❖ Pick-up at the Minowa Station

The tour begins with a meeting at Minowa Station, Exit 3

❖ Joyful Minowa shopping street

Our first stop on the tour is Joyful Arakawa shopping street, a hidden gem that offers a refreshing contrast to the more modern and bustling side of Tokyo.

Unlike the popular shopping areas aimed at visitors, Joyful Arakawa is not focused on tourists, but on the local Japanese community. Here, you’ll find small shops, everyday businesses, and a relaxed atmosphere where locals come and go as part of their daily lives.

It’s a great opportunity to step away from the usual tourist routes and experience a more authentic, intimate side of Tokyo.

Many local shops along this tour offer handmade Japanese snacks.

A detailed miniature diorama of the Oji Electric Tramway the predecessor to the Toden Arakawa Line displayed at the entrance of Toden Cafe alongside its historical route map.  

❖ Arakawa Tram

After a walk through Joyful Arakawa, the tour continues by tram, travelling through the city and stopping at various highlights along the route. Trams are less common in Japan than subways or trains, making this a more local way to travel around the city. In summer, the trams are also air-conditioned, making the journey more comfortable.

❖ Arakawa Park

A stop will be made at Arakawa Park, a charming local park featuring a large pond with swans. The park is known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful seasonal scenery, making it a pleasant place to take a break and enjoy a quieter side of Tokyo. It was also selected as one of the “New Tokyo 100 Views” in 1982.

❖ Toden Memorial Plaza (Only Available on Saturdays,Sundays and National Holidays)

On Saturdays and Sundays and National Holidays, the tour will include a short stop at Toden Memorial Plaza, a small open-air exhibition featuring historic Toden Arakawa Line tram cars. It offers a glimpse into the history of Tokyo’s tram network and the role these streetcars once played in everyday life across the city.

❖ Asukayama Park

Photo made by Guilhem Vellut

Third paragraph, under the third photo. Repeat the photo-then-paragraph pair as many times as the stop needs.

❖ Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street & Lunch Time

Unlike Joyful Minowa, Sugamo Jizodori shopping Street is an open-air shopping street, and these two types of shopping streets are among the most common in Japan.Along the street, you’ll find plenty of local souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants. This is also where we’ll stop for lunch, giving us the chance to enjoy the lively atmosphere and explore some of the local shops.

❖ Kishimojin Temple

One of the final and most intriguing stops on this tour is Kishimojin Temple, a peaceful Buddhist temple with a fascinating and somewhat unexpected history.

The temple is dedicated to Kishimojin, a figure traditionally associated with the protection of children and safe childbirth. Her story has a surprising twist that reflects an interesting transformation within Buddhist tradition one we’ll leave for you to discover during the tour.

❖ UPSTAND coffee and people

Visit UPSTAND coffee and people, an inclusive community hub where you can connect with locals, families from the nearby temple, and fellow travelers. Enjoy seasonal treats such as their vibrant two-layer yokan (traditional Japanese sweet bean jelly) alongside your drink, while becoming part of the community’s daily rhythm.

❖Drop Off at Ikebukuro

The tour concludes in Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s largest and most vibrant urban areas. Known for its modern atmosphere, department stores, shopping complexes, cafés, restaurants, and entertainment, Ikebukuro is the perfect place to continue exploring at your own pace.