Craft, cuisine, and historic Asakusa
This private experience combines a hands-on introduction to Japanese sampuru — the realistic food displays seen outside restaurants across Japan — with a guided walk through Kappabashi Kitchen Town and historic Asakusa.
Learn about the history and techniques behind Japanese food samples before making your own tempura sampuru to take home. After the workshop, continue with your private English-speaking guide through Kappabashi and toward Sensoji Temple while discovering Tokyo’s culinary culture, shopping streets, and traditional temple customs.
Highlights
Make your own sampuru
Take part in a hands-on workshop and create your own tempura food sample to take home as a souvenir.
Discover Kappabashi
Explore Tokyo’s famous kitchenware district and discover cookware, restaurant supplies, tableware, knives, and realistic food displays.
Explore historic Asakusa
Continue through the historic streets of Asakusa toward Sensoji Temple while learning about local history and traditional temple customs.
Private English-speaking guide
Enjoy the experience exclusively with your own group, with cultural and historical context provided throughout the workshop and walking tour.
Typical Itinerary & Optional Add-on
The main experience runs from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Enjoy the Sample Food Making Experience and Asakusa History Tour on its own, or extend your day with an optional private Tokyo sightseeing tour.
Meet at Asakusa Station
Meet your private English-speaking guide. Final directions, designated exit, and meeting information will be provided after booking.
Sampuru Food Sample Making
Learn about Japan’s realistic restaurant food displays, then create your own tempura sampuru during a hands-on workshop and take it home as a souvenir.
Kappabashi Kitchen Town
Continue through Tokyo’s famous kitchenware and restaurant-supply district, known for cookware, tableware, knives, and realistic food displays.
Historic Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
Explore historic Asakusa and Sensoji Temple while learning about the neighborhood, temple customs, incense offerings, fortunes, and charms.
Main Tour Ends
Scheduled end of the three-hour Sample Food Making Experience and Asakusa History Tour.
Tokyo Custom Day Tour
Extend your day with a four-hour private Tokyo sightseeing experience with an English-speaking guide. The itinerary can be customized around your interests and preferred areas of Tokyo.
Private & Customizable · 4-Hour (Half Day) · Public Transport or Private Vehicle
Included & Not Included
Included
- Private English-speaking guide
- Sampuru food sample making workshop
- Tempura food sample made during the workshop to take home
- Guided walk through Kappabashi Kitchen Town and Asakusa
- Visit to Sensoji Temple
- Photo opportunities
- Consumption tax and applicable service charges
Not Included
- Meals, snacks, and drinks
- Admission fees or optional activities not specifically listed as included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Personal expenses and additional souvenirs
- Gratuities
- Tokyo Custom Tour unless selected as an add-on
If selected, the inclusions and exclusions of the Tokyo Custom Tour apply separately in addition to the Sample Food Making Experience.
Good to Know
Schedule & Meeting Point
The experience runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays (excluding holidays), from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Please meet your guide at 9:45 AM at Asakusa Station. Detailed meeting instructions will be provided after booking.
Who Can Join
Guests must be at least 7 years old. Children aged 7–14 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 20 or older.
No prior crafting experience is needed. Your guide will help you enjoy the hands-on sampuru workshop and the Asakusa walk.
Workshop & Take-Home Sample
Make a realistic tempura food sample during the workshop and take your creation home as a souvenir.
The tour also includes a private guided walk through Kappabashi Kitchen Town and historic Asakusa.
Optional Tokyo Extension
Continue after the main experience with a 4-hour Tokyo Custom Tour, if selected at booking.
Choose either Public Transport or Private Vehicle for the add-on. The add-on is not included in the main tour unless selected.
Running late? Please notify the team as soon as possible. The guide can wait up to 30 minutes after the scheduled start time; missed activities may not be recoverable.
Booking & Cancellation
- 20 days or less before the event: 25% cancellation fee
- 14 days or less before the event: 50% cancellation fee
- 7 days or less before the event: 100% cancellation fee
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible because workshop availability may be limited, especially during busy travel periods. Bookings made close to the tour date are subject to availability.
What if I’m late?
The guide will wait up to 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. If you do not arrive within this time, the tour will be considered cancelled.
Can children participate in this experience?
Yes. Guests must be age 7 or above. Children age 7–14 must be accompanied by a guardian age 20 or older.
Do I need craft experience to participate?
No previous craft experience is required. The workshop is designed for beginners, and your guide will help explain the process.
Can I take home the food sample I make?
Yes. The tempura sampuru food sample you make during the workshop is included and can be taken home as a souvenir.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Please meet your guide at Asakusa Station. Detailed meeting instructions will be provided after booking.
Looking for a different Japan travel service?
Japan Awaits also offers other custom travel services depending on your destination, itinerary, and transportation needs.
Custom Single-Day Tours Across Japan: Private and customizable day tours are available in cities and destinations across Japan, with itineraries tailored to your interests and schedule. Explore Custom Single-Day Tours →
Custom Multi-Day Tours Across Japan: For travel across multiple days or destinations, our Custom Multi-Day Tour service provides one coordinated itinerary tailored to your overall trip. Multi-Day Tour requests follow a separate planning process and include a consultation fee of JPY 2,500 per request. Explore Custom Multi-Day Tours →
Private Vehicle Service: Explore Japan with a private vehicle and professional driver, following a customizable itinerary tailored to your destinations, preferences, and schedule. This service does not include a tour guide. Explore Private Vehicle Service →
Cruise Shore Excursions in Japan: Private shore excursion services are available for cruise ports and destinations across Japan, with itineraries planned around your ship schedule and time in port. Explore Cruise Shore Excursions →
