Anthony C.
“Quick birding trip to Amami”
Great guide, very knowledgeable and great company. Would highly recommend for birds or general natural history.
Eiji K.
Thank you for coming to the tour, Anthony. Happy to hear that you enjoyed it. I also enjoyed birding with you today. Good luck on your trip and birding in the future! Arigato!!
Sage S.
“The Best Guide! ”
You won’t find a better tour guide—Jorge is a tourist’s dream. With his unique and inspiring background, he offers a rare dual perspective: the critical eye of an outsider, and the lived experience, respect, and connections of an insider. Add to that his broad scholarly knowledge and deep curiosity, and you’ve got a guide who can speak insightfully on everything from history to daily life to shopping. From the start, Jorge listened closely to what we wanted and tailored the day to match. He checked in with us throughout, making sure the pace, content, and focus were right. Whatever you're looking for, he can make it happen. Our only regret is that we didn’t hire him to guide (or plan) our entire Kanazawa visit—or our whole trip to Japan. Jorge lived in Shirakawa for three years (so if you’re headed there, don’t even consider anyone else), but he told us his best tour is of Kanazawa. We believe it. We only had one day with him, but he filled it with insight, conversation, flexibility, and generosity. He gave us extra time at both ends, never rushed us, and shared knowledge that went far beyond the typical tour script. He truly went above and beyond in every way! Make the most of your time in Japan: hire Jorge. You won’t regret it.
Jorge S.
Dear Sage-san, It was a real pleasure bringing you to Shirakawa-go and I am very grateful for your kind words and for choosing my tour! It is of the utmost importance for me to provide all my guests with experiences that suit their needs and wants. That being said, your words warm my heart, especially my knowledge and curiosity that matched your own knowledge and great curiosity! I am a walking nerd and I deeply enjoyed sharing my experiences living in Shirakawa-go and I hope that I will be able to guide you through Kanazawa in the near future and share with you my deep love for this city and its inhabitants!
Jolie K.
“Wakayama Tour - Castle and Meet the Cat Stationmasters”
We had an amazing time on our Wakayama tour with Shuji! We told him what we wanted to see, and our dietary needs, and Shuji came up with the perfect itinerary for our day including a stop for lunch where we enjoyed excellent food suited to our requests. He is very kind and knowledgeable of the places we visited. He went above and beyond to make good use of our time and to make us as comfortable as possible, considering the very hot weather we experienced. What really brought us to Wakayama was to see the cat stationmasters and ride the Tama trains of the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishigawa Line. We had a wonderful time visiting, seeing the cats, and riding the different themed trains. Thank you Shuji for an unforgettable experience, and for the great photos we have to remember that very special day!
Shuji O.
Thank you so much for your amazing review! I usually like dogs, but I had fun at the cat stationmaster Tama's amazing stations and railways. It was an unforgettable experience for me too. I felt as if I were in a fairy tale. Thank you very much for such a wonderful tour!
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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