Alisha N.
“Amazing Anime Experience ”
We had Shinya as our tour guide 5 years ago and had the best time. He was the first person we thought about when we planned this trip for our son who loves Anime and animals. Shinya researched and created the perfect itinerary for him. I highly recommend Shinya!
Danielle W.
“Thank you Hiro!”
We loved Hiro as our guide! Very upbeat and informative. We learned things we would not have known without a local guide. We went by subway, train, bus and taxi to 4 sites. We stopped and enjoyed a wonderful lunch as well. Be prepared to walk quickly, since this is how you will see it all. Thank you for showing us your amazing city. We hope to return!
Joanna F.
“Our expectations were not met”
Keiko is fluent in English and it is easy to understand her. She navigates the Tokyo transportation system with great efficiency. However we got the impression that an 8-hour tour is too long for her. More than a month before arriving to Tokyo we sent Keiko a message with options we selected at her website: she never sent us any itinerary back. Without an itinerary the process to find next steps was rather chaotic. In the Shinjuku area she chose to see an attraction open until 10 pm before an attraction open until 5 pm. We walked 20 min (each way) to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden to discover it is always closed on Mondays. On the first day we finished our tour 90 min earlier visiting only 3 out of 5 attractions. Moreover, Keiko tried to discourage us from visiting all selected places repeatedly insisting that we must be tired, the lines would be too long, the garden is too big, etc. The second day she had a different plan: she wanted to spend as little time at each attraction as possible. So in Sensoji Temple she wanted to leave the area after less than half an hour. When we wanted to visit more than Main Hall she asked us to guide her and had no information to provide. She didn't want to spend any time in Nakamise Street. When I tried to explain what we needed she kept interrupting me and was very argumentative. At the end of the second day in Zojoji Temple she told us to wander while she would sit down waiting for us. So the second day we spent almost 8 hours with Keiko, but she didn't act like our guide for the entire time. Keiko didn't respect our requests: when we proposed to meet at Meiji Jingu Shrine around 8 am to avoid crowds, she insisted we needed to go there after 9:30 because shops at Takeshita Street and Omote-sando Street would be closed before 10am. And it was after I made it very clear: we were not interested in any shopping. When she asked us about lunch preferences and got the answer that I do not like sushi, she still wanted to go to a sushi restaurant.
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.
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