Tours & experiences

Tours in Japan

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

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Asakusa Tokyo Sushi Making Class : Sake Ceremony & Whisk Matcha

★ 5.0 (93)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Japan

Asakusa Tokyo Sushi Making Class : Sake Ceremony & Whisk Matcha

Learn to hand-roll nigiri sushi in central Asakusa, then participate in a sake-barrel opening ceremony and whisk matcha tea. This 90-minute class teaches you how to shape rice, layer fish, and finish pieces like an apprentice, followed by a formal matcha ritual. You'll create 6–10 pieces to eat straightaway, with the instructor sharing techniques passed down through their kitchen. Located steps from Asakusa Station, near Senso-ji temple and Tokyo Skytree.

Luxury Samurai Sushi Dining Show in Asakusa Tokyo

When Ben from our BugBitten team booked the Luxury Samurai Sushi Dining Show in Asakusa, he walked into something genuinely different — a two-hour blend of premium sushi tasting, live chef theatrics, and hands-on cooking that doesn't feel like a tourist trap. The SHOGUN course (the main event) pairs knife work demonstrations, futomaki rolling lessons, and a samurai sword show with actual food, set in a lively dining room where you're part of the action rather than watching from the sidelines. It's in the heart of Asakusa, Tokyo's older, temple-heavy neighbourhood, so the vibe is cultural without being stuffy.

2 hoursfrom AUD $136

Private Tour of Mount Fuji with English speaking driver

★ 5.0 (91)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Private Tour of Mount Fuji with English speaking driver

Spend a full day exploring [Mount Fuji](/places/mount-fuji)'s striking landscape on a private drive from Tokyo with an English-speaking driver. This 8–9 hour tour takes you to vantage points across the Fuji region—including Lake Kawaguchi—where you'll chase views of Japan's iconic peak. Vehicle sizes range from compact cars to larger vans, so you can pick what suits your group. Clear visibility isn't guaranteed (Fuji reveals itself roughly 70–80 days yearly), but on cooperating days, the payoff is genuinely striking.

8 hours – 9 hoursfrom AUD $537

★ 5.0 (89)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Japan

Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!

When Alex from our team booked this Osaka cooking class, we got hands-on with okonomiyaki — the savoury Japanese pancake that's practically synonymous with the city. You'll make miso soup too, then sit down to eat what you've cooked alongside the locals running the kitchen, who chat in English throughout. It's a relaxed two-hour session designed around real recipes you can actually recreate at home, not restaurant-grade acrobatics. The crew are flexible on timing and ingredient swaps, so if you're cooking with mates or family, they'll work with your group.

2 hoursfrom AUD $68

Osaka Dotonbori Night Photoshoot with Photographer

★ 5.0 (88)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Osaka Dotonbori Night Photoshoot with Photographer

When Mia from our BugBitten team did this Osaka photoshoot, we found it pitched perfectly between candid and polished. You're not standing still doing awkward poses—instead, you're walking Dotonbori's neon strips with a photographer who's quietly framing shots as you move naturally through the district. The route takes you from the famous Glico sign through moody side streets with Showa-era charm, then into Uranamba's raw, local vibe. It's a one-hour guided walk that doubles as a photoshoot, and you get 35+ professionally edited images within three days. The whole thing feels less like a photo session and more like a friend with a good camera showing you around.

Experience of Samurai and Samurai license of Samurai Armor Photo Studio

When Tom from our BugBitten team suited up at this Tokyo studio, he became a proper samurai for 90 minutes—armour, helmet, the lot. You're dressed head-to-toe in authentic kacchu gear, struck a series of poses while a pro photographer captures the moment, then walk away with a laminated samurai license, a family crest T-shirt, and digital copies of your shots. It's a straightforward, touristy experience in the heart of the city, popular with families and solo travellers after a novelty snap. The whole thing moves quickly and feels more novelty than deep cultural dive, but if you're after a fun photo prop and bragging rights, it delivers.

Itajime Shibori Scarf Class

When Charlie from our team tried the Itajime Shibori Scarf Class at Kyoto's Shibori Museum, we walked away with a hand-dyed silk scarf and genuine understanding of a craft that's been refined in Japan for centuries. The class runs 30 minutes to an hour and walks you through folding, clamping fabric between wooden shapes, then dunking it in two colours of your choice. While the piece dries, the museum itself becomes your classroom — you'll wander through displays of historical shibori work and tools that show why this technique still matters. It's low-key, personal, and produces something you'll actually want to wear or gift.

30 min – 1 hourfrom AUD $60

Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping & Night Walking Tour

★ 5.0 (84)

🍜 Food & Cooking

Japan

Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping & Night Walking Tour

When Alex from our team ran this Shinjuku bar-hopping tour, we hit three local izakayas tucked away in the neon-soaked backstreets—the sort of spots Tokyo regulars actually frequent, not tourist magnets. Over three hours, we weaved through lively arcades and narrow alleys with a local guide who knew the spots well, stopping to eat proper comfort food (fresh sushi, crispy kushikatsu, gyoza) and drink plenty of sake alongside a mixed bunch of other travellers. It's a genuine slice of Tokyo's after-hours scene, stripped of the fancy plating and full of the real deal.

3 hoursfrom AUD $50

Tokyo Early Morning Tour Asakusa Meiji Shrine (Private Opt)

★ 5.0 (83)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Tokyo Early Morning Tour Asakusa Meiji Shrine (Private Opt)

Start your Tokyo day before dawn to slip through Asakusa, Tsukiji Fish Market, [Meiji Jingu](/places/meiji-shrine) Shrine, and [Shibuya Crossing](/places/shibuya-crossing) whilst the city still feels like itself. This five-hour private tour capitalises on early light and sparse foot traffic—ideal if you're maximising a short Tokyo stay or simply prefer moving through the city without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Your guide will orient you to the train network so you can roam freely afterwards.

Tokyo: Geisha Meet, Performance, Games & Picture in Shinjuku

When Charlie from our BugBitten team booked this hour in Shinjuku, we weren't expecting theatre — and that's exactly what made it work. You're in a quiet tatami room with a working geisha from Kagurazaka, one of Tokyo's oldest geisha districts. She performs classical dance and shamisen, teaches you the traditional games guests have played here for over a century, then sits down for matcha and sweets while an English interpreter handles the conversation. Groups stay small — fifteen max, often fewer — which means you actually get her attention rather than watching from the back of a crowded hall.

Ninja Experience in Takayama - Basic Course

When Em from our BugBitten team suited up at Ninja Cafe Takayama, we found ourselves in a breezy one-hour crash course in actual ninja technique—not the tourist costume-snap kind, though the gear's genuinely well-fitted. Tucked in Takayama's old town (a beautifully preserved mountain city in Gifu Prefecture), this spot pulls both curious adults and kids wanting to swing weapons and learn what ninjas actually trained for. The cafe doubles as a small museum of samurai helmets, swords, and tea gear, grounding the experience in real history rather than theme-park theatrics.

Maiko Dance and Tea Ceremony on a Noh Stage in Kyoto

When Lily from our BugBitten team booked this Kyoto experience, she stepped onto a proper Noh stage to watch a real Maiko perform two dances, sit through a traditional tea ceremony, and play parlor games normally kept for VIP guests. It's a 90-minute private show in one of Japan's most refined cultural pockets, guided by someone who's actually lived that world. The whole thing feels deliberately scaled to be intimate rather than a cattle-run tourist slot — you're the only group there, and a former Maiko walks you through what you're seeing with full English support.

Unlimited SAKE Tasting《OVER-THIRTY-BOTTLES》From ALL OVER JAPAN!

When Lily from our BugBitten team ran this tasting in Japan, we found ourselves in a proper sake bar working through 30–40 bottles sourced from all corners of the country. The setup is intimate — groups cap at four people, which meant real conversation with the guide rather than a cattle-herd vibe. You'll taste everything from everyday pours to rare seasonals and unpasteurised bottles that even locals struggle to find. Two hours flies by, backed by printed sake notes, paired Japanese snacks, and soft drinks to reset your palate. Small-group feel means it fills fast.

2 hoursfrom AUD $118

Ishigaki Island Private Photo Tour by English Native Speaker

★ 5.0 (77)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Ishigaki Island Private Photo Tour by English Native Speaker

When Mia from our BugBitten team booked this private photo tour on Ishigaki Island, she got a proper insider's experience — run by a husband-and-wife duo who've made the island home. Over 5 hours, you'll hit a mix of famous spots and quieter beaches the locals know, snap photos with a professional photographer steering the shots, and taste actual Okinawan food along the way. The beauty here is flexibility: pick from their list of locations or pitch your own ideas. Start time bends to your schedule, which matters when you're trying to catch light or avoid crowds.

4 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $195

Kyoto: Nishiki Food Market & Hidden Local Spots Walking Tour

★ 5.0 (77)

🛕 Culture & History

Japan

Kyoto: Nishiki Food Market & Hidden Local Spots Walking Tour

When Tom from our team ran this 90-minute walk through Kyoto, we moved fast and covered proper ground. You get Nishiki Market — where vendors sell everything from pickled vegetables to fresh fish — plus a working shrine, laneway shots, and the geisha district of Gion, all threaded together by someone who knows which corners actually matter. It's billed as the real Kyoto beyond postcards, and the walk lands you by the Kamo River with a sense you've caught the city's pulse rather than ticked a box. Paced well for first-timers who want substance without a full-day commitment.

Himeji Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

When Ben from our BugBitten team booked this Himeji tour, we got a proper tailored experience with a government-licensed guide who actually knew the place. The six-hour private walk lets you cherry-pick 3–4 stops from a set list — Himeji-jo (the show-stealer: a white-plaster fortress that's arguably Japan's finest) sits front and centre, but you shape the rest. Himeji itself is a compact castle town on Honshu's southern coast, quiet by Japanese standards, and feels built around that one stunning landmark. The guide meets you on foot in a designated zone, speaks solid English, and brings real cultural depth to what you're seeing.

2026 Tokyo Time Machine Exploring Old School Monzen Nakacho

When Em from our team ran this 6-hour afternoon-into-evening walk through Monzen-Nakacho, we found ourselves in one of Tokyo's quieter, lived-in pockets — the kind of neighbourhood where locals actually eat, not just tourists. You're moving between a working temple (complete with taiko drums and fire rituals), hole-in-the-wall izakayas that have been pouring drinks for decades, and small food shops with serious lineage. It's old Tokyo sitting comfortably next to newer craft stuff, and the pace feels unhurried. Drinks and dinner are sorted, which takes the logistics stress out of the evening.

Kyoto Half Day Highlights Tour

When Lily from our BugBitten team ran this Kyoto half-day walk, she hit the major heritage circuit in one smooth arc. You're looking at Gion's teahouse lanes, a couple of temples with real pulling power (Hokanji's five-storey pagoda, Kiyomizudera's wooden terrace), the shopping streets of Ninenzaka and Sannanzaka, and the payoff — Fushimi Inari's thousands of red torii gates. It's 3.5 hours of steady ground-covering with a guide who knows the place. Small-group format, central Kyoto, and the pace means you're not rushing but you're not lingering either. Good for first-timers who want the hits without a full day commitment.

Kyoto 2 Hours Genuine Kendo / Samurai Experience In Japan

When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked this two-hour kendo session in Kyoto, she wasn't sure what to expect walking into a working dojo. Turns out the instructor speaks clear English and builds you from basic etiquette through to actually suiting up in full armour and swinging a bamboo sword. You're learning genuine kendo form in a proper training space — not a tourist theatre version. The mix of technique, cultural grounding, and hands-on practice makes it feel like a real introduction to the art rather than a box-tick experience.

An Amazing set of Cultural experience: Kimono, Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy

When Lily from our BugBitten team did this cultural session in Miyajima, we found ourselves in a quietly tucked-away 300-year-old temple — just a short walk from the ferry port but far enough from the tourist crush to actually breathe. Over 90 minutes, we dressed in kimono, watched a tea master lead an authentic ceremony in a proper tea room, then had a crack at whisking matcha ourselves and painting calligraphy on a rice scoop. It's a genuine hands-on intro to three pillars of Japanese tradition, not a rushed photo op.

1h 30mfrom AUD $186

Discover Ancient Nara: Private Car Tour from Kyoto or Osaka

★ 5.0 (71)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

Discover Ancient Nara: Private Car Tour from Kyoto or Osaka

When Jake from our team ran this Nara tour, we got the full ancient-city experience without the public-transport juggle. You're picked up from your Kyoto or Osaka hotel in a private car with a dedicated driver and guide, then whisked through eight hours hitting the big draws: the colossal Great Buddha at Todai-ji, deer-filled Nara Park, the quiet lanes of Naramachi with their old wooden shops, and the forest-wrapped Kasuga Taisha Shrine. It caps off with views from Mount Wakakusa. The pace feels unhurried, and you're eating proper local food midway.

Osaka 2-Hour Genuine Kendo / Samurai Experience In Japan

When Sarah from our BugBitten team tried this Osaka kendo class, she walked in as a complete beginner and left having actually worn proper armour and practiced strikes with an English-speaking instructor. It's a straightforward two-hour introduction set up for first-timers to Japan who want to tick 'samurai skills' off the list without needing prior experience. You'll learn the etiquette side of things — how to bow, move, respect the space — before moving into the physical work with real equipment. The vibe is welcoming rather than intimidating, and it genuinely feels like you're getting a taste of something the Japanese take seriously, not just a tourist checkbox.

Tokyo Shinjuku Chopstick Making Workshop

When Em from our team booked into this Shinjuku chopstick-making workshop, we expected a quick craft session. Instead, we got a hands-on hour where you pick from over a dozen timber types, shape your own pair with proper carving tools, and walk out with a genuinely useful souvenir etched with your name in kanji. Shinjuku's the obvious base — busy, accessible, easy to reach via train — and the workshop sits right in that zone. It's the sort of thing that works equally well as a solo detour or a group activity, and the staff steer you through the whole thing in fluent English.

Samurai Training in Tokyo: Swords, Bushido & Mental Discipline

When Ben from our team suited up in traditional samurai gear in Tokyo's Kojimachi neighbourhood, he spent two hours working through breathing, meditation, wooden-sword drills, and actual sparring with an instructor. The area sits on historically significant ground—once part of Edo Castle—and draws a mixed crowd of curious travellers and culture enthusiasts. You'll feel the shift from tourist mode pretty quickly: the focus on posture, mental calm, and deliberate movement sets this apart from your standard activity-class vibe. It's beginner-friendly, conducted in English, and includes matcha and sweets mid-session.

Kyoto Authentic Soul of Japan 45 Minute Immersive Drum Show

When Lily from our BugBitten team caught this 45-minute Wadaiko drum performance in Kyoto, she found herself in a packed theatre watching elite Taiko masters blend ancient rhythms with sharp, modern energy. The drummers—seasoned performers who've played international stages—don't just bang out beats; they move with purpose, and the sheer physical force of the drums hits your chest. It's the kind of show that cuts through the usual temple-and-geisha tourist trail and gives you something genuinely rooted in Japanese artistic tradition, held in a space that welcomes everyone from pram-pushers to wheelchair users.

Tokyo Asakusa：Calligraphy & Make T-shirt Activity

When Tom from our BugBitten team tried this Asakusa experience, he spent an hour learning the fundamentals of Japanese calligraphy before designing and printing his own custom T-shirt. The setup is straightforward: you watch a quick primer on the history of Japanese writing systems, get coached through basic brush strokes, then write a kanji character of your choice on proper paper. While your shirt prints, you craft a letter to yourself or someone meaningful. It's positioned as a solid souvenir-building activity in one of Tokyo's most visited temple neighbourhoods, where foot traffic is heavy and the vibe leans touristy but genuine.

Bamboo Grove Temple and Garden Views Tour

A five-hour guided loop through Saga-Arashiyama that stitches together Kyoto's most photogenic temples and gardens. Starting from Kyoto Station, you'll spend less than 20 minutes on local trains before exploring the Bamboo Forest's towering groves, Tenryuji Temple's pond gardens, and the hillside grounds of Okochi Sanso. The route climaxes at Iwatayama Monkey Park with views across Kyoto's mountains. A lunch break lets you sample regional Japanese fare.

Best of Shinjuku: Izakaya Food Tour (3-4 Stops, 14+ Tastings)

When Em from our team hit this Shinjuku izakaya crawl, we hopped between three to four local spots over three-and-a-half hours, clocking up 14+ tastings that amounted to a proper dinner. Tokyo's busiest district feels different after dark — neon-soaked, packed with salarymen and tourists, but our bilingual guide steered us past the obvious traps into places where locals actually eat. We wandered roughly 1–2km through Kabukicho and side streets, stopping to try grilled skewers, sashimi, comfort dishes, and whatever the kitchen had on that night. Three drinks came with the ticket.

Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour:15 Tastings & 3 Drinks with a Local

When Jake from our BugBitten team ran this evening tour through Osaka's Shinsekai neighbourhood, it was pure street-food chaos in the best way. You're guided by locals who actually eat at these spots daily—hitting five hand-picked eateries over three hours for 15+ tastings and three drinks. Think takoyaki, kushikatsu, karaage, udon, oden, and whatever else the guides reckon you need to try. It's small-group stuff, so you're not herded around like a tour bus. The real drawcard is learning why post-war Osaka eats like this, hearing stories from people who live here, and getting tipped off about places tourists never find.

Tsukiji Fish Market: Street Food & Culture Walking Tour

When Alex from our team ran the Tsukiji Fish Market walking tour, it was a tight 90-minute sprint through one of Tokyo's most storied food hubs. You're guided through stalls packed with impossibly fresh tuna, wagyu, and street food while learning how the market's artisans preserve flavour and build umami into every ingredient. The tour leans hard into tasting — your guide brings a special wasabi set that shifts how you experience each sample. It's less leisurely market wander and more intensive food-culture lesson, ideal if you want to understand Japanese culinary craft rather than just snap photos.

Tokyo Sushi Making Class in Tsukiji with Professional Chef

When Lily from our team tried this sushi-making class in Tsukiji, Tokyo, she found herself in a proper working kitchen watching a veteran sushi chef break down whole fish and hand-grate fresh wasabi on sharkskin. The 90-minute session sits you in a third-floor classroom within the historic market itself—the beating heart of Tokyo's seafood trade—where you'll learn to shape nigiri and roll sushi using techniques the chef walks you through, then eat what you've made alongside a live fish-fillet demo. The vibe is casual and hands-on; you're learning from someone who's spent years perfecting the craft, with an English-speaking guide translating cultural context and ingredient stories along the way.

1h 30mfrom AUD $100

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour

★ 5.0 (1,445)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

Japan

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour

When Ben from our team did this 8-hour Kyoto sprint, he hit ten major sights in a single day — Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates, the Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple's famous balcony, bamboo forest, and the geisha district among them. A local English-speaking guide steers you through a mix of public transport and taxi rides, plus stretches on foot through the quieter streets and back alleys locals actually use. It's the full Kyoto checklist in one go, though the pace is relentless and the itinerary is fixed — no swaps, no detours.

Tokyo: Asakusa Senso-ji Temple & Old Town Walking Tour

When Jake from our team did this Asakusa walking tour, it was exactly what he needed as a first-timer in Tokyo. Asakusa is chaotic—narrow lanes, packed temples, endless souvenir stalls—but having a local guide meant we actually understood what we were looking at instead of just snapping photos and moving on. The two-hour loop hits Senso-ji Temple and the old shopping street, Nakamise, with a small group (max 10) so you can actually hear what's being said. Perfect if you've got limited time and don't want to wing it through Tokyo's oldest neighbourhood.

Kyoto Arashiyama Chopstick Making Workshop

Spend an hour crafting your own pair of chopsticks at this Arashiyama workshop, selecting from over a dozen timber varieties each with distinct grain, scent and feel. You'll work with hand tools under English-speaking instruction to shape, sand and finish a functional keepsake that reflects your choices. The workshop sits near Arashiyama's main attractions, so you can easily explore the bamboo groves and temples nearby before or after.

Tokyo: Asakusa & Sensoji ー Oldest Temple Walking Tour (2hrs)

When Sarah from our team walked this Asakusa circuit, we started at the Thunder Gate and wound through to Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple. What struck us wasn't just the scale of the place — it's genuinely packed with locals and tourists year-round — but the odd harmony between Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine sharing the same grounds. The 2-hour loop takes in the famous food and souvenir lanes where you'll spot everything from handmade crackers to ninja costume shops. It's a concentrated hit of old Tokyo, best done early if you want breathing room.

3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings

When Lily from our BugBitten team did this 3-hour sake tour in Kyoto, it was far more than just a tasting session. You're guided by a certified Sake Sommelier through the historic Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, then into a private tasting room where you work through 10 carefully chosen sakes paired with traditional snacks. The tour teaches you how sake is actually made, why flavours vary, and—critically—how to figure out what you actually like drinking. By the end, you've got a cheat sheet and real confidence ordering sake back home or anywhere in Japan.

Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class in Tokyo with Local Supermarket Visit

When Noah from our BugBitten team took this Tokyo cooking class, we made ramen and gyoza from scratch in a home kitchen studio with a chef who actually knows their way around YouTube. You'll build the broth properly (no packet shortcuts), fold dumplings, and nip to a local supermarket beforehand to see what everyday Japanese cooks actually buy. It's a solid 2.5 hours, sits in one of Tokyo's quieter neighbourhood pockets, and works whether you're flying solo or dragging the family along. Foodies will get the most from it, but anyone keen to actually cook something edible will leave with skills.

Matcha Making Class in Osaka with Authentic Japanese Sweets Set

When Noah from our BugBitten team tried this matcha class in Osaka, we found ourselves in a pocket of calm just steps from the chaos of Dotonbori. You'll learn to whisk matcha properly, pair it with homemade Japanese sweets, and spend an hour with a local instructor who speaks English. The class takes about an hour and sits in Japan's food capital — the vibe is relaxed, no prior experience needed, and it's a solid alternative to the standard tourist eats around the corner.

Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo: Enter the Sanctuary

When Em from our team tried this Tokyo sumo experience, we stepped into an actual former stable — not a polished tourist theatre. You learn the rules and culture from a guide, then wrestle with retired pro wrestlers who adjust their strength to keep things safe and fun. Afterwards, you sit down with them over a traditional hot pot lunch and hear their stories. The whole thing runs about four hours, and you walk away with a t-shirt and handprint souvenir. It's hands-on in a way most sumo encounters aren't.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Hidden Gems Bike Tour (Early Bird)

When Alex from our team pedalled this early-morning Arashiyama bike tour, we found ourselves on quiet roads before the crowds hit the Bamboo Forest. The 3–4 hour ride loops through Kyoto's quieter side: rice paddies, narrow country lanes, and temple glimpses that most tourists miss. Arashiyama itself is a blend of manicured gardens and genuine farmland, and this tour captures both angles. You're on a standard city bike with a bilingual guide steering the pace, which suits riders of all fitness levels—the terrain is gentle, the rhythm is steady, and the early slot means you're not queuing behind thousands.

3 hours – 4 hoursfrom AUD $145

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