04
5 hours
Samurai & Silk: Hidden History
A fallen castle, an imperial mausoleum and Japan's silk city.
- Hachioji Castle ruins
- Musashi Imperial Mausoleum
- The silk-city story
Private, up to 4Takao
Moderate
From¥12,000 / person
Tour 03
Hachioji After Dark
Lantern-lit alleys of the geisha district, then the izakaya.
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Effort
- Easy
- Group
- Private, up to 4
When the shops close, Hachioji's old entertainment district comes to life. We walk the black-walled lanes of Naka-chō, one of the few places near Tokyo where geisha still work, then settle into the izakaya and small bars I know best.
- Naka-chō geisha district
- Izakaya
- Hidden bars
How the day goes
18:00
Meet at Hachiōji Station
At the north exit of JR Hachiōji Station.
18:15
Naka-chō's black-walled lanes
The quiet streets of the old geisha district, and the story of how Hachioji's silk money built them.
19:00
Izakaya
Small plates and a drink at a local izakaya. I'll handle the menu and the ordering.
20:15
One more place
A tiny bar or a late-night snack, depending on the mood of the group.
21:00
Finish near the station
In easy reach of the last trains back to central Tokyo.
Times are a guide. We'll go at your group's pace. Distance: about 3 km, flat, with plenty of stops.
Prices for your group
Total for 4 guests, private
¥36,000
Saves ¥7,000 each vs. going solo
Children 6–12: ¥4,000 off the group price. Under 6s go free, and count towards the group of 4. Prefer to travel out together? Meet me in Shinjuku for +¥6,000 per group.
What's included
Included
- Luke as your private guide for the whole tour
- A route planned around your group
- Photos of your day, sent within 48 hours
- A local treat along the way
- Personal recommendations for the rest of your trip
Not included
- Train and bus fares, and the Takao cable car
- Meals and drinks
- Entry fees
Budget around ¥3,000 per person for these on most tours.
Where we meet
八王子
Hachiōji
JR Chūō Line
Meet Luke at
JR Hachiōji Station, north exit
Under an hour from Shinjuku on the Chūō line.
Open in Google MapsBefore you go
What to bring
- Cash for food and drinks (budget about ¥4,000 to ¥6,000 per person)
- Comfortable shoes
Good to know
- The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Younger guests are welcome but won't be served alcohol.
- Naka-chō is a working district. Please don't photograph geisha without their permission.
More ways to spend the day
See all tours
05
7–8 hours
Ridge to Fuji: Jinba–Takao Traverse
A full-day ridge walk for proper hikers, with Fuji alongside.
- Ridge hike
- Fuji views
- Mountain-hut food
Private, up to 4Takao
Challenging
From¥18,000 / person
06
5 hours
Hachioji in Season
Plum, sakura, summer beer gardens or autumn ginkgo, whenever you visit.
- Plum blossom
- Sakura
- Takao Beer Mount
Private, up to 4Hachiōji
Easy
From¥12,000 / person
From¥9,000 / person
Check dates