Japan Tours

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

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.

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this 1- or 2-hour class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Take the 1-hour session, providing an introduction to the basics of the samurai art, or choose the 1.5-hour course, practicing more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion.  This samurai session also includes an English-speaking guide and instructor and a 'tenugui,' a traditional Japanese towel.

Head deep inside one of the world’s most under-the-radar natural wonders on this small-group guided expedition through a Japanese ice cave. This site is hard to reach for most independent travelers, but special entry permits are included in the tour. Follow the light of a headlamp into the mysterious, ice-cold cavern, carved by lava eruptions from Mt. Fuji over a millennium ago—a thrilling, out-of-the-box adventure.

Kyoto’s traditional neighborhoods and scenic parklands are ideal for exploring by bike. On this tour, save time by cycling around the city and visit five of Kyoto’s most popular attractions in one day. Enjoy stunning views of the Golden Pavilion and the Kiyomizu Temple; pose for photos by the red torri gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine; and hop off to stroll around the Bamboo Forest and explore the geisha district.

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.

Turn something old into something new during this lesson in the Japanese art of "Kintsugi," the practice of repairing broken pottery. Stemming from a Japanese belief that breakage and repair are part of the history of an object, rather than a reason to throw them away, your class involves repairing damaged items with lacquer mixed with gold. Don a "samue" as you refinish one traditional pottery item, leaving with a newfound appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and a unique souvenir.

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.

Osaka is a convenient base from which to explore the rest of Japan. Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kyoto with ease on a hassle-free day trip from Osaka, the ideal choice for first-time visitors with limited time. You’ll experience a romantic train ride to Sagano, home to Arashiyama Park, and tick off the vivid Fushimi Inari Shrine without the hassle of traveling between landmarks alone.

Discover the culinary traditions of Japan in Osaka, one of Japan’s best food cities, during this small-group cooking lesson. Learn the preparation methods for popular Japanese dishes including green tea, takoyaki (fried balls of wheat flour and octopus), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), and miso soup. Expand your Japanese cuisine knowledge, and best of all, you get to eat your creations when you’re finished. This small-group course, limited to just eight participants, also includes a guide, a cooking instructor, and an optional sake and beer tasting.

Fans of samurai and ninja history won’t want to miss wielding a real katana sword while in Kyoto. From the Heian period through the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate, samurai and ninja roamed Kyoto’s streets. Get an immersive tour of these heroes’ history as a professional guide leads you through the Samurai and Ninja Museum. Your hands-on experience includes wearing samurai armor, wielding katana and ninja stars, and posing with replica swords.

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.

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.

Pottery is an art form deeply embedded in Japanese culture. As a visitor, it can be difficult to find a way to experience it. This tour offers just that. You can learn how to make pottery from a sensei (teacher) in central Tokyo.

This is a virtual tour using Zoom, online conference system. This unique 1h tour brings you to one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Japan, Kyoto. The friendly host will make your experience more interactive. We use not only photos or videos but also handmade materials or actual goods from guides' living room, that makes you feel livelier. You can ask them anything about Japan, Kyoto and other popular tourists spots by chat or by talk session after the tour. This tour will provide helpful hints for your future trip to Japan. PLEASE NOTE the tour time is Japan standard time. Make adjustment to your time when booking. We'll send you Zoom URL invitation when you book the tour.

Experience the shrines and temples of Kamakura, one of Japan’s most prominent religious centers, on a 5-hour walking tour. In a small group limited to 10 people, you’ll visit historical sites such as Tokei-ji Temple, Jochi-ji Temple, and Genji-yama Park, while learning about the foundations of Buddhism and Shintoism. Plus, you’ll marvel at Kotokuin (Great Buddha of Kamakura), a 47-foot (14-meter) Buddha statue that dates back to the 13th century.

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.

Discover the culture behind ‘Izakaya’ Japanese dining which is similar to pub food in the other countries during a 3 to 3.5-hour cooking class with dinner in Kyoto. Learn five or six of the popular home dishes during a session with a master chef before preparing and eating your own izakaya-style creations. It’s the perfect chance to explore the country’s cuisine beyond the typical sushi and teriyaki offerings. Your izakaya cooking session also includes all ingredients, an instructor and an apron.

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.

Bicycle around Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and beyond with a guide born and raised in Hiroshima to lead the way. In addition to the Atomic Bomb Dome, you’ll ride to the Cenotaph, Children's Peace Monument, and the Peace Bell at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Numbers are limited to 10 for a small-group experience and you’ll discover things you wouldn’t know only by visiting the Peace Museum.

Cycle the forest paths near Sapporo on a mountain hike, then relax with a soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring) and lunch during this 5-hour, small-group excursion that’s perfect for beginners. Take a 1.5-hour ride to the town of Jozankei, a city known for its hot springs, for a snack and a soak in the mineral baths of Hoheikyo Onsen, before finishing with a typical local lunch of Japanese curry. Your small-group trip, limited to just 10 participants, also includes a guide, roundtrip transportation from your hotel, entrance fees and mountain biking equipment for rent. Please note: This tour is seasonal and runs yearly between April and October. The date is subject to change.

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.