Top Tokyo Historical Tours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Enjoy sightseeing near Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji, including a Lake Ashi cruise and visit to Mt. Komagatake during this full-day trip by coach from Tokyo. See the celebrated Mt. Fuji during a stop at its famous 5th Station, then take a laid-back boat cruise on beautiful Lake Ashi before touring Mt. Komagatake’s ropeway and summit, offering amazing views of nearby Hakone National Park. This full-day excursion also includes all entrance fees, free WiFi on the bus, a guide, lunch, and pickup from select Tokyo hotels.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

This half-day tour is an ideal choice for time-tight travelers visiting Tokyo. Avoid the hassle of navigating by having a private guide to take you around the city. A perk of the tour is that you won’t waste time going to sights that don’t interest you, as the route can be customized. A sample itinerary may include Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Shibuya Crossing, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Imperial Palace, and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

A chauffeured private tour is the perfect way to see Tokyo if you have a limited time or want to get your bearings in the city. Enjoy round trip transportation from your accommodation in a luxury vehicle. Relax on a full day excursion that showcases the diversity of Tokyo, from its high tech present to its traditional roots. Customize the tour to your must-see locations.

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.

Enhance your experience of Nikko National Park on an enriching full-day excursion from Tokyo. Feast your eyes upon breathtaking countryside, sacred shrines, and stunning temples as you explore the region with an accomplished guide. Visit Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to Shinto worship, and hear about the structure’s fascinating history. Opt for the upgrade to pleasure your palate with a traditional Japanese lunch, and then absorb the natural splendor of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Plus, enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from Tokyo on this comprehensive tour.

Explore the steel and glass jungle of Tokyo in a new light during this photography workshop. Improve your composition techniques with the help of a local photographer who joins you on an adventure in two Tokyo neighborhoods: Shimbashi and Ginza. Capture skyscraper-strewn landscapes and dramatic views of the city’s architecture. This small-group photography experience, perfect for novices and experts alike, is limited to six participants.

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.  

Spend a day exploring Mount Fuji and the area around it with this private, fully customizable tour. Your English-speaking driver will pick you up from your central Tokyo hotel and take you to spots such as the Sengen Shrine Complex, Kawaguchiko Lake, the Kachi Kachi Ropeway, Oshino Hakkai, and a trip up to the Mount Fuji Fifth Station, if weather permits.

If you want to get the most out of your time in Japan—this is the way to do it. Your 3-day tour takes you to Mt. Fuji, experience the thrill of a bullet train, see multiple UNESCO-listed sites in Kyoto, visit the deer park in Nara, and much more. You have a stress-free experience with accommodation and transport organized for you, and a guide to navigate. 

-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!

Learn to draw manga from a professional manga artist in Nakano. During this class, use the manga tools provided to you, such as screen tone, manga pens and ink and manga paper. Whether you're just starting out or a practicing manga artist who would like to hone your skills, the instructor will tailor their teaching to your skills. Take home your completed piece of art as a souvenir.