Tours in Japan

2 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $65

Tokyo Essentials Private Tour: Perfect for First-Time Visitors

When Alex from our BugBitten team tried this private walking tour, it felt like having a clued-in local mate show you around rather than trailing a flag. You pick the length—anything from 2 to 8 hours—and the guide builds the route around what actually interests you. Classic spots like the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Tsukiji get covered with real context about how Tokyo ticks. Hotel pickup and drop-off saves faffing with transit, and the whole thing bends to your pace. Best for first-timers who want guidance without the tour-bus vibe.

Taste of Kanazawa (Food tasting in Omicho Market & Higashi Chaya)

★ 5.0 (113)

Taste of Kanazawa (Food tasting in Omicho Market & Higashi Chaya)

When Charlie from our BugBitten team ran this Kanazawa food tour, we moved between two of the city's most flavour-packed zones in just two hours. You start at Omicho Market—a working seafood and produce hub that's genuinely buzzing—then drift through the quieter geisha quarters of Kazuemachi and Higashi Chaya. The guide steers you toward three-plus tastings (fresh sashimi, local seafood, sweets) and weaves in the history of Kanazawa's preserved teahouse districts. It's a tight schedule, but it covers serious ground without feeling rushed.

2 hoursfrom AUD $61

Your Private Vacation Photography Session In Kyoto

★ 5.0 (113)

1 hour – 1h 30mfrom AUD $407

Your Private Vacation Photography Session In Kyoto

When Tom from our team booked a private photography session in Kyoto, we got exactly what we needed: a local photographer who knew the best spots and could actually explain why we were standing there. You're out for roughly 90 minutes with someone who shoots you and your crew against Kyoto's temples, gardens, and street scenes, then hands over about 50 edited shots. It's a smart move if you're tired of blurry phone pics and want actual portraits that don't look like you're being held hostage. The city itself is the draw—old wooden machiya houses, moss-covered stone paths, crowds of other tourists—and having a local guide who can rattle off the backstory makes the whole thing feel less like posing and more like actually seeing the place.

Kyoto Traditional Mochi Pounding Experience with Tasting

★ 5.0 (112)

Kyoto Traditional Mochi Pounding Experience with Tasting

Spend an hour in a Kyoto home kitchen learning to pound and shape mochi from scratch. You'll craft several varieties—red bean, mitarashi dango, kinako—guided by a local chef who speaks English. The session wraps with matcha tea and a chance to taste what you've made. Groups stay small (eight maximum) and classes run mornings or afternoons to suit your schedule.

Hiroshima & Miyajima: Private Full-Day Tour with a Local Guide

When Em from our team ran this tour, we got a genuinely local take on Hiroshima's weight and recovery, paired with unhurried time on Miyajima. A private guide with two decades of city knowledge shaped the day around what mattered to us — we hit the Peace Memorial Park at our own pace, ate proper okonomiyaki for lunch, then caught the ferry to Miyajima Island to wander the famous torii gate and quieter temple grounds. The eight-hour stretch felt generous rather than crammed, and the flexibility meant we could chase the tide or linger where it hit home.

8 hoursfrom AUD $199

Private Tour - Hakone Day Trip! A Tour to Explore All Must-Sees!

★ 5.0 (99)

3 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $206

Private Tour - Hakone Day Trip! A Tour to Explore All Must-Sees!

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this Hakone day trip, we hit all the major stops in one hit — Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, and the pirate ship included. It's a proper transport-hop tour: train, cable car, ropeway, boat, bus. You're looking at 7.5 hours from Shinjuku, which makes it a solid day out from Tokyo if you're after mountain scenery and shrine vibes without the faffing around with route planning. The area feels refreshingly quiet compared to the city — locals and tourists mixed, mostly families and couples. Weather can swing things around, so flexibility's key.

Tokyo Portrait Tour with a Professional Photographer

When Ben from our team did this 90-minute portrait tour in Tokyo, we got the full photographer-led experience — hitting local favourite spots while a pro captured us properly. The tour's designed around Tokyo's quieter, less-trampled corners rather than the postcard classics, and the crew fills in the history and local stories as you move between locations. What sets it apart is the edit: the photographer polishes every shot to a professional standard afterwards and hands them over as keepsakes. It's part sightseeing, part photo session, and the result is a set of genuinely sharp travel images instead of the usual blurry phone snaps.

Tokyo Night Cruise and JDM Culture Tour includes stop at Daikoku

When Ben from our team ran this Tokyo night cruise, we got a genuine peek at the local JDM scene without the tourist gloss. You're picked up in a proper JDM or Honda van, driven to Daikoku car meet — the real hub where Tokyo's car enthusiasts gather — then over to one of the biggest auto parts superstores in the metro area before finishing at Rainbow Bridge for skyline shots. It's three to five hours of local knowledge, engine chat, and that particular Tokyo vibe where petrolheads and curious travellers mix easily. Your guide knows the community; the itinerary flexes to what you actually want to see.

Explore Hidden Alleyway with a Local Expert (Morning tour)

★ 5.0 (86)

Explore Hidden Alleyway with a Local Expert (Morning tour)

When Ben from our team ran this 3-hour Kyoto bike tour, we found it a genuine escape from the temple-queue crowds. The route winds through quiet residential backstreets—narrow lanes where locals hang laundry and neighbours chat—before suddenly spilling onto busier main streets. Your guide is properly trained in traffic and group dynamics, not just culture chat. The pace is relaxed enough for most fitness levels, though the narrow alleys mean sharp attention and steady hands on the bars. It's a well-drilled operation: you get a bike, helmet, rain poncho, a map, and accident cover. Small groups (2–6 per guide) keep things intimate.

Tour with Pro Tokyo Photographer and take Edgy Unique Portraits

When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked this portrait session in Tokyo, we found ourselves with a photographer who genuinely knows the city's hidden corners—she runs Tokyo's largest twice-weekly photography meetup, so the intimate local knowledge is legit. You'll spend an hour getting shot in both well-known and off-the-radar spots across the city, with Sarah directing you through poses and sharing cultural context as you go. No modelling experience needed; the whole thing feels collaborative rather than transactional. You walk away with 10 professionally retouched high-res images per person. It's a one-on-one or small-group experience that trades polish for personality.

Make Your Own Ramen and Chopsticks Workshop Experience

When Charlie from our BugBitten team ran this workshop in Osaka, we walked away with fresh ramen and handmade chopsticks — not souvenirs, but things we'd actually made. You knead noodles from scratch, pick a broth (tonkotsu, miso, and two others), load your bowl with 13 toppings, then pivot to carving chopsticks from 15 timber options using proper traditional techniques. The whole thing runs three hours and suits small groups and families after an early start. It's the sort of activity that feels less like ticking a box and more like picking up a genuine skill.

Samurai Training Tokyo Asakusa

When Lily from our BugBitten team booked this samurai lesson in Asakusa, she got a private slot with a local instructor teaching genuine Japanese sword technique in sixty minutes. The studio sits in one of Tokyo's grittier, more lived-in neighbourhoods — tourists and locals share the narrow streets around the temples, and the energy is refreshingly unglamorous. You'll dress in proper costume and come away with photos and video to prove you actually did this, not just watched it on YouTube.

Kimono and Tea Ceremony in Miyajima

When Ben from our team tried this in Miyajima, we found a genuinely quiet pocket of Japanese tradition tucked away from the main tourist drag. You dress in one of over 100 kimonos at a 300-year-old temple, then sit with a tea master to learn matcha preparation and the formal etiquette around drinking it. The whole thing runs about an hour and feels more like a private lesson than a cattle-call experience. It's the kind of activity that gives you actual context for what you're doing, rather than just snapping photos.

Tokyo Station and Imperial Palace 1 Hour Guided Tour

Sprint through Tokyo's architectural and political heart in 60 minutes with a guide who unpacks the stories behind the red-brick station and the Imperial Palace gates. You'll pick up the feudal context—samurai, shoguns, the transition to modernity—that makes these landmarks click, plus a pocket guide to revisit spots on your own time. Runs regardless of palace closure, so Monday and Friday visits work just fine.

PRIVATE 6hr, Food tour from Osaka Castle, Kuromon, Dotonbori.

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this 6-hour Osaka private food tour, we started with a hotel pickup and moved through three of the city's most vivid eating hubs: Osaka Castle's grounds for context, Kuromon Market's stall-by-stall chaos, and Dotonbori's neon-soaked street energy. The day wove in sushi, wagyu, a three-time Michelin-awarded takoyaki spot, fresh tuna sashimi, and one drink. It's a solid hit for food-first travellers who want guided access to the real eating culture rather than tourist traps, and the guide leans into local knowledge — including a detour down Doguyasuji Street to chat Japanese knife craft. Six hours feels tight but deliberate.

Osaka Food Tour with 10 Classic Japanese Tastings & Drinks

When Alex from our team ran this Osaka food tour, we spent three hours in the quieter Tenjinbashi-suji neighbourhood eating our way through ten dishes and drinks. Instead of getting caught up in the chaos of Dotonbori, we got the real story of how Osaka's food culture developed — from the way locals source and prep their meals to why eating here is tied to tradition and community. The guide walked us through okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, udon, and lesser-known specialities, explaining what each dish means to the city's identity. It's a solid introduction to how Osaka thinks about food beyond just filling your belly.

Tokyo Manga Drawing Workshop Guided by Active Pro Manga Artist

When Jake from our BugBitten team booked this Tokyo manga workshop, he expected a tourist gimmick—instead he got a genuine lesson in a craft that's defined Japanese pop culture for a century. You spend two and a half hours with a working manga artist (20+ years in the game) learning the full pipeline: sketching, inking, screen tones, the lot. The studio's tucked in Tokyo proper, so you're surrounded by the actual heartland of manga production rather than a theme-park version. No drawing skill required; Jake watched nervous beginners walk out with finished pages they were genuinely proud of.

Okinawa Miyako Beach SUP or Canoe and sea turtle Snorkeling

When Charlie from our team tried this six-hour tour on Miyako Island, we were after a proper mix of water activity and wildlife spotting—and that's exactly what we got. You pick your weapon: SUP or canoe, then spend the morning paddling the clearest water you'll see in Japan before dropping in for an afternoon snorkel hunt. The sea here is genuinely spectacular; the island draws divers and water sports crowds who know the difference. Most days you'll spot sea turtles cruising the reefs alongside clownfish and staghorn coral. Guides snap photos on waterproof cameras and hand over the files free, which beats paying extra later. It's beginner-friendly but requires decent fitness and decent ocean sense.

6 hoursfrom AUD $122

Tokyo Deep Inside Cycle Tour～3 Hours E Bike Tour around Tokyo

★ 5.0 (66)

2 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $88

Tokyo Deep Inside Cycle Tour～3 Hours E Bike Tour around Tokyo

When Charlie from our team tried this 3-hour e-bike tour, we pedalled through Tokyo's most layered neighbourhoods—from its swampy Edo origins 400 years ago to the neon-lit metropolis today. You're riding with local guides who know the hidden corners and the human stories behind the transformation: samurai-era pioneers, everyday builders, the whole arc. The e-bike handles Tokyo's pace without wearing you out, and you hit a solid mix of historic districts, quirky laneways, and spots most solo tourists miss. It's paced to suit mixed-ability groups, so don't expect racing—expect proper storytelling on two wheels.

Tokyo Manga Drawing Experience Pro Artist Workshop & MangaHistory

Learn manga creation from a working professional in this three-hour workshop. You'll move through the complete process—concept, sketch, ink—with hands-on guidance tailored to your level. Whether you want to draw recognisable characters or develop your own, the artist coaches you through each stage. The workshop also covers manga's cultural origins and evolution, giving context to what you're creating rather than treating it as a standalone art class.

Secret Osaka Food Tour by Pro Chef: A5 Wagyu, No Tourist Traps

When Tom from our BugBitten team ran this Osaka food tour, we skipped the obvious spots and hit four neighbourhood haunts where locals actually eat. A former professional chef steered us through 13 dishes — the real drawcard being a properly marbled A5 wagyu tasting — plus four drinks matched to our tastes at each stop. Groups stay tiny (max 4 people), so the guide remembers what you're after. The whole thing takes three and a half hours, threading through the backstreets of Osaka's food culture without the tour-group noise.

Private Sake Brewery Visit and Tasting Tour in Hida

When Em from our team visited the Tenryo Sake Brewery in rural Hagiwara, we got the kind of quiet, unhurried introduction to sake that rarely shows up in tour itineraries. Unlike the packed heritage sites near Takayama, this small-town operation feels genuinely local—the sort of place where you actually learn what's happening in the tanks rather than shuffle through crowds. A leisurely walk through the town sets the scene before you move into the brewery itself to watch the production process up close, then settle in for a guided tasting of five different sakes. Two hours, door-to-door from the station.

Private group Local Food Tour in Takayama

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this 2.5-hour food tour through Takayama, it felt like having a local mate unlock the town's best-kept eating spots. You'll taste regional specialities and saké while wandering the old town's quiet streets, learning how Takayama's isolation shaped its distinctive food culture. It's a genuine peek at rural Japan without the tourist crowds — the kind of thing you'd never stumble on alone.

Nagasaki Private Tour with a Local – Highlights & Hidden Gems

When Noah from our BugBitten team booked this private Nagasaki walk, we filled out a quick questionnaire about what we wanted to see, then got matched with a local host who rang us directly to plan the day. It's not a fixed script — you and your guide shape the route together based on your interests. Nagasaki's a city layered with history: centuries of foreign trade, faith, conflict, and post-war rebuilding all visible in the streets. You can pick anything from a quick 2-hour stroll to an 8-hour deep dive, and if you're staying centrally, your host will meet you on foot at your accommodation.

Day Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima: Shrines, Seaside, Temples & Tea

★ 5.0 (61)

Day Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima: Shrines, Seaside, Temples & Tea

When Mia from our team ran this day trip, we caught the train from Tokyo to coastal Kanagawa and spent 11 hours hopping between Kamakura and Enoshima—two spots locals actually flock to when they're sick of the urban grind. The itinerary threads together proper temples (including the famous Great Buddha you can walk inside), a bamboo grove with matcha and sweets, koi feeding, and a clifftop observatory with views back toward the city. It's a proper escape that feels genuine without being too far from Tokyo's grip.

11 hoursfrom AUD $230

★ 5.0 (60)

2 hours – 7 hoursfrom AUD $166

Private Kyoto Walk with a Local Friend

When Lily from our BugBitten team did this private walk through Kyoto with a local guide, it felt less like a tour and more like wandering with a knowledgeable mate who actually lives here. Kiyoto and his team—locals in their 20s to 40s—pitch themselves as your friends with a camera, not textbook lecturers. You pick the pace and what matters to you, hitting famous spots or peeling off into quieter temples and shrines that most visitors miss: moss gardens, sake shrines, hidden stone statues tucked near the Bamboo Grove. The walk runs anywhere from 2 to 7 hours depending on what you want. It's a refreshing take on guided Kyoto—real chat, real laughs, real insight into how the city actually ticks.

Tokyo Sake Tasting Experience in Shibuya

★ 5.0 (58)

Tokyo Sake Tasting Experience in Shibuya

When Lily from our team ran this sake tasting in Shibuya, we got a proper education in Japan's national drink without the stuffiness. You'll learn how sake's actually made, what separates a decent bottle from a premium one, and how the flavour profiles work—crisp and dry through to light and fruity. The format lets you taste three distinct styles as your guide walks you through the basics, then explore the bar's 50+ regional labels at your own pace. It's about ninety minutes, pitched at people who want to understand what they're drinking rather than just knock back shots.

[Okinawa Miyako] SUP or Canoe Tour with a Spectacular Beach!

When Sarah from our team paddled out on Miyako Island's Sunset Beach, we found ourselves in one of those rare spots where the setup just works. This 90-minute SUP or canoe tour trades the reef-chasing crowds for a slower float across genuinely turquoise water, anchored by an island vibe that feels removed from the usual Japanese tourist trail. The gear is solid—stable enough that absolute beginners don't spend the hour fighting balance—and you pick your paddle style the day before. It's the kind of activity that lets you set your own pace while the emerald water does most of the heavy lifting.

1h 30mfrom AUD $71

Tokyo Private Half-Day Tour with a Local – Secrets & Highlights

★ 5.0 (56)

Tokyo Private Half-Day Tour with a Local – Secrets & Highlights

When Mia from our BugBitten team tried this Tokyo half-day tour, she got a genuinely personalised experience rather than the standard scripted route. A local host—matched to your interests via a pre-tour questionnaire—leads a private walking tour shaped around what you actually want to see: temples, market alleys, quiet parks, artisan shops, whatever appeals. You're in constant contact with your guide before and during, so the itinerary stays flexible. It's Tokyo through a resident's eyes, not a tour operator's checklist. Four hours on foot through neighbourhoods that feel lived-in.

4 hoursfrom AUD $197

Mount Fuji Full Day Customize Private Tour With English Guide

★ 5.0 (55)

8 hours – 10 hoursfrom AUD $479

Mount Fuji Full Day Customize Private Tour With English Guide

When Charlie from our BugBitten team booked this private Mount Fuji tour from Tokyo, we got a full day spinning through the volcanic landscape with a dedicated English-speaking guide and our own transport. The itinerary sweeps across the big draws — Lake Kawaguchiko's mirror-still waters, the 5th Station viewpoint, Oshino Hakkai's spring-fed ponds, Oishi Park's flower beds, the iconic Chureito Pagoda framed against the peak, and the Hakone Ropeway's sulphurous views. It's pitched as customisable, so you're not locked into a rigid schedule. Eight to ten hours on the road means a proper chunk of your day, but you're seeing Fuji from multiple angles without the tourist-bus shuffle.

Tokyo: Asakusa Walking Tour with Japanese Comedian

★ 5.0 (44)

🛕 Culture & History

Tokyo: Asakusa Walking Tour with Japanese Comedian

When Lily from our BugBitten team did this Asakusa walking tour, Ryo — a local comedian and former rickshaw driver — steered us through one of Tokyo's most layered neighbourhoods. Over 90 minutes, he threaded together Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and the lively Nakamise Shopping Street, weaving in personal stories and wry observations about Japanese culture along the way. Asakusa feels caught between old Tokyo and tourist Tokyo, but Ryo's six years working these streets means you get the local angle, not the polished guidebook version.

Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Tour & Sushi Making with Tuna Tasting

When Lily from our team tried this Tokyo experience, she got the rare treat of accessing Tsukiji's inner lanes and then making her own sushi in just two hours. You start with an English-guided walk through the market's working stalls—the kind of places tourists normally miss—meeting shop owners and seeing the tools of the trade. Then it's hands-on in a proper kitchen: rolling and shaping premium tuna, salmon, and seasonal vegetables with authentic Japanese knives, finishing your work in a handcrafted wooden bento box. The operator has over a century of Tsukiji roots, and the small-group cap of eight keeps it intimate. It's a solid way to kick off a Tokyo day without burning half of it.

Ninja Experience in Osaka

When Noah from our BugBitten team booked into the Ninja-Do in Osaka, we weren't sure what to expect from a one-hour ninja training session. Turns out it's a proper hands-on experience where you kit up in full ninja costume, learn a few moves and fighting techniques, and spend most of the time snapping photos in your gear. It's touristy, no doubt, but if you're after that novelty factor and a fun costume photoshoot in central Osaka, it delivers exactly that. Good for groups, families with older kids, and anyone keen on a quick cultural detour between temple visits.

1 hourfrom AUD $50

Full-Day Accessible Tour of Tokyo for Wheelchair Users

★ 5.0 (42)

Full-Day Accessible Tour of Tokyo for Wheelchair Users

When Noah from our BugBitten team booked this seven-hour Tokyo tour, it was clear from the start that accessibility wasn't an afterthought—it was the whole design. You move through the city's big-ticket spots: Asakusa's temple grounds and Skytree views, the famous scramble at Shibuya, and the designer strips of Takeshita and Omotesando. Then you wind down at Meiji Jingu Shrine's calm gardens. It's a private tour with a guide who knows the accessible routes, train tickets sorted, and hotel pickup included across central Tokyo. The mix of heritage and modern energy works well, though you'll need decent fitness and company (minimum two people, including any carer).

Go-kart tour Tokyo tower to Shibuya ( IDP&Passport Required )

When Sarah from our team did this Tokyo go-kart tour, we piloted through the city's most iconic strips—Shibuya Crossing, Roppongi's neon sprawl, under Tokyo Tower, and past Harajuku's fashion chaos—all in a single hour. It's a novelty experience that leans heavy on the costume angle and photo ops, suited to travellers after a cheeky, touristy afternoon rather than serious driving thrills. The 60-minute loop packs a genuine sightseeing punch, bouncing between neighbourhoods that'd normally take half a day to cover on foot.

Blue Cave Introductory Dive–Private Guide, Boat Tour&Free Photos

When Jake from our BugBitten team booked the Blue Cave intro dive in Okinawa, he got the full package: a private guide, boat straight to the cave entrance, and 50 photos thrown in. The Blue Cave itself is genuinely striking—that ethereal blue glow comes from light filtering through an underwater opening, and the tropical fish and coral justify the hype. The shop sits a minute from the port, so you're not humping gear for kilometres. It's a 2.5-hour experience geared squarely at beginners; one instructor takes up to two divers, so it stays intimate. Okinawa's warm, busy with tourists, and this feels like the polished version of the dive-tourism circuit.

Authentic SUSHI Course Cooking Class

When Noah from our BugBitten team booked this sushi course in Japan, he walked in as a complete novice and left with genuine skills. You'll spend two and a half hours with a qualified instructor learning to roll three different sushi styles from scratch, plus yakitori (charred chicken skewers) and miso soup made the proper way. The class sources quality fish specially for the session, and the vibe is relaxed enough for first-timers but detailed enough to actually matter. It's a hands-on thing — you're doing the work, not watching — in a country where sushi craftsmanship actually means something.

2h 30mfrom AUD $136

Fuji and Hakone Private Tour with English Guide and Photography

★ 5.0 (38)

8 hours – 10 hoursfrom AUD $579

Fuji and Hakone Private Tour with English Guide and Photography

When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this private Fuji and Hakone tour, we got a proper sense of why these spots pull travellers. You're in a private car with an English-speaking guide for 8–10 hours, tackling either mountain alone or both in a day — your call. The region is stunning but popular; expect other visitors at the main lookouts, though the private setup lets you move at your own pace. It's a solid fit if you want views without the tour-bus crowds, though you'll need to sort lunch yourself and budget separately for entry fees like the 5th station.

Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local

★ 5.0 (38)