Betsy H.
“We enjoyed Nara very much”
Shuji is knowledgeable and made good choices as to what sites we saw. There were problems, however. I had repeatedly told him about my husband's disabilities and he did not allow for these in some cases. It would probably have been better to have a private driver in Nara because there was never a taxi available between sites and we walked far more than was comfortable for my husband.
Dave S.
“Excellent guide and great introduction to Tokyo!”
My wife and I are visiting Tokyo (first time for me), and I wanted to do a private full-day tour to help us get oriented. I researched tour guides on GoWithGuide and elsewhere, and decided to use Tim for our tour. I’m so glad we did! Before the trip, I told Tim what we were looking for, and he proposed a 9-hour itinerary that included visits to Asakusa, Harajuju, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, with lunch, dinner, and drinks. Tim met us at our hotel as scheduled, and we spent a few minutes getting to know each other each other before taking a cab to our first stop in Asakusa. From there we took the subway to each of our other stops. Tim is originally from Canada but has lived in Japan for many years. He’s very personable and knowledgeable, and did a great job explaining the history and significance of the various sites we visited. Tim was always mindful of what we were interested in and we improvised accordingly, for example, by adding in a visit to the observation tower in Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to watch the sunset. The venues Tim chose for lunch, dinner, and drinks were small interesting places that were all great. Our 9-hour tour lasted 11 hours, and Tim probably would have gone longer if we had wanted to. We had a wonderful day with Tim and learned a lot, and highly recommend him to anyone who wants to explore Tokyo. Tim also does a tour that focuses on Tokyo nightlife, and he definitely knows his stuff. Thanks for everything Tim!
Michael R.
“Passionate friend to all!”
My wife and I had a wonderful and memorable experience with Hiromi — she is an amazing tour guide but also much more than that! She gave great context to the market with so much information we would not have heard otherwise, and she is so passionate about Japan and incredibly expressive about it. She was so attentive to us and at the same time friendly with so many people in the market. She loves people, and communicating with people, and it shows! We felt like we made a new friend and we hope she gets to visit us in America some day so we can return the gift she gave to us. We could not recommend her more highly!
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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