Top Tokyo Cultural Tours

Step back in time to ancient Tokyo during this exploration of the city’s historic Yanaka district. Discover a different side of the sprawling Japanese capital that dates back to its Edo period of the 16th through 19th centuries, admiring the area’s charming mix of temples, springtime cherry blossoms, and timeless ‘reien’ (cemetery). A guide accompanies you on your visit, providing additional details about Japanese history and local culture.

Discover Tokyo accompanied by an experienced, private guide who shares the modern and traditional sides of the dynamic Japanese capital. Navigate the city's complex, yet efficient, subway system with your guide as you visit famous sites including the outer Tsukiji fish market, the traditional town of Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine. Stroll down Takeshita Street in Harajuku — home to Japan's youth and pop culture, and indulge in lunch on route (depending on option selected). This private tour can also be customized to suit your interests.

Get an inside look into Japan’s ancient, traditional national sport: sumo wrestling. Travelers can find it hard to gain access to the wrestlers’ stables without local help. On this morning training tour you’ll see the athletes practicing, close up. Enjoy this exclusive insight into Japanese culture and history through this fascinating sport.

Take a deep dive into the world of Japanese seafood during this tour of the outer Tsukiji Fish Market. Rub shoulders with Michelin-starred chefs as they shop for ingredients at this sprawling, 80-year-old market for all things aquatic. Investigate the various stalls selling fish, shellfish, and everything in between, and sample Japanese favorites such as sushi, fresh Tuna, and sake. A local guide and all food on the tour are included.

Discover Tokyo at your own pace on this 4- or 8-hour private, custom tour with guide. Design a tour that’s perfect for your interests. There’s a world of options, including the outer fish market at Tsukiji, the city’s temples and shrines, shopping excursions and food or sake tours. Your private custom tour includes a guide, entrance fees at select attractions, snacks, round-trip transport from your hotel with meet-and-greet and a car (for the private transfer option), or public transport (for the public transfer) and optional lunch (for the full-day tour).

-Get insights into Harajuku pop-culture and fashion!- we'll head to a shopping street filled with Harajuku pop culture. Here, you can enjoy not only shopping, but also fancy sweets like crepes, pancakes, and cotton candy. At the end of the shopping street, you can snap fun purikura (sticker photos) with your guide. -Enjoy a colorful lunch in the Kawaii Monster Café- Here, you can have colorful pasta and cakes, and, if you are lucky enough, you can also watch a fun, entertaining show performed by “monsters” in the cafe! -Take a peaceful walk around Meiji Shrine- Meiji shrine is the embodiment of tranquility, with 365 different species of trees to be found among the 100,000 that dot the grounds. It acts as a relaxing contrast to the fast-paced, busy streets of Harajuku. Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!

Find the best viewpoints on this private tour from Tokyo via minivan. Choose between visiting Mt. Fuji or Hakone and relax as your guide navigates twisting mountain roads with ease en route to sites such as Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Ashi, and Arakurayama Sengen Park. This full-day tour also includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide available in several languages, and the possibility to curate your trip to suit your interests—a privilege only allowed by a private tour.

Take a closer look at the fascinating world of sushi, extending from the ocean to your plate, during this 4-hour sushi-making class and a visit to the outer Tsukiji fish market. Tour one of the world’s largest seafood markets with a guide as you learn how fish is caught, distributed, and sold. Then turn your attention to sushi-making, learning to prepare nigiri sushi with the help of a sushi master. Finish your experience by enjoying your creations for lunch.

First-time visitors to Tokyo who want a comprehensive overview of the city will love this handy private tour. Experience both modern and ancient Tokyo at attractions like the Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and more. Foodies will be kept satisfied with lunch at the Tsukiji Fish Market, and shopaholics will love Asakusa and Ginza. Customize the tour to suit your needs.

Orient yourself on your first day in Tokyo, and see the city through the eyes of a local. During this customized tour with your personal host, learn how to navigate and use Tokyo’s transport system. Choose from the city’s most famous attractions, or explore up-and-coming neighborhoods. Understand cultural practices, find the best places to eat, and get advice on Tokyo’s nightlife scene.

Explore Tokyo by electric bike on this guided adventure. Choose your ideal ride time—morning and afternoon—then hit the streets with a local cyclist and check out spots like Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Asakusa, Imperial Palace, and Ryogoku. Discover the city’s history, architecture, subcultures, and off-the-beaten spots on a fun ride around Japan’s capital city.

Explore the best that Tokyo has to offer on a full-day private sightseeing tour. Choose from a set itinerary or customize your own with your English-speaking driver to see the locations of the most interest to you. Visit key landmarks like Sensoji Temple, the Skytree building, the Shibuya crossing and more as you listen to commentary about the history and culture of the city.

Get acquainted with a real-life geisha during a cultural experience in Tokyo. An intimate encounter designed for travelers interested in Japanese culture, this tour includes a geisha performance, traditionally featuring songs, dances, and games, and refreshments such as tea and sweets. Learn about the history of the geisha and upgrade to include lunch and unlimited drinks.

See Tokyo like a local with this trip around town, complete with a local host. You'll get to visit many of the city's top attractions and off-the-beaten-track gems, with stops to eat and drink at local cafes. Your guide will also be on hand to give you advice and recommendations as you plan for the rest of your trip.  

Explore the electric nighttime atmosphere of Tokyo during this 2.5-hour, small-group evening photography tour. Learn from a professional photographer guide how to use a tripod to capture long exposures of traffic light trails streaming through the city. Wander the neon-tinged streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Shibuya, learning tips for composition and technique along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for great shots and you’re sure to capture some great images of both the city’s iconic and lesser-known sights. This personalized, small-group excursion, limited to just 6 participants, also offers an optional tripod rental upgrade.

Discover the history and traditions of Asakusa on a half-day tour of this older part of Tokyo. Get an in-depth experience as you ride through the district by rickshaw, then stroll along the main shopping street where you sample traditional Japanese snacks. Stop into the famous Sensoji temple, then head to Kappabashi Kitchen street. Finish the tour at a traditional restaurant where you learn to make okonomiyaki (savory pancake).

Go beyond the typical dining establishments frequented by tourists and get a real taste of local life on this guided food tour in Tokyo. In the company of a local host, discover local ingredients and dishes you have never heard of, and visit eateries you'd never find on your own. Eat your way around the city, visiting 6-8 different places that might include from side street yakitori, tiny sushi joints, and lively izakaya, while your host shares insights into Tokyo food culture.

Ultra-modern Tokyo still holds many old-fashioned surprises when you know where to go. On this 3-hour walking tour in the Ningyocho and Nihonbashi districts, your local guide shares hidden gems such as long-established shops that carry traditional musical instruments and incense. Learn about classic Japanese art forms and see vendors with stationery, calligraphy materials, gold-leaf decor and more. You'll also taste some favorite snacks while exploring a lesser-known side of Tokyo, traveling with a small group limited to 12 people for a personalized experience.

Travelers wanting to learn more about Japanese cuisine shouldn't miss this fun tour of Tokyo's enormous Tsukiji Fish Market. Your local guide will take you to the most interesting parts of the market, while telling you all about its history and significance. Sample a variety of food, including but not limited to fish and seafood. Come hungry, and hang around afterwards to explore further on your own.

Get an intimate look at Tokyo during this bike tour. Discover the city’s hidden paths and top landmarks, cycling beneath the skyscrapers of Shinjuku to a local shrine and exploring neighborhoods like Ginza and Roppongi Hills. Pass landmarks like Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park, and the Imperial Palace before ending at the top of the 48-story Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. A guide, bike, and helmet are included.

Spend some time with one of our hosts exploring the neon-lit city of Tokyo together. Maybe you’d like to discover the highlights of the neighborhood you’re staying in, or simply stroll through the lantern-lined lanes of Tokyo’s older districts. Action-lovers might be keen to catch a sumo match, or alternatively, get sky high and enjoy sushi with a view. There's no place quite like Tokyo, trust us. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded local host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Get pumped for the Olympics with this insider’s walking tour of Harajuku and Omotesando, covering landmarks like Yoyogi Stadium. Tours are fully customizable, offering a mix of top attractions and under-the-radar sites, overlooked by most tourists. Browse the boutiques along Tokyo’s own “Rodeo Drive,” stop for a coffee along atmospheric backstreets, and listen to an enriching primer on the city’s vibrant architectural history from your own private guide.

Climb aboard a traditional Japanese rickshaw for an unforgettable view of the Asakusa district in Tokyo. Your knowledgeable guide will steer you to some of Tokyo’s many iconic sites, districts, temples and shrines while illuminating the history behind them all. Enjoy scenic views of maple and cherry trees, gardens, soaring skyscrapers, and traditional businesses. If you’re looking for a carefree, customizable way to see Tokyo, this is it. Apart from the above courses, we have other special course for guests who really want to get away from the city. If you have already seen the crowds and buildings in Tokyo, let’s get away from that and enjoy the view across the sumida river and go into places where you can refresh your mind under the quiet trees and monument of Asahi beer headquarter! We shall go across the bridge to the peaceful area of sumida park and Ushijima shrine where you can enjoy the Japanese garden park and lucky fortune cow shrine.

Experience Kamakura’s nature and history with a local host on this all-day excursion. After a complimentary train trip from Tokyo, enjoy a custom-crafted itinerary in this one-time capital of medieval Japan. Explore beautiful Shinto shrines in the forest, marvel at brilliant cherry blossoms, and admire the “Great Buddha,” a massive, nearly 800-year-old bronze sculpture of Amida Buddha.