Tours & experiences

Tours in Japan

Small-group tours, day trips, cooking classes and multi-day adventures. Every tour vetted for traveller reviews first.

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Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka

★ 5.0 (593)

🏔 Adventure & Sports

Japan

Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka

A 2-hour beginner-friendly kendo class in a central Osaka dojo where you'll wear full traditional armour and learn basic sword techniques from English-speaking instructors. You'll train in an authentic martial arts space lined with samurai artefacts, practise footwork and posture with a bamboo sword (shinai), and finish with a supervised match-style session. No experience required, though experienced practitioners can spar against a titled kendo master. You'll leave with photos in full samurai gear.

Tokyo: Make Your Own Chopsticks Shibuya

A hands-on chopstick-crafting workshop in Shibuya where you'll shape, sand, and finish your own pair from timber within an hour. Located seven minutes from Shibuya Scramble Crossing, this one-hour class suits anyone after a practical souvenir they've made themselves—no woodworking experience needed. Choose from several timber types, and add custom engravings (¥1,000 extra) to personalise your chopsticks with a name, date, or message before taking them home.

Mt Fuji Area Private Guided Tours in English-Nature up close, quiet, personal

A 5–6 hour private guided tour of the Mt Fuji area led by a native English speaker and local resident. You'll travel by private van and on foot through Aokigahara Jukai Forest (a moss-covered lava rock woodland), visit Asama Shrine, Mother's White Waterfall, and Dragon Cave, and see Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Saiko from optimal vantage points. The pace is unhurried and designed for small-group comfort rather than rushing between stops.

5 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $455

Private Curated Tour | Get Tokyo’s Must Sees & Unique Insights

★ 5.0 (280)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private Curated Tour | Get Tokyo’s Must Sees & Unique Insights

A private guided tour of Tokyo's major districts—Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Odaiba, Akihabara—lasting 2 to 8 hours at your chosen pace. Your English-speaking guide includes transport between stops, a typical Japanese drink and snack, and photos at landmarks. Designed for small groups or individuals wanting local insights rather than coach-tour anonymity.

2 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $202

★ 5.0 (277)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Japan

Osaka: Hidden Backstreet Foodie Tour

A 3-hour backstreet food tour through Osaka's Uranamba neighbourhood, limited to 9 people per group. You'll taste around 13 dishes at local eateries with a professional guide who shares stories about the city's food culture and subcultures rather than reciting scripted facts. Includes 2 drinks. Best suited to food-curious travellers who want to eat where locals eat, not at tourist-oriented venues.

Ninja 2-hour Hands-on Lesson by Japanese master in Kyoto -Medium

A 2-hour hands-on ninja training session taught in English by a Japanese master at a traditional dojo in Kyoto. You'll learn authentic techniques including meditation, breathing control, martial arts footwork, and ninja-specific movement patterns whilst wearing period costume. This is a rare opportunity to train directly under a sensei who specialises in historical ninja arts, rather than a tourist performance or fitness class.

2 hoursfrom AUD $163

★ 5.0 (223)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Tokyo West-Side Cycling & Food Tour

A 3.5-hour small-group bike tour through Tokyo's west-side backstreets, riverside paths and neighbourhood laneways. You'll cycle roughly 12–15 km on salvaged Japanese bikes, stopping for street food from long-standing vendors and a casual salaryman-style lunch at a local eatery. This is exploratory riding away from tourist zones—expect narrow streets, uneven surfaces and a focus on local discovery over major landmarks or fine dining.

Tokyo: Shinjuku Calligraphy Workshop & Original T-Shirt Creation

A 90-minute calligraphy workshop in Shinjuku where you'll learn brush techniques from a professional artist and create a custom design to take home. You'll work with authentic tools to transform your name into kanji characters, then apply your design to a T-shirt you've brought or can purchase separately. The session is conducted in English and suits anyone aged from infants upwards, regardless of prior experience.

Tokyo: Gameboy Advance IPS Modding Workshop in Akihabara

A hands-on 3-hour workshop in Akihabara where you'll modify a Game Boy Advance with an IPS screen upgrade, guided by technicians familiar with retro gaming hardware. You'll leave with a custom, playable device—a functional souvenir that works immediately. Suited to retro gaming enthusiasts or anyone after a technical, practical craft experience with a finished product to take home.

Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

A 50-minute private tea ceremony and sake tasting in a 300-year-old samurai house, where you'll be the only group in the historic property. You'll learn traditional matcha preparation in an authentic tea room using organic Uji tea, with options to wear a silk kimono or handle a samurai katana for photos. Located just 8 minutes' walk from Kyoto Station, it's a concentrated cultural experience without the crowds of central temple districts.

Akihabara Tailor-made Private Tour for Anime Fans

A 3–4 hour private walking tour of Akihabara designed for anime fans who want guided access to the neighbourhood's shops, cafés, and less-obvious spots. You'll meet your guide (a self-described local otaku) at JR Akihabara station, get a welcome drink, and visit handpicked locations—including a recommended maid café—tailored to whatever anime merchandise or experiences are on your list. Best suited if you come with a rough wishlist of what you're after.

3 hours – 4 hoursfrom AUD $179

Kyoto Gion Walk with Local: Culture & Geisha World

★ 5.0 (173)

🛕 Culture & History

Japan

Kyoto Gion Walk with Local: Culture & Geisha World

A 2-hour guided walk through Kyoto's Gion district led by a long-time local resident who unpacks the history, customs, and day-to-day reality of geisha culture. Rather than a photographic sprint through famous streets, you'll move at a relaxed pace and hear insider detail about how geisha training, hierarchies, and social rules actually work—plus the broader cultural forces that shaped this neighbourhood. Geisha encounters aren't guaranteed, but understanding their world is.

Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience

A two-hour hands-on class where you cook Osaka's signature takoyaki using a local guide's recipe — featuring wagyu and cheese fillings — then taste 10+ varieties of sake with a sommelier who trained as a brewer. You'll learn sake history, production methods, and how to identify quality bottles, then eat what you've made. It's the rare experience that combines both cooking and serious tasting in one session.

Gion Night Tour Stories of Geisha and Maiko

A two-hour walking tour through Kyoto's Gion district at dusk, exploring the neighbourhood's geisha and maiko culture with a local guide. You'll walk quieter streets as evening falls, spot geishas heading to appointments, and learn to read the cultural markers—teahouse signs, alley traditions—that define this historic district. Groups stay small (up to 15 people), and the pace suits all fitness levels.

Game Boy Mod Workshop in Akihabara, Tokyo

A 2-hour hands-on workshop where you'll modify a classic Game Boy with a backlit IPS screen and custom shell in Akihabara. You'll learn the handheld's technical history, choose your shell colour, and walk away with a working, personalised console ready to play original cartridges. Guides are English-speaking retro gaming enthusiasts, and the vibe is collaborative rather than lecture-based.

Kamakura Walking Tour - The City of Shogun

A 3.5-hour guided walking tour through Kamakura's temples, shrines and coastal views. You'll visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the Kamakura Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple with a guide who explains their historical and cultural significance. Small-group format means a more personalized pace than solo wandering, though you'll need to budget separately for entry fees (around 1,200 yen total) and local transport to reach the starting point.

3h 30mfrom AUD $50

★ 5.0 (140)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private car tour in Kyoto (up to 4)

A private seven-hour car tour of Kyoto for up to four people, where you work with local driver Kosuke to build an itinerary around your interests. You'll cover ground by vehicle with stops at sites of your choosing, avoiding the hassle of public transport or navigating on foot. Best booked for at least two days if you want depth, and suited to those wanting flexibility and a personalised pace rather than a fixed group route.

Become a Samurai Movie Star in Kyoto by Filming with a Real Actor

A 70-minute samurai acting experience at Myokaku-ji Temple in Kyoto where you'll learn sword techniques from a real samurai actor, perform a scripted scene, and walk away with professional video footage of yourself. You're costumed, guided through authentic movements, and filmed as the lead — no acting experience needed. The temple's historic grounds (once visited by warlord Oda Nobunaga) provide the backdrop; the actor leading the session is actively working in Japanese period drama.

Harajuku Meiji Shrine Walking Tour in Tokyo

A 2-hour guided walk through Harajuku's cultural landmarks, starting at JR Harajuku Station and finishing at Omotesando. You'll visit Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street and Tokyu Plaza with a local guide who contextualises Tokyo's blend of traditional and contemporary street culture. Small group size keeps the pace manageable and personal. Admission is included; the route is fully wheelchair accessible.

Kyoto: Zen Garden, Zen Mind (Private)

A 3.5-hour private walking tour through three temple gardens at Nanzen-ji Monastery in Kyoto, led by a landscape designer with 15 years' experience. You'll move through carefully composed gardens whilst learning the design principles, symbolism and philosophical intent behind Japanese garden art—the kind of contextual knowledge that transforms how you read any garden you visit afterwards. Suits anyone curious about Japanese aesthetics or garden design, whether you're a returning visitor or first-timer.

3h 30mfrom AUD $540

Explore Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour with Local Guide

★ 5.0 (131)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Explore Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour with Local Guide

A 5–6 hour private walking and bus tour of Kanazawa led by a local guide with 23 years' experience in the city. You'll plan the itinerary together before the tour — choose from Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, Higashi Chaya District, or lesser-known spots. The guide is a practising nurse and can assist if you feel unwell during the tour. Travel is by foot and local buses, with water provided.

5 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $206

Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo

★ 5.0 (131)

🛕 Culture & History

Japan

Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo

A 2-hour kendo class in Tokyo where you learn the martial art rooted in samurai tradition and Bushido philosophy. You'll wear full kendo gear, handle a bamboo sword, and work with a guide to understand how this living practice preserves samurai spirit through disciplined, repetitive movement. This is aimed at people seeking genuine cultural insight rather than a surface-level tourist activity — no prior martial arts experience needed, but genuine curiosity and self-reflection do.

Coffee on a Kayak with Mt. Fuji - Early Morning

A 1.5-hour early morning kayak on Lake Kawaguchiko with Mt. Fuji as your backdrop and hot coffee or tea in hand. You'll paddle on calm water before sunrise or in soft light, spotting wildlife like swans and cormorants, with an English-speaking guide sharing local history. No kayaking experience required — the operator walks beginners through each step and supplies photos as a memento. The shop sits 15 minutes' walk from Kawaguchiko Station, making it straightforward to slot into a Tokyo day trip.

Cozy Tokyo Class: Ramen, Sushi, Sake Pairing & Cultural Exchange

A 2.5–3 hour cooking class in Tokyo where you'll make ramen and either sushi or gyoza from scratch, paired with sake chosen to match each dish. Small groups with English-speaking Japanese hosts create a relaxed setting focused on both technique and the cultural story behind what you're cooking. Families with children are welcome, and the class works well for milestone celebrations.

Kyoto: Zen Meditation at a Private Temple with a Monk

A 90-minute private Zen meditation session at a closed temple in Kyoto, led by an English-speaking monk. You'll learn seated meditation (zazen) techniques, practise under guidance, then explore the temple's traditional garden. The temple doesn't admit general visitors, so you get an quieter, less touristy setting than public meditation spaces. Matcha tea and Japanese snacks are included. Suitable for any fitness level.

Experience all of Japanese culture and Japanese food experience classes "origami, udon, Japanese food, green tea, calligraphy" in 4 hours

A 4-hour cultural and cooking class at a private home where you'll learn origami, hand-roll udon noodles, prepare sushi and tempura, experience matcha tea ceremony with Japanese sweets, and receive a calligraphy souvenir with your name. Suits anyone wanting a hands-on introduction to Japanese traditions in an intimate, family-run setting. Vegetarian and vegan options available for all dishes.

Near Fushimiinari: Kyoto Home Cooking Class & Supermarket tour

A 4-hour cooking class in a traditional Japanese home near Fushimi Inari where you'll prepare and eat lunch, then tour a local supermarket to learn where to source ingredients. Maximum 6 people per session, with English-speaking instruction covering fundamental Japanese seasonings and techniques. You'll leave with recipes to recreate the dishes at home.

Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walk & Maiko Meeting

A 2-hour guided walk through Gion, Kyoto's historic geisha district, followed by a live performance and Q&A with an actual maiko. You'll learn about geisha customs and training through your guide's commentary on atmospheric stone-paved streets, then spend an hour in direct conversation with a performer. Suits anyone curious about Japanese cultural traditions without needing meals or extended time commitment.

2 hoursfrom AUD $118

Chill Out in Tokyo: Personalized Private Tours with Local Friends

★ 5.0 (108)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Chill Out in Tokyo: Personalized Private Tours with Local Friends

A private walking tour of Tokyo tailored to your interests, led by a local guide keen to show you beyond the typical tourist spots. Runs 2–4 hours and includes pickup from your chosen meeting point, with some public transport used to move between neighbourhoods. You'll navigate the city on foot and by train or bus, discovering quieter corners and local knowledge that rarely make guidebooks. Food, transport costs and gratuities are separate.

2 hours – 4 hoursfrom AUD $143

Half-day Himeji Castle Town Bike Tour with Lunch

★ 5.0 (102)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Half-day Himeji Castle Town Bike Tour with Lunch

A 5.5-hour guided bike tour through Himeji's castle town, starting from Himeji Station. You'll climb the iconic White Egret Castle, visit a centuries-old sweets shop, cycle past key landmarks, and eat lunch at a local restaurant. The tour includes castle and garden entry, a certified guide, bike rental, and tea in Kokoen Daimyo Garden — a good fit for moderate cyclists aged 12+ wanting to see the castle without a full day of walking.

Shamisen Experience in Kyoto 【Private】

A 90-minute private shamisen lesson at a traditional dojo in Kyoto with an instructor who has 20 years' experience. You'll learn enough in the first 30 minutes to play a recognisable Japanese song, then move into a meditative session in an authentic wooden house setting. English-language shamisen tuition is rare in Japan, making this a genuine access point to the instrument rather than a tourist performance.

1h 30mfrom AUD $134

Private Osaka Tour from Your Hotel with Local Guide

★ 5.0 (96)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private Osaka Tour from Your Hotel with Local Guide

A 3–5 hour private walking tour of Osaka led by an English-speaking local guide who meets you at your hotel. You'll explore landmarks like Osaka Castle and the street-food energy of Shinsekai, with the itinerary tailored to your interests. The guide navigates you via public transport (trains and subway) to each stop, so you're not locked into a set route—you decide what matters to you.

3 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $152

Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking- Kyoto morning

★ 5.0 (96)

🛕 Culture & History

Japan

Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking- Kyoto morning

A 1-hour hands-on washi papermaking workshop in Kyoto where you'll learn kamisuki, the traditional technique of forming paper from natural fibres. You'll arrange seasonal flowers onto wet sheets and take home your finished piece—postcards, wall art, or lampshade material. No experience needed; the workshop sits a short walk from central Kyoto metro stops.

1 hourfrom AUD $45

Private Customizable Walking Tour of Tokyo

★ 5.0 (90)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private Customizable Walking Tour of Tokyo

A private walking tour of Tokyo tailored to your interests and pace, lasting 4–8 hours with morning, afternoon or evening start times. You'll explore major sights and quieter neighbourhoods on foot and by public transport, learning about Japanese culture, history and local life. The guide adjusts the route based on what matters to you—food, architecture, WW2 history, anime, street art or neighbourhood character—making it ideal for first-timers wanting a curated overview or travellers with specific passions.

4 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $287

Asakusa Classic Ramen & Crispy Gyoza Cooking Class

★ 5.0 (90)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Japan

Asakusa Classic Ramen & Crispy Gyoza Cooking Class

A 3-hour cooking class in Asakusa where you'll make ramen from scratch and hand-fold gyoza, set in Tokyo's original ramen neighbourhood. You'll work through both dishes in a single session, using natural ingredients with no MSG, and walk away with recipes to recreate them at home. The class suits anyone keen to learn Japanese cooking fundamentals in a hands-on format, regardless of prior experience.

3 hoursfrom AUD $177

★ 5.0 (86)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private car tour in Kyoto (up to 9)

A seven-hour private car tour of Kyoto for up to nine people, fully customisable to your interests. You'll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver who can tailor the itinerary based on what you want to see — temples, gardens, neighbourhoods, markets, or a mix. Parking is covered; admission fees and meals aren't. Two days recommended if you want to see Kyoto properly.

Tsukiji Fish Market: Street Food Tour with Tasting

A 90-minute guided food tour through Tsukiji Fish Market, one of the world's largest wholesale seafood hubs. You'll taste seven dishes—sushi or seafood rice bowl, Wagyu beef skewer, breaded Wagyu cutlet, sweet omelette, grilled eel, dumpling, and strawberry dessert—while learning about artisan knife work, umami-building techniques, and the market's place in Japanese culinary history. A curated wasabi selection accompanies tastings to deepen flavour.

1h 30mfrom AUD $134

Harajuku Private Tour: Kawaii Fashion & Animal Cafe Included

★ 5.0 (84)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Harajuku Private Tour: Kawaii Fashion & Animal Cafe Included

A 4-hour guided walk through Harajuku's fashion and pop culture heart, centred on Takeshita Street and animal cafés. You'll visit a café known for intricate 3D latte art, spend time at an owl café, and finish at Kawaii Land Kyun Kyun to interact with hamsters, hedgehogs and other small animals. Suits anyone curious about Tokyo's youth culture and casual animal encounters, though it's not a deep dive into fashion history or animal education.

Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori

A three-hour hands-on cooking class in Osaka where you'll knead ramen dough from scratch, simmer a chicken bone broth from the start, and craft gyoza alongside an English-speaking instructor. You'll choose your own toppings and take home the recipes—ideal for anyone curious about the technique behind this globally popular dish rather than just eating it.

Shibuya Photo Shoot in Tokyo

A one-hour guided photo shoot through Shibuya with a professional photographer capturing candid moments of you against Tokyo's iconic streets and atmosphere. You'll visit famous landmarks and quieter local spots, focusing on natural, relaxed shots rather than posed portraits — ideal if you're camera-shy. Receive 35–45 professionally retouched photos within 48 hours.

1 hourfrom AUD $171

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