Top Things To Do In Japan

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Group of tourists posing with their local guide at a popular temple in Japan

Top things to do in Japan

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

Wondering what to do in Japan?

Japan is a land of contrasts, its drastically different cities each with a reputation that precedes it and a list of things to do that you could spend a year trying to tick off and still not scratch the surface. In Japan, the ancient and modern are so intimately connected that it seems the one could not exist without the other. Japan’s cities may at first glance appear to be ultra-modern metropolises filled with high-octane entertainment, but peer behind the futuristic facade and you’ll uncover a thousand ways to experience Japanese tradition. Between the centuries-old and contemporary halves of this beautiful country, the things to do in Japan are anything but ordinary.

Meet some of our Japan local hosts

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Tourists visiting a popular temple in Japan

Traditional roots

Throughout Japan’s modern cities, countless opportunities to connect with history and heritage abound. The things to do in Japan that celebrate the country’s culture are some of the most memorable travel experiences in the world. From ancient shrines to sumo stadiums, centuries-old dining traditions to tea ceremonies, Japan’s culture is waiting to be discovered. Whether you don a kimono and explore an atmospheric temple, watch a spellbinding geisha performance, or spend a night in a wooden bathhouse, it’s the traditional things to do in Japan that make the country even more magical.

Local women dressed in traditional clothing in an alleyway in Japan

Cities that tell stories

As a country, Japan has several attractions shared by its major cities: fantastic food, cherry blossoms, ancient temples, and dimly-lit izakaya bars. But even with these similarities, each city brings its own unique things to do in Japan. There’s Hiroshima, a city that, beyond its tragic past, is a thriving cosmopolitan community of trendy coffee shops and crowded stores. Kyoto, on the other hand, is a storybook scene of wood-built streets and lantern-lit geishas, while Tokyo and Osaka are modern hubs of high-octane entertainment featuring some of the most futuristic things to in Japan.

Tourists experiencing a traditional Japanese meal on a food tour in Japan with a local

Spectacular cuisine

Ask any culinary expert, and they’ll tell you Japan is one of the best food destinations in the world. With an emphasis on tradition, fresh ingredients, and flavors that range from subtle to super-bold, Japanese cuisine is tremendously varied. No matter where in the country you happen to explore, phenomenal food will be found. Whether you try traditional Kaiseki in Kyoto, Okonomiyaki in Osaka, Fukuoka’s Tonkotsu ramen, and perfectly marbled Kobe beef (not to mention the lesser-known Sapporo “soup curry”), the foodie things to do in Japan will have you planning your second trip.

Japan travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Japan and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

We had a free evening in Fukuoka and Luis Matos was able to make the most of it for us. He had true local knowledge and escorted us around to wonderful places that were not typical tourist spots. Very responsive and fun. Really a special evening enjoying the sights, culture, and food of Fukuoka.

April 2024

Jennifer G
We really, really enjoyed the Fukuoka tour with you. This was a number one highlight of our entire trip to Japan!

April 2024

Matthias G
We enjoyed a perfectly personalized tour with our guide Mark, an American living and working ion Fukuoka since many many years. We did not only got to see the most interesting places in the city, we got a perfect insight about his way of living as a foreigner in Japan as well. And finally he brougth us to to an great and authentic restaurant to have lunch together. Thank you very much Mark!

April 2024

Matthias G
Good communicator, very positive attitude and responsive to our interests and queries

April 2024

Alex I