Tokyo is a city with layers — endless alleys, tiny temples, late-night bars, and neighborhoods that feel like whole different worlds. One of the best ways to peel back those layers is with an Airbnb Experience. Led by locals and long-term residents, these small-group activities deliver hands-on learning, cultural context, and access to places you’d likely miss on your own. I’ve taken many in Tokyo and often find them more memorable than standard tour offerings. Below are eight standout Experiences that combine culture, food, craft, and nighttime fun.
Learn to Make Authentic Sushi with a Trained Chef
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/xLBPny
This sushi class takes place inside an omakase restaurant and is taught by a sushi master or apprentice. Beyond shaping rice and slicing fish, you’ll learn why specific cuts matter, how rice seasoning varies by style, and how to pair textures and flavors. It’s a hands-on, approachable morning session — a filling and instructive way to start a day in Tokyo.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/xLBPny
Shibuya Nightlife with Unlimited Drinks
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/Z6kQmX
My favorite nightlife tour in Tokyo. The host Suemi (and her friends) leads a lively crawl through 3–4 untouristy izakaya spots in Shibuya. The experience includes unlimited food and drinks and is full of local energy. Guides are outgoing, entertaining, and explain izakaya culture in a friendly way. Suemi’s team also runs an excellent unlimited sake tasting class (and a whiskey tasting experience) that’s equally informative and personable.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/Z6kQmX
Sake tasting: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/BnjQPx
Shinjuku Izakaya Tour
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/LKJGDo
Set in Shinjuku’s maze of tiny bars and alleyway spots, this tour introduces you to the heart of Tokyo izakaya culture. Led by Yuma, a sake sommelier, you’ll visit several intimate places off the beaten path, taste different sakes, learn how to read menus, and understand typical drinking and dining etiquette. It’s social, relaxed, and perfect for experiencing local nightlife without feeling lost.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/LKJGDo
Historic Tokyo Walking Tour
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/Dy5rLa
For a deep dive into Tokyo’s past, this walk focuses on quieter neighborhoods that still echo history. The host is a lecturer in Japanese history and traditional culture, and the tour covers sites like Nezu Shrine, the torii tunnel, and Yanaka’s old streets. You’ll learn about the Edo period, the Meiji Restoration, and how samurai roles shifted as Japan modernized. It’s a 2.5-hour walk that moves at a thoughtful pace and greatly clarifies how Tokyo evolved.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/Dy5rLa
Tokyo Coffee Culture Tour
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/55R3j3
Tokyo’s coffee scene blends old-school kissaten cafés with modern specialty shops. This tour through Jimbocho and Kanda highlights both traditions and third-wave innovators. Expect demonstrations of brewing techniques, tastings that reveal different flavor profiles, and visits to wagashi shops to learn how Japanese sweets pair with coffee. It’s a detailed, satisfying afternoon for coffee lovers.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/55R3j3
Organic Matcha Tea Ceremony
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/zxWkjW
This one-hour session introduces matcha and Japanese tea culture in a calm, traditional setting. The host explains matcha’s history, its social role, and how to distinguish high-quality matcha from lower grades. You’ll prepare and whisk matcha yourself, then taste it — a short but meaningful way to deepen your appreciation for a ubiquitous Japanese staple.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/zxWkjW
Tokyo Ramen Tour
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/jePAGM
Ramen inspires devotion, and this roughly three-hour tour explains why. You’ll visit multiple shops showcasing different broths, noodle textures, and topping styles, learning ramen’s origins, regional variations, and modern trends along the way. Guides break down broth types and noodle contrasts in an easy-to-follow way. Come hungry — this tour fills you up.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/jePAGM
Shibuya and Harajuku Street Art Tour
https://airbnb.pvxt.net/jePAGM
This walk through Shibuya and Harajuku uncovers murals and installations tucked into alleyways and less obvious spots. Street art in Tokyo is more underground and often exists within strict regulations, so the tour covers where it’s allowed and how the scene persists. Visuals showing murals before and after creation add context. It’s a fascinating look at a creative side of Tokyo many visitors miss.
Book here: https://airbnb.pvxt.net/jePAGM
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There are many Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo, and I’ve surely missed a few gems — but these eight are a strong starting point. Try to take at least one while you’re in the city; these local-led tours often beat cookie-cutter conventional tours in personality and depth.
Book Your Trip to Tokyo: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights; it searches many sites and airlines so you won’t miss options.
https://skyscanner.pxf.io/c/214481/1027991/13416?subId1=%26currency%3DUSD&associateid=AFF_TRA_19354_00001&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skyscanner.com%2F
Book Your Accommodation
Hostelworld has the largest inventory for hostels and good deals. For guesthouses and budget hotels, Booking.com often returns the best rates.
Hostelworld: https://hostelworld.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lHtj
Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=362916
For recommendations, see lists of favorite hostels and hotels, and a neighborhood breakdown:
Favorite hostels: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-hostels-in-tokyo/
Hotels: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-hotels-tokyo/
Where to stay by neighborhood: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/where-to-stay-tokyo/
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Insurance protects against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. My go-to companies:
– SafetyWing (for travelers under 70): https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance?referenceID=24768462
– Insure My Trip (for those 70+): https://insuremytripus.pxf.io/q4vRWg
– Medjet (for extra evacuation coverage): https://medjetassist.com/nomadicmatt
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
See a curated resource page listing services I use to save money while traveling:
https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-resources/
Japan Rail Pass
If you’ll travel around Japan, check the Japan Rail Pass (7-, 14-, 21-day options) to save on intercity travel:
https://www.jrailpass.com/?utm_source=aff&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=nomadicmatt&affiliate=nomadicmatt0918990001559574339
Want More Information on Tokyo?
For a full destination guide and more planning tips, visit the comprehensive Tokyo guide:
https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/japan-travel-tips/tokyo/

