For many of today's travelers, visiting Japan isn't just about checking off a list of one must-visit tourist attraction after another. It's also about making memories to last a lifetime through authentic, engaging experiences.
Fortunately, there's a perfect website for those who want to experience Japan's uniquely fascinating culture: Rakuten Travel Experiences (RTE)! With this online booking platform, you'll have a diverse array of activities at your fingertips: not just things to do in Tokyo but also all over Japan. Booking is speedy and efficient, especially with English-speaking customer support ready to assist you every step of the way.
Whether you're a first-timer planning your Tokyo trip or a repeat visitor, read on to learn what RTE is all about, and check out LIVE JAPAN's selection of recommended Tokyo experiences to book!
Kick-Off Your Tokyo Adventure with Rakuten Travel Experiences
Think of Rakuten Travel Experiences as your own personal concierge for all things Tokyo and beyond. With this handy website, you'll have access to a wealth of experiences, services, and travel tips to make your Japan trip memorable: in-depth guided tours, cultural immersions, restaurant reservations, and more.
Examples of activities include tours off the beaten path, opportunities to interact with the locals, and insider looks into Tokyo's subcultures. What's more, some of the experiences offered on this amazing website can't be booked anywhere else!
From tickets to popular attractions to fun cultural activities, we've got you covered!
Explore the Colorful World of Japanese Pop Culture
From iconic media franchises to fashionable subcultures, Japanese pop culture is well-known and beloved all over the world for its uniquely compelling appeal. Here are some Tokyo attractions where you can let your inner fan run free.
Immerse Yourself in Akihabara's Anime, Manga, and Gaming Culture
If you're an otaku (geek) for anime, manga, gaming, idols, or anything and everything in between, no Tokyo trip is complete without a visit to the holy land of all things geeky: Akihabara. But with so many establishments—not only shops, but also maid cafes and even theaters for J-pop idols—to check out in the area, it can be difficult and overwhelming to narrow down which to visit. Book a guided tour to explore Akihabara with a local otaku!
See Miniature Versions of Real and Imagined Worlds at Small Worlds Tokyo
Real-world locations and fantastical realms come together at Odaiba's Small Worlds Tokyo, an indoor theme park that's dedicated to elaborate miniature dioramas. Three of its six themed areas draw inspiration from real-life architecture and technology, while the other three are impressively accurate recreations of the worlds of the Sailor Moon and Neon Genesis Evangelion franchises. You can even become a resident of Small Worlds by having a miniature replica of yourself created!
Step Into a Futuristic VR World at Tokyo Joypolis
Another cool indoor theme park to visit (and one of the most popular of its kind in Tokyo) is Joypolis, also located in Odaiba. It's filled with thrilling attractions that make use of the latest in VR technology: a roller coaster that also doubles as a music game, a terrifying haunted house themed after The Ring, and more. Also, Joypolis often holds tie-ups with popular anime, manga, and game franchises, so if your timing is right, limited-time attractions and event-exclusive merchandise might await you when you visit!
Travel Back in Time with Traditional Cultural Experiences
Tokyo is a dynamic city where old and new coexist side-by-side, and traditions are kept alive even to this day. This means that even in this modern metropolis, you'll find plenty of opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture! Try these activities, for starters.
Get a Crash Course in Ninjutsu from the Descendant of a Ninja Clan
Become a ninja for a day as you learn ninjutsu tactics from the descendant of a prestigious ninja clan! While ninjas no longer exist today, ninjutsu is still being practiced today as a martial art. Find out what ninjutsu is all about as you visit the Musashi clan's dojo and learn three basic techniques. Though this is a beginner-friendly workshop, you'll find it to be an immersive, in-depth experience!
Attend a Japanese Tea Ceremony in Kimono
Combine several must-try Japanese cultural experiences in a day as you wear a beautiful, elegant kimono (or a cotton kimono called yukata in summer) and experience the Japanese tea ceremony. This activity is held in a traditional Japanese house with a tranquil garden, so the calm surroundings will not only enhance the authentic feel of the experience but also heal your senses. Of course, the lovely backdrop makes for gorgeous photo opportunities, too!
You can opt to book only the tea ceremony or the kimono-wearing experience, but we recommend booking the kimono-and-tea-ceremony package to make the most of your time.
Party Like an Edo-Period Aristocrat on a Yakatabune Cruise
Also known as a "pleasure boat," a yakatabune is a kind of traditional Japanese boat that was once only exclusively used by the nobility to host lavish private parties. Nowadays, while these boats can still be chartered for private use, the good news is that you too can easily book a yakatabune feast of your own! Book this cruise that plies Asakusa's scenic Sumida River for free-flowing drinks and a hearty, generously portioned lunch or dinner course. Enjoy not only the food and drinks but also the view.
Indulge in Tokyo's World-Class Culinary Scene
With mouth-watering food at practically every corner and the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, Tokyo has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's top foodie havens.
Some restaurants, however, can be highly exclusive and/or in high demand. Waiting lists can be long, reservations might be only in Japanese, and/or you might need a well-connected local to help you get in. That's where Rakuten Travel Experiences comes in—let RTE make the arrangements for you!
Here are two classy Tokyo restaurants that you can book on RTE.
Savor Premium Wagyu Beef at Sagaya Ginza
Tender, melt-in-your-mouth, and finely marbled — what's not to love about wagyu (Japanese beef)? Kobe beef may be the most popular type of wagyu, but it's not the only one that's worth trying. How about trying Saga beef, which is also considered one of Japan's highest-grade wagyu breeds? Treat yourself to a luxurious course meal with Saga beef as the main course and fine, fresh seasonal ingredients at Sagaya Ginza!
Enjoy the Best of French and Japanese Cuisine at L'Effervescence
Classy modern French cuisine and time-honored Japanese culinary delights (including, of course, sake!) come together at the Michelin-starred L'Effervescence, a fusion restaurant in a low-key but affluent Tokyo neighborhood. L'Effervescence is best known for its sake pairing courses, in which a carefully curated selection of premium sake complements a full-course French dinner made with a combination of local and international ingredients.
Learn Japanese Cooking from the Locals
Can't get enough of Japan's delicious food? We can't blame you! Take home some newfound knowledge with you by learning authentic Japanese home cooking from the locals.
Visit Tsukiji Market and Make Sushi under a Professional Chef's Guidance
Tsukiji Market is a familiar name among Japan travel enthusiasts, as it used to be the home of the world-famous early-morning tuna auction. While the auction has now been moved to Toyosu Market, Tsukiji's Outer Market is still beloved among foodies for its street food and seafood restaurants. Tour this market with a guide, then, with a professional sushi chef to teach you, make sushi for lunch!
Make Udon and Tempura in Suburban Tokyo
Tokyo isn't all bustling commercial districts! Head to suburban Hino in western Tokyo for a change of pace. There, interact with friendly locals as you make udon noodles and tempura (deep-fried food, usually shrimp and vegetables). Sit down to eat together like a family when you're done. If you like, there's even an option that includes a guided walking tour of Hino.
Call It a Night with Tokyo's Dazzling Nightlife
Tokyo is a city that doesn't sleep—at night, it comes alive with glimmering neon lights and unbeatable evening views. See Tokyo in a completely different light and end your day on an unforgettable note with these nighttime activities.
Do as the Locals Do on a Tokyo Pub Crawl
After a busy work day (or week), Tokyoites love to blow off steam by heading to a lively izakaya pub and drinking the night away! Join a knowledgeable local guide on this trip to a yokocho, an alley filled with bars and pubs. Accompanying your drinks is some Japanese food to nibble on. Drink up, and who knows; you might make friends with some locals in the process!
Take a Nighttime Food Tour
If you're looking for a family-friendly alternative to a nighttime pub crawl, or if you just don't like drinking, this is the tour for you! Some restaurants in Tokyo only open at night, but even restaurants that open during the day may have a different menu at night. Take in the colorful lights and the energetic vibe of the streets of Ginza, Yurakucho, and Shimbashi as you hop from one eatery to another, sampling delicious treats along the way!
Take in Panoramic Views of Tokyo from Japan's Tallest Tower
The sleek, modern Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan, and one of the world's tallest, too. But don't just admire Tokyo Skytree from the outside! Head all the way to the top to see breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city: bright lights, skyscrapers, busy streets filled with cars, and other familiar landmarks like Tokyo Tower. Before or after visiting Tokyo Skytree's observatory, shop for souvenirs and have dinner at Solamachi, the shopping center at the tower's base.
Let Rakuten Travel Experiences be Your Tokyo Guide
No matter what kind of traveler you are, Rakuten Travel Experiences is sure to have an activity that's perfect for your interests and preferences: interacting with locals, taking the road less traveled, deep cultural experiences, fun hands-on introductions to the local culture, and more.
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