Top Japan Arts & Design - page 5

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Get to know Tokyo's cultural-filled neighborhood of Ueno at your own pace on a private walking tour. You’ll orient yourself around Ueno Park, passing serene temples such as Kiyomizu Kannondo and hearing the history behind the Toshogu Shine. Then, you’ll visit Tokyo National Museum for a walkthrough of Japan’s history and culture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

*Enjoy masterpieces of Water Lilies series by Claude Monet at Asahi Group Museum of Art. *Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Tour is only available by lottery base! *You will join "Whisky Distillery Tour 【lottery】Yamazaki distillery MONOZUKURI tour & tasting(Paid/Japanese) Audio guide". *Shopping and 3 product tasting (not included in the tour price) are available at Yamazaki Whiskey Museum. *Gift is included. *This is a non-licesed assisted walking tour with walking up a very steep hill. *You will receive a final information by email. Please provide an email address after being confirmed. **Tour dates: 7/1-2, 8-9, 14, 16, 18, 22-24, 28-29, 30, 8/4-5, 19, 23, 27** **7/1-2, 9, 16, 18, 8/4-5 English Distillery tour in person with schedule below** 10:20 Meet at Hankyu Oyamazaki Station 10:50 Arrive at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery 11:20 Distillery Tour by in English 12:40 Product tasting and shopping 14:00 Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art 15:30 Finish Tour at Hankyu Oyamazaki Station

First time in Tokyo? See the absolute must-sees in one day! We guide you through the "Big 3" iconic districts that define Tokyo: ancient Asakusa, modern Shibuya, and peaceful Meiji Shrine. Plus, learn to navigate the subway like a local. 1. Asakusa (Ancient Tokyo) Start at the iconic Kaminarimon Gate. Explore Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and stroll down the vibrant Nakamise shopping street, soaking in the atmosphere of old Edo. 2. Shibuya (Modern Energy) Ride the subway to Shibuya. Experience the world-famous Scramble Crossing and Center Gai, diving into Tokyo's youth culture and fashion trends. 3. Meiji Shrine & Harajuku (Peace & Pop) Take a short train ride to the tranquil forest of Meiji Shrine for a moment of peace. Finally, explore nearby Takeshita Street, the colorful hub of "kawaii" culture. Tour ends at Harajuku Station, leaving you confident to explore more on your own.

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.

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

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.

Discover a side of Tokyo that most guidebooks miss on this small-group underground music scene tour that’s perfect for music-lovers. Explore a range of different venues across the city: Grab a drink while listening to tunes in smaller hole-in-the-wall venues, dance to DJs in skyscraper vinyl bars, and experience the electricity at house music locations.

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.

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.

This Tokyo tour is the ideal experience for solo travelers. Enjoy a special opportunity to make new friends and connect with fellow explorers, with a sociable itinerary packed full of experiences such as an “izakaya” visit, arcades, and even karaoke. The trip takes the hassle out of planning an evening out, and helps you meet other travelers, in a fun, low-pressure setting.

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.

Step back in time on a private guided tour of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum and discover how Japanese homes and lifestyles evolved from the Edo period to modern day. Choose between hotel pickup or meeting your guide at the museum’s entrance before traveling by train and bus like a local. Explore Edo-period residences like the Yoshino and Tsunashima homes, then see the shift to Western-influenced and hybrid architecture at places like the De Lalande and Mitsui Hachiroemon Residences. Visit the Takahashi Korekiyo Residence and learn about his life and the 1936 February 26 Incident. In the East Zone, stroll past old-fashioned stores and a restored bathhouse, discovering what daily life was like before modern conveniences. Finally, explore modern-style homes and hear how housing trends have changed in Tokyo. With a private guide, enjoy a personalized and engaging journey into Japan’s architectural and cultural history.