Japan · WALKING TOURS

The 15 Best Walking Tours in Japan

83 tours  ·  from $16 a head

Japanese cities give up almost nothing from a coach window. These 15 walks cover Tokyo’s alleys, Kyoto’s temple districts, Hiroshima’s riverbanks and the old towns in between, priced by length, with a note on the ones that involve real hills.

Kyoto Geisha Walking Tour: Gion District & Hidden Gems - Meeting beside Hotel Alza Kyoto
Geisha & Gion District Tours, Hidden-Gem Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kyoto, 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 Kyoto’s Gion district with an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Anton, Yuri, or Ikuro. Learn how Geiko and Maiko fit into Kyoto culture, visit Kennin-ji, Chion-in, and Hokan-ji Pagoda, spot traditional machiya homes, and finish with personal tips for food, drinks, shopping, and sightseeing.

“Michael was our tour guide, he was absolutely fantastic! Very knowledgeable, friendly and good with kids. Showed us all around Kyoto and hidden gems explaining everything along the way. Highly recommend”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour - Entering the 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 food walk through Tsukiji Jogai Market, old market lanes, kitchen shops, and Tsukiji Uogashi. Guides such as Kiyo, Naz, Shoko, and Masa explain local customs while you sample fish cakes, omelette, Wagyu, fruit, and either sushi or a seafood bowl. Come hungry, wear walking shoes, and note that fish is central to every tasting.

“My wife and I did the food tour with Hedeki and could not have had more fun! He was very polite and knowledgeable. He knew where all the good food was! If you’re looking for a food tour look no further than Hedeki, you will have a great time!”

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Kyoto: Gion Magical Night Walking Tour with Geisha Trivia - Hanamikoji and the rules of the geisha district
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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 through Gion for 100 minutes with an English-speaking guide from TravelinGood. Starting at Minamiza Theatre, you’ll see Hanamikoji, learn about maiko and geiko traditions, visit shrines and an illuminated pagoda, and finish at a shrine more than 1,000 years old. Groups are limited to 10.

“The tour was excellent and the experience was something that I will never forget, the guide was very professional and knowledgeable of the area and I learned things I did not know before. I would and will definitely recommend this tour and guide to anyone that wants to go.”

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Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Shogun Historical Walking Tour - From stone gates to Edo Castle ruins
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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

Meet near Wadakura Fountain Park and walk through the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Edo Castle ruins, stone gates, and Ninomaru Garden. Guides such as Jim, Miguel, Tony, and Izzy explain the shogunate, Emperor, and Japanese culture. Expect about two hours, a small group of up to 15, and some slopes.

“We learned a lot but our guide had a tendency to over explain and repeat himself. The stops were very long it was easy to lose interest.”

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Kyoto: Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - Stories of Geisha - Starting near 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 $20

Walk through Kyoto’s Gion and Pontocho districts with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. In two hours, you’ll visit Pontocho Alley, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Corner, and Hanamikoji Street while learning about geiko, maiko, teahouse customs, and Kyoto’s changing nighttime culture.

“Excellent tour in Gion, learned a lot about the Geiko and Maiko history across the years and the importance they have in the japanese culture. Highly recommend!”

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Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour - Starting under the red lanterns at Omoide Yokocho
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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 through Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai with a local English-speaking guide such as Nao, Naoya, Toshi, or Kei. You’ll visit selected izakayas and bars, taste Japanese drinks at your own expense, learn the basics of local drinking culture, and finish with karaoke. The tour is for ages 20 and up.

“Had a blast! great fun for my 1at night in Tokyo and. As a solo traveller I felt welcomed and included. The group size was not too big so I could really get to know everyone. Our guide was fun and informative.”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Walking tour - Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple: a calm first stop
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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

Spend about two hours with an English-speaking guide such as Rie, Haydn, Minori, or Jim, beginning at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple before exploring the market stalls. Choose and pay for your own food, from sushi and sea urchin to Japanese omelets and fried fish cakes. Groups are capped at 10 people.

“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 beneath the Kaminarimon
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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 your English-speaking guide at Kaminarimon and walk through Asakusa’s temple grounds, Nakamise Street, Asakusa Shrine, Hoppy Street, and Shin-Nakamise. Guides such as Aya, Keiko, Hiroko, and Glenda explain customs, architecture, and local food stops. The tour costs $22, lasts two hours, and ends near Azuma Bridge.

“Great tour with a very knowledgeable and friendly guide from the local area. Definitely recommend.”

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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha - Meeting at Shijo and finishing near Yasaka Shrine
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Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour – The Stories of Geisha

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

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

Join a guide such as Ben, Shin, Deborah, Nami, or Kenji for a two-hour evening walk through Gion. Learn how geiko and maiko traditions developed, spot details you might miss alone, and visit Tatsumi Bridge, Hanamikoji Street, Yasaka Shrine, and nearby cultural landmarks. Groups are limited to 15 people.

“An excellent experience! Our guide, Joy, was friendly, engaging and very knowledgeable. We learnt a lot about geisha and Japanese culture. We highly recommend this activity!”

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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Guided Walking Tour - Meeting your guide at Tsukiji Station
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Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market Guided Walking Tour

10.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 Outer Market. Visit Tsukiji Hongwanji, learn how Japanese ingredients are used, and choose your own tastings, from tamago and sushi to wagyu, eel, sweets, and seafood. Food costs extra, so bring cash.

“Amazing, I do a lot of tours, this was fantastic. Yoyai was the best. Be prepared to eat a lot!”

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Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch) - Nishiki Tenmangu adds a quiet pause
Tour Reviews, Tours in Kyoto, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Kyoto

Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour (7 Tastings + Brunch)

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

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

Walk from Shijo Bridge through Pontocho and Nishiki Tenmangu to Kyoto’s 400-year-old Nishiki Market. A guide such as Yuki, Yusuke, or Chie leads a group of up to six, with seven tastings, a restaurant brunch, local food tips, and tour photos. Expect plenty of walking, crowded aisles, and no gluten-free option.

“Jimmy gave a great brunch tour. We had done a few tours and learned so much about Kyoto from him. The food was great and the stories even better!”

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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group - Namba back lanes and the first takoyaki
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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

12.Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

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

Walk Osaka from Namba through Kuromon Market, Dotonbori, Amerikamura, and Shinsekai. Taste takoyaki, sample market foods, and hear local stories from guides such as Josh, Rahat, Taka, and Stephanie. Choose a 3-hour small group walk or a 4 to 7-hour private tour with options for Osaka Castle, Shitennoji, and a Japanese knife lesson.

“Our guide Josh provided a comprehensive walking tour of some very interesting areas of Osaka. He has a deep understanding of Japanese culture & history with having lived in Osaka for over 20 years. As we travelled independently in Japan we are very thankful to have had Josh as our guide for Osaka. We highly recommend this tour - extra special bonus if you have Josh as your guide”

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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets - Nonomiya Shrine and the Bamboo Grove
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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

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

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

Walk Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide such as Teri, Mari, or Marie, visiting Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, the Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park. Expect a full day of walking, a steep 20 to 25 minute climb, small groups of up to 12, and time for a quick lunch.

“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 working world of geisha
2-Hour Experiences, Geisha & Gion District Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kyoto, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Kyoto

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

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

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

Walk through Kyoto’s Gion district with a local guide such as Uta, Dan, Naoya, or Soyo. Learn how maiko become geisha, see Hanamikoji Street, Yasaka Shrine, Hokan-ji, Pontocho, Gion Shirakawa, and Yasui-Konpiragu. The tour may include a geisha sighting, but the real reward is the cultural context and local tips.

“Great tour. Lovely to experience and learn history of this area. Our tour guide was very friendly and helpful”

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Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour - Meeting at Wadakura Fountain Park
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Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour

15.Tokyo Castle & Imperial PalaceーShogun Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,068 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Join a small group of up to 10 people for a two-hour English walking tour around Tokyo’s Imperial Palace and Edo Castle remains. Guides such as Anju, Fuma, Yuka, and Tomo explain samurai life, layered defenses, imperial traditions, gardens, koi, and the former palace. Expect outdoor walking, a security check, and plenty of photo stops.

“Our guide Yuki was very informative. We also love the pacing of the tour. Highly recommend to visit this historical site with a guide.”

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