Top Tokyo Unique Experiences

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.

Take a fascinating 'deep dive' into Japanese seafood cuisine during this combination walking tour of Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and cooking class. Shop for the freshest ingredients amidst the labyrinth-style aisles of Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, showcasing everything from sushi-grade tuna to octopus tentacles. Then head to the largest gourmet cooking school in Asia as you learn to prepare traditional-style ‘washoku’ food items like sushi and a Japanese omelet. An English-speaking guide, transport, cooking ingredients and tools, and lunch with a beverage are all included.

Raise your sword like a true samurai warrior during this flexible-length training session in Tokyo. Discover the samurai practice of ‘Kenbu Tachibana Ittoryu’ style, a special sword performance that’s been around for more than 80 years. During your class you’ll don a samurai outfit and train with the ‘katana’ (single-edge samurai sword) and enjoy a photo shoot to help commemorate your experience. Your outfit rental, an instructor and photo and video footage from the session are included.

If you want a souvenir that is completely different to anything you might find in the shops, create your own in this glass blowing experience at the Tokyo Glass Art Institute. Choose what you want to create, as well as the color, shape, and design, and, under close instruction, create your own unique glass artwork.

Learn the Japanese art of archery with this experience in Tokyo. Put on a traditional uniform and try your hand at kyudo (archery) under the instruction of a guide. Get matched with a bow and arrows for your height and practice shooting at a straw bale. Move on to the shooting range and get advice for improving your technique.

Roll your way to an afternoon of fun during this 2-hour sushi-making class taught by a professional chef. Don the traditional ‘happi’ coat worn by sushi chefs as you learn the skills and history of the sushi-making trade. Learn about the origins of sushi and watch a master at work preparing fresh fish. Then follow the instruction of your chef instructor as you prepare 2 rolls of sushi and 8 nigiri. Enjoy the fruit of your efforts for lunch, accompanied by a beef hotpot. A souvenir sushi-making certificate is also included.

As well as dance, music, and poetry, every trainee geisha must master the art of the tea ceremony. Enjoy the rare opportunity of meeting a young geisha and watching her perform her tea ceremony skills. Ask questions along the way as the geisha also speaks English. No need to worry about figuring out local currency, as tea and Japanese sweets are included in the package.

This tour is perfect for travelers with a sweet tooth, or those who are interested in arts and crafts. Learn how to make intricate Japanese Wagashi sweets during this fascinating small-group experience. Discover the history of this unique skill from an experienced chef, and make four seasonally-inspired sweets. Some may argue that the sweets are far too beautiful to eat, but you’ll get a chance to taste one at the end.

Learn the secrets behind making sushi during this half-day class at Morimoto. Join a sushi chef for a hands-on workshop in making nigiri sushi and gunkan-maki. Hear stories about the history and traditions of sushi and get advice on how to make it at home. All ingredients, tools, and a sushi lunch are included.

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.  

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.

Chado, a tea ceremony that has roots in Zen, was established in Japan more than 400 years ago. Its fundamental form and style has never changed, and there are still many people studying and enjoying the culture worldwide. A Tea room is a space in which people experience mindfulness, and the tea-making process provides spiritual discipline. This is a chado school licensed from Urasenke Chado School in Kyoto, one of the biggest chado schools in the world. Ms. Mika Soka Haneishi, the owner of the school is a first degree instructor of Urasenke. She has been practicing Chado for over 23 years. This is not tourism—it is rather an immersion in culture.

Japanese flower-arranging is a time-honored tradition, and herbariums are the newest—and trendiest—form to learn. Make your own bottled flower display during this relaxing, hands-on workshop, located in the heart of cutting-edge Jiyugaoka. Choose your own colorful blossoms and get two complimentary glass bottles to fill with blooming designs. Upgrade to add a scented perfume to your bottle, and enjoy a post-workshop cup of tea.

Learn how to make authentic Japanese recipes with this cooking class option. At a chef’s home in Tokyo, you’ll get hands-on experience preparing local delicacies such as curry rice, miso soup, and sushi, while immersing yourself in the local culture and culinary traditions. After cooking, enjoy lunch or dinner (depending on the time of day) with the chef.

Learn more about what it takes to be a Samurai warrior by taking part in a Samurai experience in Shinjuku. No need to worry about buying special clothes, as clothing equipment rental is included. Once dressed up like a Samurai, learn about Samurai manners, sword skills, speeches, and postures. The most exciting part is the role-play session, where you’ll be able to do a mock fight scene with your instructor.

Challenge yourself physically and mentally while learning the traditional Japanese martial art of aikido. The whole family enjoys a class in the customs and manners of aikido, gets a demonstration from a professional instructor, and tries out the basic movements and spirit of this martial art. Easily schedule this activity into your itinerary with class times between 9 am and 9 pm.

Master the basics of home-cooked Japanese cuisine in a comfortable setting. Head to the instructor’s own home for hands-on cooking lessons and learn how to prepare a meal from scratch, with one main dish plus two sides. Choose from Japanese classics like deep-fried chicken or seaweed-wrapped sushi rolls, and partake in the time-honored art of cuisine in the capital—then dine on your home-prepared delicacies.

Be a Ninja for the day on this ultimate Ninja Experience in Hinode-machi. You won’t have to worry about bringing anything with you, as Ninja costume rental is included. The experience will teach you about the duties of Ninja, as well as skill such as drawing and sheathing a sword, using a blowgun, and throwing shuriken. It’s a great way to learn more about Ninja in an authentic Samurai house.

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.

During this cooking class in central Tokyo, learn how to fry crispy tempura dishes. Make tempura gozen, a representative dish of Japan that typically includes tempura (such as fried shrimp, vegetables, and mushrooms), rice, miso soup, a dipping sauce, udon noodles, edamame, and a Japanese cake. The meal includes a tasting of five different shochus (Japanese distilled liquor).

-our instrctor has more than 10 years experience in Battodo (swordsmanship) -plus acquired silver medal once, bronze medal twice in the all Japan championship during the past 3 years. -our instructor is bilingual in English and Japanese, he explains participants about not solely key points culture and history of samurai and classical martial arts. == -Guided by an instructor swordsman with more than 10 years of experience -Demonstration by instructor swordsman with more than 10 years of experience -Experience using real swords used in the past -The only serious facility in Asakusa

Seeking out the well-concealed back-alley bars of Tokyo's Shinjuku district is notoriously tricky for outsiders. Take the guesswork out of your trip on this guided tour that takes you barhopping to Izakaya bars in two different alleyways—a small group of no more than eight people means that you can easily access tiny bars with just a few seats. Between drinks and snacks (included) your guide shares insights into local culture in this atmospheric part of the city.

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.

Creative and artistic travelers will love the chance to take an old piece of pottery and breathe new life into it. Kintsugi is a unique Japanese art form where broken pottery is repaired with gold, creating a beautiful and new object. Learn the techniques and philosophy of the art from a master, with the assistance of an interpreter. Bring your own broken piece from home to work on.