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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

Finding the best tours and activities for your Japan trip

Fidelia Alamsjah

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Fidelia Alamsjah

Last updated : Apr 28, 20225 min read

Travel Tips

Are you looking for guided tours and special activities to do during your Japan trip?

 

You might be overwhelmed with the many options that you would find. After all, there are hundreds of websites that offer similar services!

 

Despite what you might think,

 

...finding the perfect tours and activities for your trip is actually quite simple.

 

In this article, I will discuss the well-known travel websites that would help your search!

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Veltra

This website is quite well-known among solo travelers. Their list of activities and tours in Japan is very impressive. There seems to be something for each of you.

You can find interesting activities that you could only do in Japan on this website.

Be on the lookout for their special deals!

 

Pros:

  • Fast and easy confirmation
  • Vast option for different experiences and tours
  • Interactive website

Cons:

  • Since the tours are provided by other travel companies, the schedules are less flexible
  • Not suitable for big group

 

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Voyagin

Voyagin offers a vast number of guided tours and experiences that one can join.

Here’s another thing,

They also accept reservations for tickets and passes, which would be perfect for independent travelers.

Furthermore, Voyagin is quite well-known for their excellent customer service. You can chat with their friendly staffs at any time on their website if you have any questions.

 

Pros:

  • Book for reservations easily (trains, restaurants, attractions, etc.)
  • Good customer service
  • Tours from both companies and/or professional locals

Cons:

  • Limited to only big cities

 

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Toursbylocals

No one understands the city better than the locals.

As the name suggested, on this website the tours are provided by the locals. This way, you can sometimes customize the tour itinerary to fit your own taste.

Adding to that, your local guide could give you information and show you places that only a local would know.

You can get a more personal and inside look at Japan with the help of locals!

 

Pros:

  • Get an inside view of Japan
  • Some tours are adjustable to your preferences

Cons:

  • Limited choices for activities
  • Limited number of guides
  • Unsuitable for big groups

 

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GoWithGuide

Although this website is still quite new when compared to all the previous websites, there’s one thing that makes them stands out from all the others.

In GoWithGuide, all the tours provided are created by the guides themselves.

 

Which means,...

 

One can directly discuss their specific details with the guides. Travelers can design which destination they want to visit, and have their own one-of-a-kind tour!

Planning to travel with a big group?

No problem! GoWithGuide also provides their services to those who will travel with a bunch of other people.

Whatever your traveling preferences are, you will be able to find something just for you in GoWithGuide.

 

Pros:

  • Flexible itineraries
  • Support tours in various languages
  • Provide services for bigger groups
  • Provide tours in lesser-known spots

Cons:

  • Less available experiences
  • Does not take provide reservations for trains and/or attractions

 

Of course, all the websites that were discussed each have their own unique features. One would need to decide carefully for themselves which one would suit them best.

As for me, since I have been to most of the major travel spots in Japan, I would prefer to go explore new places and find new experiences.

 

However,

 

Exploring places that are located off-the-beaten-path in Japan could be quite difficult, especially if you do not understand the language. A lot of things such in those places are very different from the more well-known spots. For starters, there might not be as many English signs in Yamagata Prefecture compared to Osaka and Tokyo.

 

Considering this fact, I would prefer to get my guide from GoWithGuide since it would make my travel trip easier.

 

On the other hand, it is all up to you which website fits your preferences more. Just make sure that you have considered all your options carefully before you book tours and/or activities for your Japan trip!



Written by Fidelia Alamsjah

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GoWithGuide’s writers are passionate travel specialists sharing unique tips and essential information for global explorers.

Gifu Tour Guide - Akiko W.

Akiko W.

5.00 / 5
(8 reviews)
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Hello! My name is Akiko from Gifu prefecture. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I like going out with my family, talking with my friends over coffee at a cozy cafe, reading books, baking bread and cake when I have time. I passed the national tour guide test in 2017 and have worked as a guide since then. I have guided in Gifu city, Seki city, Takayama city, Shirakawago , Mino city and Nagoya city. I have lived in Gifu for more than forty years. Gifu prefecture is rich in nature so you can enjoy the rural atmosphere. Gifu city has a beautiful river 'Nagara river' and Mt.Kinka which has Gifu castle on the top. You can go up the mountain on foot or use a ropeway. The view from Gifu castle is so fantastic. At the foot of the mountain , there are many places to visit such as parks, a temple having a big image of Buddha, and a street preserving the historic atmosphere. At Nagara River, you can enjoy seeing a traditional way of fishing ‘cormorant fishing’ which is thought to have started 1300 years ago. Many cafes have unique service called 'morning service' in Gifu along with Aichi In the morning (until about ten thirty or eleven) when you order a cup of tea or coffee, they serve toast and salad ! Near Gifu park , you can find a nice Japanese style cafe where you enjoy good coffee and seeing a Japanese style garden. Seki city is a small city but so famous for its cutlery. At Japanese sword museum in Seki, you can see authentic Japanese swords! Mino city next to Seki city is well known for its hand made Japanese paper 'Hon minoshi' designated as intangible cultural asset by UNESCO . Until recently it was not easy to guide guests because of COVID-19 pandemic; however the situation is getting better. Some strict rules about COVID-19 have been lifted. Please visit Gifu. I am looking forward to seeing you. Please feel free to ask me when you need information about Gifu. Thank you for reading my introduction.                                                                                                                                 

Fukuoka Tour Guide - Kazue I.

Kazue I.

5.00 / 5
(19 reviews)
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Hi! I am Kazue. I am from Fukuoka and live in the central city. I spent almost 20 years traveling around the world as a cabin attendant. Meeting different people, different cultures and eating local food were best things in my career. This experience definitely widened my perspective and will help me in some way when I work as a guide. Since I spent half my life outside of Japan, I noticed our culture and traditions are very unique and became more interested in historical sites in Japan. For my personal life, I am a mom of twins. It is still a hard work but I am enjoying a lot with them. We take them around Kyushu whenever possible for their fun and experience. We all love traveling after all. I am looking forward to showing you around our hometown soon!                                                                                                                                  

Shiga Tour Guide - Koichi W.

Koichi W.

4.95 / 5
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Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months. I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems. Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature. I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.                                                                                                                                 

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