Uncommon Explorations
An Invitation to Discover Something New
Let's Get Lost Together.
There are so many ways to approach exploring a city, but getting lost is probably the best way to get to know a place, and getting lost with the right person helps make it all the more rewarding. Even if you think you know a place, deliberately losing your bearings and challenging your own expectations can absolutely transform it, revealing so many things you never knew were there.
As someone who has made a pastime out of intentionally getting lost all over the Tokyo area for the last decade, I have built an uncommon aptitude for wandering in uncommon ways.
My name is David, and I’d like to share with you an approach to exploring Tokyo that’s unconventional, unpredictable, enriching, and a lot of fun.
There's so much more to see–you just have to look
If all you see are the popular spots, you’re missing out on most of what Tokyo has to offer. It’s a city brimming with hidden curiosities and fascinating details. Step off the well-trodden path and immerse yourself in a place where every alleyway, park, and quiet little shrine has a story to tell.
The Concept
When we move through the physical environment, we tend to fall into predictable patterns in our movements and in our mindset. Though this is especially true in familiar locations, we also carry these tendencies with us when we visit somewhere new. This means that, wherever we might go, our experience is easily dominated by a lack of attention, a dearth of noticing. It’s not that we’re wholly unaware of the world around us, but instead that there’s so much more to discover. This means we end up leaving a great deal of potential experience on the table.
This limitation is optional, however, and by deliberately changing our approach to how we move through and interact with our environment, we can become far more aware of what’s around us and how we experience it. This is the fundamental goal of Uncommon Explorations.
Elements of this endeavor include:
- Intentional Disorientation: We will get lost, and we’ll do it intentionally. It is a gift to enjoy the freedom of having no idea where you are or where you’re headed.
- Leaning Into Curiosity: We go out to see what there is to see because we want to know what’s out there. Curiosity is critical.
- Play: This should be fun. If we’re not having a good time, we’re off track. A playful approach is key to getting the most out of it.
- The Joy of Discovery: We explore so that we might discover, learn, and experience new things. This includes the sort of first-time discovery that comes from going down a street you’ve never travelled before, as well as experiencing something familiar in a new way.
- Motivated Reframing: In order to get the most out of our efforts, we need to challenge ourselves to break free of our preexisting assumptions, expectations, and default behaviors. We must lean into unpredictability and not knowing the outcome of our operations, so that we are truly open to unique experiences and observations.
- Active Noticing: A general open awareness is a good starting point, but we also want to deliberately push the boundaries of what we notice along the way. This means checking in with our senses and emotional responses, as well pausing now and then and challenging ourselves to see just how much we can notice about our surroundings in that specific moment of time.
How It Works
Every excursion is different, no two explorations are the same. I have no list of destinations, no pre-planned routes, no rehearsed spiel about this place or that. Instead, it is a freeform venture guided by curiosity, utilizing various tools to encourage active attention and a joyful unpredictability. A fruitful exploration can occur anywhere, at any time of day, and in any weather.
That doesn’t mean that we won’t have a plan, just that it’s flexible and we can adjust our framework to better suit your interests. Options include but are not limited to:
- Focusing on exploring a part of the city that interests you
- Choosing an area at random
- Beginning with a set starting point and an unknown destination (or vise versa)
- Starting with a set starting point and destination in mind, focusing on seeing what’s in between the two
- Giving up control and leaning into experimentation, using various exploratory tools to determine where we go and what we do along the way
Related to that last point, here are some example exploratory tools we might use:
- Drift Deck: A handmade deck of cards, each with a different prompt that gives directions for navigation or a task to be performed.
- Algorithmic Wandering: A set of instructions indicating a pattern of navigation that can be executed repeatedly
- Chance Operations: Using any of a range of methods to employ randomness to determine locations, navigation, etc.
- Randonautica: An interesting app that generates random coordinates within a set distance
Typically, a mix of these gives the most interesting experience. We can also devise and implement new approaches as we go along.
What to Expect
Explorations are not of a set duration or distance, but a few hours is typically best. Scheduled time slots are 4 hours, during which we’ll probably spend about 3 hours actively exploring. That way, we have plenty of time to explore, but it isn’t so long as to become tiresome. During our walk, we can always stop to rest, grab something to eat, etc.
Generally, I am available throughout the day, and daytime, evening, and nighttime options are available.
On the day of the exploration, I can meet you at your accommodations, or at a predetermined meeting place elsewhere in the city. Once you’ve made your booking, I’ll be in touch to work out the specifics.
With the exception of truly hazardous conditions, such as during a typhoon, scheduled walks will take place regardless of the weather.
How to Prepare
You don’t need much to prepare, and it really comes down to just two things: mindset and physical preparation.
Mindset
To get the most out of the experience, it’s best to approach it with a sense of adventure and possibility. We’re going to discover interesting things and learn as we go. It’s also an unpredictable experience (in a good way!), so lean into the adventure of the uncertain.
Physical Preparation
This primarily comes down to two things: dressing for the weather and wearing comfortable shoes. We will be walking quite a lot, so please ensure that you arrive wearing shoes you know to be comfortable. Brand new shoes probably aren’t a good idea, as few things can spoil a good walk like a blister.
If rain is forecasted, please bring an umbrella with you. If you don’t have one, they can be easily purchased at any convenience store. Again, scheduled walks will be held rain or shine.
You may want to bring a water bottle, especially in the summer, but there will always be convenience stores and drink machines along the way. Also, please be sure to bring any medications you may need, sunscreen, etc.
Depending on how we decide to pursue our exploration, we may make use of public transportation, so it is recommended that you have an IC card (Pasmo, Suica, etc) or a transportation card app (Suica is easiest) on your smartphone. All transportation costs, as well as any food/drink purchases will be the individual’s responsibility.
Other Information
Rescheduling
If you need to reschedule or cancel, please do so as early as possible. Depending on other bookings already on my schedule, desired alternate times may not be available.
Cancellation and Refunds
If you need to cancel, please do so as early as possible. Depending on time, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund:
- More than 72 hours notice: full refund
- 24-72 hours notice, 50% refund
- Less than 24 hours: no refund
Should an experience need to be cancelled due to problems on my end, such as illness or train service outage, you will receive a full refund.
Locations Outside of Tokyo
Though this service is focused on Tokyo, other locations may be available upon request. Get in touch if you have something in mind. Depending on distance I need to travel to the location, an additional fee may be required.
Tipping
In Japan, tipping is not usual and I expect no compensation beyond the basic fee for the experience. If you want to (sometimes people do), I’m not going to tell you no, but I have no expectation of a tip, so don’t worry about it.

Centered on a Consistent philosophy:
Everything is interesting
Truly, everything is interesting if you give it the proper chance to be. I’ve spent the last decade exploring the Tokyo area, and I am confident I could easily spend the next 100 years doing the same without ever running out of new things to see.
Unfortunately, most visitors to Japan never stray far from the popular spots, leaving almost everything undiscovered.
Experimental Exploration
Though there’s much to be said for simply starting walking and seeing what happens, we can enrich our experience by employing tools and ideas that defeat our ingrained patterns of behavior and help us lean into the unfamiliar.
My approach involves many elements drawn from psychogeography, a discipline that aims to examine not just our surroundings, but also how those surroundings affect us emotionally and behaviorally. I also integrate elements of contemplative practice and chance operations.
Working with these tools, we can begin and end anywhere we like, at any time of day, and the potential for discovery is immense.
Let's Do this.
Let's Get Lost.

Meet Your Guide
David R Munson
Originally from the USA, I’ve lived in Japan for a decade now and couldn’t be happier about it. I live in Saitama City, just north of Tokyo, with my wife and cat. I’m a photographer, writer, educator, and terminal wanderer. I love cooking, reading, cycling, and studying the world around me.
With a background in photography and nonfiction writing, I approach exploring Tokyo with a contemplative eye, encouraging participants to pay close attention to the world around them. My experiences are designed to help you discover the rich details and stories that make Tokyo such a vibrant place.
Why Uncommon Explorations
There are many tours you could book, and many of them are very good, but I’d like to invite you to do something a bit different and see what else the city has to offer.
Your Guide Is An Experienced Tokyo Explorer
I've been exploring Tokyo extensively for a decade,
Photo Walks
Like to make photos? We can always combine our exploration with image-making, for a unique photo walk experience.
Suitable for Individuals And groups
A solo tour is always fine, but groups are also welcome.
Location Flexibility
Because my approach is based on principles and not destinations, we can start anywhere at all, at any time of day, rain or shine.
Book Your Experience Now
After making your booking, please fill out the short questionnaire linked below and I will follow up with you by email.