Tours in Japan

Hammer Pattering Experience of Ring

When Lily from our team tried this ring-making workshop in Japan, she spent an hour hammering out her own piece using the traditional tankin metalworking technique. You pick your material, thickness, shape and texture, then work with special hammers and tools to create something genuinely yours — staff walk you through each step and snap a photo of the finished ring. It's the kind of hands-on experience that makes for a solid souvenir, and the workshop feels intimate enough that you're not rushed through the process.

1 hourfrom AUD $30

[Otaru & Yoichi] Let's go to Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Hall, and Yoichi Nikka Whiskey by private car (arriving and departing from Sapporo)

★ 4.9 (23)

6 hours – 8 hoursfrom AUD $512

[Otaru & Yoichi] Let's go to Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Hall, and Yoichi Nikka Whiskey by private car (arriving and departing from Sapporo)

When Ben from our team booked this private car tour from Sapporo, we got a straightforward six to eight-hour loop through two of Hokkaido's most-visited spots. You're driven out to Otaru, the old port town turned film set and tourist drawcard, then across to Yoichi for a peek at Nikka's whisky operation. The route is flexible — chat with your driver about swaps within the time window. It's a comfortable, no-fuss way to see both towns without wrestling public transport, though the distillery tour itself and entrance fees aren't bundled in.

Nikko Small Group Day Tour from Tokyo | Shrines, Falls & Lake

★ 4.9 (15)

Nikko Small Group Day Tour from Tokyo | Shrines, Falls & Lake

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this Nikko day tour from Tokyo, we saw why it's worth the early start. You're whisked out of the city to a genuine mountain haven — four proper stops (Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Shinkyo Bridge, Toshogu Shrine) crammed into ten hours with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide steering the show. The shrine alone is spectacular: gilded, intricate, and genuinely shogun-worthy. Small groups mean you're not shuffling through crowds with 40 other tourists. The drive up is scenic, the air noticeably fresher than Tokyo, and the mix of water, temples, and autumn colour feels a world away.

10 hoursfrom AUD $230

[Narita Airport Terminals 1, 2] 40-60km Sawara Itako Historic Bike Tour

★ 4.9 (15)

🏔 Adventure & Sports

4 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $136

[Narita Airport Terminals 1, 2] 40-60km Sawara Itako Historic Bike Tour

When Em from our team booked this bike tour from Narita, we weren't expecting to pedal through an Edo-era streetscape and a power-spot shrine in the same afternoon. The Sawara Itako route is a 4–6 hour loop on the flat Tonegawa Cycling Road, starting from airport terminals or central Narita accommodation. It's a private affair—one group per day, max four people—so you get a flexible, tailored experience rather than a cattle-herd vibe. The area itself is a pocket of old Japan, quiet and genuinely historic, with the kind of cycling infrastructure that makes leisure riding feel accessible even if you're not a Lance Armstrong type.

Fushimi Sake & History Walking Tour with Tastings

★ 4.9 (15)

2 hours – 7 hoursfrom AUD $140

Fushimi Sake & History Walking Tour with Tastings

When Em from our team ran this five-hour walk through Fushimi, we got a proper sense of why this neighbourhood became Japan's sake capital. The tour threads together the district's spring water heritage, working breweries, and local history—hitting spots like the Gekkeikan museum and the old Teradaya Inn—with four tastings woven through the day. You're walking alongside locals and other travellers, soaking up how water quality shaped an entire industry rather than just ticking boxes at famous landmarks.

Private Kyoto Tour: Temples, Hidden Alleys & Local Stories

When Lily from our BugBitten team did this private Kyoto walking tour, it felt less like a scheduled tick-box and more like exploring with a local mate who actually knew the place. You fill out a quick form beforehand about what matters to you—temples, quiet alleyways, food spots, whatever—and get matched with a guide who'll ring you before the day to sketch out a loose plan together. The whole thing adapts as you walk; if you want to sit with a coffee for twenty minutes or take a detour down a lantern-lit side street in Gion, you just do it. Runs anywhere from two to seven hours depending on what you're after.

Kyoto Full-Day Bus Tour: Nijo, Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari (EN/ES)

★ 4.9 (841)

Kyoto Full-Day Bus Tour: Nijo, Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari (EN/ES)

When Sarah from our team ran this full-day Kyoto bus tour, she hit the heavy hitters: Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama's famous bamboo grove, and Fushimi Inari's endless vermillion torii gates. It's a 10-hour-plus sprint through Kyoto's UNESCO-listed landmarks, pitched at tourists who'd rather skip the confusion of local trains and have a bilingual guide do the heavy lifting. The mix skews towards groups and families keen to tick off the major photo spots in one hit.

10h 45mfrom AUD $72

Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip with Itsukushima Shrine & Ferry

★ 4.9 (741)

Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip with Itsukushima Shrine & Ferry

When Mia from our team ran this eight-hour Hiroshima and Miyajima loop, it packed two very different moods into one day. The morning ferry ride whisks you across to Miyajima Island, where the red torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine rises from the water—genuinely striking. You'll wander the shrine grounds, poke around the souvenir lanes, dodge the surprisingly bold deer, then head back to Hiroshima proper. Those opting for the full experience stick around to see the Peace Memorial Park and the haunting Atomic Bomb Dome. The guide handles logistics; you just show up at the right meeting point with cash in your pocket.

Skip the lines Basic Ticket at Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa

When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked the skip-the-lines ticket at Samurai Ninja Museum in Asakusa, she got a surprisingly hands-on hour diving into samurai and ninja history without the queue stress. The museum sits in touristy central Asakusa and pulls a mixed crowd — families, history buffs, and plenty of tourists keen to throw ninja stars. You'll wear samurai armour, test your aim with shuriken, and get a guided rundown of these figures from the Heian period through to the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. It's compact but packed.

1 hourfrom AUD $32

Hiroshima & Miyajima 1-Day Tour from Osaka, Kyoto or Hiroshima

★ 4.9 (292)

8 hours – 12 hoursfrom AUD $123

Hiroshima & Miyajima 1-Day Tour from Osaka, Kyoto or Hiroshima

When Alex from our team ran this Hiroshima and Miyajima loop, it was a solid full-day blitz that covers heavy history and natural beauty without requiring your own navigation. You'll spend around 90 minutes in the Peace Memorial Museum, catch the iconic floating torii gate at Miyajima, and have breathing room at the local food street. The bus handles the logistics — departing from Osaka, Kyoto, or Hiroshima — and an English guide keeps things on track. It's a lot of ground for a single day, though lunch is on you, and the pace means you're moving fairly constantly.

Let's make kimono !（Kimono is a gift for you

★ 4.9 (280)

30 min – 1 hourfrom AUD $163

Let's make kimono !（Kimono is a gift for you

When Tom from our team tried this hands-on kimono-making session in Japan, we got why fewer than 5% of locals wear one daily — the traditional wrapping is genuinely tricky. The twist here: they've redesigned vintage kimonos into two pieces so anyone, regardless of height, can actually wear them without wrestling with fabric. You'll walk away with a properly fitted kimono (included), and the whole thing runs just 90 minutes. The stock ranges from basic to ornate vintage pieces with intricate detail that'd normally cost thousands, but here priced accessibly. It's practical, unpretentious, and solves a real problem.

Shibuya All You Can Eat Best Food Tour The Original One in Tokyo

When Ben from our BugBitten team hit up this Shibuya all-you-can-eat food tour, we got the full local run-down: four hours bouncing between 4–5 neighbourhood spots, eating until genuinely stuffed, with a guide who actually knows where Tokyoites eat rather than where tourists queue. It's a night tour that wraps Shibuya's neon and foot traffic into the experience, starts and finishes in the same precinct, and promises you'll leave full without the guesswork of hunting down dinner. Soft drinks, water, and desserts are in. Ideal for first-timers keen to eat a lot without overthinking the menu or location hunt.

Yoshimoto Comedy Night OWARAI

When Tom from our BugBitten team caught Yoshimoto Comedy Night OWARAI in Roppongi, Tokyo, he found a solid hour of live comedy built specifically for international audiences who don't speak Japanese. The venue hosts acts that lean heavily on visual humour and minimal dialogue, with occasional appearances from internationally recognised performers like Wes-P. It's a casual, unreserved-seating setup in central Tokyo that pulls a mix of expats and tourists looking for a laugh without the language friction.

Haneda Airport Private Transfer To Tokyo City

When Ben from our team caught a late flight into Haneda, we booked this private transfer into central Tokyo instead of wrestling the trains at midnight. You get collected in a proper luxury motor — think the kind of sleek sedan Asian executives use — with an English-speaking driver who knows the city cold. The ride into the centre takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic, and the whole point is you skip the train maps, luggage trolleys, and jet-lag confusion. Haneda's massive; a transfer cuts through that noise.

Mt. Fuji, Oishi Park & Arakurayama Pagoda Bus Tour with Lunch

★ 4.9 (182)

Mt. Fuji, Oishi Park & Arakurayama Pagoda Bus Tour with Lunch

When Jake from our team booked this Mt. Fuji day tour, we knew we were chasing one of Japan's most iconic views — and the logistics proved it. You're picked up from either Tokyo Station or Shinjuku, bussed out to the Kawaguchiko region for nine hours of sightseeing with a licensed English guide, a proper sit-down lunch, and the main event: Arakurayama Sengen Park's 398-step climb to Chureito Pagoda, where Mt. Fuji (weather permitting) towers in the background. It's the postcard view, delivered by a company that won TripAdvisor's 2024 Travellers' Choice. Expect a full day of bus time, multiple stops, and plenty of other travellers chasing the same shot.

Gion Night Walking Tour

When Sarah from our team did this evening walk through Gion, Kyoto's historic geisha district came alive in a completely different way than daytime visits. The two-hour tour starts at Yasaka Shrine as lanterns flicker on, then winds through narrow alleys lined with traditional wooden machiya buildings. A local guide walks you through the neighbourhood's quieter corners and shares the etiquette around spotting geiko and maiko—it's respectful cultural insight, not tourist gawking. By the time you reach the iconic Yasaka Pagoda silhouetted against the night sky, you understand why locals reckon Kyoto's magic truly emerges after dark.

From Kyoto: Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with lunch

When Charlie from our team ran this half-day tour from Kyoto, we packed the big three: Todaiji Temple with its massive 15-metre bronze Buddha, the deer-filled sprawl of Nara Park, and the vermillion gates of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. It's a classic loop through Japan's ancient capital, hitting the historical highlights in five and a half hours. The tour is group-based, English-speaking guide, air-conditioned bus, and lunch included. Nara itself feels quieter than Kyoto but gets busy around the main sites — you're shoulder-to-shoulder with other visitors at peak times, though the park's open space helps.

Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Kyoto Oritzuruya, Nishiki

When Jake from our team booked the Kimono Tea Ceremony Experience at Oritzuruya in Kyoto's Nishiki district, he walked into a proper slice of Japanese tradition—not a tourist theatre production. You'll dress in a kimono (with hair styling included), learn to whisk matcha the way it's been done for centuries, and taste it alongside sweets from a century-old confectionery. The whole thing runs 90 minutes in a small group capped at ten people, so there's genuine space to ask questions and absorb the ritual without feeling herded.

Kyoto International Party Solo Friendly Expats and Locals

When Ben from our team rocked up to the Kyoto International Party, it was exactly what the tin said: a buzzy, standing-room bar event designed for solo travellers, expats, and locals to actually talk to each other. Set in a stylish Kyoto bar, the two-and-a-half-hour shindig starts at 6 pm with a mix of icebreaker games, craft beer flowing, and conversations jumping between English and Japanese. It's the kind of night where you'll swap stories with other travellers one minute and hear insider tips from folks who've actually lived in Kyoto for years the next. Not a lecture, not a tour — just a proper social with a host snapping photos so you've got something to show for it.

Kyoto Gion Night Walk: Sake, Secret Alleys & Geisha District

When Jake from our team ran this Gion night walk, we found it hit a sweet spot for Kyoto after dark—90 minutes of wandering the lantern-lit alleys with a local guide, sake in hand, and a genuine chance of spotting geiko heading to appointments. The vibe is relaxed and social rather than lecture-heavy; you're moving through the heart of Higashiyama and around the glowing Yasaka Pagoda, stopping at shrines with real stories attached. It's compact enough to fit into a packed itinerary but unhurried enough to feel like you've actually breathed in the district's atmosphere. Gion at night draws a mixed crowd—tourists and locals alike—but the small-group format keeps things intimate.

1h 20mfrom AUD $59

Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & Nara Park Day Trip

★ 4.9 (118)

Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & Nara Park Day Trip

When Charlie from our BugBitten team ran this nine-hour loop from Osaka or Kyoto, we threaded through three of Japan's most visited cultural patches: Arashiyama's bamboo-lined trails and shrines, the thousands of vermillion torii gates stacked up Fushimi Inari, and Nara's famously polite, bow-enabled deer. The guide handles logistics between sites whilst you soak in the blend of temple grounds, forest canopy, and the gentle chaos of tourists and locals moving through these heritage zones. It's a efficient tick-box for first-timers, though you're moving at a decent clip.

Ride Through The Streets Of Shibuya and Sinjuku By Go Kart

When Tom from our team took this go-kart tour through Shibuya and Shinjuku, it was equal parts absurd and brilliant. You're essentially racing a tiny vehicle through one of Tokyo's most chaotic urban landscapes for an hour — dodging pedestrians, weaving past shops, and collecting stares from locals who've never seen anything quite like it. The guides ride alongside snapping photos of you looking ridiculous in a racing suit, which is either the highlight or the most mortifying bit, depending on your tolerance for being treated like a celebrity novelty act. It's pure novelty, works best if you've got a sense of humour about yourself, and yes, you'll need your international driving permit and passport.

Kuromon Market Tour: All inclusive 6~8 Dishes & 3~4 samplings

When Jake from our BugBitten team ran this Kuromon Market tour, we clocked up between 10 and 13 food stops in two hours—basically a crawl through Osaka's famous market kitchen. Kuromon's been operating for over 200 years, and it shows: the covered arcade has that lived-in retro feel you won't find in newer shopping precincts. The stalls aren't run by casuals; they're run by people who've perfected their craft over decades. The tour leans on the operator's existing relationships with vendors, which means you're getting genuine access and not the roped-off tourist experience. Tea and a set of traditional chopsticks come with it.

2 hoursfrom AUD $87

Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo - Onsen, Arts and Nature

★ 4.9 (108)

9 hours – 10 hoursfrom AUD $1167

Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo - Onsen, Arts and Nature

When Jake from our team ran this private tour, he got a proper sense of why people queue for Fuji views — except without the queues. You're picked up from your Tokyo hotel and driven through mountain roads to Hakone, where you can soak in a traditional onsen, wander the Open-Air Museum's art-and-garden sprawl, or just take in Lake Ashi and Fuji on the drive. It's a 9–10 hour loop that feels less like tour-box-ticking and more like a mate showing you around. The flexibility is the main thing: no fixed itinerary, so you shape the day around what actually interests you. Crowds thin out the moment you leave central Tokyo.

Okinawa Miyako 3set Beach SUP, Snorkeling, Pumpkin Cave, Canoeing

★ 4.9 (63)

🐠 Water Activities

Okinawa Miyako 3set Beach SUP, Snorkeling, Pumpkin Cave, Canoeing

When Sarah from our team tried this Miyako Island combo tour, we packed three proper water activities into seven hours: SUP paddleboarding, snorkeling in genuinely clear tropical water, and exploring the quirky Pumpkin Cave by canoe. Miyako feels quieter than Okinawa's main island — fewer tourists, limestone landscape dotted with mangroves and fishing villages. The vibe is small-group and beginner-friendly, with guides who'll coach you through each activity whether you've done it before or not. You're moving between different ecosystems all day, which keeps things fresh.

1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Walk the Nakasendo Trail

When Sarah from our team walked the Nakasendo Trail out of Matsumoto, we got a proper sense of how Japan's old trade routes actually worked. This 8km hike threads through two beautifully preserved post towns—Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku—with your guide pulling back the curtain on who travelled here centuries ago and what their lives looked like. You'll duck into an old inn and horse stable, pass waterfalls and quiet hamlets, then descend into Magome for a browse before heading back. It's a solid 9-hour commitment, but the walking is real and the history isn't dressed up.

Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl

When Sarah from our team ran this Shinjuku nightlife walking tour, she got a real taste of Tokyo's late-night scene away from the tourist drag. The two-hour crawl threads through Golden-Gai and Piss Alley, ducking into neighbourhood bars where the owner and regulars actually welcome newcomers. It's less about ticking boxes and more about landing in cramped, cash-only izakayas with locals who've already claimed their stools. Shinjuku at night can feel chaotic if you're flying solo, but the guide's established connections mean doors open that wouldn't otherwise.

Kanazawa Samurai & Geisha Walk with 2 Craft Visits and Lunch

When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this Kanazawa walk, she moved through four centuries of Japanese culture in a single afternoon. You start in the Nagamachi Samurai District exploring a restored merchant house with its garden, then pivot to two craft studios—one making lacquerware, one hand-painting umbrellas—before landing in the geisha quarter for a proper sit-down lunch. The finale is Myoryuji Temple, where secret passages and hidden rooms justified its 'Ninja Temple' nickname. It's a tight 4 hours 20 minutes through compact, walkable neighbourhoods with a small group and local English-speaking guide.

4h 20mfrom AUD $127

Private Miyajima Rickshaw Tour Including Itsukushima Shrine

★ 4.9 (44)

30 min – 2 hoursfrom AUD $54

Private Miyajima Rickshaw Tour Including Itsukushima Shrine

When Jake from our team took this private rickshaw tour around Miyajima, it felt like stepping into a slower, more deliberate version of Japan. You're pulled through the island by a local driver who knows the lanes and stories, with the centrepiece being Itsukushima Shrine — that famous red torii gate that appears to float on water when the tide's right. The tour runs anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on what you want, and you can pick your own start time and finish point. It's a genuinely intimate way to see one of Japan's most photographed spots without the usual tour-bus shuffle.

Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★ 4.9 (36)

3 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $136

Naoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

When Jake from our team did this Naoshima tour, we got a proper look at how a sleepy island became Japan's contemporary art hub. Your government-licensed guide meets you on foot and customises the route around 3 to 4 sites you pick beforehand — think cutting-edge museums, an avant-garde bathhouse, and architecture by Japan's heavyweights, all threaded through genuine rural landscape. It's 8 hours of walking and talking, no bikes, no coach loads. The island's transformation from near-ghost town to world-class art destination is genuinely striking.

Sendai Private Izakaya and Bar Tour

When Noah from our team booked this Sendai night tour, we weren't expecting to slip into the kind of drinking dens most travellers never find. Over three to five hours, the guide takes you through a curated crawl of izakayas, sake bars, and members-only spots—some missing from maps entirely. You'll move through back-alley drinking culture that feels genuinely local, not polished for visitors. The area comes alive after dark with salarymen, regulars, and the sort of vibe that only exists when a guide actually knows the owners.

【Contemporary Culture】Bar Hopping I Always Visit in Shinjuku!

★ 4.9 (29)

🍹 Nightlife

【Contemporary Culture】Bar Hopping I Always Visit in Shinjuku!

When Ben from our BugBitten team ran this bar hopping tour through Shinjuku, we clocked something most tourist guides miss: the locals-only angle. Instead of the usual circuit (Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho — places packed with visitors and barely any actual Japanese people), this one steers you into proper neighbourhood izakayas where salarymen and regulars actually spend their evenings. It's Shinjuku without the Instagram filter. Three and a half hours, a local guide who knows the spots, and an original guidebook to take home. Food and drink are on your own tab, but the vibe of stumbling into someone's actual hangout? That's the draw.

[1 Group Only] Explore Tokyo Ginza Food Tour for Family

A private three-hour food tour through Ginza's back alleys and neighbourhood haunts, reserved for your group alone. You'll cook two traditional Japanese dishes—okonomi-yaki or monja-yaki—alongside a local guide, then taste them with a drink of your choice. Rather than polished tourist spots, you'll discover where salarymen unwind and locals actually eat, with a photographer capturing the experience.

Explore Tokyo’s History on Foot Asakusa Kappabashi and Ueno

When Mia from our BugBitten team ran this 3-hour walking tour, she threaded through some of Tokyo's grittier, more characterful neighbourhoods—starting at Sensoji Temple, the city's oldest, then drifting through Hoppy Street's lived-in bars and locals, before hitting Kappabashi Kitchenware Street with its jaw-dropping plastic food replicas and three centuries of trade history. The route caps in Ueno's Ameyoko Market, a gloriously chaotic food bazaar where you can eat your way through the afternoon. It's the kind of Tokyo most tourists miss: temple grounds, crowded side streets, and strip joints sitting next to family shrines.

Nara Private Day Trip - Enjoy Your First-Time Visit to Nara!

When Alex from our team ran this six-hour Nara private tour, we hit the heavyweight sites — Todaiji Temple with its colossal Buddha, the vermillion gates of Kasuga Taisha, plus Kofukuji and the atmospheric Naramachi district. Nara's a manageable, walkable city steeped in temple culture and ancient history, and this itinerary packs a lot in without feeling rushed. It's built for first-timers who want the full hit: architecture, shrines, museums, local streets, and food spots all threaded together. You're paying for a guide and flexibility rather than transport or entry fees — that's on you.

6 hoursfrom AUD $136

Explore Kichijoji: Walk Through One of Tokyo’s Beloved Districts

★ 4.9 (22)

2 hours – 4 hoursfrom AUD $217

Explore Kichijoji: Walk Through One of Tokyo’s Beloved Districts

When Ben from our BugBitten team walked through Kichijoji, we found ourselves in one of Tokyo's most liveable neighbourhoods — a 15-minute train hop from the chaos of Shibuya or Shinjuku. This 2-hour guided stroll hits the essentials: the neighbourhood's blend of modern shops, quiet corners, and genuine local culture. The payoff comes at Harmonica Yokocho, a cramped alley lined with tiny yakitori bars where the guide sorts you into a spot, orders a drink and two skewers, and you eat standing room only with salarymen and locals. It's touristy but real enough, and a solid add-on if you're hitting the Ghibli Museum nearby.

Historical Walking Tour of Niigata Port Town

When Charlie from our BugBitten team walked this route through Niigata's port quarter, we traced a city that spent the 1800s caught between worlds. Russian, Chinese, and English traders docked here regularly, shifting the whole character of the place—and you see it everywhere: the architecture, the street layouts, the goods that were once moved through warehouses now turned into small museums. This 3.5-hour walking tour threads through that collision of cultures, following the old merchant routes and stopping at heritage sites that still carry the salt-air history of a bustling trade hub.

Tokyo : Daikoku PA JDM Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift

When Ben from our team tried this Tokyo car experience, he spent four hours bouncing between Daikoku PA—the epicentre of Japan's underground JDM scene—and Tokyo's glitzier automotive landmarks. You're driven in a sports car through Tokyo's streets, hit the legendary carpark where modified cars gather, cross the Rainbow Bridge with bay views, and finish near Tokyo Tower for photos. It's built for car nerds who want to see where Tokyo's drift and tuning culture actually lives, not just watch it on screen.

★ 4.9 (21)

🍜 Food & Cooking