14 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo, Japan - Updated 2024

Ryan Joshua
Ryan Joshua 
Updated
| 7 min read

Japan, the land of the rising sun, truly has diverse offerings for locals and tourists alike. Known as one of the best cities in the world, Tokyo, the capital of Japan, boasts of its rich culture and heritage working side by side with its tall buildings and modern lifestyle. Be mesmerized by the sunny weather or walk along the cherry blossom path during winter. Not only that, Tokyo is surely the dream destination of every anime fan out there. Planning to visit Tokyo in the near future? Read on to learn about some of the best guided tours in Tokyo, Japan, that will help you get the most out of your trip.

1. Tokyo ramen extravaganza (from USD 122.0)

1) Tasting 6 Mini Bowls of Ramen at 3 Award Winning Shops

Experience a culinary odyssey through Tokyo’s iconic neighborhoods - Shibuya and Ebisu - on this three-hour ramen adventure. Dive deep into Japan’s beloved noodle culture, sampling six distinctive mini bowls from award-winning eateries. Local ramen aficionado Frank will provide you with insights into the world of flavors, textures, and the history of ramen.

Personalize your bowl, experimenting with various toppings and noodle variations. Discover more than just food - learn about the evolution of ramen, quirky flavor innovations, and the soulful connection of this dish to Japan’s daily life.

2) Ramen Tour in Tokyo by Local Ramen Expert Hiroshi

Dive deep into Japan’s ramen culture on this two-hour Tokyo journey with Hiroshi, a local ramen connoisseur. Traverse Tokyo’s vibrant alleys to visit two handpicked eateries, each offering distinct ramen flavors. Revel in the rich tapestry of stories and history behind this iconic dish while savoring two unique bowls that range from creamy to light broths.

This isn’t just a meal - it’s a culinary adventure tailored to your preferences. With the convenience of meeting at your chosen location and a customizable experience, Hiroshi ensures an unforgettable, slurp-worthy Tokyo ramen adventure.

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Tasting 6 Mini Bowls of Ramen at 3 Award Winning Shops

Duration: 3hours

19 reviews

Private Ramen Tour in Tokyo by Local Ramen Expert Hiroshi

Duration: 2hours

4 reviews

2. Tokyo private welcome tour with a local (from USD 55.0)

guided tours in tokyo | tokyo private welcome tour with a local

There’s nothing better than experiencing something firsthand with someone who has a very wide knowledge of that certain place. Get to explore Tokyo from a local’s point-of-view with this tour. Commence your very interactive and interesting tour with a local guide at your accommodation and start your two to six hours of adventure all throughout the city. Your local guide will teach you all of the “life hacks” that you need to learn in order to get the most out of your visit.

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Tokyo Private Welcome Tour with a Local

Duration: 3.0 to 8.0 hour

342 reviews

3. Tokyo one-day private customizable tour by car (from USD 433.75)

guided tours in tokyo | tokyo one-day private customizable tour by car

If you want your tour to be more private or if you want to enjoy Tokyo all by yourself then this tour is certainly the best one for you. Get picked up from your hotel, be comfortable inside your own chartered car and get to explore the city according to your own terms with a professional tour guide on a full-day tour. Just mention the best places you want to visit with your guide, or just follow the tour he/she has planned for you.

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Tokyo: 1-Day Private Customizable Tour by Car

Duration: 10.0 hour

82 reviews

4. Tokyo sightseeing bus tour (from USD 79.15)

guided tours in tokyo | tokyo sightseeing bus tour

Get to see the sights of Tokyo within the comforts of a bus! This four-hour tour starts with a drive through the Takeshita Avenue until you reach the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine, the Omote Sando, the Outer Garden, the Akasaka Emperor’s property, and the National Diet Building. Then you get to enjoy the serenity inside the Imperial Palace East Garden where you get to be in touch with nature and history with the structures coming from the Edo Era. You also get to see the commercial district of Marunouchi and see the venues of Kanda’s best Shinto festivals. Shop for your favorite gadgets at Akihabara’s electronic goods marketplace and also get to see Ame-Yoko and Kappabashi shopping centers. As you get to Asakusa, you also get to see some historic structures such as the Kaminari-mon Gate and the Sensoji Temple. Your tour will end by seeing the Tokyo Sky Tree and Asahi Beer’s headquarters.

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Tokyo: Morning Sightseeing Bus Tour

Duration: 3.5 hour

73 reviews

5. Harajuku fashion and culture guided tour (from USD 43.03)

guided tours in tokyo | harajuku fashion and culture guided tour

The Harajuku district in Tokyo is known as the city’s center of culture and fashion that is very popular amongst the young people in Tokyo. Get to know more about the Japanese kawaii culture, enjoy a walk along Takeshita Street, Harajuku’s center of trendy fashion, and get to visit the Kawaii Monster Cafe that is popular with its very unique interior design and innovative visual menu. This guided tour lasts for two and a half hours.

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Harajuku: Kawaii Culture Guided Tour

Duration: 2.5 hour

3 reviews

6. Dynamic tour of Tokyo Tower, river cruise and Asakusa (from USD 123.67)

dynamic tour of tokyo tower, river cruise and asakusa

Experience the traditional Japanese way of living with this tour! This tour will give you an opportunity to view a tea ceremony, which is probably the best example of how traditional the culture of Japan is. You also get to enjoy the diversity of Tokyo’s skyline and scenery from a boat on the Sumida River. And after a long day of touring Tokyo, get to indulge yourself with an authentic Japanese lunch.

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Tokyo: Dynamic Tour of Tokyo Tower, River Cruise & Asakusa

Duration: 1 day

31 reviews

7. Ghibli Museum and Hayao Miyazaki's movies themed tours (from USD 133.77)

ghibli museum and hayao miyazaki's movies themed tours

All the geeks and anime lovers out there - rejoice! We all know that the anime that we all love came from Tokyo, Japan. Now, get to experience how these animes are being made, its history, and everything you need to know about animes on this tour. Get to visit the Ghibli Studio, inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s career in the world of animation. You also get to capture some Instagrammable shots with Totoro, the robot soldier that is featured in the Castle in the Sky and all of Miyazaki’s popular characters. This tour also includes a visit to the Ghibli Museum where you get to see a lot of exhibits which includes the animation production processes, a reading room, and an original Ghibli short animated film that you can only watch inside the museum.

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Tokyo: Ghibli Museum and Hayao Miyazaki Movies Tour

Duration: 7 hour

60 reviews

8. The Midnight Diners: A bar hopping tour (from USD 102.0)

Explore the lively streets of Kichijoji and uncover the hidden treasure of Harmonica Yokocho during a four-hour bar-hopping escapade. On this tour, you’ll dive into the heart of Japanese drinking culture, guided by an experienced guide who shares valuable insights. Indulge in the rich flavors of delectable Japanese cocktails, including the intriguing oolong-shu, the exquisite umeshu plum wine, and the timeless classic of whisky highballs.

Kichijoji, renowned for its local bars, boasts a unique ambiance that you won’t find elsewhere. Discover the charm of Harmonica Yokocho, where cozy tiny bars await, each with a mere handful of seats, some accommodating as few as seven guests. Your knowledgeable local tour guide ensures a fascinating experience, sharing stories in Spanish, English, and Japanese.

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The Midnight Diners: Tokyo Experience

Duration: 4hours

24 reviews

9. The All Star Tokyo Food Tour (from USD 166.0)

This food tour will take you through three iconic areas: the stylish allure of Ginza, the vibrant office worker hubs of Shinbashi, and Yurakucho. Wander through the enchanting Yokocho alleys, graced with hanging lanterns and glowing signs, creating an electric atmosphere.

Joining this three-hour journey means discovering an array of unique regional and seasonal dishes that you might not encounter when exploring on your own. Participants also take a moment to pay your respects at a cherished community shrine, immersing themselves more in Japanese history and culture. With a visit to five delightful food stops, you’ll surely unravel the flavors that define Tokyo’s culinary scene.

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The All Star Tokyo Food Tour

Duration: 3hours

5 reviews

10. Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food Tour (from USD 85.0)

Discover the heartbeat of Tsukiji Market, affectionately known as the “Kitchen of Tokyo,” on an unparalleled culinary expedition. A local expert will be guiding you through the bustling Tsukiji Outer Market, which is a paradise for food aficionados. Immerse yourself in the rich history and captivating narratives of this iconic locale, as your knowledgeable guide unveils its hidden secrets and time-honored customs.

To indulge your palate, you’ll get to relish the unparalleled delight of fresh sushi, perfectly complemented by sake, at a charming local eatery. The crispy bliss of fried fish cake and the rich flavors of katsuobushi and dashi soup also await the participants of this tour.

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Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Tour

Duration: 3hours

18 reviews

11. Harajuku Food Tour with Shizuka (from USD 198.0)

Join the illustrious host of Japan byFood, the charming Shizuka Anderson, as she guides you through the bustling energy of Harajuku’s iconic Takeshita Street. Let your taste buds revel in the diverse array of delectable sweet street foods, each bite an explosion of genuine Japanese flavors.

Immerse yourself in the kawaii culture, a must-do, as you capture the essence through delightful purikura photos and embark on a souvenir shopping spree. Delight in a delectable selection of five extraordinary street foods with sweet and savory tastes. And for the grand finale, indulge in an all-you-can-drink feast at an okonomiyaki restaurant that’s also a popular okonomiyaki shop.

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Harajuku Food Tour with Shizuka: Kawaii Sweets & Street Food

Duration: 3.5hours

11 reviews

12. Guided go-kart tour experience on the streets of Tokyo (from USD 81.0)

This will be a tour of a lifetime. You will have the freedom to choose a costume from a variety of sizes and styles that are inspired by comics, games, and anime characters. Your guide will lead the way and give full safety instructions before the tour starts so you don’t have to worry about anything. Drive past Japan’s best attractions such as Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi, and Shibuya crossing.

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Official Street Go-Kart Tour - Tokyo Bay Shop

Duration: 2 to 4 hours

7 reviews

13. Toyosu tuna auction and market tour with a private guide (from USD 217.0)

toyosu tuna auction and market tour with a private guide
Source: m.viator.com

Get to know more about fish trading in Tokyo, not from a tourist’s point of view, but from that of a Tokyo fish trader. Explore and get to know more about the Tsukiji Fish Market early in the morning and get access to the world-famous auction. Then, end the tour with a brief history of the market with a breakfast and a visit to the market itself.

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Tuna Auction Viewing & Insider Tour at Toyosu Fish Market

14. Tokyo morning sightseeing tour (from USD 56.0)

Get to know Tokyo City even for just a short span of time during this tour. This Tokyo City tour includes a very brief exploration of the city’s shopping and culture in only three and a half hours. Explore some of Tokyo’s most popular landmarks such as the world-famous Tokyo Tower, the peaceful and calming Asakusa Kannon Buddhist Temple, and have your photos taken in front of the Imperial Palace. Shop ‘til you drop in Tokyo’s best shopping districts from Akihabara and Nakamise Street. Not only that, but you can also be picked up from your hotel for your convenience.

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Tokyo Morning : Tokyo Tower,Imperial Palace & Asakusa Temple Half Day Tour.

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

10 reviews

Konnichiwa, Japan

Tokyo, indeed, is a very great city that you need to visit. With this list, you must now be familiar with the places you need to visit here. ‘Arigatou gozaimasu’ and see you in Tokyo!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Ryan is a Computer Engineer with a heart for traveling and writing. Born in Pasay City, Philippines, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he is now based in the Philippines' City of Smiles, Bacolod...Read more

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