Japan Private Tours

“Took excellent care of my parents on a short stopover tour”

My parents had a short (~8 hours) evening stop in Tokyo in the middle of a 28-hour flight journey, and wanted to see a little of the city. They had never been to Japan before. Keiko took excellent care of my parents, right from patiently working with us to put together an evening itinerary for them based on their interests, energy levels, and food restrictions; welcoming them at the airport early after proactively finding out that my parents' flight arrived early; taking them around tirelessly while engaging them in conversation about culture and history; and finally seeing them all the way back to the airport even though she didn't have to. It made a huge difference to them to experience this kind of hospitality in the middle of a long and tiring journey. Thank you so much for everything!

Keiko T.

(38 reviews)

Vishaal, thank you very much for your kind review. Your warm words truly encouraged me to continue working with care and hospitality for travelers. Your parents are very kind, pleasant, and easy to work with. Although it must have been challenging for them to walk around, as it was midnight in their local time, they always showed respect for my work and were very friendly throughout the tour. I sincerely hope that you will come back to Japan with your parents someday. When you do, I would be delighted to take you to see a beautiful Mt. Fuji.

“A Wonderful Day in Nikko with Yoshi”

We spent a full day in Nikko with Yoshi, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully organized experience. Yoshi did an excellent job guiding us through a full itinerary while keeping the day relaxed and engaging. We visited the stunning natural scenery of Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, followed by the remarkable shrine and temple complex that makes Nikko so special. Yoshi guided us through Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple, sharing clear explanations and helpful context that enhanced our understanding of what we were seeing. We ended the day with a final stop at the iconic Shinkyo Bridge, which was a perfect conclusion. Yoshi was knowledgeable, well-prepared, and easy to spend the day with. He managed timing and logistics smoothly, answered our questions thoughtfully, and made sure we were comfortable throughout a long but very rewarding day. We truly enjoyed our time with Yoshi and would happily recommend him to anyone looking to experience Nikko in a well-organized, informative, and enjoyable way.

Yoshi S.

(92 reviews)

Hi Steven, thank you for your warm words, which are motivating and encouraging. I also enjoyed being with you in Nikko. Thanks Yoshi

“A Truly Special Guide and a Wonderful Person — Our Time with Ritsuko”

Spending two days with Ritsuko was one of the highlights of our time in Japan. She is an exceptional guide and a genuinely warm, kind, and thoughtful person who made our experience feel personal. Day 1 – Tokyo Ritsuko showed us the wonderful contrasts of Tokyo, beginning at Senso-ji in Asakusa, where she explained the history and traditions in a way that felt both accessible and meaningful. We then enjoyed a peaceful visit to Meiji Shrine and time exploring Harajuku. Her explanations were engaging and insightful, and her English is excellent. Day 2 – Kamakura Our day in Kamakura was equally memorable, although it was very rainy. Ritsuko guided us through Hokokuji, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, and Hase Temple, sharing rich historical context while also allowing time to simply enjoy the beauty and atmosphere of each place. She was very patient, never rushed us, and always made sure we were comfortable and happy with the pace. What made our time with Ritsuko especially meaningful was the personal connection she shared with us. We loved hearing about her family and her life in Japan—it gave us a deeper appreciation of the culture beyond the sights themselves. Touring with her felt like spending time with a friend rather than just following an itinerary. And one unforgettable gesture deserves special mention: after our Tokyo tour had officially ended, Ritsuko kindly went out of her way to take us back across the city to the one store that sells licensed merchandise for all Japanese baseball teams, just so we could find the perfect gift for our grandson. That level of thoughtfulness and generosity is rare and speaks volumes about who she is. We cannot recommend Ritsuko highly enough. She is knowledgeable, extremely patient, warm, engaging, and truly cares about the people she guides. If you have the opportunity to tour with her, do not hesitate—you will leave with wonderful memories and a deeper connection to Japan.

Ritsuko K.

(143 reviews)

Hi Steve and Inna, Thank you so much for your truly wonderful review. Our tour was in October last year, but despite the time that has passed, your fantastic feedback brought back fond memories of our time together. I still remember that our first contact was back in 2024, and after a few twists and turns, it was a true honor to finally meet you both on the tour one year later. Unfortunately, we weren't blessed with the best weather, but I'm glad I was able to guide you through the highlights of both Tokyo and Kamakura. It was also a fun experience for me to help you look for Giants and Fighters merchandise at the Selection shop! Thank you again for choosing me as your guide and for your kind words. I sincerely hope our paths cross again in the future. Until then, all the best!