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Tokyo: Private tour of Beckoning Cat Painting at Yanaka
Product code 442381P43
From
From JPY 18,700
Dates
Aug 2, 2026 to Jul 29, 2027
Start times
1:30 PM, 2:30 PM
Travelers
Adult ages 4-100
Options
Tokyo: Private tour of Beckoning Cat Painting at Yanaka
Availability, payment, cancellation, and vouchers are completed on Viator after you leave this page.
Duration
2 hours
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Booking, payment, cancellation, and vouchers continue on Viator.
From
From JPY 18,700
Tokyo: Private tour of Beckoning Cat Painting at Yanaka





View all photos




Duration
2 hours
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Why Travelers Love This
This private tour offers a cultural experience in Yanaka, a popular strolling area for Japanese people. Yanaka is also known as “Cat Town". It is also full of alleys, slopes, and temples, where cats can be seen relaxing in the emotional streets. In addition to the experience of painting “Manekineko (beckoning cats),” cute ornaments that have been placed in stores as merchants' items since the Edo period, you will watch a finger puppet show. You can design your own beckoning cat and take it home as a mascot that will continue to bring you good fortune even after the tour is over. The finger puppets will be played in a theater dedicated to finger puppets. You can enjoy a short play that makes you laugh without words. Recommended for those who want to experience Japanese culture with a difference!
Overview
This private tour offers a cultural experience in Yanaka, a popular strolling area for Japanese people. Yanaka is also known as “Cat Town". It is also full of alleys, slopes, and temples, where cats can be seen relaxing in the emotional streets. In addition to the experience of painting “Manekineko (beckoning cats),” cute ornaments that have been placed in stores as merchants' items since the Edo period, you will watch a finger puppet show. You can design your own beckoning cat and take it home as a mascot that will continue to bring you good fortune even after the tour is over. The finger puppets will be played in a theater dedicated to finger puppets. You can enjoy a short play that makes you laugh without words. Recommended for those who want to experience Japanese culture with a difference!
What's Included
Included
Finger Puppet Show
An English-speaking guide
Manekineko (beckoning cats) painting experience
Not included
Gratuities
Shopping cost (it depends on the guest and store)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
The meeting point is in front of the South exit ticket gate of JR Nippori Station.
Itinerary
Stop 1
20 minutes
Stop 1
Established in 1874, the Yanaka Cemetery is a historic cemetery with many graves of famous Japanese cultural and historical figures. The cemetery is lush and quiet, and is a precious place where visitors can feel nature even though they are in the heart of the city. There are also many cats in the vicinity, and they too provide a bit of comfort to visitors.
Stop 2
50 minutesAdmission included
Stop 2
This café, housed in a renovated 90-year-old traditional Japanese house, allows visitors to paint their own "Manekineko" (beckoning cat) . You can enjoy making your own beckoning cat while drinking tea. It is up to you what kind of painting you want to do! If you are not sure how to do it, you can experience it easily and conveniently by referring to the many beckoning cats in the store. Our guide will be on hand to assist you.
Stop 3
40 minutesAdmission included
Stop 3
This is a finger puppet theater that is virtually nonexistent in Tokyo. Here, short comedies are shown for 30 minutes. There are almost no words, and the “movements” of the finger puppets naturally convey the audience's feelings, making the work funny.
Stop 4
10 minutes
Stop 4
Finally, we will go to a store that sells a popular Japanese snack called sembei. Made from carefully selected rice, each rice cracker is carefully baked using traditional methods. Popular products include soy sauce-flavored rice crackers and sweet rice crackers dusted with white sugar, offering a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. The store also offers a selection of gift crackers and seasonal products, which are popular as souvenirs and gifts.
Additional Info
Public Transportation Nearby
Public transportation options are available nearby
Physical Easy
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Policy type
Standard
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Experience may be cancelled if minimum traveler count is not met.
Refund eligibility
100% refundable 1+ days before
Refund eligibility
0% refundable 0-1 days before
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