[Tokyo] Historical Journey including Akasaka Palace Admission Ticket

• Discover the refined charm of Akasaka, a Tokyo district where history, diplomacy, and elegance meet. This tour takes you through hidden corners rich in samurai heritage, luxurious Western-style architecture, and long-standing artisan traditions. Perfect for those seeking a deeper cultural perspective beyond the city's usual tourist routes.
• ・Step inside Japan’s first Western-style guesthouse, a Versailles-inspired palace used to host royalty and world leaders
• ・Explore the historic Toyokawa Inari Shrine and stroll through Akasaka’s geisha-rooted “Karyukai” district
• ・Admire handcrafted traditional art at Aoyama Square and enjoy a refined Japanese lunch in a symbolic local restaurant

This guest house (a bit of a misnomer – it should be thought of as more of a palatial hotel) was the first Western style grand building in Japan, built by the then crown prince, later the Taisho Emperor, with stylistic reference to France’s Versailles. Total construction cost was the equivalent to over 100 billion yen in today’s money. Construction took about ten years, and it used the latest in building chic and decoration technology. It is now used as a facility to host state guests such as foreign kings or presidents, and it is also used as a stage for summit talks and dinner parties.