Top Japan Unique Experiences

Climb aboard a traditional Japanese rickshaw for an unforgettable view of the Asakusa district in Tokyo. Your knowledgeable guide will steer you to some of Tokyo’s many iconic sites, districts, temples and shrines while illuminating the history behind them all. Enjoy scenic views of maple and cherry trees, gardens, soaring skyscrapers, and traditional businesses. If you’re looking for a carefree, customizable way to see Tokyo, this is it. Apart from the above courses, we have other special course for guests who really want to get away from the city. If you have already seen the crowds and buildings in Tokyo, let’s get away from that and enjoy the view across the sumida river and go into places where you can refresh your mind under the quiet trees and monument of Asahi beer headquarter! We shall go across the bridge to the peaceful area of sumida park and Ushijima shrine where you can enjoy the Japanese garden park and lucky fortune cow shrine.

Immerse yourself in samurai history and culture during this 2-hour samurai experience at a traditional Kyoto Samurai House. Under the guidance of an expert sword instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the "Way of the Warrior" handle a real katana sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.

Seeking out the well-concealed back-alley bars of Tokyo's Shinjuku district is notoriously tricky for outsiders. Take the guesswork out of your trip on this guided tour that takes you barhopping to Izakaya bars in two different alleyways—a small group of no more than eight people means that you can easily access tiny bars with just a few seats. Between drinks and snacks (included) your guide shares insights into local culture in this atmospheric part of the city.

Gain a better understanding of sake during this tour that explores the Fushimi Sake District of Kyoto. Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi, and end your visit with a sake-tasting session. Not only will your guide be able to explain the basics of sake and introduce you to new kinds you may have never tried, but your tastings will also be paired with Japanese snacks that enhance the tasting experience. 

Take a fascinating 'deep dive' into Japanese seafood cuisine during this combination walking tour of Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and cooking class. Shop for the freshest ingredients amidst the labyrinth-style aisles of Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, showcasing everything from sushi-grade tuna to octopus tentacles. Then head to the largest gourmet cooking school in Asia as you learn to prepare traditional-style ‘washoku’ food items like sushi and a Japanese omelet. An English-speaking guide, transport, cooking ingredients and tools, and lunch with a beverage are all included.

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.

Take a closer look at the fascinating world of sushi, extending from the ocean to your plate, during this 4-hour sushi-making class and a visit to the outer Tsukiji fish market. Tour one of the world’s largest seafood markets with a guide as you learn how fish is caught, distributed, and sold. Then turn your attention to sushi-making, learning to prepare nigiri sushi with the help of a sushi master. Finish your experience by enjoying your creations for lunch.

Step into an authentic Japanese rickshaw for the ride of a lifetime, through some of the most scenic and historic districts in Kyoto, Japan. You have the option of exploring the verdant Bamboo Grove and impressive shrines of west Kyoto’s Arashiyama district or the intriguing wooden buildings and stone alleys (maybe even spotting a geisha or two) in Kyoto’s famed Higashiyama area, all with a knowledgeable local guide and rickshaw driver. This authentic, customizable Kyoto adventure is a fun introduction to this beautiful city.

Get acquainted with a real-life geisha during a cultural experience in Tokyo. An intimate encounter designed for travelers interested in Japanese culture, this tour includes a geisha performance, traditionally featuring songs, dances, and games, and refreshments such as tea and sweets. Learn about the history of the geisha and upgrade to include lunch and unlimited drinks.

Indulge your inner foodie and learn to make ramen and gyoza like a pro with this cooking class in Tokyo. After visiting a local market and heading to a spacious kitchen, enjoy a hands-on experience with a local chef and discover how to prepare the perfect noodle soup (ramen) and minced pork dumplings (gyoza). Then, savor your creation in a fun atmosphere.

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this 1- or 2-hour class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Take the 1-hour session, providing an introduction to the basics of the samurai art, or choose the 1.5-hour course, practicing more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion.  This samurai session also includes an English-speaking guide and instructor and a 'tenugui,' a traditional Japanese towel.

Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic ‘Chanko Nabe’ (hotpot) meal. Discover the history, training, and rules behind the typical sumo match as you watch real clashes. You can even try it yourself during a skirmish with a retired wrestler. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into a tasty Chanko Nabe, a filling meal of hotpot, rice, miso, salad, French fries and more, used by these hulking fighters to gain weight. Admission to the demonstration and meals are both covered.

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic drink that’s also known as rice wine. It can be tricky as an outsider to know which type of sake to order, and what the difference is between terms such as “junmai” and “junmai ginjo”. Eliminate language barriers, and boost your sake knowledge by having a tasting session with a sake sommelier in Tokyo. Try three types of sake with detailed explanations of the best way to drink them, and tasty snacks included.

Enjoy a night out in Osaka without stressing over where to go with this nightlife tour of the city. With visits to at least three bars and one club included, the crawl showcases the city’s most happening venues and introduces you to like-minded travelers at the same time. Enjoy discounted drinks and free shots, and explore Osaka after dark with a group of up to 50 people, aged mostly between 21 and 38 years old. Drinkers must be at least 20 years old, and ID is required.

Understanding Tokyo can seem like an impossible wish for foreign travelers. Take the mystery out of your visit on this guided tour with a local. Before your tour, your guide contacts you to get a feel for what interests you. On your customized tour, they take you to see the city's must-see sites, as well as underexplored local neighborhoods and hidden gems. Along the way, they share insights into local life giving you a better sense of Tokyo culture.

Sake—traditional rice wine—is Japan’s most famous drink and Kyoto’s Fushimi District is renowned for its sake production, home to over 30 breweries. On this tour, find out how sake is made, discover the many varieties, and learn which sake suits each occasion. Sample seven different sakes, accompanied by tasty Japanese snacks, and leave with a cheat sheet to help you order your favorite sakes while in Japan.

If you’re interested in learning how sake is made, this is the tour for you. A guide meets you at the station and take you to the brewery, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost. Visit the historic Tenryo Sake Brewery, which is one of the oldest sake breweries in Hida region. A sake brewer shows you the step-by-step process of making sake. A highlight is being able to taste different sakes, and conveniently, tastings are included.

Learn to create your own bento box, the iconic (and tasty) convenience meal enjoyed daily by millions of Japanese, during this 3- to 3.5-hour cooking class in Kyoto. Uncover the origins of this uniquely-Japanese foodstuff, and watch master chefs as they demonstrate key cooking techniques, before learning to make your own. Finish your course by enjoying your handmade bento box which may includes items like an egg roll, pickled vegetables, rice, breaded chicken and miso soup. Your course also includes use of an apron, an instructor and all ingredients.

Refine your cooking skills and enrich your knowledge of Japanese cuisine during a kaiseki ryouri (haute cuisine) cookery class in Tokyo. In a small group, limited to a maximum of 10 people, prepare up to eight different dishes featuring Wagyu beef, Japanese vegetables, and traditional seasonings. Then, sit down to feast on the fruits of your labors, accompanied by sake and green tea.

Visit an area that few people gain access to these days, on this interesting day trip to Fukushima from Tokyo. See where the tsunami hit in 2011, and the former residential zones that are now abandoned. Travel to within 12 miles (20 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, damaged during the earthquake, but stay safe with the help and knowledge of your guide.

Master the basic techniques of Japan’s most famous food during a 3-hour sushi making class in Tokyo. In a small group limited to ten, you’ll prepare sushi fillings and toppings, such as fish, soup stock, and sushi rice, before rolling three varieties of sushi. Then, feast on the fruits of your labors accompanied by grated wasabi, miso soup, and green tea.  

Fans of samurai and ninja history won’t want to miss wielding a real katana sword while in Kyoto. From the Heian period through the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate, samurai and ninja roamed Kyoto’s streets. Get an immersive tour of these heroes’ history as a professional guide leads you through the Samurai and Ninja Museum. Your hands-on experience includes wearing samurai armor, wielding katana and ninja stars, and posing with replica swords.

Orient yourself on your first day in Tokyo, and see the city through the eyes of a local. During this customized tour with your personal host, learn how to navigate and use Tokyo’s transport system. Choose from the city’s most famous attractions, or explore up-and-coming neighborhoods. Understand cultural practices, find the best places to eat, and get advice on Tokyo’s nightlife scene.

Follow a knowledgeable guide through one of the world’s largest fish markets during this food tour of east Tokyo. Start with a stroll around the outer Tsukiji Market, and taste specialty foods and drinks such as Japanese omelettes, sushi, fried fish cakes, sake, and tea—enough to add up to lunch. Then continue on to the Asakusa district to sample sweets at a cafe. You'll experience Japanese culture through its food, just like the locals do.