Tokyo Revives Edo Glory with New Shogun’s Legacy Trail Tour

Participants will enjoy a special viewing of “Eigaku Soryu（Eigaku Twin Dragons) at Kan’ei-ji Temple during its 400th anniversary along with a matcha tea experience and a stroll through the Yanaka Ginza District

JTB Corporation welcomes international travelers to participate in the launch of the “EDO SHOGUN’S LEGACY TRAIL TOUR,” an English-guided walking experience that brings to life the history and culture of Japan’s Edo period. The special program will be offered from November 2025 through January 2026 in Tokyo’s Ueno–Yanaka district.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the rich history of the Tokugawa shoguns on the “EDO SHOGUN’S LEGACY TRAIL TOUR” at Tōeizan Kan’ei-ji Temple in Ueno, Tokyo. The tour’s centerpiece is the special viewing of “Eigaku Soryu（Eigaku Twin Dragons)” a stunning ceiling painting by contemporary Japanese artist Yuji Tezuka, created to celebrate the temple’s 400th anniversary..

Visitors will gain exclusive access to areas usually closed to the public, including the mausoleums of past Tokugawa shoguns and the Aoi Room, where the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, spent the final years of the samurai era.

After enjoying a traditional matcha tea experience at the temple, guests can stroll through the nostalgic streets of Nippori and explore the charming Yanaka Ginza shopping street, guided to select shops offering unique local foods and souvenirs.

As part of the 400th anniversary commemorative projects, Kan’ei-ji Temple will introduce the smartphone-based content ” KAN‘EI-JI Imagination Journey,” which allows visitors to enjoy reconstructions of historical temple buildings through ukiyo-e prints and CGI visualizations. In addition, a special value pass offering discounts at shops and restaurants in the Ueno area will be available for purchase.

Those interested can learn more about the full experience on the official Kan’ei-ji Temple 400th Anniversary website.