JAPAN · WALKING TOURS

Japan on Foot: 15 Guided Walks Worth Booking

85 walks  ·  from $16 a head

Backstreets, market halls and the bar lanes that look closed until somebody opens a door. These 15 walks cover Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, priced, with the food-and-drink count spelled out.

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems - Gion’s Wooden Lanes and Teahouse Tradition
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Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

1.Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,273 reviews · 2 hours · from $25Our pick

Walk Gion’s lantern-lit lanes with an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Anton, Yuri, or Ikuro. In two hours, you’ll see machiya townhouses, teahouses, Hokan-ji Pagoda, Kennin-ji, and Chion-in while learning how geiko and maiko fit into Kyoto life. Sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Your guide also shares practical food, shopping, and sightseeing advice.

“Anton was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable and personable. We has such a great time.”

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Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour - Tsukiji Jogai Market: food, noise, and useful orientation
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Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

2.Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,184 reviews · from $99Top rated

Meet your guide at Tsukiji Honganji Temple for a three-hour walk through the outer Tsukiji Market. Guides such as Kiyo, Naz, Shoko, and Masa lead you to seafood stalls, kitchen shops, and tasting stops for sushi or a seafood bowl, Wagyu beef, fish cakes, omelet, fruit, dashi soup, and tea. Expect crowds, steady walking, and a fish-focused menu.

“Since we were traveling after peak tourist season we ended up on an unplanned “private” tour! Kayoko was the best guide. She gave us a lot of interesting information about the different food/ingredients we saw as well as local history anRead more”

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Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour - Starting at Wadakura Fountain Park
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Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour

3.Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,251 reviews · from $22

Walk through Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens with guides such as Jim, Tony, Miguel, or Izzy. In about two hours, you’ll see Edo Castle walls, gates, the old keep foundation, and Ninomaru Garden while learning about shoguns, emperors, and Japanese culture. The group is limited to 15 people, and the pace is easy but includes slopes.

“It was great to get a brief history of Japan. Izzy was great and informative. The garden are busy but beautiful. Much better paying for the tour than just wandering if you want to know stuff.”

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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - Stories of Geisha - Starting near Shijo and Pontocho Alley
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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

4.Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,187 reviews · 2 hours · from $20Best value

Spend two hours with an English or Spanish-speaking guide in Kyoto’s Gion and Pontocho districts. You’ll visit Pontocho Alley, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Corner, and Hanamikoji Street while learning how geiko and maiko train and work. Guides such as Yuki, Nami, Yukari, and Deborah are praised for clear stories and friendly answers.

“Manny was excellent! Nice tour, very informative! We really enjoyed it!”

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Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones - Starting near Yasaka Shrine
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Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones

5.Best of Kyoto: Gion, Geisha, Pagodas & Cobblestones

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,058 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Spend two hours walking through Gion and Higashiyama after dark, stopping at Yasaka Shrine, Ninenzaka, Hōkan-ji, and Yasui Kompira-Gu. Your English or French-speaking guide explains Kyoto’s temples, customs, and geisha culture, with guides such as Karim, Kevin, Janelle, and Ben frequently leading tours. Food and drinks are not included.

“We loved wandering through the Gion in the quiet of the night with our guide, Kevin. Kevin provided a wealth of information but did not overwhelm us with too much information. He was easy and comfortable to be with.”

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Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto's Geisha District - Walking the classic streets of Gion
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Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District

6.Night Walk in Gion: Kyoto’s Geisha District

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,003 reviews · 1h 40m · from $21

Spend 100 minutes walking through nighttime Gion with an English-speaking guide such as Mia, Mie, or Chako. Learn how geiko and maiko dress, train, and work, see streets linked with Memoirs of a Geisha, and get clear advice on respectful behavior. Encounters with geiko or maiko can happen, but are never guaranteed.

“Great experience and our guide was incredibly knowledgable about the geisha culture!”

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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour - Meeting at Omoide Yokocho
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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

7.Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,794 reviews · 3 hours · from $34

Join an English-speaking local guide such as Nao, Naoya, Toshi, or Kei for a three-hour walk through Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai. You’ll enter selected izakayas and bars, learn about Japanese drinking customs, try sake if you wish, and finish with karaoke. Admission is included, but food and drinks require cash.

“Kei is a great guide! She’s meticulous and makes sure everyone is included and gives great recommendations. Even with a large group (about 15 people) she is able to make sure no one is left out! In general this tour is great for anyone looking to get acquainted with Tokyo drinking culture”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Walking tour - Starting with Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Walking tour

8.Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,724 reviews · from $30

Spend about two hours with a local English-speaking guide around Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji Fish Market, and Tsukiji Jogai Market. Guides such as Rie, Haydn, Jim, Minori, and Sayaka lead you to food stalls, explain local customs, and help you choose what to buy. Food is not included, so bring yen.

“Shino was awesome she was so helpful as a chef she took her time but also got lots done given the time given”

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Tokyo: Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit - Meeting at Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate
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Tokyo: Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

9.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,583 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon and walk through Asakusa’s temple grounds, shopping streets, shrines, and food lanes. Guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Loc explain Buddhist and Shinto customs, local history, and useful places to eat. The route ends near Azuma Bridge and costs $22 per person.

“Keiko was an energetic, informative and fun guide! This was a perfect introduction to the Asakusa region (finishing at lunchtime as there are many dozens of eateries). Highly recommend!”

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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha - Meeting at Ben’s Cookies and walking into old Kyoto
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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

10.Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $25

Walk through Kyoto’s Gion district after dark with a guide such as Ben, Shin, Deborah, Nami, or Kenji. Over about two hours, you’ll learn how geiko and maiko fit into Kyoto’s entertainment culture while visiting Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji Street, Minamiza, Gion Corner, and Yasaka Shrine. The group is capped at 15 people.

“Manny was incredibly clear and detailed. I walked away knowing a lot more about the evolution of Geisha, Geiko, Maiko, than I had previously known. Thank you for an incredible tour.”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Guided Walking Tour - Starting at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple
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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Guided Walking Tour

11.Tsukiji Fish Market Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,397 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Spend two hours with an English-speaking guide such as Rie, Jim, Yayoi, or Sayaka at Tsukiji Hongwanji and the Tsukiji Outer Market. You will learn the area’s story, choose your own food at market stalls, and try seafood, wagyu, tamago, sweets, and other Japanese specialties. Food costs extra, so bring cash.

“Amazing tour! it is really nice to go with a local. He shared info about the history and gave us very useful recommendations. it was very fun to do it. Really recommended!”

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Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch) - Nishiki Tenmangu before the market crowds
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Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

12.Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,355 reviews · from $68

Start near Shijo Bridge, walk through Pontocho and Nishiki Tenmangu, then spend most of the morning tasting Kyoto foods at Nishiki Market. A certified MagicalTrip guide leads the visit, with brunch and seven tastings included. Guides such as Yuki, Yusuke, Chie, and Aki have earned praise for clear explanations and useful food tips.

“Rakel was an excellent guide! Managed to connect with the 14 year old too! Gained some basic knowledge and had a pleasant and smooth experience, saved us some unnecessary hassle. Thank you lovely Rakel.”

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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group - Meeting at Namba and finding your bearings
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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

13.Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,300 reviews · 3 - 7 hours · from $33

See Osaka beyond its neon center on a 3-hour small-group walk or a 4 to 7-hour private tour. Your English-speaking guide leads you through Kuromon Market, local alleys, Dotonbori, America-mura, and Shinsekai, with takoyaki and a canned drink included. Private tours can add Osaka Castle, Shitennoji, a knife lesson, and hotel pickup in central Osaka.

“Stephane was an amazing tour guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. It was a great way to see many different areas of Osaka.”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets - Starting near Saga-Arashiyama Station
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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

14.Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,216 reviews · from $65

Walk through Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Teri, Mari, Marie, or Aron. Visit Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, the Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park. Expect backstreets, cultural history, photo help, a 20 to 25 minute uphill hike, and a small group of up to 12 people.

“Such a fun bamboo forest tour with Marie! 🎋🎍☺️ Her energy and knowledge made the whole day fly by. She also took awesome photos and knew all the best spots. We saw beautiful shrines, a Japanese garden, and had amazing tempura fRead more”

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Kyoto Gion: 2-Hour Geisha Culture & History Walking Tour - Hanamikoji Street and the world of geisha
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Kyoto Gion: 2-Hour Geisha Culture & History Walking Tour

15.Kyoto Gion: 2-Hour Geisha Culture & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,186 reviews · from $23

Spend two hours walking through Gion with a local guide such as Uta, Dan, Naoya, or Soyo. Learn how geisha and maiko train, visit Yasaka Shrine and Hokan-ji Temple, see Edo-period townhouses, and get restaurant tips. The group is limited to 15, and evening tours may offer the best chance of seeing a geisha.

“Dan was a fabulous guide - so knowledgable, providing a wonderful Learning experience on the history of Gion. Would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone staying in Kyoto. Thanks Dan”

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New in Japan Walking Tours

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★ 4.6Shinjuku Bar Hopping & Night Walking TourFrom $30137 reviews
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★ 4.9Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour & Secret View SpotFrom $23196 reviews
★ 4.9Private Custom Walking Tour with Local GuideFrom $56350 reviews
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★ 5.0Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking TourFrom $19245 reviews
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