Tokyo Toilet Tour
Description
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, Shigeru Ban, Fumihiko Maki and Kengo Kuma. Industrial designer Marc Newson also contributed to this project. The project got additional attention when some of the toilets were featured in the 2023 film "Perfect Days" directed by Wim Wenders. Besides seeing the toilets, the tour will go through some interesting neighborhoods that you might otherwise not have the chance to visit. This tour will also be ideal as an orientation to the city's public transport system as we will be doing a few short rides on the train and subway.
Tour Options
Itinerary
See the toilets designed by Shigeru Ban (Transparent cubicle) and Toyo Ito, near a small Shinto Shrine. It's where the main character of the movie always had his lunch break.
See the toilet designed by Tadao Ando in a location midway between Shibuya and Harajuku, an area that has seen major redevelopment in the last five years.
Not directly related to the project, but we will be going across the iconic intersection on our way to the next location.
Toilet designed by Kengo Kuma in a quiet residential area about a kilometer away from the main station.
Toilets by Fumihiko Maki, Kashiwa Sato and Nao Tamura in the Ebisu neighborhood, one station south of Shibuya.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(18)
Ken gave a very good explanation of tge toilets and of the initiative of this project. We all appreciated his honesty and exact explanations.
Thank you so much for participating in this tour.
Great tour with Ken! You learn not only about the toilets, but about the entire area! Discover residential areas in the immediate vicinity of Shibuya Station and get hints for other activities. Highly recommended!
I'm glad you like the area around Shibuya. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
This was a fantastic, interesting tour which took you away from the more touristy parts of Tokyo. Ken was very knowledgeable. I loved that as well as seeing some fantastic architecture, we walked through some quieter residential neighbourhoods and parks which you wouldn't otherwise see. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in architecture.
Thank you for your comment. Hope you have the chance to watch the Perfect Days movie!
192 / 5,000 Ken Tanaka is extremely well informed and conversational. The whole tour was enjoyable and interesting. I recommend Ken to all lovers of architecture, film and walking away from the tourist crowds. Sandro
If you are a fan of Wim Wenders film, Perfect Days, this tour is a must! And as an added bonus, you get to explore parts of Shibuya most tourists don't get to experience. Our guide, Ken, was very friendly and informative. He had the entire walking tour planned to the minute, and expertly weaved us through the crowded areas and train stations. Having lived in the U.S., it was so easy communicating with him. Thanks Ken for an amazing experience.
Walking to each location gave us the opportunity to see more of Tokyo in less touristy places. The guide (Ken) was very nice. I would recommend this tour, no doubt.
This was amazing and super interesting. I saw so many neighborhoods in Tokyo that I would not have seen. What a great guide and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Ken of Tanaka's Tokyo Tours did a great job in describing the history of the Shibuya City project and the architects involved. Very good company and knowledgeable. Loved seeing all the different neighborhoods and the small parks. Really enjoyed walking and the use of public transport to get around. A Perfect Morning to remember the movie and great sound track..
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 !
For fans of Japanese architecture/design, this project is something to look into! Thank you for taking the tour. Best regards, Ken
Ken was fantastic! We had an amazing tour of Tokyo and saw many things a normal tourist would not see. Thank you so much!
