There’s more to Asakusa than Tokyo Skytree and Sensoji Temple because Captain Hawk Tours showed me a side of this city I’d never seen before!
Captain Hawk Tours is a casual Meetup group run by (Captain) Hawk Zheng with hundreds of members who regularly come together for one of several tours across the Asakusa and Marunouchi regions of Tokyo.
Not only is Captain Hawk Tours a great way to discover the lesser-known parts of Asakusa, but also a great way to meet people and make new friends in Japan!
Off-The-Beaten-Track Walking Routes!
I had the luxury of joining one of Captain Hawk’s tours during Tokyo’s autumn season when the weather was perfect and the scenery spectacular!
Captain Hawk took us through the Sumida River via a unique walking route where we were quite literally under the bridge.
In fact, you could even observe the trains flying past you when you look up at the tracks (don’t worry, it’s safe!).
More importantly, you get stunning close-up views of the Sumida River as you get the feeling of walking on water!
Awesome Street Food Spots!
One of the highlights of the Captain Hawk Tour is just how knowledgeable the captain is of the area in which he resides.
From unknown side streets to secret walking routes, he knows Asakusa like the back of his hand!
It’s always fun to listen to Captain Hawk’s fascinating insights (and funny stories) about the area, and even more fun to see the cool little hidden gems of Asakusa.
For instance, there is no chance I would’ve ever stumbled across this delicious taiyaki shop if not for the captain’s local knowledge, so kudos for that!
International Markets!
Throughout the tour, you get to enjoy views of the iconic Tokyo Skytree from many different angles.
Even more impressive were the international markets that seemed to appear out of nowhere along the railway tracks.
It was a vibrant area with a fantastic view of Tokyo Skytree as hundreds of locals and foreigners gathered to enjoy the pop-up stalls selling international goods and merchandise.
Despite visiting before, it wasn’t until we went on Captain Hawk’s Tour that I truly experienced the beauty and vibe of Asakusa, the traditional town of Tokyo.
Bonding With New Friends
Even though we covered so much distance on foot, being able to bond with new people and fellow Japan enthusiasts seemed to make the walking effortless.
I had the privilege of meeting people from all over the world including Japan, Germany, and Belgium, some of whom I’ve kept in contact with even today!
Listening to Captain Hawk talk about the history of the various sites we visited and incorporating fun and interesting facts with his unique sense of humor also made the walks not only bearable but highly enjoyable.
Beautiful Shrines
Forget Fushimi Inari-Taisha, because you can see the vermilion fox god torii gates right here in Tokyo!
Despite being in Asakusa on many occasions before, I had never been aware of this beautiful shrine until I joined Captain Hawk’s Tour.
I also never thought I’d see shrines this good-looking outside of Kyoto, but you can always trust the captain to show you things in Tokyo you’ve never seen before.
I would urge anyone visiting Japan’s capital to sign up for one of Captain Hawk’s Tours and discover Japan like never before!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!