Japan Awaits

Explore recent Japanese military history on this 3-hour private guided excursion in Tokyo. Experience the lives of everyday people and soldiers during World War II at Yushukan Shrine, learn about military practices like Kamikaze attacks from an expert guide, and stop by a shrine that commemorates Japan’s 2.5 million victims of war since 1869.

It has been over 70 years since the surrender of Japan, which ended the Second World War. The global war, lasting from 1939 to 1945, was the most widespread in history, involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. Many lives were lost during the war, including the 129,000 to 226,000 fatalities caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Tokyo suffered greatly from the war, especially with the B-29 air raids in March 1945. These were regarded as the single most destructive bombing raid in human history, with most of central Tokyo annihilated, 1 million people made homeless, and an estimated 100,000 civilian deaths.

In this three-hour private Modern History Tour, you’ll be guided by an English-speaking expert as you visit historic landmarks with relics of WWII. At 9 AM, meet with your guide at Kudanshita Station (designated meet-up spot provided after booking).

During the tour, guests will visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates 2.5 million of Japan’s war dead since 1869. Learn about the history and controversies surrounding the shrine before heading to Yushukan, the military and war museum dedicated to the souls of soldiers who died fighting for their country.

This tour provides a deeper understanding of how the Japanese commemorate and pay respects to those lost in war. Discover the issues civilians faced during WWII, such as starvation, how soldiers felt and behaved during the war, why Kamikaze (also known as Tokotai) missions were so prevalent, and how soldiers communicated with their families before their final fates.

Highlights:

• Spend a few hours exploring Japan’s modern history of war on a guided tour
• Learn about Japan’s 2.5 million war dead and Kamikaze attacks from an expert
• Visit landmark sites such as the Showa-kan Museum and Yushukan Shrine
• Get a different perspective on Japan with this specialized experience

  Availability: Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 AM to 12 PM

  Location: Kudanshita Station (designated meet-up spot will be provided after booking)

• 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour (Add-on):

Enhance your experience with a 4-hour private Tokyo tour conducted after the Modern History Tour, from 12 PM to 4 PM. The tour offers the flexibility of using either public transportation or a private vehicle. Please note that admission fees or other optional activity costs for guests and the guide are not included in the Tokyo tour.

  Included:

• English speaking guide
• Photo opportunities

Excluded:

• Food and drinks
• Souvenirs (available for purchase)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Attire

As the shrines in Japan are sacred places, we ask that all guests dress appropriately (no short skirts or shorts, or articles of clothing with an excessive amount of skin exposure). We also recommend smart casual attire with comfortable shoes, as there will be a moderate amount of walking.

Age Requirement

There is no age requirement, but a reservation must be made for all guests, and the cost is the same for all ages.

Payment

All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least 10 days before your activity date.

Cancellation Policy

Standard Cancellation Policy:

What if I’m late?

We ask that all guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time. Since this is a group tour, we may not be able to wait for you if you are late. The tour will begin without the late guests and you can meet the rest of the group at the next location. Guests are provided with the tour guides’ phone number before the tour and you can call the tour guide if you need to meet the group in the next location.

What is the purpose of this tour?

In this tour, guests will learn how the Japanese people commemorate and pay their respects to those who have perished from war, the issues that civilians faced during WWII such as starvation, how Japanese soldiers felt and behaved during the war, learn why kamikaze (also known as tokotai) was so prevalent and how the soldiers told their family members before their inevitable fates.