Japan Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

(7 reviews)

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.

Takashi M.

(7 reviews)

Hi, my name is Takashi!! When I go abroad, I think that how nice it would be to have a friend there and hang out together. I want you to feel like you have a friend in Osaka and we can go around and explore the city. I was born and grew up in Japan. And I speak English, Spanish and Japanese. I can be the perfect guide for you.

Yoko M.

4.67 / 5

(6 reviews)

Hello. I'm Yoko Miyake. Please call me Yoko. I'm a licensed guide. I love travelling. I have visited all the prefectures in Japan. Though Japan has many good places to visit, I hope many foreign travellers will visit my hometown Kurashiki and enjoy their stay there. Because I was born in Kurashiki, and I have lived there since then, I know a lot about Kurashiki. Of course I can show you other good places in Okayama Prefecture and near Okayama Prefecture.

Kazue I.

(13 reviews)

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!

Mika S.

(1 reviews)

My name is Mika, a local guide living in Takamatsu city. I have been an English teacher, but the Setouchi International Art Festival awakened me to the joy of guiding. The more I learn about the Seto Inland Sea region, the more I am impressed by its life, history, architecture and art works. So, I would like to show you the spectacular scenery that you may have missed in guidebooks alone, and the sights that have yet to be introduced in guidebooks. In Kagawa Prefecture, island tours are also very popular, such as Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima, which are sacred places for contemporary art, and I think you can better understand the connection between the history of the islands and art by touring with a guide. Of course, I would also like to introduce fresh harvest from the Seto Inland Sea, delicious local food, and shopping for folk crafts in the Takamatsu shopping arcade, which will satisfy you fully as a highlight of your journey.

Arnold H.

4.94 / 5

(31 reviews)

Hi, my name is Arnold and I love meeting new people. I have been living in Tokyo for over 9 years and I believe I know the place well enough to provide a fun tour. It will be my pleasure to help you enjoy your stay in Japan. I can speak English, Chinese and Japanese, so feel free to talk to me in any language that you feel comfortable with. I was once a tourist myself, so I believe I can provide the best tour experience from a tourist's perspective. Let me know your interests and I will make the best tour for you. Hope to see you soon! 嗨，我的名字是阿諾，我喜歡結識新朋友。我在東京生活了9年多，我相信我足以提供您一個有趣的日本之旅。我很樂意幫助您享受在日本的旅遊，所以如果有任何需求請盡量告訴我。我會說英語，中文和日語，所以請隨意用任何你覺得舒服的語言與我交談。作為一個生活在日本的外國人，我自己也曾經是一名遊客，所以我相信我可以從遊客的角度提供最好的旅遊體驗。請讓我知道您的興趣，我會為您規劃最好的行程。希望能與您早日見面！

Yoji K.

(16 reviews)

Hello, I'm Yoji, based in Kanazawa. I spent my formative years in Kanazawa and pursued my master's degree in the United States. Having lived in Washington D.C. and California for six years, I then resided and worked in China and various Southeast Asian countries. My passion lies in exploring new destinations and connecting with people worldwide. Now, it's my turn to extend the same hospitality I've received to you. I specialize in crafting personalized tours tailored to your interests and preferences. If you're a food enthusiast, you've come to the right place. For those seeking to delve into Japan's rich history and culture, I highly recommend joining my full-day tour in Kanazawa. Additionally, I offer tours to Shirakawago and Takayama. Let's embark on an unforgettable journey together.

Tateo U.

4.98 / 5

(62 reviews)

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My name is Tateo. I am officially registerd English tour guide and introducing about Okinawa's history,culture, and nature.I am elderly person but have gone through lots of expericences that happened during US occupation after WW2. For the example, change of monetary system(US dollar to Yen),Change of traffic regulation(driving vehicle from right to left).The reversion of Okinawa to main land Japan was biggest historical event.The US administered Okinawa for 27 years. As a result, thing were Americanized in many aspects. Historically, Okinawa was once independent nation until 1872.During Kingdum era, Okinawa actively traded with China, South Asia Countries, Korea, and Japan. In the end, our culture is quite differ much from main land Japan. For instance, architectural technique, daily customs, and culture are also unique. Okinawa is the only prefecture belong to subtropical climate zone. Even winter time, it's neither hot nor cold. People can enjoy marine sport all through the year.Canoeing, Kayaking, Diving, and Snorkeling are popular. Besides, beatiful white sand beaches and attractive coastline are abundant. Green sea water and blue sky have been lured people from all over the world. Traditional music and dance are worth seeing. Please visit Okinawa and enjoy extraordinary trip. I will be looking forward to seeing you soon.

New Japan Tour Guides

Ali G.

As a foreigner resident of Kanazawa , where I have spent a number of years living, I offer tours of the city's well-known landmarks and historical sites. I have worked in Pakistan and Dubai in similar capacities.In addition, I received my master's degree from Peshawar University.I like difficult travel locations with lots of adventure.interested in history, customs, environment, wildlife, and landscapes. My ultimate travel goal and reward has always been meeting different kind of people internationally.

Kazuyoshi M.

I am a guide working mainly in Osaka and Kyoto. I can provide travel guidance to places where foreigners do not usually go. I can also guide you to places popular among foreigners if you want to visit them. I have lived in Osaka for 7 years, so I am a specialist in sightseeing in Osaka. I can also guide sightseeing in Kyoto, as it is my favorite city to visit. I look forward to having an enjoyable trip with you.

Shonosuke S.

Hi! I'm Sho! I live in the center of Nagasaki city and work as a YouTuber, podcaster, and tour guide specializing in sharing the charms of Nagasaki. Actually, I was born and raised in Yokohama, near Tokyo, and worked for about 5 years in Tokyo. However, I fell in love with the culture and history of Nagasaki and moved here in 2020. Nagasaki has a rich history of international exchange and friendship, established about 450 years ago as an international trading port in Japan. Since then, many people from all over the world with diverse cultures and values have visited this city. I love these stories and histories of Nagasaki. Nagasaki is often associated with the sad history of the atomic bomb, which is, of course, an important part of this city's history, but Nagasaki has much more than that. I'm looking forward to introducing you to the many charms of Nagasaki!

Sayori H.

Hello, I can show you the real Japan. You can taste, see and feel the country. I'd like to show the beautiful culture for you to experience. I can organize the day tour from Shimizu port for Cruise customers. Tea ceremony, strawberry picking experience, anything you are interested, I would love to help you plan your tour. I can communicate in both English and Japanese. I look forward to welcoming people from different parts of the world. Thank you

Dan C.

Hi I’m a friendly Australian living in Japan for 20 years. I love this country and still now love to travel and find more wonderful places to visit here. I also want new travelers to experience the country the way I do.

Ed J.

4.75 / 5

(4 reviews)

Long term Tokyo resident I have been exploring the backstreets of Tokyo and the surrounding areas for more than 15 years. I can speak and read Japanese, so I am in a unique position to offer you an insight as to what makes things tick! I love history, culture and particularly old downtown tokyo areas away from the neon signs and crowds of people. Let me help you find a more interesting and real Tokyo for you! : )

Karolina Y.

Greetings! My name is Karolina. Originally from Poland, I have been living in Japan for over 5 years and this is my home and my roots now. I am very passionate about sharing my knowledge of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture and our region, because I believe that it’s very much worth a visit. We have many well known historic places and also lots of hidden gems for you to find! I am fascinated by our region’s history and always love to learn more. If you fancy some interesting stories about the past while walking through the old city, be my guest! My other passion is delicious food. If you’re also a Japanese cuisine enthusiast, I will be thrilled to show you around Kanazawa’s tastiest places! Can’t miss a dessert later, am I right? ;) I am looking forward to showing you the best of Kanazawa!

Minori U.

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Hello I'm Minori. Kyoto is a popular destination so you might look for deeper place of it. My area is Yamashina, where you pass when traveling Shiga. It has beautiful mountains and water, also its temples and shrines are less crowded. It's a good place for those who have visited famous sites already. I used to work at travel agency so I had chances to company a group tour with a guide and it was an amazing experience that I could see people actually having a fun. I also worked in a hotel and learned how important hospitality is to make guests feel comfortable. I teach kids English so I would like to show them how rewarding and proud it is to show people around our beautiful countries, and English would be helpful in many ways. Let’s go and see beautiful Kyoto and experience some of the best attractions here with me!

Popular Japan Private Tours

Personalized Tokyo Journey

This is a customized tour that is designed based on your interests. Before you book me, let me know about you, your age, things you like, your interests etc.. If there is somewhere you want to visit in the city, or something you want to do, please let me know. Let's make your journey memorable one together.

Tokyo tour à la carte

This tour covers my favorite places in Tokyo.You can choose three places from the list of more than 30 places in Tokyo, classified as Temple&Shrine, Garden, Shopping, Observatory, Museum, Experience, and Others.

1 day special customized tour in Kyoto

Kyoto has many beautiful places to visit. I especially would like to take you to the most exciting spots in Kyoto in 1 day. Please pick a few of the options from the following sightseeing places and I will take you as many places as possible at a reasonable price.

Efficient One Day Tokyo Tour

Efficiently visiting various popular sightseeing spots in central Tokyo like Buddhism temple, Shinto shrine, palace, park, market and entertainment district by using public transportation. Schedule of this tour is flexible. Below itinerary is a standard sample. It is possible to change the place to visit by requests of tourists.

Tokyo Must-See Places One-Day Tour

You can make your own itinerary as you like. Tokyo has many interesting and beautiful places. You can select 5 to 6 places out of these. I can show you around Tokyo as much as possible. By using Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket, you can visit anywhere you want. Also, you can learn about Japanese history, culture and lifestyle. And of course, you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisines, such as Sushi, Soba, Tempura, Ramen and more.

My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour

This tour is designed for those who would like to visit major scenic sites in Kyoto and off-the-beaten spots as well in a single day. The route is the one that has been favored and admired by many of my guests for the past few years. The itinerary mainly consists of three areas; Kitayama, Arashiyama and Fushimi areas. You will surely have unforgettable memories through the tour with me.

Tokyo Up-to-You Tour

I recommend ending up the day with the night view of the Rainbow Bridge and the Tokyo Bay, the most beautiful night view in Tokyo I would like you to see. We will visit the spots you would like to in Tokyo.I will make an itinerary based on your choices and requests. (The popular highlights will be Meiji Jingu Shrine, East Gardens and Asakusa with Nakamise Souvenir Shopping Streets.) Sightseeing spots in Tokyo is widely spread, so I guess we can only visit three or four spots a day.

Customized tour around the must-see places

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Have a tour around the amazing and interesting must-see places in Tokyo ! I would like to help you with planing and coordinating the tour in accordance with your requests. What you should do is just to make a list of the places that you wanted to visit and you could have an amazing day with me. Just click that button and I'd be more than happy to help you.

New Japan Private Tours

The best trip with me in Osaka

Osaka

12:00 meet me Shinsaibasi or Umeda in Osaka We have lunch Osaka food together. Takoyaki or etc... 13:00 We gonna go to Osaka castle. 15:00 We gonna go to Nakazakicho. You can relax from your trip by walking through the streets of Osaka's cafes and enjoying coffee and sweet treats! 16:00 We gonna go to Numba Depa Basement. It is rarely visited by foreigners. You can also buy souvenirs. 17:30 We gonna go to Dotonbori. You can take some photos. 18:30 We'll give you dinner recommendations.

FROM$130/ per group

Kazuyoshi M.

BELISSIMA KYOTO Giro Citta'

Kyoto era l'antica capitale 1200 anni fa, e' veramente bella e affascinante. Vi portera' in alcuni dei luoghi piu' belli e famosi di Kyoto. Il giro citta' e' solo voi, posso farlo come volete.

FROM$344/ per group

Reiko N.

Half day trip of Kanazawa

Kanazawa

4 hours

Half day tour (4hours) This itnerary is just a suggestion you can ulter it by your own choice. This tour will cover four main tourists destination, which are as follow: Kenrokuen park. Kanazawa castle. 21 century museum. Kimono dying museum. Historical shop of ceramics . Gold leaf ice cream . Meeting time can be morning or afternoon .

FROM$156/ per group

Ali G.

Toyokawa Inari Plan

Aichi

5 hours

Toyokawa is located in Aichi near Shizuoka prefecuture. It is famous for Toyokawa inari which is kind of "FOX shrine" If you can go there, I belive you can make your wish come true by the Budda. Besides, you will paint your own fox mask, eat local food, buy some souveniors. I highly recommend you should come here.

FROM$195/ per group

Misa H.

Kanazawa Full day Walking Tour

Kanazawa

We will cover the most attractive tourism spots of kanazawa while talking about history and arts . Following places will be visited , Nagamachi Samurai District, Kenroku-en Garden, Kimono dying Ceramics shops Higashi Chaya District. Gold leaf Museum Some temples & shrines . This is a personalized tour for you. Thus, you have the option to modify the tour's destination at any time.Tour direction will also depends on the location of meeting point.

FROM$227/ per group

Ali G.

Shopping tour at Japanese supermarket, second hand shop stores

Aichi

3 hours

Let's got to Japanese super markets and second hand shops around Nagoya. If you have curious destinations, please let me know. Nagoya has japanse comic stores, super market, traditional Japanese sweets, Pokemon center.

FROM$130/ per group

Misa H.

Nara ～truly the must-see place in Japan～

Nara

5 hours

Nara Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.

One-Day Nagasaki Tour: Peace Memorials and Hidden Gems

Nagasaki

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Let's enjoy a one-day tour in Nagasaki! First, we will visit some must-see spots such as the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Hypocenter, and Peace Park. After that, I'll show you some hidden gems around Nagasaki! This tour is highly flexible, especially after lunch. Are you interested in food, cafe hopping, shopping, museums, scenic views, or maybe hidden gems? Let me know your interests or any specific requests :)

FROM$292/ per group

Shonosuke S.

Popular Japan Private Cars

Mt. Fuji private customize tour with luxury van

Mount Fuji

9 hours

Our drivers have extensive geographic knowledge of Mt. Fuji. Starting from Tokyo, we provide high-end exclusive chartered car reservation services for VIPs visiting Mt. Fuji individually or in groups. According to the time and requirements of VIPs, we provide professional Mt. Fuji customized tour services, allowing tourists to travel easily and comfortably.

FROM$537/ per group

Private Transfer from/to Haneda Airport（1-4pax.）

1 hour 30 min

Arrange charter cars to pick up VIPs from or to Haneda airports When picking you up from or to Haneda airport, your exclusive driver will wait for you at the arrival gate or a designated place.

FROM$130/ per group

Tokyo private customize tour with luxury van(1-5pax.)

9 hours

Our drivers have a wealth of geographic knowledge of Tokyo. With Tokyo at the center, provide high-end exclusive charter car reservation service for VIPs travelling as individual tourists or in groups across Tokyo. According to the time and requirements of VIPs, provide professional customized travel services for tourists to travel easily and freely.

FROM$442/ per group

Private Transfer between Narita Airport and hotel in Tokyo

Narita

1 hour 30 min

This is a private van transfer service between Narita Airport and your hotel in Tokyo. Our van can accommodate a group of up to 12 people and our service is available for 24h. If you are looking for a convenient charter service for your tour group, this is the right choice!

FROM$246/ per group

Mt. Fuji sightseeing with a private chartered van (1-12pax)

Mount Fuji

10 hours

You can plan to visit several places around Mt. Fuji within a limited time with our van. Our commuter can accommodate a group of up to 12 people and our service is available for 24h!

FROM$648/ per group

Tokyo sightseeing with a private van (1-12pax)

You can plan to visit several places in the central Tokyo within a limited time with our van. Our commuter can accommodate a group of up to 12 people and our service is available for 24h!

FROM$519/ per group

Kyoto sightseeing with a private chartered van (1-12pax)

You can plan to visit several places around Kyoto within a limited time with our van. Our commuter can accommodate a group of up to 12 people and our service is available for 24h!

FROM$551/ per group

Private Transfer from/to Narita Airport（1-9pax.）

2 hours

Arrange charter cars to pick up VIPs from or to Narita airport When picking you up from or to Narita airport, your exclusive driver will wait for you at the arrival gate or a designated place.

FROM$235/ per group

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Japan Tour Reviews

Savannah P.

5 / 5

Apr 16, 2024

Personalized Tokyo Journey

Apr 16, 2024

“Tokyo History and Food with Akira”

We had a great trip to the Tsujiki fish market where we tried fresh and fatty tuna sashimi and then a sake flight where we learned about the new styles of sake trending. Lunch was a delicious bowl of wavy noodle ramen. Then to Asakusa where we saw a Buddhist and Shinto temple and learned about their history. Akira is a great guide and a friendly person who we enjoyed spending the day with.

Harry K.

5 / 5

Apr 16, 2024

Customized tour in Kyoto

Customized

Apr 16, 2024

“Guide for Japan”

We had a wonderful experience with Yasu, was on time and had a lovely kind ,gentle manner. Adapted our tour to accommodate our needs , with our disabled daughter in a wheelchair. He shared his knowledge with us and took us to the most beautiful places we would not have found without him. An excellent guide who we would highly recommend.

Yasuhisa K.

(14 reviews)

Patsy&Harry I am also very happy to know that you enjoy the tour. It was thrilling end of the tour.isn't it ? Hoping you continue to have nice days in Japan! Yasu

Sandy S.

5 / 5

Apr 16, 2024

Wonderful Japanese Gardens in Tokyo

Apr 16, 2024

“Kanazawa Gardens, Samurai and Geisha districts”

Yoji-san showed around, spoke excellent English, was knowledgeable,very friendly and very experienced. We would recommend him very highly. Our first trip to Kanazawa and Japan but our 3rd Go With Guide experience and Yoji is very good and also great value. Thank you.

Yuki K.

(348 reviews)

Dear Sandy, Thank you for your review of my Garden tour in Tokyo. We visited Happo-en Garden, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden in the morning. We planned to visit Kiyosumi Garden in the afternoon but I took you to Chidorigafuchi Moat for cherry blossoms. Thank you for taking my tour, Yuki

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