Our Self-Guided Tours are vacations packages that are purchased for you as an individual or group of friends/family. No human guide is provided, you will travel across Japan with the aid of our resources to help you navigate and stay on track with the itinerary.
The Anime Tour follows the historic Tokaido road from Tokyo to Kyoto. On this journey you will find yourself visiting many of the locations* where you can find in some of your favorite anime and pop culture icons.
Don’t JUST do anime stuff, YOU ARE IN JAPAN!
Stay in a traditional Ryokan on the mountainside of Hakone, ride the extensive ropeway across the mountains for a great view of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting), and walk the ancient streets of Kyoto and try to spot a Geisha!
Recommended times to travel: Spring** and Fall
* COVID has affected many stores and attractions. Some stores/attractions may be closed or have different hours.
** Cherry blossoms only bloom for a limited time and there is no guarantee that you will see them even if you plan carefully.
Finally! You have arrived in Japan! Check into your hotel and get settled, then follow the provided Anime Tour Self-Guided Introduction to Japan. This will allow you to get your first taste of adventure by walking the streets of Tokyo. You can use this time to help familiarize you with the customs, the transportation system, and maybe teach you a few useful phrases!
Walking: Light // Included Meals: None
On your second day of our Anime Tour, you will be heading to the mountains!
But first, Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world, servicing 3.5 million passengers a day! Use your time in the morning to explore the maze of shops that stretch through the station (we’ll probably even find some good breakfast!).
Ride the fabled Odakyu Romancar, enjoy a scenic ride into the Hakone mountains. Enjoy lunch on the mountainside before continuing on to the delightful Ryokan where we will be staying.
Stay in a guest house with an Onsen, hot spring baths where you can soak and relax from the long travels that started off this trip.
Finish off the day with a traditional Kaiseki meal in your room!
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: Dinner
On the third day of our Anime Tour, enjoy a delicious breakfast served at the Ryokan and check your bags at the front desk for the “Hakone Carry Service”; they will take your bags to the train station for you so you can explore Hakone bag free!
Travel along the ropeway across the mountain peaks and catch a magnificent view of Fuji (weather permitting). Stop to try the black eggs cooked in the naturally boiling hotsprings. Walk the ancient Tokaido trade route through a path lined with giant cedar trees.
Be like Luffy and the gang and sail on a pirate ship across Hakone Lake!
Discover the beautiful Hakone Shrine and enjoy lunch before heading back to the train station by bus!
Then ride the famous shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto/Osaka!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: Breakfast
On this day of our Anime Tour you will find yourself in ancient Kyoto streets.
Start your day with a walk through the streets of Kyoto to the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple. Walk the temple grounds, see the great stage that towers above the trees, and make a wish at the Otowa Waterfall.
Continue down the hill through the incredibly well-preserved streets of Higashiyama, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These streets are known for the shops, cafes, restaurants, and preserved homes! You can just feel the history oozing from every wall and stone around you.
Finish the walking tour at Maruyama Park and/or Nishiki Market!
As the sun begins to set, explore the nearby streets of Gion! Full of ancient history and traditions, Gion is at the center of the modern day Geisha. Maybe you’ll even spot one!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
Back in Kyoto again, find yourself at the infamous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Reflect as you walk through the seemingly endless torii gates that carve a path through the forest. Enjoy the street food that is regularly available near the entrance of the shrine, tasting the rich culture of Japan.
If available for your tour, enjoy a tour of the Fushimi sake breweries and taste various local sakes from the area!
Continue your day by choosing your path:
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
Our Anime Tour includes tickets to Universal Studios Japan! Explore Super Nintendo World! Race on Mario Cart: Koopa’s Challenge! Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Plan your day so you can get the most out of it!
Have a blast and finish your evening at Dotonbori. Don’t worry if you’ve been there before, there is so much to try!
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: None
Say goodbye to Osaka and Kyoto, your morning train to Tokyo awaits! The land of anime, tour the city and find all the goods you desire! During this ride you may catch another view of Fuji! Stop along the way to get lunch at the Ramen Museum!
Take this time to get settled in Tokyo and do some exploring of your own! Visit Senso-ji temple and Nakamise in Asakusa, get some shopping in! This part of Asakusa was extremely popular in the Taisho period. The same period that Demon Slayer takes place in. The entertainment district would have been very similar to Asakusa
Then on to Akihabara! I mean, it’s not Anime Tour without Akiba right?!
Shop
Spend your day shopping at Animate! Radio Kaikan, AmiAmi, Yodobashi Camera, Gamers or one of the many gachapon shops or areas in Akihabara!
Play
Hangout at Gigo Arcade (formerly SEGA). Play rhythm games or try to win a prize at the UFOs!
Relax
Take a load off at the At Home Maid Cafe! Or maybe listen to anime theme music at the Anime Song DJ Bar Alchemist? Checkout the Square Enix cafe and others too!
This is a day full of shopping and fun, come prepared, knowing what you want, and be prepared to haul your goods home!
Walking: Moderate // Included Meals: None
Shop for your favorite anime goods in Nakano!
Enjoy the latest crazy fashion by exploring Harajuku, crazy outfits, socks, and good food can be found there. Sometimes you’ll even see locals dressed in these marvelous fashions!
Finish the day with Shibuya, the Time Square of Tokyo. Light up brightly and never asleep, Shibuya boasts of many shops and eateries worth your time! Cross the scramble crosswalk and take a photo with Hachiko, or shop at one of the many stores (Tokyu Hands, Mega Donki, Disney Store, Marui and more!)
Don’t forget to check out the One Piece Store while you are there!
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: None
Start your day with a walk through a large, picturesque cemetery with traditional headstones and beautiful cherry blossom lining the roads in spring or great orange and reds in the fall. This large cemetery houses famous artists, actors, and politicians from many eras!
From there, venture into Yanaka Ginza, a traditional 1950s shopping street with original architecture and stores! There we can shop, snack and explore until lunchtime!
Now, head to Ikebukuro, the site of many different anime such as Durarara!!, Tokyo ESP, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, Digimon, Lucky Star, and more! Visit Pokemon Center, Sega Arcade, Otome Road, and the Animate store!
Need a break? Stop in a Maid Cafe, the Animate! Cafe, or Pickachu Sweets!
Walking: Moderate // Included Meals: None
Start your day in Odaiba! A man-made island full of interesting things!
Small Worlds –
Featuring dioramas of Tokyo and other places around the world! Don’t miss out on the Sailor Moon and Evangelion exhibits here as well!
Gundam Base Tokyo
Are you a fan of Gundam and Gunpla? Then this is the place for you! Shop, Build, Learn and be amazed! Visit the Gundam Cafe to keep you fueled!
DiverCity
This mall right behind Gundam you can find hexaRide! This immersive 360 degree VR experience will have you living part of the Attack on Titan story!
Joypolis
This theme park and arcade has a ton of awesome stuff to play with a coaster, rides, VR, and themed attractions such form Transformers, Ace Attorney and Attack on Titan!
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Don’t have a full day of interest in Odaiba? This is a chance for you to see various locations featured in or relating to anime! There are many places in Japan on this tour and elsewhere that have links back to anime.
None of these suit your need? Akihabara is still there, waiting for you to finish exploring! Our self-guided anime tour gives you flexibility you need!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
This is your final day and it is yours! This is an open day so you can visit any remaining sites, shrines, stores, or just walk aimlessly through the streets of Tokyo.
But let’s be honest, you are going back to Akihabara aren’t you? But hey, that’s what this anime tour is for!
If you are leaving Japan on this day, ensure that you arrive early at the airport so that you don’t miss your flight!
