Top 8 Airbnb Experiences in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of those cities that feels infinitely deep. You can visit a dozen times and still discover new food stalls, hidden shrines, late-night bars, quirky subcultures, and neighborhoods that seem like completely different worlds. (I know this because I’ve already visited it about 10 times!)

One of my favorite ways to explore Tokyo is by taking an Airbnb experience. Led by locals and long-time residents, these tours give you a front-row seat to Tokyo’s food culture, nightlife, history, and craftsmanship in a way you rarely get when walking alone. I’ve done many Airbnb experiences in Tokyo over the years and I think they are often even better than the traditional tours you find on Get your guide (although Trip to Arigato is the next level and the best traditional tour company in the city, so don’t miss them).

To help you choose from the endless experiences you can find, below are my favorites in Tokyo that combine cultural immersion, hands-on learning, and just the right amount of fun:

Learn how to make authentic sushi from a trained chef

Sushi-making classes are common in Tokyo, but this Airbnb experience stands out because it takes place in an omakase restaurant. This class is taught by a sushi master (or his apprentice). You don’t just learn to shape rice or slice fish; You’ll learn why certain cuts are important, how chefs season rice differently depending on style, and how to combine ingredients to bring out texture and flavor. The class is hands-on and surprisingly accessible. It’s a small-group experience that takes place in the morning so you can enjoy a fun, filling breakfast before heading out to explore Tokyo. I absolutely loved it.

Shibuya nightlife with unlimited drinks

this is my favorite Tokyo nightlife tour. The host, Suemi, and her friends provide the best time. This Shibuya nightlife tour takes you to 3 or 4 izakaya spots that are very untouristy and full of locals. You get unlimited food and drinks and it’s a really cool experience. My guide, Shugo, was outgoing, spoke conversational English, handled large group dynamics well, was entertaining, explained izakaya restaurant culture in detail, and stayed after the Experienced was over. He was great!

Furthermore, Suemi and her friends also run a unlimited sake tasting classwhich is the best Sake class I have done in Tokyo. They go into incredible detail about how sake is made and use a lot of visuals to make it really easy to understand. It’s a small group of six people, which made the experience really enjoyable. If you take a Sake experience, take this one. (They also have a whiskey tasting experience I haven’t made this one yet but I bet it’s just as good).

Visit to Shinjuku Izakaya

This experience is similar in spirit to the Shibuya nightlife tour, but takes place in one of Tokyo’s other major nightlife centers. Shinjuku is full of small izakaya places, many of them hidden in narrow alleys or spaces on the upper floors that you would never think of entering on your own. On this tour, Yuma (a sake expert sommelier) will take you to several of these small local spots and explain how izakaya culture really works.

You’ll sample different styles of sake along the way and learn how to read menus, what to order, and how locals typically drink and eat in these settings. Yuma is outgoing, fun, and very good at explaining things clearly without overwhelming you. It’s social, relaxed and a great way to experience Shinjuku nightlife without feeling lost or intimidated.

Walking tour of historic Tokyo

This is one of the most educational experiences I have had in Tokyo. Instead of focusing on the usual tourist areas, this tour explores quieter neighborhoods that retain a strong connection to the city’s past. The host is a lecturer specializing in traditional Japanese history and culture, and it really shows in the depth of information shared throughout the walk.

You’ll visit places like the Nezu Shrine, walk through its tunnel of red torii gates, explore the ancient streets of Yanaka, and learn about the Edo period, the Meiji Restoration, and how the role of samurai changed as Japan modernized. It’s a 2.5 hour walk that never feels rushed and gives you a much clearer understanding of how Tokyo became the city it is today. I learned a lot from this tour.

Tokyo Coffee Culture Tour

Tokyo has a thriving coffee scene and this tour does a great job of showing it to you. You explore Jimbocho and Kanda, two rarely visited neighborhoods, to learn about old-school kissaten and modern specialty cafes. You’ll learn about brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and how Japan developed such a meticulous approach to coffee.

The tour includes visits to historic cafes, specialty shops that led Tokyo’s third wave movement, and even wagashi shops where you’ll learn how traditional Japanese sweets pair with coffee. It’s a truly thoughtful and unique evening experience.

Organic matcha tea ceremony

This one-hour experience is a great introduction to matcha and Japanese tea culture. You’ll learn about the history of matcha, its role in Japanese society, and how to distinguish high-quality matcha from lower-quality varieties. Your host will guide you step by step through the traditional preparation process. You’ll blend and taste authentic matcha in a tranquil, traditional setting that feels a world away from the busy streets of Tokyo. It’s short but memorable and gives you a much deeper appreciation for something you’ll see everywhere as you travel through Japan.

Tokyo Ramen Tour

Ramen is synonymous with Japanese food and this tour will help you understand why it inspires such devotion. Over the course of about three hours, you’ll visit several ramen shops, each highlighting a different style or approach.
You’ll learn about ramen’s origins, modern trends, and regional variations while trying everything from classic bowls to more experimental or fusion styles. The guide explains broth types, noodle textures, and toppings in an easy-to-follow way. Come hungry as this tour will fill you up completely!

Shibuya and Harajuku Street Art Tour

This tour takes you through Shibuya and Harajuku to see murals and installations hidden in alleys and less obvious spaces. Street art is a much quieter, underground scene in Tokyo (the Japanese aren’t that fond of murals on their buildings), so learning where it’s allowed and how the culture thrives in such a restrictive environment is really interesting. The tour also includes visual examples of murals before and after their creation, adding useful context. I think it’s one of the most interesting and unique Airbnb experiences and gives you a really good look at a side of Japan that most people don’t see.

There are plenty of Airbnb experiences in Tokyo and I know I’m probably missing out on some really great ones (I’m only one person, after all), but these eight will give you a good start. Try to do at least one when you’re in Tokyo because most conventional organized tours are simple experiences. These Airbnb tours are so much more fun!