everyday Japan rather than typical tourist spots, I guided them around the Yanesen area (Yanaka, Nezu, Sendagi). At Yanaka Cemetery, we talked about Japanese burial customs and the Tokugawa shoguns. At a tea house, they enjoyed a tea ceremony served in authentic tea bowls, and one of the guests kindly explained various things about the tea bowls. Despite the blazing sun, they enjoyed the houses and traditional Tsuiji-bei plaster walls in Yanaka's narrow alleys, and we had a lively conversation about Japanese housing.
We had lunch at a soba restaurant in Yanaka Ginza and shopped at a Japanese tea store. At a finger puppet shop, they laughed heartily at the puppet show. As walking in the extreme heat looked difficult, we took a taxi to the former Yasuda Residence. We were lucky, as it is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. They admired the traditional Japanese house and were impressed by its fine decorations. We then took a taxi again to Nezu Shrine. It was the first day of the autumn festival, so they fully enjoyed a Japanese festival, watching floats and portable shrines pulled by children and eating shaved ice at the food stalls. Since the heat was intense for guests from Europe, I arranged as many indoor activities as possible and used taxis for getting around.
Click here for more details: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Azabu-Juban～Nippori | 360JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Nezu～Azabu-Juban | 210JPY |
| Total | 570JPY | ||
Hi,
Thank you for contacting the Japan Guide Association to request a licensed guide for your upcoming visit to Japan. My name is Motoko Tanaka. I’m so happy to be assigned to you.
Let me introduce myself. I was born and raised in Tokyo, so it is nice to hear that you are excited about your visit to this wonderful city. There is much to be excited about here in Tokyo. I have really enjoyed guiding in Tokyo and the surrounding areas for more than 10 years.
I live with my husband and a dog named Alice. She was a rescue dog and I adopted her about 4 years ago. Now she is a very precious family member. I have two daughters, the elder one has a child and the younger has a aroma shop in a town near Mr. Fuji. I sometimes visit there with Alice.
I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to create a special day.
Regards,
Motoko
Apr 25, 2026
catvila
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Primeira vez em Tóquio
A Motoko foi excelente para nos guiar pelos…
Apr 25, 2026
catvila
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Primeira vez em Tóquio
A Motoko foi excelente para nos guiar pelos bairros de Tóquio. Foi super simpática com
ótimo inglês o que facilita a comunicação e o entendimento ( algo que nem sempre é fácil
no Japão…😅).
東京は初めてでした。
モトコさんは東京の各エリアを案内してくれる素晴らしいガイドでした。とても親切で、英語も上手だったため、コミュニケーションや理解がしやすく（日本では必ずしも簡単ではないので…😅）、とても助かりました。
Apr 22, 2026
72breannaj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour highly recommend! And loved our guide
We had an amazing…
Apr 22, 2026
72breannaj
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour highly recommend! And loved our guide
We had an amazing experience on this tour and couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Japan. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made everything easy to understand while sharing so much interesting history and local insight. She took us to a variety of places we wouldn’t have found on our own and made sure we were comfortable the entire time.
This tour is perfect for first-time visitors—it really helps you get familiar with the area, culture, and transportation without feeling overwhelmed. Everything was well-organized, informative, and enjoyable from start to finish. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Japan!
Apr 17, 2026
denisemD3032GY
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Tokyo walking tour
Our guide Motoko was so polite &…
Apr 17, 2026
denisemD3032GY
Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Tokyo/Kawagoe dep)
Tokyo walking tour
Our guide Motoko was so polite & engaging. She customised the tour around things we enjoy and took us to a traditional Japanese restaurant for lunch which we would never have found.
We only had a couple of days in Tokyo so wanted to make the most of it. I would highly recommend this tour & Motoko if you are in the same position.
Apr 14, 2026
Dennis_M
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Very nice and very…
Very nice and very…
Apr 14, 2026
Dennis_M
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Very nice and very…
Very nice and very informative couldn’t be better. Very personal. Would do it again in a
heartbeat 💓.