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Voted No.1 in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 by Travel+Leisure

Tokyo

Tokyo Trips & Tours

Dive headfirst into the animated & energetic streets of the world's most populous city.

Japan’s capital city lives up to every expectation and then some, where everything is bigger and brighter, as if someone has suddenly switched the colour on. Dive into the frenetic energy of Shibuya’s famous crossing, stand agog, amidst the bright neon signs of Akihabara, and marvel at the city's skyline from the observation decks of the Tokyo Skytree. Amidst this dazzling spectacle, you’ll also find serene pockets of old-world charm. Wander the peaceful paths of Meiji Shrine or explore Asakusa, which houses the ancient Sensoji Temple. Soak up the flavours of Tokyo’s culinary scene, from Michelin-starred restaurants to humble ramen shops, and don't miss a wander through the world’s largest seafood market, Toyosu.

Trips

Tokyo Trips & Tours

Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch

Japan

The essence of Japan

9 nights from $10.5K per person

Tokyo Kanazawa Kyoto

Japan

Historical journey through Japan's heart

13 nights from $12.6K per person

Tokyo Kanazawa Takayama

Japan

Japan's cultural trio

8 nights from $7.9K per person

Tokyo Hakone & Mount Fuji Kyoto

Japan

A self-drive adventure around Hokkaido

10 nights from $9.5K per person

Tokyo Akan-Mashu National Park Hokkaido

Design a Custom Trip

Our Experts

Want to chat?

Get advice and suggestions to make this your perfect trip.

or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667

Kristin Jessup

Africa Travel Specialist

Tessa Dancer

Africa & Asia Travel Specialist

Jonty Medcalf

Africa and Antarctica Travel Specialist

Things to do

What to do in Tokyo

Step into a city that turns every preconception up to eleven - a place where vending machines dispense everything from hot coffee to live crabs (yes, really). Navigate the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing, where thousands perform an intricate pedestrian ballet every few minutes. The tech paradise of Akihabara glows with enough neon to be visible from space, while the Tokyo Skytree offers vertigo-inducing views that'll have you questioning your relationship with heights. Yet tucked between the skyscrapers, you'll discover pockets of profound tranquillity - the hushed grounds of Meiji Shrine, where centuries-old traditions continue undisturbed by the urban noises beyond. Thread your way through the narrow streets of Asakusa, where the incense-wreathed Sensoji Temple has been welcoming visitors since before London had running water. For gastronomes, the city serves up everything from pristine sushi counters where master chefs perform culinary magic, to tiny ramen shops where steam-fogged windows and ticket machines guard bowls of liquid gold. Early risers shouldn't miss the theatre of Toyosu Market, where bluefin tuna auctions unfold with all the drama of a West End production.

Open Map

Food & cooking

Why you'll love it

Tokyo is a city that embraces contrasts, seamlessly marrying the old and new. Whether it's cutting-edge technology, Anime culture, or the tranquillity of its gardens and temples, Tokyo offers endless fascination.

Off the beaten track

Experience Tokyo's quieter side in the shitamachi (old town) district of Yanaka or visit the lush landscapes of the Institute for Nature Study in Meguro.

Something to think about

Tokyo is massive and each district has its own allure. It's a good idea to decide on what you're most interested in seeing and become well-versed in your directions for getting from A to B.

Best time to visit

When to go on a Tokyo Trip

Excellent

Good

Mixed

Articles

Japan in the blog

Planning Guides

When To Visit Japan

Every season holds its own allure

Planning Guides

Tessa discovers dreamy Japan

The ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ was everything it promised and more

Planning Guides

Best Hotels In Japan

Unparalleled hospitality from high-rise suites to charming ryokans

Planning Guides

Reasons To Visit Japan

Scenery, culture and cuisine beyond measure

Planning Guides

Best hotel restaurants in the world

Gorgeous accommodation with culinary treats to match

Reviews

Based on 5 Feefo Reviews for Japan

Highly recommend! For our trip, we wanted to just be able to enjoy the experience together. We literally spent zero time each day worrying about logistics (how to get places, where to eat, what to do next) because everything was planned, confirmed, and flowed seamlessly. Jessica did a great job providing overviews and links ahead of time, so that I could get the rest of my family excited and on board too. We are already planning our next trip with Timbuktu!

Guest

Terrific travel plan from Tessa

April 2026

13 nights in Japan

Tessa Dancer is facilitating our trip to Japan. During the planning process, Tessa sought our input and put together a product that reflected our ideas and her travel and cultural expertise gained during her recent visit including accommodations and experiences. Tessa follows through with details, timelines pricing and suggestions. We chose Timbuktu based on Tessa's customer service. Hoping the actual travel will be as good as the planning process. No idea about any other Timbuktu tours but if the other travel specialists are half as good as Tessa, Timbuktu is a winner.

Very helpful and knowledgeable.

January 2026

15 nights in Japan

Great to work with and very knowledgeable regarding the places we want to visit.

We have loved the trips which Timbuktu have arranged for us to South Africa, Laos and Cambodia and are now looking forward to another trip later this year to Japan.

Why travel with Timbuktu?

We design tailor-made journeys for travellers who want more than a holiday, from first-time safaris, gorilla treks and multi-generational family adventures to once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons - and everything in between. And here's why so many choose us to plan them.

Tailor-Made Since 2014

We've been crafting one-of-a-kind journeys since 2014 — over 2,500 trips across 40+ countries, each one built from scratch around your interests and dreams.

Specialists Who've Been There

Our team only recommends places they've slept in, eaten in, and happily keep going back to. Condé Nast Traveler named 11 of them Top Travel Specialists in 2026, and Travel+Leisure made three A-List Advisors.

The World's No 1 Tour Operator

Travel+Leisure's readers voted us the World's No.1 Tour Operator in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 — the travel industry's biggest readers' award, judged by people who actually travel.

Every Trip Makes A Difference

$50 from every booking goes to female empowerment, tech education, and conservation projects across the countries we love. We have donated $78,000 so far – and it's going up!

Collaboration Is Key

Your travel specialist is with you the whole way, dreaming up the trip, building the itinerary, checking you in, and answering the 2am question from the other side of the world..

Loved By Our Guests

We are rated 4.9 out of 5 from 911 verified Feefo reviews. And these are the words of people who actually went, not us talking about ourselves.

As Seen in

11 Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists 2026

No. 1 & No. 2 Tour Operator in Travel + Leisure's Best Awards 2024 & 2025

Best Booking Platform in Women's Health Travel Awards 2025

Travel Specialist voted as Latin America A-List Travel Advisor 2025

"Timbuktu can take relatively complex and slightly amorphous travel plans and transform them into a well-organized, perfectly tailored trip."

Tokyo Trips & Tours

Tokyo

Tokyo Trips & Tours

Tokyo Trips & Tours

The essence of Japan

Historical journey through Japan's heart

Japan's cultural trio

A self-drive adventure around Hokkaido

Our Experts

Want to chat?

Kristin Jessup

Africa Travel Specialist

Tessa Dancer

Africa & Asia Travel Specialist

Jonty Medcalf

Africa and Antarctica Travel Specialist

What to do in Tokyo

Visit Tsukiji Market, Tokyo's Seafood Spectacle

Discover Tokyo's Sacred Sensoji Temple

Take in the views from Sumidagawa River, Tokyo

Why you'll love it

Off the beaten track

Something to think about

When to go on a Tokyo Trip

Tokyo Trips & Tours in january

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Tokyo Trips & Tours in december

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Japan in the blog

When To Visit Japan

Tessa discovers dreamy Japan

Best Hotels In Japan

Reasons To Visit Japan

Best hotel restaurants in the world

Reviews

Based on 5 Feefo Reviews for Japan

We design tailor-made journeys for travellers who want more than a holiday, from first-time safaris, gorilla treks and multi-generational family adventures to once-in-a-lifetime honeymoons - and everything in between. And here's why so many choose us to plan them.

Tailor-Made Since 2014

Specialists Who've Been There

The World's No 1 Tour Operator

Every Trip Makes A Difference

Collaboration Is Key

Loved By Our Guests

As Seen in