Tokyo is one of those places that seems to go on forever. Even after a dozen visits, you can still find fresh food vendors, hidden shrines, late-night bars, eccentric subcultures, and areas that seem like entirely separate planets. (I have been there roughly ten times previously, so I know!)
One of my favorite ways to explore Tokyo is by taking an Airbnb Experience. Led by locals and long-term residents, these tours give you a front-row seat to Tokyo’s food culture, nightlife, history, and crafts in a way you rarely get when wandering on your own. I’ve done a lot of Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo over the years and think they are often even better than traditional tours you find on Get Your Guide (though Arigato Travel is next level and the best traditional tour company in the city so don’t miss out on them).
Here are some of my favorite experiences in Tokyo that blend cultural immersion, practical learning, and just the right amount of fun to help you choose among the countless options available:
Learn to Make Authentic Sushi with a Trained Chef
Although sushi-making workshops are popular in Tokyo, this Airbnb Experience is unique because it takes place at an omakase restaurant. A sushi master (or his apprentice) teaches this class. Not only do you learn how to slice fish and shape rice, but you also learn why specific cuts are important, how chefs season rice according to style, and how to combine ingredients to accentuate flavor and texture. The course is surprisingly approachable and hands-on. In order to have a satisfying and enjoyable breakfast before heading out to tour Tokyo, it is a small group activity that takes place in the morning. I thought it was fantastic.
Shibuya Nightlife with Unlimited Drinks
My favorite tour of Tokyo’s nightlife is this one. The best time is provided by the host, Suemi, and her companions. This Shibuya nightlife tour takes you to three or four izakaya locations that are devoid of tourists and residents. It is a fantastic experience and you get unlimited food and beverages. Shugo, my guide, was gregarious, conversational in English, adept in managing large groups, entertaining, thoroughly explained the concept of Izakaya restaurants, and stayed after the Experienced concluded. He was fantastic!
Additionally, Suemi and her friends also run an unlimited Sake tasting class, which is the best Sake class I’ve done in Tokyo. They go into incredible detail about how sake is made and use a lot of visuals so it’s really easy to understand. It’s a small group of six, which made the Experience really personable. If you take a Sake experience, take this one. (They also un a whiskey tasting experience that I haven’t done this one yet but I bet it’s just as good).
Shinjuku Izakaya Tour
Though it takes place at one of Tokyo’s other major nightlife areas, this experience is spiritually comparable to the Shibuya nightlife tour. There are plenty of small izakaya establishments in Shinjuku, many of them are tucked away in upstairs areas or tiny alleyways that you would never consider going into on your own. During this trip, Yuma, an experienced sake sommelier, takes you to a number of these little, neighborhood locations and explains how Izakaya culture actually operates.
Along the trip, you will sample many sake varieties and learn how to read menus, what to order, and how residents usually dine and drink in these places. Yuma is gregarious, entertaining, and excellent at providing precise explanations without overpowering you. It is a terrific way to explore Shinjuku nightlife without feeling lost or scared, and it is convivial and laid back.
Historic Tokyo Walking Tour
One of the most instructive things I have done in Tokyo is this. This tour examines more sedate neighborhoods that have a deep connection to the city’s history rather than the typical tourist destinations. The breadth of knowledge imparted during the walk demonstrates the host’s expertise as a lecturer in Japanese history and traditional culture.
In addition to learning about the Edo period, the Meiji Restoration, and how the samurai’s role evolved as Japan modernized, you will visit locations like Nezu Shrine, stroll through its tunnel of red torii gates, and explore Yanaka’s historic alleyways. It is a 2.5-hour walk that never seems hurried and provides you with a much better grasp of how Tokyo came to be. This tour taught me a lot.
Tokyo Coffee Culture Tour
This tour does a fantastic job of showcasing Tokyo’s growing coffee sector. You discover both traditional kissaten and contemporary specialty cafés by exploring Jimbocho and Kanda, two extremely underutilized neighborhoods. You will discover flavor characteristics, brewing methods, and how Japan came to take such a careful approach to coffee.
Visits to historic cafés, specialist stores spearheading Tokyo’s third-wave movement, and even wagashi shops—where you can discover how traditional Japanese sweets complement coffee—are all part of the tour. It is a very contemplative and distinctive afternoon experience.
Organic matcha Tea Ceremony
An excellent introduction to matcha and Japanese tea culture is provided by this one-hour event. The history of matcha, its significance in Japanese culture, and how to distinguish between superior and inferior matcha will all be covered. The host takes you step-by-step through the customary preparation procedure. In a serene, traditional atmosphere that feels quite different from Tokyo’s bustling streets, you will whisk and taste real matcha. It is brief yet unforgettable, and it deepens your understanding of something you will see everywhere in Japan.
Tokyo Ramen Tour
Ramen is a staple of Japanese cuisine, and this tour explains why people are so devoted to it. You will visit many ramen cafes over the course of around three hours, each showcasing a distinct style or methodology.
While sampling everything from traditional bowls to more avant-garde or fusion types, you will discover the history of ramen, contemporary trends, and regional variations. The book provides an easy-to-follow explanation of broth kinds, noodle textures, and toppings. This trip will definitely fill you up, so arrive hungry!
Shibuya and Harajuku Street Art Tour
This tour shows you murals and installations tucked away in alleyways and less noticeable areas in Shibuya and Harajuku. Finding out where street art is permitted and how the culture survives in such a constrictive setting is fascinating because street art is a lot quieter, more underground scene in Tokyo (the Japanese are not so fond of murals on their buildings). In order to provide useful context, the tour also features graphic samples of murals both before and after they were made. It is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating and distinctive Airbnb experiences, and it provides you with an excellent opportunity to explore a side of Japan that most people are unaware of!
