Top Japan Walking Tours

Gion, Kyoto's famed geisha district, is packed full of tourists during the day making it difficult to get a sense of the area's culture. Avoid the biggest groups and immerse yourself in Japanese heritage on this small-group walking tour that leads you through the elegant streets after dark, while geisha and maiko make their way to their appointments.

Don’t waste your precious Tokyo vacation time visiting attractions that don’t interest you. Instead, create an itinerary packed with attractions aligned with your passions on a private, custom walking tour with a local who knows Japan’s capital best. Wander at your own pace rather than rushing and focus on the finer details that you might miss if taking the metro.

When visiting Osaka, it can be challenging to discover where the locals go to eat and drink. Join some Osaka residents for a night out, and come home feeling like you’ve made new friends. Your personable guides navigate a small group of eight or fewer to the izakayas and backstreet bars of Namba and Shinsaibashi, where you sample local food and drink throughout the evening.

Discover the secret backstreets of Tokyo and hidden places you might miss otherwise with this private night walking tour of Shinjuku. Having a guide to lead the way means you don’t have to follow a map or worry about getting lost. Instead, enjoy learning about some of Shinjuku’s best-kept secrets and get tips on the most interesting places to eat and drink.

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.

See the best of Hakone’s natural beauty by foot in this private walking tour. Unlike traditional tours, you can customize the experience to your interests and visit only the sites that you’re interested in. Whether you’re a nature lover, art fan, or keen to try local foods, your private guide will help you plan a day that fits your needs.

Make the most of your visit to Hiroshima–one of the most historically significant cities in Japan–with a private walking tour. Explore at your own pace without a large group and get a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture from a local guide. Balance the heavy and moving subject matter at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum with a visit to gardens and a castle.

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.

Join a full-day guided tour from Tokyo that travels to Mt Fuji, then continues to nearby Lake Ashi and the Mt Komagatake Ropeway. Enjoy the ease of comfortable transportation and a knowledgeable guide, who will accompany you to the revered Mt Fuji's 5th Station. Take a short boat cruise on Lake Ashi and climb by aerial tram to the top of Mt Komagatake for views of Mt Fuji. Return to Tokyo by bullet train in the evening after taking in some of Japan’s iconic highlights.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

The ideal introduction for first-time visitors, this half-day, small-group walking tour of Nara covers a mix of must-see and under-the-radar sights. Enter a historic merchant’s house, discover a hidden Japanese pyramid, and visit the iconic shrines of the temple complex—with plenty of time to interact with Nara’s resident deer. A tasty lunch and admission tickets to all shrines are included.

Embark on a vetted Osaka adventure that was showcased on Channel 5 British TV's "Jane McDonald in Japan." This tour is not your average experience—it's a genuine, quirky, and unfiltered snapshot of Osaka. All your insider guides to entertain you with personal stories, historical facts, and plenty of enthusiasm and humor. Whether you prefer a private and customized tour or a lively group tour with fellow explorers, the choice is yours.

This tour is private to suit your interests and needs: choose from a selection of recommended sights to create your ideal itinerary. Learn about Japanese royalty at the Imperial Palace, take a peaceful stroll at Shinjuku Gyoen, be amazed by the bustle at Shibuya Crossing, and much more. Get to know Tokyo one neighborhood at a time on this tour that’s ideal for first-time or repeat visitors to the city.

Discover Japan's famed hot spring town of Hakone on a private tour. Your guide will introduce you to the highlights of the town, including the Hakone Ropeway Owakudani Station, Ajisai Bridge, and Hakone Open-Air Museum, and take you to the most spectacular viewpoints where you can soak up the view of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji.

Experience the highlights of Hakone by foot in a private walking tour. Skip the crowded group tours and tailor the experience to your preferences. You’ll only see the local attractions that you’re interested in, whether you want to try the area’s famous black boiled eggs, ride the Hakone Ropeway, visit an art museum, or hike across Hakone’s volcanic landscapes.

2024 Winner of Viator's 10th Best Experience in the Whole of Asia Award. Eat your way around Osaka on this tantalizing foodie tour, where your local guide will take you to a handful of hidden eateries that have been featured on the hit Netflix series "Somebody Feed Phil." Over the course of the tour, sample a variety of different dishes that range from gyoza to takoyaki to kitsune udon and more. You’ll also try two drinks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, to give you a full picture of the food and drink culture of the area.

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.

Whether you’re an anime and gaming fan, or you just want to learn more about this exciting part of Japanese popular culture, this is the tour for you. Get explanations about Japanese culture that you wouldn’t get if exploring the area alone, and experience all the “must do” activities in Akihabara, such as visiting a retro video game store, a maid cafe, a photo booth, and much more.

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.

Enjoy a private, full-day walking tour of Shizuoka/Shimizu with a government-licensed and multilingual guide. From the striking views of Mt. Fuji, to the history of the Old Tokaido Road, Shizuoka offers abundant nature and unique cultural experiences. Visit the castle of Japan's most famous shogun, take a ride on a steam locomotive, and/or enjoy the views of Mt. Fuji. Share your interests and your guide will customize a tour specifically for you.

See and do exactly what you want on this private and customizable half-day 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, and more. Your guide will meet you at your hotel so you won’t have to worry about finding them.

Get a local's perspective on Hiroshima's surprisingly lively nightlife on this bar-hopping tour. Stroll through the streets with a guide and dip in and out of local "izakayas" and other bars and enjoy drinks and conversation.

There’s so much to see in Tokyo that it can be tough to know where to start. Instead of exploring aimlessly, on this private full-day tour join a guide who’ll show you a curated selection of the city’s most popular sights. Explore Shibuya Crossing, the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, and more. Note that some attractions may require separate admission.