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. Please note that we do not offer any travel agency services such as multi-day all inclusive tours, private transportation, hotels, flights, ticketing services, or reservation services. For that, we recommend you to contact your local (Japan specialized) travel agency.

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. There are guides in the network that speak English, Dutch, and German.

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 some other cities in Japan.

Read the story of network founder Nicki Yoshihara

What kind of tours do guides provide?

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.

Please note that if you want to have a custom-made itinerary you will need to pay the guide a non-refundable deposit to have your itinerary crafted. This deposit will go towards the cost of the tour and in case of cancellation it will become an itinerary planning fee.

Available tour languages

The following languages are available:

*Dutch

*English

*German

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, 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.

Liability Waiver

We are a network of freelance guides and we are not a travel agency.

Please note that when you participate in a tour you automatically agree to the following conditions: you understand that there is an inherent risk of damage or injury to yourself, your property and/or third parties when you participate in a tour and that you are 100% PARTICIPATING AT YOUR OWN RISK. You agree to not hold Tokiotours NOR its associates NOR the guide(s) liable for any type of damage or injury you, your group member(s), or a third party may suffer during or as a result of participation in a tour.

Tour areas

Our network is in the following areas:

*Tokyo

*Kamakura

*Nikko

*Hakone

*Kyoto

*Nara

*Osaka

*Takayama

*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 list and click on the ‘More information’ button, or you can send an email to [email protected] with the following information:

*Which tour(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 if we think it is a good match