Tours & experiences

Tours in Japan

Small-group tours, day trips, cooking classes and multi-day adventures. Every tour vetted for traveller reviews first.

Start with a country

🌍

CategoryDurationRatingPrice (AUD)

9,920 tours in JapanClear filters

Sort by:

Tokyo Private Customizable Full Day Tour

★ 5.0 (15)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Tokyo Private Customizable Full Day Tour

When Jake from our team booked this Tokyo private tour, he got to cherry-pick four or five spots he actually wanted to see — no group-tour bloat. The operator sends a custom itinerary form after booking, you fill it out with your must-dos and skip-list, and they handle transport and reservations. Eight hours sounds tight for Tokyo's sprawl, but it's enough if you're strategic. Works for solo travellers, couples, or families after a tailored morning-to-evening hit rather than a standard circuit.

[Private] Shizuoka Shore Excursion: Zen, Matcha & Calligraphy

A private cultural tour in Shizuoka designed for cruise passengers with minimal port time. You'll visit Seiganyo-ji Temple, a site connected to the Tokugawa shogunate, where you'll practise seated meditation, prepare and taste premium matcha with traditional sweets, then craft your own calligraphy on a hanging scroll to take home. Your English-speaking guide collects you from the pier and ensures you're back with hours to spare, using efficient taxi transport to maximise your 2.5 hours ashore.

Tokyo Hidden Cocktail Bar Tour (Ebisu)

When Tom from our BugBitten team ran this Tokyo cocktail crawl through Ebisu, he found himself ducking into four carefully curated bars over three to four hours—the kind of spots locals know and tourists usually miss. The neighbourhood itself has that upmarket Tokyo energy: quiet streets, discrete shopfronts, the sense you're in on something. Our guide knew the mixologists by name and the story behind each drink, whether it was yuzu-forward or matcha-laced. Small plates came with each round, and there's proper accommodation for non-drinkers and vegans, so it's not just for the hard-core cocktail set.

3 hours – 4 hoursfrom AUD $263

★ 5.0 (15)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Japan

Mochi Sweets Making Class in Tokyo

Master the art of crafting mochi sweets in a private Tokyo residence with a local instructor. This 90-minute class teaches you accessible techniques for creating authentic Japanese confections using plant-based ingredients you'll find at home. Work at your own pace in a relaxed setting just 15 minutes from central Tokyo, then explore the quiet neighbourhood's shrines, bathhouses and local shops. Perfect for solo travellers and families alike.

Private Japanese Calligraphy near Arima Onsen

When Ben from our team booked a private calligraphy session near Arima Onsen, he found himself alone with an instructor in a quiet space grinding ink and learning brushwork at his own tempo. The 90-minute experience sits in the foothills near the famous hot spring town, drawing a mix of solo travellers and couples looking for something hands-on rather than passive. You walk away with your own piece of art and a genuine sense of having tried something distinctly Japanese — no crowds, no rushing, just you, a brush, and paper.

Aizu 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

When Alex from our BugBitten team ran this six-hour private tour, we got a real sense of why Aizuwakamatsu still feels like a feudal capital—quiet streets, craft shops tucked into old buildings, and countryside villages accessible by heritage train lines. A government-licensed guide customises the route around three to four sites you pick beforehand, so you're not locked into a standard itinerary. It's a solid, efficient way to get beneath the surface of the region without the group-tour shuffle.

Nagoya Food Tour: Taste Nagoya’s Local Specialties

Explore Nagoya's food scene on foot through Sakae, the city's bustling heart, sampling five local specialties over 3.5 hours with a local guide. You'll taste signature dishes like hitsumabushi eel rice, crispy ebi senbei prawns crackers, and onimanju red bean cakes while learning the stories behind each restaurant and regional food traditions. A private walking tour that pairs authentic flavours with insider knowledge of why these dishes matter to Nagoya's culinary identity.

Ikebana Experience in Kyoto Townhouse

When Jake from our BugBitten team tried this ikebana class in a traditional Kyoto townhouse, he got a proper primer in Japanese flower arrangement — not the fussy stuff you'd expect, but a genuine craft with roots in samurai etiquette and Zen philosophy. The 90 minutes covers the history and principles, a demo, then you get your hands dirty with blooms and branches to build your own piece. It's a quiet, thoughtful way to clock how Japanese aesthetics work, and the instructor helps you through the wobbles. Runs in a proper townhouse setting, easy to reach by local transport.

Make Your Own HANKO Stamp in Tokyo — A Unique Cultural Souvenir

Carve your own hanko—Japan's personal identity seal—at a Tokyo workshop in 90 minutes. You'll work with a traditional seal craftsperson to choose characters, learn why these stamps matter in Japanese culture and commerce, then hand-chisel your design into stone or wood. Walk away with a functional keepsake that works as an actual signature substitute, complete with a protective case.

Tokyo Food and Culture tour (Shibuya and Harajyuku)

A four-and-a-half-hour wander through Shibuya and Harajuku that pairs neighbourhood navigation with food stops. Start at the famous Hachiko statue to learn the history locals know, then scout the prime vantage point overlooking the crossing. Taste rikishi comfort food, okonomiyaki-style monjya, and the latest sweets trends across both districts. Lunch and snacks included.

Kurashiki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Explore Kurashiki's Bikan quarter on foot with a licensed English-speaking guide over four hours. This atmospheric riverside district preserves Edo-period architecture, willow-lined waterways, and centuries-old mills across its winding lanes. You'll select two or three sites from available options to shape your own itinerary, moving at a pace that suits you. The guide navigates you through wooden shophouses and heritage buildings without rushing, revealing the district's layered history and local character.

Making a bento box with cute character look in Japan

Learn to craft character-themed bento boxes from a fluent English-speaking instructor across 2.5 hours. You'll work hands-on building decorated lunch boxes that blend Japanese culinary technique with playful design. All ingredients and refreshments are included, making this an accessible entry point into Japan's distinctive packed-meal traditions without needing prior cooking experience.

Let's enjoy Scuba diving in Izu Peninsula for certificate Diver

Get certified or refresh your skills with a guided scuba dive in Japan's Izu Peninsula. This six-hour course pairs you with an experienced dive guide for two tank dives, letting you explore underwater life at a relaxed pace. You'll need to bring your certification card and log book, or arrange rental gear in advance—the operator can sort full equipment based on your measurements. Lunch is included.

Nara Sake Tasting Tour at Local Brewerie(tasting fee included)

Spend three hours exploring Nara's sake breweries with a knowledgeable local guide who'll walk you through production techniques, regional styles, and the drink's deep roots in this UNESCO-listed city. You'll taste at working breweries, chat with brewers about their craft, and pair samples with local food. The tasting fee is included, though any additional drinks at bars are separate.

3 hoursfrom AUD $152

Naha Custom Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

★ 5.0 (15)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Naha Custom Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked this private walking tour in Naha, she appreciated the flexibility baked in from the start. You fill out a quick questionnaire after booking, and the local guide uses that to build an itinerary around what actually interests you—whether that's pottery lanes, market stalls, or quiet neighbourhood paths. The tour kicks off near the famous Saion Ufu Shisha statue and ranges anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on your energy and schedule. It's genuinely tailored, not a script-read affair, and the guide picks you up on foot from your accommodation if it's central.

2 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $58

Asakusa Personal Video & Photo with Kimono

★ 5.0 (15)

🛕 Culture & History

Japan

Asakusa Personal Video & Photo with Kimono

Capture your Asakusa visit in kimono with a dedicated videographer who shoots, edits and delivers within 71 hours. This 90-minute session covers up to six people at a flat rate, so families and groups get the same professional treatment as solo travellers. The videographer handles kimono rental logistics for you, then provides edited video plus 10–20 still photos to take home. You're free to post straight from your trip.

Badminton in Osaka & Kyoto with Locals!

Join a mixed-ability badminton session in Osaka where Japanese locals and expat residents gather to play and socialise. You'll spend three hours on court with gear provided, mixing casual rallies with newer players whilst making friends across the community. The sessions welcome solo travellers and groups alike, creating a genuine sporting atmosphere rather than a tourist spectacle.

Traditional Ikebana Experience in Kyoto (Small Group)

When Ben from our team tried this ikebana class at Sogetsu WEST in Kyoto, he found himself in a genuinely quiet corner of Japanese artistic life. You spend two hours learning the philosophy and hands-on techniques of flower arrangement from instructors who treat it as meditative practice rather than tourist spectacle. The space caters to adults only, which keeps the vibe focused and calm — you'll walk away with actual skills to replicate at home using everyday materials, not just a photo opportunity. It's the kind of experience that feels personal because the group stays small and the instructor actually watches what you're doing.

Kyoto Samurai Experience + Professional Photo Shoot

When Alex from our team suited up at this Kyoto studio, they stepped straight into a samurai movie set — authentic armour, traditional weapons, and a photographer orchestrating the whole cinematic affair. The hour-long experience wraps you in gear, sits you under professional lights with fog effects billowing around, and spits out ten polished photos per person. It's pitched at culture buffs and anyone after genuinely cool travel snaps rather than standard tourist fare. The studio's in central Kyoto, easily reached by public transport, and groups of up to four can run through together.

SkyExpress Private Transfer: New Chitose Airport - Niseko (8 Pax)

Private minivan transfer from New Chitose Airport to Niseko for up to eight passengers. Your driver collects you and your luggage from arrivals, then delivers everyone straight to your accommodation—no train changes, no station treks. The vehicle is spacious and climate-controlled, with room for skis, golf clubs, or serious luggage. English-speaking support is included; an English-speaking driver can be requested. Fuel, tolls, tax, and insurance all covered.

A One-of-a-Kind Sushi Experience in a Special Place of Japan

Roll and eat your own sushi in Tokyo's House of Representatives building, a normally restricted space where you'll work with fish sourced that morning from Toyosu Market. Over two hours, an English-speaking instructor walks you through knife skills, fish slicing, and hand-forming techniques, building to a lunch of eight pieces you've made yourself. No prior experience needed—the pace suits absolute beginners.

Togakushi Shrine Private Tour with English Local Guide

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this private tour around Togakushi, we found it a solid way to tick off Nagano's spiritual and culinary highlights without the usual chaos. You get a private car and English-speaking guide to walk the cedar-lined approach to shrines steeped in mountain worship and ninja folklore, then duck into local soba joints for lunch (your shout). The five- to six-hour loop keeps things manageable — it's the kind of pace that lets you actually absorb the place rather than rush between photo spots.

5 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $176

BAC Osaka: Private E-Scooter Tour (Dotonbori, Namba and more)

★ 5.0 (15)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

BAC Osaka: Private E-Scooter Tour (Dotonbori, Namba and more)

When Mia from our team tried this, she spent two hours zipping around Osaka on an e-scooter with a local guide, weaving through the lively south side of the city. The route takes in the neon-lit canal streets of Dotonbori, the busy shopping lanes of Namba, the youth fashion and sub-culture hub of America-mura, and the grounds of Yasaka Shrine. Osaka has a looser, chattier feel than Tokyo, and its streets are packed with food stalls, vintage shops and locals heading home after work, so there's always something to look at. Our BugBitten team found it a clever way to cover a lot of ground without the fatigue of walking, and the guide's background stories gave each stop more meaning than a map could. Set aside the full two hours, and expect to be part of the city's flow rather than watching it from a bus window.

2 hoursfrom AUD $55

Lake Kawaguchi : Exclusive Private Customized Tour w/ Local Guide

★ 5.0 (15)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Lake Kawaguchi : Exclusive Private Customized Tour w/ Local Guide

When Ben from our BugBitten team ran this private tour around Lake Kawaguchi and the Mt. Fuji region, it felt like having a local mate design your day from scratch. You get a full 8–9 hours with an English-speaking guide who knows the area inside out — culture, history, hiking spots, fishing holes, the lot. The whole thing bends to what you want: early start, late finish, swap activities mid-morning, pile in as many photo stops as you like. Includes door-to-door pick-up and drop-off across the wider Fuji Five Lakes area, water, and a handmade tourism booklet. It's the opposite of a canned itinerary.

8 hours – 9 hoursfrom AUD $181

Private Curated Tour | Historical Tokyo - Ueno, Asakusa, Emperor

★ 5.0 (15)

🛕 Culture & History

Japan

Private Curated Tour | Historical Tokyo - Ueno, Asakusa, Emperor

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this private walking tour through Tokyo's historical heart, it ticked a lot of boxes for anyone wanting to see beyond the bright lights. You're covering three heavyweight zones — Asakusa's temple district, Ueno's museums and parks, and the Emperor Palace Eastern Gardens — over 4–6 hours at your own pace. The tour leans hard into Tokyo's older character: lantern-lit streets, heritage sites, and street food stops. You get a professional English or German guide, solo and group photos at the big landmarks, transport between zones, and a complimentary Japanese drink thrown in. It's the kind of tour that works for solo travellers and small groups alike who want someone who actually knows the stories behind the temples and gardens.

4 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $226

Tokyo: Private Transfer from/to Yokohama Port

★ 5.0 (15)

✈️ Transfers

Japan

Tokyo: Private Transfer from/to Yokohama Port

When Tom from our BugBitten team booked this private transfer from Yokohama Port into central Tokyo, it solved the real friction point of cruise tourism — no luggage juggling on trains, no language mix-ups at ticket counters, no wondering if you're on the right platform. The service runs between Yokohama Port and anywhere in Tokyo's 23 wards (including Haneda), with a driver waiting for you at your designated spot. It's straightforward logistics dressed up as comfort, and for crew disembarking with suitcases and jet lag, that clarity matters. Takes about an hour depending on traffic and your final destination.

1 hourfrom AUD $253

Private Tokyo Photo Tour with Professional Photographer

★ 5.0 (14)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private Tokyo Photo Tour with Professional Photographer

When Lily from our BugBitten team booked a private photo tour in Shinjuku with a local photographer, she got a focused hour wandering Tokyo's most photogenic pockets — hidden laneways, the cramped neon maze of Golden Gai, spots built for Instagram but genuinely atmospheric. The photographer works one-on-one, so it's intimate: couples after something romantic, solo travellers wanting decent portraits, mates after a fun memory. You get 30+ edited shots back. It's Shinjuku, so expect crowds and a brisk pace.

1 hourfrom AUD $118

Osaka and Nara Private Car Tour with a Local English Guide Driver

★ 5.0 (14)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Osaka and Nara Private Car Tour with a Local English Guide Driver

When Tom from our team booked this private car tour around Osaka and Nara, he got a genuinely local read on two of Japan's most-visited regions—without the tour-coach crowds. An experienced Japanese driver who speaks fluent English picks you up from your hotel and spends eight hours taking you through temples, traditional districts, and lesser-known spots, customising the route to what actually interests you. The car's air-conditioned and has Wi-Fi, which matters on a long day. Tom appreciated the no-nonsense safety angle: these are properly licensed, Japan-based drivers with real local knowledge, not freelancers learning on the job. It's pricier than public transport, but you're paying for flexibility, a dedicated local, and a ride that adapts to your pace.

Foodie Bike Tour in Hiroshima Taste Local Delights

When Alex from our BugBitten team pedalled through Hiroshima's quieter streets on this 4-hour foodie bike tour, the real point became obvious: food tastes better when you know who made it. You'll cycle about 6 kilometres through local neighbourhoods, stopping at family-run bakeries, oyster stalls, and the kind of okonomiyaki joints locals actually queue for. The pace is gentle — this isn't a fitness mission, it's a flavour one. You'll chat with vendors between bites, pick up seasonal produce stories, and end up with a proper sense of how Hiroshima feeds itself.

Kyoto Local Guide tour (bonus with photo)

When Sarah from our team ran this Kyoto local guide tour, we got the kind of access that usually takes months of living somewhere to build. Five hours exploring the city with someone who actually knows which laneways stay quiet, which temples catch the best light at different times of day, and where the seasonal rhythms matter. Sarah steers clear of the obvious tourist checklist and instead threads through the neighbourhoods locals actually use—hidden shrines, traditional wooden houses, the kinds of corners that make Kyoto feel less like a postcard and more like a place people genuinely live. You'll get a photographer's eye on the day too, with edits of your shots included digitally.

Sumo experience in Tokyo Step into the ring and sumo meal

When Lily from our BugBitten team stepped into this Tokyo dojo, we found ourselves actually wrestling with Sekitori-ranked sumo wrestlers in the same ring where four Yokozuna trained disciples for decades. This isn't a tourist photo op — it's a working training space steeped in Japan's 1,500-year sumo tradition, and after your bouts, you eat chanko-nabe (the hearty stew that fuels these athletes) alongside the wrestlers themselves. The whole experience runs about two hours and sits in the heart of Tokyo, accessible by public transport, with a genuine intimacy that's hard to find elsewhere.

Tokyo Shinbashi Night Tour: Local Guide & Drinks at Snack Bars

Gain access to Tokyo's snack bar scene alongside an English-speaking guide who opens doors locals guard closely. Over two-and-a-half hours in Shinbashi, you'll visit two intimate venues, drink six beverages across both stops, nibble on Japanese snacks, and swap stories with regular drinkers. Snack bars sit somewhere between a neighbour's lounge and a dive—cosy, worn-in, nothing polished. Most travellers never find them; fewer still get welcomed inside without connections.

Hokkaido Seafood Sushi Rolls Experience with Matcha, in Sapporo

When Lily from our BugBitten team booked this sushi and tempura class in Sapporo, she found herself in a quiet residential kitchen learning to roll seafood by hand and fry crispy tempura from scratch. It's a proper home-style setup — small group, fresh Hokkaido ingredients, and a genuine feel for how Japanese home cooks actually work. The two-and-a-half-hour session wraps with matcha and sweets, sitting down to eat what you've made. The studio sits about 15 minutes by car from Sapporo Station in a neighbourhood that doubles as a stylish local hub, handy to Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Zoo if you're piecing together a day.

Osaka Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class with Wagashi and Tea Ceremony

When Tom from our BugBitten team did this Osaka cooking class, we walked into a local home kitchen and spent three hours making ramen, gyoza, and wagashi from scratch. The host brings two decades of cooking teaching experience and a genuinely relaxed vibe — no stuffy demonstrations here, just hands-on learning in someone's actual kitchen. You'll make lunch or dinner, do a matcha tea ceremony moment, and leave with printed recipes and photos the host snaps throughout. It's the kind of cultural experience that doesn't feel like a tick-box.

Discover Ishigaki's Hidden Treasures Snorkeling Tour at BlueCave

When Lily from our BugBitten team tried this snorkeling tour off Ishigaki, she spent a solid half-day exploring the island's reef system—think vibrant coral gardens and schools of colourful fish darting between the formations. Based in Okinawa's southern islands, Ishigaki draws a mix of backpackers and families keen on water. The tour runs about 4 hours total, with roughly 1–2 hours in the water (longer if conditions and timing allow). You get kit provided, transport if you're staying in or near Ishigaki city, and a spread of seasonal fruit—pineapples, passion fruit, island bananas—after you've dried off.

Fushimi Inari Hidden Waterfall Sacred Takigyo Ritual Experience

When Em from our team booked this Kyoto waterfall ritual, she wasn't sure what to expect — but the takigyo experience turned out to be genuinely affecting. You're guided by a certified priest through a Shinto purification ceremony at a hidden shrine, wearing white ritual garments and standing beneath a sacred waterfall. The small group (mixed nationalities, mixed ages observing) creates an intimate atmosphere. It's 2.5 hours total, including offerings, prayers, a Q&A, and a warm drink to recover. Not a performance for tourists; it reads as the real thing, designed for people actually curious about Shinto practice.

2h 30mfrom AUD $72

Tokyo Private Customizable Half Day Tour

★ 5.0 (14)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Tokyo Private Customizable Half Day Tour

Build your own four-hour Tokyo experience with a dedicated English-speaking guide who handles all logistics and bookings. You'll pick two to three spots that genuinely interest you—whether that's a neighbourhood you've heard about, a specific museum, or local shops—and explore at a sensible pace. Your guide collects your preferences beforehand, avoiding anywhere you've already seen. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you're staying centrally, plus all in-city transport.

Hiroshima Night Tour: Craft Beer and Local Bites

When Noah from our team ran this Hiroshima night tour, we found a solid way to see the city's craft beer and food scene come alive after dark. You'll meet at Orizuru Tower, then walk west through downtown with a bilingual guide, stopping at three brew pubs where three beers and local snacks are included. The pace is relaxed — it's less about speed and more about soaking in how Hiroshima's food culture has shaped its beer culture. The crowd tends toward travellers keen on local flavours rather than binge-drinking backpackers, which sets a nice tone for the three-hour outing.

3 hoursfrom AUD $109

★ 5.0 (14)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Beppu and Yufuin Scenic Private Tour

A curated five to six-hour private tour through Beppu and Yufuin led by locals who know the region intimately. Travel by private vehicle with pickup from the cruise port or your accommodation, exploring hot springs, craft studios, and mountain scenery at your own pace. Groups of up to five can customise the itinerary around their interests—whether soaking culture, tasting local food, or chasing viewpoints—making this ideal for cruise visitors or anyone short on time.

5 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $803

Mt.Fuji Trekking 1 Day Tour up to the summit by Private Vehicle

★ 5.0 (14)

🏔 Adventure & Sports

Japan

Mt.Fuji Trekking 1 Day Tour up to the summit by Private Vehicle

Scale Japan's highest peak on a 12–16 hour private trek to Mt. Fuji's summit or 7th station. Your guide drives you to the 5th station trailhead, then leads you upward through alpine terrain where views expand with every metre gained. The mountain has shaped Japanese culture for centuries and earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2013. This is a serious physical challenge—expect thin air, steep switchbacks, and the quiet satisfaction of reaching 3,776 metres on foot.

12 hours – 16 hoursfrom AUD $4033

Some tours listed with Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices and availability confirmed at checkout.