About us

About us

 

Freelance guide network Tokiotours helps you get connected with high-quality private guides in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and other cities for travelers who want to have a great day tour experience in Japan.

 

If you want to see everything interesting Japan has to offer and you don’t want to spend hours finding out where to go, find your own personal guide via Tokiotours. Tours are offered in English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.

 

How Tokiotours started

 

Tokiotours’ story starts in 2013. After guiding all of my family members and friends around Tokyo, I decided that I could do this for more people and spread the joy. Now, Tokiotours is a network of more than 25 enthusiastic freelance guides in Tokyo, Kyoto, and other cities in Japan.

 

Read the story of founder Nicki Yoshihara

 

 

What kind of tours are available?

 

You can get matched for private tours with a lot of room for personal attention. Of course, you can let us know your preferences and mix & match. For instance, you can combine two tours or you can select parts from other tours to add to the one you have chosen. The guides are flexible and can also make last-minute changes on the day itself if the situation requires it and within possibilities.

 

Available tour languages

 

The following languages are available:

 

*Dutch

*English

*French

*German

*Italian

*Spanish

*Portuguese

*Japanese

 

How does it work?

 

Would you like to have an unforgettable day tour in Japan and see the city through the eyes of a ‘local’? Don’t hesitate any longer and book your private tour guide in Japan through the Tokiotours network today. We promise you that you will have a day to remember and we will only give you the details and information you are interested in. We are looking forward to meeting you!

 

Tokiotours is a network of experienced local tour guides who understand the needs of diverse travelers from all over the world who want to have the best time in Japan. They only do private tours, making it possible to be flexible on the itinerary and giving you the best experience possible. Whether you want to see and do as much as possible in one day or want to discover a few places in-depth, the guides will make it happen.

 

Private tours are especially interesting for families, curious travelers with special interests who want to learn more and ask questions, those who want to see a more local version of a city, those who don’t want to follow a group and like to do things at their own tempo whether that is faster or slower, those with special needs, and those who travel in a group of 4 or more. It is often cheaper to do a private tour with your group compared to joining a group bus tour, not to mention a lot more relaxed!

 

In the planning stage, a short time before the tour is going to take place, or even upon meeting the guide, the itinerary can always be adjusted to suit your needs for that day. You can add seasonal attractions such as cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, see an event that happens to be held that day, visit a specialty shop, or whatever else will make your day perfect.

 

Tour areas

 

Our network is in the following areas:

 

*Tokyo

*Kamakura

*Nikko

*Hakone

*Kawaguchiko

*Kyoto

*Nara

*Osaka

*Takayama

*Shirakawago

*Kanazawa

*Hokkaido (Hakodate) (Limited availability)

*Kyushu (Fukuoka/Nagasaki/Kagoshima/Karatsu) (Limited availability)

 

Please note that not all languages are available in all areas, except for English. If you have a language preference, please mention this in your inquiry, and we will do our best to match you with a guide who speaks your preferred language.

 

How to inquire

 

You can either choose a tour from the tour product list and click on the ‘More information’ button, or you can send an email to [email protected] with the following information:

 

*Which tour(s) and/or service(s) you are interested in

*When you would like to do the tour(s)

*How many people you are with. If there are any children, please mention their age(s) as well.

*Preferred language (please check whether your language is available on the tour’s page)

*Special requests if any

 

Joining the Tokiotours network as a guide

 

Are you staying in Japan for the long term with a valid visa (or a Japanese passport), and are you interested in a collaboration as a freelance tour guide? We would love to hear from you, especially if the following applies to you:

 

-> You have strong knowledge about Japanese history, culture, and society

-> You love meeting people from diverse backgrounds and are exceptionally customer-friendly. You must have a healthy dose of common sense and you’re a strong communicator

-> You speak fluent English and preferably also one of the following languages: Dutch, German, or French

-> It is a huge plus if you have experience as a tour guide in Japan

-> We are especially interested in connecting with guides who can work in either Tokyo or Kansai

 

Do you recognize yourself in this profile? Please send your English CV and a brief motivation to [email protected] and we will get back to you shortly

 

Sustainable travel to Japan

 

We are getting more and more aware of the importance of humanity lowering its impact on the environment, and as an extension, the impact of our travels on the local environment and communities. How does booking a tour via Tokiotours contribute to the sustainability of your trip?

 

First of all, we strongly encourage the use of public transportation in combination with walking or cycling to go around the city during our tours. Not only is this a fun way to discover a place, it also minimizes the burden on the environment. Secondly, guides in our network are freelancers who are often building their retirement fund with the extra money they make with guiding. As Japan doesn’t have a strong pension system for future generations this is much needed.

 

Also, guides prioritize having meals or buying souvenirs at smaller local businesses over going to larger chains. Guides can also point you towards water fountains where you can refill a reusable bottle if you bring one to minimize plastic waste.

 

Finally, a small-scale private tour always has much less impact on a destination than large group tours that are often done by bus. We don’t get in the way of the locals, don’t overcrowd a destination upon arrival, and also regularly avoid the crowds by going off the beaten path.

 

And if you want to do something extra towards offsetting your flight, we recommend you to have a tree planted on your behalf by this non-profit.