Japan Private Tours

“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!

“Osaka Day-Tour with Leo”

It was a fantastic day filled with special places, great food, and lovely conversations. Leo took us to a temple and a shrine, where he taught us about the proper etiquette for praying and explained the local traditions and customs. Afterwards, we tried some local food that we probably wouldn’t have chosen on our own — and it was absolutely delicious! We then went on a little shopping tour and souvenir hunt, where Leo helped us find exactly what we were looking for. He is a friendly, open-minded, and knowledgeable guide who speaks English very well. Great tour, great guide — 10/10!

“Awesome guide, great tour!”

Hiro is a great guide. Very personable with excellent English. He was ver fun to spend the day with and knowledgeable of all the sites we visited. AAA+

Hiro K.

(6 reviews)

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I had such a great time with all of you, too! The hiking trails were muddy due to some early snowfall, and the weather was chilly, but we still had a fantastic day exploring Aomori together! My personal highlight was singing a Carpenters song at the steak restaurant! I also loved our conversations during the drives and the unexpected discovery of a pin from your hometown at the secondhand shop. It was heartwarming to see how close you all are as a family, especially as siblings. I must admit, I felt a little envious of your wonderful family bond! Thank you also for the lovely card introducing your family. I really appreciated it. I hope the rest of your journey through Japan is filled with wonderful memories. Thank you again for spending the day with me. I hope our paths cross again someday! Arigato.