Japan

Top Things to Do in Japan

We compared all 1,196 experiences in Japan so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.8 1,196 experiences from JP¥ 600 Free cancellation on most experiences
Sort
Tokyo Samurai Sword Experience & Ninja Museum Asakusa
Tokyo Samurai Sword Experience & Ninja Museum Asakusa★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (180)2hYou change into hakama and a samurai outfit, learn katana forms from a master, strike a life-size dummy with real power, throw ninja stars in a family competition, and pose in soft armor for souvenir photos. The whole experience runs about two hours in a museum setting in Asakusa, with groups capped at 16 people and English-speaking guides throughout.Is it for me?Book this if you want your family to actually handle a katana and learn real samurai technique rather than just wear a costume — the master's instruction and the striking practice are what make it feel earned, not staged.Free cancellationMost bookedfromJP¥ 8,100View ›
Kyoto Gion Food Tour: 15 Dishes & Hidden Eateries Walk
Kyoto Gion Food Tour: 15 Dishes & Hidden Eateries Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.83 (179)3hYou’ll wander Kyoto’s Gion district with a local guide who knows every hidden eatery worth trying. Taste 15 authentic dishes—yakitori straight off the grill, crispy tonkatsu, fresh sushi—and hear stories behind every flavor. Every stop feels personal and genuine; by the end you’ll feel like you’ve seen (and tasted) another side of Kyoto.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromJP¥ 15,419View ›
Osaka: Private Walking Tour with Castle & Dotonbori
Osaka: Private Walking Tour with Castle & Dotonbori★★★★★★★★★★ 4.82 (179)4hYou’ll walk Osaka’s streets with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect castle views without the crowds, markets full of life (and snacks), hidden city panoramas, and Dotonbori’s wild energy — plus quieter moments tucked behind all that neon.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −57%fromJP¥ 9,240View ›
Tokyo Kabukicho: 120-Min Anime Cosplay Makeup & Costume
Tokyo Kabukicho: 120-Min Anime Cosplay Makeup & Costume★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (177)2hYou choose an anime character, spend two hours in the makeup chair getting the full professional treatment—hairstyle, makeup, costume, wig—then either stay in the studio with food and drinks or walk Kabukicho in full cosplay taking photos. The deposit for outdoor cosplay is refundable, and you leave with the memories and photos from the experience.Is it for me?Right for anime fans who want the full cosplay look without spending days hunting down pieces—the makeup artists and costumes handle the transformation in two hours. Plan to bring undergarments and know that if your size doesn't match, you'll get the hair and makeup but not the costume itself.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromJP¥ 20,000View ›
Nagoya: Nakasendo Trail Hiking & Post Towns Day Trip
Nagoya: Nakasendo Trail Hiking & Post Towns Day Trip★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (176)8hYou hike 8 km of Japan's ancient Nakasendo trail from Tsumago to Magome with a guide who explains the samurai-era history and points out original cobblestone sections. The route passes two waterfalls (where you eat lunch), a local teahouse, and ends in a mountain post town with craft shops and water wheels. Round-trip transport from Nagoya is included, and a non-hiking option lets you explore Tsumago on foot while others hike, then meet up at Magome for lunch and shopping before returning to the city.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in or visiting Nagoya who want to walk an actual piece of Japan's samurai-era road without arranging transport or navigating the trail alone. The 8 km hike requires moderate fitness and takes most of the day—that is what fits both the forest sections and the post towns into one trip. A non-hiking option is available if you prefer to explore Tsumago and Magome at a slower pace.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −47%fromJP¥ 29,300View ›
Iriomote & Yubu Island: SUP or Canoe Day Trip with Photos
Iriomote & Yubu Island: SUP or Canoe Day Trip with Photos★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (176)6hYou’ll paddle through peaceful mangrove rivers on Iriomote Island with a local guide, then explore Yubu Island’s slow rhythms and have lunch under the trees. Expect laughter, maybe a splash or two, and free photo memories to keep long after your day ends.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromJP¥ 12,500View ›
Kyoto Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Walking Tour: 3 Hours
Kyoto Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Walking Tour: 3 Hours★★★★★★★★★★ 4.61 (176)3hA 3-hour guided walking tour of Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle with a live English, Spanish, French or Chinese-speaking guide and all entrance fees included. Groups stay under 10 people, or book privately. Last-minute bookings are welcome, and you choose your start time.Is it for me?Book the small group option if you want to meet other travelers and keep costs lower, or choose private if you prefer the guide's full attention and flexibility to linger at whichever site interests you most. The fixed 3-hour window works best if you're visiting Kyoto for a day or two and want the two major imperial sites covered without building a longer itinerary around them.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromJP¥ 6,104View ›
Kyoto & Nara Tour from Osaka: Six UNESCO Sites in One Day
Kyoto & Nara Tour from Osaka: Six UNESCO Sites in One Day★★★★★★★★★★ 4.22 (175)11h 15mThis full-day tour from Osaka visits Kyoto and Nara's most significant temples, shrines and palaces with a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. You travel by shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto, then by tour bus through both cities, seeing Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park with its sacred deer, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine—including its newly added Main Sanctuary special visit area with lantern-lined corridors. Lunch is included (Western-style, vegetarian, Indian thali, or no-lunch option chosen at booking); all admission fees and transport between Osaka, Kyoto and Nara are covered. The tour runs about eleven hours and ends at Osaka Namba Station.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover both Kyoto and Nara's major temples and palaces in one day with a licensed English guide managing the route between cities; choose the no-lunch option to eat independently in Kyoto, or the Indian thali if you need a vegetarian alternative to the standard menu.Free cancellationLikely to sell outInfants freefromJP¥ 31,500View ›
Tokyo Calligraphy Workshop in Asakusa: Write Your Own Art
Tokyo Calligraphy Workshop in Asakusa: Write Your Own Art★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (175)1h 30mA 90-minute Japanese calligraphy workshop in Asakusa where you learn brush control and stroke order from an experienced English-speaking instructor, then create your own piece using both traditional brushes and a modern fude pen. All materials and tools are provided, and the class welcomes all skill levels and ages from 5 up. You leave with a finished artwork to take home.Is it for me?The 90-minute length means you can fit this into a half-day window without sacrificing the rest of your itinerary, and sitting at a table with a brush requires no special fitness or prior experience—it's as accessible as a class gets.Free cancellationKids −50%fromJP¥ 8,031View ›
Osaka Izakaya Hopping Tour: 3–4 Local Spots with Guide
Osaka Izakaya Hopping Tour: 3–4 Local Spots with Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (175)3hAn Osaka izakaya hopping tour with a local English-speaking guide takes you through Dotonbori and Ura-Namba to eat and drink at 3–4 neighborhood bars and food stalls where locals gather after work. Groups stay under 4 people, so the experience stays intimate. Two drinks per person are included; you pay cash for food at local prices, and the guide photographs the night so you have the memories to take home.Is it for me?Your guide navigates menus without English and leads you through neighborhoods locals favor, keeping the group intimate so the night stays relaxed instead of rushed.Free cancellation-10%fromJP¥ 10,800View ›
Akihabara: Private Anime & Maid Cafe Tour with Otaku Guide
Akihabara: Private Anime & Maid Cafe Tour with Otaku Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (174)3hYou’ll step into Akihabara’s wild energy alongside a local otaku guide who knows every shortcut and secret spot. Expect retro games you can actually play, shelves full of capsule toys, and a quirky maid cafe that feels more like a cozy hangout than a tourist trap. If you’ve ever wanted your anime daydreams to feel real — this is as close as it gets.Free cancellationTop ratedfromJP¥ 23,810View ›
Shinjuku: Wagyu & Sake Pairing Dinner with Multi-Course Menu
Shinjuku: Wagyu & Sake Pairing Dinner with Multi-Course Menu★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (174)3hYou’ll slip into a cozy spot in Shinjuku for an 8+ course wagyu & sake pairing dinner led by locals who know their stuff. Taste rare cuts prepared different ways, sip craft sake (including cocktails), and swap stories around the table as you learn what makes Japanese beef so special. It’s intimate, warm, and full of little surprises you’ll remember long after.Free cancellationfromJP¥ 22,500View ›
Tokyo: Sushi Making Class & Lunch with Local Instructors
Tokyo: Sushi Making Class & Lunch with Local Instructors★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (174)3hYou’ll join a small group in Tokyo for a hands-on sushi making class led by local instructors—rolling nigiri, crafting tamagoyaki, and sharing laughs over sticky rice attempts. Enjoy your creations with miso soup and fresh wasabi at the end. It’s not just about learning recipes—it’s about feeling part of something real for an afternoon.Free cancellationKids −23%fromJP¥ 11,000View ›
Tokyo: Private Custom Tour with Senso-ji, Tsukiji & Meiji Shrine
Tokyo: Private Custom Tour with Senso-ji, Tsukiji & Meiji Shrine★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (173)4h–8hYou’ll wander Tokyo’s neighborhoods with a local guide who actually listens to what you want to see—maybe washing your hands at Meiji Shrine or tasting fresh sashimi at Tsukiji Market. Expect laughter over street food, quiet moments under ancient trees, and a sense that you’re getting more than just photos out of your day.Free cancellationInfants freefromJP¥ 15,000View ›
Tsuchime Ring Workshop Tokyo Shibuya: Hammer your own design
Tsuchime Ring Workshop Tokyo Shibuya: Hammer your own design★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (173)1h 30mYou’ll shape your own custom ring in a cozy Shibuya studio using traditional Japanese Tankin tools, guided by local experts who help every step. Choose your favorite metal and texture, hammer out your design together or solo, then see it polished professionally before taking it home that day. It’s personal, hands-on, and leaves you with more than just a souvenir.Free cancellationBest valuefromJP¥ 3,850View ›
Ninja Experience Kyoto: Wear outfit & throw stars
Ninja Experience Kyoto: Wear outfit & throw stars★★★★★★★★★★ 4.53 (173)2hYou dress in a ninja outfit, learn stealth moves, throw shuriken and use a blowgun, then watch a sword master demonstrate real technique—all in one session at a Kyoto museum. Groups stay under twenty, photos are included, and the whole thing fits into a couple of hours without needing transport arranged.Is it for me?Right for families and solo travelers who want hands-on ninja training rather than just watching—the small group size and multiple activities mean you're actually doing something, not standing in a crowd. Plan for ninety minutes or so; that's what it takes to move through costume, training, weapons, and the sword demo without rushing.Free cancellationfromJP¥ 7,000View ›
Live Sumo Show & Kaiseki Dinner in Ginza, Tokyo
Live Sumo Show & Kaiseki Dinner in Ginza, Tokyo★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (173)2h 15mA live sumo show and kaiseki dinner in Ginza where you watch wrestlers on a full-scale dohyo ring while eating traditional Japanese cuisine. The performance is in English, runs about two hours and fifteen minutes, and includes a commemorative photo. Halal and vegan menus are available with advance notice, and children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?Choose the Standard Seat if you want the full experience at the base price, or upgrade to Premium if you prefer a better view of the dohyo and the meal refinements that come with it—both include everything you need to watch and eat without arranging anything separately.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickKids −39%fromJP¥ 19,000View ›
Tokyo: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Edo Castle Private Walk
Tokyo: Imperial Palace East Gardens & Edo Castle Private Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (172)2hYou’ll wander Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens with a local guide, tracing samurai footsteps past Edo Castle ruins and mossy moats. Feel centuries-old tension at guardhouses, pause among seasonal flowers in Ninomaru Garden, and stand atop the Tenshu foundation where history meets skyline—all at an easy pace with stories only locals share.Free cancellationInfants freefromJP¥ 9,900View ›
Tokyo: Cyberpunk Night Street Photo Tour in Shinjuku & Shibuya
Tokyo: Cyberpunk Night Street Photo Tour in Shinjuku & Shibuya★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (172)3hYou’ll wander neon-lit alleys of Shinjuku with a local photo guide, learn hands-on night street photography tricks in Kabukicho and Memory Lane, then ride the train to capture Shibuya Crossing after dark. Expect laughter over missed shots and real moments that linger long after you put your camera down.Free cancellationfromJP¥ 16,000View ›
Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama
Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (171)10hThis full-day Kyoto bus tour visits Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji Temple, and Arashiyama in a single itinerary, with an English-speaking guide, admission to three major sites, and air-conditioned transport included. At every stop, you get a short introduction from the guide, then choose: join a deeper guided walk to learn the history and meaning, or wander freely on your own. The flexibility means you're never locked into someone else's pace or interests.Is it for me?This tour works well for travelers who want to see Kyoto's major temples and shrines in a single day without arranging their own transport or buying tickets separately. The mix of guided storytelling and free time means you're not locked into someone else's pace—you can linger at the Golden Pavilion or the bamboo grove as long as you want, or move quickly through sites that don't grab you. Best for groups of mixed interests who want structure without rigidity.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromJP¥ 13,000View ›
Do you need help planning your next activity?