Japan Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

(8 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.

(8 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.

Yoji K.

(17 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.

Kazue I.

(14 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!

Tateo U.

4.98 / 5

(63 reviews)

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.

Grant A.

(5 reviews)

My name is Grant I lived more than 10 years in Japan. I graduated University and translation school in Tokyo. I am fluent in Japanese. I have a degree in Asian studies and have expert-level knowledge of Japanese culture and history. I have memorized the JR rail system across all of Japan, I use the same train timetable calculators as the station staff, and I have experience using bullet train passes that are exclusive to foreign visitors. I can optimally navigate the Tokyo underground and maximize value from a Tokyo metro pass and also understand Tokyo above ground which will allow for seamless transitions between different metro stations and landmarks with minimal backtracking. My tour fee is 20,000yen for 1-6hours (135.28USD) 30,000yen for 7-9hours (202.93USD) 40,000yen for 9-12hours (270.57USD) I have half-day tours listed at 20,000 yen (135.28USD) at the moment but you can combine them or do a custom tour for roughly up to 9 hours for 30,000 yen (202.93USD). The time transiting to and from your hotel for pick up or drop off within Tokyo 23wards does not count towards an increase in the price.

Kazumi M.

4.98 / 5

(82 reviews)

Hi everyone. I'm Kazumi. I am a qualified tour guide.I have been guiding Hiroshima since 2010. Through guiding Hiroshima, I can give my guests my knowledge of this area and Japanese culture. At the same time, I can learn their understanding of Japan and the differences between our culture and theirs, which is very interesting. I also believe that meeting with local people is the best way to know the area. I was born and grew up in Hiroshima. I am very happy to give you wonderful time and memories in Hiroshima. I am really looking forward to hearing from you.

Haru G.

(4 reviews)

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Thank you for your interest in choosing me as your guide! I will be your friend in Kanazawa, a city with rich culture and history, modern and old co-exist. I'm originally from Ishikawa Prefecture where Kanazawa is the capital. In the past, I lived in New York for many years. After coming back to Japan, I have worked in the travel industry for a decade and learned a lot about inbound travelers. I also obtained my guide license in 2017 while I was working for successful inbound travel agencies. Living abroad and promoting Japan as a destination made my love for the country stronger and I'm passionate about sharing it with others. Now I am ready to explore Japan with you!

New Japan Tour Guides

Masayuki I.

My name is Masayuki currently living in Kyoto. Everyone casually calls me Massy. I grew up in a bilingual ( English / Japanese ) background. I am a new entry in here, but I am already very well experienced in hosting and guiding. I was in Canada and U.S. I once took a leading role of an international community as well as being an English teacher. I like to explore things to discover all the hidden beauties and treasures off the beaten path and share with others. I would only show you to the places you really need a guide with no information in English. If you are interested in things truly unique known only to the locals, I am the one. I like to explore in nature and show my footsteps to everyone to discover new hidden ground. It is almost my natural instinct to avoid crowd. I am not into ordinary tourism of Kyoto because I don't want to be another one of them doing the same guide in Kyoto. I am sorry to say that I do not like to visit noisy crowded places like " you-know-what Inari also known as one of the worst attractions in Japan. I will honestly tell you from what time to what time bamboo forest is not as beautiful as you imagine. I want to show you to a true state of sacred and beauty which is unharmed by commercialization. In Kyoto I mostly write about places never been introduced in English. I am not a licensed tour guide interpreter, but I have different field of knowledge to introduce things. I am more of an English-hosting guide without strict business manner. I am a professional in writing introduction pages mainly for north parts of Kyoto in English. I would like to take you to some adventurous tour while I am still active enough to do this. The courses are my own creation since I am the original one to write in English. I am a very open and friendly person who can communicate in English nearly as good as a native speaker. My wife is from Ukraine often assisting me to host my guests.

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.

Norman B.

Good day, everyone! I am Norman. I live in Japan since 2006 and currently residing in Gifu ken. My passions are playing competitive sports and traveling around famous and historical tourist destinations. If you are planning a trip, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’ll be more than happy to assist you especially here in Nagoya, Aichi ken/Gifu ken/Shiga ken and Kyoto. Let’s make your journey unforgettable.

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.

Mamoru I.

I’m a professional radio personality/English instructor/interpreter/translator/tour guide and I’m foodie with drinks, local foods, seasonable ingredients, chefs, casual star restaurants, sake, beer, wine, coffee, cocktails locals popular places with no tourists. I promise to show you, take you to the best place for food and drink, anywhere from local casual to high end. 30years of going out to search places. I can say I’m the best ^_^

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!

Roberto A.

Experience the essence of Kyoto and its captivating culture on my essential walking tour. Immerse yourself in the heart of this beautiful city and gain a profound understanding of its rich heritage. I'm a licensed National Tour Conductor with 26 years living in Japan.

Kaori M.

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Hello,My name is Kaori,I am active communication with everyone. I am able to speak English, however my speaking level is pre-intermediate (LSI at Auckland,NZ).No problem daily communication. I have knowledge some Tokyo sightseeing spot,If you are select me for your tour guide that I always using local train and go to somewhere!! Finally,I studying Travel Industry,in the future I want to start my travel company Thank you for coming my profile!!Enjoy your travel!

Popular Japan Private Tours

Personalized Tokyo Journey

7 hours

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

7 hours

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

Learn Japanese while touring Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya

Learn and use Japanese while seeing Shinjuku National Gardens, Tokyo Metropolitan Building, Harajuku’s Famous Takeshita Dori, Meji Jingu and Yoyogi Park. This is a great tour for kids as we will visit places where they can use Japanese that our guide will teach them while the adults can enjoy the above mentioned famous Tokyo sights. We will also make a “kid’s pack” with Japanese candies and treats and also a postcard with the Japanese phrases that we will use.

Nakano Otaku WALK: Exploring Hidden Gems and Local Flavors

2 hours 30 min

This tour offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in Nakano Broadway's anime culture while discovering the charms of the local area. At Nakano Broadway, you'll browse through anime merchandise and related goods, soaking in the essence of Japanese pop culture. Additionally, you can delight in delicious food and interesting finds at local chic cafes and souvenir shops. Experience the diverse allure of Nakano on this walking tour and uncover new perspectives on Japanese culture!

Cruise ship excursion to Osaka 7 hours

Tokyo 4hour tour with government licensed guide

4 hours

About Tokyo 4hours tour , you can choose three or four spots as below. Meiji jingu shrine Takeshita street Shibuya closing Imperial Palace Tokyo tower Ueno Asakusa If you have any requests please tell me.

FROM$145/ per person

Masatoshi K.

Walking Tour of Kiyotaki to Takao ( hidden course of Kyoto from Arashiyama to north )

6 hours 20 min

This is a guide course of visiting Takao from north part of Arashiyama through Toriimoto and Kiyotaki. We'll start from walking through an area with a historical landscape before heading toward mountainous area to walk on a riverside trail. It is a beautiful combination of history and nature.

FROM$291/ per group

Masayuki I.

Hozukyo Walking Guide Tour to Mizuo ( hidden course of Kyoto north-west of Arashiyama )

This is a guide course of visiting Mizuo from north part of Arashiyama through Toriimoto and Kiyotaki. This is the most high-end English guided tour I have. You will have a very unique experience that no others have the same because I am the only one and the very first person who wrote detailed information of this area in English. Even many locals living in Kyoto do not know of this way of visiting Mizuo from a trail. This is a beautiful trail goes along river of Kiyotaki and Hozukyo.

FROM$388/ per group

Masayuki I.

Let's visit famous places in Kyoto together!

Firstly, we visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. If you walk through in the countless Trii-gates in the late evening , you must be feeling getting into a mysterious world. Sanjyu-sangendo temple where you can see the magnificient main statue and one thousand life sized Kannon statues. Every people says " I'ts amazing !" Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are full of delicious food. Kiyomizudera-temple is one of the most oldest and famous temples in Kyoto. About 5mllion tourists visit this temple every year !

FROM$194/ per group

Kazuyoshi M.

Toriimoto walking tour & secret waterfall ( hidden course of Kyoto north of Arashiyama )

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We will take a walking tour of northern part of Arashiyama district called Toriimoto which has a historical landscape. This tour involves a small hiking to visit a sacred training ground of Buddhism where monks practice Takigyo which is a practice of meditation to stand under a waterfall. We'll also make a stop at a real hidden spot even many locals do not know of.

FROM$239/ per group

Masayuki I.

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$535/ 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$129/ 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$440/ 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$245/ 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$234/ 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$646/ 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$517/ 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$549/ per group

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Japan Tour Reviews

Aixalis B.

5 / 5

Apr 23, 2024

☆Tokyo 1-day Sightseeing tour with Maru ☆

Apr 23, 2024

“Maru - an excellent tour guide”

We were visiting Japan for the first time and were quite nervous about visiting when we didn’t know the language or how to get around the area (outside of Tokyo). Maru was an excellent tour guide. She asked questions at first to get to know our likes and interests and helped us get set up so we could easily access the train system. She is funny and kind. We walked a lot!!! And weaved into traditional and modern hot spots for Japan. She helped us understand cultural significance in the spots we visited. We had a very enjoyable time in large part thanks to Maru. We hired her for one full day and two 1/2 days which was the perfect balance.

Julie S.

5 / 5

Apr 23, 2024

A One-Day Tokyo Tour

7 hours

Apr 23, 2024

“Tokyo Highlights”

We had a great day with Junichi, who showed us all the highlights and certainly knows his way around Tokyo and the subway system. Even though it rained, we had a great day!

Robert E.

5 / 5

Apr 23, 2024

Asakusa & Ueno Half-Day Tour

4 hours

Apr 23, 2024

“Smoothly Organized and Informative ”

Four of us were accompanied by Dai for four hours that went by very quickly. Dai explained the sights on the itinerary, their history and relevance in a clear way. He led us through the subway system and explained how to use the ticket vending machines. He recommended restaurants in the area of our hotel and we made use of the information, to much delight. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dai to any of our friends.

Dai A.

(225 reviews)

Thank you so much for a thoughtful review, Robert. It was really nice meeting you guys. I had a pleasant time with four of you. I was actually surprised and really happy that you and your wife knew a lot of Japanese culture. I believe you could enjoy your cruise trip and stays in Japan. I hope you will come back to Japan again in the future and visit other beautiful cities as well. Please take good care of yourself and give my best regards to your wonderful family and friends. Thanks a million!!!

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