Tokyo Anime Adventure

Once you have arrived in Tokyo, you make your own way to the accommodation, where you meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group to hear about the week ahead.

We then head straight to Akihabara, the city’s centre for anime and gaming, to browse its manga stores, figure shops and retro arcades. Here, we take each other on in some friendly arcade competition, or another group activity chosen by our Tour Leader.

Later, we visit Tokyo Tower and look out over the city from the observation deck. If the timing is right, you may even catch the sunset. Nearby, there is a manhole cover decorated with anime artwork that is worth spotting.

Our morning starts at Suga Shrine, where we see the staircase made famous by the anime film Your Name and learn a little about the shrine’s history.

Next, we head to Harajuku, a district where street fashion meets cosplay and anime culture. After an introduction from our Tour Leader, you have time to explore its streets and nearby Yoyogi Park.

In the afternoon, we move on to Shibuya for some free time. You might browse the Pokemon Center, the One Piece Mugiwara Store and the Tokyo Anime Center, then see Shibuya Crossing, which appears in many anime and games.

If you still have energy, you can head to Shinjuku to see the giant Godzilla Head. You also have the option of getting behind the wheel on Tokyo’s streets with Kartoon Karting, at an additional cost of GBP 125 per person.

Please note: Kartoon Karting must be booked before the trip.

Tokyo - Tokorozawa - Tokyo. Today begins at Tokorozawa Sakura Town, one of the largest pop-culture destinations in Japan. We explore the Kadokawa Culture Museum, which brings books, art, manga and anime together under one roof. Afterwards, you have free time to look around the area.

Back in Tokyo, we visit the Suginami Animation Museum to learn how some of Japan’s best-loved anime series are made, with a behind-the-scenes look at the studios and artists.

We end the day with a manga class at Manga School Nakano, learning the drawing techniques used by professionals and creating our own characters.

We spend the day in Ikebukuro, where anime, manga and collectibles fill almost every street. After a short introduction from our Tour Leader, you have free time to explore Sunshine Mall and the streets around it.

Places to visit include Namja Town, an indoor theme park from Bandai Namco with retro-style streets and themed food stalls, and Animate Ikebukuro, a store spread over several floors and packed with manga, figures and anime merchandise.

Later, we visit the Tokiwaso Manga Museum, seen as the place where modern Japanese manga was born and where several of the country’s leading manga artists started out.

You have the day free to spend as you like. You could head to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea, or travel to Kamakura to see its temples, the Great Buddha and the First Slam Dunk railway crossing.

Alternatively, you could visit the Fujiko F Fujio Museum in Kawasaki, spend the day at Sanrio Puroland or make the trip to Fuji-Q Highland for Naruto Town.

This morning, we visit Asakusa, home to Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and browse the stalls of Nakamise Street. You may recognise the area from anime such as Weathering With You, Suzume and Demon Slayer.

We then board the Hotaluna for a cruise from Asakusa to Odaiba, taking in views of the city on the way. The boat’s spaceship-like design is the work of manga artist Leiji Matsumoto.

Afterwards, you have free time to explore Odaiba before the group meets again for a final night together. We finish the tour with a karaoke night, picking our songs and giving Tokyo one last performance.

Please note: If the Hotaluna is unavailable due to maintenance, our Tour Leader will adjust the day’s plan.

Your trip ends today, with the morning free to say goodbye to the group before you head home or carry on travelling.

If you would like to stay longer, please let us know in advance. We can arrange extra nights in Tokyo at an additional cost.