Top Japan Arts & Design - page 5

If you’re interested in vintage fashion, then this is the tour for you. Save hours of research time and join a guide on an adventure around the hipster neighborhood of Shimokitazawa. Get insider tips on the best vintage stores to visit, and benefit from the undivided attention of your private guide.

Start your journey in Shinjuku, rising above the city at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for breathtaking panoramic views from 202 meters. From there, step into the organized chaos of Shinjuku Station, where you’ll learn the simple insider logic to navigate the world’s busiest station with ease and confidence. Continue to the vibrant energy of Shibuya, where most visitors only scratch the surface. Skip the crowds and discover a hidden 12th-floor vantage point overlooking the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing, offering a relaxed, crowd-free bird’s-eye view. Visit the famous Hachikō Statue and hear the true story behind Tokyo’s most loyal dog. Blending skyline views, hidden spots, and practical local tips, this experience helps you explore Tokyo with confidence and deeper understanding.

Get a shortcut to Kobe’s must-see sights and learn about its history and culture at the same time with this private guided tour. The ideal way to save research time and see the city from a local’s perspective—the tour showcases highlights such as the Ikuta Shrine, Moegi no Yakata, the neo-Baroque mansion of the Weathercock House, Kobe Port Tower, and Meriken Park.

Take part in a shibori tie-dye workshop in Arimatsu and learn all about this ancient Japanese art from a local guide. The experience starts with a walking tour around the old city, so you can admire its original Edo-era buildings, shop for souvenir shibori art, and visit the Tie-Dyeing Museum. Afterward, you'll head to your workshop to create your very own shibori tie-dye masterpiece. Choose from two options when you book online.

Make your Instagram followers envious as you explore Osaka on a customizable day trip to its most recognizable hotspots! Osaka has a beautifully chaotic vibe with exciting sights and sounds around every corner. You are going to check out the places with the best Osaka aesthetic and it will be a treat for your eyes and your Instagram followers. From shrines to street art, this city is loaded with photogenic spots. Grab your camera and get your hashtags ready, here are the most Instagrammable places in Osaka! The best thing about this day trip is that you choose the exact experience that you want. We will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Take a tour of Kyoto's famous Gion district and learn all about the mysterious geisha traditions of the area. Get an insider’s perspective on facts about geisha culture that tourists usually miss, and pass by shops, shrines, and beautiful temples. To elevate your experience, the tour also includes a geisha show with an apprentice geisha, where you can watch a dance performance and ask questions.

Discover the shrines and forests of Togakushi with the help of a guide during this small-group walking tour from Nagano. Nestled in a national park, this sacred site offers hidden trails and ancient pilgrimage paths waiting to be explored. As you trek through the lush landscapes, encounter Shinto statues and cedar trees lining your route. Visit three shrines and savor a delicious lunch of Togakushi soba, renowned as one of Japan's top soba dishes.

Avoid the disappointment of out-of-focus or badly composed vacation photos by having a private shoot with a professional photographer. Over the course of 1–2 hours, wander through the streets between Shinjuku and Kabukicho, looking for great backdrops for edgy, artistic photos. Modeling experience isn’t required and the photographer will make you feel like the star of the show. Receive photos you’ll be proud to share with your friends and followers.

Tokyo's fashion districts sit close together but cover wildly different styles—Harajuku's street fashion, Shibuya's youth-driven trends, and the upscale international luxury brands of Omotesando and Aoyama—and moving between them without context means missing the contrasts that define each area. A private guide threads the four districts into one route with street food stops including crepes, cotton candy, and shaved ice.

This Marvelous Matcha Kyoto Green Tea Tour is the perfect way to discover the different varieties of matcha, see how to craft the perfect cup, and best of all—taste it. Visit the world-renowned district of Uji, which is known for producing outstanding quality green tea. The tour helps you discover hidden local tea shops that would be hard to find alone, and you have a guide to help translate. When you’ve worked up an appetite, a delicious set lunch is provided.

This is a perfect pick for nature lovers, and those interested in Japanese spirituality. Put away the guidebook and follow the lead of a landscape designer with over 15 years’ experience. It’s a great way to discover secret local spots that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and to understand more about the meaning behind zen gardens.

Avoid the potential language barriers of traveling around Hakone alone, and opt for this full-day private guided tour instead. No need to worry about doing any research, as a full itinerary is organized for you and a guide accompanies you to provide commentary and plan your public transport routes. Highlights showcased along the way include Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashinoko, Owakudani Valley, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum.

Explore a different side of Tokyo–and combine three experiences in one tour–on this small-group experience including a history tour of Asakusa, a Shamisen music concert, and dinner in a Japanese restaurant. Take in panoramic city views, learn about local culture, and discover landmarks including Senso-ji Temple before listening to a live Tsugaru-shamisen performance. Afterward, meet the musicians and savor a traditional Japanese meal.

While Tokyo’s Ginza district is famous for its glimmering commercial projects, such as the Louis Vuitton Namikidori building, it’s also home to many other architectural wonders. Discover its architectural highlights and more hidden gems on this small-group walking tour, which allows you to hone in on the smaller details as you explore on foot. Go beyond the guidebook and learn about how the Shogun era and natural disasters have informed the architectural styles you’ll see throughout the area.

Step into the history of Tokyo at the Imperial Palace, a remarkable landmark where Japan’s imperial legacy and samurai past still echo through the heart of the city. Built on the former site of Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace area preserves historic gates, impressive stone walls, scenic moats, and beautifully maintained gardens that offer a rare glimpse into Japan’s past. Perfect for travelers who want to go beyond typical sightseeing, this tour combines history, culture, and peaceful natural scenery in one of Tokyo’s most iconic settings. ・Explore the historic grounds of the Imperial Palace, once home to Edo Castle ・Learn about Japan’s imperial history and samurai past from a local guide ・See historic gates, stone walls, moats, and beautiful gardens ・Enjoy a calm and cultural escape in the center of Tokyo

Fans of matcha will appreciate this hands-on workshop on Japanese tea, which combines instructive lessons in traditional matcha preparation with a bonafide tea ceremony experience. Listen to enriching background on the little-known history behind the sacred ritual, once favored by monks and samurais. Learn how to brew top-quality matcha from an organic farm, and enjoy your tea with cakes from a famous Kyoto confectionary—all in a traditional townhouse.

Have a Fully Fluent Japanese speaking Tour Guide, Familiar with all corners of the Shibuya and Shinjuku Areas get you where you wanna be with style. Private transportation courtesy of a Limousine with customized lighting and bluetooth enabled audio. Best suggestions for Club Bar and Food experiences to punctuate your Epic Night. One hour pricing can be extended as available (depending on our reservation schedule)

Tickets are usually sold only in cash, but if you make a reservation on TripAdvisor, you can enter smoothly without cash. We will adjust and wait so that the customer who made the reservation and the customer of the group do not enter at the same time.

This is a tour of Asakusa, a very popular tourist attraction, wearing a kimono. Kimonos are difficult to put on by yourself, but a professional kimono stylist will dress you beautifully. You can choose your favorite pattern from many kinds of kimono. After taking pictures in a special studio, you will go to Asakusa, one of the most elegant and representative streets in Japan. Let's take a good picture of you in your beautiful and lovely kimono with the famous Kaminarimon, Senso-ji Temple, and Nakamise Street! It will be a wonderful memory of your time in Japan. Immersed in culture, steeped in history, and creating unforgettable memories, this tour is an ideal experience for those who wish to experience the timeless traditions of Japan.

What comes to mind when you think of “Ginza”? Luxury brand shops? High‑end restaurants? Those are certainly part of its charm, but Ginza also has a fascinating side hidden in its backstreets. This is a two‑hour walking tour that takes you through six of Ginza’s back alleys. These narrow lanes are home to hidden shrines and long‑loved local shops. You will explore Ginza’s glamorous “front” streets and then step into its maze‑like backstreets to experience a completely different side of the district. *This tour involves about two hours of continuous walking, so it may not be suitable for guests who are not confident in their physical strength. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, and in summer, bring drinking water. Cooling towels will be provided. *Kabuki viewing is not included in the tour.

Get more out of time in Kyoto with this exciting cultural experience in Kyoto’s Kagai district. Visit the Gion Kagai Art Museum—with admission included so you don’t have to wait in ticket lines—and enjoy the special opportunity to watch “geiko” and “maiko” sing and dance during a live performance in the atmospheric banquet room.

Turn Jujutsu Kaisen from “I know that battle” into “I walked it.” This tour follows the story from the Shibuya Incident into the still-unanimated Shinjuku Showdown, so the geography, distances, and scale of these battlefields become real. We begin in Shibuya, walking through 7 decisive battlefields and turning points—including Gojo’s sealing, Yuji vs. Choso, Megumi vs. Toji, and Nanami’s final battle—with comparison images for precise matching. Then we ride to Shinjuku and follow Gojo and Sukuna’s battle as a line through the real city, from “YOU’RE THE CHALLENGER HERE.” / “I’M THE CHALLENGER?” through clashes of Domain Expansion to where that confrontation reaches its conclusion. For Jujutsu Kaisen fans, this is more than a photo stop. It is a real-world decode of battle geography, movement, and scale—led by a guide with anime-production experience. And because the Shinjuku Showdown has not yet reached the anime, you can experience its scale in reality first.

Get more out of your visit to Osaka Castle by exploring the grounds with a private guide. Instead of just admiring the architecture and taking photos, a private guide helps enrich your visit with exciting stories about the lives of samurai warriors and the fascinating history of the castle. You can also benefit from top tips on the best views of the castle and the must-visit places within the grounds.

Discover Your Own Kanazawa, With a Local Nurse! Join my private, fully customized walking and bus tour, designed just for you. With over 24 years living in Kanazawa, I know the city’s hidden gems and fascinating stories you won’t find in guidebooks. ✨I’m a Japanese nurse. If you feel unwell during the tour, I can help you. After you book, we’ll chat to create your perfect 5–6 hour adventure. Whether you want to explore Kenrokuen Garden, Castle, Omicho Market, Higashi Chaya District, or HIDDEN GEMS! (The itinerary is just a sample!) We’ll travel mainly by foot and local buses, making it easy and comfortable to see the best of the city. I love meeting new people and sharing conversation, so every tour is a personal experience. Let’s make your Kanazawa visit truly unforgettable-just for you! ☺️ ※Guests are kindly advised that the tour host cannot accept responsibility for any illness to unforeseen accidents occurring during the tour. ※ Childcare is available.