Tokyo is a type of cities that feels endlessly deep. You’ll be able to go to a dozen occasions and nonetheless uncover new meals stalls, hidden shrines, late-night bars, quirky subcultures, and neighborhoods that really feel like utterly totally different worlds. (I do know as a result of I’ve visited about 10 occasions already!)

Considered one of my favourite methods to discover Tokyo is by taking an Airbnb Expertise. Led by locals and long-term residents, these excursions offer you a front-row seat to Tokyo’s meals tradition, nightlife, historical past, and crafts in a approach you hardly ever get when wandering by yourself. I’ve achieved numerous Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo over time and suppose they’re usually even higher than conventional excursions you discover on Get Your Guide (although Arigato Travel is subsequent stage and the perfect conventional tour firm within the metropolis so don’t miss out on them).

That will help you choose from the countless Experiences you will discover, beneath are my favourite in Tokyo that mix cultural immersion, hands-on studying, and simply the correct quantity of enjoyable:

Learn to Make Authentic Sushi with a Trained Chef

Sushi-making lessons are frequent in Tokyo however this Airbnb Expertise stands out as a result of it’s achieved in an omakase restaurant. This class is given by a sushi grasp (or his apprentice). You don’t simply discover ways to form rice or slice fish; you be taught why sure cuts matter, how cooks season rice in a different way relying on fashion, and the right way to pair elements to spotlight texture and taste. The category is hands-on and surprisingly approachable. It’s a small group expertise achieved within the morning so you may have a filling and enjoyable breakfast expertise earlier than going out to discover Tokyo. I completely beloved it.

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Shibuya Nightlife with Unlimited Drinks

That is my favourite nightlife tour in Tokyo. The host, Suemi, and her associates present the best possible time. This Shibuya nightlife tour one takes you to 3-4 izakaya spots which are very untouristy and crammed with out locals. You get limitless meals and drinks and it’s a very nice expertise. My information, Shugo, was outgoing, spoke conversational English, dealt with giant group dynamics nicely, was entertaining, defined the tradition of izakaya eating places intimately, and stayed previous when the Skilled ended. He was nice!

Moreover, Suemi and her associates additionally run an unlimited Sake tasting class, which is the perfect Sake class I’ve achieved in Tokyo. They go into unbelievable element about how sake is made and use numerous visuals so it’s very easy to know. It’s a small group of six, which made the Expertise actually personable. For those who take a Sake expertise, take this one. (Additionally they un a whiskey tasting experience that I haven’t achieved this one but however I wager it’s simply pretty much as good).

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Shinjuku Izakaya Tour

This expertise is analogous in spirit to the Shibuya nightlife tour however set in certainly one of Tokyo’s different main nightlife hubs. Shinjuku is full of tiny izakaya spots, a lot of them hidden in slim alleyways or upstairs areas you’d by no means suppose to enter by yourself. On this tour, Yuma (a educated sake sommelier) takes you to a number of of those small, native spots and walks you thru how izakaya tradition actually works.

You’ll strive totally different kinds of sake alongside the best way and discover ways to learn menus, what to order, and the way locals sometimes drink and eat in these settings. Yuma is outgoing, enjoyable, and excellent at explaining issues clearly with out overwhelming you. It’s social, relaxed, and an effective way to expertise Shinjuku nightlife with out feeling misplaced or intimidated.

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Historic Tokyo Walking Tour

This is likely one of the most academic experiences I’ve achieved in Tokyo. As an alternative of specializing in the standard vacationer areas, this tour explores quieter neighborhoods that retain a powerful connection to town’s previous. The host is a lecturer specializing in Japanese historical past and conventional tradition, and it actually exhibits within the depth of knowledge shared all through the stroll.

You’ll go to locations like Nezu Shrine, stroll by means of its tunnel of purple torii gates, discover the outdated streets of Yanaka, and be taught concerning the Edo interval, the Meiji Restoration, and the way the function of the samurai modified as Japan modernized. It’s a 2.5-hour stroll that by no means feels rushed and provides you a a lot clearer understanding of how Tokyo turned town it’s right this moment. I realized loads from this tour.

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Tokyo Coffee Culture Tour

Tokyo has an burgeoning espresso scene and this tour does an important job of displaying it to you. You discover Jimbocho and Kanda, two very below visited neighborhoods, to study each old-school kissaten and trendy specialty cafés. You’ll study brewing strategies, taste profiles, and the way Japan developed such a meticulous strategy to espresso.

The tour consists of visits to historic cafés, specialty retailers main Tokyo’s third-wave motion, and even wagashi retailers the place you’ll find out how conventional Japanese sweets pair with espresso. It’s a very considerate and distinctive afternoon expertise.

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Organic matcha Tea Ceremony

This one-hour expertise is a superb introduction to matcha and Japanese tea tradition. You’ll be taught concerning the historical past of matcha, its function in Japanese society, and the right way to inform high-quality matcha from lower-grade varieties. The host walks you thru the normal preparation course of step-by-step. You’ll whisk and style genuine matcha in a relaxed, conventional setting that feels worlds away from Tokyo’s busy streets. It’s brief however memorable, and it offers you a a lot deeper appreciation for one thing you’ll see in every single place whereas touring in Japan.

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Tokyo Ramen Tour

Ramen is synonymous with Japanese meals, and this tour helps you perceive why it evokes such devotion. Over the course of about three hours, you’ll go to a number of ramen retailers, every highlighting a distinct fashion or strategy.
You’ll study ramen’s origins, trendy tendencies, and regional variations whereas tasting the whole lot from basic bowls to extra experimental or fusion kinds. The information explains broth varieties, noodle textures, and toppings in a approach that’s straightforward to observe. Come hungry as this tour will completely fill you up!

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Shibuya and Harajuku Street Art Tour

This tour takes you thru Shibuya and Harajuku to see murals and installations hidden in alleyways and fewer apparent areas. Road artwork is a a lot quieter, extra underground scene in Tokyo (they Japanese aren’t so eager on murals on their buildings) so studying about the place it’s allowed and the way the tradition thrives in such a restrictive atmosphere is admittedly fascinating. he tour additionally consists of visible examples of murals earlier than and after they had been created, which provides useful context. I feel it is likely one of the most fascinating and distinctive Airbnb Experiences and provides you a very good take a look at a facet of Japan most individuals don’t see!

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There’s numerous Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo and I do know I’m in all probability I’m lacking some actually nice ones (In any case, I’m just one individual) however these eight provides you with a superb begin. Attempt to do no less than one if you’re in Tokyo as a result of most typical organized excursions are all cookie cutter experiences. These Airbnb excursions are far more enjoyable!