For many international visitors, Tokyo brings to mind places like Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku’s pop culture scene, or the upscale streets of Ginza. But around Haneda Airport in Ota City, you’ll find a very different side of the capital.

Ota City is home to historic temples and shrines dating back to the Edo period, nostalgic shopping streets filled with retro Showa-era atmosphere, and traditional local workshops that helped support Japan’s modernization.

Unlike some of Tokyo’s more polished tourist districts, this area still offers a glimpse into the everyday life of local residents, giving visitors a chance to experience “another Tokyo” beyond the usual sightseeing spots.

In the past, the coastal areas of present-day Ota City were known for their rich Tokyo Bay ecosystem and especially for “Omori Nori,” a highly regarded type of seaweed.

This premium seaweed was widely enjoyed by the people of Edo and played an important role in shaping Japanese food culture, including sushi and other traditional cuisine.

Even today, the area is home to long-running seaweed specialty shops, along with sushi and soba restaurants that continue to preserve classic Tokyo culinary traditions.

Ota City is home to one of the largest concentrations of traditional shopping streets (shotengai) in Tokyo. Walking through them offers a glimpse into everyday life in Japan, from the lively evening crowds to the friendly interactions between local shopkeepers and customers.

The area is also known for its distinctive “Kuroyu” hot springs, famous for their dark-colored mineral-rich water. These local baths and sento culture remain popular places for both residents and visitors to relax and ease away 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.

Unlike traditional tours with fixed meals and predetermined stops, this experience gives you the flexibility to decide what to do during the tour itself.

Together with your guide, you can choose on the spot how to use your credits based on the weather, crowd levels, or simply what you’re in the mood for that day.

Feeling hungry? You might go for a full sushi meal. Already full from airport food? You could instead try a traditional Japanese craft experience. This flexibility is one of the tour’s biggest appeals, allowing travelers to customize the experience to match their own interests and pace.

In addition to the guided tour, travelers can also purchase the HANEDALL pass separately through a smartphone web browser (compatible with both iOS and Android) for a more flexible, self-guided experience around the Haneda Airport area.

・1-Day Pass (14 Credits): 15,000 yen (tax included)
・Half-Day Pass (7 Credits): 8,000 yen (tax included)
・Additional 1 Credit (for pass holders): 1,300 yen (tax included)

The pass can be activated anytime within 30 days of purchase. Once activated, it remains valid for 7 days, giving travelers plenty of flexibility to use their credits throughout their stay in Japan.

Here are the details of the tour currently being offered:

・Tour Name: Tokyo Local Culture Tour with Sushi and Art Experience
・Launch Date: January 30, 2026
・Duration: Approximately 3 hours
・Languages: English and Japanese
・Group Size: Up to 8 participants (tour operates from 1 person)
・Price: 160 USD (approximately 24,700 yen, as of January 2026)
・Includes: 7 HANEDALL credits
・Note: Transportation within the area is not included

The tour can be booked in advance through GetYourGuide, making it easy to secure your spot before arriving in Japan.

Booking ahead can help travelers make the most of limited free time around Haneda Airport without needing to plan everything after arrival.

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 local guide leading the way through hidden alleys and lesser-known spots around Haneda Airport, you can explore the area without worrying about travel logistics or language barriers.

Guides also help with practical details such as navigating Japanese trains and understanding local dining etiquette, making the experience especially approachable for first-time visitors to Japan.

The result is a relaxed but rewarding three-hour experience that feels less like a formal tour and more like being shown around by a friend who lives in Tokyo.

Because HANEDALL uses a flexible credit-based system, the tour can easily adapt to your interests and the situation on the day.

You might say, “I just spotted a building with a really cool retro sign,” and decide to explore that area a little more. Or if it suddenly starts raining, you can shift plans and spend extra time enjoying indoor activities instead.

Rather than following a rigid schedule, the experience is designed around your preferences, helping you make the most of your limited time near Haneda Airport.

Rather than simply sightseeing and eating, the tour also gives travelers a deeper understanding of the area through easy-to-follow explanations in English from the guide.

You’ll learn things like why sushi and soba culture developed in this part of Tokyo, as well as the history and beliefs connected to local shrines and the deities enshrined there.

These added cultural insights help transform the experience from a simple stopover activity into a more meaningful and memorable part of your trip to Japan.

The tour begins and ends at JR Kamata Station West Exit Plaza, a convenient meeting point with easy access from Haneda Airport.

From here, travelers set off on an inspiring three-hour journey through the local area, experiencing the sights, sounds, flavors, and atmosphere of Ota City.

The tour begins with an introduction to the world of sake, Japan’s traditional rice wine.

At well-known local shops in the Kamata area, such as Asahiya, participants can sample a variety of sake while comparing different flavors and aromas using a special tasting cup.

Alongside the guide’s commentary, you’ll also learn about the craftsmanship, regional traditions, and long history behind Japan’s sake culture.

Next, the tour heads to historic shrines and temples that have long been part of the local community.

Passing beneath the torii gate and stepping into the quiet grounds feels like entering a peaceful world far removed from Tokyo’s busy streets. Along the way, your guide will introduce traditional shrine etiquette, including customs such as bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once, while sharing the history and beliefs connected to each site.

This interactive portion of the tour introduces visitors to Ota City’s craftsmanship and artisan culture.

Depending on the experience you choose, you can create colorful balloon keychains at MARQUEES or try tasting different varieties of dashi broth at a long-established specialty shop. Both experiences offer a fun and approachable way to experience Japanese creativity and food culture.

One of the highlights of the tour is enjoying authentic sushi, one of Japan’s most famous cuisines.

At a respected local restaurant such as Dosojin, guests can watch skilled sushi chefs prepare each piece right in front of them before enjoying the meal fresh at the counter.

Beyond simply tasting the food, your guide will also explain useful cultural details, such as how to properly use soy sauce and the role of gari (pickled ginger) in sushi dining.

After a fulfilling three-hour experience, the tour returns to JR Kamata Station, where it concludes.

From there, travelers can either head directly back to Haneda Airport or continue exploring the area using any remaining HANEDALL credits.

Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Stops and experiences may change depending on the day’s weather, crowd conditions, and participant interests.

The restaurants, shops, and experiences partnered with HANEDALL are all deeply connected to the local community, offering visitors a chance to discover places that many tourists would otherwise miss.

Here are just a few of the highlights currently available through the tour and digital pass, with more locations and experiences expected to be added in the future.

1. Dosojin (Ikegami Area)

・Credits Required:
1Cr: Sushi or Chirashi Sushi
2Cr: Premium Sushi or Premium Chirashi Sushi

・Highlight:
Enjoy authentic Edo-style sushi in a warm, welcoming atmosphere while watching skilled chefs prepare each piece right before your eyes. Fresh seasonal seafood and careful craftsmanship make this a memorable introduction to traditional Tokyo sushi culture.

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:
This popular local restaurant specializes in soba and udon, two of Japan’s classic comfort foods. The combination of crispy Edo-style tempura and richly flavored dashi broth is especially popular with overseas visitors looking for an authentic local meal.

Asahiya (Kamata Area)

・Credits Required:
1Cr: Special Asahiya Sake Cup + 2 Tasting Coins

・Highlight:
A great stop for travelers interested in exploring Japanese sake culture. Using a special tasting cup, visitors can sample different sake varieties and compare their flavors while searching for a personal favorite.

4. MARQUEES (Ikegami Area)

・Credits Required:
2Cr: Balloon Keychain Making

・Highlight:
This hands-on workshop lets visitors create their own original balloon keychain. It’s a fun way to experience local creativity while making a unique keepsake to remember your trip to Japan or a special gift for someone back home.

5. CREPE CITY (Keikyu Kamata & Kojiya Locations)

・Credits Required:
1Cr: Crepe or Gelato + Drink

・Highlight:
Take a sweet break with Japanese-style crepes inspired by Harajuku’s famous dessert culture, along with premium gelato and drinks. It’s the perfect casual stop while exploring the neighborhood around Haneda Airport.

6. Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima (Heiwajima Area)

・Credits Required:
2Cr: Quick Bath Plan (1 hour with rental towel)
3Cr: Day-Use Bath Plan (7 hours with lounge wear and rental towel)

・Highlight:
This large-scale hot spring facility offers travelers the chance to experience authentic natural onsen without leaving Tokyo. Spacious baths provide the perfect way to relax and soothe tired muscles after a long flight.

Since towels and other essentials are included, visitors can stop by comfortably even without bringing anything with them.

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 in the late 13th century, this grand and highly respected temple serves as the head temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.

One of the first sights to greet visitors is the magnificent five-story pagoda built in 1608. Designated an Important Cultural Property, it is recognized as the oldest surviving five-story pagoda in the Kanto region.

Remarkably, the wooden structure survived the air raids of World War II and still stands today as a testament to Japan’s advanced traditional carpentry techniques.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the spacious temple grounds offer a peaceful escape from the city and a chance to quietly experience Japan’s spiritual and historical atmosphere.

Located just a few minutes from Haneda Airport on the Keikyu Airport Line, this shrine is conveniently accessible from Tenkubashi and Anamori-Inari Stations.

For generations, it has been revered as a shrine associated with safe travel and business prosperity, making it especially popular among travelers and people connected to the aviation industry.

One of its biggest highlights is the beautiful Senbon Torii pathway, where rows of bright vermilion torii gates create a tunnel-like walkway with an almost mystical atmosphere. It has become a favorite photo spot for visitors from around the world.

The shrine’s inner sanctuary, known as the Okunomiya, is also famous for its “shofuku no suna,” or fortune-bringing sand. According to local legend, taking some home may help bring good luck and grant wishes.

Directly connected to Tenkubashi Station, this innovative complex blends futuristic technology with elements of traditional Japanese design.

Inside, visitors can experience a different side of Tokyo through features such as autonomous driving buses, robot-operated cafés, and architecture inspired by classic Japanese aesthetics.

One of the most popular spots is the rooftop “Footbath Sky Deck,” where guests can relax in a free foot bath while watching planes take off and land at Haneda Airport just overhead.

It’s a uniquely Tokyo experience where cutting-edge innovation and traditional culture come together in one place.

The HANEDALL tour helps turn otherwise “empty” hours in your itinerary into memorable travel experiences packed with local culture and food.

1. Long Airport Transit (8 Hours or More)
Have several hours before your next flight? Instead of spending the entire time inside the terminal, you can head out after immigration and enjoy a compact but immersive cultural experience nearby.

In just a few hours, you can eat authentic sushi, visit temples and shrines, shop for souvenirs, and still comfortably return to Haneda Airport in time for your flight.

2. Your First Afternoon in Japan
Arriving in Tokyo too early to check into your hotel? Or maybe you want to experience Japan right away without immediately navigating central Tokyo.

Because the tour takes place close to the airport, it offers an easy and low-stress introduction to local Tokyo culture, making it an ideal way to begin your trip.

3. Your Departure Day Before Flying Home
If you have an evening flight, you can leave your luggage in airport lockers or baggage storage and enjoy one last outing before heading home.

Relaxing at Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima, enjoying a comforting bowl of soba, or taking a final walk through the neighborhood can become a memorable way to end your time in Japan before returning to the airport.

This tour and the HANEDALL initiative are more than just a tourism project created by a single company. The service was selected as part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Smart Tokyo (Be Smart Tokyo)” initiative, which promotes the creation of a more convenient and connected city through advanced technology.

The project is also supported by CIC Institute and builds on the strong local partnerships that Keikyu Electric Railway has developed over many years through community projects, open innovation programs, and collaboration with local shopping streets and businesses.

As a result, travelers are welcomed not simply as tourists, but with the warmth and hospitality of a community eager to share its local culture.

Looking ahead, the concept may expand to other destinations along the Keikyu Line, including Shinagawa, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Yokosuka, and the Miura Peninsula, creating even more opportunities to connect international visitors with lesser-known local areas around Tokyo.

Tokyo’s true charm is not found only among its glittering skyscrapers, but also in the everyday lives, local neighborhoods, and traditions that have been preserved for generations.

From the moment you arrive at Haneda Airport to the final hours before your flight home, even a short window of free time can become part of your travel memories.

Spending a few hours exploring Ota City with HANEDALL and a local guide offers the chance to discover a more personal side of Tokyo, filled with local culture, hidden spots, and experiences that many visitors never encounter.

On your next trip to Japan, consider adding this “three-hour magic” near Haneda Airport to your itinerary.

(Source/Main Image :Keikyu Electric Railway)