Japan · WALKING TOURS

The 15 Best Walking Tours in Japan

166 tours  ·  from $11

Japanese cities hide their best streets one turn off the main road. These 15 walks cover Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, priced by length, with a note on the ones that involve real hills or a lot of steps.

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems - Hōkan-ji Pagoda and Gion’s best photo angles
Kimono & Culture Experiences, Kimono & Culture Experiences in Kyoto, Kyoto Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Kyoto

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

Spend two hours walking Gion with an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Yuri, Anton, or Ikuro. See teahouses, machiya homes, Kennin-ji, Hōkan-ji Pagoda, and Chion-in while learning how Geiko and Maiko fit into Kyoto life today. Finish with practical restaurant and sightseeing recommendations.

“This tour was a wonderful start to my stay in Kyoto. I truly enjoyed exploring the city on foot and learned a great deal about Kyoto, Gion and the world of geisha. I was also very lucky, as I turned out to be the only participant on this group tour, which meant that my guide Michael effectively gave me a private tour. We visited the most important locations in Gion, which allowed me to gain a very good overall impression of the district. Because I was the only participant, Michael was able to tailor the tour to my interests and even adjust the itinerary slightly to suit what I was…”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour - Finding your way through Tsukiji Outer Market
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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 at Tsukiji Honganji Temple for a three-hour guided walk through the outer market. Expect dashi, green tea, fish cakes, omelette, Wagyu, seafood, fruit, and either sushi or a seafood bowl, with guides such as Kiyo, Naz, Shoko, and Masa sharing food customs and market history.

“Great experience and introduction to the market! Mari was a great host and guide. She was very knowledgeable about the history of the market, and had great connections for the food tastings.”

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Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia - Starting beneath the Minamiza Theatre
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Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

3.Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,393 reviews · 1h 40m · from $24

Walk from Minamiza Theatre through Hanamikoji and Gion’s quieter lanes with an English-speaking guide such as Hina, Shino, Masami, or Sho. Learn geisha and maiko customs, visit illuminated shrines and a pagoda, and finish at a shrine more than 1,000 years old.

“It was an excellent tour and we learnt loads from our guide Masami. It was great to be able to see Gion at night without the crowds!”

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

4.Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour

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

Spend about two hours walking through Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens, including Edo Castle ruins, stone gates, castle walls, and Ninomaru Garden. Guides such as Jim, Miguel, Tony, and Aya explain shogun-era Japan, the Imperial family, gardens, and modern Tokyo in a small group of up to 15.

“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 at Ben’s Cookies Kyoto Shijo
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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

5.Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – Stories of Geisha

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

Spend two hours with a local English or Spanish-speaking guide in Pontocho and Gion. Walk past old teahouses, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Corner, and Hanamikoji Street while learning how geiko and maiko train, work, and preserve Kyoto’s traditions. Guides include Yuki, Nami, Yukari, Deborah, and Manuel.

“I had so much fun on this tour! Ben was super knowledgeable and answered all of our groups' questions - so super informative. Still waiting, via email, for the group photo we all took. Thanks!”

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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour - Reading Kabukicho beyond the neon
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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

6.Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour

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

Spend three hours walking Shinjuku with an English-speaking local guide such as Nao, Naoya, Toshi, or Kei. Visit Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai, then try local bars, izakaya food, sake, beer, and karaoke. Venue choices can change, and food and drinks cost extra.

“This was a really fun tour! We had a small group, and it was great to get to enjoy the experience all together. We met some lovely people, had some great food and drinks. The karaoke was definitely the highlight! Shota was a great guide and a lot of fun, very friendly and interactive. Would recommend this tour!”

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

7.Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Walking tour

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

Join an English-speaking local guide for a two-hour walk from Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple through Tsukiji Fish Market and Jogai Market. Guides such as Rie, Haydn, Minori, and Shino help you choose what to taste, but food and drinks cost extra.

“Haydn was really nice and knowledgeable about the food, but I was surprised that we went to a temple for the first part of the tour. While interesting, we could have done without the temple part.”

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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

8.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

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

Meet an English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon for a two-hour walk through Asakusa. You’ll see Senso-ji, Asakusa Shrine, Nakamise Street, Hoppy Street, and Shin-Nakamise, with guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Glenda explaining local customs, temple details, and places to eat.

“Really good, very informative. Aya was a lovely guide. Was great learning about the Japanese cultures and also good tips for the rest of our stay.”

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Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised - Meeting your host near Sanjo Bridge
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Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

9.Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,543 reviews · from $102

You’ll explore Kyoto privately with a local host such as Amy, Alex, Miki, or Kokoro, following a route shaped by your interests. Expect a flexible walking day through Gion, Pontocho, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, or quieter sites, with culture, transport help, photos, and restaurant advice along the way.

“Great private tour. Our guide, Alex, was a phenomenal host. We saw multiple sites and our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha - From Shijo to the Izumo-no-Okuni Statue
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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 from Shijo to Yasaka Shrine with a guide such as Ben, Shin, Nami, or Kenji, learning how geiko and maiko fit into Kyoto’s entertainment culture. The two-hour evening route visits Minamiza, Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji Street, Gion Corner, and Yasaka Shrine. Maximum group size is 15.

“It was a very fun tour. Our guide was amazing. Friendly and very knowledgeable on the area. Would highly recommend to our friends and family!”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Guided Walking Tour - Entering the Tsukiji Outer Market
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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 Jim, Rie, Yayoi, or Sayaka at Tsukiji Hongwan-ji and the Outer Market. Learn how Japanese ingredients are used, sample optional seafood, wagyu, sweets, and tamago, and let a small group guide you through stalls that can feel confusing alone.

“Yayoi was a fantastic guide and knowledgeable in the different types of sushi and foods in the market! Definitely recommend 5/5!”

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Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch) - Starting at Shijo Bridge and walking through Pontocho
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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

Spend three hours walking from Shijo Bridge and Pontocho to Nishiki Market, sampling seven Japanese foods before a sit-down brunch. Guides such as Yuki, Yutaka, Chie, and Hikaru add food tips, Kyoto culture, and market know-how. Groups are promoted as small, with a maximum of six in the main tour description.

“Fantastic tour! Very informative and fun. The market was so lively and our guide was knowledgeable and gave great recommendations”

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Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tour - Dotonbori, Ebisu Bridge, and Osaka’s famous center
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Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tour

13.Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,306 reviews · from $31

Start in Namba and follow a local guide through Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, and more. Choose 3, 4, 5, or 7 hours, with longer private tours adding Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Shitennoji, knife-making, museums, and local neighborhoods.

“Walking through Osaka's busy streets can be overwhelming but Paul was a perfect guide. He is informative and full of energy - keeping us engaged.”

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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group - Meeting in Namba and choosing your pace
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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

14.Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

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

See Osaka beyond its famous billboards on a 3 to 7-hour guided walk. Meet in Namba for the small-group tour, or arrange central hotel pickup for a private visit. Expect Kuromon Market, local alleys, Dotonbori, America-mura, Shinsekai, takoyaki, and practical food tips.

“Mari has a fantastic personality. She was an excellent host taking us through the streets of the shopping area, pointing out much of the hidden history. We would highly recommend her!”

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

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

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

Spend 5 to 6 hours exploring Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Teri, Mari, or Marie. Visit Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso, the Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park, with a steep 20 to 25 minute hill walk to the monkeys.

“I am glad we booked this because it was easier to be guided in a place as big as this where you don't know where to go or what to see first.”

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New in Walking Tours

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★ 4.4Guided Walking Tour of Tsukiji Market with BreakfastFrom $85134 reviews
★ 5.0Full Course Tour: Explore 10 Must-Sees & Hidden GemsFrom $7735 reviews
★ 5.0Full Course Tour: Explore 15 Must-Sees & Hidden GemsFrom $9021 reviews
★ 5.0Tokyo Bike Tour: Shibuya, Harajuku & Hidden GemsFrom $6320 reviews
★ 4.6Asakusa Walking Tour with Japanese ComedianFrom $3118 reviews
★ 4.6Asakusa & Tokyo’s Oldest Temple Senso-ji Walking TourFrom $1121 reviews
★ 5.0Asakusa Temple & Shrine Walking Tour with Local GuideFrom $30105 reviews
★ 4.5Tokyo Asakusa & Senso-Ji Walking tour With A GuideFrom $5340 reviews
★ 4.5Hidden Gems Guided Bike Tour with LunchFrom $9630 reviews
★ 4.82-Hour Vegan and Vegetarian Ramen Guided Walking TourFrom $9633 reviews
★ 4.92-Hour Night Bike Tour of the City’s Hidden GemsFrom $7325 reviews
★ 4.73-Hour Bike or E-Bike Tour of City’s Hidden GemsFrom $6081 reviews
★ 4.5Takayama Jinya & Old Town Private Walking TourFrom $6832 reviews

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