Japan Awaits

Important Update: Yushukan Museum Closure

From November 17 to December 30, 2024, the Yushukan Museum will be temporarily closed. During this period, the tour will instead include a visit to Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, a solemn site dedicated to honoring Japan’s unknown soldiers and civilians who perished in conflicts. This adjustment offers an equally meaningful experience, allowing guests to reflect on Japan’s wartime history in a place of peace and remembrance.

Explore recent Japanese military history on this 3-hour 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 that lasted from 1939 to 1945, was the most widespread war in history, as it involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. Many lives were lost during the war, including the 129,000 to 226,000 fatalities that occurred due to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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

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

Guests will pay a visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates 2.5 million of Japan’s war dead since 1869. Learn about the history and controversy that surrounds the shrine before heading to Yushukan, the military and war museum dedicated to the souls of soldiers who died fighting for their country.

In this tour, guests will learn how the Japanese 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.

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):

The 4-Hour Private Tokyo Tour will include an English-speaking guide. This tour will be conducted after the Modern History Tour, from 12 PM to 4 PM. Public transportation costs are included. Admission fee or other optional activity fees for guests and tour guides are not included.

  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.