Tokyo · GINZA TOURS
Good ginza tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
In central Ginza, English-speaking instructors guide you through choosing wood, planing, sanding, and oiling your own chopsticks. Pick from 24 wood types and two lengths, then add Japanese or native-language engraving for ¥1,100 per pair. You take the finished chopsticks home the same day.
“Quite fun actually. It takes some strength to peak the wood. In the end you get a sense of achievement for making something.”
Visit Art Aquarium Museum GINZA inside Ginza Mitsukoshi for a roughly one-hour display of goldfish, colored light, music, and scent. You’ll see modern versions of Edo-period goldfish appreciation, seasonal presentations, and photo-friendly aquarium art. Admission is $17, with up to two young children free per adult.
“Very pleasant. Amazing art on display. You should really go there”
Take a 2.5-hour guided go-kart ride through eastern Tokyo, from Toyosu and Ginza to Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. You drive on public roads behind a lead van and ahead of a support van, with costumes, fuel, photos, and a safety briefing included. An approved 1949 Geneva Convention IDP is essential.
“Driving through the city, it was awesome! It was like we were celebrities, people were smiling, waving, taking our pictures and were happy to speak to us! The young & old, people walking and in vehicles. They seemed to have just as much fun seeing us driving as we did actually driving! Definitely recommend any who visits Tokyo to do this tour!”
Start near Tsukiji and walk into Ginza with a private English-speaking guide such as Yoko, Yoshi, or Taka Yamamura. See Kabukiza, Wako, Hermes, Mikimoto, Okuno Building, and small shrines while your guide adjusts the architectural and cultural talk to your interests.
“We had a wonderful time with Eriko! She is a super knowledgeable guide and a very nice person! We learnt so much about Ginza architecture from her! She also showed us all local spots for shopping and stayed longer than the planned tour time! We highly recommend her and hope to see her again during our next visit to Tokyo! Excellent tour! Aleks, Billy and Tom”
Spend about two hours at Tokyo Sumo Festival in Ginza with English and Japanese commentary, sumo demonstrations, training techniques, shiko, salt throwing, body-collision practice, and a chance to face a retired wrestler by lottery. A welcome drink is included, while meals cost extra.
“One of the highlights of our trip to Japan! This experience was very entertaining. We enjoyed learning about sumo wrestling, and even got to participate in some wrestling at the end. Highly recommend!”
You’ll enter KONPARU through a basement entrance beneath Organic Market Fleur in Ginza, enjoy drinks and snacks before the show, and watch a 50-minute Japanese cabaret performance with dancers of various genders, moving scenery, traditional costumes, and story scenes. Photos with performers are encouraged before curtain time.
“Really enjoyable night. The staff and dancers were all really friendly, the show was very fun and in all a great evenings entertainment.”
Spend 90 minutes learning Kintsugi in a small private room near Ginza Station. An English or Japanese-speaking instructor, including Tatsu or Teki depending on the session, guides you through repairing a supplied ceramic piece. Choose from available cracked plates, enjoy a soft drink, and take your finished decorative piece home.
“Tatsu our teacher was waiting for us outside his building which was a bonus in busy Tokyo. We were welcomed with good quality coffee while he explained how the lesson would proceed. We had a choice of 2 coloured cracked plates. It was fun and Tatsu helped along the class and told stories about Ginza. He packaged our plates up to protect them ready for our luggage back home. I’d love to come again. Thanks Tatsu 🙏🙏Robyn Knowles”
Spend three hours walking from Ginza to Yurakucho and Shimbashi with an English-speaking local guide. You will stop at three food areas for Japanese dishes and traditional desserts, hear about daily food customs, and get practical Tokyo tips. Guides may include Doren, Reo, Ryota, or Yota.
“A great relaxing evening out. Great choices for food and some helpful advice on navigating the food culture of Tokyo! Doren was an awesome guide.”
Join local guide Ryo at 5 p.m. for a three to four-hour Ginza food walk through Yurakucho and three intimate eateries. Taste 8 to 10 Japanese dishes and four drinks, including sake, fresh seafood, Wagyu, and Kyoto-style home cooking. The group is limited to six people.
“If you are a foodie and you miss this tour with Rio, you will miss one of the best food experiences of your life. We dined on a variety of authentic Japanese foods, sake and beer as Rio took us to the hidden gems of of Tokyo. We plan to take this tour again during our next visit.”
Drive a themed go-kart through Ginza with two guides, passing Zojoji Temple, Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and Kabuki-za. Choose a costume, enjoy an open-air city view, and receive guide-taken photos. Patrick is one guide praised for his friendly, fun approach.
“What a cracking way to spend an hour - whizzing around the streets at night seeing some big sights! Great guide, super small group. Easy to drive carts, loads of fun.”
You’ll explore Ginza on a private, flexible walking tour matched to your interests. Your host may guide you to Wako, Kabukiza, Hakuhinkan Toy Park, or Yurakucho’s railway-side restaurants. Hosts such as Alberto, Shoko, and Noriko have led past tours, with food, tickets, and transport arranged at extra cost.
“The guide was very plrasent and walked us through charming corners, bakeries, tea shops and historical places. We had a very good connection and she was also so helpful with finding us good vegetarian option for lunch.”
![[1 Group Only] Explore Tokyo Ginza Food Tour for Family - Starting at Shimbashi at 6 pm](https://2.thetokyowanderer.com/wp-content/uploads/1-group-only-explore-tokyo-ginza-food-tour-for-family.jpg)
Start in Shimbashi at 6 pm, cook or share Japanese food, then walk through Yurakucho’s train-track alleys for tempura before finishing in Ginza. Your private guide may be Akari, Yosuke, Yoyo, or Ken. Two dishes, one drink, and edited photos are included.
“Akari was an amazing tour guide- she is knowledgeable, personable, and fun. She took us to three cool places on the tour and was very outgoing and informative. We really appreciated the time and effort she gave us.”
Spend 4.5 hours exploring Yanaka and Nezu with a private guide. Sample menchi-katsu, chestnut sweets, beer, and sake, browse old shops, visit Nezu Shrine’s red torii gates, and finish near Sendagi Station. Cantonese guiding may be arranged on request.
“This was the first tour l ever tried with Viator and it was amazing! We wanted a Cantonese guide and the company was able to arrange a very professional and friendly Cantonese speaking tour guide for us. The experience was so much fun! Read more”
Join Yuko-sensei and Kenji-san for a private 90-minute Japanese calligraphy class near Tsukiji. You will practice basic patterns, try difficult characters, and create a display piece using your favorite Japanese word. Brushes, ink, paper, and a paper stone are provided.
“Kenji-san and Yuko-sensei were passionate about this art form and rightly so. They were friendly, patient (needed to be for me!) and easy to get on with. The lesson was informative and went by too quickly. Photos were taken and these were shared with me so I can remember the day. Really enjoyed the experience. Would recommended.”
At JIDAI on Ginza’s 11th floor, you’ll taste three beginner-friendly sakes with an English-speaking host, including pours matched with wine glasses and 400-year-old Imari porcelain in a KINTSUGI presentation. Hiyori, Nana, or Rireka may also share sake-making facts and useful Tokyo tips.
“Mycket bra, det mesta beroende på värdinnan Rireka som var då hjälpsam och trevlig”
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