The 7 Best Guided Tours to Take in Tokyo

Haunted Tokyo Tours shows visitors an unexpected side of the city. Explore dark alleys, cemeteries and haunted hills, tunnels and residences hiding underneath Tokyo’s tidy veneer while you learn the haunted histories of these regions. Spooky tours for families are also available.

Viator’s one-day tour of Tokyo is a great introduction to the city. Get acquainted with some of the top historic sights – Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji – and finish up with a cruise around Tokyo Bay.

Backstreet Guide’s Night Out Tokyo Tour is one of their most popular walking tours. This guided trip will have you exploring the sights and sounds of Harajuku and Shibuya, including the famous Shibuya Scramble, before heading on over to Shinjuku to explore Kabukicho and Golden Gai. The tour lasts six hours, so be sure to come energized for a night of exploring.

Walk Japan’s Tokyo Tour is a must-see for history and Japanese culture buffs as it focuses on informing tour groups about the history of the areas. This thorough two-day tour takes you through the Imperial Palace and the surrounding area; Koishikawa Koraku-en, one of few traditional Japanese gardens remaining from the Edo Period; along with Yanaka, the Edo Tokyo Museum, Ameyoko and more.

Tokyo Free Guide is a service that connects local tour guide volunteers with visitors to Tokyo. Your tour guide can take you wherever you want, so this option gives you the most freedom and privacy. It’s also easy on your wallet – since it’s a volunteer service, there’s no fee for guided tours.

If pop culture is your thing, Context Tours’s Otaku: Geek to Chic is a perfect choice. This tour explores Akihabara, including a stop at one of the area’s infamous maid cafes and a visit to nearby Kanda Shrine. Context Tours focuses on making their tours informative, so if you’re looking to learn something on your trip it’s worth looking into.

Truly Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market Tour is great for foodies and seafood enthusiasts. Navigate the bustling inner and outer markets, take a stroll through nearby Hamarikyu Gardens and finish up with a fresh sushi lunch. The tour price of Y30,000 is for a private tour of up to six people, so it’s great if you’re traveling with a group.