Discover the best of the Japanese capital city by exploring Tokyo on foot through these five unique and engaging walking tours.
(Photo: Viator.com)
As a huge city, Tokyo is a place to break down and explore in chunks. For many visitors, with so much to see and do, it’s tough to know where to begin. Even when you do, understanding this hyper-modern city, the fascinating Japanese culture, and the urban intensity is always easier with the help of a local guide, who can make sense of it all for you. That’s why these five brilliant walking tours are a great way to open doors, dispel anonymity and fall in love with Tokyo.
Shinjuku Kabukicho Evening Highlight Walking Tour
Nowhere is quite as iconic for Tokyo’s nightlife scene as Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district. Follow your local guide deep into the depths of the entertainment hotspot, which is known to skew more towards adult-oriented pastimes, complete with the neon lights and cultural curiosities that make Japan so beguiling. This 90-minute walking tour will wind through the maze of streets, lined with smoky Izakaya bars and the occasional robot restaurant. If you plan to stick around afterwards, your guide can provide insider info on the best nightlife spots. From $32 per person.
Yanaka District: Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo’s Old Town
It is easy to get swept up in the modern side of Tokyo, but there are still districts in the city where the traditional Japanese atmosphere predominates. It was a Japan closed off from the world from many years, making it a crucial piece in understanding Japanese history and culture. That’s why this 150-minute walking tour of Tokyo’s Yanaka District is an essential experience for anyone wishing to get under the surface of the Japanese capital. See local life much as it would have looked decades ago, visit shrines and try a traditional Japanese lunch. From $52 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Best of Tokyo: Japanese Traditions, Shopping & Food Experience
Another great tour providing insight into old-world Tokyo explores the Ningyocho and Nihonbashi districts. This three-hour walk pays special interest to the old shops that have been selling wares such as musical instruments and calligraphy materials for a long time, including an incense store which has been in operation since 1705. The tour also includes samples of traditional treats like bean paste snacks and fish jerky. Groups sizes are restricted to no more than 12 people. This tour runs from Mon-Sat. From $53 per person.
Half-Day Private Tokyo Walking Tour
If you’re feeling fit and healthy, this four-to-six-hour tour, led by a nationally licensed tour guide, is a great way to immerse yourself in Tokyo’s history and culture. Exploring on foot, with the aid of public transport, you will discover what makes this city so special, from the beautifully preserved shrines and temples of antiquity, through to the technological ingenuity that places Tokyo at the forefront of modernity. The price is the same for one or two people in your group, with much smaller increases in price for additional people. From $151 per group.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Shibuya & Harajuku: Hidden Gems & Highlights Private Tour
The famous Shibuya crossing features in practically every single western movie or TV show that films in Tokyo. See it (and cross it) for yourself on this deep dive into the Shibuya and Harajuku districts, where Tokyo’s charm really shines through. Explore narrow streets lined with vintage and thrift shops in Shimokitazawa, see the commercial glitz of Shibuya, and then find relative tranquility in Yoyogi park, at the beautiful Meiji Shrine. Food tastings are also included in the price. Fees per person are much lower for those travelling in groups of two or more. From $165 per person.