Tokyo Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“An incredible insider’s tour with Tim, an insightful “local””

Like I did, you may be thinking “Is an ex-pat the best guide for a tour so steeped in Japanese culture?” The answer, especially in Tim’s case, is yes! What I almost missed was, because of Tim’s western background coupled with his experiences living and raising his family in Japan, he’s able to bridge the two cultures perfectly. He knows what you will find odd or puzzling and, having cracked the code of living in Japan himself, is able to translate what you are seeing to make sense of it all. Want to find the cubby hole of a bar in the Golden Gai where Anthony Bourdain shared a drink with all of us? How about explaining the many quirky “information stands” in the Kabukicho (hint: they have nothing to do with the Japanese predilection to curate data.) Curious about the Tokyo car scene or the childhood challenges of Japanese schools ? Tim’s got you covered. We followed him to some of the most cramped, unique, and definitely authentic places, tasting dishes and drinks based on his excellent recommendations that changed my impression of sake and had us making plans to head back to “memory lane” alley for more of that exquisite sashimi. Don’t make the mistake that I almost made. Definitely book this tour. You’ll be talking about it for years to come with openers like “Did I ever tell you about when I ate at Human Gyoza?”

Tim D.

(55 reviews)

Wow, thank you for such an epic review! It was an absolute blast decoding Tokyo's backstreets, navigating the quirky alleys, and sharing those secret spots with you. Anytime you're ready for another round of sake, sashimi, or gyoza, the backstreets and I will be waiting!

“Dai is part ninja - 10 our of 10”

We spent our first full day in Tokyo with Dai, and he moved us through the city like a ninja. At each stop he'd give a small nod and we were off, flying through stations without a single wasted step. In one day we covered Asakusa and Senso-ji, Akihabara, Meiji Jingu and Harajuku, the Shibuya Scramble, and Shinjuku's tiny alleys at night. On our own, that would have taken us three days. He also taught us the proper way to enter a temple and pray, and he shared history at every stop. It made the sights mean so much more than just photos. He's a fun person to spend a day with, too. He's traveled to almost every country on Earth and has only about 20 left! If it's your first time in Tokyo, book Dai. You'll see more and understand more than you ever could on your own.

“First day in Tokyo a winner”

We had a very pleasant first day in Tokyo with Takako she had a well planned itinerary and explained the history behind some of the gardens and temples. She met us at our residence and helped us manage the train system. We were pros after our day with her. Thank you Takako.