Top Japan Art & Culture - page 7

Explore the busy and exciting Shinjuku region of Tokyo with your guide, and sample all kinds of traditional Japanese food along the way. Start at a sushi haven, known only to locals, to try several sushi creations. Next, visit a restaurant where they grill Wagyu on traditional shichirin stoves before walking the neon streets of Kabuki-Cho. End your tour at a bar where you can indulge in tasty desserts.

The magic of Kyoto’s Gion district is best experienced when it’s all lit up at night. Enjoy a more personalized approach to discovering Japan’s traditional culture on this small group tour. Wander through narrow back streets and see offbeat temples and shrines that most tourists don’t know to visit. If you’re lucky, you may even see a maiko or geisha.

Explore Tokyo by electric bike on this guided adventure. Choose your ideal ride time—morning or afternoon, with different routes at each time of day—then hit the streets with a local cyclist. Check out spots such as Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, and Ryogoku, depending on which tour you take. Discover the city’s history, architecture, subcultures, and off-the-beaten-path spots on a fun ride around Japan’s capital.

What makes this workshop special is the material itself: you'll work with real vintage Japanese coins, each one decades old and full of history. Unlike typical souvenir shopping, you'll create something with your own hands using traditional metalworking techniques — and the ring you take home is truly one of a kind. Classes are kept small, so whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned craft lover, you'll get personal guidance every step of the way. Located in the heart of Kyoto, it's an easy add to any itinerary and one of the few experiences where your souvenir tells the story of both Japan and your trip.

See and do exactly what you want on this private and customizable 4-hour walking tour of Osaka. Your local guide will aim to show you a range of historic and modern sites in Japan’s second-largest city. Choose to visit highlights including Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building, the Dotombori District, Keitaku-en Garden, and more. Your guide will meet you at your hotel so you won’t have to worry about finding them.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Hiroshima, where history, culture, and natural beauty come together. Our expertly crafted tour will take you to the iconic Peace Memorial Park, a poignant reminder of Hiroshima’s resilience, and the serene Miyajima Island, home to the famous floating torii gate. Explore hidden gems only locals know about, and hear captivating stories from your experienced guide that bring the city’s rich history to life. From tranquil temples to bustling streets, our flexible and personalized itinerary ensures you get the most out of your visit. Don’t miss the chance to experience Hiroshima like never before. Book your tour today and let us show you the best of this incredible city!

Get to know Tokyo’s nightlife areas better without the risk of getting lost or straying into unpleasant places by going with a guide. On this small-group walking tour you’ll stroll around Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Omoide Yokocho, and the LGBTQI+ district that’s often called Gay Town. Learn more about the area’s culture and subculture from your guide, and admire the sight of hundreds of neon signs after dark.

Tokyo is an exciting city with lots to see and do, but it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Simplify your time in Tokyo with a private full-day walking tour that includes hotel pickup. Choose 4–6 sites from a list of recommendations so you focus on the sights and experiences that interest you most. Browse museums, stroll through parks and gardens, and admire Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Go beyond the typical group tour experience and explore Hiroshima with a local guide who is deeply knowledgeable and passionate about the area. This private tour takes you to the city's landmarks including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome; to the tranquil Shukkeien Garden, Miyajima island, and Itsukushima Shrine; as well as some off-the-beaten-path spots known only to locals.

Ensure your time in Tokyo is memorable with a night of traditional Japanese entertainment in the Asakusa area—one of the city's most popular destinations. Watch as entertainers perform a variety of lively pieces, including a lion dance and a samurai sword fight—usually only seen at Japanese festivals, and missed by many travelers. Chat to the performers before and after the show, and snap photos with them for a unique vacation keepsake.

Car enthusiasts will love this small-group tour to one of the Tokyo area’s top car meets, the Daikoku Meet in Yokohama. Your guide is passionate about cars, and will share their local car culture with you. See a diverse collection of classic, modern, and even futuristic cars, from sports cars to luxury vehicles. Choose from morning or evening tours, to suit your schedule.

Escape the bustle of Tokyo and enjoy a tranquil experience in nature on this small-group guided tour of Meiji Shrine. Follow your guide past Meiji Jingu Nino Torii, walk along a peaceful forest path, stroll through the imperial garden, and pay your respects at the shrine. Along the way, learn about Shintoism and the Japanese Imperial system.

Kyoto is famous for its “geisha” culture, and this experience offers a rare chance to watch a real “maiko” (apprentice “geisha”) perform up close. Sightings like this are increasingly uncommon, making it an experience many travelers miss. During the show, watch two short traditional dances, followed by a question-and-answer session, and play a classic Japanese game too.

While it’s certainly possible to explore Edo Castle and the Imperial Palace on your own, a guided tour will help you learn much more about each landmark’s historical significance. On this walking tour, discover 2,600 years of Japanese history as you learn about the Emperors that shaped the country, samurai, and the shoguns.

Discover Kyoto’s picturesque Arashiyama district without doing any research or itinerary planning, thanks to this efficient small-group walking tour. Meet your guide at Tully's Coffee near Randen Arashiyama Station before exploring the famous Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji Temple, Nonomiya Shrine, and Monkey Park Iwatayama to see the macaques. Admission is included, saving time waiting in line. This tour lasts about 3 to 4 hours, offering a compact yet immersive experience.

Enjoy a live show in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku area, no Japanese language skills required. This wordless performance combines elements of ninja, Kabuki acting, oiran-inspired costumes, and traditional taiko drums. It’s appropriate for all ages and offers a mixture of traditional Japanese arts in one show with unique lighting and visuals.

Get a deeper understanding of the history of Hiroshima than you could alone. This walking tour reveals the impact of the atomic bombing and how the city was transformed into a symbol of peace and resilience. In the company of a guide with a degree in Peace Studies, visit significant sites including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome and learn about the people and the stories behind them.

What makes this experience truly unique is the opportunity to create a functional Japanese knife through a hands-on process guided by a local craftsman in historic Asakusa. Rather than simply observing, guests actively take part in shaping and refining their own blade using whetstones, gaining firsthand insight into the precision, patience, and craftsmanship that define Japanese knife-making. The small-group setting allows for personal instruction in a calm, welcoming workshop, making the experience accessible to beginners while remaining deeply authentic. Guests leave not only with a handcrafted knife, but with a genuine connection to one of Japan’s most respected artisan traditions.

Rather than navigating Harajuku with a map on your phone, enjoy the ease of exploring local highlights with a guide. Follow a carefully planned route that includes famous spots such as Takeshita Street and Meiji Jingu Shrine, while listening to insider stories and tips. With a small group size, the tour feels relaxed and personal, making it easy to ask questions along the way.

Learn how to whisk matcha like a pro during this matcha-matching class in the heart of Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most traditional neighborhoods. Under the guidance of your instructor, learn the art of preparing matcha step by step then enjoy a cup accompanied by some delicious traditional Japanese sweets.

Discover Tokyo’s bustling Asakusa district, without getting lost or overwhelmed, on this small-group guided walking tour. Follow your professional English-speaking guide around the historic neighborhood, browse the traditional Nakamise shopping street, visit Senso-ji Temple, one of the oldest temples in Tokyo, and learn about traditional temple rituals and the area’s history along the way.

Sumo tournaments only happen a few times a year in Tokyo, so it can be disappointing if your vacation doesn’t align with match dates. This extra-special sumo experience lets you go behind the scenes and see wrestlers at their morning practice, for the inside scoop on a real training session. There's ample opportunity to take photos with the wrestlers afterward, too.

This private full-day guided tour offers a convenient way to explore Kochi's key sights, including Kochi Castle, Makino Botanical Garden, and Chikurinji Temple. Enjoy hotel pickup and travel by public transport with an English guide, making it easy to experience local culture and history without the hassle of planning.

This bike tour is an excellent choice for first-time visitors to Hiroshima. Get your bearings in the city, learn about its history, and discover backstreet areas that only locals know about. The tour helps you cover more ground than a walking tour and see many top sights in a day, such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkei-en Garden.