Top Japan Arts & Design

Two Global Icons in One Day: Experience the birthplace of instant noodles and the golden age of Japanese anime/manga created by the "God of Manga," Osamu Tezuka (creator of Astro Boy). Hands-on Creative Workshop: Design and customize your very own original Cup Noodle package, soup flavor, and toppings at the interactive factory. Immersive Pop Culture & History: Gain deep insights into post-war Japanese creativity, food innovation, and the birth of modern manga storytelling with a knowledgeable local guide. Escape the Crowds in Hidden Gems: Explore Ikeda and Takarazuka, two delightful hidden gems located just outside Osaka. Enjoy an authentic, peaceful local atmosphere far away from the packed tourist hotspots. Effortless Train & Walking Navigation: Enjoy a seamless, stress-free itinerary between Ikeda and Takarazuka with personalized guiding and transit assistance.

You can leisurely enjoy Okayama Castle and Inujima with a small group while receiving detailed explanations from the guide. You will deeply explore the connection between the stone walls of Okayama Castle and Inujima, where the stones were quarried, as well as the historical background of Inujima. Additionally, you can enjoy the rich scenery of the Seto Inland Sea where Inujima is located.

On this tour you can experience Kochi’s food culture and traditional craftsmanship at the Kochi City Central Wholesale Market. We will gather early in the morning to visit the fresh fish section, and then continue on to the produce area. With the guidance of a local vendor you’ll observe the lively fruit auction. After breakfast at a restaurant within the market, you’ll try your hand at making a bamboo basket using Torafudake, a type of bamboo native to Kochi. Your instructor is a bamboo artist who is also involved in bamboo forest preservation. To wrap up the experience, you’ll fill your handmade basket with seasonal fruits, creating your own unique fruit basket. The fruits provided can also be eaten on the spot. The Kochi City central market is a compact market with just over 20 shops in the fresh fish and produce sections. It boasts the second-longest history of any wholesale market in Japan.

Welcome to Shimokitazawa — Tokyo’s chillest neighborhood and my home. Let me show you what makes this place so special, from hidden alleys to the best vintage shops. It’s a side of the city most tourists never get to see. On this walking tour, I’ll take you to my favorite spots — not the ones in guidebooks, but the ones locals actually go to. Whether you're into thrifting, street photography, Japanese subculture, or just want to relax with good coffee and good conversation, this is the place. We’ll wander through narrow backstreets, browse unique secondhand shops, spot murals and local art, and take in the laid-back vibe that makes Shimokitazawa so loved. I’ll share local tips along the way — where to eat, what to shop for, and how to enjoy Tokyo like someone who lives here.

Discover the serene countryside of northern Nagano on this private full-day tour, blending wildlife encounters, art, and culinary experiences. Start with a visit to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park to see the famous snow monkeys bathing in hot springs. Next, wander through the historic town of Obuse, known for its Edo-period charm and the Hokusai Museum. Conclude your day at a local miso brewery, where you'll delve into Nagano's fermented food culture with a guided tasting experience. This tailored tour promises an authentic taste of Japanese culture, ideal for nature lovers and food enthusiasts alike. - Private pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Nagano - Visit Jigokudani to see snow monkeys in their natural habitat - Explore the charming streets of Obuse and visit art galleries - Enjoy a tasting session at a local miso brewery, sampling various miso types

Discover the story behind Kanazawa's iconic Tsuzumi Gate through a unique journey into Japan's taiko culture. Offered only once a month, this exclusive experience takes you to Asano Taiko, a world-renowned drum maker with more than 400 years of history. Enjoy special access to workshop areas normally closed to visitors, learn from skilled artisans, watch a live performance by a professional taiko artist, and experience the power of taiko drumming for yourself. The tour concludes at a beautifully restored sake brewery restaurant, where you will enjoy a 10-course French-style kaiseki dinner paired with locally brewed sake. Transportation, English-speaking guidance, workshop access, taiko performance, drumming experience, dinner, and sake tasting are all included. Return transportation to Kanazawa Station or selected hotels is provided.

Discover the unique blend of history and modernity in Tokyo on a guided walking tour that starts at the historic Zojoji Temple. With over 600 years of significance, this temple served as a resting place for Japan's mighty Shoguns, showcasing traditional architecture that contrasts beautifully with the sleek Tokyo Tower in the background. Capture stunning photos with personal support from your guide, who ensures you find the best angles. The tour concludes with a guided visit to the Main Deck of Tokyo Tower, offering breathtaking views of the city—your ticket is included for a hassle-free experience. - Visit the historic Zojoji Temple, a sacred site with over 600 years of history - Enjoy the stunning visual contrast between the temple and Tokyo Tower - Benefit from personal photo support to capture memorable moments - Conclude with a guided ascent to the Main Deck of Tokyo Tower for panoramic views

Explore Kumamoto, the heart of One Piece, on a unique private full-day taxi tour showcasing all 10 life-sized bronze statues of the Straw Hat Crew. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this tour not only provides a convenient way to visit each statue but also shares the rich history behind them, placed as symbols of hope following the 2016 earthquake. Ideal for fans of the beloved anime and manga, this pilgrimage offers a deep dive into the culture and creativity of Eiichiro Oda's world. - Visit all 10 official One Piece statues in a single day - Guided by a local expert with insider knowledge - Private taxi service ensures comfort and convenience throughout the day

No pressure to understand the art – just enjoy it your way. This is not a formal museum tour. It’s a relaxed, half-day walk through Roppongi, one of Tokyo’s most artistic districts – with a local guide who just loves art, food, and great city views. We’ll start at The National Art Center Tokyo, known for its ever-changing exhibitions. Then, we’ll enjoy lunch around Tokyo Midtown, where options range from affordable to fancy – vegetarian-friendly too! After lunch, we’ll explore small local galleries like Wako Works of Art and hidden spots, before heading to Roppongi Hills to see the famous Maman spider sculpture. Finally, we’ll wrap up the day with a breathtaking city view from the Mori Tower. This experience is great for travelers who want to feel Tokyo’s creative energy without needing to understand everything. I’ll share my favorite corners, let you take cool photos, and recommend spots based on your mood. Let’s just enjoy Tokyo together – casually, like a local day out.

No pressure to understand the art – just enjoy it your way. This is not a formal museum tour. It’s a relaxed, half-day walk through Roppongi, one of Tokyo’s most artistic districts – with a local guide who just loves art, food, and great city views. We’ll start at The National Art Center Tokyo, known for its ever-changing exhibitions. Then, we’ll enjoy lunch around Tokyo Midtown, where options range from affordable to fancy – vegetarian-friendly too! After lunch, we’ll explore small local galleries like Wako Works of Art and hidden spots, before heading to Roppongi Hills to see the famous Maman spider sculpture. Finally, we’ll wrap up the day with a breathtaking city view from the Mori Tower. This experience is great for travelers who want to feel Tokyo’s creative energy without needing to understand everything. I’ll share my favorite corners, let you take cool photos, and recommend spots based on your mood. Let’s just enjoy Tokyo together – casually, like a local day out.

Deep in the green mountains of Oita lies the Onta Pottery Village, a UNESCO-recognized artisan community where traditional pottery has been crafted for over 300 years. This intimate small-group tour takes you behind the scenes to witness the timeless art of Onta ware, guided by a local expert. Enjoy a refreshing cup of tea in a historic thatched-roof house before exploring private kilns and workshops. Savor handmade soba noodles served on the pottery created by local artisans, enriching your appreciation for this cultural heritage. This tour is perfect for those seeking an authentic experience of Japan's rich folk art tradition. - Small group size for personalized attention, maximum of 6 participants - Engage with expert guides and local artisans in hidden heritage sites - Enjoy a local soba lunch served on authentic Onta pottery - Convenient transport provided from JR Hita Station, with hotel pick-up available

Summary Discover Kyoto’s traditions in this premium half-day tour. Create your own chopsticks and Kyo-Yuzen case, enjoy a Kyoto-style lunch, and visit Sasaki Sake Brewery for a tasting of award-winning sake. Experience Kyoto’s Timeless Traditions in an Exclusive Small-Group Tour Step into the heart of Kyoto’s cultural heritage with this premium half-day experience. Craft your own Kitayama cedar chopsticks and hand-dye a Kyo-Yuzen patterned case in a historic workshop dating back over 350 years. Savor a healthy Kyoto-style lunch in a hidden machiya townhouse before visiting Sasaki Sake Brewery—Kyoto’s only central brewery since 1893—for an intimate tour and tasting of their gold award-winning sake “Jurakudai.” With a small-group size and personal guidance, every detail is designed to give you an authentic, memorable, and truly premium Kyoto experience. Priced at USD 141 to reflect the exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and exclusivity of this experience.

Ryogoku beyond sumo. This isn’t just a walking tour—it’s a journey through Edo’s resilience. Ryogoku, now known for sumo, was once the beating heart of Edo’s joys and sorrows. Fires, floods, earthquakes, and even war tore through this riverside district time and again—but each time, the people rebuilt with strength, artistry, and compassion. We begin at a temple that offered rest to the forgotten, then walk along the Sumida River to explore how water shaped both life and tragedy in Edo. We’ll stop for a traditional lunch in a lively food hall, then visit the Great Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum and Tokyo Memorial Hall to reflect on how Tokyo’s people endured catastrophe and loss. From there, we continue to a shrine dedicated to the legendary ancestor of sumo, before stepping into the colorful world of Hokusai—whose art captured Edo’s vibrant spirit even in hard times. This tour is a living story of survival, remembrance, and renewal—a walk through Tokyo’s heart of resilience.

Looking for an authentic and unforgettable night in Fukuoka? Step away from tourist traps and join us at a cozy neighborhood "KARAOKE Bar," a local sanctuary for 17 years. This is where the city’s heart beats—new friendships are born over a song and a glass. You might arrive as a visitor, but you’ll leave feeling like a local. Meet Your Host: "Mama" At the center is Mama, a charismatic local legend. She is a true "Yamato Nadeshiko"—a certified Calligraphy Master and practitioner of traditional Japanese dance. But she also has a secret: she spent years exploring the world as a backpacker. Having traveled the globe, she understands the thrill—and the loneliness—of the road. Even if her English is basic, her "Traveler’s Spirit" is fluent. She excels at breaking the ice and weaving guests into the circle of friendly local regulars.

Step inside the quiet, almost otherworldly spaces created by Tadao Ando, one of Japan’s most celebrated architects, and discover why his buildings are experienced as much as they are seen. Across several of his Kyoto works, you’ll encounter bare concrete, shafts of light, still water, precisely framed views, and passages that seem to make the outside world temporarily disappear. But the real fascination lies beneath the surfaces. Why does a wall feel calming? Why can a small opening make a landscape suddenly feel immense? And how can something as severe as concrete create a sense of peace? Your guide for this tour will be an architect and design writer, an expatriate who has lived in Japan for nearly a decade. [ Notice ] This tour is completely private, meaning it will be only the travelers in your booking—no one else will join.

As an architect and design writer, I have always been captivated by Japanese design—the way imperfection is refined into perfection, how simplicity and subtlety carry profound meaning, and how every detail is intentional. Far from the fleeting spectacle of social media, this tour is designed for depth and reflection. I will guide you beyond surface-level facts, revealing the essence of Japanese aesthetics and design thinking that often goes unnoticed. Through well-known sights, we will explore the soul of the country, layer by layer, engaging in discussion and interpretation along the way. [ Consideration ] If you’re not particularly interested in design, this tour may not be the right fit for you. [ Notice ] This tour is completely private, meaning it will be only the travelers in your booking—no one else will join.

Many visitors to Kyoto are fascinated by its traditional architecture, but often wonder how modern architecture fits into a city so deeply rooted in the past. This tour is designed to explore exactly that—discovering how contemporary ideas, materials, and design have found their place within Kyoto’s historic landscape. Your guide for this tour will be an architect and design writer, an expatriate who has lived in Japan for nearly a decade. [ Consideration ] If you’re not particularly interested in architecture, design, philosophy, or psychology, this tour may not be the right fit for you. [ Notice ] This tour is completely private, meaning it will be only the travelers in your booking—no one else will join.

Where Manga & Anime Were Born — A Tour Only Locals Know Most anime tours take you to Akihabara. This tour goes deeper, to the streets where the legends lived and created the stories that shaped global pop culture. In the 1950s, a small apartment in Toshima called Tokiwa-so became the birthplace of manga. Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy), Fujiko Fujio (Doraemon) and Shotaro Ishinomori (Kamen Rider) lived here. See re-created rooms with desks piled with ink pots, left as after all-night drawing sessions. Walk streets that still feel like 1950s Japan, browse vintage manga at second-hand bookshops, and pass Matsuba, a ramen shop Tezuka once frequented — eat there if you like (optional, pay on-site). (Extended option only) Continue to Oizumi Gakuen, home to the Toei Animation Museum where Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon and One Piece were born. Your guide Hide is a lifelong manga and anime enthusiast — a small-group, personal walk through living history

This tour offers a full-day journey from Nagoya to Inuyama, combining history, culture, and local flavors. Explore Japan’s oldest castle, stroll charming streets, taste unique local delicacies, and enjoy hands-on traditional crafts like lantern painting—an immersive experience capturing the town’s heritage and charm.

A Refined Encounter with Nature and Fermentation Pedal through the gentle landscapes of Maniwa’s satoyama countryside on an e-bike, where every turn reveals a blend of natural beauty and cultural depth. Along the way, enjoy private visits to sake breweries and vinegar cellars, each steeped in tradition and excellence. Pause for a specially prepared fermentation-inspired lunch, savoring the harmony of local ingredients and artisanal techniques. This slow, guided journey combines wellness, culture, and indulgence – a unique cycling experience designed for the discerning traveler.

Hi guys! I’m Yuki.I’ve been running walking tours for over a year now. I studied education at Meiji University and have a junior high school social studies teaching license. I also worked in Vancouver, Canada for about a year and a half. If you just walk around here, it’s honestly hard to know what you’re looking at. I’ll break down who the Emperor is, why this place matters, and how Japanese people see the Emperor today. We’ll take a walk through the Imperial Palace area, which used to be Edo Castle. I’ll share easy stories about samurai life, castle defenses, and things like watchtowers and moats. We’ll also visit some popular Japanese gardens. They’re great for photos, and there’s a small model of the old castle that helps you picture what this place looked like back in the day. I recently launched this tour, so there aren’t many reviews yet—that’s why I’ve kept the price a bit lower. But don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of guiding experience, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the tour!

Itoman, the southernmost island on the main island of Okinawa, is a town of divers and prayer.It was also the final battleground of the Battle of Okinawa.I will be guided by tazuko, a dancer and meditation guide based in Itoman who has performed on stages in Morocco, Paris and NY. (Go to tazuko.net for guide details) We will share the Okinawan prayer culture and physical wisdom of where we were born and raised in the language of this land.Time to be in this land, not to "see" tourist attractions.Starting with breathing exercises, meditation, and gentle body movements at the seaside, the exhibition will touch Okinawa's view of life and death, symbolized by the tortoiseshell tomb, and place itself in a sacred place where people have prayed, and finally face the memory of life at the site of the battle.No experience in exercise or dance is required.This is not sightseeing, but a quiet encounter with life. 　 ─ 【Participation】 • Small groups and private meetings (1-3 people per group) • Beginners welcome.No athletic or dance experience is required • Please bring comfortable clothing, sun protection (hat, sunscreen) and drinks • Please be quiet as you visit the memorial • In case of rain, the tour will be arranged (cancellation or rescheduling will be discussed in case of stormy weather) Duration : Approximately 4 hours (including transfers) Price : ¥60,000/pair (1-3 people, reserved)

In the 17th century, Izumo washi was used not only for writing but also to wrap and protect precious tea utensils. Discover how this tradition was revived by Abe Eishiro, a papermaker celebrated by the Mingei folk craft movement and later named a Living National Treasure. Then, guided by his grandson, scoop, shake and decorate your very own sheet of handmade washi to take home. Schedule: 09:00　Meeting at the lobby of Matsue New Urban Hotel, briefing on Fumai and washi 09:40　Abe Eishiro Memorial Museum — video and exhibition 10:10　Hands-on washi papermaking with the craftsman 10:40　Visit to Abe Eishiro's former workshop while your washi dries 11:20　Receive your washi (free time in Yakumo if time allows) 12:00　Arrival at Matsue New Urban Hotel

Meet your guide at JR Fukui Station and begin your journey into the world of traditional crafts. Explore Fukui, a renowned craft-producing region, and view traditional crafts and art pieces. Fukui Station is located between Kyoto and Kanazawa. From Kanazawa: About 20–25 minutes by the Hokuriku Shinkansen． ・Learn why these crafts developed in Fukui, with clear and engaging explanations of each technique. Discover the story of Shakudani Stone ・Visit to a souvenir shop featuring local crafts ・Enjoy a hands-on short calligraphy experience using Echizen Washi paper and create your own artwork to take home. Visit a souvenir shop featuring local crafts and enjoy a complimentary drink. ・If you wish to explore further, receive guidance to artisan workshops. What's included ・Guided tour of Fukui's traditional crafts ・Hands-on mini calligraphy experience ・Complimentary drink ・Visit to a souvenir shop featuring local crafts What's not included? ・Transportation to and from JR Fukui Station