1. Go Beyond the Filtered Japan: Sure, you could stick to what Google Images shows you — bamboo forests, vending machines, and that one orange shrine. But you didn’t fly all this way to be basic, did you?
Our guides are like walking, talking pagodas — each layer packed with stories, discoveries, and life lived in Japan. (And yes, pagoda layers actually symbolize different states of consciousness. Mind = blown.)

2. Lost in Translation? Let’s just say English in Japan is rarer than a sushi chef who hates fish. You can mime your way through a train station... or you can have a guide who actually knows what’s going on and won't mistake your dance moves for a request to call security.

3. Culture: It’s More Than Bowing & Chopsticks: Japan’s etiquette isn’t just a “pretend-to-know” situation. It's deep, subtle, and sometimes hilariously easy to mess up. We’ll make sure you don’t hand your money like a gangster or stab your rice like a samurai.

4. Escape the Tourist Herd.
You know that moment when you realize every “hidden gem” on TripAdvisor has a queue longer than Mount Fuji’s shadow? Our guides unlock places most tourists never find. (No, we won’t tell you here — that’s the point.)

5. The Transport Puzzle.
Japan’s train system is like a beautiful, efficient maze designed by origami engineers. One wrong platform and you’re heading to Hokkaido instead of Kyoto. We’ve got the cheat codes.

6. Time is Sushi — Eat It Fresh.
Wasting time getting lost or standing in the wrong shrine line? That’s tragic. With us, you maximize every moment, making the most of your trip (and your snacks).

7. Details, Done.
Train passes, restaurant bookings, toilets that talk — we help sort it all. You just enjoy the ride.
And yes, private tours mean you can actually ask all your weird questions. Ever wondered why Japanese manhole covers are so cool? Go ahead. Ask.

Bottom line?
This isn’t just a tour. It’s your VIP access to the real Japan — richer, deeper, and 100x more interesting than anything you’ll get from mass tourism or solo Googling.
You're not just booking a guide. You're booking an experience designed to blow your mind and make your friends jealous.

Mic drop. ✨

Behind Japan’s polished minimalism, poetic gardens, and what-sorcery-is-this social behavior, lie profound cultural concepts like Shibui, Yugen, Wabi-Sabi, KY, Honne-Tatemae, Nemawashi—and that’s just scratching the wasabi-scented surface.

We’re not into guides who read off fact sheets like underpaid robots auditioning for a documentary. You didn’t come to Japan to hear when a temple was built—you came to feel why it still matters.

Our tours ditch the textbook dates and dig into timeless principles that quietly shape every sliding door and social interaction. It’s like decoding the Matrix, but with better food and more bowing. We turn sightseeing into soul-seeing, turning your trip into a rich, layered saga of insight, intrigue, and actual human connection.

Because the real magic of Japan isn’t just what you see—it's what finally clicks inside when someone helps you see it right.

All of our guides can handle English and Japanese well.

Depending on the guide’s availability, we could also provide private tours in other languages.

Please inquire when you contact us or via email at yuki@privatejapantours.com.

Bonus points if you send your email in Japanese!
Try this:
📩 こんにちは！ツアーについて教えてください。
(Konnichiwa! Tsuaa ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.)
That means, “Hello! Please tell me about the tours.”
See? Japanese characters—basically the original emojis, but way classier.

Unless it is a large group booking or a luxury booking, all reservations can be made directly on this website (here for tours, here for packages).

For those wishing to book via email after clarifying their needs, the following applies:

1. Reach

If you didn’t yet, please complete this form (preferred for personalization), or reach out to us via your preferred contact method .

2. Understanding

We'll reach out -via Email- faster than a Ramen delivery on a Friday night to welcome you and start discussing your plan, concerns, and any specific requests you might have.

3. Finance – Because Even Zen Needs a Deposit

Once you've chosen your tour(s) or package, we'll send you a quote faster than you can say "omotenashi." Prefer an invoice? We’ll PDF it like pros.

Now, about that deposit. We get it—no one loves paying in advance. But it’s not just us being clingy. It’s how we make sure you're serious and how your guide doesn't get ghosted. When they block a day for you, they’re saying “no thanks” to other eager explorers. It’s their time, their craft—and honestly, their lunch money.

So yes, a deposit (or full payment) is required to seal the deal. It guarantees your spot, your guide, and your shot at a flawless adventure. Commitment issues? We’ll still love you. But the guide might start journaling about it.

4. Details

Upon the successful submission of the payment, we will send you a 'Payment Tracker' link, like this one. It shows you what’s paid, what’s pending, and what’s still lurking in the shadows of your wallet. No mysteries, no awkward “Did I pay that?” moments. Just clean, simple transparency—like Marie Kondo for your tour finances.

We will then dispatch a well-crafted online presentation (to act as your reference before and during your Japan trip), like the one provided here, unveiling all details regarding your private tours; information about pickup and drop-off locations, meeting points, the itinerary, special requests, and notes.

We will also commence the introduction of your guides, offering brief insights into their backgrounds.

5. Flexibility in Adjustments

Want to tweak your itinerary or throw in some last-minute wishes? No problem! We handle adjustments like ninjas—quietly and efficiently.

Every update lands right on your presentation link, so you’ll always know what’s cooking without chasing emails like a caffeinated squirrel. Easy peasy, travel breezy.

(We know this is a special time for you, and we totally get it.)

6. References

We might be sending extra references by email.

7. Connection With Guides

Approximately two to four weeks before your private tour, we will personally connect you with our guides, ideally through WhatsApp.

8. Private Japan Tour Time

Brace yourself—your private Japan tour is about to turn ordinary sightseeing into jaw-dropping, story-worthy moments you’ll brag about forever.

Yes, all the tours on this site are private—just for you and your group. It’s not just a clever name… okay, it is a clever name. But it’s also the whole point: Private Japan Tours.

Learn more here.

For regular tours, the price includes all admission fees—simple, straightforward, no surprises.

For luxury tours, we roll out the red carpet: admission fees, transport, gourmet meals, private experiences, unexpected delights (yes, even surprise influencer visits)… basically, everything short of a parade in your honor. (But hey, we can talk.)

Certainly, you can choose from two convenient payment methods for booking your tour:

1- PayPal: You can securely pay for your private tour in advance using PayPal, providing a hassle-free way to confirm your reservation.

2- Credit card: via Stripe.

3- Cash(partly): Alternatively, you have the option to pay in cash right after the tour, ensuring flexibility in your payment choice (though a downpayment might be necessary).

Rest assured, we aim to make your booking process as smooth as possible, allowing you to select the payment method that suits you best.

Our approach is to focus on quality rather than quantity when selecting our tour guides. We take great care in choosing a select few guides who are not only highly knowledgeable but also deeply passionate about providing an authentic and insightful experience of Japan. This allows us to ensure that every guide we work with can offer you a truly exceptional and personalized tour.

This presents a real challenge for us, as it's difficult to find guides in Japan who not only have a strong command of both English and Japanese but also possess the passion and depth that we require.

Here are some of our guides.

Tours are in high demand—especially during peak seasons when Japan turns into a real-life postcard and everyone suddenly wants to frolic among cherry blossoms or autumn leaves.

We highly recommend booking your tour 3 to 12 months in advance. Yes, that sounds early, but so does holiday shopping in September—and yet here we are. Better to lock it in now than cry later with a fully booked calendar and a suitcase full of dreams.

Please send us an email to yuki@privatejapantours.com.

We strive to be as flexible as bamboo.

Yes, we do. Please email us at yuki@privatejapantours.com for your special requests.

We usually kick things off in your hotel lobby—because nothing says “VIP treatment” like your guide meeting you where your slippers are. But hey, we’re flexible! If another spot works better for you (a café, a shrine, a secret ramen joint…), just say the word.

Your guide will reach out via WhatsApp or email when they arrive—no awkward lobby lingering required.

And while the tour schedule already factors in smooth transitions, we’re happy to go the extra mile (literally). Want to be escorted back to your hotel at the end? No problem. Just let your guide know at the beginning of the tour so they can plan the return time accordingly. You're in a new country—we get it, and we’ve got you.

We’ll primarily get around using Japan’s famously efficient public transportation—trains, buses, and the occasional taxi. (Your guide covers their own train and bus fares; we just kindly ask that you handle any taxi costs.)

We stay flexible with transportation to keep things smooth and stress-free.

Now, if you’d like a private car with a driver, just let us know in advance.
Fair warning: Chartering a vehicle in Japan can be surprisingly expensive (it catches a lot of visitors off guard). That’s because drivers here are trained to treat every ride like a diplomatic mission—serious suits, white gloves, and the kind of professionalism that makes you feel underdressed. So yes, it comes with a price. Ask us for a quote if you're curious!

Certainly, our guides have extensive experience in adapting to various weather conditions to ensure a fulfilling experience. Here are some examples of how we manage such situations:

1- Alternate Routes: In case of rain, we may prioritize indoor attractions, like temples or castles with plenty of sheltered areas.

2- Flexible Schedules: We can adjust the tour schedule, starting either earlier or later to avoid the worst of the weather.

3- Unique Experience: We can turn it into a one-of-a-kind adventure that ensures a more intimate and tourist-free experience.

4- Rescheduling: If necessary, we may reschedule the tour or recommend alternative activities to ensure your well-being.

Rest assured, our primary goal is to make the most of your time in Japan, whether it's rain or shine, while keeping you dry and comfortable.

• For cancellations made more than 15 days before the tour date, an 80% refund will be issued. Please note that due to the time and effort spent on assigning dedicated guides and personalizing the itineraries to suit your interests, cancellations within this period still reflect the preparation invested in crafting a unique and tailored experience.

• For cancellations made 2 to 14 days before the tour date, a 50% refund will be issued.

• Cancellations made less than 2 days before the tour date or no-shows without prior notice will not be eligible for a refund.

Private Japan Tours, its guides or partners cannot be held liable for any injury, death or damage to my person or personal effects or that of my fellow participants. By participating, all participants agree to participate in any of our tours at their own risk. We kindly urge you to peruse our liability waiver provided here for further insight. For additional information about our legal policies, please refer to the website's footer. It also doubles as excellent bedtime reading if you're having trouble falling asleep—because it’s very, very boring.