Rickshaws Rolling Through Minato Ward! The Charm of “Tokyo Minato Rickshaw Tanakaya”
Rickshaws were a popular means of transportation during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Even today, you can still see rickshaw drivers pulling these two-wheeled vehicles carrying passengers at tourist spots all over the country. Did you know you can also ride a rickshaw in Minato Ward? Hironori Tanaka, the representative of “Tokyo Minato Rickshaw Tanakaya,” which began full-scale operations in Minato Ward in October 2024, continues to pull rickshaws today driven by his desire to pass on Japan’s traditions and culture to the next generation. In this article, we’ll introduce Mr. Tanaka, who works hard as a rickshaw puller, along with some classic routes. We’ll share the charm of rickshaw rides through Minato Ward.
Leaving Zojo-ji Temple, I walk down an alley with a view of Tokyo Tower
The starting point is Zojo-ji Temple, one of Minato Ward’s most iconic temples. Tanakaya has a contract with Zojo-ji and has reportedly obtained permission to conduct business on the temple grounds. Mr. Tanaka says, “During the Shichi-Go-San season, for example, we had many customers ride with us at Zojo-ji. Until now, I used to go to events and other venues to let people experience riding in a rickshaw, but now that we’re open year-round, please feel free to say hello if you see us at Zojo-ji Temple,” he says. If a rickshaw is available, you can hop on right away, but making a reservation in advance by phone or other means is more reliable. Please check the bottom of the page for contact information.
On this day, the reporting team ran alongside the rickshaw pulled by Mr. Tanaka to cover the event. The route starts in front of the San-gedatsu Gate at Zojo-ji Temple, circles around Shiba Park, and returns, taking about 15 minutes. “While we have a standard route, we can freely adjust it to meet customer requests—for example, going as far as Hamamatsucho Station or taking a tour around Azabudai Hills,” said Mr. Tanaka.
Alright, let’s get going! First, we’ll head to Hibiya Street in front of the San-Gedamon Gate. Since rickshaws are classified as light vehicles—just like bicycles—and travel on public roads, Mr. Tanaka always drives with the utmost care. “Of course, I prioritize the safety of my passengers, but I also make safety my top priority so that local residents understand that rickshaws are a safe mode of transportation,” says Mr. Tanaka.
From Hibiya Street, turn into the narrow alleyway between Zojo-ji Temple and the Tokyo Prince Hotel. From a vantage point higher than that of a passenger car, you can leisurely enjoy the passing scenery.
With little traffic in the alleyways and Tokyo Tower right in front of you, it’s a great spot to explore.
Perhaps because rickshaws are a rare sight, they attract the attention of passersby as they ride through the streets. Some people even point their cameras at them. “When you ride in a rickshaw, be sure to wave to people on the street. Most of them will wave back, and children, in particular, will wave back 100% of the time (laughs),” says Mr. Tanaka.
Run to the finish line while taking in the sights and historic sites along the way
From the alley, we turned onto the four-lane Hakusan-Iwatamachi Line, with Tokyo Tower visible off to the side. We were moving at about the same pace as a jogger, maintaining a nearly constant speed. What’s truly impressive is Mr. Tanaka’s stamina. He pulled the rickshaw without ever getting out of breath. “Customers often ask me, ‘Isn’t this hard?’ But when you pull a rickshaw almost every day, you naturally build up your stamina, so it’s not hard at all. However, since Minato Ward has a lot of hills, it might require more muscle strength than other areas,” said Mr. Tanaka.
Continue straight along the Hakusan-Iwatamachi Line until you reach the Akabane-bashi intersection. Across from Zojo-ji Temple, on the left side of the Hakusan-Iwatamachi Line, lies “Momiji Valley,” an artificial ravine located within a corner of Shiba Park. It’s a popular spot for relaxation.
At recommended spots—such as famous landmarks and historic sites—Mr. Tanaka will stop the rickshaw and give you a tour. “Making our guests happy is my top priority, and I also want them to get to know the various spots in Minato Ward, so I don’t just pull the rickshaw—I also provide guided tours tailored to each guest’s interests,” says Mr. Tanaka.
I’m told that currently, about 70 percent of the visitors are from overseas. In addition to Zojo-ji Temple, Shiba Park, and Tokyo Tower, other spots that visitors particularly enjoy when shown include Shiba Daijingu Shrine—which boasts over a thousand years of history—and Tokyo Minato Brewery, the only sake brewery within Tokyo’s 23 wards. “In addition, during the winter, the tour route featuring the illuminations along Keyakizaka is absolutely beautiful, and the so-called ‘shitamachi’ area of Shiba 3-chome has a simple, down-to-earth charm that I highly recommend,” says Mr. Tanaka.
We are now approaching the Three Gates of Liberation, which mark the end of the path. Just before them stands the Main Gate of the Former Daito-in Mausoleum, which served as the main gate to the mausoleum of the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.
We head back out onto Hibiya Street for the final stretch. We keep a close eye on the traffic and ride in the traffic lane.
We’ve returned to the San-Gedamon Gate, which served as both the starting point and the finish line. This concludes our rickshaw ride.
It was a beautiful, sunny day, but you can ride a rickshaw even on rainy days. On rainy days, the rear and side canopies are raised, and waterproof knee blankets are provided to keep out the rain and wind. Mr. Tanaka also pulls the rickshaw while wearing a “manju-gasa” hat, a style familiar from period dramas. Additionally, while the rickshaw generally accommodates up to two adults, it is also possible to ride while holding a small child.
Mr. Tanaka originally worked at a small izakaya as a staff member who created sake pairing menus. When the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to serve sake, and seeing that Japanese crafts and traditional industries were on the brink of extinction, he made a resolution to take action. While visiting his hometown in Mie Prefecture, he encountered a rickshaw at Ise Grand Shrine and began working as a rickshaw driver around 2020. Mr. Tanaka “I felt this was exactly the direction I wanted to take. Rickshaws are the origin of Japan’s vehicle culture, and I wanted to use them to convey the appeal of Japanese traditions and culture to as many people as possible,” he recalls.
After working for a private company involved in regional revitalization, he went independent and launched “Tokyo Minato Rickshaw Tanakaya.” Mr. Tanaka explains, “I wanted to promote rickshaws to the world, and since I happened to have a connection with someone in Minato Ward, I decided to start my business here. I thought that in Minato Ward—the heart of Tokyo and a destination for people from all over the world—I could explore new possibilities for rickshaws while running my business.” After conducting occasional operations through events and collaborations, he began regular service in October 2024. “I hope to share the unique scenery and charm of Minato Ward,” says Mr. Tanaka. “I’d be delighted if you’d feel free to come take a ride.” Why not experience a rickshaw ride in Minato Ward—a chance to connect with Japanese tradition and culture?
《Tokyo Minato Rickshaw Tanakaya》
Inquiries & Reservations: TEL: 070-5343-3296
https://coubic.com/rickshaw-tanakaya
Instagram: @hironori.rickshaw
Rates: 5,000 yen for 2 people for a 15-minute ride, 11,000 yen for 30 minutes, 19,000 yen for 60 minutes, and other options.
*In addition to sightseeing tours, we also offer
Shichi-Go-San and first shrine visit packages, as well as wedding packages. Please contact us for more details.
Inquiries & Reservations: TEL: 070-5343-3296
https://coubic.com/rickshaw-tanakaya
Instagram: @hironori.rickshaw
Rates: 5,000 yen for 2 people for a 15-minute ride, 11,000 yen for 30 minutes, 19,000 yen for 60 minutes, and other options.
*In addition to sightseeing tours, we also offer
Shichi-Go-San and first shrine visit packages, as well as wedding packages. Please contact us for more details.