Some of the top names in the Japanese architecture joined a project to redesign public restrooms in Tokyo's Shibuya district. If you are fans of Japanese contemporary architecture, then this will allow for a quick sample of the different styles of each of the architects.
The names include Tadao Ando, Fumihiko Maki, Kengo Kuma and Sou Fujimoto. Industrial designer Marc Newton also contributed to this project. The first of the new toilets began appearing in 2020, and with the completion of Fujimoto's new toilet near the Park Hyatt Hotel, all 17 that was planned is now complete.
Despite all being within the borders of Shibuya-ku, the toilets are fairly scattered throughout the ward and requires some planning to visit. By taking this tour, you don't need to spend time figuring out the logistics.
The tour will go through some interesting neighborhoods that you might otherwise not have the chance to visit. It is seeing Tokyo from a unique perspective.
Posted By : Coastal453597
The Tokyo Toilet project in the Shibuya area is a recent project of new and redesigned public toilets by world famous architects and designers. We asked Ken to show us some examples over 3 hours. Ken was punctual, interested, provided additional information about some of the architects and provided a well thought out route using train, bus and walking. Ken was happy also to talk about life in Tokyo for the average person and we touched a little on social and political issues. Ken had lived in the USA for some years so his English was excellent. I can thoroughly recommend Ken to tailor your trip and provide an informative, pleasant experience !
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Posted On : 2023-05-12 18:18:27 
Posted By : Trek09435115969
Ken was fantastic!
We had an amazing tour of Tokyo and saw many things a normal tourist would not see.
Thank you so much!
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Posted On : 2019-04-21 20:19:33
Posted By : Rick F
This was a great way to get an introduction to Tokyo and discover the areas we were really interested in. Our tour guide was Ike Sakurai and he did a very good drive. We were driven around in one of the brand new Toyota taxi vehicles developed for the upcoming Olympics. We visited the main pagoda and learned a great deal about the culture, the Tokyo tower, the retail l fish market where we had fresh sushi for lunch, the Imperial Palace, another pagoda, the museum of history, and other places. We walked and talked a lot and had a very good tour. The fish market was my favorite.
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Posted On : 2019-02-27 20:08:09
Posted By : 66JJ
Just landed in Tokyo the day before and met Ken for the whole day. He helped us navigate the train system, find blossoms and a yummy local lunch. A typical quiet and polite japanese man, he spent the day happily answering questions and showing us the points of interest we had requested. Very enjoyable first day in Tokyo!
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Posted On : 2018-03-28 09:20:53
Posted By : MnTreker
Ken met us properly at our hotel and took us to the Yokohama ball field. He purchased tickets and described the game. He is very knowledgeable about baseball and the Japanese teams. You do not have to worry about anything. I had contacted him via Internet about visiting a baseball game. He found one that was playing. Since Yokohama field is on the edge of Tokyo it was a 45 minute train ride. He guided us there. The game is fun to watch and he explained the customs of being at a Japanese ball game. I highly recommend ken. Speaks great English and not only helps you with baseball but is a wealth of knowledge of Japanese customs and other information.
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Posted On : 2017-04-16 09:06:47
Posted By : CGALondon_England
Not that you will need plenty of yen to have Ken as your tour guide - he is very reasonable - but everything else in Tokyo is pretty pricy. Ken took us on a half day walking tour of the City on our first day and it was a great way to get acclimatised to the sheer size of the place and the transport system. Two days later he accompanied us to Hakone and introduced us to this beautiful region. He is very knowledgeable and interesting to talk to without being overbearing which some guides can be. Finally he went with my daughter to the airport as we were travelling from another airport and could not have been more helpful. If you have not been to Tokyo before, I strongly recommend that you have a guide as otherwise the sheer size and difference of the place will overwhelm you. I even more strongly recommend Ken.
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Posted On : 2017-02-24 09:50:57
Posted By : TamaraHuaki
It was wonderful to meet you Ken and definitely money well spent on our first day in Tokyo! Ken took us to so many great places based on a list I provided him and set us up well go navigate the subway, trains and local customs (like keeping left when you walk!). He had planned it all out and kept us on track throughout the whole day but also let us browse shops and buzz out! Ken gave us so much information, took us to the best Ramen Noodle place for lunch (we went back again) and most of all told us the history behind things. We definitely missed his presence on the subsequent days and were very happy when we ran into him at the Fish Market with another customer! Ken then took us right to our residence and gave us maps that we desperately needed. We highly recommend taking a tour with Tanaka Tours!
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Posted On : 2017-01-19 13:54:10
Posted By : jelleric
We visited Tokyo Nov 2016 and hired Ken for a 1.5 day tour. The fee was well worth it and we feel it was an excellent value. He met us at our hotel on the first day, then we walked all over the city and took the subway together. We hit several of the sights (outlined on his website). I emailed him beforehand to book the tour and he was very responsive. His English is fluent.
We have traveled all over the world and this is our second private tour (the first was in Venice). It is an extremely good way to experience Tokyo (rather than fight with maps and the like). I feel like we experienced the city much more richly than we would have without the private tour. Again, it was a very good value and I am so grateful for this experience.
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Posted On : 2016-12-01 20:14:26
Posted By : kellym060
Our family of 4 had only three full days to spend in Tokyo and we spent 2 of those days with Ken. It was perfect. He met us at the airport and helped us navigate public transportation to our hotel; met us the next morning and took us to the Imperial Palace and then a baseball game. Along the way, he answered our many questions about life in Tokyo and had interesting insights that our children also enjoyed. Loved having Ken help us through Tokyo's dizzying subway system!
The next day we explored Odaiba Island and then a boat ride up to Asakusa. And before we parted ways, Ken was kind enough to write out instructions for us on getting to and around Kyoto the following day on our own.
We would absolutely use Ken's services again--he was a pleasure to be with!
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Posted On : 2016-03-21 14:07:57
Posted By : Jackie T
My family of 5 booked a half day tour to the city, and our guide Kentaro Tanaka did not disappoint us. We were able to visit the districts of Ginza, Shibuya, and Harajuku, well within our tour, and our guide Kentaro or "Ken" as we called him spoke excellent English and was extremely informative on many subjects and questions we had. Ken is a very friendly, humorous and patient guide. My family and I had the best Tokyo experience with his tour. Another aspect of this tour, is how we were able to choose our desired destinations. We will definitely book with Ken the next time we visit Japan. Thank you Ken for a wonderful experience! All the best. -Torres family from Guam.
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Posted On : 2015-12-24 11:26:38
