“An amazing tour of west Tokyo”
Kahoko led our party through an amazing 7 hour tour of West Tokyo. We could not thank her enough by the end of the day (24,000 steps!). My daughter planned key sites that she thought her 10 year old daughter would appreciate in the Shinjuku district, so we worked with Kahoko to formulate an efficient itinerary for a one day tour. Kahoko has experience in the service industry and is quite comfortable leading adults and children. She spoke clearly and understandably in English, paying attention to our every need, including our 10 year old's, making sure we all felt included and engaged. We met in the Hilton Shinjuku. After she made sure we had all our supplies: a hat, water and suntan lotion, we left for the subway on time. The outside temperature was about 35C (over 95F), with high humidity so we had to be prepared with the right clothing as well. Kahoko brought us ICOCA cards, which are cash cards like SUICA except these have English instructions for reloading money. Getting on and off the subway with these cards is very smooth and efficient. The cards can also be used on trains and in stores, like 7-11. We used over 1000 yen in one day traveling on the subway. Kahoko made us feel very comfortable throughout, herding us into the shade where possible and ensuring we drank enough water. She also watched the clock to keep us on our timetable, with sufficient time to visit each site. She preplanned a Shabu Shabu lunch, which involves cooking thin slices of beef and veggies in a hot pot. Reservations are a must. We hit all the hot spots including Shibuya crossing, Shibuya sky, Shinjuku including the 3D cat billboard, Harajuku, Takeshita street, the statue of Hachiko, the Meiji Jingu shrine and Omotesando street. A few other pointers. Papago is an outstanding app that translates about 20 languages (Japanese too) both in writing and speech. You must bring a garbage bag, toilets are very clean and bring a portable phone charger. Thank you for a great tour, Kahoko!
James R.
Hiroshima & Miyajima One-Day Tour from Osaka
Customized
“Hiroshima and Miyajima Island”
Yuriko guided myself and my son for a one-day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima and then to sacred island of Miyajima. She is a wonderful guide. Knowledgeable, well organized and good company. Would happily recommend her to anyone thinking about a guide.
Yuriko S.
(51 reviews)Thank you for using your precious time in order to post such a good review and comments! I'm so happy to hear that you and your son enjoyed Hiroshima and Miyajima. I also had a wonderful day with both of you. Please come to Japan again, maybe next destination would be Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture. If so, please drop in my hometown, Gifu! Gifu has lots of sightseeing spots, such as swordsmith town, Seki City, beautiful and nostalgic castle town, Gujo-hachiman and Takayama, and World Heritage Site, Shirakawago. See you again! Yuriko
“A wonderful forest hike with great company ”
A fantastic walk through an area that without Kanae you couldn’t comfortable navigate yourself without experience or knowledge of the area. Kanae was very supportive during the walk, offering cold drinks and towels due to the very hot September weather. She also went out of her way to begin the tour earlier than planned so we could better avoid the hot mid-day. Kanae also accompanied us to a nice café after the walk for some well-needed refreshments, then took us to her son’s favourite ramen bar which is certainly now my favourite too. The hike itself wasn’t too physically challenging provided you have even some basic hiking activity under your belt. The heat was rough, but Kanae’s preparation was invaluable. The iced lychee salt drinks she brought were delicious. She patiently waited with us whilst we enjoyed the many great views and sights or took quick breathers. Thank you for a great hike Kanae!
Kanae O.
(16 reviews)Tom, thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the walk despite the severe heat. I’m happy we could start earlier to avoid the midday heat and that you enjoyed the café stop and my son’s favorite ramen place—it's wonderful to hear it’s now a favorite of yours too! You all handled the hike so well, even in the less-than-ideal heat It was truly a memorable day, and I appreciate your kind words. I hope to see you again for another adventure in Kyoto!
Uncover Japan’s secrets and gain travel knowledge with a local private tour guide. Unlock hidden gems, cultural immersion, and an unforgettable journey.
With a tour guide, you can get to the good stuff, like the ethereal Tottori Sand Dunes and quaint Kinosaki Onsen. From enjoying bespoke traditional ryokans, to navigating the busy streets of Osaka, a tailored journey through Japan’s wonders only gets better with a local expert leading the way.
Beyond the big ticket destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, getting a personalized itinerary transforms a simple tour into lifelong memories. Customized by a local guide, your itinerary can feature lesser known sites like the Shikisai-no-Oka flower fields, where stunning panoramic views of colorful flowers await.
Yes. Local private tour guides in Japan provide comfort, convenience, information, and organization, especially in a culturally and geographically diverse country.
A Japan tour guide enhances your trip by;
Still undecided? This article might interest you: Hiring A Guide In Japan: Pros & Cons.
March to May and September to November are the best times to visit Japan because the weather is warm but not blazing and cool but not freezing.
Of course, March to May is Sakura season, so tourism is high during this time. To escape the crowds, try traveling from December to February. June to August is hot and moist, and May to June is rainy.
Need a full weather breakdown? Check out our Japan Tourism Statistics 2023.
Depending on your destination, Japan tour guides can be hired from 98 USD per group for a Kyoto Highlights Tour to upwards of 397 USD per group for a Customized Tokyo Experience. GoWithGuide's prices vary according to perks, venues, experiences, and included services. Head to the Japan Private Tours page to see our range of private tour costs.
Tokyo is the number one choice for first-time travelers to Japan. It combines the best elements from the 4 major islands (Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu) into one melting pot of culture and creativity. With so much variety, you'll find The Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Ginza Shopping District, and Yomiuriland all in one city.
Tokyo also serves as a base for those who want to travel to nearby destinations like;
Helpful Article: 5 Relaxing Day Trips From Tokyo You Have To Try
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Japan Tourism Statistics for a full breakdown of dos & don'ts, potential destinations, travel trends, weather statistics, and much more.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
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