15 Tokyo Anime and Manga Tours for a First Trip

1.Akihabara Anime & Game Adventure Walking Tour (Group or Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 404 reviews · from $90Our pick

This three-hour Akihabara walk takes you to Super Potato, anime and game shops, gachapon machines, an arcade and a maid cafe, where entry and one drink are included. A guide leads a group of up to seven, answers questions and can tailor the route to your interests. Purikura is included; extra food, drinks and the maid performance cost more.

“The maid cafe was great and lots of fun. Our guide explained the history of the area succinctly and how it had changed over the years. The old technology on display was cool.”

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2.Akihabara Tailor-made Private Tour for Anime Fans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · from $132

Spend three to four hours exploring Akihabara with Yuuki, a local guide who can tailor the route to your anime, manga, or gaming interests. Expect retro games at Super Potato, new arcade games, a maid cafe, capsule toys, and anime shops, with Kanda Myoujin Shrine also included in the tour overview. The private tour starts and ends near JR Akihabara Station.

“Great tour, Yuuki really showed us the heart of anime and video games in Tokyo. We had a blast with wonderful memories.”

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3.Manga Drawing Workshop Guided by Pro Manga Artist

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 102 reviews · 2h 30m · from $129

At this 150-minute Shibuya workshop, a professional manga artist guides you through planning, sketching, inking, screen tones, and speech bubbles. An interpreter supports the English-language session, and all drawing materials are provided. No experience is needed, and you take your manga panel home.

“A great experience for our family to learn how to draw manga characters from a professional master and colleague. The time flew and we were immersed in the step by step process of our drawings. You don’t have to be manga fans to enjoy this experience.”

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4.Tokyo Akihabara, Anime, Manga, Video Games & Maid Cafe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 81 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $38Best value

Follow an English-speaking guide through Akihabara’s anime and game shops, from Radio Kaikan to Super Potato, with time for arcade fun and a maid cafe. Guides such as Masa, Yuka, Ryoko and iNok tailor stops to your interests. The small-group walk lasts two to three hours; check which maid cafe package you are booking.

“Our guide Masa explained everything perfectly. Everything was nicely timed we had enough time to do what we wanted.”

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5.Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour (Group or Private)

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 80 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Join a small-group or private Akihabara tour for retro games, anime shops, gachapon and a maid café visit with a drink included. Guides such as Yuki, Kenji and Minnie have helped visitors find shops that suit their interests. The tour also includes a Japanese Purikura photo booth experience.

“Max was very friendly and open about answering any questions we might have about Akihabara etc. He told us about Akihabaras History and Development to the Electric Town and showed us a lot of different shops of what we werw interested in. Maid Cafe with the Pictures was also fun. If you don't know where to start in Akihabara this is a great help.”

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6.Manga Lesson with a Professional Japanese Manga Artist in Nakano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $67

At Manga School Nakano, a professional manga artist guides you through a two-hour lesson in pencil drawing, inking, corrections, highlights, and screen tones. Instructor Nao Yazawa has taught beginners, families, and experienced artists. Tools are provided, English instruction is available, and you leave with your finished drawing.

“Our daughters—at the time, ages 20 and 18, and both HUGE manga fans— thoroughly enjoyed this experience.”

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7.Real-Life Anime Pilgrimage Tour: “Shibuya Incident”

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · from $71

Follow English-speaking guide Ellen through 15 Shibuya locations tied to Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shibuya Incident Arc. Recreate scenes with original photo frames, get photos or video, and enjoy a freshly made crepe. The walk also takes in famous spots such as Scramble Crossing and Shibuya 109, plus side streets and vacant lots.

“We loved our tour with Ellen for the real life JJK Anime Tour. She was very knowledgeable about the series and made the tour interesting and fun, pointing out details that we certainly would have missed. The photos she took for us along the way were also excellent! In addition, she was a really nice person and was fun to be with in Tokyo. My daughters and I loved the tour and would recommend it to all JJK anime fans!”

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8.Tokyo/Ikebukuro Manga lesson by acitive pro-Manga artists

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 2 hours · from $127

Spend two hours learning manga history and drawing techniques with professional manga artists near Ikebukuro’s Animate. Create characters and a short comic using tools such as G pens, ink, and screen tone. English interpretation is provided; artist Kazuo Maekawa and interpreter Akari have featured in sessions.

“This was really a wonderful experience . It was fun, interesting and very well organized. I was a little worried about the language, but, thanx to Akari, our translator, it was easy to follow, and she was really nice too. Sensei is a stimulating person, clearly professional, prepared, but also really easy going and intertening. I hope to meet them again.”

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9.Private Akihabara Anime Game Maid Cafe Tour w/ free pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $160

Set your Akihabara priorities with an English- or Japanese-speaking local guide, from anime, manga and games to retro shops and local-only finds. The private tour includes pickup and drop-off within a preferred 5 km of central Tokyo and can include Maidreamin on Akihabara Idol-dori. Guides have included Takashi and Takeshi, though your guide may differ.

“Very nice tour of Akihabara. Takeshi took us to places we would have never reached on our own. Absolutely crazy and weird experiences but I guess this is the real Tokyo lol Highly recommend!”

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10.Tokyo Akihabara Anime walking tour & Maid Cafe option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $83

Meet your English-speaking guide outside JR Akihabara Station and explore anime shops, Surugaya, Radio Kaikan, and Kanda Shrine. You can add a Maidreamin café visit, with one drink, one meal or parfait, and a commemorative photo included in that option. Guide Cho has helped shoppers check item condition, find stores, and understand tax-free rules.

“I had a brilliant time with our guides. We visited various places and they really knew their stuff. if you love the manga culture, I highly recommend it”

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11.Anime, Manga or Kanji Tattoo in a Modern Salon

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $193

At Inklinic, you’ll discuss your tattoo ideas with a professional artist, review a custom design, then get tattooed in a clean studio with a modern-salon feel. The three-hour booking includes consultation, equipment, aftercare instructions, and a free drink. Tattoo time and price vary with the design.

“It was amazing! It doesn’t look like a typical tattoo parlor. It looks more like a medical office or spa. It was very relaxing. The artist listened to what I had in mind, and executed it perfectly. She created an original design for me. We discussed size and location. It was a stress free and enjoyable experience. I definitely recommend! Im even planning on returning next fall!!!”

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12.Akihabara Free for Kids Anime Eats and Games With A Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $157

In four hours, a guide leads you from Akihabara Station through anime shops, a hidden shrine, a maid café, a gaming hall, and three restaurant stops chosen for your tastes. The group is capped at eight, with English and Japanese available. Guides have included Hiromi, Yumi-san, Midoko, Adam, and others, but you cannot choose who leads your tour.

“This was the best city tour I've ever experienced, blending all the beautiful aspects of Japanese culture! The food was incredible and plentiful—we couldn't even make it to our last stop because we were so full. We visited numerous anime stores that my husband absolutely loved, explored cool gaming places, and even played a few games during the tour, which was a lot of fun. For me, the highlight was the maid cafe. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had, especially since I didn't know what to expect. Our amazing tour guide, Hiromi, made everything extra special. She arranged for the maid girls to write a special…”

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13.3-Hour Manga Drawing Workshop in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $129

Spend three hours in Kichijoji making a manga page with guidance from a professional manga artist. You’ll sketch, use a dip pen, ink, add black areas, effect lines, and screen-tones. Materials are provided, English slides accompany instruction in Japanese, and the finished page is yours to take home.

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14.Akihabara Otaku Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours · from $103

Follow a local otaku guide through Akihabara’s anime, manga, and gaming shops, with arcade time, café and bakery breaks, and tucked-away stops. The five-hour English-language tour is limited to 10 people. Guide Leon has shared both anime culture and everyday life in Japan, though your guide may vary. Lunch and purchases are extra.

“Our guide Leon was such a good guide! He told us a lot about the anime culture, but also about living in Japan in general. We highly recommend this tour!”

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15.Japanese anime stores with ramen lunch in Shibuya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2h 30m · from $92

Spend 150 minutes exploring Shibuya stores for Japanese anime, manga, Mario, and Pokémon goods with an English-speaking guide. You’ll have time to look for character souvenirs, then enjoy pork ramen with the meal cost included. The group is limited to four, and the meeting point is in front of SHIBU HACHI BOX.

“Our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating! I would recommend this tour!”

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