Top Japan Culture

Live some sumo culture in Tokyo with this show and dinner experience in the Asakusa neighborhood. Watch wrestlers perform classic moves and training techniques in the "dohyo" ring, while savoring a chicken "chanko-nabe" hot pot. For wannabe sumo stars, there’s even the chance to try a sumo challenge yourself.

Even if your visit to Japan doesn’t coincide with the official sumo season, you can still watch wrestlers show off their skills during a sumo show experience in Kyoto. Not only will you watch the retired athletes perform classic moves in a traditional ring, but you’ll enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and you can even challenge a wrestler to a match.

Nara is one of Japan's most-visited destinations, which means it gets crowded during the day. Dodge the biggest crowds and enjoy a more intimate experience of the ancient Japanese capital on this early-morning, small-group tour. Admire landmarks including Kofuku-ji Temple and Nara Park, home to free-roaming deer, while learning about the long history of this sacred place.

Experience the samurai experience in a museum-like place with lots of armor on display! You will choose your favorite kimono and hakama, change into a samurai costume, and learn how to use a sword from a samurai. You will learn how to draw a sword, hold a sword, swing a sword, and retract a sword. After learning basic sword usage, they practice a simple chambara (sword fight). Then we will try to exterminate bad guys to the music! You can take videos with your smart phone, take pictures with the samurai, and have a great samurai time. The teachers are authentic teachers who have appeared in major Japanese dramas and movies. Since you have come all the way to Japan on a trip, you will have a wonderful experience of Samurai culture! The dojo has many weapons on display, including swords and spears. You will also find armor on display. Samurais are waiting for you in a space that does not seem modern. ・One person can also join the tour. ・Same-day reservations are also possible.

Gain deeper insight into Japanese spirituality and the history of the district on this small-group tour of Meiji Jingu Shrine. With a guide to accompany you, you can learn the symbolism behind Shinto rituals and the traditions that people follow. Visiting with a guide adds context you’d miss alone and the intimate group size encourages questions and meaningful discussion throughout the experience.

Step back in time to the old days and experience Japan like a ninja. This small-group class (maximum six people) introduces you to such ninja techniques as ninja meditation (Kuji-In) as well as the use of samurai weapons, including the sword. Get insights into Japanese fuedal times as you practise.

When visiting Tokyo, don't just eat sushi: learn how to make it. This culinary experience takes place just steps from Senso-ji Temple, in the heart of the traditional Asakusa neighborhood, and immerses you in Japanese culinary culture. Learn how how to prepare authentic sushi and rolls, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your effort with your classmates.

Combine traditional sumo wrestling—a must when visiting Tokyo—with a delicious Japanese meal, thanks to this unique restaurant experience. Sink into comfortable sofa seating, tuck into a tasty chankonabe (hot pot)—a meal that the wrestlers themselves eat—and watch a sumo display in action. Gain insider insight into the sport and leave with a better understanding of its cultural significance and history.

Don’t get lost or confused navigating your way from Narita Airport to enormous Tokyo city. With this private transfer service you’ll be picked up at the arrivals area of the airport and taken directly to your hotel, anywhere in the city. Your driver will even wait for up to 90 minutes in case of flight delays.

Enjoy an only-in-Tokyo experience—and combine a whirlwind sightseeing experience with a fun-filled and memorable outing—on this two-in-one go-karting adventure. Choose from a wide range of start times available throughout the day, meet your guide, and pick from a selection of fun costumes to wear while you’re on the go. Then hit the streets of Tokyo, seeing highlights like the Shibuya Crossing and exploring with just a small group for company.

With this Tokyo Bay cruise, you can enjoy the combination of a night of great entertainment, sightseeing, and delicious food at the same time. After boarding your vessel, enjoy a traditional Japanese performance, followed by a hot pot "sukiyaki" meal with soft drinks. Then, have a chance to soak up the views on the open-air viewing deck, while passing notable sights, such as the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower.

Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s most historically interesting neighborhoods but its busy streets can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Learn more about Asakusa’s history and culture and avoid getting lost by going with a guide. You won’t struggle to hear your guide or have your questions answered as this is a small-group tour. Get a close-up view of the Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine, and elsewhere by touring on foot.

Japanese cuisine is typically difficult for vegans to enjoy, but this sumo show and mochi-pounding experience ensures travelers following a plant-based diet can still feast on food worthy of sumo wrestlers. Not only will you watch sumo wrestlers strut their stuff in the ring, but you’ll also have chance to get involved yourself.

Foodies and seafood lovers won’t want to miss this tour to one of the most famous markets in the world: Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market. See where tons of fish and seafood are traded every day, and get the chance to try some seriously fresh seafood at the stalls around the market. This tour also includes an added cultural element: as well as a trading area, Tsukiji is home to some important Japanese shrines. Learn more about various aspects of Japanese culture on this multifaceted trip.

Get a first-hand experience of traditional Japanese culture with this small-group samurai experience in Kyoto. You'll have the opportunity to put on a traditional samurai outfit, including armor and helmet, pose for photos, and learn how to (safely) wield a katana just like a real samurai. The experience includes a tour of the Samurai and Ninja Museum.

Swap large group bus tours for a more intimate alternative—a private walking tour of Tokyo’s highlights. The private format means the itinerary is flexible and customizable, so you can get the perfect tour to suit your interests. Potential neighborhoods include Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, with the possibility of seeing key temples and shrines such as Meiji Jingu Shrine. Guides speak English, French, or Spanish to enhance your experience.

This walking tour offers a relaxed way to explore Tokyo’s royal history alongside its peaceful green spaces. Walk through the Imperial Palace East Gardens while learning about the Imperial family and the former grounds of Edo Castle. With a guide leading the way, you can ask questions, gain deeper context, and notice details you might miss if exploring on your own.

Explore many of Nara's top landmarks in just one day on this deluxe, full-day coach tour. Heading out from Kyoto, pass by Fushimi Castle and Heijo Palace, before arriving in Nara. Visit Todai-ji Temple—one of the world’s largest wooden buildings—then meet the 1,400 deer that inhabit Nara Park. A stop at Kasuga Taisha Shrine is followed by a Japanese-style lunch (if selected). Finally, visit the Uji area of Kyoto, where you'll make and sample traditional matcha tea.

You won’t just experience a tea ceremony in Tokyo on this small-group tour—you’ll also look the part with an optional free kimono rental, with staff assistance to ensure comfort and authenticity. The tea ceremony is hands-on, giving you the opportunity to practice these traditions as you learn about them. It isn’t just a culinary experience, as you’ll also learn the meaning of “Ichigo Ichie,” a Japanese concept that emphasizes treasuring each moment.

Explore Akihabara in a unique and fun way—traveling in a go-kart dressed as a character of your choice—from comics, to games, or anime. No need to worry about getting lost, as you’ll have a guide to lead the way. It’s the perfect way to spend time in the fresh air, and see multiple sites in a short space of time, such as Tokyo Station, Ginza and Akihabara.

Make the most of your time in Himeji with a private half-day tour. Save time and hassle by picking 2-3 sites that most interest you: there’s no need to wander around places that don’t appeal to you. As well as Himeji’s famous castle–often said to be the most beautiful in Japan–you can also choose to visit a sake distillery, shrines and temples, and the Museum of Literature, among other attractions.

Go beyond sightseeing and connect with Japanese culture at a tea ceremony in Tokyo while wearing a kimono. Learn how to make matcha green tea the traditional way in a formal room during this hands-on experience that includes kimono dressing assistance and offers an authentic and respectful way to dress up in a group or as a solo traveler.

Discover Tokyo with a private guide who shares the modern and traditional sides of the dynamic Japanese capital. Navigate the city's complex, yet efficient, subway system with your guide as you visit famous sites including the outer Tsukiji fish market, the traditional town of Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine. Learn about Japanese youth and pop culture in Harajuku, and enjoy a tour that’s customizable to suit your interests.