Monzen-Nakachō: Walking Tour With Sashimi Lunch & Teamlab

Tokyo’s Monzen-Nakachō walking tour offers visitors an immersive cultural experience. Led by an English-speaking guide, the 7-hour journey explores serene gardens, historic shrines, and a renowned seafood buffet. But the real highlight? Experiencing the captivating digital art installations of teamLab Planets, where the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds blur. Ready to discover Tokyo’s rich heritage and cutting-edge art?

Key Points

• A 7-hour walking tour of Monzen-Nakachō, priced at $138.03 per person, featuring cultural and historical highlights, including a seafood buffet lunch and a visit to teamLab Planets.
• The tour starts at Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station and includes stops at Kiyosumi Gardens, Naritasan Fukagawa Fudōdō, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, and teamLab Planets.
• The tour is led by an English-speaking guide and covers a total walking distance of 3-4 km, making it wheelchair accessible but not suitable for those with low fitness levels.
• The seafood buffet lunch at Iroha Restaurant features sashimi, and the visit to teamLab Planets offers an interactive digital art experience.
• Participants must take public transport to reach the starting point at Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station, and comfortable shoes are recommended due to the walking involved.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview of the Tour

The walking tour of Monzen-Nakachō offers visitors an enriching glimpse into the vibrant cultural and historical heart of Tokyo. Priced at $138.03 per person, the 7-hour tour starts at Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station and ends at teamLab Planets.

Led by an English-speaking guide, the itinerary includes exploring tranquil gardens, spiritual shrines, and an interactive digital art exhibit. Guests will also savor a high-quality seafood buffet lunch.

With a total walking distance of 3-4 km, the tour is wheelchair accessible but not suitable for those with low fitness levels. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Highlights of the Itinerary

The tour kicks off with a visit to the tranquil Kiyosumi Gardens, where guests can enjoy the beauty of traditional Japanese landscaping for 45 minutes.

Next, the group heads to Naritasan Fukagawa Fudōdō, a spiritual site, for a 30-minute exploration.

They then visit Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, another significant shrine, for 30 minutes.

The highlight of the day is the 70-minute seafood buffet lunch at Iroha Restaurant, featuring high-quality sashimi and other Japanese delicacies.

The tour concludes with a 1.5-hour engagement with the interactive digital art installations at teamLab Planets.

Transportation Details

To reach the starting location at Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station, you will need to take public transport.

They’ll walk 10 minutes to Tatsumi-shindo, then spend 45 minutes on trains and buses to reach the Toyosu district.

The total walking distance throughout the tour is around 3-4 km (1.8-2.4 miles).

Transportation between the tour stops is included, but travel to the meeting point and from the ending point at teamLab Planets is not.

Comfortable shoes are recommended, as there’s quite a bit of walking involved.

The tour is wheelchair accessible.

Kiyosumi Gardens

Although the tour begins at Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station, you will first head to the tranquil Kiyosumi Gardens, where they’ll spend around 45 minutes exploring the traditional Japanese landscape.

The gardens offer:

1. Serene ponds with stepping stones
2. Meticulously manicured bonsai trees
3. Historic architecture like tea houses
4. Peaceful walking paths through lush greenery

This idyllic setting provides a calming start to the day, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of Japanese gardening traditions before continuing on to the tour’s other spiritual and cultural highlights.

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Naritasan Fukagawa Fudōdō

Next, the tour takes participants to Naritasan Fukagawa Fudōdō, an important spiritual site that visitors will spend around 30 minutes exploring.

This temple is dedicated to the Buddhist deity Fudō Myōō and is known for its impressive wooden carvings and statues. Guests can admire the intricate details of the architecture and learn about the temple’s history and significance.

The peaceful atmosphere provides a moment of contemplation before continuing the tour. This stop offers a glimpse into Japan’s rich religious heritage and the important role temples play in the lives of the local community.

Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine

After visiting the Naritasan Fukagawa Fudōdō, the walking tour proceeds to Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. This significant shrine dates back to the Edo period, offering a glimpse into Japan’s rich history.

As visitors explore the grounds, they’ll encounter:

1. Ornate architecture with intricate carvings and decorations.
2. The sacred Torii gate, symbolizing the transition from the profane to the sacred.
3. Tranquil ponds and lush greenery, creating a serene atmosphere.
4. The opportunity to witness traditional Shinto rituals and practices.

The tour provides an authentic cultural experience at this revered shrine.

Seafood Buffet Lunch at Iroha Restaurant

The tour group now arrives at Iroha Restaurant for a seafood buffet lunch, where they can indulge in high-quality sashimi and other traditional Japanese dishes.

The buffet-style setting allows them to sample a variety of fresh seafood, from tuna to salmon. Iroha is known for its focus on quality, so the group can expect an exceptional dining experience.

However, they’re asked to be mindful of food waste, as a fine of 500 yen is imposed for leaving behind too much uneaten food.

With their appetites satisfied, the tour continues to the next attraction, teamLab Planets.

Teamlab Planets

teamLab Planets is the final stop on the walking tour. Visitors will enjoy this innovative digital art museum. They’ll engage with interactive installations that blur the lines between the digital and physical realms. The experience is truly mesmerizing.

Visitors must:

1. Prepare to remove their shoes in certain areas.
2. Expect water levels to rise up to knee height in certain zones.
3. Wear roll-up trousers for optimal comfort.
4. Maintain a moderate fitness level to navigate the exhibits.

With its groundbreaking displays, teamLab Planets provides a captivating finale to this enriching Monzen-Nakachō adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food to the Iroha Restaurant Buffet?

The restaurant has a buffet-style service, so bringing one’s own food is generally not allowed. Guests are expected to consume the provided high-quality seafood and Japanese dishes at the Iroha Restaurant during the tour.

Is There a Dress Code for the Teamlab Planets Exhibit?

There’s a dress code for TeamLab Planets – visitors must remove their shoes and wear roll-up trousers, as some areas may have water levels reaching knee height. Short skirts are not allowed.

What if I Have Dietary Restrictions for the Seafood Buffet?

Guests with dietary restrictions can inform the tour provider in advance. The tour company will work with the Iroha Restaurant to accommodate any dietary needs, providing alternative dishes as necessary for the seafood buffet lunch.

Are There Any Age or Fitness Requirements for This Tour?

There are some fitness and age restrictions for this tour. It’s not suitable for individuals with low fitness levels or those over 95 years old. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Can I Extend My Stay at Teamlab Planets Beyond the Scheduled Time?

The tour does not allow for extended stays at teamLab Planets beyond the scheduled 1.5 hours. Visitors should plan to fully experience the digital art installations within the allotted time frame.

The Sum Up

This immersive Monzen-Nakachō walking tour offers an unforgettable cultural experience in Tokyo. Visitors will explore serene gardens, historic shrines, and enjoy a seafood buffet lunch before marveling at the interactive digital art installations at teamLab Planets. With an English-speaking guide and thoughtful pacing, this 7-hour journey provides an engaging introduction to the city’s rich heritage and modern creativity.

You can check availability for your dates here: