Authentic Cultural Experiences in Tokyo: A New Year's Message from the CEO

Discovering Living Traditions Through Kagurazaka and Beyond

A New Year’s Greeting — and an Invitation

Happy New Year.

On January 1, 2026, while much of the city remains quiet, our cultural walk through Kagurazaka begins as usual. Those who choose to explore Tokyo on New Year’s Day are not looking for mere entertainment. They are looking for meaning.

At EDO KAGURA, we are deeply grateful to every traveler who has chosen to spend precious time with us—especially those who seek something deeper than sightseeing.

This article is not an announcement. It is an invitation to understand how authentic cultural experiences in Tokyo are shaped, and what awaits you in the year ahead.

From a Single Guest to a Global Community

When we first began offering cultural experiences in April 2024, there were moments of complete silence. For two months, not a single guest joined our tours.

Our very first guest was one person—from Hungary—who joined a quiet walk through Kagurazaka. That moment remains unforgettable.

Since then, more than 800 travelers from 39 countries have joined our experiences, with an overall satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5. Yet numbers alone do not define our journey.

What truly matters is why travelers return, recommend, and remember.

Why Our Cultural Experiences Feel Different

Many visitors search for things to do in Tokyo.

But authentic cultural experiences are not simply “activities.”

They are shaped by:

• Place

• People

• Trust built over time

Our experiences are made possible through long-standing relationships with:

• Master artisans

• Geisha and traditional performers

• Temple monks

• Historic ryotei restaurants

• The local communities of Kagurazaka

You are not observing culture from the outside. You are welcomed into living traditions.

Speaking Culture in Your Own Language: Beyond English

In 2026, EDO KAGURA will strengthen its guiding capabilities beyond English by expanding French-, German-, and Spanish-language cultural guidance.

Approximately 80% of our guests come from Europe, North America, and Oceania. While English-speaking travelers remain essential, we have come to recognize something fundamental:

Cultural depth is felt most profoundly when it is conveyed in one’s native language.

Japanese tradition is not defined by facts alone. Its essence lies in context, philosophy, silence, and nuance.

Across Japan, there is a significant shortage of guides capable of delivering in-depth traditional cultural experiences in non-English languages—particularly as demand from Spanish-speaking regions continues to grow.

For this reason, we believe that culturally trained guides who can communicate in the guest’s native language are indispensable to creating truly authentic cultural experiences in Tokyo.

This philosophy has been formally recognized. In January 2026, I will serve as a lecturer for the TOKYO LUXURY AUTHORITY (TLA) training program, sharing methodologies for conveying Edo and Tokyo traditions to high-value travelers.

Kagurazaka + One: Expanding the Journey

Kagurazaka remains the heart of everything we do.

At the same time, many guests have expressed a desire to explore other parts of Tokyo—guided by the same philosophy, depth, and trust they experience here.

In response, we are developing “Kagurazaka + One” journeys: experiences that begin in Kagurazaka and thoughtfully connect to one additional district, site, or tradition.

This is not an expansion for scale. It is an expansion of meaning.

Kagurazaka is not a point on the map—it is the cultural foundation from which every journey begins.

For Travelers Who Seek Depth

Until now, our experiences have primarily welcomed international travelers. From 2026 onward, we will also open our doors more actively to Japanese residents and domestic travelers who wish to reconnect with their own cultural heritage.

Authentic cultural experiences are not only for visitors from abroad. They are for anyone who values depth, continuity, and human connection.

Looking Beyond 2026: Our Authentic Cultural Experiences in Tokyo

EDO KAGURA does not seek growth through scale alone.

Rather than becoming “broad and superficial,” we remain committed to being focused and profound—dedicated to delivering authentic cultural experiences in Tokyo rooted in place, people, and trust.

In 2026 and beyond, we will continue to offer experiences that exceed expectations—quietly, carefully, and with integrity—from Kagurazaka.

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.

EDO KAGURA Corporation

Shinya Yamada

President & CEO