Private tour guides Japan

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top private tours in Japan

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

Essential Tokyo: Famous Sights & Local Secrets

City Unscripted Original

Tokyo Essential Tokyo: Famous Sights & Local Secrets

See Tokyo’s must-sees—Shibuya, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine—but with smart local detours to experience them beyond the tourist crowds.

$258.5 per person

8 hours

(179)

Osaka Unlocked: A 3-Hour Introduction to the City

City Unscripted Original

Osaka Osaka Unlocked: A 3-Hour Introduction to the City

Jumpstart your Osaka journey with an immersive experience! Navigate easily, explore vibrant streets, and get insider tips on culture and key districts

$107 per person

3 hours

(255)

Kyoto’s Izakaya Experience: A Taste of Japanese Social Dining

City Unscripted Original

Kyoto Kyoto’s Izakaya Experience: A Taste of Japanese Social Dining

Discover Kyoto’s izakaya culture, where locals gather over shared plates, drinks, and conversation, with a tailored experience crafted to your tastes.

$182.5 per person

3 hours

(71)

City Unscripted Original

Fukuoka Half day heaven: Fukuoka

Whether you’re into gadgets, temples or ramen, discover the essence of Fukuoka in just half a day on a private tour tailored to you by a local insider

$120 per person

4 hours

(139)

Sunrise to sunset: the ultimate Nagoya experience

City Unscripted Original

Nagoya Sunrise to sunset: the ultimate Nagoya experience

Whether ancient shrines, culinary discoveries, or otaku hubs top your to-do list, Nagoya delivers

$216 per person

8 hours

(73)

City Unscripted Original

Kobe Must see Kobe with a local

Mount Rokko, glass bottomed bridges and strolls along the Maiko Marine Promenade.

$232 per person

8 hours

(42)

City Unscripted Original

Yokohama Family day in Yokohama with a local

Discover the best of Yokohama to be enjoyed by the whole family on an experience tailored to you by a host who knows what the kids will love to explor

$169 per person

5 hours

(34)

City Unscripted Original

Kanazawa Secret gems of Kanazawa

Journey through Kanazawa's hidden gems with a local, gaining insider insights on an unforgettable tour.

$94.5 per person

3 hours

(153)

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The best private guides and local insiders in Japan

If you’re looking for the best private tour guides in Japan to show you the country’s awe-inspiring history, quirky culture, and top-tier cuisine, City Unscripted has got you covered. From Tokyo to Kyoto, our handpicked private guides in Japan are intimately familiar with every inch of their city, and they’re passionate about sharing Japan’s best-kept secrets with curious travelers like you. There’s no better way to uncover the true scope of this country’s incredible diversity than with the best private tour guides in Japan leading the way. From natural wonders and neon-lit nightlife to world-famous food and tangible history, get ready to see Japan beyond your guidebook.

Meet some of our Japan private guides

Nikki

London

Passionate London guide and City insider with a love for uncovering hidden corners and crafting unforgettable experiences in the heart of the capital.

Sandro

London

The warm-hearted Italian who loves meeting new people as much as he loves London

Yunna

London

Richard

Edinburgh

Quirky Edinburgh host and festival fanatic with a knack for uncovering the city's best bars, coffee spots, and hidden gems.

Claudio

Bologna

Music lover and local foodie with insider knowledge of Bologna’s hidden corners.

`S.T.

London

An eccentric New Yorker with big hair, a big personality and tons of energy

Loli

Paris

Art-loving explorer and language enthusiast who knows Paris’s most inspiring corners and hidden gems.

Roy

Manchester

Alessandro

Rome

Passionate photographer with a natural eye for beauty and appetite for good Italian food

Jonathan

Barcelona

Gaudí lover and local host with insider tips on Barcelona’s must-see neighborhoods.

Japan beyond your guidebook

Talk to our private guides in Japan, and they’ll say the same thing: the most memorable attractions in Japan’s top cities aren’t even in your guidebook. In a country this iconic, it’s easy to get caught in a seemingly endless tourist trap – but private tour guides in Japan won’t limit you to the top attractions. Our local insiders know exactly where to find the finest beef in Kobe, the quirkiest cafés in downtown Tokyo, and the coziest izakayas in Kyoto. No matter where in the country you are, trust our private guides in Japan to help you uncover the country’s best entertainment.

Japan tours tailored to you

Are you fascinated by the food scene in the “Nation’s Kitchen”, Osaka, or do you want to appreciate the strength and resilience of locals in Hiroshima? Does the traditional Japanese culture of Kanazawa call your name, or do you want the neon lights of downtown Yokohama? With private tour guides in Japan, the choice is always yours. Every experience in each city is 100% tailored to you, whether you’re catching a glimpse of a lantern-lit geisha with private tour guides in Kyoto or moving between crowded ramen joints and karaoke bars with private tour guides in Tokyo.

Feel the soul of each city

Major cities in Japan share several attractions. From Nagasaki to Nagoya, no matter where you are with our private guides in Japan, you’ll find stunning cityscapes, ultra-modern attractions, historic temples, and jaw-dropping natural beauty. But each city also brings its own list of must-sees waiting to be discovered with the best private tour guides in Japan by your side. Between the speaker-shaking nightlife in Tokyo and Osaka, the cultural treasures of Kanazawa and Kyoto, and the cool charisma of Sapporo and Fukuoka, feel the country’s soul with private guides in Japan.

Japan travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Japan and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Jocelyn was an excellent guide- informative, engaging and really helped bring Fukuoka to life. Would 100% recommend!

3 May 2026

John G
Bruce really tailored the itinerary for what we wanted to see and made the whole day great. His background both in the US and 42 years in the local area really made everything easy to get the feel for this wonderful city!

29 April 2026

Scott B
We took a 4 hour tour with Jocelyn and we had a lovely time. There was lots of walking, but we saw many interesting things from shrines, a water show at the downtown shopping area and lovely gardens. Jocelyn was in contact with me a few times in advance of our trip to plan according to our interests. This tour was among the best we have had. Having it taylored to us makes all the difference. Jocelyn was always concerned about our well-being. She spoke English perfectly and helped us travel on the bus and get us safely into a cab at the end of the tour. We had lunch at a local Ramen restaurant that was a Fukuoaka specialty and it was delicious! We could not have asked for a better guide and tour. Thank you Jocelyn!

18 April 2026

Diane T
Great tour to uncover hidden gems of Fuokoka starting with a rooftop city view at Hankyu Dept Store with a garden and zen atmosphere . City shrines , Full Full mentai baguette where ppl que in . A definite must try experience and best ramen for dinner I’ve had . Jocelyn was a great guide . Not your run of the mill city tour showing highlights of the city you would not normally see . Perfect for us becoz that was the kind of experience we were looking for . Got to see a red light district, trendy vintage shops in Tenjin aside from the malls at Hakata . If you are into hidden gems, this a a must try experience. Ask for a younger guide like Jocelyn .

10 April 2026

Leah M

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Experiences for all types of travelers

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Tourists enjoying a busy local restaurant in Tokyo with a local

Food Tours In Tokyo

Tourists enjoying a meal with a local guide at a busy restaurant in Japan

Food Tours In Japan

Group of tourists posing with their local guide at a popular temple in Japan

Top Things To Do In Japan

Group of tourists posing with their local guide at a popular temple in Kyoto

Top Things To Do In Kyoto

Group of tourists standing in front of the Godzilla statue in Osaka with a local guide

Top Things To Do In Osaka

Tourists exploring the best things to do in Tokyo with a local guide

Top Things To Do In Tokyo

Tourist posing with a local while on a night tour of Tokyo

Best Tokyo Night Tours

Local guide showing tourists around the city on a night tour of Kyoto

Best Kyoto Night Tours

Tourists posing in front of a torii gate at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya Tokyo

Best Private Tours In Tokyo

Tourist posing in front of luminous signs at night on a busy street in Osaka

Best Osaka Night Tours

Tourists exploring the alleyways of Japan with a local guide

Best Private Tours In Japan

Tourists crouching down next to the fox statues in Ohori park Fukuoka

Private Tour Guides In Fukuoka

Tourist standing in front of Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate while on a tour of with a private guide in Hiroshima

Private Tour Guides In Hiroshima

Private Tour Guides In Kanazawa

Private Tour Guides In Kobe

Private Tour Guides In Kyoto

Private Tour Guides In Nagasaki

Private Tour Guides In Nagoya

Private Tour Guides In Osaka

Private Tour Guides In Tokyo

Private Tour Guides In Sapporo

Private Tour Guides In Yokoham

Walking Tours In Japan

Walking Tours In Hiroshima

Walking Tours In Kanazawa

Walking Tours In Kyoto

Walking Tours In Fukuoka

Walking Tours In Kobe

Walking Tours In Osaka

Walking Tours In Nagasaki

Walking Tours In Nagoya

Walking Tours In Tokyo

Walking Tours In Yokohama

Walking Tours In Sapporo

Fukuoka private tours

Hiroshima private tours

Kobe private tours

Kanazawa private tours

Kyoto private tours

Nagasaki Private Tours

Nagoya Private Tours

Osaka Private Tours

Sapporo Private Tours

Yokohama Private Tours

Fukuoka Food Tours

Hiroshima Food Tour

Yokohama Food Tours

Nagasaki Food Tours

Nagoya Food Tours

Sapporo Food Tours

Kanazawa Food Tours

Kobe Food Tours

Osaka Food Tours

Kyoto Food Tours

Japan Layover Tours

Tokyo Layover Tours

Tours With Locals In Fukuoka

Personalized Cherry Blossom Experiences in Japan

★★★★★

Maggie

6 May 2026

We really enjoyed our full-day tour in Osaka with Kirsten. It was obvious that she took the time to curate an experience for my husband and I, while being very open to making changes. We hit some key tourist spots and loved our Okonomiyaki lunch spot we found together.

Jon

5 May 2026

What stood out most for me was the passion — it made the history, and the walk itself feel special. I especially enjoyed the moments where we paused and talked about the city, the culture, and the little details most people would miss. It was a highlight of my time here.

Bringing Edinburgh’s rich history to life with incredible story telling. I enjoyed GI’s humour and knowledge about whisky and how it is connected to a part of Scotland’s culture.