FAQ

You can book available experiences directly through our official website. Simply choose your preferred experience, date, time, and number of participants, then follow the booking steps to complete your reservation.
For private groups, special requests, or customized arrangements, please contact us through our inquiry form before booking.

If an available time slot is displayed on our booking page, you may book it online.
Availability can change quickly, especially for same-day bookings, so we recommend booking in advance whenever possible. If your preferred time is not shown, please contact us and we will let you know whether an arrangement is possible.

Online payments are processed securely through Stripe.
We currently accept major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover.

Unless otherwise stated on the individual experience page, our standard cancellation policy is:
24 hours or more before the scheduled start time: Free cancellation with a 100% refund.
Less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time: A cancellation fee of 100% of the experience price applies.
All cancellation deadlines are based on Japan Standard Time (JST).
Please check the cancellation conditions displayed on the relevant experience page and during the booking process before confirming your reservation.
For bookings made through an OTA, travel agency, or other third-party booking channel, the cancellation policy shown by that booking channel will apply.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you would like to change your date, time, or number of participants.
We will do our best to accommodate your request, but changes are subject to availability and the conditions applicable to your booking.

SMILING TOKYO offers authentic, hands-on experiences that connect travelers with the food, culture, people, and stories of Tokyo.
Our experiences include sushi and bento making in Tsukiji, a Tsukiji Market food culture tour combined with sushi making, and cultural experiences such as an intimate geisha experience in Shibuya.

Our sushi-making experiences are designed for complete beginners. Friendly English-speaking instructors will guide you step by step, including how to use Japanese tools, prepare sushi, and arrange your own sushi bento.
Our goal is for the experience to be enjoyable whether this is your first time making sushi or you already love Japanese food.

The duration depends on the experience.
Our Sushi & Bento Making Class takes approximately 60 minutes, while our Tsukiji Market Food Culture Tour & Sushi Making Class takes approximately 2 hours. Other cultural experiences have different durations.
Please check the individual experience page for the exact schedule.

Yes. Our experiences for international travelers are primarily conducted in English.
Our instructors and guides are accustomed to welcoming guests from around the world, and our hands-on activities are designed to be easy to follow even if English is not your first language.

Yes. Many of our experiences are designed to be enjoyable for families and children.
Our Tsukiji sushi-making experiences are beginner-friendly, and younger guests can participate with appropriate support from an accompanying adult when needed.
Age requirements or child pricing may vary by experience, so please check the individual experience page when booking.

Our Tsukiji sushi-making experiences take place in the heart of Tsukiji Market, Tokyo, while other experiences may take place in different neighborhoods such as Shibuya.
The exact meeting point and access information for your experience will be shown on the relevant experience page and in your booking confirmation.
Please always check your confirmation before traveling to the meeting point.

Please tell us about any food allergies or dietary requirements before your experience.
We will do our best to accommodate requests such as vegetarian or vegan or halal　requirements where possible, but we cannot guarantee that every request can be accommodated. Same-day requests may not be possible.
If you have a severe food allergy or another requirement that may affect your safety, please contact us before booking so that we can confirm whether the experience can be safely accommodated.
Kosher meals are currently not available for our Tsukiji sushi-making experience.

Accessibility varies by experience and venue.
Our current Tsukiji sushi-making experiences are listed as wheelchair and stroller accessible. If you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, or require any other assistance, we recommend contacting us before booking so that we can confirm the arrangements for your specific experience.

Please allow plenty of time to reach the meeting point and aim to arrive before the scheduled start time.
Some experiences, especially guided walking tours, must depart on time. Late arrivals may not be able to join and may not be eligible for a refund.
Please check the specific conditions shown on your experience page and booking confirmation.

For most experiences, no special equipment is required.
For a Tsukiji Market walking tour, we recommend comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Some market shops may accept cash only, so carrying a small amount of Japanese yen can also be useful if you would like to shop during the tour.
For cultural experiences held in private or traditional venues, please follow any specific instructions shown on the experience page.

In general, we want you to enjoy and remember your experience, and photography is welcome where permitted.
However, some market shops, private venues, and cultural spaces have photography restrictions. Please follow the instructions of your guide or instructor.
For certain cultural experiences, dedicated photo opportunities may be provided.
When SMILING TOKYO takes photographs or videos of guests for use on our website, social media, or promotional materials, we will obtain your permission before using identifiable images of you.

Yes. Private and customized arrangements may be available for families, couples, honeymooners, groups, corporate events, and special occasions.
Depending on the experience, we can discuss private tours, exclusive sessions, group arrangements, or other customized requests.
Please contact us with your preferred date, group size, budget, and any special requirements so that we can discuss the best option for you.

Yes. SMILING TOKYO welcomes partnerships with travel agencies, DMCs, tour operators, hotels, professional guides, and other travel-industry partners in Japan and overseas.
We can discuss FIT bookings, private groups, customized programs, and other arrangements based on your clients' needs.
SMILING TOKYO provides its own experiences. Transportation and accommodation arrangements are not included in our services.
Travel professionals can contact us through our dedicated For Travel Agencies inquiry form with information such as the preferred date, group size, client nationality, travel purpose, approximate budget, and any special requests.