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SHOGUN Cultural Experience
Discover Edo Through All Five Senses
What You Will Gain from This Tour
1. Explore Kagurazaka, a historic district shaped by the Tokugawa shogunate, with a guide specializing in Japanese traditional culture.
2. Create seasonal wagashi with Takeshi Inoue, a certified Tokyo Meister and supplier to the Imperial Household, then enjoy matcha and your handmade sweets in an authentic tea ceremony.
3. Experience the rare sound of the Edo-period kokyu through a live performance and hands-on session with Daisuke Kiba, a musician featured in the Emmy Award-winning drama SHOGUN.
Would You Like to Experience the Spirit of Edo Through All Five Senses?
Rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, this experience invites you to slow down and discover the cultural heart of Tokyo through history, craftsmanship, music, and hospitality.
Over approximately three hours, you will walk the historic streets of Kagurazaka, create seasonal wagashi with one of Japan's finest artisans, enjoy matcha in an authentic tea room, and experience the haunting sound of the rare Edo-period kokyu.
Inspired by the world of SHOGUN, this private cultural journey reveals a side of Tokyo that few visitors ever experience.
More Than a Cultural Tour
Many cultural activities in Tokyo introduce a single aspect of Japanese tradition.
The SHOGUN Cultural Experience brings together history, craftsmanship, music, and hospitality in one carefully curated private journey.
Rather than rushing between attractions, you will experience Edo culture as a connected story — walking the historic streets of Kagurazaka, creating seasonal wagashi with an Imperial Household supplier, enjoying matcha in an authentic tea room, and listening to the rare sound of the Edo-period kokyu.
Inspired by the world of SHOGUN, this experience is not simply something to watch. It is something to feel through all five senses.
The Town of SHOGUN
Kagurazaka is one of the few places in Tokyo where the legacy of the Tokugawa shogunate can still be experienced as part of everyday life.
Its connection to the shoguns stretches back more than 400 years:
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1590 — Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, visited the area.
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1595 — Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple was founded by Ieyasu.
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1636 — Kagurazaka's main street was developed under the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Unlike many historic districts that preserve the past as a museum, Kagurazaka remains a living neighborhood where traditional culture, historic architecture, and everyday life continue to coexist.
It is the ideal setting to experience the spirit of Edo through history, craftsmanship, music, and hospitality.
Your Journey (Approx. 180 minutes)
① Kagurazaka Cultural Walk
Begin your journey with a peaceful walk through Kagurazaka—one of Tokyo's most historic districts and a place deeply connected to the Tokugawa shogunate.
Accompanied by a guide specializing in Japanese traditional culture, you'll explore quiet stone-paved alleys, hidden shrines, historic ryotei, and streets where samurai, geisha, merchants, and writers once lived side by side.
Rather than simply seeing Kagurazaka, you'll discover the stories that shaped Edo—and continue to give this remarkable neighborhood its unique character today.
② Wagashi & Tea Ceremony
Step into Fufumi-an, the elegant annex of Baikatei, a long-established confectionery founded in 1935.
Under the guidance of Takeshi Inoue, a certified Tokyo Meister and supplier to the Imperial Household, you will create seasonal wagashi using traditional techniques before enjoying your handmade sweets with matcha in an authentic tea room.
Through this experience, you'll discover not only the beauty of wagashi, but also the Japanese aesthetic of seasonality, craftsmanship, and the spirit of wabi-sabi.
③ Kokyu Performance & Hands-on Session
Conclude your journey with the haunting sound of the kokyu, one of Japan's rarest traditional string instruments.
The session is led by Daisuke Kiba, one of Japan's foremost kokyu performers, whose work includes the soundtrack of the Emmy Award-winning drama SHOGUN and performances with Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys.
Enjoy a live performance, learn about the instrument's history and cultural significance, and experience the rare opportunity to hold and play the kokyu yourself.
For many guests, this unexpected encounter becomes the most memorable moment of the entire experience.
Book a Service
3 hr
80,000 Japanese yen3 hr
60,000 Japanese yen
Watch the Experience
Tour Information
Meeting Point
In front of the JR Iidabashi Station West Exit ticket office
(Midori-no-Madoguchi)
Duration
Approx. 180 minutes
Group Size
Private, exclusive use | Up to 8 guests
Language
English, Spanish, and Japanese
Availability
Currently offered as a morning experience.
For other time slots, please enquire.
Kokyu Performance
Availability may vary depending on scheduling. Please enquire for details.
What to Bring
White or beige socks are required for the tea room.
If you do not have suitable socks, we can provide them — please let us know in advance.
Meet the Masters
Wagashi Artisan
Takeshi Inoue
Wagashi & Tea Master
Takeshi Inoue, the fourth-generation head of Baikatei, is highly regarded as both a master wagashi artisan and a practitioner of the tea ceremony.
He has been recognized as a Tokyo Meister, a distinction awarded to highly skilled craftsmen in Tokyo who serve as exemplary figures in their respective fields. This honor is accompanied by the Tokyo Governor’s Award in recognition of outstanding technical mastery.
He has also been designated as an Outstanding Wagashi Artisan, one of the highest honors in the field of Japanese confectionery, awarded to craftsmen who demonstrate exceptional technical skill and creativity.
The excellence of his work is further evidenced by his role as a supplier to the Imperial Household. In addition, he has received the tea name “Sogo” from the Grand Master Zabosai of the Urasenke school of tea.
Kokyu Artist
Daisuke Kiba
As one of Japan’s foremost and exceptionally rare kokyu performers, Daisuke Kiba is dedicated to preserving the tradition of this uniquely Japanese bowed instrument while exploring new forms of expression.
Through independent research into regional performance styles across Japan, he has established his own distinctive approach to the instrument. His work spans a wide range of genres, from classical repertoire to contemporary Japanese music, as well as collaborations across artistic disciplines.
In recent years, his recital at Kioi Hall and participation in the Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival have been highly acclaimed. He has also appeared on NHK programs and performed at the National Theatre.
At the same time, his activities extend beyond traditional contexts: he contributed to the soundtrack of the Emmy Award–winning Hollywood drama SHOGUN and has performed as a guest artist in concerts by Grammy Award–winning singer Alicia Keys.
What is Kokyu?
A Rare Sound from the Edo Period
The kokyu is one of Japan's rarest traditional string instruments, dating back more than 400 years to the early Edo period. Unlike the shamisen or koto, it is played with a bow, producing a continuous, haunting sound that many describe as remarkably close to the human voice.
Today, only a handful of master performers remain, making opportunities to experience the kokyu exceptionally rare.
The instrument has recently gained international recognition through the Emmy Award-winning drama SHOGUN, where its distinctive sound appears throughout the soundtrack, bringing emotional depth to the story of samurai-era Japan.
Beyond the screen, the kokyu continues to play an important role in Japan's living performing arts, including the famous Akoya scene in Kabuki and the 300-year-old Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival, where its melodies accompany elegant traditional dances.
During this experience, you will not only hear a live performance by Daisuke Kiba, one of Japan's leading kokyu masters, but also have the rare opportunity to hold and play the instrument yourself.
More than simply listening to music, this is a chance to encounter one of Japan's most precious cultural traditions firsthand.
Experiences
About Kagurazaka
1590 — Tokugawa Ieyasu visited the area. He was guided by Iida Kihei, after whom the district was named Iida-machi, the origin of the name Iidabashi. Iida Kihei is sometimes regarded as Tokyo’s first VIP guide.
1595 — Ieyasu founded Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple (relocated to Kagurazaka in 1792).
1636 — The main Kagurazaka street was developed under the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Deeply connected to the shogunate, Kagurazaka was once a vast district of samurai residences during the Edo period. As numerous shrines and temples were established and the number of worshippers increased, entertainment quarters (kagai) gradually formed to serve those who gathered here.
During the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Kagurazaka suffered relatively little damage. As a result, many shops and department stores relocated to the area, and it rose to prominence as one of Tokyo’s most vibrant commercial districts, earning the nickname “Yamanote Ginza.”
With yose theaters and performance venues lining the streets, Kagurazaka became a gathering place for leading cultural figures and artists. Notable residents included Natsume Soseki, Ozaki Koyo, Akira Kurosawa, Yoji Yamada, Shintaro Katsu, Yoshimitsu Morita, Takehisa Yumeji, Ensho Sanyutei, Shincho Kokontei, Kichiemon Nakamura, Sadanji Ichikawa, and Michio Miyagi—figures representing the highest levels of literature, cinema, and traditional performing arts.
This rich cultural foundation was further enhanced by the establishment of Institut Français du Japon – Tokyo, which brought an increase in French residents to the area. As a result, Kagurazaka developed a unique atmosphere where traditional Japanese aesthetics blend seamlessly with Western culture.
Today, Kagurazaka is known for its maze-like cobblestone alleys, where historic ryotei dining establishments coexist with refined French cuisine. It remains one of Tokyo’s most distinguished gourmet districts, offering a rare harmony of tradition and cosmopolitan sophistication.
After the Tour — Exploring Kagurazaka
Following the program, guests are encouraged to explore the Kagurazaka shopping streets. In addition to providing restaurant information and maps, guides can personally lead participants through the area.
As many shops open at 10:00 AM, this timing is ideal for browsing.
Notable long-established stores include:
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Sukeroku — traditional footwear
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Rakuzan — tea shop (including matcha)
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Tsubakiya — fans
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Maruoka Toen / Toshien — ceramics
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Somaya — stationery
Many of these establishments have histories of over 100 years.
Additional Cultural Experiences
After 10:00 AM, further traditional cultural experiences in Kagurazaka are available, including:
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Visits and experiences at Yarai Noh Theater (a Registered Tangible Cultural Property)
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Kumihimo braiding experience at Domyo
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Zen meditation at Tanaka-dera Temple
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Ukiyo-e woodblock printing experience at Takahashi Kobo
From 11:00 AM, guests may also enjoy a geisha banquet lunch at the renowned eel restaurant Shimmakin.
Fufumi-an
The wagashi and tea ceremony experience, along with the kokyu performance and hands-on session, takes place at Fufumi-an, nestled in the quiet backstreets of Yokotera-machi in Kagurazaka—an area once cherished by literary figures of the Meiji era. The name “Fufumi” is an ancient Japanese word that evokes the moment when flowers begin to bud.
Completed in August 2024, Fufumi-an is a refined wooden structure designed in harmony with Japan’s climate and natural environment. It features carefully selected domestic cypress, traditional Sukiya-style craftsmanship by master artisans, Juraku earthen walls, and an entrance paved with Tanba stones.
Note:
Sukiya-Zukuri refers to an architectural style not only for tea ceremony spaces but also for incorporating the noble class's free design into the Shoin-zukuri style.
Jūraku walls are earthen walls made from Jūraku soil, sourced from the area around the former site of Jurakudai in Kyoto's Nishijin district. Jūraku soil is highly prized, and walls finished with it are known for their fine texture and the elegant beauty of the earthy material.
Tanba stone is granite from around Kameoka City, Kyoto, known for its unique rust-like appearance.
Contact
Insurance
We are covered by Tour Operator Liability Insurance, so you can join our tours with peace of mind. In the event of an injury during the tour, please go to a hospital promptly with your guide and receive a medical examination. If the hospital confirms that the injury was due to an accident during the tour, we will cover the medical expenses. However, please note that if the hospital does not recognize the injury as tour-related, we will not be able to cover the expenses.