Explore Japan with Local Guides
From dawn at Fushimi Inari's ten thousand torii gates to Tokyo's neon backstreets and Osaka's street-food alleys — experience Japan with local guides who read the menus, know the etiquette, and skip the queues.
Book Japan Tours with Verified Local Guides
Japan rewards travellers who go with someone who knows it — a country where the best restaurants have no English menus, the most beautiful temple moments happen before the crowds arrive, and etiquette shapes every interaction. AsiaByLocals connects you directly with licensed local guides in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka — no OTA markup, direct contact with the person who will actually guide you.
Start with the classics: a dawn walk through Fushimi Inari's torii gates before the crowds, the Arashiyama bamboo forest, a Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo, or an evening food crawl through Osaka's Dotonbori. Every tour is run by a local operator we work with directly.
Planning from scratch? Our travel guides below cover the best time to visit each city, 3-day itineraries, and how to get around — written by locals, updated for 2026.
Top Destinations in Japan
Explore Japan's most popular destinations with expert local guides.
Popular Tours in Tokyo
Neon, Temples & Street Karts
Red Pandas and Punch-kun: A Small-Group Day at Ichikawa City Zoo
Starting from $272
Sailor Moon Live in Shinagawa: The Shining Theater Show
Starting from $105
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: Snow Walls and the Roof of Japan, Privately Guided
Starting from $275
Full-Day Kimono or Yukata Rental in Asakusa, with Hair Styling
Starting from $57
A Local Sento with a Guide: Tokyo's Neighbourhood Bathhouse, Tattoos Welcome
Starting from $80
Wagakki Concert in Harajuku: Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi and Taiko in One Hour
Starting from $48
Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo by Helicopter: Skytree and Tokyo Tower
Starting from $695
Mod Your Own Game Boy in Akihabara: Backlit IPS Screen and a Custom Shell
Starting from $416
Mount Takao in a Day: Cable Car, Summit Hike, Hachioji Ramen and a Tattoo-Friendly Onsen
Starting from $150
Kamakura and Enoshima by Coach and Enoden Train: The Great Buddha and the Coast
Starting from $97
Make Nerikiri Wagashi and Drink Uji Matcha: A Tea Ceremony in Kanda
Starting from $23
Gotokuji Lucky Cat Temple, the Shinjuku 3D Cat and Japan's Largest Cat Cafe
Starting from $72
The Toyosu Tuna Auction at Dawn, then Tsukiji Outer Market
Starting from $153
Akihabara with an Anime Guide: Manga Floors, Retro Games and a Maid Cafe
Starting from $48
Samurai Sword Lesson in Asakusa: Hakama, Armour and Two Hours of Instruction
Starting from $133
Turn a Japanese Coin into a Ring: An Hour with Asakusa Metalworkers
Starting from $63
The Kabukicho Samurai Show, with Two Drinks
Starting from $69
The Imperial Palace on Foot: Otemon Gate, the Guardhouse Ruins and Ninomaru Garden
Starting from $48
Samurai and Ninja Museum in Asakusa: Guided Hour with Shuriken Throwing
Starting from $30
Sushi-Making Class in Asakusa, with Vegan, Halal and Allergy Menus
Starting from $73
Tokyo Open-Top Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Three Routes, One Ticket
Starting from $39
Mount Fuji by Shared Coach: Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai, Oishi Park and Lake Kawaguchi
Starting from $63
Sumo, Geisha and Chanko Hot Pot in Asakusa: Dinner Around a Real Dohyo
Starting from $129
Nikko from Tokyo: Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls
Starting from $137
Shibuya at Night in Two Hours: Sky Deck, Scramble Crossing, Center Gai and Miyashita Park
Starting from $130
Tokyo After Dark with a Photographer: Shibuya Sky at Golden Hour, then Shinjuku's Neon
Starting from $120
Make Your Own Japanese Denim Jeans in Harajuku
Starting from $185
Sumo Morning Practice at a Working Stable in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
Starting from $144
Yakatabune Houseboat on Tokyo Bay: Sukiyaki, Shamisen and the Rainbow Bridge
Starting from $128
Shibuya Food Walk: Thirteen Dishes, Three Eateries and Dessert
Starting from $129
Shibuya on Foot: Hachiko, the Scramble Crossing and a Viewpoint Locals Use
Starting from $33
Hiroshima and Miyajima in One Day from Tokyo, by Shinkansen
Starting from $149
Sumo in Shibuya: Five Show Times a Day, Ring Challenge Included
Starting from $95
Shinjuku After Dark: Thirteen Dishes Across Four Local Eateries
Starting from $133
Sumo in Shinjuku: Live Bouts, Ring Challenge and Photos with the Wrestlers
Starting from $96
Fuji Speedway and NISMO: Private JDM Day Tour from Tokyo
Starting from $940
Tokyo After Dark by Bike: Omotesando, Roppongi and Aoyama Cemetery
Starting from $61
Togoshi Ginza Food Walk: Tokyo's Longest Shopping Street
Starting from $142
Tokyo Road Bike Tour: Five Hours with Bike, Gear and Showers
Starting from $274
Tokyo Ghost Walk: Yokai, Vengeful Spirits and City Folklore
Starting from $100
Tokyo by Night: Private Car Tour with Hotel Pickup
Starting from $196
Tokyo Highlights in Half a Day with a Local Guide
Starting from $118
Tokyo in a Day: Asakusa, Yanaka, the Palace and Harajuku with a Local
Starting from $158
Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji: Private Nagano Day Trip from Tokyo
Starting from $181
Shibuya Premium Street Kart: 45 Minutes Through the Crossing
Starting from $80
Tokyo Night Drive: Wangan, Daikoku PA and the JDM Scene
Starting from $155
Shibuya Crossing Go-Kart Ride with Photo Stops
Starting from $99
Premium Tokyo Go-Kart: Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku
Starting from $142
Asakusa to Akihabara Go-Kart Run: Skytree, Temples and Electric Town
Starting from $102
Shibuya After Dark: Private Neon Photo Walk with a Local Photographer
Starting from $145
Tokyo Street Go-Kart: Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Tower Night Ride
Starting from $88
Shibuya and Harajuku by Bike: Three Hours Through the Backstreets
Starting from $77
Your Tokyo, Your Route: Private Half-Day with a Local Guide
Starting from $63
Tokyo Backstreets by E-Bike: Yanaka, Shitamachi and the Old Quarters
Starting from $80
Central Tokyo by E-Bike: Three Hours Across the Landmarks
Starting from $79
Tokyo Your Way: Private Walking Day with a Local Guide
Starting from $107
Popular Tours in Kyoto
Temples, Geisha Districts & Tea
A Private Sound Bath in Kyoto, on Japanese Singing Rings
Starting from $148
Chambara at Myokaku-ji: Sword Choreography Filmed on Temple Grounds
Starting from $159
See a Maiko Dance in Gion: Two Kyomai Pieces and the Kagai Museum
Starting from $33
White Water Rafting the Hozugawa: Five Kilometres of Rapids Outside Kyoto
Starting from $78
I. M. Pei's Buried Museum and the Lake Torii: A Shiga Day from Kyoto or Osaka
Starting from $119
Ninja Class for Families in Kyoto: Blowguns, Stars and Stealth
Starting from $78
Eastern Kyoto by E-Bike: Ginkaku-ji, Zen Gardens and the Philosopher's Path
Starting from $109
Sushi-Making in Central Kyoto, with a Footbath to Finish
Starting from $77
Sumo, Geisha and All-You-Can-Eat Chanko in Central Kyoto
Starting from $129
Make a Temari Ball from Vintage Kimono Fabric in Gion
Starting from $45
Ikebana with a Master in a Nishijin Merchant House
Starting from $153
Arashiyama by Sagano Train, Hozugawa Boat and an Onsen to Finish
Starting from $198
Tea Ceremony in a Century-Old Fushimi Machiya, at a Table
Starting from $57
Zazen with a Monk in a Kyoto Temple That Is Closed to the Public
Starting from $120
Forge a Japanese Kitchen Knife at a Kyoto Blacksmith
Starting from $192
Grind Your Own Matcha in Uji: The Tea Museum at Chazuna
Starting from $30
Kawaramachi Bar Crawl: Kyoto's Izakaya Lanes with a Local
Starting from $48
Plane and Sand Your Own Chopsticks in Arashiyama
Starting from $17
Nijo Castle with a Guide: Nightingale Floors and the Room Where the Shogunate Ended
Starting from $54
Kyoto in a Day by Coach: Early Bamboo Grove, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari
Starting from $149
Fushimi Inari & Nara
Starting from $446
Kyoto Wagyu Experience Tour: A Journey into Japan's Finest Beef
Starting from $501
Kyoto 1-Day Private Car Tour
Starting from $625
Kyoto's Autumn Poem: A Fall Foliage Tour
Starting from $272
Kyoto Private Tour, 1-4 People (4-Hour)
Starting from $267
KYOTO Classic Tour
Starting from $303
Early Morning in Kyoto
Starting from $340
Evening Food Tour of Kyoto's Pontocho & Gion Shirakawa
Starting from $257
Cycle Around Kyoto 1-Day Private E-Bike Tour with Hotel Pickup
Starting from $167
Kyoto Private Day Tour
Starting from $542
Gion Kyoto Maiko Geisha Photoshoot
Starting from $151
Kyoto Bike Tour
Starting from $136
Kyoto Food Tour
Starting from $472
Private Kansai Day Tour (3 Hours)
Starting from $213
Kyoto Private Tour, 1-4 People (8-Hour)
Starting from $400
Design your KYOTO Custom Tour
Starting from $248
Ukiyoe Workshop
Starting from $167
Kyoto Private Car/Taxi Tour (Nissan Serena)
Starting from $292
Kyoto Evening & Geisha Food Tour
Starting from $320
Higashiyama Night E-Bike Tour (Private)
Starting from $126
Kansai Airport Taxi Service (KIX)
Starting from $192
Dress as a Maiko in a Japanese Garden Photoshoot (Kimono Rental)
Starting from $167
Best of Kyoto Day Tour
Starting from $212
Kyoto Sake Tasting with a Sommelier of Sake
Starting from $70
Kyoto Magical Night English Tour: Gion & Fushimi Inari
Starting from $40
Kyoto: Sashiko Stitching Workshop
Starting from $79
Kyoto: Nishiki Market and Depachika Food Tour
Starting from $52
Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Legends, Bamboo Forest
Starting from $48
Kyoto Fushimi-Inari Night Walking Tour
Starting from $41
Kyoto: Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle Guided Walking Tour
Starting from $59
Popular Tours in Osaka
Street Food & Castle Town
Gluten-Free Ramen and Gyoza, Made From Scratch in an Osaka Home
Starting from $129
Kyoto by the Sea: The Coastal Sightseeing Train from Nishi-Maizuru
Starting from $96
Three Traditions in One Afternoon: Kimono, Calligraphy and Tea in Osaka
Starting from $120
Kendo in an Osaka Dojo: Armour, Bamboo Sword and Two Hours of Instruction
Starting from $159
Umeda After Dark: Three Izakaya, Four Drinks and the Alleys Under the Towers
Starting from $137
A Maid Cafe in Namba: One Hour Inside Japan's Kawaii Theatre
Starting from $30
Osaka's Five Landmarks on Foot, with a Ramen Lunch and a Metro Pass
Starting from $65
Miyama's Thatched Village, Katsuo-ji and Arashiyama in One Day from Osaka
Starting from $71
Kuromon Market on Foot: Osaka's Kitchen, Doguyasuji and Hozenji Yokocho
Starting from $65
Japan's Oldest Western Winery: Tasting and a Vineyard Walk Outside Osaka
Starting from $105
Dotonbori River Cruise and Guided Walk: Osaka's Canals from the Water
Starting from $45
Ura-Namba Bar Crawl: Behind Dotonbori's Neon with a Local
Starting from $48
Sushi-Making Class off Dotonbori, with Vegan, Halal and Allergy Menus
Starting from $57
Full-Day Private Osaka Walking Tour
Starting from $188
Private Food Tour in Osaka
Starting from $119
Osaka: Private Night Cruise Through the City of Water
Starting from $234
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka: Tea Ceremony with Kimono Rental
Starting from $126
Osaka Day Tour
Starting from $459
Osaka Food Tour
Starting from $119
Best of Osaka Walking Tour
Starting from $113
Osaka Street Food Tour: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki & Local Flavor
Starting from $472
SuperHero Kart Osaka Tour S
Starting from $59
Seven Lucky Gods Goshuin Pilgrimage Tour
Starting from $42
Kimono Photoshoot (Basic Rental & Studio Session)
Starting from $55
Secret Spots & Local Treasures Tour
Starting from $63
Sumo & Samurai Experience Plan
Starting from $155
Sumo Experience Only Plan
Starting from $75
Osaka & Nara: Custom Private Tour with English Driver
Starting from $354
Osaka: LGBTQ+ Tour with Dinner and Drinks
Starting from $141
2hrs Guided tour Osaka Castle and Shrine with Local Guide
Starting from $55
Downtown Osaka: Hidden Backstreet Foodie Tour
Starting from $107
Kimono photoshoot-Includes 100 photo data
Starting from $118
Osaka Sumo Show with Front-Row Seating & Wagyu Sukiyaki
Starting from $142
Osaka: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour by Private Vehicle
Starting from $320
Osaka: Kintsugi Workshop, Beauty in Brokenness
Starting from $107
Osaka: Kimono or Yukata Rental &Photos Service Options
Starting from $23
Osaka Private Highlights tour with Guide and Luxury Vehicle
Starting from $374
Experience Samurai and traditional Culture to the fullest
Starting from $225
Osaka: Osaka Castle & Samurai History Tour w/ Entry Options
Starting from $26
Osaka: Original Street Kart Experience (1 Hr)
Starting from $41
Osaka: Small Group, Big Flavors & Hidden Local Secrets Tour
Starting from $138
Osaka: Main Sights and Hidden Spots Guided Walking Tour
Starting from $73
Osaka: Sumo Show & Experience with Hot Pot Meal and Kimono
Starting from $81
More Destinations in Japan
Go beyond the Golden Triangle — discover Japan's hidden gems.
Essential Japan Travel Guides
FAQs About Traveling in Japan
What is the best time to visit Japan?
The two best windows are late March to early April (cherry blossom season — book everything early) and October to November (autumn colours, mild weather). May and early June are pleasant and less crowded. Avoid Golden Week (late April/early May) when domestic travel peaks, and expect heat and humidity in July-August.
How do I get between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?
The Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) connects all three: Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2h15m, Kyoto to Osaka just 15 minutes. If you are covering multiple cities, price a Japan Rail Pass against individual tickets before you travel — for a Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka round trip alone, individual tickets are often cheaper than the pass.
How many days do I need for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?
A comfortable first trip is 10 days: 4 in Tokyo (add a Mount Fuji day trip), 3 in Kyoto (Fushimi Inari at dawn, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Gion), and 2-3 in Osaka (castle, Dotonbori food crawl). With 7 days, do Tokyo plus Kyoto and treat Osaka as a day trip from Kyoto — they are 15 minutes apart by shinkansen.
Do I need a guide in Japan?
Japan is easy to navigate independently, but a local guide transforms the experience: temple etiquette and history in Kyoto, ordering at counter-only restaurants, neighbourhoods like Yanaka or Shinsekai that guidebooks skim. Food tours are where guides earn their keep most — menus without English and dishes you would never order alone.