Japan

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Unique experiences, authentically created, tailored by you
See the best places to visit in Japan with private tours in its most exciting cities
See the best places to visit in Japan with private tours in its most exciting cities
City Unscripted Private Tours In Japan City Unscripted Private Tours In Japan

Explore our cities in Japan

Find experiences and hosts to match your travel style so you get to see the Japan you’ll love

Top experiences in Kyoto

Magical Kyoto after dark
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Kyoto Magical Kyoto after dark

Explore Kyoto at night with a local. Explore mystical Gion and the winding streets in Pontocho or mingle with the locals at a bar; it's up to you!

$161 per person

4 hours

(94)

Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Kyoto Kyoto trip planning video call

Video chat or email with a local to plan your perfect trip or get answers to all your questions

$25 for 30 min

30-90 minutes

(2)

Kyoto’s Izakaya Experience: A Taste of Japanese Social Dining
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Kyoto Kyoto’s Izakaya Experience: A Taste of Japanese Social Dining

Discover Kyoto’s izakaya culture, where locals gather over shared plates, drinks, and conversation, with a tailored experience crafted to your tastes.

$164.5 per person

3 hours

(24)

Half day in Magical Kyoto
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Kyoto Kyoto, Your Way: A Personalized 4-Hour Exploration

Shape your half-day in Kyoto with iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and serene paths—crafted by your local host to match what excites you most

$130 per person

4 hours

(566)

SEE ALL EXPERIENCES IN Kyoto

Top experiences in Tokyo

Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Tokyo Eat Like a Tokyoite: Your 3-Hour Izakaya Crawl in Nakano

Uncover Nakano’s authentic culinary scene as you explore lively backstreets and hidden izakayas. This tailored food adventure connects you to Tokyo’s

$157.5 per person

3 hours

(196)

Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Tokyo Tokyo trip planning video call

Video chat or email with a local to plan your perfect trip or get answers to all your questions

$25 for 30 min

30-90 minutes

(2)

Get a head start: Kickstart your trip to Tokyo
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Tokyo Your Perfect First Day in Tokyo: Icons, Hidden Gems & Local Tips

Begin your Tokyo journey with iconic sights, hidden gems, and expert tips from your host, making the city feel familiar from day one.

$102.5 per person

3 hours

(480)

Tokyo in pink: discover the magic of the cherry blossom season
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Tokyo Tokyo in pink: discover the magic of the cherry blossom season

Experience the cherry blossom season's traditions like a local - the best sakura viewing spots, traditional eats, and a serene hanami picnic

$181.88 per person

4 hours

(32)

SEE ALL EXPERIENCES IN Tokyo

Top experiences in Osaka

A Full Day in Osaka, Your Way: Discover, Taste & Explore
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Osaka A Full Day in Osaka, Your Way: Discover, Taste & Explore

Spend a full day in Osaka, shaped around you. With a local host, explore history, food, culture, or hidden gems—your journey is completely flexible.

$237.5 per person

8 hours

(234)

Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Osaka Osaka trip planning video call

Video chat or email with a local to plan your perfect trip or get answers to all your questions

$25 for 30 min

30-90 minutes

(1)

Day trip to Nara, where past meets present
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Osaka Day trip to Nara, where past meets present

See some of Japan's most spectacular temples and gardens and snap a few shots with the deer roaming around in ancient Nara on a day trip from Osaka

$331 per person

9 hours

(13)

Cherry blossom magic in Osaka
Experience owner City Unscripted Original

Osaka Cherry blossom magic in Osaka

Experience the magic of the annual sakura season "hanami" celebrations with a local insider

$179.38 per person

4 hours

(10)

SEE ALL EXPERIENCES IN Osaka

Latest reviews from our guests

    Akihiro was friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, and made the experience wonderful from beginning to end when he placed us in a cab and waved goodbye.

    February 2025

    Joe J

    Travelling with my 4 year old son for the first time and walking around to see places was not his thing. He had a feat because he did not walk to walk, I am grateful that Akihiro went to meet us where we were when we were lost before the meet up and travelled back to get his stroller. I loved the wagyu beef restaurant, mikyuyoshi mecca of food and tea shop since 1935 where I got to try matcha tea and ice cream. Ended with Sapporo tv tower beautiful and so memorable.I look forward to booking again another trip. Thank you Akihiro it was a trip for the books! until next time!!!

    February 2025

    Eleonor A

    Yu was great and showed me restaurants that I never would've known about without him. I'm going back to two of them everyday for the rest of the holiday now. Yu was great to talk to and hang out with. Had a fantastic time

    February 2025

    Samuel J

    What an incredible day exploring Tokyo with Apy! She's the kind of guide that makes you feel like you're exploring the city with a close friend rather than being on a tour. Our 4-hour adventure took us through some of Tokyo's most fascinating spots, including the magnificent Meiji Shrine, the trendy Takeshita Street in Harajuku, and the bustling Shibuya district with its famous crossing and incredible shopping. Apy’s knowledge was impressive, but what really made the tour special was her warm personality and how she shared interesting stories and cultural insights in such a natural, engaging way. If you're looking for a Tokyo walking tour that feels more like exploring the city with a knowledgeable local friend, you can't go wrong with Apy as your guide!

    February 2025

    Shanea D

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The best things to do in Japan

Japan is a land of contrasts, its drastically different cities each with a reputation that precedes it and a list of things to do that would take years to tick-off. Take Hiroshima, whose tragic past to this day remains a dark cloud that often overshadows its true character: a thriving cosmopolitan community of trendy coffee shops, crowded stores, and friendly locals. Kyoto’s wood-built streets, traditional dining, and lantern-lit geishas, on the other hand, are perfectly preserved pictures of old Japan – but its late-night karaoke bars and 100-yen sushi restaurants are equally exhilarating. Then there’s Tokyo and Osaka, both ultra-modern metropolises of neon-lit skyscrapers and high-octane entertainment. Even here, countless opportunities to connect with Japan’s traditional culture abound, from ancient shrines and temples to sumo stadiums. The common thread that runs through the country is the magical marriage of traditional and high-tech, centuries-old and contemporary, old and new.

City Unscripted best things to do in Get one to access major highlights, lots of museums and public transport!

What to see in Japan: articles & travel tips from our local insiders

Lots of tips, inspiration and information written by our local hosts with the help of our editor.

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Private tours in Japan

Whether you have a full day, half a day, or just three hours, our personalized city tours of Japan are the perfect way to appreciate the country’s spirit and soul. Japan is famous for neon-lit urban jungles and high-octane entertainment, but even in its most modern cities, opportunities to connect with traditional culture abound. Led by a local guide who’s already uncovered every inch of their city, private tours in Japan let you discover the hidden gems your guidebook doesn’t even know about. On tours of Japan, experience this land of contrasts where incredible places congregate, and the traditional and high-tech are effortlessly married. From crowded sidewalks and flashing signs in futuristic Osaka to the lantern-lit streets of magical Kyoto, a private walking tour will paint a nuanced picture of Japan’s diverse cities and their personalities. The country is brimming with world-famous attractions, but some of the best experiences and things to do in Japan are the simple pastimes of the people who call it home. On a private tour with City Unscripted, you won’t get caught in a tourist trap – simply tell us what your dream local tour of Japan looks like, and we’ll make it happen.

See the best places to visit in Japan with private tours in its most exciting cities