Things to do in Japan
Day Trips from Tokyo8 optionsDay Trips from Osaka15 optionsMount Fuji Tours17 optionsDay Trips from Kyoto31 optionsGo Kart Tour Tokyo19 optionsShibuya Tour20 optionsTokyo City Tour10 optionsTokyo Imperial Palace Tour56 optionsAkihabara Tour34 optionsBike Tour Kyoto15 optionsHimeji Castle Tours28 optionsTokyo Walking Tour184 options
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Asakusa: Make Your Own Japanese Knife & Engrave HandleYou'll put on a protective haori, learn knife history from a Japanese master over tea, choose your blade type and size, sharpen it by hand in a meditative process, engrave your name or sakura design on the magnolia handle, and hammer it together. English-speaking staff guide you throughout, and you leave with a finished custom knife plus a key-holder. The whole session takes 2–3 hours and includes all materials and refreshments.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants a hands-on craft experience in Tokyo without needing prior skill—the master handles the teaching, and you walk out with a real tool you made yourself, not a class certificate or a kit to finish at home.
Mt. Fuji & Kawaguchiko: 5th Station Day Trip with CruiseYou’ll breathe crisp mountain air at Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, ride a sightseeing cruise on Lake Kawaguchi beneath those famous peaks, and have time to wander or relax by the water—with lunch and pickup included if you want it. Expect small surprises: local snacks, warm tea in cold hands, and views that linger long after you’re back in Tokyo.
Osaka: Private Walking Tour, Castle & Dotonbori with PickupYou’ll wander Osaka’s buzzing neighborhoods on foot with a local guide who tailors everything to your interests—whether that means exploring Osaka Castle’s quiet corners or getting lost in neon-lit Dotonbori. Expect hidden alleyways, snacks you might not recognize (but should try), and real conversations along the way. It’s less about sightseeing and more about feeling connected—even if your Japanese is terrible.
Sushi Making Class in Kyoto: Small-Group Workshop near GionThis small-group sushi-making class in Kyoto takes place in a beautifully restored historic townhouse near Kiyomizu-dera and Gion, limited to 8 guests for hands-on instruction from a Japanese teacher. You learn to season rice properly, shape nigiri with premium fish hand-selected that morning, and roll maki, then eat the sushi you've made. The class runs 90 minutes and includes an English-speaking instructor, apron and gloves, and the full meal you prepare.Is it for me?The class is taught in English by a Japanese instructor, so you follow every step and can ask questions as you work. If you want to learn sushi technique properly rather than watch a demo, the small group and 90-minute pace let you build real skill instead of rushing through the motions.
Chopstick Making Workshop Kyoto: Take Home Your Own PairA chopstick-making workshop in Kyoto's Arashiyama district where you select from over 12 types of wood, shape and finish your own pair with hand tools, and leave with a wrapped souvenir the same day. An English-speaking host guides you through the process at your own pace, teaching the cultural significance of chopsticks in Japan along the way. The experience takes about an hour and suits individuals, families, and groups of any fitness level.Is it for me?The host speaks fluent English throughout, so you follow every step of the instruction comfortably whether you're traveling solo, with family, or in a group—no language barrier between you and the making itself.
Tokyo Bay: Yakatabune Dinner Cruise with Shamisen & DrinksYou’ll slip off your shoes and settle onto tatami mats as Tokyo’s neon skyline unfolds beyond paper lanterns. Listen to live shamisen music drifting over sukiyaki beef (or veggie) dinner while Rainbow Bridge glows outside your window. This Tokyo Bay yakatabune cruise includes drinks and local stories—just enough time to let city life fade away for an evening.
Hiroshima: Morning Bike Tour Peace Park, Dome & ShukkeienYou’ll pedal through Hiroshima’s riverside paths with a local guide, pausing for reflection at Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome before rolling on to Hiroshima Castle and tranquil Shukkeien Garden. Expect moments of quiet emotion, real stories from locals, and enough small surprises to linger long after you’ve left.
Osaka: Samurai Kendo Training & Full Armor ExperienceYou spend the session learning Kendo basics in a real dojo, wearing authentic uniform and protective armor, under English-speaking instruction. The experience includes an introduction to Samurai culture and Bushidō, practice with the Shinai, and a supervised match-style session. You'll have access to showers and changing facilities, and time to photograph yourself in full gear before heading back into Osaka City.Is it for me?This is for anyone who wants to understand Japanese martial tradition through doing it, not reading about it—the hands-on format and English instruction mean you'll leave with real muscle memory of the techniques, not just a story.
Osaka Night Food Tour: Street Eats & Hozenji Alley WalkYou’ll wander Osaka’s lively streets after dark, tasting takoyaki straight from sizzling grills and slipping into lantern-lit alleys where locals make quiet wishes at Hozenji Temple. Watch knife artisans pack up shop along Doguyasuji Street and catch the last bursts of market life at Kuromon Ichiba—all with an English-speaking guide who knows every shortcut and story.
Tokyo: Samurai Sword Lesson & Edo-Style Dojo ExperienceYou’ll slip into samurai gear inside an Edo-style dojo in Tokyo and learn real sword moves from instructors who’ve worked in Japanese films. Try your hand at choreographed battles (with music!), explore displays of swords and armor, and take home photos or videos as proof you gave it a shot. The memory kind of lingers — it’s not something you forget quickly.
Tokyo: Private Tour with Driver & Customizable StopsYou get a full day of Tokyo's main landmarks—temples, towers, gardens, markets, and neighborhoods—without arranging transport between them or timing yourself against a group schedule. The driver speaks English, knows the stories behind each stop, and adjusts the route to match your interests. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with water and Wi-Fi. Book this if you want flexibility and local knowledge without the fixed-group pace.Is it for me?Book this if you're traveling as a group and want to see Tokyo's main landmarks without coordinating public transport, waiting for group departures, or following a fixed schedule—the private car and flexible route are what let you spend time where it matters to you instead of rushing between stops.
Hiroshima Peace & History Tour: Atomic bomb context and sitesA 2.5-hour walking tour of Hiroshima led by a local English-speaking guide that examines the historical, political, and military circumstances leading to the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945, rather than offering a simple narrative. The tour moves through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and other sites including Hiroshima Castle and the Children's Peace Monument, with space for reflection on how the city rebuilt itself into a symbol of peace. The guide facilitates open discussion and provides context without judgment, suited for travelers seeking depth beyond headlines.Is it for me?This tour is built for travelers who want to understand the historical and political reasoning behind the bombing, not just see the ruins. The guide's role is to provide context and facilitate reflection, which means you leave with a more complex picture than a standard memorial visit offers.
Kyoto Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari & Golden PavilionYou’ll pedal through Kyoto’s backstreets and bamboo groves, guided by a local who knows every shortcut and story. Taste fresh bakery treats, pause under golden temple roofs, wander Gion’s narrow lanes and climb toward Kiyomizu-dera for city views you won’t forget. End with the hush of Fushimi Inari’s red torii—all with snacks, lunch and entry fees sorted.
Tokyo: Japanese Language Exchange & Locals Meetup ShibuyaYou sit in a small group with local Japanese people and other travelers, rotating through four or five different partners. Fifteen minutes of English conversation, then fifteen minutes of Japanese, with topic cards to guide you. No Japanese skills required. The event ends with a group photo, and many participants go out together afterward.Is it for me?Right for solo travelers who want to meet locals and practice languages without pressure or prior skills. The structured format and rotating groups mean you'll have multiple real conversations in two hours, and most people end up making plans to meet again afterward.
Kyoto: Zen Meditation & Garden Tour with Shojin LunchYou’ll step quietly into Kyoto’s Tofukuji Temple for a real Zen meditation session led by monks, wander through peaceful gardens with your guide explaining every detail, then share a traditional Buddhist lunch together. Expect moments of silence—and maybe some laughter over lunch—that linger long after you leave.
Kyoto bar crawl tour: Local izakayas and hidden alleysA guided bar crawl through Kyoto's Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi neighborhoods takes you to real izakayas and hidden bars, with a local guide who helps you order and translates the menu. The tour runs three hours, includes photos taken during the night, and connects you with the people and places that make up Kyoto's actual nightlife instead of the packaged version.Is it for me?Book the private tour if you want the guide's full attention and the freedom to set your own pace through the bars; choose the group tour if you're open to meeting other travelers and splitting costs at each stop makes the evening feel more social.
Yanaka Walking Tour Tokyo: Temples & Cherry BlossomsYou walk through Yanaka's temples, cemetery, and old shopping streets with a small group and English-speaking guide, seeing how Tokyo looked before the skyscrapers. The 3.5 hours include photos and guide fees; optional tea ceremony and museum visits cost extra. Afternoon tours also pass a contemporary art gallery and a traditional painting studio. Plan for moderate walking on uneven streets.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see Tokyo's older side without the crowds and noise of central districts, and who can handle 3.5 hours of walking on narrow, uneven streets. The small group size (under 8) is what keeps the pace relaxed and the guide's attention personal.
Kabukicho Ninja & Kabuki Tokyo: 80-Min Live ShowYou'll watch an 80-minute non-verbal performance blending traditional Kabuki, ninja artistry, and taiko drumming with contemporary lighting and visual effects. The show is supervised by Olympic Ceremony maestro Tanaka Denjiro and the Japan Ninja Council. Three daily showtimes (2pm, 4pm, 6pm) fit easily into a Shinjuku afternoon. Admission is included; the venue is all-weather and accessible by public transport.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see a side of Kabuki that doesn't require language or prior knowledge—the non-verbal format means the performance lands the same way whether it's your first time in Tokyo or your tenth, and the 80-minute length fits neatly into an afternoon without eating your whole day.
Tokyo Private Tour by Vehicle & English-Speaking ChauffeurYou get a private vehicle and English-speaking driver for the day, picked up from your hotel and dropped back there whenever you finish. Choose from a set itinerary hitting Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku, or build your own route. Pocket wifi and water are included; lunch is on you. The pace and stops are yours to decide.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see Tokyo's main landmarks without the rigidity of a group tour or the hassle of navigating public transport and timing themselves. The private vehicle and flexible schedule let you linger where you want and skip what doesn't interest you.
Tokyo: Meiji Shrine Walking Tour & Shinto Rituals ExplainedYou’ll walk through ancient cypress gates into Meiji Shrine’s quiet forest with a small group and local guide. Learn simple Shinto rituals, see colorful sake barrels and ema wishes up close, and try hand purification yourself. The calm here feels different—like you’re pausing Tokyo for a while.
Destinations
- Akita Prefecture›
- Aomori Prefecture›
- Chiba Prefecture›
- Chubu›
- Ehime Prefecture›
- Fukuoka Prefecture›
- Fukushima Prefecture›
- Gunma Prefecture›
- Hiroshima Prefecture›
- Hokkaido›
- Ibaraki Prefecture›
- Iwate Prefecture›
- Kagawa Prefecture›
- Kagoshima Prefecture›
- Kanagawa Prefecture›
- Kansai›
- Kanto›
- Kochi Prefecture›
- Kumamoto Prefecture›
- Kyushu›
- Mie Prefecture›
- Miyagi Prefecture›
- Nagasaki Prefecture›
- Oita Prefecture›
- Okayama Prefecture›
- Okinawa›
- Saga Prefecture›
- Saitama Prefecture›
- Shimane Prefecture›
- Tochigi Prefecture›
- Tokushima Prefecture›
- Tokyo Prefecture›
- Tottori Prefecture›
- Yamagata Prefecture›
- Yamaguchi Prefecture›
