For many international tourists, the image of Tokyo might be the Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku’s pop culture, or the sophisticated streets of Ginza. However, in Ota City, where Haneda Airport is located, there lies "another Tokyo" that has been passed down through generations.
Ota City is a unique area that combines historic temples and shrines dating back to the Edo period, vibrant shopping streets full of retro Showa-era charm, and a legacy as a manufacturing hub (local workshops) that supported Japan’s modernization. Unlike downtown tourist spots beautifully manicured for travelers, the "daily life" of Tokyo residents is very much alive here.

In the past, the coastal areas of what is now Ota City were a bountiful part of the Tokyo Bay ecosystem, famous for "Omori Nori" (seaweed). The high-quality seaweed harvested here was loved by the common people of Edo and contributed greatly to the development of Japanese food culture, including sushi and traditional dining. Even today, the area is dotted with historic seaweed specialty shops, as well as sushi and soba restaurants that inherit traditional Tokyo techniques.

Ota City boasts one of the highest numbers of shopping streets (shiotengai) in Tokyo. Walking through these streets lets you feel Japan's everyday life through the evening hustle and bustle of shoppers and warm communication with shopkeepers. Furthermore, it is famous for its unique dark-colored hot springs called "Kuroyu" (black water spring) and public bath culture, which are beloved local spots for soothing travel fatigue.

What makes this tour truly special is the inclusion of the digital pass "HANEDALL." This is a cutting-edge, credit-based (Cr) payment system that can be used at affiliated spots including dining, experiences, and shopping, primarily around the Haneda Airport area.

Instead of the traditional tour style where you eat fixed meals at predetermined locations, you can consult with your guide during the tour and choose on the spot where you want to go and what you want to enjoy using your credits. Its biggest strength is that you can customize the tour based on the weather, crowds, or personal cravings—whether you want a hearty sushi meal because you're starving or prefer trying your hand at traditional Japanese crafts because you're already full.

In addition to participating in the guided tour, you can also purchase the pass standalone via a web browser on your own smartphone (iOS/Android compatible) to enjoy an independent, self-guided exploration.

1-Day Pass (14 Credits)
15,000 JPY (Tax included)

Half-Day Pass (7 Credits)
8,000 JPY (Tax included)

Additional 1 Credit (For pass holders)
1,300 JPY (Tax included)

The pass features a 30-day grace period for activation after purchase, and remains valid for 7 days once activated, allowing you plenty of time to use it up during your stay in Japan.

Here are the specific details of the tour currently being offered.

Tour Name Tokyo: Local Culture Tour with Sushi and Art Experience
Launch Date Friday, January 30, 2026
Duration Approx. 3 hours
Languages English, Japanese
Group Size Up to 8 people per group (Runs from 1 participant)
Price 160 USD (Approx. 24,700 JPY)
Rate as of January 2026.
Includes 7 credits worth of HANEDALL.
Transportation fees within the area are not included.

This tour can be easily booked in advance through "Get Your Guide," a globally renowned travel booking platform. Securing your booking prior to arriving in Japan allows you to finalize your itinerary smoothly without wasting any precious time.

You don’t need to worry about language barriers in local spots or getting lost and missing your flight. This tour comes with a professional local guide from "GRACY (Hello.Guide)," an expert in international traveler guiding services.

With a guide who knows every charming hidden alley and secret spot around Haneda Airport, there is absolutely zero travel stress. They will also kindly support you with navigating Japanese trains and dining etiquette. You can spend a dense 3 hours with a cozy feeling, just like being shown around by a friend living in Japan.

Requests like "I just spotted a building with a cool retro sign while walking!" or "It's starting to rain, so I'd like to spend more time on an indoor experience" can be flexibly accommodated thanks to the credit-based system of "HANEDALL." Within your limited time, your preferences are always the top priority.

Instead of just looking at scenery and eating food, your guide will explain the historical and cultural background in easy-to-understand English, such as why the sushi and soba culture flourished in this area or what kinds of deities are enshrined at the local shrines. This turns your travel memories into something deeper and far more meaningful.

The meeting and dismissal point for this tour is the "JR Kamata Station West Exit Plaza," which offers excellent access from Haneda Airport. Let's look at the inspiring 3-hour itinerary starting from here that engages all your five senses.

The tour kicks off by diving into the world of "Sake," Japan's traditional alcohol. At famous local stores in the Kamata area like "Asahiya," you can enjoy tasting different flavors and aromas with a special sake cup in hand. Learn about the craftsmen’s dedication and the deep history of sake alongside your guide's commentary.

Next, you will walk to historic shrines and temples that have long watched over the local community. Passing under the torii gate and stepping into the serene precincts brings you to a sacred space far removed from the city's noise. Learn the proper worship manners (such as bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once) from your guide and pray for a safe journey.

This is a hands-on segment where you can encounter Ota City’s craftsmanship and artisan culture. Enjoy Japan's creative culture through your five senses by making colorful balloon keychains at "MARQUEES" or participating in a "Dashi (broth) tasting" at a long-established shop.

The highlight of the tour is a lunch or dinner featuring "sushi," the globally adored king of Japanese cuisine. At an authentic restaurant like "Dosojin," savor plates crafted skillfully right before your eyes by a sushi master. Beyond the freshness of the fish, your guide will teach you insider tips like the proper way to apply soy sauce and the purpose of gari (pickled ginger).

After an immensely satisfying 3 hours, you will return to Kamata Station where the tour concludes. From there, you are free to head straight to Haneda Airport, or use your remaining credits on the digital pass to explore the town even more deeply.

Note: This is a sample itinerary. The schedule may be changed flexibly depending on the conditions of the day.

The affiliated shops you can visit with the tour or digital pass are all unique, outstanding local venues deeply rooted in the community. Here is a look at a few highlights
(the list of affiliated shops and menus is continuously expanding).

1. Dosojin (Ikegami Area)
Credits Required
2Cr: Sushi OR Chirashi Sushi
3Cr: Premium Sushi OR Premium Chirashi Sushi
Highlight A sushi restaurant where you can admire Japanese craftsmanship right before your eyes. Enjoy authentic Edo-style sushi using fresh fish in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

2. Nagaoka (Airport Line Area)
Credits Required
1Cr: Soba OR Udon + Drink
2Cr: Soba OR Udon + Tempura Rice Bowl
3Cr: Edo-style Tempura Zaru Soba
Highlight A famous shop for soba and udon, the comfort foods of Japan. The set featuring crispy, freshly fried Edo-style tempura and flavorful dashi-infused soba broth boasts immense popularity among overseas tourists.

3. Asahiya (Kamata Area)
Credits Required
1Cr: Special Asahiya Sake Cup + 2 Tasting Coins
Highlight A highly recommended spot for those looking to dive deep into the world of Japanese sake. With a special sake cup in hand, you can taste various brands and discover your absolute favorite bottle.

4. MARQUEES (Ikegami Area)
Credits Required
2Cr: Balloon Keychain Making
Highlight A hands-on shop where you can create your very own original balloon keychain. Why not craft a one-of-a-kind piece of art as a memory of your trip or a unique souvenir for someone special?

5. CREPE CITY (Keikyu Kamata & Kojiya Stores)
Credits Required
1Cr: Crepe OR Gelato + Drink
Highlight A sweets shop where you can enjoy "Harajuku-style" crepes, which evolved uniquely in Japan, and premium gelato. It is perfect for a refreshing dessert break during your stroll.

6. Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima (Heiwajima Area)
Credits Required
2Cr: Quick Bath Plan (1 hr with rental towel)
3Cr: Day-use Bath Plan (7 hrs with lounge wear & rental towel)
Highlight A massive hot spring facility where you can experience authentic natural onsen right inside Tokyo. Gently warm your body, stiff from a long flight, in their spacious baths. The inclusion of rental towels means you can drop in empty-handed—a wonderful benefit for travelers.

Whether before or after the tour, or when exploring independently with additional credits, here are the historical and cultural highlights of Ota City you absolutely should visit. All are close to Haneda Airport and showcase Japan's traditional sense of aesthetic beauty.

Founded at the end of the 13th century, this massive, highly prestigious temple is the head temple of the Nichiren sect. Upon entering the grounds, the first thing that catches your eye is the magnificent Five-Story Pagoda built in 1608. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, this tower holds the record as the oldest existing five-story pagoda in the Kanto region.

Miraculously surviving the air raids of World War II, this precious wooden structure transmits Japan's highly sophisticated historical carpentry skills to the present day. Surrounded by lush greenery, the expansive temple grounds offer a peaceful setting to quietly experience Japan's spiritual culture away from the city hubbub.

Located just a few minutes from Haneda Airport via the Keikyu Airport Line, this shrine sits near Tenkubashi and Anamori-inari Stations. Since ancient times, it has been deeply revered as a deity for "safe travels" and "business prosperity," earning passionate devotion especially from aviation industry workers and travelers.

The main highlight is the beautiful row of Senbon Torii (thousands of torii gates). The sight of vibrant vermilion gates forming an endless tunnel is incredibly mystical, loved by global travelers as a highly Instagrammable photo spot. Furthermore, the "Okunomiya" inner shrine offers "shofuku no suna" (fortune-bringing sand), backed by an intriguing historical legend that taking it home will grant your wishes.

Directly connected to Tenkubashi Station, this complex merges cutting-edge technology with traditional Japanese culture. Incorporating traditional Japanese architectural designs, the facility is packed with features that let you experience a futuristic Tokyo, including autonomous driving buses and cafes staffed by robots.
On the rooftop "Footbath Sky Deck," you can soak in a complimentary foot bath while watching airplanes take off and land at Haneda Airport right before your eyes, offering a unique experience where old and new Tokyo intersect.

This tour featuring "HANEDALL" transforms various "blank spaces" in your travel itinerary into highly valuable experience-filled hours.

1. 8 Hours of Transit
Next flight isn't for another 8 hours? Don't spend it sleeping on airport chairs. Once through immigration, meet your guide and plunge into 3 dense hours of Japanese culture—eat sushi, visit temples, buy souvenirs, and get back to the airport with time to spare.
2. Afternoon on Your First Day in Japan
Arriving on an afternoon flight but too early to check into your hotel? Or perhaps you lack the energy to venture into central Tokyo but want to dive into the Japanese atmosphere immediately. Accessing local vibes right next to the airport is the perfect kickoff for your Tokyo stay.
3. Final Day of Departure (Before Flying Home)
With an evening flight ahead, leave your large luggage in airport lockers or at the counter and set out for a hands-free final stroll. Top off your journey by refreshing yourself at Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima and enjoying delicious soba before boarding your flight for the ultimate closing memory.

This tour and the "HANEDALL" initiative are not merely a commercial event by a single corporation. It is a highly secure, government-linked service carefully selected as part of the "Smart Tokyo (Be Smart Tokyo)" project, which aims to create a comfortable city leveraging advanced technologies promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Backed by the "CIC Institute," which supports global innovation, and built upon the rock-solid relationships of trust and networks that Keikyu Railway has nurtured with local businesses and shopping districts through open innovation (KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM) and area management (newcal project), the system is perfectly set up to welcome international travelers as warm local friends.

Looking ahead, area expansion into other highly attractive spots along the Keikyu Line (such as Shinagawa, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Yokosuka, and the Miura Peninsula) is being considered, drawing significant anticipation as a fresh bridge connecting Japan's local communities with global travelers.

Tokyo's true charm lies hidden beneath the feet of its glittering skyscrapers—in the warm daily lives of its people and the traditions preserved for hundreds of years.

From the precise moment you touch down at Haneda Airport until the final second before you take off from Japan, your journey deserves to be filled with inspiration. Spending 3 hours in Ota City alongside "HANEDALL" and a local guide will surely reward you with a discovery of "your own special Tokyo" that cannot be found in any guidebooks.

Be sure to weave this "3-hour magic" into your schedule on your next visit to Japan.

(Source/Main Image :Keikyu Electric Railway)