Tokyo
Japan’s capital city is a truly mesmerising place. A myriad of stimuli competing for your attention and a constant buzz of jingles, neon, giant TV screens, and pop music help to make Tokyo one of the most thrilling and futuristic places on earth.
A vast and complicated sprawl when you look at the rail map, Tokyo is actually several distinct cities, each with its own character, atmosphere and function – the broad leafy avenues of Omotesando, the hi-tech stores of Akihabara, the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, the bright lights of Shibuya and the narrow market alleys and parks of Ueno.
Tokyo is Japan’s city of lights: at dusk the neon flickers on and the daytime rules dissolve over glasses of sake and beer. The city has no single entertainment hub, and each district has its own atmosphere and draws its own crowd. Few cities can rival the possibilities of Tokyo after dark, and there really is something for everyone, from Roppongi for the club crowd to Odaiba for the modern-day romantic.
Though much of the city is hectic, exciting and crowded, it’s easy to find respite in tranquil parks, palace gardens and historic temples not far from each busy hub.
Experiences in Tokyo
Kabuki in Tokyo
If comparisons between east and west can be made, kabuki is Japan's opera. Dramatic storylines featuring sword-fights, ghosts, and love affairs are brought to life by gorgeously clothed performers speaking in hypnotically sing-song voices. Though it is said that kabuki...
Culinary Experience in Tokyo
Learn how to cook your favourite Japanese dishes with an expert or amateur chef! Into Japan Specialist Tours will be happy to arrange a cooking class as part of your trip to Japan. This class could be a simple lesson...
Japanese Sword Lessons in Tokyo
Samurai are a well-known part of Japanese history. Although they may be long gone, many of their martial arts and skills are still being taught. You can see for yourself the skill it takes to wield a sword with precision....
Themed restaurants
Tokyo offers a wide selection of themed restaurants, some rather gimmicky but some being great options for a fun night out. The most famous of these is probably the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku. A show quite unlike anything you’ll have...
Purikura Photo Booths
‘Print club’ photo booths, most commonly known as ‘Purikura’ are a very popular method for taking commemorative and souvenir snaps. Similar in principle to a passport photo booth, these are bigger and offer a wide range of customisation options. They...
Animal Cafés
A curious Japanese invention, Animal cafes have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly cat cafes, which have now sprung up in various locations around the country. At these establishments, customers can eat and drink while playing with and petting...
Baseball
Baseball in Japan is a phenomenon, which may come as a surprise to some of us in the West who associate baseball with the USA. The first professional baseball team was founded in Japan in 1934 and baseball has only...
Gyotaku Fish Printing
Learn the art of gyotaku fish printing with an expert! Before the advent of photography, in the mid 19th century, when fishermen sought to have proof of their catches, lest others just smile at their tall tales, they would coat...
Omiya Bonsai Village
For anyone interested in the art of bonsai, a visit to the Omiya Bonsai Village near Tokyo is highly recommended. The 'village' is home to about a dozen top Bonsai nurseries as well as The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, which...
Sanno Matsuri
Originally begun during the Edo Period and soon growing into one of Japan's largest festivals, today the Sanno Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s famous festivals, along with the Kanda Matsuri. It takes place in mid June in even numbered years,...
Kanda Matsuri
The Kanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo's most famous festivals and takes place in mid May during odd numbered years, alternating with the Sanno Matsuri which is held in even numbered years. The Kanda Matsuri is held over an entire...
Ninja Training Session
Renowned worldwide as masters of stealth combat, Ninja are a staple of martial arts movies and comics but also a very real part of Japanese history. Although there is no doubt that they trained and practiced as covert warriors in...
Amezaiku Sugar Modelling
The art of Amezaiku sugar modelling was imported to Japan from China during the Heian period and was originally used for offerings to temples. The craft spread beyond the temples during the Edo period, when many forms of street performance...
Tsukiji Fish Market
With its roots in the Edo Era, Tokyo’s Tsukiji was one of the world’s biggest wholesale markets, handling nearly ninety percent of the city’s impressive seafood needs. The inner market, where the majority of business was conducted, moved to its...
Hello Kitty Land
Properly known as Sanrio Puroland, this theme park is dedicated to Hello Kitty and friends. The park was opened in 1990, and though not wholly dedicated to Kitty herself, is a must-see destination for die-hard Kitty fans, and is a...
Tokyo Disney Resort
Opened in 1983, it was the first Disney park to be built outside the US. One of the most popular theme parks in Japan, with only a few exceptions, Tokyo Disneyland features the same attractions found in Disneyland and Walt...
Plastic Food Making
Have you ever wondered how the delicious looking replica food in restaurant window displays is made? This is your chance to find out and try the techniques for yourself under instruction from one of the best known companies in the...
Manga Drawing Classes
Japanese comics of all genres, known as manga, are popular around the world. The art styles are gaining more and more attention and many people are creating their own manga. If you wish to try your hand at drawing manga...
Tokyo Helicopter Tours
Helicopter tours over Tokyo and Yokohama. Most flights last 15 minutes, and daylight, twilight, and night-time tours are all available. Longer, 30 minute private flights can also be arranged. There’s nothing like cruising over the metropolis for a breathtaking view...
Sushi Making Classes
Enjoy a private sushi making class at a top restaurant. The class is with the very best chefs who have experience teaching both amateurs and professional cooks, ensuring a rewarding, personalised class. Interpreters can be arranged as necessary. The class...
Sanja Matsuri
Tokyo's Sanja Matsuri, held on the third weekend in May, is a three day celebration featuring portable shrines and traditionally clothed participants that boisterously transform the old shitamachi district of Asakusa into a riotous festival. The Sanja Matsuri officially celebrates...
Ikebana in Tokyo
Ikebana, meaning "living flowers", is sometimes referred to as kado, or "the way of flowers". Ikebana masters create symbolic works from cut flowers, branches, grasses, and other natural and sometimes synthetic materials. This traditional Japanese style of flower arranging is...
Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo
The most Japanese of the national sports, the ancient art of sumo wrestling is part ritual, part ceremony, and all pure excitement. The short bouts make sumo a surprisingly accessible sport, and the rules of the game are essentially simple:...
Accommodation in Tokyo
Four Seasons Otemachi
Right in the heart of Tokyo's skyscrapers, the sleek and luxurious Four Seasons Otemachi delivers next-generation luxury experiences with inimitable style. Soaring above the heart of the capital and offering expansive Imperial Palace views, Four Seasons Otemachi has 170 rooms...
Hotel Gajoen
Originally opened in 1928, Hotel Gajoen offered Tokyo visitors and residents an experience quite unlike any other. The high quality cuisine, hospitality and especially the building and its surrounding grounds were so unique that it became known as the Palace...
Hotel Niwa
Hotel Niwa, meaning "Garden Hotel," is an elegant hotel located in the centre of Tokyo. The hotel has a boutique feel to it, perfect for those looking for something a little different during their time in Tokyo. As the name...
Hoshinoya Tokyo
Promising sublime and authentic Japanese ryokan hospitality in the heart of Japan’s capital, Hoshinoya Tokyo offers the genuine Hoshinoya experience. The rooms deliver traditional elegance combined with comfort to allow guests to escape from the bustle of the city outside...
Trunk Hotel
Trunk Hotel is a new addition to the Tokyo hotel scene, with all the personality and vibrancy of surrounding Shibuya. It prides itself on its strong concept of socialising; the lounge/ bar area is full of young people relaxing, hanging...
The Prince Gallery Kioicho
The Prince Gallery’s Kioicho Tokyo hotel is perhaps at first “hidden,” in the sense that you need ascend to the 16th floor in order to locate the lobby. Only a short distance from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station and directly connected to Nagatacho Station,...
Four Seasons Tokyo
The Four Seasons Tokyo is one of Tokyo's most expensive hotels and offers the ultimate in service, privacy, and exclusivity. Next to Tokyo Station and within walking distance of Ginza, the Four Seasons Tokyo boasts one of the most convenient...
Tokyo Shangri-La Hotel
Located in the chic Nihonbashi district, the Shangri-La hotel, with its 200 spacious rooms overlooking the city, is one of the newest luxury hotels built in Tokyo. The guests can easily access the hotel, just a few minutes from Tokyo...
Park Hyatt Tokyo
The film ‘Lost in Translation’ was filmed at the Park Hyatt and this is the most internationally famous hotel in Japan. Located in Shinjuku, a modern and bustling area which is also one of the main transport hubs for the...
Park Hotel Tokyo
The Park Hotel Tokyo stands atop the “Shiodome Media Tower” with a lofty view down from the 25th floor. Directly connected to Shiodome Station and only a short walk from Shimbashi Station, this hotel offers guests easy access to the...
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
The Mandarin Oriental is one of Tokyo’s premier hotels. Located Nihonbashi, the hotel is surrounded by good restaurants and is a stone’s throw from the famous Mizukoshi department store. It provides a luxury stay in one of the world’s busiest...
Conrad Tokyo
Tokyo's Conrad Hotel is one of Japan's best, with impeccable service, incredible views, and irresistibly luxurious rooms. Of Tokyo's luxury hotels, the Conrad leans furthest towards a boutique hotel aesthetic, without compromising style and comfort. With a range of rooms...
Hotel Claska
Tokyo’s only true boutique hotel, Claska was originally built in the 1970s and then refurbished in 2003 as a design hotel. The hotel has only 12 rooms (9 Western and 3 Japanese style), each filled with handcrafted furniture and low-key...
Aman Tokyo
The Aman is a well-known hotel brand around the world, and many Aman fans are keen to try out the hotel chain in whatever country they find themselves next. Aman Tokyo is located on the top 6 floors of the...
The Peninsula Tokyo
The Peninsula Tokyo is one of Tokyo's super-luxury hotels. With a stunning ground-floor lobby connected to the Hibiya Metro Station, and reaching 24 stories above the fashionable Marunouchi district and the Imperial Palace Gardens, the Peninsula Tokyo makes no compromises...
Palace Hotel Tokyo
The Palace Hotel Tokyo enjoys one of Tokyo’s most prestigious addresses, right next to the central Imperial Palace. This might be one of the most recent luxury hotels to open in Tokyo, but it has a long history; initially founded...
