Open-top bus Tours providing a new Perspective on Tokyo

Open-top bus Tours

Open-top bus tours are a great way for new visitors to get to know a city for the first time, and can also provide a new perspective for those who have been to Tokyo before. Here are some of the most interesting open-top bus tour options for Japan’s capital city. Take the weight off your feet, sit back, and enjoy the wonders of Tokyo.

Shibuya Street Ride

Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most trendy neighborhoods and this open-top bus tour is a great way to experience the city’s vibe. You can learn about the area with the multilingual audio guide and info screens, then use the digital city walking guide to explore further when you get off.

There are three main routes, including Shibuya to Shinjuku, Shinjuku to Shibuya, and a loop from Shibuya Station. You’ll cruise past the famous Omotesando Avenue, a 1.1 km shopping street stretching from Harajuku to Aoyama, as well as the impressive National Stadium, designed by one of Japan's leading architects, Kengo Kuma.

Ticket options include a combination ticket with entry to Shibuya Sky, an observation deck at a height of 229 meters located on the top floor of Shibuya Scramble Square Tower, as well as panoramic views all the way to Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Sales of this combo ticket are limited to 10 seats per bus.

Tokyo Restaurant Bus

Tokyo Restaurant Bus

This bus turns the entire city into your restaurant, offering a leisurely meal while viewing the famous sights of Tokyo, including Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, and Ginza. There are lunch and dinner options, with a choice of a seasonal menu of Japanese or European cuisine, and tables for up to 24 or 25 people. The transparent roof can be closed on rainy days, so you can enjoy your trip whatever the weather.

The meals are prepared in the kitchen located on the first floor of the bus and are supervised by the chef from the Michelin-starred “Ginza Onodera.” The lunch course lasts approximately 2.5 hours, while the dinner course lasts around 3 hours.

Tokyo Restaurant Bus provides an unusual sightseeing experience for tourists, but is also a great idea for celebrating a special occasion.

Hato Bus

Hato Bus provides a range of bus tours, including the Tokyo Morning and Tokyo Afternoon tours – half-day tours led by English-speaking guides that explain about Tokyo’s culture and history while visiting the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa.

The morning tour departs at 8.20 am from Shinjuku Station East Exit, or 9 am from Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit. The afternoon tour departs at 2 pm from Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit.

The “Tokyo Panorama Drive” is led by Japanese speaking guides, but also provides automated guidance in eight languages including English. This tour lasts over an hour and takes in a variety of sights including the National Diet Building, Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba and Toyosu, Tsukiji, Kabuki-za and Ginza, but note that this is not a hop-on hop-off tour.

Learn more