10 Best Tours in Tokyo

Tokyo's modern and ancient contrasts are in themselves a major tourist attraction. From the huge skyscrapers, its gastronomy, the passion for technology and innovation, to the ancient streets and temples that showcase the city's cultural and religious heritage...

The variety of things to see and do in Tokyo is endless. To help you with your travel arrangements, here are the best guided tours and excursions that will make sure you don't miss a single detail when you visit the Japanese capital.

The Shinjuku district is the busiest in Tokyo. In fact, Shinjuku Station entered the Guinness Book of Records due to its estimated daily traffic of more than 3.6 million people.

Here you will find everything from bookstores, universities, karaoke bars and the nightclubs of the eastern part with their neon signs to skyscrapers and traditional bars.

During this tour you will get to know the evolution of the city through 10 sites that tell its history. This tour has many attractions and it is advisable to be guided by an expert guide.

The route often includes a famous sushi restaurant, a stroll through the streets of Omoide Yokocho, the Kabukicho Ichiban-Gai shopping district, a stop at the Shinjuku Toho building to visit Godzilla, a tour of the old town to see the Golden Gai and shopping malls.

In addition, it also takes in 3 other must-see sites:

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. A botanical garden with more than 800 types of plants, where the cherry tree garden with 75 varieties stands out. A perfect place to take pictures, especially for those who are travelling to Tokyo in spring.
• The Tokyo City Hall Observation Deck. These observation towers offer panoramic views of Tokyo and the surrounding area. On clear days you can even see the outline of Mount Fuji on the horizon.
• The Shinjuku Samurai Museum, a place that exhibits the 800-year history of the samurai and their evolution, demonstrating their importance in Japanese culture.

Details of interest

• Price: From 94.67 €.
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Timetable: daytime, check with the operator.
• What the tour may include: Expert guidance. Private transport for the duration of the tour.
• Means of transport: minivan.
• Pros: You get to see the main attractions of Shinjuku with a professional guide while you travel around the city in private transport. Moreover, the groups are usually dynamic and fun.
• Cons: Entrance fees to any of the destinations, food and beverages are not included. Offered in Chinese, English and Japanese.

Whet your appetite for Japan's culinary secrets on a food tour. This type of tour takes you around Japan's major cities, such as Shibuya, an eclectic neighbourhood in central Tokyo that is home to a lively Asian cuisine scene.

There are endless options, but my top picks are:

• Tokyo pub crawls.
• Food experiences with sushi classes included.
• Izakaya tasting tours (the famous Japanese skewers).
• Tasting evenings in Tokyo's taverns, bars and restaurants.

Whether you choose between an All You Can Eat or a tasting menu, these types of Tokyo food tours will leave you satisfied.

The most popular type of food tour usually includes 5 tastings at local restaurants, from Kobe beef skewers, okonomiyaki (Hiroshima-style pancakes), taiyaki, to octopus balls, and sushi.

You can also visit a ventilated depachika (underground canteen) for a free drink and a typical dessert.

Details of interest

• Price: From around 22 € to around 200 €.
• Duration: 3 hours
• Time: evening.
• What the tour may include: food expert to introduce and guide the group through Japanese cuisine, bars and restaurants. In addition, a short recipe lesson is often offered as an extra.
• Means of transport: on foot
• Pros: An entertaining, informative and absolutely delicious tour of Japanese cuisine. It is offered in English. The groups are small.
• Cons: Only one drink is included.

Enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of Tokyo's Asakusa district aboard a traditional oriental rickshaw - a light 2-wheeled vehicle also known as a bicycle taxi.

Your expert guide will take you past some of the many points of interest such as Nakamise Street and its steaming food stalls; Hanayashiki amusement park, an ideal place to enjoy tea and a typical dessert; and ancient sites such as Tokyo's iconic Sensō-ji temple.

Let yourself be carried away and enjoy the panoramic views amidst gardens and cherry trees, temples, skyscrapers and traditional shops. Learn about Tokyo's history from its roots with an entertaining talk with your guide and locals.

Details of interest

• Price: From €36.
• Duration: Between half an hour and 3 hours.
• Timetable: Afternoon.
• What the tour may include: The assistance and driving of the rickshaw by an expert local guide.
• Address: Around Taito City, check with your operator.
• Pros: You travel a long distance in a comfortable, fast and convenient way, while learning about the history of Tokyo from a friendly guide.
• Cons: The guide is not offered in English.

Explore the Japanese capital at your own pace on an open-top double-decker bus. You can hop on and off at your leisure, change routes or stop at a specific location with the Tokyo Hop-on Hop-off.

There are 3 different routes on board the sightseeing bus:

• The Red Route. From the Sky Tree, via Asakusa and Ueno. There are a total of 10 stops.
• The blue route. From Tokyo Tower it will take you to Odaiba with 3 stops along the way.
• The green route. From Shinjuku to Shibuya makes 4 stops to the destination.

An important aspect of the Tokyo sightseeing bus is that tickets are not purchased by route, but by the number of hours of use:

• 1 day ticket. Valid for 12 hours. You can get this ticket for about 20.5 €.
• The 2-day ticket. Valid for 36 hours. You can get this ticket for around €30.

It is best to combine routes to take advantage of all the benefits of this service. I advise you to buy your tickets in advance, you will have up to 3 months to use/activate it. Remember that this type of ticket is activated once you use it for the first time.

Interesting details

• Price: From 20.5 €.
• Hours: 9.30am until 6pm.
• What the tour may include: This tour is guided by audio guide in Spanish and 6 other languages (except for the green route which only has an audio guide in Japanese and English). Wi-Fi service. Tourist brochures.
• Pros: you get to know the city from a different perspective, as well as having a guide in Spanish to the different places you are visiting. And you can take your own photographic tour of Tokyo while you are on board the different transport units.
• Cons: the tours are extensive but the number of stops is limited.

After a bullet train ride of almost 2 hours, it's time to be captivated by Mount Fuji with its mystical natural beauty. Japan's highest and most majestic mountain is a World Heritage Site. I think I can't describe the place enough, you have to visit it.

This type of tour to Mount Fuji will take you with a local guide along Lake Kawaguchiko to the fifth level of the mountain and its surroundings. Along the way, apart from entering the historic Fuji Temple, the tour may make several stops along the way. Check the itinerary of your tour operator, there are destinations you should not miss.

Featured destinations around Mount Fuji

• Lake Kawaguchiko. The flora around Lake Kawaguchiko attracts a considerable number of visitors in two seasons of the year: in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Another group books their visit among the things to do in Tokyo in autumn, when the seasonal vegetation is in full bloom.
• Aokigahara Forest. Also known in English as the Sea of T rees or the Forest of Suicides. It is a wooded area of 35 km². The ice caves are a must-see.
• Gotemba. It is home to Japan's most popular outlet mall and offers unparalleled views of Mount Fuji. If you prefer more adventure, you can wander into neighbouring Susono, where the Fuji Safari Park awaits, where you can see bison, leopards, zebras, lions, red panas and more on your safari.
• Lake Ashi. The stop starts at Hakone Shrine, continues with a pirate boat ride and continues with a cable car ride up Mount Komagatake. Take a look at this video and see all the possibilities.
• Oshino Hakkai. Meeting an authentic ninja is often part of the expectations of visitors and in this village it is possible to learn about their routines. Often tours to Mount Fuji with a stop at Oshino Hakkai also include the flight simulator experience.

From shopping for souvenirs, to indulging in a culinary stroll, to saving moments in beautiful photographs, this type of tour - recommended among the things tosee and do in Tokyo in 5 days - is one of the best ways to get the most out of a trip to the Japanese capital.

Interesting details

• Price: From €62.
• Duration: 3 - - 11 hours depending on the stops chosen.
• What the tour may include: Guidance from a local expert.
• The visit to the 5 levels of Mount Fuji, ninja experience, bullet train ticket, outlet shopping tour.
• Means of transport: bullet train
  .- Pros: The views are 10. At each stop there is a variety of activities to suit all types of travellers
  .- You can travel as a family, a couple, alone or with friends, Mount Fuji has something special for everyone.
• Cons: Tours are usually offered in English and are not recommended for express visits to Japan

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This tour will take you to exciting places in Yanaka, an important district of Tokyo known for its streets and atmosphere reminiscent of the Edo era.

This type of tour allows you to learn about the origins and history of this district, which has been a source of inspiration for many Japanese artists. It usually takes you past several memorable places in Yanaka, such as the Tennoji temple on the edge of the Yanaka Reien, a cemetery that is often decorated with beautiful cherry blossom trees in spring.

In addition, this tour takes you to many other interesting places such as the Okubo Gallery building, a space where tea is drunk with its old-fashioned ceremony.

The tour also takes you through museums, galleries, shopping streets and the main sights of **Tokyo'**s Old Town.

Interesting details

• Price: From €72.
• Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Timetable: morning or afternoon, check with your tour operator.
• What the tour may include: the guide of a professional expert in Japanese culture.
• Means of transport: on foot
• Pros: It is a luxury to learn about Tokyo's age-old traditions and this type of tour covers much of the history through an enjoyable experience.
• Cons: The service is offered in English and Japanese.

Sumo culture can be very confusing for visitors to Japan. This small group tour will reveal the secrets of sumo to give you a better appreciation of this traditional Japanese sport.

The tour includes a demonstration of sumo wrestling and even a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the wrestlers. A local guide will explain everything you want to know at all times.

Such tours usually include a visit to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, better known as the Sumo Hall, to watch the wrestlers train, learn about the history of sumo and its precise rituals, and finally test your sumo skills.

Afterwards, a walking tour of the area is followed by a visit to a local restaurant to try Chanko Nabe, the famous soup that sumo wrestlers drink to achieve their enormous size. Finally, you will visit a shrine and a temple.

Details of interest

• Price: From €95.
• Duration: 4 hours
• What the tour may include: the services of a local guide and various visits to places such as Kokugikan Sumo Stadium, Ryogoku area, Ejima Sugiyama Shinto Shrine, Japanese Garden, Eko-in Buddhist Temple, Edo-Noren and Nezumi Kozo.
• Means of transport: on foot
• Pros: The experience of being alongside sumo wrestlers or rikishi is rewarding and you learn another perspective on the sport.
• Cons: The language. The tour is usually only available in English and Japanese.

Cycle through the streets of Tokyo on this guided bike tour. With the assistance of a local guide, you'll be able to cycle through some of the capital's most interesting areas.

Although there are several itineraries to choose from, my advice is to book the one that goes down the Roppongi Hills and past the designer shops of Ginza, Asakusa, Meiji-jingu Shrine, the Kōkyo or Imperial Palace, Zōjō-ji Temple and Aoyama Cemetery.

These tours usually include a stop for lunch by the river. At the end of the tour, the group returns to their point of origin, but not before having had the opportunity to climb a skyscraper with a spectacular view of the skyline of the Japanese capital.

Details of interest

• Price: From 62 €.
• Duration: 3 hours
• Timetable: morning and afternoon, check with your tour operator for different itineraries.
• What the tour may include: local guide, bike rental, helmets and insurance.
• Means of transport: by bicycle.
• Pros: the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective, how the locals do it and in small groups.
• Cons: The rides are outside all the buildings that correspond to your itinerary, although for an additional supplement you can access the facilities of the buildings of your choice.

Tired of the usual tourist spots? Try a different kind of food tour, combining tavern, bar and ramen on this small group walking tour.

There's a whole world waiting for you to explore. Step out of your comfort zone and tour Tokyo like the locals do. Take a private tour with a local guide who knows all the best places in Tokyo.

With these ramen tours, you'll get to see new and exciting places like a bar and a tavern that you wouldn't find on your own.

During the tour you will get to taste delicious sake and ramen at local shops, as well as modern tsukemen with great flavours such as truffle and konbu salt water and finish with a domestically brewed beer. There will be 3 restaurants and taverns not to be missed.

Interesting details

• Price: From 114 €.
• Duration: 3 hours
• Time: Afternoon
• What the tour may include: local culinary guide, four or more alcoholic drinks, 5 tasting meals including ramen. A small porcelain souvenir.
• Means of transport: on foot
• Pros: small groups. It is a complete package where you have the possibility of tasting ramen and other typical dishes, along with a variety of alcoholic beverages as the locals do.
• Cons: Service usually only available in English and Japanese.

Akihabara is known for its computer and electronics shops. Nowadays it is popular with anime and Sega game fans.

When you arrive at the building you will find video games and UFO catchers on the first few floors. The sixth floor is the floor that gets the most visitors thanks to its virtual reality games, Tower Tag being the favourite.

In this type of tour you will receive explanations about Japanese culture. Small groups - maximum 7 people - try all the must-do activities in Akihabara, such as a visit to a retro video game shop, a maid cafe, a photo booth and much more. It's otaku heaven.

Whether you're a fan of anime and video games, or just want to learn more about this exciting part of Japanese popular culture, this is the tour for you.

Important: I recommend you buy your PASMO card, as it works for the entire train service and is the only way to use the video games, no cash is accepted.

Details of interest

• Price: From 60 €.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Timetable: Afternoon.
• What the tour may include: Entrance, photo and a drink in a Maid Café. Local guide service. Japanese photo booth experience (Purikura).
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Pros: It's a fun walk. The atmosphere in the cafe and surrounding shops is excellent as is the photo experience. The guides are usually friendly and otaku with a deep knowledge of this Japanese art.
• Cons: No additional drinks or food are included. Often the guide is only offered in English and Japanese.

Tokyo is a huge city, but it has one of the best public transport systems in the world. Find out about the alternatives for getting around Tokyo.

By underground and tram

The underground is the easiest, most practical and cheapest way to get around Tokyo. Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway operate the city's tram service (Yamanote Line) and underground. Stations are identified by a number, a letter and a colour, so be sure to remember this before boarding the carriages.

There are at least 6 options for buying tickets for the underground and trains in Tokyo. I recommend buying one of the prepaid cards Suica or Pasmo for 24, 48 or 72 hours, depending on your itinerary. Prices vary from 4.37 €.

By bullet train

When travelling out of town or arriving at Narita Airport, the best option is to use the Tokyo bullet train.

You'll travel comfortably, quickly and safely with all the options offered by the Shinkansen. Plus you can combine your underground tickets with your bullet train ticket from the start.

Check which option is most convenient for you.

By bus

The ToeiBus or Tokyo City Bus is the most complicated way to get around.

As soon as you arrive in the Japanese city, you will notice that most people only speak Japanese and in some cases English, which makes the bus service difficult for foreigners. In any case, the price of a ticket starts at €1.70 per ticket.

By taxi

You also have the option of taking a taxi, however, with such an efficient service as the trains, subways and trams, it seems unnecessary to use this service.