13 Lunch Experiences in Japan to Build a Day Around

1.Bike Tour Exploring North Kyoto plus Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,087 reviews · from $106Our pick

Cycle through North Kyoto to temples, shrines, Gion, and local streets, with a guide, quality bike, temple fees, lunch, and small-group access.

“This is a great way to see parts of the city that you might otherwise just not have time to see. It was great fun and we planned it on our first full day so we could cross a lot of sights off our list and know where else we would like to see the following days. Our guide was Julian, a fellow Brit but living in Japan for many years. He had great knowledge and was really easy going. Lunch was supposed to be at the noodle house but it was closed so we went to a sushi bar which was great fun! Definitely recommend it!”

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2.Mt.Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko 1-Day Bus Tour w/Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 839 reviews · from $77

See Mt. Fuji from Chureito Pagoda, Lake Kawaguchiko, Oishi Park, and a traditional village on a practical Tokyo day trip.

“Relaxing, and fun new experience. Our tour guide Chen speaks fluent English and Chinese, manage time well based on weather condition. Our trip went smooth and arrived back to point A safe. The bus was clean and well maintained.”

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3.Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 754 reviews · from $61

See Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nara deer, Todai-ji, and Fushimi Inari in one busy day, with shabu-shabu lunch and bus travel from Osaka or Kyoto.

“Our tour guy Gary was Amazing. Definitely worth doing the this tour lots to see and so many historical sites! Very entertaining and fun trip - time just flies by. Highly recommend the tour!”

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4.Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $110

Practice zazen with a Zen monk, explore Tofukuji temples and gardens, and enjoy a traditional Buddhist lunch on this small Kyoto tour.

“This was such a reflective and spiritual day. Our tour guide Yutaka was friendly and felt comfortable talking with him. We learned about his culture and the area. We saw a few Buddhist temples and were able to sit and reflect before going to tRead more”

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5.Five Must-See Highlights Walking Tour & Ramen Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 411 reviews · 7 hours · from $56Best value

See Osaka Castle, Shitennoji, Shinsekai, Kuromon Market, and Dotonbori in one guided day with subway rides and ramen lunch.

“Excellent tour with a lot of information and a great personality Great small group Had a wonderful day with Taka”

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6.Hiroshima & Miyajima 1 Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 395 reviews · 8 hours · from $116

See Hiroshima’s Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome, eat okonomiyaki, then cross Hiroshima Bay to Miyajima on this guided day tour.

“My parents loved this tour. From the very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly tour guide to the comfort and pacing and finally accommodation of a vegetarian diet, everything was great!”

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7.Naha, Okinawa: Keramas Island Snorkeling Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 370 reviews · 9 hours · from $70

Review of Naha’s Kerama Islands snorkeling day trip, with clear water, coral reefs, guides, lunch, pickup, boat comforts, and practical tips.

“Very friendly staff and attentive to details. I had a previous diving license and they offered me to increase snorkeling experience with an open dive session”

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8.Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 295 reviews · 1 day · from $151

See snow monkeys in Jigokudani, enjoy beef sukiyaki, and visit Nagano’s snow huts on a long but rewarding Tokyo day trip.

“It was a great trip! The guide was very nice and friendly, and he informed us about every step of the plan throughout the day. The snow monkey park is very beautiful in winter (we were in February). We got lucky with the weather: it was snowing a bit, but no wind, mild winter temperatures. The hike to monkeys was relatively easy with proper boots. The monkeys themselves were very interesting to watch. They can be both cute and funny, and also serious.”

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9.Sumo Experience and Chanko Nabe Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 257 reviews · from $95

Learn sumo from retired wrestlers, try a playful bout, and cook a hearty chanko nabe lunch in a small English-speaking group.

“very interesting to see Sumo wrestlers, we got a lot of information about sumo”

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10.Hida Takayama & Shirakawa-go Tour w/Opt. Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 256 reviews · 10 hours · from $61

Explore Takayama and UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go from Nagoya by comfortable bus, with free time, optional Hida beef lunch, and bilingual guides.

“Alberto was very kind and expressive. He gave nice recommendations which we followed and agreed with explicitly for a wonderful tour experience. I left my wallet at the last rest stop and he spent an hour with us contacting the police and keeping us updated as to where it was going and where to pick it up. I give him a ten out of five for sure!”

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11.5-Hour Osaka Highlights Bike Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 146 reviews · 5 hours · from $85

Cycle Osaka’s riverside paths, shrines, museum, castle park, local lunch, and matcha tea in a small English-led group.

“Our guide was fantastic. interesting and not rushed. Great experience for first time in Japan.”

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12.3 Departures: Hiroshima & Miyajima Trip with Indian Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 65 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $116

Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima on a full-day tour from Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima, with ferry travel, shrine entry, and Indian lunch.

“my favorite tour so far. the Indian food was amazing!!!”

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13.Authentic Sapporo: Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews · 2h 30m · from $61

Explore Sapporo’s early story, enjoy sushi or donburi at Nijo Market, and visit local landmarks with a small English-speaking group.

“The tour was fantastic. I had a one on one experience with Iku. We spent just the right amount of time at various sites. She provided some interesting history and answered all my questions. I learned a good deal about the city and experienced both the food, culture, and heritage of Sapporo. The experience was so fun I wish it lasted longer. I would definitely book again. This was one of the best tours of my trip so far and would recommend to anyone.”

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