Tokyo Tower Free Tour: The Origin of the City
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Learn how Tokyo rose from destruction to become a modern metropolis. From deadly fires to the largest bombing raids in history, discover the resilience, rebuilding, and growth that shaped the city into today’s vibrant capital.
Discover how the world’s biggest city was built on a foundation of destruction. Tokyo is a survivor of both the deadliest fire and the biggest bombing raid in human history—this is the story of how it rose from the ashes to become the futuristic metropolis of today.
You will learn about: Survival: How Shoguns and Samurai adapted to life in a "City of Fire." Religion: We see a traditional "Houyou" Prayer ceremony take place. Rebirth: How Tokyo Tower kickstarted Japan's skyscraper boom. Politics: The shocking, hidden connections between New Religions, the Government, and the Yen. Influence: How the US Occupation transformed Roppongi from a military base into a nightlife hub. Places we visit:
Zōjō-ji Temple: The spiritual center of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Tokyo Tower: The icon of Japan’s post-war miracle. Reiyukai Shakaden: The futuristic "spaceship" temple. Nishikubo Hachiman Shrine: An ancient shrine hidden in the city. Azabudai Hills: The face of modern Tokyo.
The tour concludes at Azabudai Hills, where we’ll show you how to access a secret observatory to view Tokyo Tower in all its glory.
Meeting point
Zojoji Daimon Great Gate, Across from Familymart
Before you go
- Length
- About 2h
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Usual start times
- 13:00, 16:15 (Tokyo time)
- Coming up
- 120 departures in 3 months, 14 this week
Questions about this tour
How much does this tour cost?
Nothing up front. You book for free and tip your guide at the end. Many travellers tip around €5 to €15 per person, depending on the length and quality of the tour.
How long does it take?
About 2h.
Where does it start?
The meeting point is Zojoji Daimon Great Gate, Across from Familymart. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
What languages is it in?
Upcoming departures are in Spanish and English. Pick your language in the calendar to see only those.
When does it run?
120 departures are listed in the next three months, 14 of them in the next 7 days, usually at 13:00 and 16:15. Times are local to Tokyo.
Do I need to book?
Booking is a good idea: groups are limited and popular times fill up. Create a free Tripsora account, pick a day and time, and press Book to finish with the tour provider.
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