Hidden Tokyo Architectural Tour
Join a local Japanese architect for a walking tour through Tokyo’s Daikanyama area, where history and modern design quietly coexist. While Daikanyama is known as a trendy destination, it also hides architectural gems in its backstreets and hillside paths. This tour offers a rare chance to explore these hidden spots with expert insight—revealing design details and stories that are often overlooked by regular guides.
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Hidden Tokyo Architectural Tour
What's included in Hidden Tokyo Architectural Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Ebisu Shrine
Ebisu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Ebisu, the god of prosperity and good fortune in business and fishing. The shrine is especially significant because the area of Ebisu is named after this very deity. Every October, the shrine hosts its annual grand festival, where vibrant portable shrines (mikoshi) are paraded through the streets, bringing energy and celebration to the neighborhood. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the busy city, Ebisu Shrine offers a peaceful escape and a glimpse into Tokyo’s rich spiritual and cultural history.
Old Asakura family House
Step back in time at the Former Asakura Residence, a beautifully preserved wooden mansion built in 1919 by a prominent Tokyo politician. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, the house features tatami rooms, a traditional tiled roof, and a stunning Japanese strolling garden built along a natural cliff. Nestled in the quiet streets of Ebisu-Daikanyama, it's a hidden gem that captures the spirit of the Taisho era and a rare moment of tranquility in Tokyo.
Ebisu
The Ebisu SA Building is a striking example of modern Japanese architecture, known for its bold contrast of glass and concrete. This hidden gem offers a unique blend of urban space and Japanese design aesthetics. Pay close attention to the building’s delicate lines and how it captures natural light—subtle details that make a big impression.
Inclusions
- Admission Fee for the Former Asakura Residence
- Walk with an Japanese Architect
- Socks are required to enter the Former Asakura Residence. (Please bring your own.)
- Please bring your own drinks.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 沢山歩きますので、歩き過ぎるのが苦手な方はおすすめできません。
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Please exit from the West Exit of Ebisu Station. You will see a UNIQLO store across the street on your right. We will meet in front of the entrance on the ground floor of UNIQLO. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow handkerchief so you can easily recognize us.
End Points
- We will finish the tour in front of the Starbucks located at Daikanyama Tsutaya Books.
