STORIES

Beyond
the tourist map

experience life as locals do.

ABOUT

A new kind of travel experience- one that builds lasting connections with the local community.

The stars of the journey are the people who live in the town. It’s not about festivals or big events, but about the quiet rhythm of everyday life. This is an ongoing story set in the heart of a living town.

Tour participants are both witnesses and viewers of this unfolding story. A local filmmaker captures moments from daily life, and the tour brings you to meet those very people.

Guides share their own relationships with the town, and invite participants to explore the issues it faces and the ways they can get involved.

These exchanges empower both locals and visitors, with tour proceeds reinvested into the community—and sometimes, the experience even becomes a turning point in someone’s life.

It may not be the most vivid or flashy experience—but we hope you’ll feel the quiet, meaningful truths hidden in everyday life.

#01 Tokyo – Kitashinagawa Edition

TOKYO
KITA-
SHINAGAWA

KITA-
SHINAGAWA

INTRODUCTION

A miraculous place where a warm and tight-knit community thrives beside the global metropolis of Tokyo.

Shinagawa-shuku once flourished as the first post town along the Tokaido road during the Edo period. Countless travelers came and went, fostering interactions.
Today, the Shinagawa area continues to grow as Tokyo’s gateway, offering convenient access to Haneda Airport and hosting the JR Shinagawa Station, a major Shinkansen hub.

While the town appears to be enveloped by skyscrapers, the Kita-Shinagawa area where we operate retains the charm of Tokyo’s traditional downtown neighborhoods.
One symbolic aspect is the lively shopping street stretching over several kilometers.

Amidst the waves of development and changing lifestyles that have caused many shopping streets to disappear, Kita-Shinagawa remains a rare exception where such vibrancy survives.
It is also a place where daily life and heartfelt human connections still flourish beside the global city of Tokyo.

You are invited to experience the unembellished daily lives of locals in Tokyo’s traditional neighborhood of Kita-Shinagawa.
There may not be world-famous foodie spots or flashy attractions. But you’ll find rooted local livelihoods, authentic everyday spirituality, and memorable encounters with people—like the kind-looking man who resembles a local boss but is truly gentle.

This is an “unassuming” tour that lets you step into the ordinary lives of ordinary people in Tokyo.
We hope that people who are tired from work, those facing life transitions, or those seeking a new spark will find meaning in this experience.

TRAILER

PLAY MOVIE

CAST&STAFF

CAST

Yoshio Otsuka

Owner of Marudai Greengrocer. He leads a project to revive the traditional local vegetable, the Shinagawa turnip. Lately, he has been quite busy with media interviews. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated to support those unable to return to their home countries.

Yoshio Otsuka
Takahiro Kato

Owner of Kato Tatami Shop, founded in 1761 under the name “Minatoya.” Known for his artisan spirit, he is also rumored to be the behind-the-scenes boss of the Shinagawa Shrine Festival. He once nearly died on a motorcycle journey around Australia.

Takahiro Kato
Yoshiharu Seki

Runs Seki Flower Shop with his father. The father is a well-known local figure but is aging, so Yoshiharu is gradually taking over community activities and business operations. He has a wonderful smile.

Yoshiharu Seki
Shinya Yoshimoto

Hair Salon YOSHIMOTO is a popular barber shop that’s often fully booked. His family has a history dating back to the Edo period, with ancestors who were traditional hairdressers. He works daily with his strong father, who trains every day.

Shinya Yoshimoto

STAFF

Production

Takayuki Watanabe, Yukio Mizutani, Naoki Uchiyama, Anthony Cannon Walker
Local Connect Executive Committee

Sponsorship

Shinagawa Tourism Association,Old Tokaido
Shinagawa-shuku Area Town Development Council

Support & Cooperation

Kitashinagawa Main Street Shopping Association, Kita-Shinagawa Shopping Street Cooperative Association, Keikyu Shimbamba Shopping District Promotion Union,Minami-Bamba Shopping Street Cooperative Association, Empathy Seeds Professor Takuya Yamakawa University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences Professor Hajime Tozaki, J. F. Oberlin University

#02 test 編

TEST2

KITA-
SHINAGAWA

INTRODUCTION

東京という世界的な大都市の傍で、 人情あふれるコミュニティが維持される 奇跡のような場所。

江戸時代に東海道の第一宿として栄えていた品川宿。数多くの旅人がこの地を行き交い、交流が生まれました。時は流れ現代。羽田空港へのアクセスがよく、また新幹線の発着駅であるJR品川駅をも擁する品川エリアは、東京の玄関口として日々発展を続けています。

まちは、高層ビル群に覆われているように見えますが、他方、私たちが活動する北品川エリアには、昔ながらの東京の下町が残っています。象徴的であると感じるのは、数キロに渡って賑わいを見せる商店街。

ここ北品川エリアには、生活スタイルの変化や開発の波により、消滅していく商店街も多い中、奇跡的に残っている場所でもあります。そして東京という世界的な大都市の傍で、人の暮らしが息づき、人情あふれるコミュニティが維持される場所でもあります。

そんな東京の下町・北品川で地域に生きる人たちの、素の日常を体験していただきます。世界中のフーディを魅了するような食事や、クレイジーな乗り物はないかもしれません。けれど、土地に根ざした暮らし、生業があり、普段着の宗教が確かに感じられるし、地域を牛耳るマフィアのような風貌のおじさん(でも優しい)などたくさんの出会いがあるはず。

このツアー東京で、〝普通に生きる〟人たちの日常の中に入り込むことができる、〝何気ない〟ツアー。日々の仕事で疲れた人、転機を迎えている人、なにかきっかけが欲しい人、そんな人たちにこそ、体験して欲しいと思っています。

TRAILER

PLAY MOVIE

CAST&STAFF

CAST

大塚 好雄

マルダイ青果店店主。地域の伝統野菜である「品川蕪」を復活させるプロジェクトを推進。最近は取材を受けることも多く忙しいらしい。コロナ禍、帰国困難支援を行うための寄付も。

大塚 好雄
加藤 丈幸

加藤畳店舗店主。1761年創業で、屋号は「湊や」。職人気質で品川神社祭礼の影の大親分であるという噂も。オーストラリアをバイクで回って死にかけたことにあったそう。

加藤 丈幸
関 義晴

親子2代で関生花店を運営する。お父様は地域の顔役だが、高齢のため、息子さん(義晴さん)に少しずつ地域の行事や商店会活動、さらには事業も譲りつつある。笑顔がステキ。

関 義晴
吉本 真也

へカットヨシモト。いつ行っても満席であることが多い、人気の店。もともとは江戸期の髪結を祖先に持つ歴史ある家系。毎日トレーニングを欠かさない屈強なお父様とともに日々店頭に立つ。

吉本 真也

STAFF

制作

渡邊崇志、水谷幸男、内山直樹、アンソニー・キャノン・ウォーカー
ローカルコネクト実行委員会

応援・協力

北品川1丁目町会、2丁目町会、北品川本通り商店会、北品川商店街、京急新馬場商店会振興組合、東京商工会議所品川支部、旧東海道品川宿周辺まちづくり協議会、品川区、一般社団法人しながわ観光協会、Emphasy seeds、一般社団法人ダイバーシティー研究所、流通科学大学、桜美林大学教授 戸崎肇

TOUR OUTLINE

*TOUR EXAMPLE

Day 1

Arrival & Orientation

Morning
Pick-up from the airport or a nearby hotel, then transfer to a traditional townhouse hotel.
Afternoon
Welcome reception
Dinner
Enjoy Japanese home-style cuisine near the hotel.

Day 2

Seki Flower Shop and Kato Tatami Shop

Morning
Join the owner of Seki Flower Shop for an early morning market run. Learn floral arrangement or help out at the shop.
Lunch
Have lunch with the shop owner’s family inside the store.
Afternoon
Observe how tatami mats are made at the shop. Accompany a delivery and learn about the cultural importance of tatami.
Dinner
Reflection and review of the day.

Day 3

Marudai Greengrocer and Hair Salon YOSHIMOTO

Morning
Join the early morning sourcing at Marudai Greengrocer.
Lunch
Lunch using fresh ingredients from Marudai.
Afternoon
Listen to stories about the history of Hair Salon YOSHIMOTO and the community while observing locals gather. Watch haircut and shaving demonstrations. Participants may try a basic haircut.
Dinner
Special Shinagawa course dinner. Closing of the program.

Day 4

Departure

Morning
Enjoy breakfast delivered from local shops at the hotel.
Morning
Check-out and transfer to the airport or train station.

OUR
PHILOSOPHY

“The more we travel, the better the world becomes.”

This is the vision of Shukuba JAPAN, a group that operates guesthouses and traditional townhouse lodgings in Kita-Shinagawa, Tokyo.
Through this tour, we aim to create that new world together with our guests.
Through travel, we aim to:

  • Empower both travelers and local communities through mutual exchange,
  • Foster self-awareness among participants,
  • Contribute to the revitalization and reorganization of local communities,
  • Reinvest in the local economy,
  • Promote the spread of low-impact tourism in society.

These are our core goals.
To offer truly immersive and meaningful experiences, we set the following conditions for our tours:

  • We will conduct a preliminary interview to learn your motivations and interests, and design the program accordingly.
  • We will explain local customs and cultural/environmental guidelines in advance and ask for your respect and adherence on-site.
  • A portion of our proceeds will be donated back to the community to support cultural preservation.

Creating a system that benefits and uplifts local communities

Our ultimate goal for this tour is to build a sustainable community.
To achieve that, we need a healthy cycle of people and money.
The more people engage with the area—including travelers—the more fresh perspectives flow in, sparking inspiration and seeds for improving society and business.

Money is also important for sustaining the local economy, but how it’s used is even more crucial.
This tour is supported by passionate individuals and businesses, including local sponsors and donors.
Participation fees are temporarily collected by Shukuba Travel, who deducts only lodging and handling costs before distributing the remainder to the local hosts.
We hope to eventually establish a foundation that channels these funds into empowering new community ventures.

Our Thoughts

Q0. What inspired the creation of STORIES?

STORIES was born out of a desire to share the quiet joys found in everyday human experiences like family, work, and community.
In today’s economy-driven society, the value of local, rooted connections is often overlooked.Through travel, we hope to create opportunities for people to reconnect by meeting key figures in the community.

Program Overview

Q1. What kind of experience is STORIES?

It’s an experience where participants engage with local lifestyles and values, gaining new perspectives themselves.

Q2. How long is each activity?

Each activity takes about two hours.
This includes café time, meals, neighborhood walks, and meditation.

Q3. What does the schedule look like?

Day 1: Check-in at a traditional townhouse hotel → Reflection and meditation at a temple → Walk around town → Dinner
Day 2: Two local experiences + café time + lunch + dinner
*TOUR EXAMPLE
*The program can be customized for up to 5 days and 4 nights.

Community Involvement

Q4. How does this contribute to the local community?

A portion of your participation fee is returned to the local community.
By engaging with local people through the experience, you support sustainable community life.

Reservation and Participation

Q5. How do I make a reservation?

Please contact us first using the [Contact us].
After confirming the schedule, our office will get back to you with details.

Q6. What is included in the participation fee?

It includes experience participation fees, cultural interpretation, necessary tools and materials, some meals, and basic insurance.

Q7. Do I need to speak Japanese?

Yes. A cultural interpreter will accompany you, and local hosts can communicate in basic English.

Preparation and What to Bring

Q8. What should I wear or bring?

Please wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Sandals are not allowed. A raincoat will be provided in case of rain.

Q9. What happens in case of rain or snow?

The tour will proceed even in the rain.
In case of snow or a typhoon, we will decide by noon the day before and notify you.

Meeting Point and Transportation

Q10. How do I get to the meeting point?

If you are staying at a Shukuba HOTEL, staff will guide you after check-in.
If staying elsewhere, we offer a taxi pickup within 2km of Shinagawa Station (¥6,600, reservation required).

Safety and Insurance

Q11. Is insurance provided?

Partial insurance coverage is available.
Incidents caused by intent or negligence are not covered.

Changes and Cancellations

Q12. Can I cancel or make changes?

We will contact you after we receive your tour request.

Etiquette and Prohibited Actions

Q13. Are there any manners I should follow?

Please participate with respect for the people and places you visit.
Inappropriate behavior, participation under the influence of alcohol, and smoking in no-smoking areas are strictly prohibited.

Contact

Q14. How can I contact you?

Please contact us first using the [Contact us]. Our team will then provide an answer.

CONTACT US

Please fill out the required information using the Google Form below to complete your registration.Our staff will contact you shortly after your submission in three days.