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

2. We'll reach out (usually 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. 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 to secure your booking (Ideally Paypal).

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. Upon the successful submission of the deposit, 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. 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. We might be sending extra references by email.

7. 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.

Booking Security: To confirm your reservation, we request a deposit of 10,000 yen for each tour, with potential variations on the required deposit for specific circumstances such as the reservation of vehicles or other assets. This deposit signifies a commitment from our valued customers, as our guides conscientiously set aside their availability for your selected dates. In the event of a last-minute cancellation, our guides may face difficulties in securing alternative bookings for the reserved time. This underscores the significance of a committed and timely reservation process for the smooth operation of our services.

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

We strongly recommend securing your tour reservations 2-5 months ahead, especially for peak seasons such as Spring and Autumn.

We firmly believe that opting for a guided tour in Japan is an investment well worth making. The language barrier can often pose a significant challenge for those who choose to explore Japan without a guide. Beyond linguistic support, there are numerous compelling reasons why a private tour adds immeasurable depth to your journey.

By embarking on a private tour, you gain access to Japan's cultural soul and the profound significance underlying its every facet. Rather than experiencing Japan on a superficial level, a single tour can transform your understanding of this remarkable country.

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.

No, the tour price doesn't include admission fees, transportation, or any meals, but the tour guide pays for himself.

Please pay those costs on the spot on the day of the tour. For more information, see prices.

All of our guides are fluent in English and can handle Japanese. Depending on the guide’s availability, we could also provide private tours in a few other languages available (Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic & French). Please inquire when you contact us or via email at nao@privatejapantours.com.

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.

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.

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

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

3- Local Bank Transfer: We also offer the convenience of local bank transfer for your payment needs.

4- We also accept Western Union as a payment method for your convenience.

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

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

Yes, we do! If you let us know at least two days in advance what your plans are, we can make you an offer for a custom-made package for tours in Japan. We are very flexible and can accommodate any interest you might have. Email us for more information at nao@privatejapantours.com.

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.

Typically, our meeting point is the hotel lobby, and the tour duration includes the pickup. However, if the customer prefers, we can arrange to meet at the first site. 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 desire private car accompaniment, kindly 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 by providing umbrellas and ponchos, ensuring 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.

While we maintain a flexible stance and do not enforce a strict cancellation policy, we do have a Reservation Date Change Policy in place. Please refer to that here.

Yes we do! Please read more about our prices on this page.

You can withdraw money with foreign debit cards or credit cards from any convenience store in Japan which are almost everywhere and open 24/7 (Seven Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson).

When you book a tour, we can also provide support with:

• Airport Transfers & Meet-and-Greet Services

• Acquiring shinkansen (bullet train) tickets

• Assisting with restaurant reservations

• Procuring entrance tickets to museums (including the Ghibli Museum) or other popular venues in Japan

• Arranging private transportation

• Offering valuable tips and advice

While there are free WiFi hotspots throughout most large cities in Japan, the connection tends to be extremely slow and unreliable. Using data by roaming through your home country's phone internet provider is often very expensive. The cheapest solution is often to rent a pocket WiFi or get a travel SIM where you can be connected to the internet through your phone or laptop for as little as 329 JPY/day. For emergency reasons, you can login free WIFI beside any convenience store in Japan.

Yes. Food tours are priced based on demand. The standard cost for a 3-hour food tour is 28,000 yen (excluding the customer's meal expenses).

The price for tours on special dates, such as New Year's Eve, will experience a 72% increase. For instance, the cost of a 3-hour food tour will change from 28,000 yen to 48,000 yen. This adjustment is attributed to elevated demand and operational challenges on special days and evenings, resulting in higher costs.

For now, we do not combine groups on our tours. We prioritize your privacy and comfort, ensuring that each tour is exclusively for your group of guests.

Yes. If you'd like to take your photography to the next level, don't hesitate to ask us about our professional photography services available during the tour. The cost is an extra 28,000 yen for 100 edited photographs.

PrivateJapanTours, 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.

Early-Bird Advantage: People who prepay fully for their tours get a souvenir each on every tour as an incentive.

We provide that as an incentive to encourage bookings.

Learn more here.