Hidden Gems in Tokyo: 7 Best Spots for Tour Guides
ShinobuTokyo offers a wealth of fascinating spots where history, culture, nature, and technology seamlessly blend.
For international tourists in particular, visiting places that provide an authentic experience of “Japanese-ness” is often the highlight of their trip.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected seven hands-on tourist attractions that are sure to delight foreign visitors.
Our selection is based on five key criteria: the ability to experience Japanese culture, variety of genres, ease of access, time required for the experience, and budget.
We hope this guide serves as a helpful resource for tour guides and travel planners.
1. Key Points When Choosing Tourist Spots
By selecting appropriate locations as sightseeing spots, tour guides can help foreign tourists have a more meaningful and enriching experience.
Here are five key points to consider:
① Does it offer an experience of Japanese culture?
Rather than just visiting famous landmarks, having hands-on experiences with Japanese culture provides a valuable opportunity to understand Japan’s unique sense of aesthetics and values.
② Does it offer a variety of experiences?
Tokyo is a city with many different faces, so it’s recommended to introduce spots that offer a range of experiences rather than focusing on just one type.
For example, consider including traditional experiences, nature-related activities, and modern spaces to provide a well-rounded itinerary.
③ Accessibility
If the distance from the nearest station to a tourist spot is too long, it can lead to fatigue and wasted time just on travel.
By efficiently combining spots, you can create a schedule that isn't overly demanding.
For instance, pairing "Asakusa → Tokyo Skytree" helps reduce time loss.
④ Activity duration
For those who want to enjoy as many activities as possible in a day, knowing how long each activity takes is crucial.
As a tour guide, it’s important to provide an estimate of the time required for each spot so travelers can plan effectively.
⑤ Budget
It’s important to offer a range of options that fit various budget levels.
Why not plan a Tokyo trip that everyone can enjoy!
2. Top 7 Recommended Spots
① Ninja Experience Cafe
At the Ninja Experience Cafe, you can enjoy an experience that makes you feel like a real ninja.
Known worldwide through anime and movies, ninjas are one of the symbols of Japan for many foreigners.
At this cafe, you can fully immerse yourself in the role of a ninja and enjoy a truly special time.
You can change into a ninja costume and take photos, learn how to throw shuriken (ninja stars) or use a blowgun from real ninja instructors; there’s no shortage of action-packed activities.
The interior is designed to feel like a hidden ninja village, with photo-worthy spots throughout the space.
You can even take commemorative photos in your ninja outfit with the town scenery as your backdrop (additional fee required).
It’s an experience that both kids and adults can enjoy, making it popular with families.
The staff are friendly and communicate in English or gestures, so there’s no need to worry about language barriers.
Why not step out of the ordinary and have a one-of-a-kind experience filled with history, culture, entertainment, and photogenic moments at the Ninja Experience Cafe?
Ninja Experience Cafe Official Website
Price: ¥3,500〜6,200 (tax included)
Duration: 30 minutes 〜 1 hour
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM 〜 21:00 PM (last order 19:30 PM)
English support: Available
Access:
・Asakusa Location
1-minute walk from Nishi-Asakusa 3-chome Bus Stop
5-minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
8-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station (Ginza Line)
8-minute walk from Iriya Station (Hibiya Line)
10-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Ginza Line / Toei Asakusa Line)
・Harajuku Location
3-minute walk from Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line)
5-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae Station (Chiyoda Line)
② Food Sample Making Cafe
At the Food Sample Making Cafe, you can try your hand at creating realistic food replicas yourself.
Food samples are a uniquely Japanese cultural phenomenon, rarely seen overseas, making this a refreshing and novel experience for international visitors.
The sense of accomplishment when you finish your piece is truly special, making this activity perfect for those who want to enjoy hands-on tourism.
You can choose from a variety of items to create, such as omelet rice, meat spaghetti, crepes, or jelly parfaits.
The process is visually intuitive and easy to follow, allowing people of all ages (children and adults alike) to enjoy it without worrying about language barriers.
Take a photo with your finished sample next to the real dish for the perfect social media post!
You can even take your handmade sample home as a souvenir, making it a memorable keepsake from your trip.
Food Sample Making Cafe Official Website
Price: ¥4,600〜¥5,600 (tax included)
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
Opening Hours: Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
Other Days: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
English Support: Available
Access:
5-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Ginza Line)
4-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tobu Line)
10-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Toei Asakusa Line)
11-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express)
③ HANA・BIYORI
HANA・BIYORI is a new-concept flower park located in Inagi City, Tokyo, adjacent to Yomiuriland.
Here, you can enjoy a unique experience where the beauty of nature is combined with cutting-edge digital technology.
The main highlight is Japan’s first-ever “Flower × Projection Mapping” attraction.
In the indoor garden, over 300 vibrant hanging flower pots are synchronised with stunning visuals and music, creating a magical atmosphere that feels like stepping into a world of flowers.
It’s highly photogenic and gaining popularity on social media.
You can also enjoy seasonal flowers, traditional Japanese architecture, and interactions with animals.
What’s more, it’s an all-weather facility; perfect even on rainy days!
HANA・BIYORI Official Website
Price: The prices below are standard rates, but online prices may be cheaper!
Adults: ¥ 2,300 (weekdays), ¥ 2,800 (weekends, public holidays)
Elementary school students : ¥ 1,300 (weekdays), ¥ 1,500 (weekends, public holidays)
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM 〜 21:00 PM
English Support: Available
Access:
10-minute walk from Yomiuriland Station (Keio Line)
A free shuttle bus runs from the station to HANA・BIYORI
④ Tokyo Trick Art Museum
The Tokyo Trick Art Labyrinth Museum is an interactive art museum located in Odaiba, where visitors can fully enjoy artworks that cleverly utilise visual illusions.
What sets it apart is that it goes beyond standard trick art by featuring works with a distinct Japanese flair, themed around the Edo period.
Instead of just viewing the art, visitors can strike poses in front of the pieces to take unique and whimsical photos.
Some artworks change their impression depending on the viewing angle, while others allow you to step into rooms and experience the illusions with your whole body, offering a multisensory experience.
Photography is allowed throughout the museum, making it a truly “interactive art” spot that puts your creativity and playfulness to the test!
Tokyo Trick Art Museum Official Website
Price:
Adults: ¥ 1,200
Children: ¥ 800
3 years and below: Free
Duration: 1.5 hours
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM 〜 21:00 PM
English Support: Available
Access:
2-minute walk from Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station (Yurikamome Line)
5-minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line)
⑤ Gas Science Museum
Gas Science Museum is a hands-on museum located in the Toyosu area of Tokyo, where visitors can learn about energy and how gas works through all five senses.
Inside, the museum is divided into seven exhibition zones, offering opportunities to learn about topics such as local environmental issues.
It’s designed to be enjoyable for families and adults alike, making it a fun experience for everyone.
With nearby attractions like Lalaport Toyosu, Toyosu Market, and teamLab Planets, it's perfect for a half-day to full-day sightseeing plan.
Gas Science Museum Official Website
Price: Free
Duration: 1 hour
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM 〜 17:00 PM (last admission 16:30 PM)
English Support: Available
Access:
6-minute walk from Toyosu Station (Yurakucho Line)
6-minute walk from Toyosu Station (Yurikamome Line)
⑥ Police Museum
The Police Museum located in Kyobashi, Tokyo, is a free tourist attraction where history, hands-on experiences, and learning come together.
It’s very welcoming for international visitors, offering English signage, multilingual audio guides, and even the chance to try on police uniforms.
The museum features in-depth materials from Showa-era crimes and its founding period, making it a great pick for those interested in history.
Don’t miss the chance to take commemorative photos with police cars, motorcycles, helicopters, and in uniform!
Police Museum Official Website
Price: Free
Duration: 1 hour
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM 〜 16:00 PM
English Support: Available
Access:
2-minute walk from Kyobashi Station (Ginza Line)
6-minute walk from Ginza Station (Ginza, Hibiya, Marunouchi Line)
4-minute walk from Ginza-itchome Station (Yurakucho Line)
5-minute walk from Takaracho Station (Toei Asakusa Line)
7-minute walk from Yurakucho Station (JR Line)
10-minute walk from Tokyo Station (JR Line)
⑦ Tobacco & Salt Museum
The Tobacco & Salt Museum, located in Sumida Ward near the Tokyo Skytree, is a rare museum themed around “tobacco” and “salt,” established in 1978 by the Japan Monopoly Corporation (now Japan Tobacco Inc., JT).
Tobacco and salt were once government-regulated monopoly products in Japan.
Through their histories and cultural backgrounds, the museum offers a unique perspective on Japanese society and its connections with the wider world.
There is also a rest area equipped with a high-performance ventilation system (imitating a “smoking area of the future”) where smoke is instantly vented upward, leaving virtually no odour behind.
A visit is highly recommended in combination with a stroll around the Tokyo Skytree or along the Sumida River!
Tobacco & Salt Museum Official Website
Price:
Adults ¥ 300
Students ¥ 100
Duration: 1 hour
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM 〜 17:00 PM (last admission 16:30 PM)
English Support: Available
Access:
12-minute walk from Oshiage (Skytree) Station (Hanzomon, Toei Asakusa, Keisei, Tobu Skytree Line)
10-minute walk from Honjo-Azumabashi Station (Toei Asakusa Line)
10-minute walk from Tokyo Skytree Station (Tobu Skytree Line)
20-minute walk from Kinshicho Station (JR Sobu Line)
3. Summary
From uniquely Japanese activities from Ninja Experience Cafe to Food Sample Making Cafe, these destinations cover a wide range of themes.
All of them offer English support and are easily accessible.
With varying time requirements and budget options, they can be mixed and matched to suit your travel style.
What are we?
We run Ninja Experience Cafe in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Japan.
Here you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture through experiencing ninja training.
Both adults and children are welcome to try their hand at defeating the ninja master inside the cafe.
The cafe is an indoor interactive zone, so it can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
If you are thinking "I want to be a real ninja too!” or interested in becoming a real ninja, please visit us.
Reservations can be made here.
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