Tours in Japan

【 100% PRIVATE 】Okinawa Blue Cave Adventure

Explore Okinawa's celebrated Blue Cave on a private snorkelling trip lasting 1 hour 45 minutes. This fully equipped experience welcomes ages 5–50, from non-swimmers to confident snorkellers. A local guide provides one-on-one support whilst you drift through luminous waters and hand-feed fish. GoPro documentation is captured and delivered to your phone. Insurance and all gear—including child flotation aids—come included.

Tokyo History: Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District Private Tour

Walk through Tokyo's oldest temple district with a local guide who unpicks the neighbourhood's layered past. This three-hour private tour of Sensoji Temple and Asakusa traces how the area shaped the city's character—from the imposing Kaminarimon Gate through the vendor-lined Nakamise Street to the temple itself. Your guide connects these landmarks to the threads of history still visible in Tokyo today, revealing connections you won't find in guidebooks.

Sawanobori River Trekking Tour

Trek through Takayama's volcanic mountain streams with certified guides, scrambling over rocks and wading through pristine water channels. This five-hour outing traces geological formations shaped by ancient eruptions while connecting you to local mountain traditions. A barista prepares hand-dripped coffee using fresh spring water collected during the trek, paired with locally made sandwiches and soup. The experience balances physical challenge with cultural insight, best suited for those comfortable getting thoroughly wet and moving over uneven terrain.

Japanese Whisky Hunting《HIGH-QUALITY-ONLY》Rare Tasting Class

Taste roughly ten Japanese whiskies sourced from distilleries across the country, many difficult to find even domestically. This two-hour tasting class pairs each pour with Japanese snacks and small plates, explaining the story and character of each bottle. Run by whisky professionals with years of experience guiding thousands of enthusiasts, the session keeps groups intentionally small to allow genuine conversation and unhurried appreciation. You'll sample rare bottlings and leave with a souvenir to extend the experience at home.

OSAKA;Feel the Power! Learn Taiko Drum from Professionals

Step into a taiko drummer's shoes for this inventive one-hour workshop in Osaka. You'll join the fictional percussion group TEMPO DRUMS with a twist: you've mysteriously lost your memory on opening night. Work through a narrative-driven mission learning rhythm patterns and stage presence from seasoned players, then don the traditional costume and perform on theatre boards. Your performance gets professionally recorded, edited and gifted back to you—plus a commemorative photo marks the experience.

Asakusa's Historic Treasures

This four-hour walking tour explores two distinct Tokyo neighbourhoods, revealing how each district maintains its own identity and culture. Your guide draws on years living and working across these areas, sharing insider knowledge that goes beyond standard tourist information. You'll experience the genuine contrasts between neighbourhoods whilst learning how Tokyo's stations function as unique hubs. The tour includes dinner and is fully wheelchair accessible.

4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour

Spend four hours navigating Tokyo's neon-soaked heart through Shibuya and Shinjuku after dark. You'll cross the world's busiest pedestrian intersection, hunt through packed shopping strips, wander the narrow lantern-lit alleys of Memory Lane, and tuck into the tiny standing bars of Golden Gai. This isn't sightseeing from a coach—you'll be on foot, moving at street level through crowds and chaos, with a local guide reading the rhythm of each neighbourhood.

Mochi and Nerikiri Wagashi Combination Cooking Class

Master the craft of mochi and nerikiri wagashi—delicate Japanese confections—in a hands-on 2.5-hour private session held in a quiet Tokyo residential home, 15 minutes from central by train. You'll work through accessible recipes at your own rhythm, taking home finished sweets and photos from the class. All materials and tools are supplied, making this suitable for solo travellers and families alike. Plant-based ingredients mean the techniques work equally well back home.

2h 30mfrom AUD $117

Experience Tokyo Through the Lens of a Local Artist

★ 5.0 (29)

4 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $188

Experience Tokyo Through the Lens of a Local Artist

A one-hour photo walk through Tokyo's neighbourhoods—from bustling Shibuya to quiet corners of Asakusa—guided by a local artist who captures candid, cinematic portraits. You'll explore streets that matter to you whilst a photographer documents your presence there, delivering 40–50 edited images within a week. This isn't a standard tourist shoot; it's a visual record of how you move through the city.

Koyasan Full-Day Private Tour

Explore Koyasan's spiritual heart with a local guide fluent in its Buddhist traditions. This six-hour private tour covers the two most sacred zones: Garan monastic complex and Okunoin, where Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism, is venerated. You'll also visit Kongobuji, the sect's administrative temple. A three-kilometre walk through Okunoin—lined by ancient cedars and tens of thousands of gravestones—reveals the meditative atmosphere that defines this mountain sanctuary. Your guide shares insights only long-time residents possess.

2-Hour Tokyo Night Bike Tour: Shibuya, City Lights & Tokyo Tower

Cycle through Tokyo's neon-lit streets on this 2-hour night ride, launching from near Shinjuku Station. You'll navigate quieter routes—Jingu Gaien, Aoyama Cemetery—toward Tokyo Tower's glow, discovering pockets of the city unreachable by train. The pace is steady at 15 km/h through lit neighbourhoods, balancing urban buzz with unexpected calm. Bike and helmet provided.

Tokyo Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

When Jake from our team ran this half-day canyoning tour in Okutama, he traded Tokyo's neon for moss-covered rock faces and proper waterfall jumps. You're only 90 minutes by train from central Tokyo, but the landscape feels a world away — dense forest, ancient canyon systems, and water slides that'll test your nerve. It's three hours of active scrambling, jumping, and abseiling through canyons with drops over 25 metres. The area's lush and quiet, and the group caps out at 13 people, so it doesn't feel like a theme-park queue.

Mt Fuji Area: In-depth Guided Adventure in English or French

This five-hour guided tour explores the Mt Fuji region with a fluent English or French-speaking guide who knows the area intimately. You'll paddle across Lake Kawaguchiko's clear waters, wander through [Aokigahara Forest](/places/aokigahara-forest-sea-of-trees)'s dense woodland, visit a traditional artisan village, and stop at local shrines. Hotel or station pickup and drop-off from Kawaguchiko are included, making logistics straightforward. The itinerary adapts to weather, but the group stays together throughout.

Minoh Waterfall and nature walk through the Minoh Park

Escape Osaka's urban sprawl on a guided walk through [Minoh Park](/places/minoh-quasi-national-park), where a 4–5 hour loop takes you past an ancient Buddhist temple and down to a dramatic waterfall nested in forested valleys. A licensed local guide leads the way, sharing stories of the mountain's spiritual heritage and its resident macaque population. Lunch is included. This oasis sits just outside the city, making it a genuine retreat rather than a packaged excursion.

Okinawa Hidden Gems: Private Morning Food & Culture Tour

★ 5.0 (28)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Okinawa Hidden Gems: Private Morning Food & Culture Tour

A two-hour private morning exploration of Naha's back-street food culture. Your guide steers you past tourist traps to hole-in-the-wall vendors serving genuine Okinawan snacks and regional alcohol. You'll taste three local dishes, sample three distinct awamori varieties with proper drinking technique, and sip fresh-pressed juice whilst picking up stories about the island's distinct heritage. Best done early in your stay, before habits set in.

Miyajima Highlights: Itsukushima Shrine & Island Nature

A private five-hour walking tour of Miyajima Island led by local guides with deep family and historical connections to the region. You'll visit Itsukushima Shrine and its celebrated floating torii gate, explore Daishoin temple, and venture beyond the crowds to discover quieter corners of the island where everyday life unfolds. Your guide contextualises the spiritual significance woven through centuries of Miyajima's history, explaining why locals regard the island as sacred. The itinerary flexes to suit your interests—whether you're chasing light for photographs, diving into history, or seeking a contemplative experience.

Stunning Private Tea Ceremony: Camellia Garden Teahouse

Step into a century-old wooden house nestled among camellia gardens to learn tea ceremony the proper way. This private session in Kyoto puts you in charge—you'll whisk and prepare your own matcha in a serene setting that feels worlds away from the tourist crowds at nearby Golden Pavilion and other UNESCO sites. The teahouse itself is worth the visit: a preserved slice of old Kyoto that opens its doors specifically to keep its traditions alive.

Kyoto: Nishiki Market Food Tour - 7 Tastings

Spend three hours navigating Nishiki Market, Kyoto's centuries-old food quarter, with a local guide leading you through narrow alleys stacked with over a hundred vendors. You'll start at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, then taste seven samples sourced directly from the stalls—expect yuba, seasonal Kyoto vegetables, pickled items, and matcha sweets. The guide unpacks how these ingredients built the city's distinctive cooking style and the market's evolution as Kyoto's culinary backbone.

Private Dinner with Maiko and Geiko in Kyoto

Step inside a private ochaya tea house in Kyoto for an exclusive two-hour evening with working maiko and geiko. You'll sit down to a full Japanese multi-course dinner, watch a traditional mai dance, play period games, and chat directly with your entertainers via a translator. These tea houses rarely open their doors to outsiders, making this a genuine glimpse into Kyoto's geisha quarter culture rather than a tourist performance.

2 hoursfrom AUD $2132

4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers

★ 5.0 (28)

4 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $215

4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers

Grab a few hours between ship and departure with a guide who moves at your rhythm through Osaka's neighbourhoods. You'll start from Tempozan Cruise Terminal and explore on foot, steering the route based on what catches your eye—whether that's street-level commerce, temple grounds, or local eating spots. No rigid itinerary means you can linger where it matters and skip what doesn't.

Tokyo Ultimate Daikoku & JDM Experience (R35 GTR Private Tour)

★ 5.0 (28)

🏔 Adventure & Sports

Tokyo Ultimate Daikoku & JDM Experience (R35 GTR Private Tour)

Tour Tokyo's JDM heartland in a modified R35 GTR with a knowledgeable local guide who speaks fluent English. Spend 4.5 hours exploring the Wangan expressway, Bayshore, and the legendary Daikoku Parking lot where Japan's car enthusiasts gather nightly. You'll learn the stories and significance behind each location from someone who knows the scene intimately—not a generic sightseeing run.

Daruma Workshop by Making your Own Japanese Souvenir in Shinjuku

Paint and decorate your own daruma doll at this Shinjuku workshop, choosing from traditional washi paper designs to create a bespoke keepsake. Located minutes from Shinjuku Gyoen, KUROMAMEDO offers a hands-on introduction to Japanese folk crafts in a welcoming space designed for international visitors. The 90-minute session includes green tea, a seasonal snack, and a small gift to take home.

Tokyo Guided Electric Kart Tour

When Sarah from our Global Hobo crew took the electric kart tour through Tokyo, she got behind the wheel of a zippy EV and carved through Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando for 50 minutes with a multilingual guide shepherding the route. It's a proper novelty — you're actually driving on real streets, not a closed track, which keeps the buzz authentic. The guide handles navigation and snaps photos while you soak in the chaos of three of Tokyo's most electric (pun intended) neighbourhoods. Post-tour, there's time to browse Liberty Walk collaboration gear back at base. It's the kind of thing that sounds mad until you're doing it.

Private Sushi Experience with Master Chef near Osaka Kyoto & Kobe

Learn to craft nigiri and hand rolls from a sushi master in a private three-hour session near Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. You'll work one-on-one (or with your group alone) to select fish, master knife technique, and prepare over 20 pieces to eat straightaway. Choose a morning slot around 11:00 AM for lunch or evening around 5:00 PM for dinner, starting anytime between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. All equipment provided; Japanese tea and water included.

3 hoursfrom AUD $163

Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

7 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $222

Snow Monkeys, Hokusai & Sake: A Perfect Day in Nagano

A seven-to-eight-hour circuit through Nagano combining macaques in their natural hot springs, a sake brewery in the artist's town of Obuse, and optional temple visits. Depart Nagano Station in a small group of six to eight travellers with a local English-speaking guide. You'll walk forest trails, taste regional cuisine made from local ingredients, and sample premium sake—all designed to move smoothly between highlights without feeling rushed.

Tokyo Ikebana Wellness Art Experience near Shinjuku

🧖 Wellness & Spa

Tokyo Ikebana Wellness Art Experience near Shinjuku

Learn ikebana flower arrangement in a traditional tatami room near Shinjuku with a qualified instructor guiding you through the fundamentals. This 90-minute workshop welcomes complete beginners and requires no prior experience. You'll work with seasonal blooms, master the basic tools, and leave with a handmade mini vase and event photos. Accessible by public transport and suitable for all fitness levels, it's a straightforward way to understand Japanese floral aesthetics.

Japanese Calligraphy Experience in Osaka

Learn traditional brush technique from a master instructor with nearly three decades of experience in this 90-minute session at a Shinsaibashi hotel. You'll master the fundamentals of Japanese calligraphy, select from 16 popular kanji characters, and create a framed artwork to take home. The class wraps with matcha tea and traditional sweets in a location just a minute's walk from the subway.

Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting

Dine at this Umeda nightclub where Italian and Japanese set menus pair with live entertainment until dawn. Choose between a relaxed six-dish Italian spread, a premium beef-focused eight-course, or a seasonal Japanese progression. The venue pulls in an after-work crowd for table-side views of the stage, running nightly from 8 PM. Courses range from ¥5,000–¥8,000; add ¥2,000 for unlimited drinks and secure a VIP spot.

3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience | Tasting Konteki

Spend three hours in Fushimi learning sake from a certified sommelier at Higashiyama Brewery. You'll taste over ten varieties, pair them with traditional Japanese appetisers, and tour the Kizakura Museum to understand how sake is made. By the end, you'll recognise flavour profiles and navigate Japanese menus with confidence—no longer guessing at unfamiliar labels.

3 hoursfrom AUD $119

3 Day Japan Highlights Tour: Tokyo, Mt.Fuji, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka

6 hours – 7 hoursfrom AUD $179

3 Day Japan Highlights Tour: Tokyo, Mt.Fuji, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka

A three-day small-group journey connecting Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Nara and Kyoto with an English-speaking guide. You'll travel between five historic Japanese capitals by comfortable coach, stopping to sample regional food, experience tea ceremony, and explore World Heritage sites. The itinerary balances major attractions—deer-filled Nara, vermillion torii gates at Fushimi, the Great Buddha—with quieter villages and mountain scenery including Mt. Fuji views. Route tailors to your pace and interests, whether you're keen on temples, countryside drives or Osaka's neon-soaked nightlife.

Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch and Shibu Onsen Tour

Spend six to seven hours in Nagano's mountain hot spring country, starting at Snow Monkey Park to observe wild macaques bathing in steaming pools. Travel to the historic Shibu Onsen village for a lunch of hand-pulled soba noodles and local dishes, then soak in the mineral-rich public baths yourself. A straightforward mix of wildlife watching, regional food, and thermal bathing that captures what draws people to Japan's onsen culture without the tourist hustle.

Experience the Taste of Old Tokyo in Backstreet Yanesen

🍜 Food & Cooking

Experience the Taste of Old Tokyo in Backstreet Yanesen

Wander through Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi—three interlocking neighbourhoods where Tokyo's older character persists in narrow lanes, temple grounds, and family-run shops. Over six hours, you'll taste your way through the district: grilled eel, hand-rolled rice balls, retro coffee in a former public bath, sweet treats, and sake paired with stories from shopkeepers and artisans who've anchored themselves to this corner of the city. A living history lesson told through food and conversation rather than guidebook.

6 hoursfrom AUD $277

7 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $175

Discover Kyoto by Bike Full Day Tour

Pedal through Kyoto's mix of celebrated temples and hidden neighbourhoods on this seven-to-eight-hour guided cycle. You'll visit the Silver Pavilion and Gion alongside quieter spots like HonenIn Garden and Miyagawacho's narrow lanes—places coach tours never reach. A small group rides at an unhurried pace with a local guide who knows where the real city hides. E-bike provided, water included, lunch left to you.

Tokyo - Shinjuku's Most Underrated Eats (3 stops, 3 drinks)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Tokyo - Shinjuku's Most Underrated Eats (3 stops, 3 drinks)

Navigate Shinjuku's backstreet food scene with a witty local guide across three neighbourhood gems, sampling dishes most visitors miss. This 3-hour ramble through Tokyo's most frenetic district includes proper meals and three drinks, revealing why locals eat where they do rather than where guidebooks point. Spanish-language tours run Wednesdays.

Osaka Day Tour: Secret Spots & Local Treasures

Walk Osaka like someone who actually lives here. This four-hour ramble threads together castle ramparts, vintage fashion districts, and neon-soaked alleyways with a guide who reads the city like a book. You'll pick up stories about samurai, street culture, and what locals genuinely find funny about their own town. Small groups mean no queuing behind selfie sticks and enough breathing room for proper chat.

Kyoto Gion Early Morning Walking Tour

Beat the tour buses through Kyoto's most atmospheric quarter on this three-hour early morning walk. Your English-speaking guide leads you past geisha houses and lantern-lit alleys in Gion, takes in the vermillion torii gates at Yasaka Shrine, climbs to Kiyomizu-dera's wooden platform for city views, then descends through the souvenir-laden lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Streets are quiet, light is golden, and you'll know where the locals actually eat lunch.

Bamboo Lantern Workshop

Shape your own lantern from locally sourced bamboo in this hands-on hour-long session in Japan. You'll work with materials harvested nearby and finish your piece with decorative touches that reflect your taste. All tools are provided, making it straightforward whether you've crafted before or not. You'll walk away with a functional keepsake that's genuinely yours.

1 hourfrom AUD $36

Christmas Magic in Tokyo! Private & Family-Friendly Walking Tour

★ 5.0 (26)

4 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $639

Christmas Magic in Tokyo! Private & Family-Friendly Walking Tour

Craft your ideal Tokyo day with a local guide who knows the city's quieter corners. Over 4–8 hours, you'll navigate neighbourhoods, eat at spots tourists miss, and ask the questions that matter to you. Whether you're chasing architecture, food stalls, or family-friendly temples, the route bends to your interests. Your guide handles reservations and logistics; you focus on what actually happens when you turn a corner.

Traditional Japanese Music show & Experience Tour in Osaka

★ 5.0 (26)

🛕 Culture & History