The Best Tokyo Japan Tours for Just About Everyone

Tokyo, Japan's capital, is a vibrant, lively, and exciting city. When visiting Tokyo, there is an endless list of attractions and things to do. You'll find a way to make this trip memorable, whether strolling through the city, eating local Japanese food, or admiring the scenic view of their famous cherry blossoms.

If you're unfamiliar with Tokyo or want to see the city through the eyes of a local, taking a tour is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the city and learn about the culture firsthand.

In this article, you'll learn about the best tours in Tokyo, Japan, including sightseeing, local cuisine, and discovering Tokyo's secret tourist stops.

Key Points

- There are many types of tours available in Tokyo, ranging from food tours, cherry blossom viewing, and all-day tours.

- A tour host guides you throughout Tokyo from a local's point of view, giving you the opportunity to have an authentic experience of what it's like to live in the city.

- Tours are also a wonderful opportunity for you to ask questions about Japanese culture, helping you stay informed throughout the duration of your trip.

Fun Facts About Tokyo

- Tokyo is known for its use of neon signs throughout the city. With a bustling culture, Tokyo's neon signs and lights are brighter than both Las Vegas and Times Square.

- Locals may qualify for tax-free shopping while visiting Tokyo. Purchases must be 5,000 yen or more, and proof of passport is required.

- Shibuya Crossing is believed to be the busiest intersection in the world. During peak hours, it's estimated that over 1,000 people can be crossing at once!

Benefits of Tokyo Tours

It can be difficult to know where to begin when visiting Tokyo. Taking a tour is one of the best ways to see the city. You can see Tokyo from a local's perspective and be guided through the best neighborhoods, districts, parks, and restaurants with the help of your local guide.

Tour guides assist you with questions or concerns about your trip, such as Japanese culture, etiquette, and general customs.

Another reason tours benefit travelers is the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture. Instead of visiting as a tourist, going on a tour makes you feel like you're a part of the local scene. You discover the best food and entertainment that would otherwise go unnoticed. This makes your trip much more fulfilling and one-of-a-kind, allowing you to get a true sense of what Tokyo has to offer.

Finally, many Tokyo tours are conducted on foot. Walking is an excellent form of exercise that keeps you active on your trip. You won't have to worry about navigating Tokyo's congested streets alone with the assistance of your guide. Having a clear plan of where you're going and how you'll get there is critical for staying on schedule and not getting tired too quickly due to getting lost along the way.

A Tokyo Tour for Everyone

City Unscripted has several Tokyo Tours available. Here are some tour options that will appeal to almost anyone.

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, bloom abundantly throughout Tokyo in late March and early April. During this time, you can enjoy the city's beauty by admiring the vibrant floral landscape throughout the capital.

Tokyo in Bloom is a cherry blossoms tour that takes you to the best parks in the city to see these magnificent flowers. Sakura season only lasts a few weeks, making it one of Tokyo's busiest tourist times of the year. Choose between Tokyo's financial district, Shinjuku Gyo-en, and a visit to the Imperial Palace to marvel at the ancient architecture and cherry blossoms.

Visit the cherry-lined banks of the Meguro River for a riverside adventure. Your host may also take you to the Koishikawa Botanical Garden, where you will see stunning cherry blossoms and other blooming plants. The tour includes a traditional Japanese picnic, a bento box, a shared sushi platter, sweets, and two drinks.

Spend four hours with a gracious host as you soak in Tokyo's natural beauty. The cherry blossom tour is excellent for couples, providing a romantic afternoon or evening to enjoy with the person you love.

The Tokyo in Bloom tour costs $327.60 for a single person and $193.72 for a pair.

Tokyo's Mysteries

When visiting Tokyo, seeing all the tourist attractions is tempting. While these sites allow you to experience some of the city's wonders, avoiding traditional tourist attractions allows you to explore lesser-known sights.

The Uncover Tokyo's Best-Kept Secrets tour truly reflects Tokyo's culture and history, providing a genuine taste of Japan's capital. Explore Ginza, a street filled with unique shops and restaurants. Shibamata Taishakuten, a sacred garden temple, is also worth a visit. Your guide may take you to the Toyko City View observation, which provides a panoramic view of the city. Visit Sumida Park or the Sumida River to immerse yourself in nature. Finally, you and your guide relax in the beautiful stunning rock garden at the Eko-in Temple.

Whatever your special interests are, your guide will tailor your itinerary to ensure you have the most enjoyable experience possible. Whether you're visiting Japan for the first time or have visited before, this tour will give you a local's perspective on what makes Tokyo great.

The tour lasts three hours and is available most hours of the day.

The Uncover Tokyo's Best-Kept Secrets tour costs $196.35 for solo travelers and $109.72 per person for pairs.

Tokyo in 8 Hours

Tokyo is a large city that cannot be fully explored in a few hours. Luckily, City Unscripted offers the Top 10 Tokyo in 8 Hours tour, immersing you in the city's top attractions.

Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jingu Shrine will be stops visited on your tour. Another stop on this tour is Harajuku, where you can get a taste of some of Tokyo's most fascinating subcultures. Harajuku is an exciting place to visit, with rainbow-colored costumes, snacks, and wig-wearing youth.

You'll also have lunch at an authentic Japanese restaurant and visit Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens and Golden Gai, a retro district with plenty of small-scale bars for you and your guide to enjoy.

Prepare to learn more about Tokyo than you ever have before in eight hours of fun and entertainment. This tour combines walking with public transportation. If necessary, you can also request private taxi services.

The Top 10 Tokyo in 8 Hours tour costs $485.10 for solo travelers and $ 254.10 per person for pairs.

Best Local Eats

Looking for authentic Japanese cuisine recommended by a Tokyo native? On the Eat Like a True Tokyoite tour, you're guided by a local foodie, helping you get a taste of Japan's food scene. You'll sample grilled seafood, sushi, yakitori, gyoza, and other popular izakaya dishes during the tour. An izakaya is a Japanese bar that offers alcoholic beverages and small plates of snacks.

Throughout this tour, you will visit various Izakayas and sample delectable street food, all of which have been recommended by your local guide. Your guide assists you with ordering so that you can try everything you want at each stop. You also get to try regional sake and Japanese sodas and learn about the city's food etiquette so you can learn how to eat like a true local.

The tour lasts four hours and includes six to eight tastings, depending on your host's recommendations.

The Eat Like a True Tokyiote tour costs $321.10 for solo travelers and $194.60 per person for pairs.

Crash Course in Tokyo

If you only have a few hours to spare for sightseeing on your trip to Tokyo, consider joining City Unscripted's Kickstart Tokyo: a Three-Hour Crash Coursetour. The tour will teach you about the history of Japan's central districts. Your guide will teach you important information such as which neighborhoods to visit, how to properly eat sushi or ramen, and how to navigate the train lines.

You'll visit Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, learning the ins and outs of these vibrant Tokyo neighborhoods. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how Tokyo operates in a short period. Your tour guide will answer any questions about attractions, food, culture, and entertainment.

The Kickstart Tokyo: A Three-Hour Crash Course costs $196.35 for solo travelers and $109.72 per person for pairs.

Selecting a Tour

When planning your next Tokyo tour, remember a few key factors to ensure you and your guests have the best experience possible.

How long do you want to be standing? Most tours require you to stand for extended periods. Some tours are only a few hours long, while others can last all day. Throughout these tours, public transportation is available to help break up some of the time spent on your feet.

Depending on your chosen tour, your itinerary can often be tailored to your specific needs or preferences. Your guide will often work with you to meet your accommodations and ensure you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to visit a specific district that isn't on your itinerary, contact your guide to see if it can be added.

Pricing is another important factor to consider. Booking a solo tour is more expensive than booking in pairs or small groups, as you can see from the tours listed above. If you're traveling with others, consider taking a tour together to save money and spend quality time together.

Finally, if you're taking a food tour, communicate any special dietary requirements with your guide. This allows them to create a list of stops that meet your needs and ensures you can enjoy each tasting throughout the trip.

Book a Reservation Today

Now that you've found some of the best Tokyo Tours City Unscripted offers, it’s time to choose one for your trip to the capital. Whether you're looking for a crash course, a guide on local cuisine, an afternoon gazing at the city's beautiful cherry blossoms, or an eight-hour immersion tour of this vibrant city, City Unscripted has you covered.