1. Depth: Without local guides, your experience in Japan will be confined to the famous sights you see in filtered online pictures and the popular information from common travel websites.

But since you'll already be in Japan, aren't you seeking a deeper experience?

It's all about the guides—their discoveries, personal stories, and insights from living and growing up in this fascinating country. Think of them as your human pagodas, offering layers of wisdom that online searches can't uncover.

Yes, now you know! The layers in a Japanese pagoda symbolize different levels of consciousness!

2. Vast Communication Gap: One thing that often surprises tourists is discovering that English in Japan is about as rare as a sushi chef who hates fish! Don't let a foreign language dim your adventure!

3. Truly Distinctive Cultural Etiquette: Because it's not just about bowing and pretending to be a chopstick ninja!

4. Dodging the Tourist Tide: Tucked near famous destinations—many of which you will likely want to visit—are secret havens often overlooked by tourists who stick to the main paths. Unlock access to hidden treasures that evade ordinary travelers.

5. Complex Transportation: That is for first-time visitors. We’ve got the cheat code!

6. Time Efficiency: This often suffers due to unfamiliarity with the area. Buy some time. Every second is a gem!

7. Seamless Convenience in Details: Our guides along with us can help you with logistics, reducing the stress of planning and organizing.

One of the remarkable aspects of private tours is the opportunity for engaging dialogue. Travelers tend to ask more questions when on a private tour, and this exchange of knowledge and insights enriches the experience. This is precisely why we emphasize privacy as the cornerstone of our commitment to delivering a superior and more fulfilling adventure.

In summary, the value of a private tour in Japan extends far beyond monetary considerations. It's an investment in cultural immersion, meaningful discovery, and the opportunity to unlock the essence of Japan in a way that few other experiences can match.

Behind Japanese aesthetics and the seemingly mysterious ways of the people are deep concepts such as Shibui, Yugen, Wabi-Sabi, KY, Honne-Tatemae, Nemawashi, among hundreds of others.

We don't believe in guides who simply recite Wikipedia pages or information that can be easily Googled.

Our approach transcends the surface-level detailing of edifices' construction dates, extending towards a framework underpinned by enduring principles—a method that uncovers the very heart and soul of Japan, turning your trip into an epic saga of discovery and delight.

All of our guides can handle English and Japanese well.

Depending on the guide’s availability, we could also provide private tours in a few other languages available (Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic & French).

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

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

Following your final decision on the number of tours or selected package, we will promptly send an email quotation or, upon request, an invoice in PDF format.

We kindly request a deposit or the entire amount in advance to secure your booking. We understand that the concept of deposits may seem discouraging. The reason behind this request is to ensure your commitment. The guides allocate time in their calendars for your private tours, preventing them from scheduling other tours on that day in case of cancellations or adjustments.

This guarantees your reservation and the guide's availability for your planned experience.

4. Details

Upon the successful submission of the payment, we will send you a 'Payment Tracker' link, like this one.

This tool ensures transparency by clearly indicating completed payments and those that are yet to be processed.

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

Adjustments to the itinerary and additional requests will be seamlessly accommodated. All advancements will be promptly updated on the same presentation link for your easy reference.

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

You have the option to settle the remaining balance, if any, in cash following a few of your tours, and this can be done in two to three convenient batches.

Yes, all the tours offered on this website are private for your group, thus the name PrivateJapanTours.

Learn more here.

For regular tours, the prices include all admission fees.

For luxury tours, the prices cover admission fees, transportation, meals, private experiences, surprise influencer visits, and more.

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.

Note: If you prefer to pay the full amount in advance, you will receive a small gift (Omiyage) to each person on the tour as an incentive for completing the booking.

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.

Tours are in high demand, particularly during peak seasons, when many travelers book well in advance.

We strongly recommend securing your tour reservations 3-12 months ahead, especially for peak seasons such as Spring and Autumn.

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.

Typically, the designated meeting point is your hotel lobby. However, we are flexible and can accommodate any alternative meeting spot that better suits your convenience. Upon the guide's arrival at the chosen location, they will promptly get in touch with you via WhatsApp or email.

While the timing already accounts for this, we are flexible, and if the customer requests to be escorted back to their hotel, for instance, we are more than willing to accommodate.

We understand that tourists are in a new country, and we are happy to provide assistance.

We will primarily utilize public transportation options, such as trains, buses and taxis (The tour guide takes care of their own train and bus expenses, but we kindly request that you cover the cost of the taxi). Our transportation choice will be flexible to ensure convenience.

If you would like private car service, please request this option and inquire about the additional cost.

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, a 80% refund will be issued. Please note that due to the time and effort spent on assigning the dedicated guide 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.