Japan · PRIVATE

Top 15 Private Tours in Japan

242 tours  ·  from $30

Good private tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - Asakusa and Senso-ji: the best first taste of old Tokyo
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Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

1.Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,902 reviews · from $155Our pick

Build a six-hour Tokyo route with a government-licensed English-speaking guide and visit three or four areas that fit your interests. You might combine Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, Tsukiji, or the Imperial Palace. Expect plenty of walking, public transport, and extra costs for fares, meals, and some admissions.

“Lance was an amazing guide. He had great visuals, managed timing perfectly and was incredibly attentive. The tour was fun and provided the flexibility we needed to cover major Tokyo destinations in one day.”

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Private Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone (Fully Licenced Operator) - Mt. Fuji 5th Station: close, high, and not guaranteed
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Private Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone (Fully Licenced Operator)

2.Private Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone (Fully Licenced Operator)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,910 reviews

Spend about 10 hours with a licensed English-speaking driver-guide on a private Mt. Fuji and Hakone day trip from Tokyo. Choose between a Fuji and Hakone route or Fuji’s surrounding sights, with stops such as Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, and Owakudani.

“Bajwa was amazing! He took us to the best photo spots. He was extremely patient as we took pictures. He gave us the best recommendations for a great experience. He was helpful in assisting with translations. Highly recommend. 5 ⭐️ stars! We had the best day.”

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Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available) - Starting near Tofukuji
Hiking & Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Private, Temple & Shrine Tours, Temple & Shrine Tours in Kyoto, Tour Reviews, Tours

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

3.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,750 reviews · from $63

Follow a certified MagicalTrip guide such as Emi, Naru, Hina, or Josh along a roughly 7-kilometer route from Tofukuji to Fushimi Inari. You’ll use forest paths, see a bamboo grove and small shrine, approach the torii gates from the quieter side, and finish at the main shrine.

“After a day in Kyoto, we started to tire of the tourist crowds, so this small group tour was absolutely brilliant. Our guide N. was knowledgeable and ever so nice. The hike was easy and as we approached the Tori gates from the back, we avoided other people right to the end. N was also an expert at taking super arty photos of us esp in the bamboo forest. Can’t recommend the tour enough.”

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Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised - Meeting your host near Sanjo Bridge
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Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

4.Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,543 reviews · from $102

You’ll explore Kyoto privately with a local host such as Amy, Alex, Miki, or Kokoro, following a route shaped by your interests. Expect a flexible walking day through Gion, Pontocho, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, or quieter sites, with culture, transport help, photos, and restaurant advice along the way.

“Great private tour. Our guide, Alex, was a phenomenal host. We saw multiple sites and our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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Tokyo Customized Private Tour (Must See Places in 1 Day) - Senso-ji and Asakusa: Start with Old Tokyo
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Tokyo Customized Private Tour (Must See Places in 1 Day)

5.Tokyo Customized Private Tour (Must See Places in 1 Day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,499 reviews · from $145

Build a Tokyo day around your interests with a private Goen Japan guide such as Akari, Lax, Yosuke, or Ken. Visit temples, shrines, markets, anime districts, gardens, and major sights by foot and public transport, with hotel pickup available and a private vehicle optional.

“We had an incredible experience on our private, customized tour in Tokyo. Our guide, LAX, spoke excellent English and made the entire four hours both fun and informative. In a short time, he took us to Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku, Takeshita Read more”

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Mount Fuji Full-Day Private Tour from Tokyo (Customizable) - The early drive from Tokyo
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Mount Fuji Full-Day Private Tour from Tokyo (Customizable)

6.Mount Fuji Full-Day Private Tour from Tokyo (Customizable)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,470 reviews

Travel from Tokyo in a private vehicle with hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver, and a flexible 10-hour plan. Visit Lake Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda, Oshino Hakkai, and Mount Fuji’s 5th Station, or adjust the day for temples, caves, ropeways, boats, and photo stops. Guides include Mirza, Roshan, Zaini, Aziz, and others.

“What a beautiful day to enjoy around Mount Fuji. It was only topped by the service of our guide Fakher. He communicated greatly before arriving and entertained us through the trip. He gave us options to choose and explained what would be the best due to the season. We went to several spots and he took awesome pictures of us.”

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Tokyo: Private City Highlights Tour with Local Guide - Asakusa and Senso-ji: Tokyo’s old front door
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Tokyo: Private City Highlights Tour with Local Guide

7.Private City Highlights Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,433 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $106

Meet your licensed guide at your hotel and shape a 4 to 8-hour Tokyo day around places such as Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Tsukiji, Harajuku, and the Imperial Palace. Guides including Fumiko, Kenji, Atsushi, and Yumi have helped visitors pair major sights with local food, gardens, shrines, and easy metro tips.

“We had a really nice time during the tour with our guide, Nori. She was kind and considered our interests about history and culture of Japan and gave us answers to all our questions. We found out new things and we enjoyed time spent together. I totally recommend booking a private tour for your visit in Tokyo.”

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Private Custom Tour: Tokyo in a Day - Tsukiji Market: Start With Tokyo’s Food Culture
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Private Custom Tour: Tokyo in a Day

8.Private Custom Tour: Tokyo in a Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,432 reviews · from $159

Shape an 8-hour Tokyo tour around food, temples, shopping, history, or pop culture. Your English-speaking guide, such as Shuhei, Roy, Keiji, or Sabina, meets you at your Tokyo hotel, handles transport, and adjusts the route to your pace. Public transit offers a local feel, while a private vehicle saves time and steps.

“We had custom day your of Tokyo. Shuhei our guide took us to a number of places and events that we talked about before the tour. It was extremely hot but he made sure we were taken care of and our health was considered. He made sure we ate and drank properly. He introduced us to some Japanese food and traditions. We were able to see festival dancers in action and my wife get the shrine stamps offered. We went through a day of 90 degree heat and 20,000 steps and he would be the guide to go with for you! He spent from 9am to almost 6pm with us.…”

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Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - Imperial Palace grounds: history without palace access
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Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

9.Tokyo 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,394 reviews · from $109

Spend four hours with a government-licensed English-speaking guide and choose two or three Tokyo sights that fit your interests. Guides such as Katsu, Yusuke, Michio, and Julie can help with history, shrine customs, gardens, food stops, and the city’s complex trains. You walk and pay transport and entry costs separately.

“You can choose whatever sites with your guide that fit your schedule. We had several spread out through Tokyo and visited with no issues”

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Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - Fushimi Inari and the southern temples
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Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

10.Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,369 reviews · from $155

Spend six hours with a government-licensed English-speaking guide and choose three or four Kyoto sights that fit your interests. Meet on foot, use public transportation, and tailor the day around places such as Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Gion, or Uji’s Byodoin Temple.

“We had the absolute best time with Kaeko in Kyoto! She was so hospitable and thoughtful during our day. We took it all in during our whirlwind 6 hour tour of the places we choose to see during our tour. She also gave us food and shopping recommendations that were a 10/10. We loved our day and would do it again if we're ever back in Kyoto.”

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Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day - Tsukiji starts the day with food and motion
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Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day

11.Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,351 reviews · from $145

Build a 4 to 8 hour Tokyo day around your interests with a private guide such as Tak, Yoko, Ike, or Osamu. Walk and ride the metro to places like Senso-ji, Tsukiji, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya, or the Imperial Palace. Hotel pickup is offered, and a private vehicle costs extra.

“As this was our first trip to Japan we were looking for a whistle stop tour to show us a couple of areas of the city, but most importantly how to use public transport. This gave us exactly what we needed. We were contacted by our guide, YRead more”

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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group - Meeting in Namba and choosing your pace
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Osaka: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

12.Hotspots & Hidden Gems Walking Tour Private or Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,300 reviews · 3 - 7 hours · from $33Best value

See Osaka beyond its famous billboards on a 3 to 7-hour guided walk. Meet in Namba for the small-group tour, or arrange central hotel pickup for a private visit. Expect Kuromon Market, local alleys, Dotonbori, America-mura, Shinsekai, takoyaki, and practical food tips.

“Mari has a fantastic personality. She was an excellent host taking us through the streets of the shopping area, pointing out much of the hidden history. We would highly recommend her!”

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Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide - Peace Memorial Park and Museum: the day’s serious center
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Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide

13.Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,298 reviews · from $202

Spend about eight hours with a government-licensed English-speaking guide in Hiroshima and Miyajima. Choose three or four sights, then travel by trolley, train, and ferry to places such as Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden, Itsukushima Shrine, and Tenshinkaku. Transport, meals, admissions, and the Miyajima visitor tax cost extra.

“We were a group of eight and took the tour to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island with Sei, and it was absolutely amazing. Sei was outstanding from the very beginning—he communicated with us before the tour, made sure we knew exactly where to meet him, and was already waiting when we arrived. He guided us with care the entire day. One of our group members had mobility challenges, and Sei immediately offered alternate routes and made sure they never felt left out. His personality is wonderful—warm, professional, and genuinely passionate about what he does. Sei shared so much insightful history throughout the tour. When we visited the Peace Park in Hiroshima,…”

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Tokyo, Shaped Around You: A Private Experience with a Local - Shibuya Crossing and the city’s electric side
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Tokyo, Shaped Around You: A Private Experience with a Local

14.Tokyo, Shaped Around You: A Private Experience with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,177 reviews · from $107

Build your Tokyo day around food, temples, markets, history, trains, or pop culture with a private City Unscripted host. Guides such as Shoko, Toshi, Apy, Noah, and Hiroko have tailored routes for families, first visits, hidden lanes, and local meals. Expect 2 to 5 hours of walking, conversation, and public transit.

“My family and i enjoyed this tour a lot! Amir is very knowledgeable about history and the Japanese culture. He took us to a market, a park and two temples. My family enjoyed this tour a lot!”

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10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people) - Kinkaku-ji begins the morning in gold
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10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)

15.10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,108 reviews · from $179

Travel through Kyoto with a private English-speaking guide and visit 10 major sights in about eight hours. You’ll see Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, and more. Guides such as Tammy, Yoshi, Hiromi, and Akemi are available by request, subject to availability.

“Hiromi was an amazing guide and did a wonderful job leading our tour. Very knowledgeable and so efficient in planning our transportation between sites! Great mix of sites as well. It was chilly and the handwarmers she provided were much appreciated!”

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